Egypt, Israel and Jordan with return flights

Welcome to Jordan, a country that is home to some of mankind’s earliest settlements. We begin in Amman, Jordan’s bustling and

vibrant capital and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the world.

We’ll enjoy some free time to relax and freshen up, before joining our fellow travellers for a group welcome dinner this evening.

This morning we will visit the magnificently restored Roman theatre, a highlight for most visitors to Amman.



We’ll continue to Jerash, one of the most beautiful and well-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world. The ancient city was buried in sand before being gradually revealed through a series of excavations, starting in 1925 and continuing to this day. We’ll tour through the colonnaded streets, amphitheatre, churches, temples and the vast Roman Forum before continuing to Ajloun.



SPECIAL EXPERIENCE



Learn how to make local dishes at a cooking demonstration in the heart of nature at an organic farm in Ajloun.



After lunch we’ll take a short drive to the impressive Ajloun Castle or ‘Qalaat Rabadh’ (Arabic for ‘Hilltop Castle’). This Islamic castle was built in the 12th century and served as a military fort to protect the region from invading Crusader forces.



We will return to Amman where the evening is at leisure.

This morning we begin with a visit to the amazing Amman Citadel that is perched atop the Jabal Al Qal’a, one of the cities highest hills and one of the seven Jabals that originally made up the city. We will walk through this ancient ruin to gain insight into Jordan’s history while also enjoying incredible panoramic views.



Next we’ll visit Madaba, known as ‘The City of Mosaics’, where underneath almost everyone house lies a fine Byzantine mosaic. We will visit the Greek Orthodox church of St George, home to Madaba’s main attraction, a wonderfully vivid, 6th century Byzantine mosaic map showing the entire region from Jordan and Palestine in the north, to Egypt in the south.



We’ll also stop at Mount Nebo, the centre for pilgrimages since the earliest Christian times. Mount Nebo is one of the most sacred holy sites of Jordan as the place where Moses was buried.



As we make our way towards Petra, we’ll stop to visit the fascinating 'Little Petra', also known as Siq al-Barid, a Nabataean site characterised by buildings carved into the sandstone canyon walls. Little Petra has a history dating back some 9,000 years and is one of the oldest archaeological sites in the Middle East. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant in Petra.

If you’re feeling adventurous and like to rise early you could take the option to re-visit Petra this morning.



Today we’ll journey to the breathtaking Wadi Rum, a protected desert wilderness in southern Jordan. Traces of ancient civilisations exist in the many carved inscriptions found throughout the Wadi Rum area, from pictographs to Thamudic, Nabatean and Arabic texts. The most lasting monuments in Wadi Rum, however, are those carved by nature - the natural rock bridges, the towering rosecoloured sand dunes and vast peaks.



SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Enjoy an exclusive BBQ lunch in the heart of the Wadi Rum desert.

After lunch we’ll take an exciting 4WD tour in one of the most stunning desertscapes in the world and spend an unforgettable night in

a Bedouin-style desert camp.

Leaving Wadi Rum early this morning, our first stop today is the Crusader fortress of Kerak. Built in 1142 by Payen le Bouteiller, Lord of Montreal, the fortress sits on the remains of earlier citadels which date back to Nabataean times.



Next, we venture to the lowest point on Earth - the Dead Sea. As its name evokes, the Dead Sea is devoid of life due to the extremely

high content of salts and minerals that give its waters its renowned curative powers, therapeutic qualities and buoyancy. Because the

salt content is four times that of most oceans, you can float in the Dead Sea without even trying.



The rest of the day is at leisure. Why not take a dip in the Dead Sea and cover your body in the therapeutic mud, said to have amazing

benefits for your skin?

We have an early start today as we cross the border to enter Israel, a destination brimming with archaeological, religious and cultural attractions. The history of the Jewish people and their roots in Israel spans some 35 centuries. Their cultural, national and religious identity was formed here and their physical presence has remained unbroken throughout the centuries, even after the majority of Jews were forced into exile.



We’ll then drive to Masada National Park and stop to visit the fortification ruins of Masada. After some free time, we continue to Jerusalem where we will learn about the legislative process in the State of Israel as we tour the Knesset, Israel's parliament.

Considered the holiest place on earth and Israel’s largest and capital city, Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world.



This morning we take a short drive to Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. We then continue to visit nearby Mount Herzl, the site of Israel’s national cemetery and other memorial and educational facilities.



Next, we visit Israel’s largest cultural establishment, the Israel Museum. Here we’ll see the Shrine of the Book containing the Dead Sea Scrolls, some of the oldest Biblical scrolls ever discovered.



SPECIAL EXPERIENCE



Join a local family for a traditional Shabbat dinner, a Jewish celebration that occurs weekly on Friday nights at sundown.

Our day begins with a visit to the Mount of Olives, for a magnificent panoramic view over Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives was named for the olive groves that cover the mountainside. Used for over 3,000 years as a cemetery, it holds well over 150,000 graves.



We then drive into the Old City, where we see the Tomb of King David, the Room of the Last Supper on Mt Zion, the Jewish Quarter, the Roman Cardo and the Herodian Quarter. The Roman Cardo is the reconstructed main road of Jerusalem and now lies approximately seven metres below street level with an arcade home to various shops and galleries.



Next, we’ll see the Jewish Wailing Wall, the 'Kotel', considered the holiest place where Jews are permitted to pray due to its connection to the Temple Mount. We’ll also visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Christian Quarter.



This afternoon we visit Bethlehem and delve into its incredible history. Known as the birthplace of Jesus Christ and Rachel, the biblical matriarch who was the wife of Jacob. Before we reach Bethlehem, we'll visit Rachel's tomb. For Jewish people this is the third most holy site in the world.



The evening is for you to explore at your leisure.

Our journey takes us to Galilee today, known for the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus is said to have walked on the water. On our way we’ll stop and see the remains of the mosaic floor in an ancient synagogue at Beit Alpha, before visiting the Church of Annunciation in Nazareth.



Next, we visit Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the sermon on the mount. Continuing to Tiberias and Capernaum, we’ll see the synagogue ruins and the octagonal Church of St Peter. Arriving in Galilee, we’ll stay in a Kibbutz for the next two nights, learning about life within an Israeli collective community.

Today we head to Safed, known as one of Israel’s holiest cities and a centre for Jewish mysticism. Here, we’ll see some of the beautifully crafted synagogues that are made from old stone and ornate wood, many featuring large murals adorning the ceilings and walls. We also see the ‘Bohemian Centre of Israel’, the Artists Quarter. Many celebrated artists from Israel can trace their roots to this

haven of art and beauty!



Our next stop is Katzrin, a small city in the Golan Heights where we will stop for some free time for lunch.



SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Visit Israel’s third largest winery, Golan Wines and enjoy a vineyard tour and wine tasting. We then visit Golan Magic to learn more about the area and its incredible history before continuing to the Golan Heights, seeing the abandoned Syrian bunkers, Kuneitra and the new Israeli town of Katzrin.

This morning we’ll travel to Haifa where we will enjoy a half day tour, including the stunning Summit of Mount Carmel. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed coastal mountain range stretches southeast from the Mediterranean Sea, with breathtaking panoramic views over Haifa Bay and Western Galilee.

Travelling along the coastal plain, we head to Caesarea to see the excavations of the Crusader city and Roman port and the restored

amphitheatre before continuing to Tel Aviv.

We’ll transfer to the airport today for our flight to Aswan via Cairo. The magical city of Aswan is the gateway to the incredible history, temples and monuments of Upper Egypt. Formerly known as ‘Swenett’, Aswan is in the south of Egypt and known for its beautiful Nile Valley scenery. Upon arrival here, we’ll meet our Egypt guide and transfer to our hotel where the evening is at leisure.

Today will be spent exploring the incredible sights of Aswan. On a half day tour, we visit the High Dam, the picturesque Philae Temple on Agilkia Island and the Unfinished Obelisk. We’ll also visit a local store which produces an assortment of aromatic perfumes and oils, along with ornate accessories, all available for purchase.



This afternoon we’ll relax on a cruise along the Nile on board a traditional felucca sailboat, observing life along the banks of the river as

our boat takes advantage of the gentle winds and currents.

An early start this morning as we cross the desert to Abu Simbel. Our destination is the incredible UNESCO listed twin temples of Abu

Simbel. The temples were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BC, as a

monument to himself and his queen, Nefertari. We will spend a few hours exploring the temples before returning to Aswan to embark

the Nile cruise ship. We’ll enjoy lunch on board and the afternoon is at your leisure before a Nubian Show this evening.

After breakfast, we will cruise to the riverside Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the gods Sobek and Haroeris. We’ll then set sail

onward to Edfu located on the west bank of the Nile River between Esna and Aswan. The Egyptian city has a population of

approximately sixty thousand people. It is famous for the Temple of Horus, dedicated to the Falcon God, the main attraction which

we’ll visit this afternoon. This beautiful ancient temple is one of the best-preserved in Egypt and the second largest after Karnak

Temple.

Tonight, we experience a traditional Galabeya party on board.

We’ll cross the lock at Esna early this morning and sail on towards Luxor. Located on the east bank of the Nile River, the city surrounds

two huge, surviving ancient monuments. Once in Luxor, we’ll explore the fascinating Karnak Temple, dedicated to the Pharaoh Amun.

Approximately 30 pharaohs contributed to the temple’s structure over time, which explains its monumental size! We’ll then visit Luxor

Temple, once connected to Karnak Temple by a 3-kilometre-long Avenue of Sphinxes. Luxor Temple is also home to a 25-metre-tall

pink granite obelisk, which was part of a matching pair until the 1830s when one was given to France. It now stands in the centre of the

Place de la Concorde in Paris.

We’ll also visit a local gallery to appreciate the ancient artform of papyrus craft, with an opportunity to purchase the artwork to take

home.

The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to rest and relax.

Today, we disembark the Nile cruise ship and bid farewell to the crew. After breakfast we set off to explore the West Bank – the world’s

largest open-air museum!

Our first stop for today is the Valley of Kings, where we have entry to visit Tutankhamun’s Tomb. Carved deep into the limestone rock,

each tomb has a similar pattern of three corridors, an antechamber and a sarcophagus chamber. We’ll be able to descend into the

tomb to see examples of the elaborate and incredibly well-preserved hieroglyphic paintings.

Our next destination is the Temple of Hatshepsut. Regarded by Egyptologists as one of the most successful pharaohs, Queen

Hatshepsut was one of only a few women to be given the title of pharaoh. We’ll then visit the Colossi of Memnon, a historic landmark

consisting of two massive statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III.

We then stop at a nearby alabaster workshop, to learn how the locally-quarried stone is carved and crafted and can purchase a

souvenir piece to take home if so inclined.

SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Take a half day sightseeing tour including Deir El Medina, the Tombs of the Nobels and the Valley of the Queens including entry into

Nefertari’s Tomb.

We’ll transfer to Luxor airport today, for our flight to Cairo. Upon arrival we’ll meet with our local guide and transfer to our hotel.

Our touring in Cairo begins at the oldest structures in existence and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the amazing

Great Pyramids of Giza. We’ll visit the nearby Great Sphinx, with the body of a lion and the head of a king, often referred to as the

national symbol of Egypt. Our tour will also take us to visit a weaving workshop, with an opportunity to purchase a locally made

Egyptian carpet.

We’ll also discover the ancient capital of Memphis and the incredible Step Pyramid of Sakkara, believed to have been designed by the

famous vizier of King Zoser, Imhotep.

We begin today in the heart of lively Cairo with a visit to the world-famous Egyptian Museum. We’ll then visit the 12th century Saladin

Citadel of Cairo and the Mohammed Ali Mosque. Built in classic Turkish style, it resembles the great mosques of Istanbul. Our last stop

is the 14th century Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, a major souk in Cairo’s Islamic District. Famous for its handmade crafts, it’s also the perfect

place to enjoy a traditional Arabic coffee. There are no fixed prices here, so make sure you practice your haggling skills!

We’ll also visit a jewelry shop, that specialises in customised gold and silver cartouches, which will be available for purchase.



SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Enjoy a twilight sail on the Nile, onboard Cafelluca vessel. Sail around Cairo as the sun sets and the city lights up.

Today marks the completion of our incredible adventure across Egypt, Israel and Jordan. We bid farewell to Egypt and begin our

journey home. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!

Please note, in order to undertake the following optional tours additional post tour accommodation in Cairo may be required.