Jordan & Egypt

Wednesday: En Route

Depart on your flight to Amman, Jordan.

Thursday: Amman

Arrival Amman; meeting, assistance and transfer to your deluxe hotel in the modern and ancient capital of Jordan.

Friday: Amman / Petra

Meet your guide and driver this morning; depart for Mt. Nebo, highest point of the Moabite mountain range, offering a remarkable view of the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Then proceed to Madaba, home to some of the finest Byzantine mosaics in the world. View the 6^th century mosaic map of the Holyland.   After lunch, visit the magnificent crusader castle of Kerak before continuing on to Petra. Dinner and overnight in Petra. (B.L.D.)

Saturday:  Petra / Amman

Today, discover a most unforgettable day in the “hidden” city of Petra. Travel on horseback or on foot into the “rose-red” city to the awesome “Siq”, a winding canyon road. Continue by foot to visit one of Petra’s most impressive monuments, the Treasury, made famous in the movie “Indiana Jones”, carved out of solid rock from the side of the mountain.  Beyond the Treasury, you’ll discover soaring temples, elaborate royal tombs, a theatre, burial chambers and water channels. After lunch, depart Petra and drive north to Amman. Check into your hotel for overnight. (B.L)

Sunday: Amman / Cairo

Begin with a tour of Amman, the capital of Jordan. See the Roman Theatre and the Citadel containing the remains of the massive Temple of Hercules.  Continue to Jerash, known as the “Pompeii of the East”, one of the world’s best-preserved Greco-Roman cities. Tour the Temples of Artemis and Zeus, the Roman Forum, Hadrian’s Arch, the massive Theatre and the mile-long Street of Columns. After late lunch, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo (Note: Flight from Amman to Cairo NOT included and must be added as additional). Arrive Cairo; transfer to your hotel for overnight.  (B.L)

Monday: Cairo / Luxor

NILE CRUISE

Transfer to the airport for an early morning flight to Luxor. Arrive and transfer to your Nile Cruise for a 5 Day/4 Night Cruise. After lunch, visit the Avenue of the Sphinxes and the imposing Temple of Luxor with its grand colonnades, standing alone in the heart of town. Continue to the vast Karnak Temple-Complex, built by generations of Pharaohs over a 2000-year period. Evening, enjoy on board entertainment featuring belly dancing. Overnight in Luxor. (B.L.D)

Tuesday: Luxor / Esna

NILE CRUISE

After breakfast, visit the Valley of the Kings containing the secretive tombs of New Kingdom Pharaohs. On to the beautifully terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari. Pass the famed Colossi of Memnon, standing nearly 70 feet tall. Sail to Esna. Balance of the afternoon at leisure. Join your Captain for a welcome cocktail before dinner. Overnight in Esna. (B.L.D)

Wednesday: Esna / Edfu / Kom Ombo

NILE CRUISE

Early morning set sail to Edfu. Visit the Temple of Horus, the best preserved of all large Egyptian Temples, built over 180-year period. In the afternoon, arrive in Kom Ombo, a hill town over-looking the banks of the Nile. Visit the Greco-Roman Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Horus, the Sun God, and Sobek, the Crocodile God. This evening, a traditional fun-filled Galabeya party. Overnight in Kom Ombo. (B.L.D)

Thursday: Kom Ombo / Aswan

NILE CRUISE

Morning set sail to Aswan. Visit the Aswan High Dam and the granite quarries where the stone for the ancient monuments and modern dam of Aswan were cut. View the gigantic, unfinished Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut. Continue by motorboat to the beautiful island of Philae to see the exquisite, gleaming white Temple of Philae. After lunch, sail on a traditional Egyptian “felucca” (sailboat) which glides along the Nile, passing by Lord Kitchener’s Island and the dramatic white marble Aga Khan Mausoleum. Nubian Show this evening after dinner on board. Overnight in Aswan. (B.L.D)

Friday: Aswan / Cairo

After disembarkation, return flight to Cairo where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. Or, join an optional tour to Abu Simbel*, please reserve at time of booking. Overnight in Cairo. (B)

* Optional Tour to Abu Simbel. Fly from Aswan to the mighty Sun Temple of Abu Simbel where you will be met by your Isram guide. The Temple was reclaimed from the dam and reconstructed in its present and unforgettable location. Return flight to Cairo where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Please reserve at time of booking. $495 per person

Saturday: Cairo

Begin the day with a visit to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. The Museum presents a rich, deep insight into Egyptian culture through the ages; enter the fascinating Mummy Room housing all 22 Mummies. Then continue to Giza to see the Three Great Pyramids, the oldest surviving structures built by man; enter one of the Pyramids. Stand in awe at the magnificent Sphinx carved out of a single piece of stone, guarding the Giza plateau. Try a camel ride before continuing for lunch at a local restaurant. On to the new, spectacular, must-see Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), (subject to museum opening), the largest archaeological museum in the world with objects covering 5000 years of ancient Egyptian civilization. GEM is host to over 100,000 artifacts, including King Tut’s entire treasure collection. Return to Cairo for overnight. (B.L)

Sunday: En Route

Transfer to Cairo Airport for your departure flight; or extend your journey to Israel or Dubai, please inquire.  (B)

Please Note: The cruise line reserves the right to alter the sailing schedule.