Egypt & Jordan

Day 1:  Arrive Cairo, Egypt
Welcome to Egypt!  Egypt has been a place of fascination and source of inspiration to travelers for thousands of years.  The capital, Cairo, offers great culture along with the ancient wonders that attract millions each year.  Today you will arrive in Cairo and be met by a Big Five representative who will escort you to your hotel.  The remainder of the day is at leisure.  Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence – Deluxe Room

Day 2:  Cairo / Memphis / Saqqara / Giza / Cairo
A splendid introduction to the glories of ancient Egypt begins at Memphis, the site of Egypt's first capital where the remnants of colossal statues and temples are the only visible relics of the city's golden age 5,000 years ago.  Nearby is Saqqara, home of the world's oldest stone structure, the famed Step Pyramid of King Zoser.  You will then drive through lush date palm groves to the Pyramids of Giza.  Guarded by the mighty Sphinx and listed among the Seven Wonders of the World, these soaring structures remain an enigma to modern scholars.  You will also visit the Solar Boat Museum and take a camel ride from the Giza Plateau to the base of the Pyramid of Menkaure.  Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence – Deluxe Room (B,L)

Day 3:  Cairo / Luxor / Nile Cruise
Transfer to the airport for your departing flight to Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes and the site of the Middle Kingdom pharaohs’ glorious temples and burial places.  Upon arrival, you will check into your deluxe accommodations.  This afternoon you will tour the great Luxor and Karnak Temples, which evolved over a period of a thousand years.  After visiting the Luxor Museum, you will return to your cruise accommodations.  Later this evening you will enjoy an interactive Sound & Light Show at Karnak Temple.  Sonesta Star Goddess – Beethoven Suite (B,L,D)

Day 4:  Nile Cruise
This morning traverse the West Bank, from the Colossi to Hatshepsut’s sublime cliff-side temple, to the Valley of the Kings.  Fabulous tombs contrast against the bleak desert.  During the late morning you will pass through the Esna locks where you will see how the Nile River changes its height as a result of Nasser’s construction of the High Dam in Aswan.  After lunch, you are at leisure before high tea and the Captain’s Welcome Cocktail Party.  Later this evening after dinner you are free to enjoy the planned activities of your deluxe cruise ship.  Sonesta Star Goddess – Beethoven Suite (B,L,D)

Day 5:  Nile Cruise
Travel through the streets of Edfu to the Temple of Horus in the heart of town.  As Egypt’s best preserved temple, little imagination is needed to envision the secret rituals and great festivals of the Ptolemaic era.  You will learn about the legend of Horus, his wife Hathor, and his wicked uncle Seth.  The Temple of Horus actually served as a base for squatters over the centuries after the decline of the Greco-Roman Era.  Return to your vessel for lunch and sail to Kom Ombo.  Later this evening, you are free to enjoy a Galabaya party.  Sonesta Star Goddess – Beethoven Suite (B,L,D)

Day 6:  Nile Cruise
This morning you will visit the unique twin temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder.  Afterwards, you will sail to Aswan, where you will visit the graceful island Temple of Philae, the monumental High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk in the granite quarries of the pharaohs.  Later this evening, enjoy a Nubian Folkloric Show.  Sonesta Star Goddess – Beethoven Suite (B,L,D)

Day 7:  Nile Cruise / Aswan / Abu Simbel / Aswan / Cairo
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Abu Simbel where you will have a tour of the two temples.  The Greater Temple of Ramses II is one of the many relics erected by the Pharaoh Ramses II, this is the grandest and most beautiful of temples.  Located north of the Greater Temple, the Temple of Nefertari was carved in the rock by Ramses II and dedicated to the goddess of Love and Beauty, Hathor, and also to his favorite wife, Nefertari.  The Facade is adorned by six statues, four to Ramses II and two to his wife Nefertari.  At the end of your tour you will transfer back to the airport where you will connect with your flight Cairo via Aswan.  Upon arrival in Cairo you will transfer to your hotel.  The remainder of the day is at your leisure.  Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence – Deluxe Room (B,L)

Day 8:  Cairo
A spectacular, full day exploration of Cairo begins at the world-acclaimed Museum of Antiquities.  The 300 year reign of the pharaohs is vividly brought to life in the wealth of art and artifacts here, including the Tutankhamen Collection of golden tomb artifacts; and exhibits of small, lifelike statuary from the early dynasties.  You will visit the fascinating Mummy Room.  Continue your tour in old Coptic Cairo visiting the Church of St. Sergius and Ben Ezra Synagogue; built on a site where legend holds the baby Moses was found in the bulrushes.  Take in the hilltop Citadel with its grand city views and ethereal Mohammed Ali Mosque.  Then stroll with your guide through the Khan El Khalili, a bustling warren of shops where you can bargain for rugs, copper and leather crafts, perfumes, and other goods both exotic and familiar.  Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at teh First Residence – Deluxe Room (B,L)

Day 9:  Cairo / Amman, Jordan
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Amman.  Welcome to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan!  After clearing customs at the Queen Alia International Airport, you meet your Big Five Tours & Expeditions representative who will meet you before you begin your private touring in Jordan.  North of Amman lies Jerash, the Roman city of Gerasa.  Jerash displays some of the finest, most extensive and well-preserved remains of the former empire to be found anywhere.  The colonnaded streets, temples, theatres, bathhouses and magnificent oval plaza are complemented by the superbly restored hippodrome, which in Roman times seated up to fifteen thousand people.  Here, you enjoy the Roman Army and Chariot Experience.  The Roman Army spanned the centuries from around 700 BC to the fall of Constantinople in 1453 AD – more than two thousand years (please note that in order to see the Roman Army and Chariot Experience you must arrive to Jordan before 10:00 AM).  Return to Amman for a city tour.  The modem and ancient capital of Jordan, Amman was known as Rabat and in Greco-Roman times as Philadelphia.  Four Seasons Hotel Amman – Deluxe Room (B,D)

Day 10:  Amman / Mt. Nebo / Madaba / Petra
This morning you will drive to Mount Nebo, the alleged burial site of Moses.  It was from here that Moses saw the Holy Land for the first time.  Then you will continue to Madaba.  Here you will view the oldest known mosaic map of the Holy Land, dating back the 6th century AD, at the Saint George’s Greek-Orthodox Church.  The Archaeological Museum of Madaba houses numerous mosaics from the Byzantine era.  Proceed to Karak to visit Kerak Castle, a massive crusader castle in the Karak Mountains.  The locality of al-Kerak, now the site of a flourishing town, is known for the imposing fort erected in the first half of the 12th century by the Crusaders, and later conquered by the Arabs.  After visiting Karak, you will continue on to Petra.  Admired then for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels, Petra is now a UNESCO world heritage site that enchants visitors from all corners of the globe.  Tonight you will have the experience of a lifetime – Petra by candle light!  Petra is spectacular by daylight, but wait until you try Petra by candlelight.  (Only available Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday). This evening, take in the mystery and mysticism of the Nabatean City by the glow of candles on this tour led by storytellers.  This evening, you approach Petra on foot.  Some 1,500 candles light your way as you walk through the Siq, an immense crack in the sandstone that winds for one kilometer between overhanging cliffs.  Along the way hear a flute playing from the mountains above.  At the end of the path is Petra's most famous monument, the Treasury.  Then listen to storytellers spin heroic tales.  Movenpick Resort Petra – Junior Suite (B,L,D)

Day 11:  Petra
Return to the Petra to explore some of the walks and climbs that reveal literally hundreds of buildings, facades, tombs, baths, funerary halls, temples and a 3000-seat theater from the 1st Century AD.  Movenpick Resort Petra – Junior Suite (B,L,D)

Day 12:  Petra / Wadi Rum / Dead Sea
Today journey to Wadi Rum, probably best known because of its connection with the enigmatic British officer T.E. Lawrence, who was based here during the Great Arab Revolt of 1917-18.  Famously described by T. E. Lawrence as "vast, echoing and God-like," and acclaimed by many as one of the most stunning desert landscapes in the world, Wadi Rum is a nature-lover's paradise.  Explore the vast beauty of Wadi Rum on 4x4 vehicle tour that takes you deep into the heart of the desert.  At noon time you will transfer to the Dead Sea.  Upon arrival you will check into your deluxe hotel and spa.  The remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea and the fine amenities of your hotel.  On the shores of the world's oldest natural spa, Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea offers you a massive and modern labyrinth of wellness full of whirpools, steam rooms and saunas, as well as meditation and yoga rooms.  Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea – Ishtar Deluxe Room (B,L)

Day 13:  Dead Sea / Amman / Depart
Today is at your leisure to relax and enjoy the fine amenities of your deluxe hotel.  Your room is available until your evening transfer to Amman Airport for your international departure flight.  Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea – Ishtar Deluxe Room (B)