Ancient Wonders with Egypt & Jordan incl. Nile River Cruise

We commence the tour with an overnight flight to Dubai.

We arrive in Dubai early this morning and after clearing Customs and Immigration formalities, we are met and transferred to our hotel for a two-night stay. There is time to rest up after the flight until mid-afternoon when we visit the Palm Jumeirah – one of the world’s most daring developments. Jutting out into the Arabian Gulf, this man-made archipelago was built in the shape of a palm tree, with a 3-mile-long trunk and a fan of fronds lined with luxury villas and five-star hotels. From water parks and wildlife encounters to beach clubs and restaurants, there is an array of different activities on offer. One of the first things that strike you when visiting the Palm Jumeirah is its size. This giant archipelago is visible from space and the outer crescent is more than 10 miles long. Afterward, we visit the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world at 160 stories high. We travel to the observation deck which will provide you with a breath-taking unobstructed 360-degree view of the city, desert and ocean. We return to the hotel where we have dinner this evening.

This morning we take a sightseeing tour of the city – a fascinating historical excursion which takes you to the magnificent Jumeirah mosque and past modern palaces sprawled along the coast. In Bastakiya, see the old wind-towered houses built by wealthy merchants and the 150-year old Al Fahidi Fort. We continue our journey coach to the gold and spice souks, where we see bustling alleys with the aromas of the numerous spices and dazzling jewellery. Next up, we visit the area of La Mer – a new area nestled between Pearl Jumeira and the upcoming Jumeira Bay. There is time to explore this artsy community and to get some lunch at one of the trendy cafes before we  return to the hotel to relax & freshen up prior heading back to the airport for our evening flight to Alexandria, Egypt’s second largest city. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the city is worth visiting for its many cultural multi-civilizational attractions. Founded by Alexander the Great, the city was the centre of the Greek civilization. The city is the home of the Ptolemaic monuments, and the Pharaohs iconic Lighthouse, which is one of the longest surviving of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. As we arrive late, we will be transferred directly to our hotel to check in.

This morning we visit some of Alexandria’s famous sites, The Catacombs of Kom el-Shouqafa, The Roman Theatre and Pompey’s Pillar, which was constructed in honour of the Emperor Diocletian in AD 297. After lunch in a local restaurant, we drive to Cairo and check into our hotel, the Marriott Mena House Hotel, set in palm-fringed gardens with spectacular views of the pyramids. After settling in we enjoy a welcome drink and dinner.

This morning, we visit the New Grand Egyptian Museum. Constructed to be the world’s largest museum exhibiting only one civilization, the Grand Egyptian Museum will display incredible artefacts of “the ancient Egyptian civilisation” from prehistoric times through until the Greco-Roman period. A special focus are many artefacts from Pharaoh Boy King Tutankhamun’s tomb which will be on display for the first time in the same location with many of these treasures hidden for thousands of years. Currently intensive restoration work is taking place including stone statues, woodwork, papyrus, jewellery and other ornaments. Learn how meticulous restoration took place with the aid of Japanese technology and Egyptian artists working closely together to create an international first. After our visit, we enjoy lunch before returning to our hotel for time at leisure.

We visit the most iconic of Egyptian sites this morning – the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza. Here we will see the great pyramid built by Cheops, containing more than 2.3 million cubic metres of stone. Our guide will help navigate the Giza Plateau complex and enrich your discovery. After our visit, we enjoy lunch before returning to our hotel for time at leisure

This morning, we visit Sakkara, one of the most exciting historical and archaeological areas in all of Egypt. Dominated by the famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser, this was the first pyramid to be built in ancient Egypt – preceding those at Giza by many centuries. We will also have the opportunity to visit the Tombs of the Nobles, Imhotep Museum, and the tomb of Mastaba of Ti. This grand and detailed private tomb is not only Old Kingdom art at its best but also one of our main sources of knowledge about life in Old Kingdom Egypt. Its owner, Ti, was overseer of the Abu Sir pyramids and sun temples (among other things) during the 5th dynasty. In fact, the superb quality of his tomb is in keeping with his nickname, Ti the Rich. After some time at leisure this afternoon, we meet up again in the evening and enjoy the spectacular Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids and view these impressive monuments by night.

A relaxing morning before we join our early afternoon flight to Luxor. The Sonesta St George Hotel overlooks the Nile in Luxor and offers wonderful views from the hotel swimming pool and bar.

This morning we visit the Luxor Temple before we visit the Mummification Museum which contains everything you would ever wish to know about mummification. The ancient Egyptians believed that in order for a person to reach the afterlife, it was essential that both their body and their name remained, so their Soul would be transported from one life to the next.

Later this morning board we board our cruise ship to begin our 4-night cruise on the life-giving waters of the Nile. Each cabin has a Nile view. Cabins include TV, Telephone, Satellite channels, Safety deposit box, and hairdryer. The upper deck includes a swimming pool, spa and deck chairs to relax and watch the life along the Nile slip by. This afternoon, we visit the Karnak Temple. The Luxor and Karnak temples are two incredible “open air museums” linked by the 2.7km long Avenue of Sphinxes, originally lined with over 1,000 sphinx statues.

Today cross to the West Bank of the Nile to the Valley of the Kings. Part of the ancient city of Thebes, this area was the burial site of almost all the pharaohs of the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties (1539–1075 BCE). Later, continue to the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut and haunting Colossi of Memnon, which is known to make an eerie wailing sound. Today your tour will also include entrance into the Boy King Tutankhamun Tomb. (no photos permitted). Later, visit the fascinating Howard Carter’s house. Neglected for a long time, the house has now been restored to its former state by the famous Egyptologist and Archaeologist Dr Zahi Hawass and now offers a fascinating insight into the life of Howard Carter against an amazing 1920 backdrop.

Another unforgettable day beckons as you take a horse drawn carriage ride to and from the Edfu Temple. This temple, the best preserved in all of Egypt, was completed during the reign of Cleopatra and has provided much knowledge of ancient Egypt. Afternoon visit to the Kom Ombo Temple known for its murals, bas relief, fine Nile views and fascinating mummified crocodiles! Later sail to Aswan.

After breakfast on our boat, we visit the Aswan Dams at the end of Lake Nasser, the re-sited Temple of Philae dedicated to the Goddess Isis and the granite quarries. Delight in the serenity of an afternoon sail on a traditional Felucca around Kitchener Island. Also known as Nabatat or Botanical Island, this charming island paradise was irrigated and planted with a vast collection of tropical trees, many from as far away as India.

Sadly, we disembark this morning after breakfast, however we join a tour to Abu Simbel. Abu Simbel is the site of one of the greatest engineering feats by UNESCO. It was built to save Egyptian monuments from the waters of Lake Nasser, the artificial lake created behind the Aswan High Dam that wiped out the Kingdom of Nubia. On this tour which includes return flights, we will see the great temple of Ramses II, with its four massive seated figures of the youthful Ramses, carved into the side of the cliff, to resemble a temple pylon and rising to 32m. Now they are supported on an artificial domed structure, which you will be able to enter. Later today we transfer to our hotel, the historic Old Cataract Hotel, where Dame Agatha Christie penned Death on the Nile. We spend two nights here

Today is at your leisure. Explore the city further, or simply relax and enjoy the facilities of the legendary hotel.

We depart to Cairo early afternoon where we will stay overnight at a hotel in the Heliopolis area close to the airport.

We fly to Amman this morning, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. On arrival we visit the ancient Citadel, which sits atop one of the highest hills in Amman, offering spectacular views of the city. We see the Archaeological Museum which houses an excellent collection of Jordan’s antiquities, before we proceed downhill to the old city where we visit the Roman Theatre which dates back to the 2^nd century AD. It is also the home of Jordan’s Folklore Museum, which displays various artifacts of the traditional Jordanian life including, costumes, home furnishings, musical instruments and handicrafts dating back to the 19th century. We conclude our sightseeing tour of Amman by visiting King Abdullah Mosque.

After breakfast, we drive north to visit Jerash, which remains one of the most beautiful and best-preserved Graeco-Roman cities. A close second to Petra on the list of favourite destinations in Jordan, the ancient city of Jerash boasts a history of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years. Excavations made it possible to update two theatres, several temples, churches, a market, thermal baths, and the famous Cardo Maximus alley. We return to Amman in the afternoon.

We depart Amman and travel south to Madaba, “the City of Mosaics”. We visit the Greek Orthodox church of St. George where the famous 6th Century Byzantine mosaic map of the holy sites in the biblical world is found. We then proceed to Mount Nebo, the place where it is believed that Moses was buried. We carry on via Kings’ Way to Petra. We’ll follow along a very ancient and strategic trading route which connected Egypt with Mesopotamia, Syria and Anatolia. As with the Edomite’s and Moabites, trade along this route gave the Ammonites considerable revenue. We arrive at Karak, where we visit the Crusaders Castle, prior to continuing to Petra for our two night stay.

The Nabataean Kingdom of Petra, became a client state for the Roman Empire in the first century BC, it was only in 106 AD that the city lost its independence when it was captured by the Romans who renamed Nabataea to Arabia Petraea. Petra’s importance declined as sea trade routes emerged and after an AD 363 earthquake which destroyed many structures. It was gradually lost to civilization until rediscovered by the Swiss explorer, Burkhart. Today is one of the tour highlights as you explore this city that is carved into the rose-red Sharah Mountains. Continue into Petra to the Roman Theatre, the Courts, Qasr al-Bint Pharaoun, Temple of the Winged Lion and other monuments. At the conclusion of our visit, the remained of the day is at leisure.

Just ten minutes north of Petra’s visitor center is Beyda, often called little Petra. It was one of the main commercial and lodging areas for honored guests with supply post for camel caravans and an ancient vineyard with grape-pressing sites. After our visit, we depart to the Natural Resort of Wadi Rum “The Valley of the Moon” a unique place unlike anywhere else you have ever visited. On arrival at the village of Rum we will be picked up by local Bedouins to explore this splendid desert. We’ll be driven in 4×4 Bedouin Pick Ups for approximately 2 hours to the Bed of the Valley of the Moon and the great mountain of Al Khazali. We overnight under the stars in Wadi Rum.

After breakfast, drive to the Dead Sea the lowest spot-on earth 400 meters below sea level. Spend the rest of the day bathing and relaxing in the gently lapping waters of the Dead Sea and be amazed that you can’t sink!

Today is yours at leisure to relax and enjoy your surrounding.

Rest up this morning before a lunchtime departure to the Amman International Airport and join our flight to Dubai. We overnight near the airport.

An early start as we head to the airport for our 10am departure home.

Arrive Auckland mid-morning.