| A backpacking adventure in the Middle East can be | | | | awe-inspiring carvings, dazzling red colours and |
| eye-opening, exciting, and at times challenging. As | | | | beautiful rock formations as you explore the Petra |
| you explore sites of immense religious, cultural and | | | | valley on foot, or on horseback or by camel. |
| historical significance, you will further your education | | | | Aqaba: From Wadi Musa (the town to use as base |
| and gain insights into other less familiar cultures and | | | | for visiting Petra), head by bus to the Jordanian Red |
| ways of life. Backpacking through the Middle East is | | | | Sea resort of Aqaba. From here, you'll have access |
| never short of an adventure and you're likely to | | | | to some of the best snorkelling and diving in the |
| experience some incredible hospitality, sample some | | | | world and the timeless crimson beauty of the Wadi |
| delectable cuisine and meet some fascinating people | | | | Rum natural landscape. Wadi Rum is virtually |
| along the way. | | | | untouched by humanity and can be explored by 4x4 |
| Fly into Istanbul in Turkey, a city at the crossroads | | | | vehicle or camel. You can arrange to stay with the |
| of East and West. The perfect introduction to the | | | | local Bedoiun people, spending a night in a tent after |
| Middle East, Istanbul is both westernised and familiar, | | | | a traditional campfire meal. |
| while at the same time it's exotic and enchanting. | | | | Into Israel: Allow plenty of time for the border |
| After a good few days haggling in the grand bazaar | | | | crossing into Israel. It can be helpful to have a clear |
| and marvelling at the architecture, head by | | | | idea of where you're heading in Israel and what you |
| comfortable overnight bus to Cappadocia. | | | | hope to do there. Be patient and polite and once the |
| Cappadocia: The natural beauty of Central Turkey is | | | | border formalities are done, you'll want to jump in a |
| breathtaking. Goreme is a good base for a few days | | | | taxi and head to the Israeli resort of Eilat. |
| sampling delicious Turkish cuisine, walking through the | | | | Eilat: After a couple of weeks in the Arabic countries |
| spectacular landscape of "fairy chimney" rock | | | | of Jordan and Syria, Eilat will be a major culture |
| formations and exploring churches cut in rock by the | | | | shock. You can see the Jordanian flag and the town |
| early Christians. | | | | of Aqaba from the beach in downtown Eilat but it |
| From Cappadocia, head to Antakya for your final | | | | feels like a different world. Eilat is an Israeli beach |
| night in Turkey before heading over the border by | | | | resort, with westernised restaurants, bars and |
| bus to Aleppo in Syria. | | | | nightlife. If sun, sea, sand and partying is your thing, |
| Aleppo: Syria probably contains almost everything | | | | you'll want to linger for a few days in Eilat. |
| that comes to mind when you think of the Middle | | | | Jerusalem: The centre of three major world religions, |
| East: Legendary Arabic hospitality, mouth-watering | | | | Jerusalem is like nowhere else on Earth. The old city |
| mezze, conservative Islam and rich history and | | | | contains sites of huge historic and cultural significance |
| culture. The people here are some of the friendliest in | | | | to Jews, Christians and Muslims. A visit to Jerusalem |
| the world, and to really get a feel for the place, | | | | provides an opportunity to explore sites of historic |
| spend some time in the cafes and markets (souks). | | | | and religious interest, while also gaining an |
| Around every corner, there seems to be a point of | | | | understanding of the background and the issues |
| historical interest, but just observing the culture and | | | | surrounding the present-day conflict. |
| chatting to the locals can be an experience in itself. | | | | Dead Sea: Easily accessible from Jerusalem, Ein Gedi is |
| Damascus: A must on any Middle Eastern traveller's | | | | an Oasis on the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest |
| itinerary. A few days can be spent in the coffee | | | | point on Earth. Due to the salt content, the human |
| shops and souks of Damascus, sipping intense Arabic | | | | body will float on the Dead Sea, an experience not |
| coffee to the sound of the Muslim call to prayer. The | | | | to be missed. |
| Umayyad Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in | | | | Galilee: Travelling around Israel is comfortable and |
| the world and the architectural beauty is | | | | straightforward and a trip north to Galilee provides |
| awe-inspiring. | | | | opportunity to explore the area where Jesus lived |
| Palmyra: If you're into ruins, you won't want to skip | | | | and taught, including the Mount of Beatitudes (where |
| Palmyra. These ruins of one of the ancient world's | | | | Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount) and the |
| most important centres of culture are located at an | | | | Sea of Galilee. |
| Oasis in the Syrian Desert, and you can get there by | | | | Tel Aviv: Known as ‘the city that doesn't stop' |
| bus or taxi from Damascus. | | | | because of its reputation for partying, Tel Aviv is the |
| From Damascus, head south and cross into Jordan. | | | | heart of secular Israel and the economic and |
| Sharing a taxi is relatively easy in Damascus and is a | | | | commercial centre. The highlight is the sandy |
| great opportunity to make friends with the locals. | | | | Mediterranean coastline and the fantastic beach |
| Catch a ride in Damascus heading for Amman in | | | | scene where you can relax for a day or two before |
| Jordan. | | | | boarding your flight home. |
| Amman: After a day or two exploring this fascinating, | | | | Assuming you travel independently as a backpacker, |
| hospitable city of contrasts between old and new, | | | | this 4 week itinerary through the Middle East is likely |
| continue south by bus to the UNESCO world heritage | | | | to cost in the region of $1500-$2000 if you travel |
| site of Petra. | | | | and share rooms with a partner and in the region of |
| Petra: Jordan's greatest tourist attraction is the vast | | | | $2400-$2700 if you travel on your own. |
| rock-carved Nabataean city of Petra. Marvel at the | | | | |