pyramids to petra - 15 days

Tour Information
Starts in: Cairo, Egypt
Ends in: Amman, Jordan
Departs: Any day of the year
Prices: From USD $4419
Breakfast: daily, Lunch: 3, Dinner: 3
Cruise rating: 5  
Hotel rating: 4 or 5  (specific to your itinerary)
Tour Guide: Yes at sights of antiquity

Day 1 - Cairo
Welcome to Egypt. Prepare yourself for an exciting 2 weeks of sightseeing and sunshine! Upon arrival at the airport we will meet and transfer you to your hotel, where you can rest before our adventure begins. Overnight - Cairo.

Day 2 - Pyramids & Saqqara
Cairo – breakfast. Today, enjoy a visit to the famous Pyramids at Giza, one of the sole survivors from the ancient Greek listed Seven Wonders of the World. The pyramids are the planet’s oldest tourist attraction and will not fail to impress even the most seasoned traveller. In front of the pyramids sits the Sphinx, an enormous statue with the face of a man and body of a lion. This afternoon we explore the ancient necropolis of Saqqara, with its litany of ancient tombs and famous centre piece, Zhoser’s step pyramid. Constructed in 27bc by the Pharaoh’s chief architect, it became the template for all future pyramid construction. Overnight - Cairo.

Day 3 - Egyptian museum and Coptic Cairo
Cairo – breakfast. We start the day’s sightseeing with a trip to the Egyptian Museum to see the dazzling antiquities of ancient Egypt on display there, including the amazing treasures of King Tutankhamen and his stunning gold funerary mask. This afternoon we take a tour of Old Coptic Cairo, where we’ll find the Citadel and some of the oldest Christian churches in the world, including the Hanging Church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and built in the 3rd century. Overnight - Cairo.

Day 4 - Abu Simbel
Cairo – Abu Simbel - Aswan- breakfast. It’s an early start today as we fly south to Abu Simbel, possibly the greatest and most awe-inspiring temple of ancient Egypt, created to revere the mighty pharaonic ruler King Ramses II. The four colossal statues of the pharaoh himself guard the entrance to this mighty temple with its spectacular rock-cut facade. This afternoon we fly to the Nubian city of Aswan where you will have time to amble around the cities excellent souk and relax by the Nile. Overnight - Aswan.

Day 5 - Aswan
Aswan – breakfast. Today we travel out of town to visit the mighty High Dam; a modern feat of engineering, the by-product for this immense construction is Lake Nasser-the world’s largest artificial lake! We will also take a trip to the Philae Temple on Agilika Island, which is dedicated to the goddess Isis before boarding our luxury Nile Cruiser. Lunch, dinner and overnight - Nile Cruiser.

Day 6 - Nile cruising
Aswan - Nile Cruising – breakfast. Anchors away, as we set sail up the Nile. Relax, enjoy the facilities onboard and soak up the sun. We stop en-route to visit the unique, riverside temple of Kom Ombo, with its perfectly symmetrical architecture. Lunch, dinner and overnight – Nile Cruiser.

Day 7 - Luxor temple by night
Nile Cruising – Luxor - breakfast. Ancient Luxor is the final port of call on our cruise and at over 4,000 years old it’s steeped in history and often referred to as the world’s greatest open-air museum. Today we visit the immaculately preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu, dedicated to the falcon-headed god; it was the last monumental temple to be built on such a huge scale. This evening we view the Luxor Temple, which comprises of numerous pylons, columns, an inner sanctum and a giant granite obelisk. The temple is beautifully illuminated at night. Lunch, dinner and overnight - Nile Cruiser.

Day 8 - Valley of the Kings
Nile Cruising – breakfast. This morning we disembark the cruiser and tour the West Bank, home to the legendary Valley of the Kings, with its myriad of tombs, temples and monuments. The first monuments you’ll see are the imposing Colossi of Memnon; these massive enthroned statues are all that remains of the temple of Amenophis. The often highly decorated tombs were constructed to once house the regal sarcophagi enclosed mummies of the mighty pharaohs awaiting their passage into the after-life. We also visit the Valley of the Queens (where the pharaohs’ wives were laid to rest), the colonnaded Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the spectacular Karnak temple, which is dedicated to the Theban gods. Overnight - Luxor.

Day 9 - Jordan
Luxor – Dead Sea – breakfast. This morning we take to the skies and fly from Luxor to Amman in Jordan. Upon arrival we transfer to the lowest point on earth - the Dead Sea ; a natural phenomena, where you float like a cork in the intensely saltrich waters. The high concentration of mineral salts in the sea also gives your skin a fabulous detox! Overnight – Dead Sea.

Days 10 & 11 - Dead Sea and Karak castle
Dead Sea – Karak Castle - Petra – breakfast. Time for a bit of pampering - perhaps a day at a Dead Sea spa where you can indulge yourself in a variety of luxurious well-being treatments? Or simply relax in the sun by the Dead Sea , the choice is yours. In the afternoon of day 11 we drive south, visiting Karak crusader castle en-route to Petra. Overnight (1) – Dead Sea (1) – Wadi Musa (Petra).

Days 12 & 13 - Petra
Petra – Madaba - Amman – breakfast. The jewel in Jordan’s archaeological crown is the Rose City of Petra , where you’ll spend a full day sightseeing. Catching your first glimpse of the Treasury through the corridors of the siq, will be a memory sure to remain with you forever. We wander down the ancient Roman rock carved streets, exploring the Nabataean tombs, amphitheatre and other hidden treasures this once-lost city has to offer. If you’re feeling daring, why not climb the hundreds of steps to Ad-Deir? Ad-Deir is better known as the Monastery and, with its impressive facade and the spectacular views, it is definitely worth the physical exertion! On day 13, you’ll have the chance to revisit Petra before driving onward to St George’s Church in Madaba to view the fascinating 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land. Continuing to Amman. Overnight (1) - Wadi Musa – (1) Amman.

Day 14 - Roman Jerash
Amman – Jerash - Ajlun – breakfast. Today we take in the magnificent Roman provincial city of Jerash. With its colonnaded street, theatre, nymphaeum and Temples of Artemis and Zeus. To make these spectacular 2000 year old ruins come to life you’ll join the throngs at the Jerash hippodrome watching a 7 lap chariot race and battle re-enactment. We drive onward to Ajlun for a tour of the crusader era Saracen Castle built by the armies of Salah ad din. Return to Amman and overnight.

Day 15 - Amman
Amman – breakfast. Today we bid farewell to Jordan and onward departure transfer to the airport. So which was your favourite - the Pyramids or Petra? You’ll have plenty to reflect upon your amazing adventure on your onward flight home!