On arrival at Cairo International Airport you will be met and transferred* to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, before meeting your Tour Director and fellow travellers for dinner tonight in the hotel.
Overnight Stay: Cairo
This morning travel by luxury coach to Alexandria, the former capital of the Roman Empire. On arrival tour the Kom el Shokafa or catacombs, considered one of the Seven wonders of the Middle Ages. Enjoy lunch at the lively Fish Market Restaurant.This afternoon visit the National Museum before checking in to your hotel by the seaside.
Two Night Stay: Alexandria
This morning continue your tour of the city visiting the Roman Amphitheatre, Pompey’s Pillar and the famous Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which holds millions of books and houses an art collection of wonderful Hellenic statues. Admire Qait Bay Citadel, one of the most important defensive strongholds of Egypt during the 15th century. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to relax, perhaps visit Montazah Palace and Gardens located close to your hotel. Tonight enjoy dinner in the hotel.
A highlight today is a visit to El Alamein, site of Montgomery’s famous victory over Rommel’s Afrika Korps. Visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery, dedicated to those who lost their lives during World War II. Continue by luxury coach to Cairo. SCENICENRICH This evening join your Egyptologist for a fascinating lecture on Egypt at a private Soirée.
Two Night Stay: Cairo
A highlight today is your tour of the remaining 7th Wonder of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza. Marvel at the sight of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the largest pyramid. SCENICENRICH Enter the amazing Solar Boat Museum to view the funeral boat of King Khufu. Your visit to Giza ends at the famous Sphinx, carved from a single limestone block. The afternoon is at leisure before tonight’s highlight, the ‘Sound and Light’ show in front of the Sphinx and the Pyramids.
Early morning fly to Luxor (ancient Thebes). SCENICENRICH On arrival enjoy morning tea in the beautiful Sofitel Old Winter Palace. Visit Karnak Temple, a spectacular complex of sanctuaries, pylons and obelisks dedicated to the Thebian Gods. Hear tales of ancient Thebes and the lives of the pharaohs who built the necropolis. The afternoon is at leisure, perhaps relax by the swimming pool set in beautiful tropical gardens. SCENIC FREECHOICE Dining this evening, choose from: (1) La Corniche Restaurant; or (2) El Tarboush Oriental Restaurant; or (3) El Nakheel Italian Restaurant.
Overnight Stay: Luxor
This morning cross to the west bank of the Nile and explore one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. First stop is the Colossi of Memnon. These two massive quartzite statues once flanked the entrance to Amenhotep III’s mortuary temple and now stand alone in a field. Next visit the imposing Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the longest ruling female pharaoh. The final stop is the Valley of the Kings, the ancient city of the dead, where magnificent tombs were carved into the desert rocks. SCENICENRICH Enter the tomb of Tutankhamen before returning to Luxor. Check in to your luxurious Nile Cruise boat and enjoy a leisurely lunch on board. This evening visit Luxor Temple, dedicated to the great god Amun-Re, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu, the Moon God, who together represent the Theban Triad.
Four Night Cruise: Nile Cruise
SCENICENRICH This morning join your Tour Director for a walking tour of Luxor’s lively local markets. After a leisurely lunch on board, set sail for Esna Lock.
Today sail to the town of Edfu and visit the magnificently preserved Temple of Horus, the Falcon God. Unique amongst the temples of Upper Egypt, the temple is located on the west bank of the Nile (normally dedicated to the afterlife). Impressive features are the carvings and hieroglyphics that cover nearly every surface. Continue to Kom Ombo where your boat moors overnight.
This morning visit Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to two distinct divinities: Sobek, the God of Fertility and Horus, the Solar War God. Continue upstream to picturesque Aswan. Enjoy lunch before taking a motorboat to the Temple of Isis at Philae. Built in the third century B.C. and known as the “Jewel of the Nile”, this lovely temple complex is dedicated to the goddess Isis. It features well preserved temple buildings, courtyards, reliefs and murals. SCENICENRICH This afternoon travel by motorboat to a local Nubian village and wander amongst the mud houses for a fascinating insight into life on the Nile. Enjoy a refreshing drink inside a local house and watch a henna demonstration, before returning to the cruise boat.
Your cruise ends this morning and you travel to the Aswan High Dam. Completed in 1970 after ten years of work, the dam is Egypt’s lifeline, providing irrigation and water for the whole country. SCENICENRICH Fly to Abu Simbel and visit the temples of Ramses ll and Queen Nefertari. Arguably the greatest indulgence of any Pharaoh, the breathtaking facade consists of four gigantic statues of the Pharaoh seated on his throne. Each statue is 20 metres high. Learn about the remarkable engineering feat of relocating the temple before completion of the High Dam. Return to the airport and fly to Cairo. On arrival you are transferred to your hotel on the banks of the Nile.
Two Night Stay: Cairo
This morning tour the incredible Egyptian Museum, home to the greatest collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world. Visit King Tutankhamen’s collection of treasures from his tomb. SCENICENRICH Enter the Mummies Room and come face to face with some of the great rulers of Ancient Egypt. This afternoon enjoy your SCENIC FREECHOICE Activity, choose from: (1) a fascinating tour of Islamic Cairo including Mohammed Ali Mosque and the Citadel, a walking tour through Moaz St before visiting Khan el Khalili bazaar; (2) Touring Old Cairo and Coptic Cairo including the Coptic Museum; or (3) Tour Saqqara and view the oldest pyramid the Step Pyramid of Zhoser and enter the colourful tomb of Mereruka. SCENICENRICH This eveningenjoy an exclusive dinner in the Palace at the Cairo Marriott.
This morning fly to Jordan (flight not included). Upon arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel in Amman. SCENICENRICH This evening dine with a local Jordanian family and experience their friendly hospitality whilst learning about the lifestyle and culture of the Jordanian’s.
Two Night Stay: Amman
This morning travel to the ancient city of Jerash, acknowledged as one of the best preserved provincial cities of the Roman Empire. Your guided tour of the old walled city includes the Triple Arch Gate, the huge Hippodrome, the Colonnaded Street, the Forum, the Temple of Zeus and the paved way leading to the Temple of Artemis. After lunch return to Amman and take a walking tour of the old town including the oldest local market. SCENICENRICH Visit one of the oldest coffee shops in Amman. Stop at a local falafel restaurant and sample the famous falafel. Visit the Roman Ampitheatre and the ancient Citadel where you will see traces of Amman’s many lives: the columns of a Roman temple, the Byzantine church, Umayyad Palace and the fascinating displays in the Archaeological Museum.
After breakfast leave Amman and travel to a key biblical site - ‘Bethany Beyond The Jordan’. Amazing archaeological discoveries have identified this as the area where Jesus was baptised. Continue to one of the most revered sites in Jordan - Mount Nebo. View the memorial to Moses at the presumed site of the prophet’s death and burial place. Enjoy breathtaking views across the Jordan Valley. SCENICENRICHVisit a local mosaic workshop where you will learn about the techniques used in designing the mosaic floors. Then visit Madaba and the Saint George Church, famous for the oldest mosaic map in the world before continuing to the Rose Red City of Petra.
Two Night Stay: Petra
A highlight of your trip is today’s full day walking tour of magnificent Petra. This ancient city, carved into the sandstone mountains, is the legacy of the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled in south Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. By the 16th century Petra had become completely lost to the West, and remained so until 1812 when the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt persuaded his guide to take him to the site of the rumoured lost city. Marvel at Petra’s most famous monument: the Treasury, which appears dramatically at the end of the ravine or ‘siq’. This towering facade is only the first of Petra’s secrets. SCENICENRICH This evening enjoy the awe inspiring spectacle of Petra by Night, where 1,800 candles light the way through the ‘siq’ to the magnificent Treasury.
This morning take advantage of an optional excursion to visit Wadi Rum. (Additional expense). Leave Petra this morning and stop enroute for a panoramic view of Shobak Castle, one of the best preserved crusader castles on the Kings Highway. Continue north to the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea. This afternoon relax and enjoy the facilities of the Resort, or float in the Dead Sea renowned for its therapeutic benefits. SCENICENRICH Enjoy a private dinner tonight with magnificent views over the Dead Sea.
Overnight Stay: Jordan
Our tour ends today and after breakfast you will be transferred* to Amman International Airport for your onward or homebound flight (flight not included). *Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
Brochure: DS/EGY/AUD1011
Tour code: TACJ.1