14 DAYS ~ EGYPT ~ JORDAN


Tour Pace
While this tour may appear leisurely, especially with four carefree nights aboard your exotic Nile cruise, you certainly wont get bored! Each day has been expertly planned to showcase all the fascinating sights these two countries have to offer, plus free time to relax if you wish.

Fellow Passengers – With it’s relaxing Nile cruise, ancient tombs, temples and monuments, Biblical sites and well preserved cities, this tour has something for everyone. Even movie fans are in for a treat with Petra being a location for the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

DAY 1 – WED – DEPART USA.
Board your overnight flight.

DAY 2 – THU – CAIRO AT LEISURE.
Welcome to Egypt! Egypt’s astounding cache of archaeological wonders and Pharaonic treasure has mesmerised visitors for centuries, from the Ancient Greeks to Agatha Christie. You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Hotel: Marriott.

DAY 3 – FRI – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING.
After breakfast and a detailed pre–tour briefing with your Tour Director, commence your sightseeing in Memphis, capital of the Old Kingdom, where a colossal statue of Rameses II and a great alabaster sphinx awaits. Nearby at Sakkara, view the Step Pyramid of Zoser I; dating from 2686BC, it’s the oldest in the world. Now enjoy a guided tour of Giza where you will see the enigmatic Sphinx and the magnificent Pyramids with a highlight visit inside one of these extraordinary creations! Later return for the magical Sound & Light Show which literally illuminates the ancient history of Giza! (BB)

DAY 4 – SAT – CAIRO – LUXOR – CRUISING.
Fly to Luxor, the former capital of the New Kingdom. In private moorings near the edge of town, your cruise boat awaits. Board in time for lunch and then visit Luxor Temple – an unforgettable introduction to ancient Thebes. Now continue to Karnak, the largest temple complex ever built by man. Walk through the avenue of Ram–headed sphinxes, and stand in awe among the huge columns of the Hypostyle Hall. Ship: MS Medea/MS Sapphire. (BB,L,D)

DAY 5 – SUN – CRUISING – EDFU.
After breakfast, cross over to the west bank of the Nile and stop for a photo of the towering Colossi of Memnon. These two giant seated figures are all that is left of Amon–Ofis III’s mortuary temple. Visit the amazing Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, blending into the cliff face above. Continue to the Valley of the Kings, the burial place of many of the New Kingdom Pharaohs, before cruising south to Esna and Edfu. (BB,L,D)

DAY 6 – MON – CRUISING – KOM OMBO.
This morning visit the beautifully preserved Temple of Horus, (the Falcon God) possibly the most complete in Egypt. Continue to Kom Ombo to visit the Temple of Sobek, the crocodile god, conveniently situated on the river bank. Celebrate in true Egyptian style at an Oriental Dinner and Galabea Party. (BB,L,HD)

DAY 7 – TUE – CRUISING – ASWAN.
Cruise to exotic Aswan in the cool of early morning. Visit the Aswan High Dam and also the ancient Granite Quarries to see the enormous unfinished obelisk. Take a motorboat to the Temple of Isis, rising from the waters of the Nile on the Island of Philae. Later, return to Aswan and sail in a traditional Nile felucca around Aswan’s Botanical Gardens. (BB,L,D)

DAY 8 – WED – ASWAN – CAIRO.
This morning, why not join an optional excursion to the temples of Abu Simbel, carved out of the rock by Rameses II and later rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser (see page 158). Otherwise, spend the morning in Aswan as you wish, before your transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo.

Hotel: Marriott. (BB)

DAY 9 – THU – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING.
Visit the Citadel for a breath taking view of the city of Cairo. Salah El Din started the Citadel in the 12th century, but it owes its present outline to Mohammed Ali, whose great Mosque you will visit next. Later, enjoy a highlight visit to the famous Egyptian Museum. Here, among the many thousands of artifacts on display, view Tutankhamun’s splendid treasures, including his splendid burial mask. Do you believe in the curse of the ‘boy king’? (BB)

DAY 10 – FRI – CAIRO – AMMAN.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Jordan, a landscape that has changed little in the last 2,000 years. On arrival at Amman Airport, you will be met by your Jordanian Tour Director and transferred to your hotel.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza. (BB,D)

DAY 11 – SAT – AMMAN – PETRA.
The trip to Jerash reveals the most beautifully preserved Greco– Roman city still in existence. Explore the ruins of the temples of Artemis and Zeus, the Whispering Column, Forum, Hadrian’s triumphal arch and the Street of Columns. Continue to Madaba to see the mosaic map in St George’s Church, which dates from around AD560. Travel on to Mt Nebo where Moses saw the Promised Land before him. Now on to your hotel in Petra.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza. (BB,D)

DAY 12 – SUN – PETRA SIGHTSEEING.
Spend the whole day visiting Petra, the rose red city, half as old as time. The approach to this lost city is through a narrow gorge, the Siq, whose walls rise up 200 metres. Emerging from the path to see the Treasury, where it is thought Ali Baba and his 40 thieves hid their stolen treasures. Wind your way through the canyon to explore the imposing Roman Amphitheatre which once seated 3,000 spectators, and the ancient tombs. (BB,D)

DAY 13 – MON – PETRA – AMMAN.
Visit two authentic 12th century crusader fortresses whose galleries, chapels and ramparts recall the gallantry of the Crusaders themselves. Shobak is now guardian over a barren and desolate land, while Kerak sits high above the surrounding plateau. Drive along the famous Kings Highway back to Amman, Jordan’s capital city. Here, see the huge 2nd century Roman Amphitheatre and the Citadel Hill.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza. (BB,D)

DAY 14 – TUE – RETURN TO USA.
Transfer to the airport for your onward flights. (BB) Additional visa requirements