Tour Details
- Starts in: Cairo / Ends in: Damascus
- Departs: Saturdays - year round
- No local payment required
- Breakfast:16, Lunch: 3, Dinner: 4
- Hotel Rating: 4 - 5 star (3 star Jordan & Syria hotels) & Wadi Rum camp
- Tour Guide: Yes
Experiences
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Cairo to Damascus - 17 days
The ultimate adventure - Egypt, Jordan & Syria in one amazing holiday! Journey beyond the pyramids to ancient Thebes, sail the river Nile & relax by the Red Sea. Add the hidden city of Petra, a 4x4 safari in Wadi Rum & incredible Damascus - the oldest city on earth.
Day 1: Cairo
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
Day 2: Pyramids & Saqqara
Cairo - Aswan. A big day out at the pyramids and sphinx at Giza, then a visit to the ancient tomb-strewn necropolis at Saqqara. Later there is time for dinner before travelling on the overnight seater train
to Aswan. Upgrade to sleeper cabin available. Overnight - Train (B)
Cairo to Damascus - 17 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Day 3: Philae Temple
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)
Days 4 - 5: Felucca Sailing
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)
Day 6: Kom Ombo & Edfu Temple
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)
Day 7: Valley of the Kings
Luxor - Dahab. Optional early morning hot air balloon ride over Luxor. An early start allows us to
avoid some of the fierce heat as we venture to the tomb
strewn Valley of the Kings. Highlights of our visit include
the Colossi of Memnon, a massive pair of statues that stand
silent against a backdrop of history, the legendary Valley of
the Kings and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
This afternoon after lunch and time to relax, we visit the
Temple of Karnak, a spectacular temple on a gigantic
scale dedicated to the Theban gods. Karnak is ancient
Egypt at its very best. You’ll feel like a star in a
Hollywood epic, as you stroll around. This afternoon, we
travel by overnight bus to Dahab via Hurghada. Overnight - Bus (B)
Days 8 - 9: Dahab
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)
Day 10: Aqaba
Dahab - Petra (Jordan). Today we transfer to Nuweiba Port to cross the Gulf of Aqaba by 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)
Day 11: Petra
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)
Day 12: Wadi Rum
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 camping in the desert. Overnight - Wadi Rum (B, D)
Day 13: Dead Sea (*as of 15 May 2010)
Wadi Rum - Dead Sea - Mt Nebo/Madaba. Departing Wadi Rum this morning we descend to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the earth’s surface. Here we have chance for a dip in the mineral-rich waters, which are famously buoyant, due to the high salinity. Enjoy lunch at the Dead Sea before we drive to Mt Nebo, where we take in stunning views across the Promised Land before visiting Madaba - famed for its Byzantine mosaics. Here, if time permits you’ll have time to explore before tonight’s dinner - a traditional Jordanian feast!
* Please Note: for all departures from now until 01 May 2010, (a tour commencing with a start date prior to 01 May 2010) touring arrangements differ from those stated above, please read the Go Guide for more info. Overnight - Madaba (B, L, D)
* Please Note: for all departures from now until 01 May 2010, (a tour commencing with a start date prior to 01 May 2010) touring arrangements differ from those stated above, please read the Go Guide for more info. Overnight - Madaba (B, L, D)
Day 14: Damascus
Madaba - Damascus (Syria). Spend the morning at leisure before travelling to the Syrian border. After attending to immigration we continue to the nation’s charming capital, Damascus. Overnight - Damascus (B)
Day 15: Damascus
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)
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)
Day 16: Palmyra or Krac des Chevaliers
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 (payable locally). Overnight - Damascus (B)
Day 17: Damascus
Monday. Our tours ends after breakfast and onward departure transfer to Damascus airport.
(B)
Perseids Meteor Shower departure - 31 July 2010
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Why not combine this tour with the amazing celestial spectacle of the Perseids Meteor shower? The Perseids meteor shower is a spectacular celestial light show, that has mystified and amazed sky watchers for nearly 2000 years. The night sky is lit up by often over 60 meteors per hour! You can witness the incredible meteor shower from our desert camp in Wadi Rum, where you will spend two incredible nights star-gazing, when the meteor shower is at its peak on the 11th and 12th August. Please see the Go Guide for details of the amended itinerary. Supplement applies. |
PLEASE NOTE: Group size of 4 or more, the group will travel with a driver (not a tour guide) from Madaba - Damascus and from Bosra to Madaba. Our driver will attend to all immigration formalities for passengers and vehicles. If less than 4 persons, public transport will be used on the journey from Madaba - Damascus, with representation at the Syrian border.
