14 days Cairo to Amman Discover the best of Egypt and Jordan on an adventure that includes the phenomenal Pyramids of Giza, temples, tombs and Crusader castles. Sail on the Nile, explore the Egyptian Museum, be enthralled by Petra and take in dramatic desert of Wadi Rum - a photographer s delight. HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS Trip Highlights Cairo - Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza Plateau, Necropolis of Saqqara, Egyptian Museum Aswan - Philae Temple, River Nile Nile felucca cruising - islands en route Kom Ombo - Temple of Kom Ombo Edfu - Temple of Horus Luxor - Temple of Karnak Valley of the Kings, Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut Amman - Ancient hilltop citadel, fascinating Archaeological Museum and bustling souqs Dead Sea - Dramatically beautiful landscape with warm buoyant mineral-rich waters Shobak or Karak Crusader castles Reminders of the former glory of the Crusaders Two nights in Petra - UNESCO-listed Nabataean city that was all but lost to the modern world until its rediscovery in 1812-14 days Wadi Rum - Vast red desert landscape with rolling dunes and dramatic rock formations Umm ar-rasas - An ancient city and important stop on the caravan route between east and west Mt Nebo - Perhaps one of the most sacred sites in Jordan with views across the Promised Land Madaba - Christian market town, Church of St George, Jordan s finest Byzantine mosaics Wadi Mujib - trek the Siq Trail of Wadi Mujib Biosphere Reserve What's Included Breakfast daily, all meals aboard felucca cruise and 1 dinner in Wadi Rum 8 nights 4-5 star hotels and 1 night Wadi Rum deluxe desert camp 2 nights aboard felucca (open deck) 2 overnight trains: Cairo - Aswan and Luxor Cairo (1st class sleeper cabin) Airport arrival and departure transfer, day 1 and day 14. Departure transfers are offered on day 14 at 04:00, 07:00 and 12:00 Touring of Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Aswan, Edfu & Luxor Touring of Amman, Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum, Umm ar-rasas and Mt Nebo 4x4 desert safari through the sand dunes of Wadi Rum Dead Sea - Free time to swim and detox Escorted by an Egyptian tour guide degree qualified in Egyptology and a licensed Jordanian tour guide All relevant transfer and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles What's Not Included Tipping Kitty: USD$120-160, paid in local currency Entrance Fees: USD$240-280, paid in local currency International flights (including the flight from Cairo to Amman on day 9) International flights and visa Tip for your tour guide. We recommend you allow $3-5 USD per day, per traveller. Tipping your guide is an entirely personal gesture. ITINERARY Day 1 : Cairo Saturday. Welcome to Egypt and the start of your holiday! Arrive Cairo, included transfer to hotel and overnight. Overnight - Cairo Day 2 : Pyramids & Saqqara -1-
Cairo - Aswan. We start our tour at the Giza Plateau to see the famous pyramids and huge Sphinx. Gaze in awe at Cheops (Khufu) - the largest of the three great pyramids. Constructed from over 2.5 million limestone blocks it is thought to have taken more than 20 years to construct. Sole survivors from the ancient Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World, the pyramids are the planet s oldest tourist attraction! Continuing to Saqqara - constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh s chief architect in 2700 BC, we explore the myriad tombs and temples at this site and see Zhoser s step pyramid. Tonight, we board the overnight sleeper train to Aswan. Overnight - Sleeper Train (B) rock-cut temple of King Ramses II, the Great Builder. This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2 night voyage downstream on the River Nile. If sailing by felucca is not your style, consider upgrading to a 5 star luxury Nile Cruise with our Nile Cruise Upgrade. Overnight - Felucca Cruise (B, L, D) Day 5 : Felucca Cruise of the Kings and the awesome colonnaded Temple of Queen. The Valley of the Kings is studded with often highly decorated tombs, constructed to once house the regal sarcophagi enclosed mummies of the mighty pharaohs awaiting passage into the after-life. After lunch and time to relax we visit the colossal Temple of Karnak, with its stone-columned Hypostle Hall. Tonight, we return by overnight sleeper train to Cairo. Overnight - Sleeper Train (B) Day 8 : Egyptian Museum Day 3 : Philae Temple Relax, go for a swim or just chill out in the sun on deck. Let your troubles melt away, as the felucca plies its route. Overnight - Felucca Cruise (B, L, D) Day 6 : Kom Ombo & Luxor After check in and some free time we enjoy a leisurely boat trip to this afternoon's highlight, Agilika Island for Philae Temple with a guided tour of the romantic Philae Temple which is dedicated to the goddess Isis. As the sun sets, watch an amazing sunset in Egypt's southernmost town straddling the River Nile, or shop in the colourful souqs and markets. Overnight - Aswan (B) Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor. After disembarking our felucca near Kom Ombo, we explore the Temple of Kom Ombo and the Temple of Horus at Edfu. The Temple of Kom Ombo is dedicated to the crocodile headed god - Sobek. Driving north to 4000 year-old Luxor and home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak. Remainder of today is free for your to independently explore. Tonight, consider an optional visit to the Temple of Luxor. Overnight - Luxor (B) Day 7 : Valley of the Kings Day 4 : Felucca sailing & Optional excursion to Abu Simbel Aswan - Nile felucca cruise. Optional early morning drive to Abu Simbel, the famous the - 14 days Arrival into Cairo and after hotel check in and time to freshen up, we take in the highlights of the famous Egyptian Museum, famed for the treasures of King Tutankhamun and his solid gold funerary mask. This afternoon is free to explore Cairo your way. Overnight - Cairo (B) Day 9 : Goodbye Egypt, Hello Jordan Sunday. Hotel check out and included onward departure transfer to Cairo airport for your flight to Amman (Flight not included). Arrival Amman airport and included transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or head out and explore the city. Please note:the flight from Cairo to Amman is not included in the cost of this tour. If you provide us with your flight details, we will be there to meet you at Amman airport and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight - Amman (B) Luxor - Cairo. An early start allows us to avoid some of the fierce midday heat as we venture to the tomb strewn Valley of the Kings. This morning we visit the Colossi of Memnon - a massive pair of statues that stand silent against a historic backdrop. We'll then explore the Valleys -2-
Day 10 : Mt Nebo & the Promised Lands Overnight - Petra (B) Day 11 : The Nabatean City of Petra Upon arrival, we join our jeep tour that takes in the moonscape desert terrain of Wadi Rum before. Arriving to our remote camp site deep in the heart of the Wadi Rum, we enjoy a magical evening under the brilliant stars of the desert night sky, including a scrumptious traditional Jordanian dinner. Overnight - Wadi Rum (B, D) Day 13 : Crusader Castles & the Dead Sea Amman - Madaba - Mount Nebo - Umm ar Rasas - Petra. Today we tour the citadel and Archaeological Museum of Amman before we take a walk through the bustling local souk to enjoy typical Jordanian street treats of falafel and hummus at the country s most popular local street stand. As the pictures on the wall will prove, the unglamorous food stand was a great favourite of the late King Hussein. Departing Amman, we ll stop at Mt. Nebo the site from which Moses saw the Promised Land. Having led the Israelites for 40 years through the wilderness, Moses finally saw them from this awesome vantage point. This amazing panorama includes the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, Jericho and the spires and domes of the Mt. of Olives and Bethlehem on the Judean hills just across the wide valley. Later we visit Madaba en route to Petra where we see the Church of St George, the Madaba Archaeological Park, Apostles Church Walking through the mysterious mile-long Siq, the narrow gorge with towering sandstone walls, leads into the ancient capital city of the Nabatean trading empire. Explore the Khazneh (the temple of Indiana Jones fame), Theatre, Colonnaded Street and Museum. After lunch, climb to ad-deir (the Monastery), Petra s largest carved façade. This evening, why not try your hand at our Petra Kitchen Bolt-On to join fellow travellers for a cuisine course at the Petra Kitchen, where you ll help prepare a memorable Jordanian feast. Petra Kitchen bolt-on. Overnight - Petra (B) Day 12 : Wadi Rum desertscape and Madaba Museum. Continue onto one of Jordan s World Heritage sites, Um ar-rasas, once an important stop on the busy caravan routes. The impressive mosaic floor of the St. Stephen Church features medallions commemorating all the early Christian pilgrimage sites of the region, and the extensive ruins also include one of the area s earliest Stylite towers, where a Byzantine hermit lived atop the tower and preached to the pilgrimage visitors. Our final stop of the day is Petra. Tonight, consider doing a Petra by Night excursion (payable locally) for a tantalizing candlelight stroll through Petra s Siq. a romantic preview of things to come. - 14 days Petra - Wadi Rum. This morning offers the opportunity to return to Petra with your guide via the secret way of al-madras, visiting the High Place of Sacrifice and Wadi Farasa. At lunch, we stop at the Wadi Musa souk to pick up shawarma sandwiches or fruit and veggie snacks from the local produce souk before making the scenic drive to Wadi Rum. Wadi Rum - Karak Wadi Mujib - Dead Sea. Heading north along the Desert Highway, we drive through the busy market town of Karak under the towering shadows of the Karak Crusader Castle. We continue to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the earth s surface. More than 500 meters below sea level, the mineralrich Dead Sea is the world s original health and beauty spa. Drift out and bob in the waters and slap on some of the famous black Dead Sea mud to give your skin an invigorating boost. For departures between April and October we ll head up the King s Highway to Wadi Mujib. We ll embark on a moderate paced two hour trek along the Siq Trail. Measuring 500 metres in depth and spanning 4 kilometres across, the impressive Wadi Mujib is one of Jordan s most remarkable natural features. This dramatic canyon features sheer rocky walls and sparkling waterways that range from puddle height to depths that are perfect for swimming (chest height or deeper) depending on the rainfall. When the water level is high you should be prepared for having to climb up ladders, clamber across boulders and be happy to wade through water. The canyon is just one feature of the Mujib Biosphere Reserve, the lowest nature reserve in the world, home to a surprising diversity of wildlife and plant species. After our trek we make our way to the Dead Sea. For those -3-
not interested in taking the full hike, you can walk part of or wait by the Visitor Centre till the group returns. After our trek we make our way to the Dead Sea. Overnight - Dead Sea (B) the rest of Aswan. The hotel has an excellent location on the Corniche in the heart of Aswan, just a few minutes from the Nile. Day 14 : Amman Friday. Dead Sea - Amman Airport. Hotel check out and included onward transfer to the airport in Amman. Departure transfers are offered at 04:00, 07:00 and 12:00 today. If you would like a departure transfer at any other time or a transfer with post tour accommodation this can be arranged at an additional cost.(b) HOTELS The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard when necessary. Barcelo Cairo Pyramids Hotel The Barcelo Cairo Pyramids is a stylish and contemporary hotel located on one of the most famous avenues in Egypt, just 5 minutes drive from the legendary Pyramids of Giza. The bright and spacious guest rooms offer all the modern amenities required for a comfortable stay, including WiFi. From the panoramic terrace on the 12th floor you can admire the view of the pyramids whilst watching the sunset and the hotel's heated outdoor pool is ideal for a dip after a day of sightseeing. In addition to a fitness studio, the hotel also has 3 restaurants and 3 bars which ensure there is no shortage of gastronomic options. Helnan Aswan Set in manicured gardens, the Helnan Aswan is an elegant hotel with impressive views of the Nile. Guest rooms are spacious with modern interiors and located next to the beautiful pool. Wi-fi is available in the lobby and by the pool. There are also two restaurants and bars, a bowling alley, a swimming pool and a cinema. Why not relax by the pool before exploring - 14 days Le Meridien Heliopolis Felucca Cruise Feluccas are simple, traditional Egyptian sailboats that have plied the Nile since ancient times. Feluccas carry between 8-12 passengers comfortably. The boat s deck is draped with soft colourful cushions that serve as your lounging area during the day and as your sleeping area at night. A support boat travels alongside your felucca and is on hand if you need to use the toilet or wash. It is also where your meals are prepared and eaten. You'll need to bring a sleeping bag/sheet and a towel with you. The crew, as well as being experienced sailors, are responsible for the preparation of the included meals. Just a short drive from Cairo s Old Town and international airport, the 5-star Le Meridien Heliopolis combines comfort with convenience. The guest rooms are spacious and equipped with air-conditioning, satellite television and a minibar, plus there s complimentary WiFi throughout the property. Dining options include a choice of four on-site restaurants, serving Egyptian and international cuisine. Guests can also enjoy live entertainment and cocktails at The 51 Bar. During the warmer months hotel guests can take a dip in the outdoor pool or relax on a sun lounger on the terrace. There s also a fitness centre and tennis courts for those who like to stay active whilst on holiday. Al-Qasr Metropole Sonesta St. George Hotel An elegant and luxurious classical hotel, the Sonesta's sophistication will ensure you a comfortable stay. The hotel has a sweeping terrace with fantastic views of the Nile, a grand entrance of polished marble and handsomely appointed furnishings with exquisite detail and a beautiful health spa. All its rooms offer views of the city or the river, complemented by a wide range of restaurants and cafes. Just minutes away you will find the temples at Luxor and Karnak, home to two of ancient Egypt's most famed sanctuaries. Recently refurbished, the Al Qasr Metropole is a modern and chic boutique hotel. Guest rooms are beautifully furnished and include free Wi-Fi connection and luxury en suite facilities. All guests at the Al Qasr gain free access to the on site Fitness First gym as well as a complimentary breakfast. The rooftop restaurant has fantastic panoramic views of Amman and is a great place to spend the evening. The hotel is well located in Shmeisani, one of Amman's most prestigious neighbourhoods. -4-
Petra Moon Hotel PRICES / DATES 2019 Just 300 ft from the entrance gate to Petra, the Petra Moon hotel features spacious rooms with private balconies and flat-screen TVs. It also has a roof garden with a seasonal outdoor pool. The soundproofed rooms and suites at Petra Moon come with satellite channels, a DVD player and extra-long beds. Each has air conditioning and a private bathroom. The hotel's restaurant serves a delicious selection of international meals in both buffet-style and a la carte. PRICES / DATES INFO Departure dates noted with a 'G' are guaranteed to operate. All other departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 persons. Prices shown are per person travelling. 'Twin/Double' prices per person apply when there are 2 people travelling, sharing a room. The 'Single supplement' applies for single travellers who require Rainbow Camp A row of permanent tents in the desert make up the popular Rainbow Camp. Inside the tents are comfortable camp beds and warm bedding. Showers and toilets are close by and are cleaned thoroughly everyday. Guests can relax in the communal area which is adorned with colourful rugs and cushions. The food at Rainbow Camp always gets rave reviews. Taking an evening stroll around the beautiful surroundings is a great way to work up an appetite before dinner. This accommocation is well located in the heart of Wadi Rum. Holiday Inn Resort Graced with interconnecting palm fringed swimming pools leading to the Dead Sea, the Holiday Inn is an Arabesque style hotel. Guest rooms are elegantly furnished and benefit from complimentary high speed internet. The hotel also has an on site fitness centre and a fine choice of Spa facilities. The 24 hour sleek bar is the perfect place for a tipple at any time of the day or night. The accommodation is located on the shores of the world famous Dead Sea. - 14 days their own room and needs to be added to the 'Twin/Double' price. If you are happy to be paired up with another single traveller of the same sex on your tour, this can be arranged, thus avoiding the single person Date 05 Jan 02 Feb 23 Feb 09 Mar 23 Mar 06 Apr 13 Apr 27 Apr Twin Share Single 11 May 18 May 15 Jun 29 Jun 27 Jul 10 Aug 31 Aug 14 Sep 28 Sep 12 Oct 26 Oct 09 Nov 16 Nov 30 Nov supplement. PRICES / DATES 2018 Date 03 Feb 03 Mar 17 Mar 24 Mar 07 Apr 28 Apr 12 May 19 May 02 Jun 30 Jun 14 Jul 18 Aug 01 Sep 15 Sep Twin Share Single 29 Sep 13 Oct 27 Oct 10 Nov 24 Nov 08 Dec -5-