classic road to jordan - 17 days
 Tour Information
Starts in: Cairo. Ends in: Cairo or Amman
Departs: 18, 21, 23, 27 Dec 2009 & 2010.
Prices and Departures: Click Here
Local Payment Required: No
Breakfast: 16, Lunch: 2, Dinner: 3
Hotel rating: 4 - 5 (+ 3 Jordan hotels
& Wadi Rum camp)
Guided by Egyptian & Jordanian Tour Guide: Yes
Day 1: Cairo
Welcome to Egypt and the start of your holiday! Arrive Cairo, included transfer to hotel. Overnight - Cairo
Day 2: The Pyramids & Sphinx
Cairo - Aswan - breakfast. Today we visit the pyramids and sphinx at Giza and ancient Saqqara. Tonight, we travel to Aswan by overnight seater train. Overnight - train
Day 3: Aswan & Philae Temple
Aswan - breakfast box. Arrival and check into our hotel. Today, we visit the Aswan High Dam and travel by boat to Agilika Island to visit the Temple of Philae. Later, free time to hit the bazaars or relax by the swimming pool. Overnight - Aswan
Days 4 & 5: Felucca Sailing
Aswan - Nile felucca cruising - all meals. Optional early morning air excursion to famous Abu Simbel. This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2 night cruise downstream toward Kom Ombo. Relax, top up your tan and chat with new friends as the felucca gently plies its route. Stops are made en route at local villages and islands. Lunch, dinner and overnight (2) - on board Nile felucca
If sailing by felucca does not appeal, navigate the River Nile on board a 5 luxury Nile Cruiser with private cabin and ensuite bathroom. Add to this a sleeper train upgrade. Sleeper train cabins are fully enclosed, fitted with bunk beds, linen and washbasins. Both are offered through purchasing our Pharoah's Pass.
Day 6: Temple of Horus & Luxor
Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor - breakfast. Disembarking at Kom Ombo, travel to visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu. Later, time to relax at our hotel and spend the evening your way. Alternatively enjoy an optional visit to the Temple of Luxor by night with dinner afterward. The excursion cost is minimal and payable locally. Overnight - Luxor
Day 7: Valley of the Kings
Luxor - Dahab - breakfast. Optional hot air ballooning excursion over Luxor, before an early morning visit to the Valleys of the Kings and Queens and the colonnaded Temple of Hatshepsut. Taking a break, we later visit the giant Temple of Karnak. Later this afternoon, we travel by overnight bus to Dahab via Hurghada. Overnight - bus
Days 8: Dahab, Red Sea
Dahab - breakfast. Arrival and hotel check in. Scuba diving, snorkelling, sun worshipping, sun chilling, shopping - take your pick. You have 4 whole days to do as you please. Overnight Dahab
Days 9 - 11: Dahab - Relax by the Red Sea!
Dahab - breakfast. Today offers an optional snorkelling excursion to the Blue Hole. 80 metres in depth, the Blue Hole boasts an abundance of colourful coral, fish and marine life.
Tonight, an energetic climb to the summit of Mt Sinai and a visit St Katherine's Monastery are available. Enjoy the next few days at leisure, the Dahab waterfront is dotted with laid back cafes, bars and shops, perfect for eating, drinking or relaxing with a little retail therapy. Overnight (3) - Dahab
Day 12: Coastal Aqaba, Jordan
Dahab - Aqaba - breakfast. This morning, we transfer to Taba Marina to take the ferry crossing to Aqaba in Jordan. Remainder of the day and evening to explore Aqaba, Jordan’s premier seaside town. Overnight - Aqaba
Day 13: Explore Aqaba or visit the Dead Sea
Aqaba - Petra - breakfast. Good morning Aqaba. Azure blue waters brimming with kaleidoscopic marine life are a real attraction here at Aqaba. Why not opt to undertake some snorkelling or swimming? Alternatively, test your powers of buoyancy on an optional full day Dead Sea excursion including lunch! Available to book/pay locally. Late this afternoon, we transfer to the ancient Nabateen city of Petra. Overnight - Wadi Musa/Petra
Day 14: The Rose City of Petra
Petra - breakfast. Welcome to the Rose City! Access to the city on our guided exploration is through the famous narrow, deep siq. The rocks then give way to the most amazing site – that of the fantastically impressive Treasury. Walking down the gravel tracks, we’ll explore the ancient Nabatean tombs and the Roman rock-carved streets lined with temples, royal tombs, staircases, arched gates and public buildings. There is also a gigantic amphitheatre originally built to house 3000 spectators, though the Romans increased capacity to a whopping 7000. After the guided tour, you’re free to head off and further explore, haggle for a horse and chariot or just relax and take it all in. Free evening or why not test your culinary skills in the Petra Kitchen? Consider our Petra Kitchen - something good's cooking bolt-on. Overnight - Wadi Musa/Petra
Day 15: Explore Petra your way
Petra - Wadi Rum - breakfast. A free morning to further explore the amazing, rambling site independently. Later this afternoon, we depart Petra and drive to Wadi Rum. A vast, silent landscape of ancient riverbeds, pastel coloured stretches of sandy desert and amazing rock formations known as jebels, dating from when time began that rise from the desert floor, Wadi Rum is our base for an exciting 4 x 4 desert safari. We’ll jump aboard open-top 4 x 4s for our sunny, sandy and scenic adventure into Jordan’s wilderness. Tonight, we’ll enjoy an included Bedouin dinner and bed under a galaxy of stars at our remote camp. Overnight deluxe Bedouin Camp Wadi Rum
Day 16: Wadi Rum - Lawrence of Arabia's land.
Wadi Rum - Aqaba - Cairo - breakfast This morning, we drive to back to Aqaba where we enjoy a tour of the Red Sea riviera town. Returning by ferry to Egypt, we travel onward to Cairo, arriving late evening. Overnight - Cairo
Day 17: Cairo
Monday - Cairo - breakfast. Free day or enjoy a guided visit to the Egyptian Museum - your choice! Hotel check out and included onward transfer to airport.
Note: Flights should not be booked any earlier than 05:00 on day 17. If undertaking our Egyptian Museum tour on day 17, it is important that you reserve a later flight (after 3:00pm) ex Cairo to your home port, or consider reserving an additional night’s accommodation.
NOTE: 18 Dec 2009/2010
Special touring arrangements will be undertaken whilst in Jordan, allowing us to have a great New Year’s Eve party in Wadi Rum. Arrangements are: Day 12 - overnight Petra, Day 13 - overnight Petra, Day 14 - Dinner and overnight Wadi Rum, Day 15 - (optional Dead Sea excursion) overnight Aqaba. From Day 16, itinerary as normal. | 
