Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
The airport awaits when you land, and transfer arrangements get you to your hotel. You'll have time to settle in and rest before the trip begins in earnest.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Grand Court)
- Day 2
Jerusalem - Bethlehem
After breakfast, start in Jerusalem's New City with the Shrine of the Book at the Museum of Israel, where you can see the Dead Sea Scrolls and a model of ancient Jerusalem, plus the Hebrew University and Ein Karem neighborhood with its Baptist shrine. Later, Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum comes next. Then head to Bethlehem to see the Church of the Nativity, the Grotto of the Manger, and Shepherds' Field with a Palestinian guide. Return to Jerusalem by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Grand Court)
Included Activities
- Visit Shrine of the Book at the Museum of Israel to see the Dead Sea Scrolls
- View model of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus
- Visit Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Visit Shrine of Saint John the Baptist in Ein Karem
- Visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and Memorial
- Visit Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem
- Visit Grotto of the Manger
- Visit Shepherds' Field
Landmarks/POIs Shrine of the Book Museum of Israel Hebrew University of Jerusalem Shrine of Saint John the Baptist Yad Vashem Church of the Nativity Grotto of the Manger Shepherds' Field - Day 3
Jerusalem Old City
Begin at Mount Scopus and the Mount of Olives for views of the walled city below. From there, go to Gethsemane and the Basilica of the Agony. Enter the Old City to visit the Western Wall, then walk the Via Dolorosa up to Calvary and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Finish at Mount Zion to see King David's Tomb, the Cenacle (Hall of the Last Supper), and the Abbey of the Dormition.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Grand Court)
Included Activities
- Visit Mount of Olives with views of the walled Holy City
- Visit Gethsemane and the Basilica of the Agony
- Visit Western Wall (Wailing Wall)
- Walk the Via Dolorosa
- Visit Calvary
- Visit Church of the Holy Sepulcher
- Visit Tomb of King David
- Visit Cenacle (Hall of the Last Supper)
- Visit Abbey of the Dormition
Landmarks/POIs Mount Scopus Mount of Olives Gethsemane Basilica of the Agony Western Wall Via Dolorosa Calvary Church of the Holy Sepulcher Mount Zion Tomb of King David Cenacle Abbey of the Dormition - Day 4
Jerusalem to Amman
After breakfast, head early to the Israeli-Jordanian border at Sheik Hussein Bridge for border and visa procedures. Once in Jordan, check out the 12th-century Fortress of Ajlun and the Church of Saint Sergius where Muslims and Orthodox Christians have lived side by side. Next comes Jerash, an important Roman archaeological site. Travel to Amman for lunch and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Amman West)
Included Activities
- Visit Fortress of Ajlun
- Visit Church of Saint Sergius in Ajlun
- Visit Roman archaeological site of Jerash
Landmarks/POIs Sheik Hussein Bridge Fortress of Ajlun Church of Saint Sergius Jerash - Day 5
Desert Castles - Madaba - Mount Nebo
Depart toward the Desert Castles from the 7th-8th centuries. Visit Qasr Kharana first, then explore Qusayr Amra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its remarkable frescoes. Stop in Madaba for lunch, then tour the Archaeological Park via an ancient Roman road and see the Church of St. George with its 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land. Finish at Mount Nebo before returning to Amman.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Amman West)
Included Activities
- Visit Qasr Kharana castle
- Visit Qusayr Amra World Heritage Site
- Visit Madaba Archaeological Park
- Visit Church of St. George in Madaba
- Visit Mount Nebo
Landmarks/POIs Qasr Kharana Qusayr Amra Madaba Madaba Archaeological Park Church of St. George Mount Nebo - Day 6
Dead Sea
Travel to Bethany on the River Jordan banks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where John the Baptist worked. Visit the Dead Sea Museum and its Panorama Complex. After lunch, arrive at your Dead Sea hotel and float in the saltiest sea at the lowest altitude on earth. Have dinner and settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza Jordan)
Included Activities
- Visit Bethany on the banks of the River Jordan
- Visit Dead Sea Museum and Panorama Complex
- Swim in the Dead Sea
Landmarks/POIs Bethany Dead Sea Museum Dead Sea - Day 7
King's Road - Petra
Follow the historic King's Road along the Moab Kingdom from the Bible. Visit the 12th-century Castle of Karak, a crucial fortress between Jerusalem and Aqaba. Continue to Dana, a stone village on a cliff. Grab lunch, then photograph the Crusader Castle of Shobak from outside before heading to Wadi Musa. Check out Moses Spring where Moses struck rock, then visit the Petra Museum to learn about the Nabateans. Dinner and accommodation included with optional Turkish bath or light and sound show.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Panorama)
Included Activities
- Visit Castle of Karak
- Visit Moses Spring
- Visit Petra Museum
Optional Activities
- Visit old Turkish bath
- Watch light and sound show in Petra
Landmarks/POIs Castle of Karak Dana Shobak Moses Spring Petra Museum - Day 8
Petra - Wadi Rum
Experience Petra, the trip's highlight, accessed through a narrow canyon where temples and tombs sit carved into cliffs from a city founded 300 years before Christ. After lunch, head into Wadi Rum desert. Board 4x4 vehicles at the Visitor Centre to see desert landscapes, take a 45-minute camel ride, and visit Khazali Canyon with its engravings about Arabic language origins. End with dinner and accommodation in a desert camp.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Campamento Mazayen)
Included Activities
- Visit Petra archaeological site
- 4x4 vehicles tour in Wadi Rum
- Camel ride in Wadi Rum (45 minutes)
- Visit Khazali Canyon
Landmarks/POIs Petra Wadi Rum Khazali Canyon - Day 9
Aqaba
Depart for Aqaba after breakfast, Jordan's second city and a modern commercial port. The afternoon belongs to you to enjoy the hotel resort and relax in the warm Red Sea waters.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Oryx Aqaba)
Landmarks/POIs Aqaba - Day 10
Aqaba to Cairo
After breakfast, take the desert road to Amman airport and fly to Cairo, just over an hour away. Complete border procedures and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for exploring or resting after travel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Helnan Dreamland)
- Day 11
Cairo
Spend the day exploring Cairo's iconic sites. See the Pyramids of Cheops, Kefren, and Micerinos (inside tickets not included) and the Sphinx carved from rock. Walk through the Egyptian Museum with ancient art and Tutankhamen's tomb treasures. After lunch, visit the Citadel of Saladin and the Alabaster Mosque, then stroll the historic Coptic neighborhood to see the Hanging Church built above a Roman fortress.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Helnan Dreamland)
Included Activities
- Visit Pyramids of Cheops
- Visit Pyramid of Kefren
- Visit Pyramid of Micerinos
- Visit the Sphinx
- Visit Egyptian Museum
- Visit Citadel of Saladin
- Visit Alabaster Mosque
- Visit Hanging Church in Coptic neighborhood
Optional Activities
- Purchase tickets to enter inside the pyramids
Landmarks/POIs Pyramid of Cheops Pyramid of Kefren Pyramid of Micerinos Great Sphinx Egyptian Museum Citadel of Saladin Alabaster Mosque Hanging Church - Day 12
Cairo to Luxor
After breakfast, transfer to Cairo airport for your included flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, transfer to your cruise ship and board for your Nile adventure with full board. Visit the temples of Luxor and Karnak before your first night on the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Full board on the cruise), Dinner (Full board on the cruise)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barco Crown Jewel)
Included Activities
- Visit temples of Luxor
- Visit temples of Karnak
Landmarks/POIs Temple of Luxor Temple of Karnak - Day 13
Luxor - Esna
Start at the Necropolis of Thebes with the Valley of the Kings, where pharaoh tombs including Ramses III, Seti I, and Amenhotep II sit hidden in chambers. See the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues of Amenophis II, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (Deir el Bahari), and the Temple of Medinet Habu. Enjoy Nile riverbank views throughout. Spend time on the boat with activities and evening disco. Full board as the cruise heads toward Esna.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Full board on the cruise), Lunch (Full board on the cruise), Dinner (Full board on the cruise)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barco Crown Jewel)
Included Activities
- Visit Valley of the Kings
- Visit Colossi of Memnon
- Visit Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Visit Temple of Medinet Habu
Optional Activities
- Participate in activities on the boat
- Enjoy disco on the boat
Landmarks/POIs Valley of the Kings Colossi of Memnon Temple of Queen Hatshepsut Temple of Medinet Habu - Day 14
Esna - Kom Ombo
Arrive at Edfu and visit the Temple of Horus (the Falcon god), one of the best preserved temples from Ptolemaic times after rescue and restoration work following lime coverage from Nile floods. Head to Kom Ombo to see the Temple of Kom Ombo, the only temple dedicated to two gods, Sobek and Haroesis. Inside you'll find a Nilometer measuring ancient Nile levels and a mummified crocodile. Evening brings the Chilaba's party in local typical outfits. Full board continues as the cruise heads to Aswan.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Full board on the cruise), Lunch (Full board on the cruise), Dinner (Full board on the cruise)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barco Crown Jewel)
Included Activities
- Visit Temple of Horus in Edfu
- Visit Temple of Kom Ombo
Optional Activities
- Purchase and wear Chilaba outfits at local markets
Landmarks/POIs Temple of Horus Temple of Kom Ombo - Day 15
Aswan
Arrive in Aswan. An optional Abu Simbel tour is available (not included) with western desert temples carved by Ramses II and 20-meter statues to god Amon Ra, plus Nefertari's Temple. Visit the Red Granite Quarry and its Unfinished Obelisk, then see the Aswan Dam, one of the world's largest. Check out the Temple of Philae dedicated to goddess Isis on a small island, accessible by boat. In the afternoon, cruise the Nile in traditional felucca sailing boats toward Kitchener Island and its Botanical Garden. Full board with accommodation on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Full board on the cruise), Lunch (Full board on the cruise), Dinner (Full board on the cruise)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barco Crown Jewel)
Included Activities
- Visit Red Granite Quarry
- Visit Unfinished Obelisk
- Visit Aswan Dam
- Visit Temple of Philae
- Felucca cruise on the Nile to Kitchener Island
- Visit Botanical Garden on Kitchener Island
Optional Activities
- Optional tour to Abu Simbel (visit temples carved on cliffs by Ramses II, Temple of Nefertari, western desert)
Landmarks/POIs Red Granite Quarry Unfinished Obelisk Aswan Dam Temple of Philae Kitchener Island - Day 16
Aswan to Cairo
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board your included flight back to Cairo. Transfer to your hotel upon arrival. In the evening, experience the Light and Sound Show at the Giza Pyramids before the night ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Helnan Dreamland)
Included Activities
- Light and Sound Show at Giza Pyramids
- Day 17
Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure. Your guided tour concludes here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
