4 night River Nile Cruise included!

Transcription

1 4 night River Nile Cruise included!

2 AND JORDAN DISCOVERY From the Valley of the Kings to the awe-inspiring ruins of Petra, this adventure through Egypt and Jordan reveals so much more than the sphinxes and tombs of your childhood dreams. You ll sail down the Nile, visit traditional village communities, dig for obscure treasure in ancient marketplaces, and dip your feet into the crisp salt waters of the Dead Sea. Will you join us on this spectacular trip of a lifetime? Tour Highlights Visit Egypt s classic icons - the Sphinx and King Tut s tomb. Discover the fascinating story behind the Valley of the Kings and its unusual burial tradition. Spend four nights cruising down the Nile River encounter Nubian communities and relax on the sun deck and in the pool on our Feature Stay Riverboat. Discover Wadi Rum, a geologically intriguing town built into a vast boulder. Experience the turquoise haven of the one of the world s saltiest bodies of water - the Dead Sea. Journey through the desert to a luxury camp. Get to know your friendly Bedouin hosts before spending a night under a staggeringly beautiful starry sky in our Jordan Feature Stay. Enjoy a home cooked meal with a local Egyptian family. Travel to Abu Simbel s monumental temples by plane and marvel at the sheer scale of these stunning structures.

3 AND JORDAN DISCOVERY Day 2-28th April 2019 Cairo - Overnight Train (B,D) This morning after breakfast we drive out to Giza, home to perhaps the greatest iconic structures ever created by man - the Pyramids and the Sphinx. Instantly familiar yet retaining a mystique and power, getting up close to these incredible pharaonic tombs is captivating. For an additional charge you may be able to go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (or Cheops), although occasionally it may be closed to visitors. Want some extra time in Cairo? Ask the team about our Pre-tour Cairo package including private transfer, downtown Cairo tour and hotel accommodation. Day 1-27th April 2019 Cairo After arriving at Cairo International Airport you ll be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to rest after your flight before our welcome meeting and tour briefing in the evening where we ll meet our tour guide and your Two s a Crowd Tour Host. Accommodation: Novotel El Borg or similar The Egyptian Museum is simply one of the world s great museums, home to a stupendous collection of antiquities and the perfect introduction to our tour, exhibiting many of the region s treasures. We ll head there after lunch and our expert guide will take us through Egypt s rich and fascinating dynastic history. Included is a visit to the Mummy Room, before some free time to explore on your own. Afterwards we ll return to our hotel, where there is plenty of time to freshen up before we re transferred to the railway station for the overnight sleeper train to Luxor. Cairo - The Egyptian Museum Cairo - The Egyptian Museum headset Cairo - The Egyptian Museum Mummy Room Cairo - Pyramids and Sphinx Optional Activities Cairo - The 2nd Pyramid of Khafre - EGP60 Cairo - The Great Pyramid of Cheops - EGP300 Accommodation: Sleeper Train (in your own cabin)

4 AND JORDAN DISCOVERY Day 3-29th April 2019 Luxor (B,L,D) After an early breakfast on board, the train rolls into Luxor. It s a vibrant place with an excellent bazaar, situated close to some of ancient Egypt s most important and extraordinary sights. We travel to Karnak, one of the world s most celebrated temple complexes, built over a period of some 200 years, and some of it dating back to 2,055 BC. Our guided tour of the temple reveals its finest sections. After our visit to Karnak, we make our way to the Luxor Temple. Constructed over hundreds of years, the large Ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the Nile River was constructed in approximately 1400 BC. Later we ll be transferred to the luxurious MS Nile Dolphin, which will be our floating home for the next four nights. Relax by the pool on the boat or explore the town. For the rest of the afternoon and evening you ll be free to relax, shop in the bazaar (open until quite late) or perhaps experience the atmosphere of a local tea house. Luxor - Karnak Temple Luxor - Luxor Temple Optional Activities Luxor - Sound and Light Show at Karnak (entrance only) - EGP200 Luxor - Luxor Museum (entrance only) - EGP120 Accommodation: MS Nile Dolphin (5 star) Day 4-30th April 2019 Valley of the Kings - Luxor - Nile Cruise (B,L,D) We rise early this morning and head into the Valley of the Kings. Buried under the arid hills there are over 60 tombs of pharaohs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings. We ll explore this sprawling and spectacular place where discoveries are still being made. Tutankhamun s final resting place is also located here, and there s free time to visit it. Our guide will explain the funerary rites of the ancient Egyptians and significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics. We visit three royal tombs and then continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, set in a spectacular natural amphitheatre. Next we visit the Valley Of the Queens. Used as a burial site from the reign of the 19th-Dynasty pharaoh Ramses I, this valley contains the tombs of many royal wives and children. Our final stop is the Colossi of Memnon giant statues that were once part of an impressive colonnade. We ll enjoy lunch upon our return to the boat, where there is time to relax on deck or in your cabin before we set sail for Edfu. Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple Luxor - Valley of the Kings (3 tombs) Luxor - Tut Ank Amon Tomb entrance Luxor - Valley of the Queens Optional Activities Luxor - Valley of the Queens - EGP80 Luxor - Medinat Habu Temple - EGP60 Luxor - Deir el Madina - EGP80 Accommodation: MS Nile Dolphin (5 star)

5 AND JORDAN DISCOVERY Day 5-31st April 2019 Nile Cruise (B,L,D) This morning finds us moored near Edfu, a beautifully preserved temple dedicated to Horus. We continue travelling upriver, relaxing on the sundeck and taking in the surrounding sights desert hills forming a backdrop to lush riverbanks, fishermen casting their nets and farmers working their land. This afternoon we arrive at Kom Ombo temple (about 45km north of Aswan city) which sits picturesquely ruined on the river s edge and provides an interesting insight into the Greco-Roman period. The temple was built approx. 181BC and is dedicated to 2 Gods; Horus the protection god and Sobek fertility god linked to the Nile Water. The temple consists of 2 identical northern sections the North and South each dedicated to either god. In the Sobek section recent discoveries have been made of mummified Crocodiles, which are now displayed in the Crocodile museum attached to the temple - don t miss it! We board our boat again at around 6pm and continue to Aswan. Accommodation: MS Nile Dolphin (5 star) Day 6-1st May 2019 Aswan (B,L,D) Today we explore Aswan, Egypt s southernmost city. Its easygoing charm is due in no small part to its large Nubian population. Depending on our arrival time, we may visit the beautiful Temple of Isis (the Goddess of health, marriage and wisdom) that was rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated on Philae Island (alternatively you will visit it tomorrow). It s a marvel of decorative pylons featuring some of Egypt s finest carvings definitely one of the real gems of Upper Egypt. Access to the temple is by small motorboats. The rest of your day is yours to wander, and Aswan is a great place for it. The Nubian Bazaar is a must, while the excellent Nubian Museum is recommended by many. The waterfront promenade, or Aswan s corniche, runs alongside one of Nile s most appealing stretches and is the perfect place to stop for a mint tea. Watch the waterfront come alive at dusk, as families are out strolling, socialising and relaxing along the corniche. Kom Ombo - Kom Ombo Temple Aswan - Philae Temple Accommodation: MS Nile Dolphin (5 star)

6 AND JORDAN DISCOVERY Day 7-2nd May 2019 Aswan (B,D) We depart early this morning to visit the iconic Abu Simbel by plane. With the four gargantuan statues of Ramses guarding the Great Temple, this is one of Egypt s most memorable sights. The rest of the day is free for you to make your own discoveries. A popular afternoon option in Aswan is a sailboat ride around the islands in a traditional felucca, stopping off at the botanical gardens on Kitchener s Island. Alternatively travel to the Monastery of St Simeon, an abandoned 7th-century fortress monastery located in the desert on the Nile s west bank. Your tour leader will be on hand to help you arrange any excursions. Alternatively, you may prefer to simply relax by the hotel pool or do some shopping in the local bazaar. In the evening we ll visit a Nubian village and enjoy the warm hospitality (and cuisine) of these locals. We ll also be treated to some Nubian dancing, and you may even get the chance to try some moves yourself! Abu Simbel - Abu Simbel temples Abu Simbel - Flights to and from Abu Simbel Optional Activities Aswan - Unfinished Obelisk (entrance only) - EGP60 Aswan - Nubian Museum (entrance fee only) - EGP100 Aswan - Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple - EGP200 Accommodation: Hotel Basma or similar Day 8-3rd May 2019 Cairo (B,D) After breakfast we ll be transferred to Aswan airport for the short flight back to Cairo where we ll be met and taken to our hotel. Today we ll dive into another layer of Egyptian history: medieval Cairo. We head to Khan al-khalili Bazaar, Cairo s oldest mosque and the Gayer-Anderson Museum. The Khan, sprawling around an old area known as Al- Azhar, is a quintessentially Cairo experience a warren of alleys with stalls serving up a succession of intoxicating scenes. It retains a distinctly medieval feel. We ll explore the gold market, perfume street and the spice market, where heady aromas hang in the air like a thick blanket of Damascene cloth (which can be purchased next door in the cloth market). The gorgeous 9th-century Ibn Tulun Mosque is one of the oldest and largest in Egypt, possibly its most beautiful too. Its perfectly proportioned courtyard and distinctive minaret make it a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. Nearby stands the Gayer-Anderson Museum, housed in two fine old villas and vaunting a fascinating collection of Arabic artefacts, furniture and memorabilia. Also dont miss the chance to drink arabic coffee or mint tea from Cairo s oldest cafe, it has a long history and fantastic atmosphere. This evening we ll get to share an authentic Egyptian meal with a local family - visiting a family home, chatting with the local family members about life in the Middle East, and learning some traditional Egyptian dishes while enjoying a delicious dinner. Cairo - Gayer Anderson Cairo - Home Cooked Meal Cairo - Khan al-khalili Bazaar Cairo - Ibn Tulun Mosque Accommodation: Novotel El Borg or similar

7 AND JORDAN DISCOVERY Day 9-4th May 2019 Amman (B) This morning we ll be transferred to the airport for our flight to Amman. On arrival we ll be met at the airport and taken to our hotel in Amman. Now, welcome to Jordan, cosmopolitan and contemporary, yet steeped in biblical history. Amman has served as the modern and ancient capital of Jordan and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a 1994 excavation uncovering homes and towers believed to have been built during the Stone Age (circa 7000 BC). There s free time to explore, so head to the Old Town s Roman Amphitheatre, find fine culture at the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, look down on the city from the hilltop Temple of Hercules, or begin your trip with a relax in a Turkish bath house. Soak up the atmosphere as you sip mint tea in a cafe, before our welcome meeting this evening. Accommodation: Grand Palace Hotel or similar Day 10-5th May 2019 Amman - Aqaba (B) After breakfast today we ll leave the Jordanian capital of Amman and journey down the Desert Highway, to the beach resort of Aqaba. The small Ottoman Mamluk Fort, dating from the 14th century and from where Lawrence of Arabia rode to Cairo, is worth a look. Otherwise most of the fun is to be found in the water. Acquaint yourself with the hotel s pool, or head to the beach some of the best snorkelling in the world can be found around the untouched coral reefs just south of the town. Accommodation: City Tower Hotel or similar

8 AND JORDAN DISCOVERY Day 11-6th May 2019 Aqaba - Wadi Rum (B,D) This morning we ll see the contrast between the sparkling waters of the Red Sea and an ochre sea of desert on the way to spellbinding Wadi Rum. We drive into this desolate yet romantic landscape the way the locals do in rather old, rickety (but reliable) jeeps operated by the local Bedouin Community. Wadi Rum is probably best known for its connection with the enigmatic British officer T.E. Lawrence, who was based here during the Great Arab Revolt of and is a truly beautiful place. Great gouts of rock on a carpet of bright red sand have been eroded into fantastical gnarled shapes. We ll visit several of the distinctive rock formations and soak in the vast silence of this lunar-like landscape. We journey through the sweeping swathes of desert towards our Bedouin camp. Meaning Desert Dwellers in Arabic, the Bedouins are a semi-nomadic people considered by many to be the predecessors of the settled Arabs, and in Jordan up to 40 per cent of the general population is believed to possess Bedouin ancestry. This might explain the legendary hospitality of the Jordanians in traditional Bedouin culture, a huge onus is placed on taking in and feeding any visitor, and so a very warm welcome is assured on our arrival. This evening we ll enjoy a delicious dinner cooked in an earthen oven by our Bedouin Hosts. Zarb otherwise known as Bedouin barbeque has been prepared for centuries by Bedouins in the Arabian Peninsula who cooked their food underground in earth ovens. This way of cooking does not require much equipment and the chicken, lamb and vegetables are placed on bbq racks, lowered into the large fire pit and covered with a lid, sand and blankets to keep the heat inside. Cooking time can take hours. Once the food is ready the sand and blankets are removed to reveal the delicious slow cooked smoky meat and perfectly cooked vegetables. We spend the night in this incredible location, deep in Wadi Rum and under a huge expanse of stars. Day 12-7th May 2019 Wadi Rum - Petra (B,D) Today we enjoy a walk around the area before scaling one of the large dunes to enjoy sensational views. We ll then take 4WDs from our camp back to the main entrance, which is opposite the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, the mountain named after Lawrence of Arabia s book. The visitor s centre here is also a great spot to buy some jewellery and handicrafts, mostly made by a women s co-operative that is aimed at supporting traditional local industries. We then continue to the fabled city of Petra, where there s time to check out the town that has grown up around the site. In the evening, we travel to the site of Petra to witness Petra By Night. See the path into the ancient city through the Siq to the Treasury illuminated by 1800 candles. A wonderful site to behold! Petra 2nd day visit - no guide Petra - Petra By Night tour Accommodation: Nabatean Castle Hotel or similar The permanent Bedouin style tents feature shared bathroom facilities and are luxuriously furnished complete with comfortable king-size or twin beds, Bedouin sofa, mirrors, lamps, and the finest bed linens. All the furniture is hand-made. There is a cosy relaxation area outside the tent to watch the stars at night. Electricity is provided in the guest tents in the evenings via solar power. Each tent has a private terrace with a fantastic view over the Wadi Rum Mountains. Wadi Rum - Desert Jeep tour Wadi Rum - Camel ride (30 min.) Accommodation: Desert Luxury Camp

9 AND JORDAN DISCOVERY Day 13-8th May 2019 Petra (B,D) Petra is justifiably on most people s list of must-visit places. It is the jewel of Jordan, the lost city of the biblical Nabateans, an impressive series of tombs and dwellings hidden behind ornate façades carved directly into the rock. Dating back to the 6th century BC, the site was lost to Western minds until it was rediscovered in 1812 by a Swiss explorer. The iconic Petra view the Treasury s glorious façade, glimpsed from the narrow cleft known as the Siq is arguably the single most striking sight of the entire region. The first taste of this exquisite craftsmanship among such stark scenery is a moment that manages to be both eagerly anticipated and also an almost surreal surprise. The Siq leads through the rock and is sometimes only a few metres wide, with walls soaring up to 180 metres on either side, and it is impossible not to imagine the armies and traders who made their way down here in the ancient times. Petra s greatest surprise, however, is its size. We ll explore the old Roman road, amphitheatre and several old tombs, as well as climbing up to the second beautiful façade of the Monastery, from where we ll have a magnificent view of the entire site. This is a memorable day exploring a truly extraordinary destination, a real trip highlight. Accommodation: Nabatean Castle Hotel or similar Day 14-9th May 2019 Petra - Amman (B) Petra is an incredible site and almost demands more than one visit. If you want to see more, then get up early to soak in the dramatic setting, walk to extra sites like the High Place of Sacrifice, and just try to comprehend the history and life of city that was once able to challenge the might of Rome. Later, the ancient Crusader castle at Shobak makes as imposing sight as we make the short drive up to it. It was originally built to protect the eastern flank of the Latin Kingdom and its trade routes to the sea before it fell to Saladin in Stroll the site and discover a small chapel, original gatehouse, and find out where a long, dark secret passage leads. We continue on to the ancient village at Dana, on the edge of the Dana Biosphere Reserve, where local artisans sell attractive silver jewellery and charms. We then drive to Madaba, home to a number of fine Byzantine mosaics. We visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George and see an impressive mosaic map of the Holy Land that clearly depicts Palestine and Lower Egypt around 550 AD. Shobak - Shobak Castle Dana - Ancient Village Visit Madaba - St Georges Church Accommodation: Grand Palace Hotel or similar

10 AND JORDAN DISCOVERY Day 15-10th May 2019 Amman (B,L) Today we leave Amman for a short drive north to Jerash, once one of the grandest ancient Roman cities in the world. These are some of the best Greco-Roman ruins around. Reaching its zenith as a favourite of the emperor Hadrian, it has a striking collection of archways and theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets, and is a beautiful place to spend a morning exploring. Grand ionic columns encircle the city s centrepiece, the Oval Plaza, a wonderfully atmospheric place to linger after exploring Jerash s riches. You better have packed your swim gear, because in the afternoon you can wash off the dust from exploring ruins with a dip like no other. We spend the afternoon on the shores of the Dead Sea. Named for the dearth of life in its waters, this lake is so intensely salty that the density of the water makes swimming and getting underneath the surface very difficult. Floating on the surface without any sort of lilo makes for a unique pleasure though. Maybe grab a handful of the shoreline s mud and slick it over your body on the way back in it s full of nutrient-rich natural minerals and will leave your skin feeling luxurious. Afterwards we ll return to Amman for the evening, where you can spend your final night at one of the many bars and restaurants in West Amman, or ask your leader about the traditional cafes dotted around the city where the locals hang out. Dead Sea - Visit including lunch Jerash - Roman ruins Accommodation: Grand Palace Hotel or similar Day 16-11th May2019 Amman/ Departure Day (B) Your trip will end today after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around 12 noon and you are free to leave at any time.

11 AND JORDAN DISCOVERY TOUR PRICING: FROM A$6,992 PER PERSON, PLUS AIRFARES TOUR DATES: 27TH APRIL - 11TH MAY 2019 Tour Inclusions: Two s a Crowd tour host from Australia English speaking leader throughout Accommodation as per itinerary in your own room always! (- 4 nights on board the 5 star riverboat the MS Nile Dolphin - in your own cabin) All meals included as per itinerary (15 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 10 dinners) Transport as per itinerary (Camel, Jeep, Private aircon bus, Riverboat, Sleeper train) Included activities per daily itinerary Entrance/admission fees where applicable with included activities Group arrival and departure transfers Comprehensive Travel Insurance provided by CHI Travel Insurance (Underwritten by Allianz). Standard Policy. Additional premiums may apply if you re over 70 years, or if you have a pre-existing medical condition, or if you wish to extend your travel dates longer than the proposed tour Tour Exclusions: International Flights Any visas required Services not mentioned in the itinerary Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary Drinks with included lunches and dinners Tips for leaders, guide and driver Expenditure of personal nature Optional activities NEED MORE INFORMATION? CONTACT THE TEAM: ( P hone: (AUS) or (NZ) team@twosacrowd.com.au ABOUT TWO S A CROWD: We are an award winning tour company exclusively dedicated to the needs of solo travellers. At Two s a Crowd, single and solo travellers have access to fantastic itineraries at great prices without ever feeling like a third wheel to someone else s private getaway. Our travellers enjoy the best of both worlds: private time, personalised attention, low single supplements, as well as the camaraderie of like-minded travellers. For your peace of mind we are ATAS accredited (No A13850). Our commitment is to make solo travel more enjoyable and affordable. Terms & Conditions: Prices are per person and based on sole use rooms throughout Pricing correct at October 2018 and is subject to change until paid in full. Refer to our website for full terms and conditions Travel Passion Pty Ltd ABN trading as Two s a Crowd. Two s a Crowd and the disk logo are registered trademarks of Travel Passion Pty Ltd. Issued: 11/10/2018