|
FROM
THE PYARMIDS & ST. CATHERINE TO PETRA
Countries
visited: Egypt & Jordan |
 |
Between
Egypt & Jordan, half of the world’s history has
its origin. However, for whatever reason, a combination of
the two civilizations centres in one journey has hardly ever
been offered. This 15-day journey traces the historical routes
of the Exodus, the trade routes from the times of Moses as
well as covers the wonders of the pyramids and sphinx, the
treasures of ancient Egypt, which we discover as we cruise
the Nile, Mount Sinai and it’s famous St Catherine,
Wadi Rum, Petra and Amman.
This then will be a historical journey into history!
|
Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
|
01
|
Cairo
(EGYPT) |
|
02
|
Cairo
/ Pyramids |
| 03 |
Cairo
/ Aswan |
|
04
|
Nile
Cruise |
|
05
|
Nile
Cruise |
|
06
|
Luxor
/ Sharm-el-Sheik |
|
07
|
Luxor
/ Sharm-el-Sheik |
|
08
|
Sharm-el-Sheik
/ St.
Catherine |
|
09
|
St.
Catherine / Aqaba (JORDAN) |
|
10
|
Aqaba |
|
11
|
Aqaba
/ Petra |
|
12
|
Petra |
|
13
|
Petra
/ Amman |
| 14 |
Amman |
| 15 |
Depart
Amman |
|
|
 |
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
| Jordan |
|
| Petra
(1985) |
Inhabited
since prehistoric times, this Nabataean caravan-city, situated
between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, was an important crossroads
between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia. Petra is half-built,
half-carved into the rock, and is surrounded by mountains
riddled with passages and gorges. It is one of the world's
most famous archaeological sites, where ancient Eastern traditions
blend with Hellenistic architecture. |
| Egypt |
|
| Memphis
and its Necropolis - the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur
(1979 |
The
capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt has some extraordinary
funerary monuments, including rock tombs, ornate mastabas,
temples and pyramids. In ancient times, the site was considered
one of the Seven Wonders of the World. |
| Ancient
Thebes with its Necropolis (1979) |
Thebes,
the city of the god Amon, was the capital of Egypt during
the period of the Middle and New Kingdoms. With the temples
and palaces at Karnak and Luxor, and the necropolises of
the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, Thebes
is a striking testimony to Egyptian civilization at its height. |
| Islamic
Cairo (1979) |
Tucked
away amid the modern urban area of Cairo lies one of the
world's oldest Islamic cities, with its famous mosques, madrasas,
hammams and fountains. Founded in the 10th century, it became
the new centre of the Islamic world, reaching its golden
age in the 14th century. |
| Saint
Catherine Area (2002) |
The
Orthodox Monastery of St Catherine stands at the foot of
the Mount Horeb of the Old Testament, where Moses received
the Tablets of the Law. The mountain is known and revered
by Muslims as Jebel Musa. The entire area is sacred to three
world religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. The Monastery,
founded in the 6th century, is the oldest Christian monastery
still in use for its initial function. Its walls and buildings
are very significant in the study of Byzantine architecture
and the Monastery houses outstanding collections of early
Christian manuscripts and icons. The rugged mountainous landscape,
containing numerous archaeological and religious sites and
monuments, forms a perfect backdrop for the Monastery. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
Day
1: Arrive Cairo (EGYPT)
Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome in Arabic. We are warmly received
at Cairo Airport and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Pyramisa Hotel (2 nights)
Day 2: Cairo/Pyramids
This is a day to go back in time, starting with a visit to
the most famous of the Egyptian sphinxes, the Great Sphinx
of Giza, followed by the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops). Completed
around 2600 BC, this pyramid was 146m (478ft) high and consisted
of over 2 million limestone blocks weighing over 2 tons each.
Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. The Museum houses the world's
greatest collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, including
12 rooms filled with golden treasures from the world-famous
tomb of the boy-king Tutenkhamun. (B, D)
Day 3: Cairo/Aswan (Flight)
An early morning flight gets us to Aswan where we are warmly
received and transferred to your boat, home for the next three
nights. This is also a day for those who may want to take an
optional flight excursion to Abu Simbel to see the temples
of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. Visits in Aswan include the
famous and monumental Aswan High Dam and the romantic and majestic
Philae Temple on the Island of Agilka then sail to Kom Ombo
to visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile-god
Sobek. It stands at a bend in the Nile where in ancient times
sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank. Continue
to Edfu.
Overnight: M/S Sherry Nile Cruise (3 nights) (B, L, D)
Day 4: Nile Cruise
Morning we will be visiting the well-preserved Greek built
Temple of Horus. This temple, built during the reigns of six
generations of Ptolemy’s, is not only the best-preserved
ancient temple in Egypt, but also the second largest after
Karnak. We then sail to Esna. Cross the lock and continue to
Luxor. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Nile Cruise
We begin our day with a visit to the West Bank of Luxor to
explore the Valley of the Kings, a vast City of the Dead where
magnificent tombs were carved into the desert rocks, richly
decorated, and filled with treasures for the afterlife by generations
of pharaohs. Our visit will also includes Queen Hatshepsut
Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Luxor
After breakfast we disembark from our cruise ship and visit
the Karnak and Luxor Temples. The ancient Egyptians knew the
Temple of Karnak as Ipet-isut. It is a city of temples built
over 2000 years and dedicated to the Theben triad of Amon,
Mut and Khonsu. This derelict place continues to overshadow
many of the wonders of the modern world. It is the mother of
all religious buildings and a place of pilgrimage for nearly
4,000 years. Luxor Temple was connected to Karnak Temple by
an avenue of sphinxes in ancient times. Unlike Karnak, Luxor
is mainly the work of one pharaoh - Amenhotep III and was added
to by Tutankhamun, Horemheb, Ramses II and Alexander the Great.
During Akhenaten’s all religion other than worship of
Aten was rejected and development at Luxor stopped. When Akhenaten
died, the old religions returned, along with the priests so
the temple began to expand again. After the tour we are transferred
to the hotel.
Overnight: Sheraton Luxor Hotel (1 night) (B, D)
Day 7: Luxor / Sharm-el-Sheik (Flight)
This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight
to Sharm el Sheikh. Upon arrival we are met and transferred
to our hotel. Sharm is world renowned for it’s beautiful
beach and offers several sea sports that one can enjoy or sunbathe.
The day is free to enjoy these activities.
Overnight: Cataract Layaline Hotel (1 night) (B, D)
Day 8: Sharm-el-Sheik / St. Catherine (Drive)
This afternoon we drive to the Sinai desert to prepare for
our ascend on the historical and holy site of St Catherine.
Overnight: Wadi El Rha Hotel (1 night) (B, D)
Day 9: St. Catherine/Aqaba (JORDAN)
A pre dawn climb on the biblical Mountain of Moses. The feeling
to stand on the spot where Moses is reputed to have received
the Ten Commandments with spectacular sunrise view of the Sinai,
is something that cannot be described but has to be experienced.
After descending, we have breakfast at a local hotel before
visiting yet another historical place – the St. Catherine’s
Monastery constructed on order of the Emperor Justinian in
the area of what is believed to be Moses' Burning Bush. Drive
to Nuweiba to have lunch then transfer to the pier to catch
the speed ferry to Aqaba in Jordan. Meet & transfer to
our hotel.
Overnight: Aqaba Gulf Hotel (2 nights) (B, L, D)
Day 10: Aqaba
Aqaba, the most southern port of Jordan on the Red Sea is full
of life and activity. It is a place for sea cruising, sea food,
bazaars and souq’s. This day is free to catch up for
the long previous day. (B, D)
Day 11: Aqaba / Petra (Drive)
Morning we take a short drive northwards to Wadi Rum. We change
vehicles and get into our 4X4’s open top jeeps and take
an adventurous ride visiting the Wadi Um Eshreen, the Moving
Sand, Al Khazali, Abu Aineh and Rum Mountain. We see the trail
of Lawrence and the famous Red Mountains. This is the scene
of any desert at it’s best. After an interesting safari
we proceed north to the spectacular city of Petra.
Overnight: Panorama Hotel (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 12: Petra
Another highlight today and it is Petra – the most magnificent
site in the Middle East. After passing the main gate we take
a horse ride for about 700 meters to the entrance of the SIQmand
walk along the SIQ until the most astonishing monuments of
Petra, the Treasury, appear all of a sudden. We wander among
the tombs, temples, water cisterns, the Roman Theater, street
of Facades, the Royal Tombs, the massive Courthouse, Roman
Street and Triumphal Arch and ending at Qasr Al-Bint. (B, D)
Day 13: Petra / Amman (Drive)
Continue northwards to Amman with stops to visit the Dead Sea,
and the Christian town of Madaba to visit St. George’s
Apostle Church that houses the earliest original mosaic map
of the ancient Middle East. Continuing to nearby Mount Nebo,
we visit the church on top of the hill where it is believed
that Moses viewed the Promised Land.
Overnight: Cham Palace Hotel (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 14: Amman
Amman, the capital of Jordan, offers both the old and new.
Our day tour starts with a visit first to see the Roman Amphitheater
followed by the Citadel, the Archeological Museum, the beautiful
King Abdullah Mosque. We then spend time at the local souq
and also visit the newly built high-class area of Abdoun. We
then go out of town to see the huge site at Jerash where we
also cover the Triumphal Arch, the Hippodrome, the Temple of
Zeus, and the Forum, the mile long street of Columns, the Nymphaeum,
the Temple of Airtimes and the Viaduct Church. (B, D)
Day 15: Depart Amman
After a journey into antiquity and Biblical times, we bid farewell
as we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight,
or better still, complete the exploration of history by joining
our Tour of Syria & Lebanon called From Palmyra to Baal
beck. (B)
|
|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
|
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Departure Dates |
|
2008
Jan 16, Feb 27, Mar 12, Apr 16, May 07, Jun 18, Jul 16,
Aug 20, Oct 15, Nov 05 & Dec 17
|
| Prices |
| Season |
Tour
Price US$ / CA$ |
Single
Sup US$ / CA$ |
| 2008 |
3085 |
465 |
| Peak season surcharge during
Easter & Christmas
period will be quoted separately. |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
- Accommodation/cruise
mentioned or similar including taxes
- Meals
as mentioned (B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner)
- All
sightseeing and transfers
- Services
of local English speaking guide & driver in Egypt.
While in Jordan driver cum guide with local English speaking
guide in Petra & Jerash.
- Entrance
fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary
- Domestic
air/ferry tickets
|
- International
Airfares
- Border/Departure/Airport
taxes
- Insurance
- Visa
fees
- Beverage/Tips
- Entrance
fees into the Pyramids, the visit to the Solar Boat Museum,
the Mummies Room at the Egyptian Museum, entrance into
Tout Ankh Amoun Tomb in the Valley of Kings – payable
cash and as an optional.
|
| Domestic
/ Regional Airfare INCLUDED in Tour Price |
| Cairo
/ Aswan & Luxor /
Sharm-el-Sheik |
| Estimated
International Airfare(not
included in tour price) |
| East
Coast |
US $ / CA $
1200 |
| West
Coast |
US $ / CA $
1400 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 02
and a maximum of 15
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
30
years in small group journeys
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Site
updated April 04, 2008
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