Saturday. Welcome to the start of your Arabian adventure! Arrive Cairo prior to 08:00, included transfer and hotel check in. At approximately 10:00, we embark on a guided tour of the Egyptian at the Museum. The prize exhibit has to be the priceless treasures of King Tutankhamen. Enjoy the remains of the day shopping and exploring Cairo. Overnight - Cairo

Cairo - Aswan. A big day out at the pyramids and sphinx at Giza, then a visit to the ancient tomb-strewn necropolis at Saqqara. We later enjoy a chance to relax, freshen up and have dinner. Tonight, we travel to Aswan by overnight seater train. Upgrade to sleeper cabin available Overnight - Train (B)

Arrive Aswan and check into our hotel. Today, we visit the High Dam and travel by boat to the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Remainder of day and evening free. Overnight - Aswan (B)

Aswan - Nile felucca cruise. Optional early morning air excursion to the colossal Temple of Abu Simbel. This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2 night voyage on the River Nile down stream, stopping along the way at local villages and islands. If sailing by felucca is not for you, consider upgrading to a 5 star luxury Nile Cruise with our Pharaoh's Pass. Overnight - onboard Felucca (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor. Disembarking in Kom Ombo we visit the temple before travelling to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, a huge complex that began construction in 237 BC! We then continue to Luxor. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at it’s best. Enjoy some rest and relaxation. Tonight, an optional visit to the Temple of Luxor. (book and pay locally). Remainder of the evening at leisure to enjoy the facilities of our hotel. Overnight - Luxor (B)

Luxor - Dahab. Optional early morning hot air balloon ride over Luxor before crossing to the west side of the Nile and commencing our tour of the Valley of the Kings. One of the first sights you’ll see is the Colossi of Memnon. This huge pair of enthroned statues is all that remains of the temple of Amenophis III. Touring of Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and and after a little R&R Karnak Temple. This evening we travel by overnight bus to Dahab via Hurghada. Overnight - Bus (B)

Dahab. Arrival and hotel check-in. Scuba diving, snorkelling, sun-worshipping, chilling, shopping - take your pick. On day 9, we offer an optional 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. Overnight - Dahab (B:2)

Dahab - Petra (Jordan). Today we transfer to Taba Port to cross the Gulf of Aqaba by private ferry and travel onward to Petra. This evening we will meet our Jordanian tour guide and other tour members continuing with us through Jordan and onto Syria. Overnight - Aqaba (B)

To see Petra’s beauty, we first take a walk through the winding cleft in the rock that is known as the Siq, before reaching the awe inspiring Treasury. This rose red building actually served as a royal tomb, but got its name from the legend that pirates hid their treasure there. More amazing Nabataean and Roman ruins follow, including a huge 8000 seat amphitheatre and other Royal tombs and Mausoleums. If you are feeling energetic, why not continue up the hillside along the ancient steps that take you to the Monastery, to take in the stunning views. Consider opting for our Petra Kitchen bolt-on tonight. Overnight - Petra (B)

Petra - Wadi Rum. This morning we can return to the Rose Red city for further exploration. Then drive to Wadi Rum for a 4x4 desert safari before enjoying a traditional Jordanian dinner and a night in the desert. Overnight - Wadi Rum (B, D)

Wadi Rum - Umm ar-Rasas - Mt Nebo/Madaba - Damascus (Syria). We visit the ruined town of Umm ar-Rasas and admire the brilliant views of the Promised land and the impressive large mosaic floor in the Church of St Stephen, which portrays ancient Jerusalem, Madaba and Karak. Then head to Mt Nebo, where we take in stunning views across the Promised Land, just as Moses did long ago.

We continue on to the compact town of Madaba - famed for its Byzantine mosaics, including the fascinating map of the Holy Land made in the 6th century out of two million stone pieces and now housed in the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. Here, we have time to explore before dinner - a traditional Jordanian feast! Day 14 - morning at leisure and onward travel to the Syrian border. After attending to immigration we continue to the nation’s charming capital. Overnight - Madaba - (1), Damascus - (1) (B:2, D:1)

Today, we enjoy a tour of reputedly the oldest continuously inhabited city on earth. Thoroughly charming, compact and bustling, Damascus (Ash-Sham to locals) is studded with rich examples of Islamic and Ottoman architecture. The heart of the city is Martyrs Square. In the side streets just off the square, there are lots of eateries serving shawarma and felafel, and pastry shops serving sweetmeats.

However, just east is probably the real beating heart of Damascus - the Old City. Surrounded by what was once a Roman wall and rebuilt several times over the last 2000 years, the Old City boasts a main thoroughfare, Straight Street which has been here since Graeco-Roman times. Just beyond the Citadel is the colourful Souk al-Hamidiyya, a stone’s throw from the Umayyad Mosque. Built in 705AD, the facades around the central courtyard are adorned with golden mosaics. South of the mosque is Azem Palace. This evening, enjoy a hamam at a Damascene bath house before taking in the magnificent views from Mt Qassioun. Overnight - Damascus (B)

A free day to enjoy Damascus or book our optional excursion to Ma’alula, an ancient town where the locals still speak Aramaic, the language of Christ & Krac des Chevaliers, a crusader castle of epic proportion OR the spectacular ruins of Palmyra – perhaps Syria’s number one sight! See our website for further details (payable locally). Overnight - Damascus (B)

Monday. Our tours ends after breakfast and onward departure transfer to Damascus airport. (B)