From the Pyramids & St. Catherine to Petra

Cultural tour of Egypt & Jordan

Tour Suspended

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 Information
Duration : 15 days
Minimum : 02 persons
Maximum : N/A
Price (From) : US$ 5295
International air not included
Day 01: Arrive Cairo (EGYPT)
Day 02: Cairo/Aswan
(B, D)
Day 03: Arrive Aswan
(B, L, D)
Day 04: Nile Cruise
(B, L, D)
Day 05: Nile Cruise
(B, L, D)
Day 06: Luxor/Sharm-el-Sheik
(B, L)
Day 07: Sharm-el-Sheik
(B, D)
Day 08: Sharm-el-Sheik/St. Catherine
(B, D)
Day 09: Catherine/Aqaba (JORDAN)
(B, L, D)
Day 10: Aqaba
(B, D)
Day 11: Aqaba/Wadi Rum
(B, D)
Day 12: Wadi Rum/Petra/Amman
(B, D)
Day 13: Amman
(B, D)
Day 14: Amman
(B, D)
Day 15: Depart Amman
(B)
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Day 01: Arrive Cairo (EGYPT)

Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome in Arabic. We are warmly received at Cairo Airport and transferred to our hotel. Check in time starts from 1400 hrs.

Overnight: Conrad Hotel (1 night)

Day 02: Cairo/Aswan (Overnight train)

Tutankhamun's funerary mask on display at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, Cairo, Al Qahirah, Egypt

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. Transfer to the train station for an overnight train ride to Aswan.

Overnight: On board the train (1 night) (B, D)

Day 03: Arrive Aswan

Morning arrival in 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 Mirage Nile Cruise (3 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 04: Nile Cruise

Crusing the Nile River between Luxor & Aswan

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 05: 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 06: Luxor / Sharm-el-Sheik (Flight)

Colossi of Memnon (two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III), Western Thebes, Qina, Egypt

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 airport for a flight to Sharm via Cairo. Meet & transfer to the hotel.

Overnight: Sheraton Sharm Hotel (2 nights) (B, L)

Day 07: Sharm-el-Sheik

Sharm is world renowned for its beautiful beaches and offers several sea sports that one can enjoy or sunbathe. The day is free to enjoy the surroundings or just simply rest from the previous full touring day. (B, D)

Day 08: Sharm-el-Sheik/St. Catherine (Drive 220 kms/138 miles)

This afternoon we drive to the Sinai desert to prepare for our ascend on the historical and holy site of St Catherine.

Overnight: Catherine Plaza Hotel (1 night) (B, D)

Day 09: Catherine/Aqaba (Ferry) (JORDAN)

Monastery of St. Catherine at the foot of Mount Horeb

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/Wadi Rum (Drive 42 kms/26 miles)

A brief tour of Aqaba before heading 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. This evening enjoy a BBQ dinner while gazing stars under the breathtaking desert sky.

Overnight: Jabal Rum Camp (1 night) (B, D)

Day 12: Wadi Rum/Petra/Amman (Drive 240 kms/149 miles)

Al-Khasneh (The Treasury), Petra, Jordan

A magnificent days ahead as we continue to the pink city of Petra to visit its many sites. This city was carved into the rose-red Sharah Mountains by the Nabateans and lost to Civilization until re-discovered by the Swiss Burkhardt. Walk through the Siq, a narrow and winding fissure between the cliffs, to reach the Treasury, the Roman Theater, the Courts, Qasr Bint Pharaoun, Temple of the Winged Lion and other monuments. A break for optional lunch, or you may wish to climb up to the Monastery. Continue to Amman.

Overnight: Ramada Hotel, Amman (3 nights) (B, D)

Day 13: Amman

This morning head out to the vist the Desert Castles of Harraned, Qasar Amra and Azraq. Then drive down to the lowest spot on earth and experience floating in the waters of the Dead Sea. Late afternoon we return to Amman. Evening free to loiter through the different bazaars in Amman. (B, D)

Day 14: Amman

Oval Plaza, Jerash, Jordan

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. Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Stay tuned for future dates! If you want to be the first ones to know click here
Stay tuned for future dates! If you want to be the first ones to know click here

Notes

◆ Please note that visits to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (home of royal mummies such as Ramses II, Queen Hapshepsut and Thutmose III) and/or the Grand Egyptian Museum (set to open in 2021, dates to be announced) can be arranged to be part of your Egypt tour on special request. Additional costs may apply.

Inclusions


Tour Price Includes
  • Accommodation and cruise as mentioned or similar, including hotel/lodge taxes
  • Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
  • Overnight train & ferry tickets
  • All sightseeing and transfers by private transportation
  • Services of local English speaking guide & driver in Egypt. While in Jordan driver cum guide with local English speaking guides in Petra & Jerash.
  • Entrance fees to museums, parks and sites included in the itinerary
  • Park fees for safaris in 2024 have been included in your tour cost. However, if a new levy or an increase in the existing fee structures is introduced and is made effective for 2024, then the increase in cost will be charged separately to all travellers
Not Included
  • Any airfares
  • Domestic air ticket Luxor/Sharm is currently at US$ 275 – subject to change
  • Insurance/visas
  • Tips/gratuities
  • Entrance fees into the Pyramids, the visit to the Solar Boat Museum, the Mummies Room at the Egyptian Museum, entrance into Tout Ankh Amoun & Ramses the 6th Tomb in the Valley of Kings & the Outdoor Musuem at Karnak Temple.

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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