Pre-trip Accommodation & Airport Transfers
Except in Istanbul, we provide a free service for booking pre-trip accommodation and airport transfers. Just log into your account on our website & select the accommodation / transfer required, or you can contact us direct. Please ensure this is done ASAP after booking or at least 4 weeks prior to your departure date or as soon as you have booked your flights.  All prices listed for pre trip accommodation & airport transfers are approximate.

Pre-trip Accommodation
All accommodation will be reserved in either dorm facilities or on a shared twin basis (between 2 people of the same sex from your trip) unless you are a couple or you have requested a specific type of room. If dorm or sharing options are not available we will reserve a single room at the relevant rate. We will always try to provide the most economical option for you. If you are arriving early in the morning and you would like to check in immediately, you may have to reserve your room for the previous night to ensure direct check in, otherwise you may have to wait until normal check in times.

Post-trip Accommodation & Airport Transfers can be arranged with your tour leader during the trip or directly with the hotel.  Extra nights can be arranged in Tunis, Cairo, Damascus or Istanbul.   Let your your Tour Leader know your requirements on arrival and they can advise you.  All prices are subject to currency fluctuations and payable in Euros, US Dollars, UK Pounds or local currency.

Pre-Departure Meeting
Your tour leader will meet you at the pre-departure meeting the evening before your trip departs. Notices of the time of the meeting will be placed in all the recommended  & Departure Hotels / Hostels approximately 4 days before, and here your crew will explain how the day to day running of the trip works etc.

Your tour leader will also require a copy of your passport, insurance policy, number and confirmation that the duration will cover you for the entire trip and a 24-hour emergency medical telephone number. It is essential that you attend this meeting - please let the UK office or your tour leader know if you are unable to make it.

You need to arrive at your departure city at least 1 day before your trip begins.  Return flights must be booked for the day after your trip has ended.  You may wish to allow some extra time to explore your arrival and departure cities.

Booking from the UK:  For those booking their flights from the UK, the best is an 'open jaw' or 'multi-city' type ticket which allows you to fly into one destination and out of another.  Try airlines such as BMI, Turkish Airlines and British Airways.  It is easy to find prices for flights online, through various search engines (www.opodo.co.uk or www.ebookers.co.uk are but two) and direct with airline websites. But it is worth bearing in mind that you may well be able to find a cheaper fare through a travel agent, whose experience may help with complicated itineraries and many of whom offer airline insolvency cover in the cost.  Busy months (and more expensive) are Feb / Mar, Jul / Aug and Dec, you should book as early as possible, if you are flying over these times.

One way ticket: If you intend to travel on a one way ticket to meet up with one of our trips - we recommend that you contact us at the time of paying your balance. We will supply you with a letter confirming that you are travelling overland on the specified trip that you have booked, in case immigration or the airline queries the fact that you do not have a return flight ticket. It is also recommended that you have a copy of your payment confirmation / receipt (that you will be sent at time of your balance payment) and itinerary as further proof of booking.

The information below is to be used only as a guide & may change without prior notice. It is advisable to contact the relevant  Embassy in plenty of time before the trip departs to check the current visa requirements.

Passports
Please bring 2 photocopies of your passport details to give to your Tour Leader. You will need at least 1 blank page per country in your passport, which must be valid for at least 9 months from your departure date. If you have dual nationality you can only use one passport for the entire trip.  It is your responsibility to ensure you have all the relevant Visas you require.

Visas
Any visas obtained en-route need to be paid for in US$ Dollars cash - please check with the relevant Embassy before travel.

If there are any stamps in your passport linking you with an entry or visit to Israel (this could include border / immigration stamps from other countries bordering Israel), you will need to replace your passport.

* =  Must obtain visa before travelling.

Turkey - Visa's are issued upon arrival in Turkey for most nationalities.

Syria -
Oasis Caravan Trip: All nationalities need a visa. We pre-book these and collect them on the border as a group visa so you do not require a visa before you join the trip.

Oasis Nomad & Ottoman Odyssey Trip: All nationalities need a visa which you must obtain before you travel. If you wish to do the Lebanon day trip you will need to apply for a Multiple entry visa.

The address for the Syrian Embassy in the UK is: 8 Belgrave Square, London. SW1X 8PH.
Tel: 020 7245 9012 / 090 6550 8935. Opening hours Mon-Fri: 10:00 - 12:00. Website - www.syrianembassy.co.uk click on ' consular section'  and then ' visa '. You can download the visa form from their website.

To apply you will need 2 application forms, 2 passport size photo's, your passport, and allow 4 to 7 days for processing.

To help you complete the application forms;

Those starting in Cairo for the Oasis Nomad Trip: your point of entry of entry into Syria is the Dar'a border from Jordan. Your point of exit will be from Damascus airport. Your date of entry will be 3 days before your trip ends in Damascus. Duration of stay in Syria is 4 days plus any time you have before your flight departs. If you are unsure put 10 days.

Those starting in Damascus for the Oasis Nomad Trip: your point of entry is into Damascus airport. Your point of exit will be the Dar'a border with Jordan. Your date of exit will be 3 days after your trip starts in Damascus. Duration of stay in Syria is 4 days plus any time you have before the trip starts. If you are unsure put 10 days.

Those starting in Istanbul for the Ottoman Odyessey Trip: your point of entry into Syria is the Bab al-Hawa border from Antakya in Turkey. Your point of exit will be from Damascus airport. Your date of entry will be 6 days before your trip ends in Damascus. Duration of stay in Syria is 6 days plus any time you have before your flight departs. If you are unsure put 10 days.

Those starting in Damascus for the Ottoman Odyssey Trip: your point of entry is into Damascus airport. Your point of exit will be the Bad al-Hawa border with Antakya in Turkey. Your date of exit will be 6 days after your trip starts in Damascus. Duration of stay in Syria is 6 days plus any time you have before the trip starts. If you are unsure put 10 days.

Our address in Damascus is Kaboun Camping, Autostrad Damascus - Homs, Damascus. Tel: 011 512 6235. You may also be asked for a short letter from your employer or college stating who you are. Your visa will be valid for 3 months from the date of issue so do not apply for it more than 3 months before you are due to enter Syria.

If you are having difficulty obtaining your visa or do not have enough time then it is possible to arrange through our Syrian agent, for which a fee will be charged.  Please contact us for details.

Departure tax for Syria is 1500 Syrian Pounds (approx. £20) if departing by air or 500 Syrian Pounds (approx. £7) by land.

Lebanon - The visa for Lebanon is included in the price of the optional excursion (US$125 to US$175 dependant on numbers). You will need to bring a photocopy of the personal details page of your passport and your tour leader will apply for the visa en-route.

Jordan - All nationalities need a visa. We pre-book these and collect them on the border as a group visa so you do not require a visa before you join the trip.

Egypt - Most nationalities can obtain this visa on entry into Egypt. South African passport holders MUST obtain this visa BEFORE they travel.

On northbound trips from Tunis / Cairo to Damascus / Istanbul there is a departure tax of EP 50 (approx. £6) at the ferry terminal when leaving Egypt.

Libya - All nationalities require a visa (unfortunately at the present time USA, Chinese & Swiss Passport holders will not be issued Libyan visas).  We pre-book these & collect them on the border as a group (cost as shown), so you do not require a visa before you join the tour.

However for Libya all nationalities need to obtain an Arabic Translation of your personal details from the front page of your passport.  This must be done through an official translator with an authority to translate & stamp your passport & we will require a scanned copy of this page and the translation sent to the Oasis Overland office at least 5 weeks before your trip departs.

We have previously used the official translator below for this in the UK. You must check with them the current required processing time. We suggest at least two weeks. The cost is around £30 for British Passport holders and £45 for all others. You will also need to send you passport to them by special delivery, and enclose a special delivery envelope for return. The address of our recommended authorised translator is: Mustafa Qawateen, 183 Old Oak Road, London, W3 7HH. Tel. 0795 7391043. Email mqawatin@hotmail.com

Tunisia - Most nationalities do not require a visa, Australians can obtain this visa on entry into Tunisia. New Zealanders and South African passport holders MUST obtain this visa BEFORE they travel.

For more information on other nationalities & Visas checkout www.projectvisa.com

Vaccinations & Health
As we are not medically trained - we are unable to give detailed or professional advice on vaccination requirements, so please use this information and chart only as a guide.  Please consult a reputable travel clinic or GP for advice on any medical issues. We suggest allowing 8 weeks to get all your vaccinations. For more information visit: www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk or  www.nomadtravel.co.uk  Oasis travellers receive a 10% discount on vaccinations & medical kits from the Nomad Travel Clinic - you will receive your discount code on your booking receipt.

There are other vaccines not listed here which are sometimes recommended - please see a registered GP or Travel Health clinic for further advice. (Cholera , Diphtheria, Hep B, Rabies etc)

KEY:
Y = Recommended - consult a GP or Travel Clinic
Y* = Yellow fever certificate also required if coming from an infected area

Health
To join our trips you should be in good general health.  Your medical insurance co' must be told if you have any pre-existing medical condition / allergy or if you are on any regular medication, otherwise you may not be covered under your policies for these. Our crew will need to know of any medication or conditions you may have. For general health advice log onto www.nathnac.org/travel/

It is a compulsory requirement that you have adequate travel insurance before you join any Oasis Trip & at the very least are insured for all necessary medical & repatriation costs incurred overseas with a minimum sum insured of £500,000.

Your Tour Leader will ask to see a copy of your insurance policy at the pre-departure meeting and you will be asked to provide the following details: 24-hour emergency medical telephone number, your policy number, confirmation that the policy duration is sufficient to cover you for the entire duration of your trip.  It is also wise to leave a copy of your insurance policy with a friend or relative for safe keeping.

We believe that your safety and holiday enjoyment are very important. It is a mistake to think that "it will never happen to me". It is also very important that you are covered for all the activities that you may wish to undertake while on our trip.

For further information on the insurance we offer, the activities covered, costs and how to book - click here or check out the Insurance section of our website.

Local Payment (LP)
LP is part of your overall trip payment and is the most cost effective and practical way to get hard currency to the Middle East to pay for a variety of your day-to-day local costs (i.e. all meals prepared by the group, campsite fees, gas, and certain activities listed on the trip page) which cannot be pre-paid from the UK. It is a guaranteed amount, set before your trip departs, and unlike 'group kitty' systems we will not ask you to contribute more once the trip is underway.

Please note: Your LP is payable to your Tour Leader on the morning of departure in CASH ONLY. Your LP needs to be paid as 1/3 US$ Dollars and 2/3 British Pounds or Euro's CASH (exchange rates on the day will be used). We use www.xe.com for current up to date rates. Make sure that all your notes are in good condition. Old, torn or marked notes are often refused by the banks.

(LP is slightly more for our winter departures, as we spend more nights in hotels and pensions due to the cold weather).

Spending Money
From past trips and traveller feedback £100 to £120 per week should cover costs such as visas, some meals out (on average 50% per day are supplied), soft drinks and beers, email & communications, souvenirs and other general spending. Personal spending habits & budgets differ greatly from person to person. Budget on optional activities separately (see optional excursions page) & allow extra for your Local Payment contribution.

Changing money
Change your money only at banks, hotels, airports or forex bureau's.  It is illegal to change money on the street, as these people will normally be opportunistic thieves or undercover police. Your crew will advise you where & when you can change money & with what means.  It is also a good idea to have a small CASH emergency fund, to allow for the unexpected.

How to bring your currency?
As a general rule it is best to bring your money as half US Dollars / British Pounds or Euro's & half in US Dollar  / English Pounds  or Euro's Travellers Cheques OR Credit / Debit Card.  Old, torn, or marked notes are often refused.  Do not bring US$100 notes unless they are in excellent condition and post 2000.  Scottish pounds are also not accepted.  Bring about US$100 of your budget in small denominations.

Visa's need to be paid for in US$ CASH ONLY! (and it is advisable to have around US$100 in cash on top of the Lebanon excursion for Syria if you are travelling there)

Travellers Cheques (TC's) - as well as debit / credit cards can attract 2 to 8 % commission. The use of TC's overseas can be frustrating but at the same time worthwhile as they can be replaced in an incidence of loss or theft.

Credit & Debit Cards - a combination of several types are suggested as not all types are accepted in all places. Visa & Maestro are best, MasterCard has limited access through parts of the Middle East. Over the counter cash advances can be expensive, time consuming and should not be relied upon - you will be given local currency and NOT US$ or £GB. We recommend that you inform your bank that you will be using your card abroad to avoid it being blocked. Please see the optional excursions page for activities that can be paid for using a Credit or Debit Card.

ATM's - www.visa.com or www.mastercard.com can give a general idea of locations of ATM's around the world - but please do not rely on this means alone to obtain local cash, please only use as a guide - things change, and ATM's don't always work!
Besides memorising your PIN, it is also important to be aware of your daily withdrawal limit and bank withdrawal costs.

Tipping - is often expected and relied upon. It is often more than a reward for services well done, but, as wages are extremely low, it is an accepted means of supplementing an income. If you would like to leave a tip for any activity/individual, you could organize this as a group and give a tip at the end. A recommended amount for restaurants is usually 10% of your total bill and similar for activities. Your crew will usually be able to help you with any queries regarding this.

In the past we have been asked by travellers about tipping your Oasis Crew.  Our guys work very hard at making your trip a great travel experience. Working overseas can often be challenging and they are pretty much on call for you 24 hours a day, so it's appreciated with a thank you for hard work and good service - even if it is just verbally. Although a tip is not expected by either Oasis or our Crew if you have had a great trip and feel you would like to show your appreciation by leaving your crew a tip - an amount of $1 a day  has been recommended to us by some past customer feedback.

Please be aware that tipping and the amount you tip is entirely up to you individually and always your choice.

Stuff to buy
One of the highlights of the Middle East are numerous handicrafts and souvenirs including kilims (rugs), carpets, pearls, silver, gold, clothing, woven bags, olive and cedar-wood carvings, silk, jewellery boxes, backgammon boards, leather goods, incense plus much more.

Become part of the "Souvenir Alert " Campaign - and think before you buy.  Check that your purchased goods are not breaking the law and endangering wildlife, or your souvenirs may be confiscated by customs on your return www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth/CITES/

Climatic variations are quite dramatic in the Middle East.  As a general guide, from November to March most of Turkey experiences cold winters. Cappadocia has cold nights year round so you will need warm clothes and sleeping bag. At the same time Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and parts of Syria and Jordan can get very hot.
Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Syria and Jordan have hot days year round, but nights in the desert and on Mt Sinai can be very cold throughout the year. From May to September temperatures in southern Egypt and Libya can reach 40°C plus!  So bring clothes for all seasons but pack extra warm clothes if travelling in Turkey from October to April - we normally camp less during these winter months (see note under Local Payment section). Click here to view the climate chart

The less you take the less you have to pack, wash & lug home & you can always pick up extras along the way. Most people make the mistake of bringing too much gear.  Clothes washing or laundry facilities will be available at least once a week.  You will be travelling in the heat & camping in the cold, so bring clothes for all climates; rough stuff is best. Pack according to season: use our climate guide to give you some idea (remember, nights are cold in deserts and the mountains). Make sure that you bring your gear in a 70 - 90L rucksack or holdall - suitcases are not suitable.

Even though our trucks are equipped with a comprehensive medical kit, we advise you to bring a small personal medical kit as our truck kit is not for general everyday use. It will also be your responsibility to carry your kit on included excursions and optional activities as some local operators may not have medical kits to hand.

Cameras (incl. Digital & Video Cameras)
An easy to use 'point and press' will get you some good photos. For memorable shots, it may be worthwhile investing in an SLR camera, but be sure to get some practice in before the trip!  Most towns and cities have internet cafes where you can download onto CD/ internet sites - but don't rely on it.
We recommend you bring:

• Strong bag / carry case to protect the camera - zip lock / plastic bags are useful for dusty / sandy conditions

• Spare / extra batteries

• Polarizing Filter / Lens Hood for SLR's - this will help to minimise the washed out effect from very brought sunlight

• Film - this is getting harder to find and may well be out of date or expensive

• Memory / Storage media (2 x memory cards in case one gets corrupted) - again this could be hard to find

• USB cable - to connect in internet cafes or for downloading

We can recommend Clock Tower Cameras for second hand cameras and lenses. Contact Paul or Eddy on 01273 706010 or visit their website: www.clocktowercameras.co.uk

Photography no no's!!
It is forbidden in all the countries we visit to take photos of anything military.  Bridges, border posts and airports are also sensitive, so be careful or be prepared to have your film / camera confiscated by irate officials. Please act with discretion and respect when taking photos of people (especially in areas of poverty) - if in doubt it is always better to ask first before you snap away!

Electrical charging & power supply
It may be difficult to find a power source for charging at times, so a spare battery is a must.
Consider a 12V in-car charger (our vehicles are equipped with a couple of 12 volt cigarette lighter charger sockets - truck trips only) or bring along your 230v mains charger and travel adaptor plug for use at some of the hotels, hostels and campsites we stay at.

NOTE: 12V - 230V inverters cannot be used on our vehicles because of the power drain they cause.

Log onto www.kropla.com  for information regarding the different electrical plugs and voltage used in each country.

As an Oasis Overland traveller you will receive a 25% discount off Lonely Planet & Footprints guides, which gives concise info on all countries to help make sure you don't miss out on stuff you want see!
Maps - Bartholomew's, Collins and National Geographic have good detailed maps of the areas we travel through.

The Oasis truck will be your new home giving you a comfortable, secure base with which to experience your trip. As part of the adventure you will be expected to have an active involvement in the day to day running of the trip, be part of the group and get stuck in and help with various tasks, whether it's cooking meals over open fires, pitching your tent or keeping the truck clean & tidy.

Accommodation
Camping
Oasis uses roomy three-person tents but only for two people. They are specially made for us to meet the tougher conditions of an overland trip and have mosquito netting sewn into the door and windows.  We spend some nights bush or desert camping and the rest of the time in campsites. Facilities and standards at campsites vary, some are well equipped and managed and some are very basic.  At bush camps you will be living off the truck, so there will be no showers or en-suite facilities! At certain campsites there may be the opportunity to upgrade to a private room at your own expense if you are missing your bed.

Simple Hotels / Hostels
At some locations we will stay at small locally owned hostels/hotels. These are usually basic, and often the accommodation will be dormitory style. Upgrades may be available on arrival, but cannot be reliably pre-booked. Please be aware that the quality of accommodation can vary quite a lot from area to area and sometimes in a small hotel the standard of rooms can vary even from one room to the next - so there needs to be a level of understanding within the group that your oasis crew does not often have power over room allocation or services provided by various hotels and it is unavoidable that they have to rely on the local staff.

During the day
As a guide driving days normally start at about 8am and finish at about 5pm, with stops for lunch and buying food, seeing local sights etc. We won't be driving every day, although there are times when we will drive for two, but we will then stop for a few days and you will have free time to explore, meet local people, do some optional activities or just relax and do your own thing. Expect to sometimes get dusty & dishevelled during the day and although you will be able to shower most nights (except at bush camps), not all camps will have hot showers.

Meals & cook groups
When 'on the road' or camping, we usually cook using gas or over open fires in a rota system and you can expect to cook in a group of two or three people approximately once every ten days depending on the number of people on trip and whereabouts you are.   Your cook group will have to decide on what to cook, utilise stocks from the truck stores and locally obtain ingredients from markets, shops etc and rustle up a meal.  But don't worry if you're not a Gordon Ramsay, as the rest of the group and the Tour leader usually lend a helping hand.  Here is an idea of what to expect at meal times:

Breakfasts:  Usually simple - we help ourselves to cereal, toast, hot drinks and on occasion we will splurge with a cooked breakfast.
Lunch:  Cold and usually quick. The cook group will put out bread, tinned supplies and maybe make a salad.
Dinner:  Cooks come into their own in the evening and will always attempt to cook up some delights.

When staying in hotels in towns or cities we do not include meals  This is your chance to go out and explore and try local cuisine in local restaurants.

In the evenings - When at a bushcamp or campsite, you and your tent buddy will put up the tent, and then lend a hand with getting out the tables, stools, firewood and water containers. The fire grates need to be taken out, the fire lit and someone can fill the kettle and make hot drinks while the cook group prepares the evening meal. Then just sit back & chill and enjoy the rest of your evening!

Vegetarians / Vegans - Our crew will always do their best to cater for Vegetarians, Vegans or other dietary requirements when the group are cooking, but it must be remembered that the variety of dishes available may not be the same as available to meat eaters. If there is anything in particular you require or would miss from home, it would be best to bring it along with you. Remember that when eating out in local restaurants & hotels that the vegetarian concept, while often not new, is still alien & often incomprehensible to many local people. Most large towns and cities, or areas used to tourists, will often have more choice for vegetarians but please be aware that you will not receive the variety or quantity of dishes available to meat eaters.

Ramadan
Ramadan is the holy Islamic month during which Muslims fast during the day and is based on Lunar months. No food or liquid is allowed to pass a person's lips during daylight hours. Tourists are not expected to fast during this time, but are expected to show respect, by not eating on the streets or in public view etc. Be aware some shops and historical sites may adjust opening times, but this should not significantly affect our itinerary.  Hotels and western style pubs we use normally continue to sell alcohol during Ramadan, but general availability may be limited.

People in the regions we pass through are generally conservative, especially about matters concerning sex and women.  Muslim countries simply are not the place to make a feminist statement.  Attitudes range from fairly liberal on the Red Sea coast, to fairly conservative in other countries & some of the small towns we pass through.  If you are not prepared to fit in with the social code of the area you may be harassed.

Oasis Crew
We usually have two crew whose duties are extensive and quite demanding, with challenges ranging from driving and maintaining the expedition vehicle to a high standard, to organising visas and border crossings, arranging accommodation, pre-booking some excursions and guides, helping with shopping and cooking as well as finding the best deals, socializing and making sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. While our crew are experienced and knowledgeable they are not tour guides as such. Our trips pass through many countries and our tour leaders cannot be expected to have detailed knowledge of each countries history, flaura and fauna and archaeological sites. Even so - they will be more than willing to pass on any interesting and useful information that they have acquired whilst on the road. A rewarding way to gain a better insight into the wildlife, cultural and historical diversity of the countries we travel through is by reading guide books as well as talking to the local people and using local guides.

Adventure travel can be unpredictable and occasionally our crew may have to amend the itinerary to take into account changing local circumstances or because of a delay at a border or because of circumstances outside our control. This can all lead to additional work and commitment for our crew who will do all they can to minimize any disruption to the trip. While our crew are essentially on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week, it has to be remembered that no one is actually expected to work these hours, so at Oasis we are realistic that within a trip there will be times when our crew need 'down time' and a chance to relax and 'let their hair down' as well. They are only human!

The most reliable way to receive messages from friends and family is via email.  This is quite common place in many areas that we visit, but the efficiency or speed of connection is never a guarantee!  You will usually be able to email once a week or so on average, depending on which countries you visit.   Telephone calls can be expensive, and the cheapest option is to buy a phone card for each country you visit. Internet access costs around $1 to $2 per half hour.  There is also the opportunity to use Skype in some areas.

Language
Arabic and Turkish are the official languages in the countries we pass through.  English is widely spoken as a second language in larger towns.  However, learning some basic phrases will be rewarded when meeting local people.

In cities
All major cities have their share of petty crime (just like our cities!) and sensible precautions need to be taken.  Wearing expensive looking jewellery, watches and carrying cameras, will draw unnecessary attention to you.  Leave valuables such as passports, excess money etc in your hotel safe or truck safe (we recommend carrying a copy of your passport details page at all times). You may find a simple money belt is more discrete than a bag.   Always be aware of your surroundings and when approached by people you do not know, use your common sense. At night in cities it's best to use a taxi, rather than walking around the streets, single women in particular need to be careful & we would suggest that it is safer to be in a group

On board the truck
Each vehicle is fitted with a hidden, lockable safe to be used for money, passports and documents.  Passengers will be responsible for the safe and Oasis Overland cannot accept any liability for clients' personal or monetary contents kept in the safe or on board the truck.  We advise you to not take items of value that are not essential for the journey.  In certain areas a roster may be drawn up for the group to share the task of guarding and keeping the vehicle secure.

Before you go

• Remove unnecessary packaging before you go - waste disposal facilities are often stretched in the places we visit. To avoid unnecessary pollution of local water supplies take environmentally friendly toiletries with you.

• Why not invest in a wind-up or solar-powered torch or media player before you travel or at least rechargeable batteries.

• Learn some of the local language and read up on the local history / culture before you go. You'll get so much more out of your trip.

• Why not pack some pens / pencils exercise books in your rucksack and they can be donated to a local school or project while you're away.

• Take a sturdy water bottle with you from home that you can re-use throughout your trip.

While you're travelling
From experience gained in running trips, we have developed our own practical and a manageable environmental policy which all of our crew practice on the trips we operate, and they will share this information with you at the start of your trip. We welcome your input on this, plus any new ideas you may have, to improve our existing procedures. As a guide here's a few tips to bear in mind.

• Don't waste water. It is a scarce resource in many of the places our trips visit.

• Never buy endangered species or endangered habitat products. Apart from the fact of it being illegal it also encourages the trade to continue.

• Look after and preserve the areas we visit. Be careful about stepping on coral reefs or trekking on undesignated tracks.

• Buy locally made crafts and products helping to support the local economy.

• Don't feel when bargaining that you have to get the cheapest price possible just for the sake of it. Pay what the item is worth to you.

• Try the local food and drinks - this will help to support local farmers and food sellers. Sitting in a local cafe is also a great way to meet local people.

• Dispose of litter appropriately on your trip. This includes cigarette butts. Not only does litter look unsightly it can be lethal to wildlife.

• Where any toilet facilities exist, however unsavoury they might seem to you, they should be used. Where they do not, always bury your waste and amke sure it is never near, (at least 30m) from a water source.

• When game viewing do not encourage your guides to get too close to the wildlife so that their natural behaviour is impeded.

• Respect local customs, traditions and beliefs of the people in the different regions that you travel through.

• Do not take photos of people, ritual events or special places unless you have asked first. Dress appropriately according to local codes and show respect around religious festivals.

• Recycling is almost non-existent in many of the ares and countries we visit - we do the best we can with limited resources & space on our vehicles.

• For books dedicated to travelling more responsibly & ethically see: www.tourismconcern.org.uk

Community Projects
Oasis are active in raising awareness and providing support to a number of projects and local schools where we believe we can make a positive difference. You can also help support these projects or possibly visit them on your trip. To gain further information check out the websites below:

Luxor, Egypt - You have the opportunity to visit the Sunshine International Children's Orphanage. Oasis is a sponsor of this independently run Children's Orphanage - caring fro underprivileged youths and orphans - www.sunshine-international.org.uk
Cairo, Egypt - Oasis support the Sudanese Community Development Program -
www.scdp-egypt.com

Detailed Itinerary

Please note that our itineraries are not set in stone and can be subject to change.

Days 1 to 2

Damascus - We spend some time in the oldest inhabited city in the world. Syrians are among the most hospitable people you will ever meet. The country has a rich and varied history with the Egyptian, Roman, Babylonian and Persian Empires having all passed through here along with Jesus and his disciples! From here, depending on the political and security situation in Lebanon, there is the option of taking a one day guided tour into Lebanon and Beirut, which includes a guided visit to Baalbek Roman Temple, an 'all you can eat' Lebanese lunch, city tour of Beirut as well as free time in this quickly regenerating city, fast recovering from the civil war of the 80's and 90's.  

Days 3 to 8

A one day drive then takes us into Jordan and the Dead Sea.  Here, therapeutic mud baths and not so therapeutic mud fights, are followed by an unusual swimming experience in this highly buoyant salt sea! We camp overnight on Mt Nebo which overlooks Israel, before visiting one of the main attractions in the Middle East - The Rose Red City of Petra. This stone carved city was only uncovered about 70 years ago after being forgotten for over 1000 years.
Walking through an incredibly narrow, rocky defile brings you out to Petra's most famous site -The Treasury - The Nabataeans who carved this vast red city in 3^rd Century BC controlled the spice and slave caravans from Asia on their way to Arabia. On our way to Aqaba we desert camp over night at Wadi Rum - the desert headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia! Here there is the option of taking a 4WD jeep safari deep into the desert with Bedouin guides.  From Aqaba, we take the ferry across the Red Sea to the Sinai Desert in Egypt..

Days 9 to 14

Dahab is our base for the next few days.  Here, you can snorkel or scuba dive to some of the best coral in the world or try your hand at various water sports or just relax on the beach. Dahab also has many beach cafes and quirky restaurants serving great seafood as well as traditional Arabic food. For the energetic you can take a one day camel safari and trek off road down the desert coast line with experienced Bedouin guides and camels you will reach areas few tourists ever see. Mount Sinai and St. Catherine's Monastery are nearby deep in the desert. It was here, that Moses received the Ten Commandments.  It is a great place to camp the night and watch the sunrise. Leaving the Sinai we cross the Suez Canal for a long drive to Luxor Via Hurghada.

Days 15 to 19

In Luxor we use a campsite with a swimming pool as our base and we have two full days to explore. You will have time to visit Valley of the Kings & Queens (by donkey!), Karnak Temple and its Sound and Light Show and Luxor Temple. The remarkably well preserved tombs of Ramses II and Tutankhamun have coloured paintings and hieroglyphics that still seem fresh after 3000 years.
We then travel onto Aswan, arguably, the most attractive city on the Nile. Here you can walk along the Corniche with its riverside restaurants, some of them floating, as well as the tremendous views of the Nile cataracts. We spend two days here which gives you enough time to take a trip out to the stone monuments of Abu Simbel built by the greatest of all Pharaohs Ramses II.
On the third day, you have the opportunity to enjoy the Nile River from a traditional felucca sail boat for a two day trip to Kom Ombo. Just lie back and watch Egypt glide by.
We travel a short distance back to Luxor where we relax before heading to Cairo on an overnight train ride.

Days 20 to 22

With almost 20 million people this is a hectic, chaotic city. We include a visit to the Sphinx and Pyramids at Giza, with a local guide (this also includes a camel ride around the Pyramids), and a visit the Egyptian History Museum in the afternoon. Entry fees and Egyptologist guide are included. 

Days 23 to 25

From Cairo we head up to the Mediterranean coast town of Alexandria where we can visit the old coffee houses or enjoy some of the excellent seafood or take a trip to the Catacombs in the eerie subterranean Roman Necropolis full of bizarre carvings and an ancient dining room for mourners! The beaches and diving here are also excellent with wrecks of Roman Galley's, French Warships, German U-boats and Cleopatra's Palace.
Then we drive along the coast to visit the war cemeteries at El Alamein. Winston Churchill said 'Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein we never had a defeat.' This was the turning point of the Second World War. It is well worth paying your respects at the cemeteries and visiting the excellent War Museum which documents Montgomery's and Rommel's momentous battles and it also houses much of the abandoned tanks and other armour.

Days 26 to 29

From El Alamein we cross over into Libya to Apollonia where we visit Tobruk, the scene of some of the most important and viscous battles of WW 2. Here we visit the well kept Commonwealth Cemeteries, containing 6128 graves of mainly British, Australian, New Zealand and South African troops. We will also see some of the 25kms of fortified trenches and battle remains that circled the town. Don't forget to wear shoes here as some of the barbed wire still exists in the sand! From Tobruk it is a short drive to the ancient Greek city of Cyrene. Established in the 7^th Century BC it has an outstanding history having come under the rule of Alexander the Great as well as being rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian after destruction by a Jewish revolt. Plato was also a resident of Cyrene.

Days 30 to 36

We drive along the Mediterranean coast with plenty of opportunities to freshen up with a swim from one of the many deserted beaches. Leptis Magna, one of the finest preserved Roman Cities and one of the few where you can actually still picture a living city. With colonnaded streets, a huge triumphal arch, a well preserved Roman harbour with quay side and warehouses still intact and much more, it is well worth investing in a local guide and enjoy the whole day exploring the city.  We now drive down to Al Qaryat to  cross the Hamadat al-Hamrah desert to the UNESCO World Heritage listed oasis town of Ghadames. Situated on an ancient desert caravan route from West Africa there is believed to have been a town here for 5000 years. Here you can feel perfectly safe as you get lost in its labyrinthine alleyways. You can also venture out of town and climb one of the sand dunes to view the spectacular sunsets. Then we move on to the small town of Nalut, which has an exceptional qasr (fortified granary reached though underground tunnel) clinging to a steep hillside as well as ancient olive oil presses.

Days 37 to 42

From the desert border into Tunisia we head north to Remada and on to visit Matmata, well known for its troglodyte villages. Continuing travelling via Kebili to Tunisia's main date growing region at the small oasis towns of Nefta and Tozeur where we have some free time to explore. These towns are closely linked with the mystical brotherhood of Sufism and while in Tunisia we will pass numerous small white painted dome topped buildings which are the burial places of Marabouts - holy men and religious teachers who travelled to and from Mecca and organised Sufi schools. We drive up to Le Kef, a mountainous village dominated by its fortified Kasbah. We have a free day here as there are many short hikes and places of interest and Le Kef itself is a great place to relax. En route we visit the old Roman city of Haidra which is very close to the Algerian Border. Our final stop is Dougga, the largest and most dramatic Roman site in Tunisia, before heading into the city of Tunis.
Tunis is a safe and very easy city to explore. It has a fascinating old walled city, more commonly called the Medina, and is thankfully ignored by most of the package holiday tour operators. Tunis has a strong medieval Arab past and well worth spending a couple of days here after your trip has finished. Also, the legendary city of Carthage is only a 30 minute bus or taxi ride from Tunis with it's Greek and Roman past infused with power, cruelty, romance and decline.  

* Xmas in Alexandria, New Years in Libya