Overview
Egypt with Nile Cruise and Treasures of Jordan
That calendar you live by—the one with 365 days divided into 12 months—you can thank the ancient Egyptians for the handy invention that helps you manage your time. In this 13-day vacation, you’ll marvel at many other amazing accomplishments of this remarkable civilization. The daunting Great Pyramids, the enigmatic Sphinx and the extraordinary temples of Luxor and Karnak are well worth the journey as are the sparkling treasures inside Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum, including the fascinating burial items from the opulent tomb of “King Tut.” As you sail down the legendary Nile from Luxor to Aswan on this enthralling tour of Egypt, you’ll also stand in awe at the Kom Ombo Temple, barter for goods at the bustling bazaars, and sway to the rhythmic drums on a relaxing felucca ride down the Nile. But the adventure doesn’t end there. Your desert dreams awaken even more mystery with the treasures of Jordan—from 4-wheeling in the red landscapes of Wadi Rum where your camp feels close enough to reach out and touch the stars above, to the spectacular sandstone monolith of Petra that conjures visions of Indiana Jones and ancient rulers resting in the ancient sandstone tombs of the Treasury. Sip tea in the ancient traditions and soak in the ancient sites surrounding the Dead Sea where some of civilization’s earliest history was recorded amid the horizons where Moses saw the Promised Land. A Bedouin experience to rival ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ in color, scope, and sheer beauty.
Highlights of Egypt with Nile Cruise and Treasures of Jordan
Travelers Notes
Special Features Included in this Tour:• Guided sightseeing in Cairo with a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum • Guided visit to the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids of Giza • Four-night Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan • Guided sightseeing tour in Luxor with visit to the Karnak and Luxor Temples, and the Avenue of the Sphinxes• Guided walking tours of the Temple of Horus and Kom Ombo • Cruise on a [LF] felucca (traditional wooden sailing boat) around Kitchener’s Island and the Mausoleum of Aga Khan at Aswan• Four-wheel drive tour in the desert of Wadi Rum with overnight [LF] in a luxury camp • Guided walking tour with highlights of Petra • Visit to St. George’s Church & Archaeological Museum in Madaba• Orientation walks on Mount Nebo and Bethany beyond the Jordan • Flights between Cairo and Luxor, Aswan and Cairo, plus Cairo and Amman
Ship
Private Touring
6 guests in a party: $966*18 guests in a party: $168*
Product Group
Egypt with Nile Cruise
UNESCO Sites
Baptism Site "Bethany Beyond the Jordan"|Petra|Wadi Rum Protected Area
Notes
Cruise details:Deluxe cabin- featuring twin beds (can convert to double), private en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, tinted panoramic windows.Globus Host service throughout the cruise.Please ask your Travel Consultant for cruise ship details. The ship scheduled to depart for the cruise portion of your vacation is the Movenpick MS Royal Lily.During the cruise, some visits may begin with early morning starts, in order to avoid the crowds for optimum enjoyment at the more popular sites.
Meals
Full buffet breakfast daily, 4 Lunches, 10 Dinners
Itineraries
Day 1
ARRIVE IN CAIRO, EGYPT Welcome to Cairo! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day 2
CAIRO. EXCURSION TO GIZA Secrets of the Sphinx Your Egyptian discovery starts in the vibrant city of Cairo, located on the River Nile, with a guided sightseeing tour that features a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Later, a short drive to Giza is the start of an iconic visit to see some of the most recognizable landmarks in the world - the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORY & MYSTERY Get up close and personal with The Pyramids of Giza - one of the World’s Seven Wonders. Ponder the enigmatic secrets of the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza. Marvel at the massive monument of Cheops, the most colossal pyramid ever built, with an original height of 496 feet.
Day 3
CAIRO–LUXOR (EMBARKATION) River Mysteries Revealed Today, depart Cairo and fly to Luxor. Embark your cruise ship for the start of your Nile River Cruise. Start to get acquainted with the ship and enjoy lunch on board. This afternoon, join the guided sightseeing tour to see the breathtaking Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex in Egypt, and the Luxor Temple, also known as “the Southern Sanctuary”. (B,L,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT ANCIENT CITIES See the stunning monuments of Luxor and Karnak, ancient cities whose combined populations once topped one million. Walk among the pillars of the colossal Temple of Amun Ra and along the Avenue of the Sphinxes for an experience you will treasure for a lifetime.
Day 4
CRUISING: LUXOR–ESNA–EDFU Kings, Queens & Captain’s Cocktails Enjoy some free time to explore more of Luxor at your own pace, once the site of Ancient Thebes and still home to an amazing number of Egyptian monuments. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to the West Bank. Back on board, enjoy the captain’s welcome cocktail party and set sail for Edfu. (B,L,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SPOTS Venture into the “World’s greatest open-air Museum”, where most of the ruins and artefacts at the site have been preserved and are still in their original forms.
Day 5
CRUISING: EDFU–KOM OMBO–ASWAN Egyptian Gods & Gowns Today, in Edfu, visit the impressive Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Return to the ship and enjoy lunch while sailing. Call at Kom Ombo for a guided walking tour featuring the temple dedicated to the crocodile and falcon gods. Enjoy some free time to browse. Continue sailing towards Aswan and this evening enjoy a Galabeya (traditional Egyptian gown) party on board. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDS & LORE Explore captivating Kom Ombo with a walking tour of its bluff-top twin temples. Gaze at the spellbinding temples dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek-Ra and the falcon god Horus.
Day 6
CRUISING: ASWAN Landscapes & Legends of the Nile Today discover Aswan, the land of gold that has kept the treasures of the pharaohs for centuries. [LF] Sail on a felucca (traditional wooden sailing boat) around Kitchener’s Island and the Mausoleum of Aga Khan. This evening, on board your ship, take part in a Nubian Folklore presentation. (B,L,D)LOCAL FAVORITE EPIC RIDE Sail from Aswan on a felucca, a traditional Egyptian wooden boat with a canvas sail. Capture the wind to move effortlessly around the botanical sanctuary of Kitchener’s Island and the Mausoleum of Aga Khan – the stately and austere dome-topped rose limestone monument and Carrara-marble tomb of the 20th-century religious and political leader.
Day 7
DISEMBARKATION. ASWAN At Leisure in Aswan This morning, disembark your ship and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure to explore more of Aswan independently or join an optional excursion. (B)ENHANCED FREE TIMEEXPLORE MORE with an optional excursion to the High Dam, the Philae Temple, and the Unfinished Obelisk. Learn how in the early 1970s, after the inauguration of the Aswan High Dam, raging floods risked the submersion of Philae. The rescue of these Nubian monuments is thanks to the joint effort between the Egyptian government and UNESCO, who then moved the sanctuary to higher ground. How did they do it? They dismantled the structures into 40,000 blocks and transferred them brick by brick to their new home.
Day 8
ASWAN–CAIRO Capital Ideas in Cairo Depart Aswan this morning and take a flight to Cairo. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in this exciting city before joining your travel companions for dinner at your hotel. (B,D)ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE in the “the city of a thousand minarets” with its skyline filled with many mosques, castles, and churches in this bustling and historic metropolis.
Day 9
CAIRO–AMMAN, JORDAN From Africa to Asia Today, leave Egypt and fly to Amman, the captivating capital city of Jordan, famed for its impressive architecture and rich history. Meet your Tour Director who will accompany you during your Jordanian discovery and enjoy dinner in the hotel. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SPOT For a relatively small country Jordan is a treasure trove, it has so much to offer. Playing a prominent role as an ancient crossroads connecting 3 continents (Asia, Africa and Europe), it is home to the lowest point on Earth – situated in the Dead Sea; one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world – Amman; a landscape that inspires movie directors; and over 100 000 archeological, religious and tourist sights.
Day 10
AMMAN–WADI RUM Epic Desert Adventures This morning leave Amman and head for Wadi Rum. Enjoy a fascinating 4-wheel drive tour in the stunning desert landscape of Wadi Rum and see the Seven Pillars of Wisdom made famous by Lawrence of Arabia. [LF] Overnight under canvas at a luxury camp located in the heart of Wadi Rum. (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITE UNDER THE STARS Although known as the “Valley of the Moon,” Wadi Rum’s breathtaking red landscape is often considered to resemble Mars. Protected by UNESCO and covering about 180,000 acres, it is home to several nomadic Bedouin tribes. Captivating views of sunsets, sunrises and starry skies will be on your doorstep when you overnight at a luxury camp - enjoy a taste of authentic hospitality, without forfeiting modern amenities.
Day 11
WADI RUM–PETRA–DEAD SEA Cinematic Treasures Arrive in Petra for a guided walking tour. Enjoy an unforgettable experience as you walk down the Siq, the narrow gorge made famous by Indiana Jones. Stand in awe in front of the iconic and famed treasury. See spectacular temples and tombs created out of the rose-hued sandstone, and sip tea in an authentic Bedouin tent. Later, continue to your hotel by the Dead Sea. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHT HIDDEN TREASURES Sometimes referred to as the “Lost City” Petra’s existence was forgotten about for centuries until it was rediscovered in 1812 buried under layers of sand. What a discovery it became, an architectural and engineering masterpiece carved out of the rose-colored rocks.
Day 12
DEAD SEA. EXCURSION TO MADABA, MOUNT NEBO & BETHANY BEYOND THE JORDAN The Promised Land A fascinating day awaits! Drive to Madaba, known as the “City of Mosaics.” Visit St. George’s Church, home to an exquisite mosaic map of the Holy Land, and explore the Madaba Archaeological Museum. Continue to Mount Nebo for an orientation walk on the legendary mountain ridge. Reach Bethany Beyond the Jordan, where Jesus is believed to have been baptized by John the Baptist, and follow an orientation walk. Later, return to your Dead Sea hotel for a farewell dinner. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHT ART & ARCHITECTURE Explore the market town of Madaba, home to a bounty of breathtaking Byzantine mosaics. See the most famous of these ancient works discovered amid the rubble of the floor of St. George’s Church – revealing a treasure of early Christianity and the oldest existing map of Palestine.
Day 13
DEAD SEA Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning (the nearest airport is Amman). (B)
Departures
Hotels
| # | Name | Description | City | Address | Rating |
| 1 | Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah | An urban oasis directly on the Nile, this sophisticated 433-room hotel is located on Gezira Island in the heart of downtown Cairo close to the exclusive Zamalek area with its chic trendy restaurants and galleries. Contemporary fittings in the elegant guest rooms blend French hi-tech with Oriental flair and amenities include air conditioning, iron & ironing board, signature MyBed beds and complimentary Wi-Fi access. Boasting its own riverfront promenade with an open-air floating restaurant & bar, this stunning property also offers a wide variety of restaurants and bars, a casino, a Spa, fitness centre and relaxing outdoor infinity swimming pool overlooking the Nile. | Cairo | 3 el thawra council St. Zamalek | Deluxe |
| 2 | The Zen Wellness Resort | Nestled in the heart of Aswan, the famed Land of Gold, this contemporary luxury resort combines stylish accommodation with a range of upscale amenities. Each spacious guest room features air-conditioning, a balcony, Free Wi-Fi, and a mini-bar. The resort consists of 89 standalone villas, each villa consists of 3 floors, 4 bedrooms all accessible by a central staircase (the ground floor is a shared reception. The resort includes a fitness room, yoga classes, and an infinity pool with scenic views and spacious sunbathing areas. The resort¿s main restaurant serves a variety of international and Mediterranean-inspired dishes, with a focus on fresh ingredients and beautifully presented cuisine. The inviting bars and lounge areas allow guests to unwind throughout the day and offer a selection of refreshing beverages, specialty coffees, fresh juices, and evening cocktails in a tranquil setting. | Aswan | Aswan Western Agricultural Road | Deluxe |
| 3 | Le Méridien Cairo Airport | Le Méridien Cairo Airport is a smoke-free 5-story hotel directly linked to Terminal 3 by a pedestrian bridge and is nearby one of the best shopping malls in the city. Onsite unique dining venues range from an elegant Lebanese restaurant to a high-energy Sports Bar, both serving delicious food. A heated outdoor pool set in an oriental garden, a well-equipped fitness center, and free Wi-Fi internet access throughout the property are also available. All 349 guestrooms are specially designed to provide a homey feel with warm classical tones and feature excellent soundproofing, independent air-conditioning system, a seating area, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Rooms amenities include a flat-screen TV with international channels, coffee/tea maker facilities, in-room safe, iron and ironing board, and minibar. | Cairo | Cairo International Airport, Terminal 3 | Deluxe |
| 4 | Landmark | The Landmark Amman Hotel has 258 guestrooms, all decorated in a stylish contemporary design, enhanced by a colorful array of artwork celebrating local customs, including vibrant mosaics, Arabic calligraphy and individual handicrafts. All rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, mini bar, coffee maker, flat-screen TV and hairdryer. The Fitness & Wellness center offers a wide range of exercise equipment, a hot tub and a sauna. An array of restaurants serve a delicious range of dining options including the finest Japanese delights at Skyline Sushi, a creative concept where you can learn the art of origami and fresh local cuisine and international dishes at Colors all day dining restaurant. The property is conveniently located just a short walk away from the old city Jabal Al Lweibdeh, as well as the new downtown area of Abdali. | Amman | Al-Hussein Bin Ali Street | Superior First-Class |
| 5 | Rum Imagination Luxury Camp | A Luxury property located in the heart of Wadi Rum, with great mountain views and the most wonderful sunset and sunrise surrounded by sandstones and superb hills, an experience you will never forget! Tented suits provide the highest level of comfort with private bathroom, full amenities and two private terraces including one on the roof top to enjoy the beautiful desert and night sky with its stars. | Wadi Rum | JF7V + 9M3 Disah | Deluxe |
| 6 | Moevenpick Resort & Spa | Seaside resort that offers therapeutic benefits from the salt water and elaborate marble lobby with grand chandeliers. | Amman-Dead Sea | Sweimeh, Dead Sea Road P.O. Box 815538 | Superior First-Class |
