Old Temples Tombs & Treasury - 13 days
FROM USD $2,319
Enjoy the highlights of Egypt and Jordan, a treasure chest of ancient sites including the legendary Pyramids of Giza, plenty of beach time, a foray into the mysterious city of Petra, and a night in a desert Bedouin camp!
Our Temples, Tombs & Treasury - 13 day tour departs regularly between now and 04 July 2012. If travelling after 04 July, please see our New Temples, Tombs & Treasury - 14 day tour with similar touring arrangements.
Tuesday. Welcome to Egypt and the start of your holiday! Arrive Cairo, included transfer to hotel and overnight.
Overnight - Cairo
Cairo - Luxor. Today see the impressive pyramids and sphinx at Giza. Perhaps opt to hire a camel! Later we travel to Saqqara, to explore the myraid tombs and temples at the site and see Zhoser's step pyramid - constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh's chief architect in 2700 BC! There will be time for dinner before we travel by overnight train to Luxor. Opt for a
sleeper cabin upgrade, if you fancy a little extra comfort.
Overnight - Train (B)
Old Temples Tombs & Treasury - 13 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Arrive and check into our hotel. There's time to explore Luxor on foot following the waterside corniche or maybe stop for drink at one of the many Nile side cafes and tea houses. Tonight, why not take our optional tour to the Temple of Luxor at night. Book and pay locally. The rest of the evening at leisure.
Overnight - Luxor (B)
Luxor - Dahab. Why not watch the sunrise from the heady heights of a hot air balloon - take the optional
hot air balloon ride over Luxor and see it come alive in the morning sun. Early today, we visit Luxor’s famous West Bank. One of the first sights will be the twin seated statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. We then visit the legendary Valleys of the Kings and the imposing ramped and limestone colonnaded Temple of Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut was one of only three Egyptian ruling queens. Perhaps the most famous tomb in the Valley of the Kings is that of the boy-King Tutankhamen. Archaeologist Howard Carter discovered his intact and treasure -filled tomb in 1922. Taking a break, we later visit the colossal Temple of Karnak. This evening, we travel by overnight bus to Dahab via Hurghada.
Overnight - Bus journey (B)
This morning we arrive at beautiful Dahab. There's plenty to keep you occupied over the next few days, from SCUBA diving and snorkelling to sunbathing by the pool or horse-riding along the beach. The rest of the day is free for you to do as you please! This evening why not sample some tasty sea food at one of the seafront restaurants!
Overnight - Dahab (B)
Spend the following days at leisure. Optional activities include a snorkelling excursion to the Blue Hole. 80 metres deep, the Blue Hole boasts an abundance of colourful coral, fish and marine life. Most of the aquatic species live within the first 5 metres beneath the sea level, allowing even the novice a fantastic display of the underwater world. You can also opt for an energetic climb to the summit of Mt Sinai and visit St Katherine's Monastery. Camel and jeep treks into the surrounding Sinai Desert are also available locally.
Overnight - Dahab (B:2)
Dahab - Aqaba - Madaba. This morning, we transfer to Nuweiba port and board a private ferry and cross the Gulf of Aqaba to arrive in Jordan. From Aqaba we commence our included excursion to the Dead Sea for lunch and a swim. Onward we explore Mt Nebo - the single most important biblical site in Jordan. Having led the Israelites for 40 years through the wilderness, Moses finally saw from this panoramic vantage point, the Promised Land. We too can enjoy excellent views of the Jordan River Valley, the northern shore of the Dead Sea, Jericho and on clear days Jerusalem. We travel onto the bustling market town of Madaba.
Overnight - Madaba (B, L)
Madaba - Petra. Explore Christian Madaba this morning before noon time transfer to Petra. The late afternoon offers free time. Choose to explore the town on foot, stop off at a cafe for a cup of rich dark arabian coffee, browse the village shops, pop into the 'Made in Jordan' store for quality hand made items or simply spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool.
Free evening or why not test your culinary skills in the Petra Kitchen? Consider our
Petra Kitchen - something good's cooking bolt-on.
Overnight - Petra (B)
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.
Tonight, it maybe possible to take a candlelit walk through the Siq by attending the 'Petra by Night' excursion.
Overnight - Petra (B)
Petra - Wadi Rum. A free morning in Petra to further explore independently or with your guide. If following in the footsteps of our guide we enter the Nabataean city via the 'secret road' of al-Madras, and visit the High Place of Sacrifice for a panoramic view of the ancient city centre.
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 - Wadi Rum (B, D)
Wadi Rum - Aqaba - Cairo. Today we drive to Aqaba. Returning by private ferry to Egypt, we travel onward to Cairo (approx 7 hours) arriving very late in the evening.
Overnight - Cairo (B)
Sunday. This morning we embark on a guided tour of the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. The prize exhibit has to be the priceless funerary treasures of King Tutankhamen, including his legendary solid gold death mask. Hotel check out and onward departure transfer to the airport.
Note: Note: Flights should not be booked any earlier than 05:00am on day 13. If undertaking our Egyptian Museum tour it is important that you reserve a flight departing Cairo after 3:00pm or consider reserving an additional night’s accommodation.
IMPORTANT NOTE: A multiple entry Egyptian Tourist visa is required for this tour and must be obtained by you prior to arrival in Egypt. (B)
Prices & Departure Dates
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 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 for the Egypt section of this trip, thus reducing the cost of the single person supplement.
Our Temples, Tombs & Treasury - 13 day tour departs regularly between now and 04 July 2012. If travelling after 04 July, please see our New Temples, Tombs & Treasury - 14 day tour with similar touring arrangements.
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| Pre Tour Accommodation - Cairo |
USD $79 |
USD $20 |
| Post Tour Accommodation - Cairo |
USD $79 |
USD $20 |
Old Temples Tombs & Treasury - 13 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Bolt-ons
Make the most of your time away! Listed below are the optional activities that are available on this trip. Please note that you will need to book these prior to travel as we cannot always guarantee availability of these activities once you are on holiday.
| Carry on your Egyptian affair before or after your tour, with a day tour (with lunch) to amazing Alexandria on the Mediterranean Coast. Founded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria boasts wonderful beaches and an impressive seafront corniche, along which are dotted cafes and restaurants, as well as catacombs, souks and relics from a bygone age.
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| On our Jewel of the Nile, Family tours and many tailor-made itineraries we include the Sleeper Cabin Train as part of your journey. On all other tours (taking the Nefertiti Seater Train) we offer the option to upgrade to a sleeper cabin on the Sleeper train. Cabins are lockable, equipped with 2 bunk beds, linen, washbasin and towel, allowing passengers to relax and stretch out.
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Experiences
If you are interesting in trips with similar experiences to this one, then check out some of the ones we've listed below.
| Enjoy the great outdoors, getting back to basics and soaking up the scenery. From camping for a night in the Sahara Desert, under a blanket of stars in Jordan's Wadi Rum or even on the snow in Antarctica! We also offer longer camping expeditions through the wilds of Africa. The choice is yours. |
| Sole survivors from the ancient Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World, the amazing pyramids at Giza are the planet’s oldest tourist attraction! Known as Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus, the pyramids were already more than 2,000 years old when Herodotus the Greek historian visited them (5th century BC). |
| The Rose City of Petra is the jewel in Jordan’s glittering archaeological crown, and is now one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Accessed on a walk through a narrow, deep and winding cleft in the rock that is known as the Siq, the end prize is the hidden valley where the Rose City of Petra lies. And the first sight to behold is the façade of Al-Kazneh – aka the Treasury of Petra. This rose red building actually served as a royal tomb, but got its name from the legend that pirates hid their treasure there. With a backstory like that and its amazing appearance its no surprise to learn that it was this building that served as the Holy Grail’s resting place In Indiana Jones and the last crusade.
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Petra is full of ancient tombs, temples and ruins ripe for modern-day discoverers like us! |
Highlights & Inclusions
Below is a list of key highlights and what is included on this tour. Further, where appropriate, we have listed the items that are not included in the tour price.
Trip Highlights
- Cairo - Pyramids & Sphinx at Giza Plateau
- Egyptian Museum
- Luxor - Valley of the Kings, Colossi of Memnon and Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Madaba, Jordan - Christian market town, Church of St George, Jordan’s finest Byzantine mosaics
- Rose city of Petra, Jordan
| - Necropolis of Saqqara
- Luxor East Bank - Temple of Karnak
- Dahab - Red Sea - swim, relax, snorkel or dive
- The Dead Sea, take a swim and opt for a mud bath
- Wadi Rum desert and safari
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What's Included
- Breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
- 1 night train: Cairo - Luxor (seater train). Upgrade possible!,
1 overnight bus: Luxor - Dahab
- Airport arrival and departure transfer, day 1 and day 13
- Dahab - Red Sea - sun, sea and sand
- Egyptian tour leader/guide degree qualified in Egyptology. Licensed Jordanian guide throughout Jordan
| - 6 nights 4 - 5 star hotels - Egypt, 3 nights 3 star hotels - Jordan, 1 night deluxe desert camp (Wadi Rum)
- Return private ferry crossing to Jordan: Taba/Nuweiba to Aqaba, Aqaba - Taba/Nuweiba
- Touring of Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Luxor, Petra
- Wadi Rum 4x4 desert safari and dinner
- All relevant transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles
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What's Not Included
- International flights and visas (multiple entry visa needed for Egypt)
- Tip for your tour guide in Egypt & Jordan. We recommend you allow $3 - 5 USD per day, per traveller. Tip for your Felucca Crew/ Nile Cruise staff, we recommend you allow $10 USD. Tipping your guides and crew is an entirely personal gesture
- Tipping Kitty: $75-$85 USD

| - Laundry, drinks, items of a personal nature
- Entrance Fees: $180-$200 USD
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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.
Just a stone's throw from the Pyramids, the Oasis Hotel is a classic Egyptian hotel with beautiful expansive gardens. Rooms are very spacious with comfortable beds and fantastic en suite facilities. Wi-Fi is available and the buffet breakfast offers a good spread. In the evening the outdoor pool and fountains are lit up making the restaurant and bar the perfect place to spend an evening sipping on a cold glass of beer.
Well located in Giza on the Cairo-Alexandria Road. The pyramids and Sphinx are all close by.
Our Rating : Superior —
Local Rating: 4 Star Hotel
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A grand and classical hotel, the Sonesta is luxurious, ensuring 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.
The hotel is located on the East Bank of the Nile, 12 kilometres from Luxor International Airport and just a few minutes away from Luxor Temple and Luxor Museum.
Our Rating : Deluxe —
Local Rating: 5 Star Deluxe Hotel
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Set on the beach, the Tropitel is a haven of tranquility, with stunning clear water and coral reefs.
Our Rating : Superior —
Local Rating: 4 Star Hotel
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The Madaba Inn is a basic hotel, with spacious rooms. The restaurant serves both local and international food and the cafe serves light meals.
Our Rating : Standard —
Local Rating: 3 Star Hotel
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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..
Our Rating : Standard —
Local Rating: 3 Star Hotel
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A rustic camp, with beds inside the tents.
Our Rating : Simple —
Local Rating: Deluxe Camp
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