Egypt with Jordan 2010 - 11 days
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Day 1
Arrive into Cairo Begin your
‘Egypt with Jordan’ Tour Dinner Cruise on River Nile
Welcome to Egypt. Land of the Pharaohs. On arrival at Cairo Airport, you will be met by our local representative, who will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Cairo. In the evening we take you to on a journey on the world renowned Nile River. Board the cruising restaurant on the River Nile with evocations of the beguiling world of Ancient Egypt. Treat yourself to a two-hour escape in Pharaonic splendour for a truly special dining experience. Overnight at hotel Sofitel Sphinx or similar in Cairo. Add : 1 Alexandria Desert Road, 16 Pyramids, 12556 Giza, Egypt Tel : +20 2 33776444 (D)  |
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Day 2
Day Trip to Alexandria
Today, we take you on a day trip to Alexandria. On arrival we proceed on a guided tour of the second largest city of Egypt, popularly known as ‘The Pearl of the Mediterranean’. Visit Pompeii’s Pillar, constructed in honour of the Emperor Diocletian at the end of 4th century AD. Then proceed to Quitbay Citadel which was built on the site of the ancient Pharaohs - Light house of Alexandria. Enjoy Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the Catacombs which are the largest Roman Cimetery consisting of 3 levels cut in the rock. After visiting the Library of Alexandria, we start our journey back to Cairo. Overnight at hotel Sofitel Sphinx or similar in Cairo. (B, |
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Day 3
Onto Aswan City tour of Aswan
Welcome Aboard the "Nile Cruise"
After collecting the box breakfast, we checkout of the hotel and drive to airport for our flight to Aswan. On arrival in Aswan, we proceed on a tour of the city of Aswan. Visit the High Dam of Aswan, the pride of Egypt and an ideal spot for a panoramic view of Aswan. This is where Egypt ends and Nubia begins. We then take you to see the Unfinished Obelisk. This Obelisk was never detached from the rock as it developed cracks in several places. Later, we proceed to a Perfumery and see a demonstration of how scented oils are used to make perfumes. Here, you have the opportunity to buy perfumes and other Egyptian artifacts. We now board our legendary Nile Cruise for a great three day journey on the scenic Nile River. The evening is free for you. Overnight on board the Nile Cruise. (B, L, D) |
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Day 4
Abu Simbel Onto Kom Ombo
Today, very early in the morning, we take you to Abu Simbel by coach. Abu Simbel has two magnificent temples, the Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Nefertari. Not only are the two temples at Abu Simbel among the most magnificent monuments in the world but their removal and reconstruction was an historic event in itself. The temples were threatened by submersion in Lake Nasser, due to the construction of the High Dam. During the salvage operation which continued until 1968, the two temples were dismantled and raised over 60 meters up the sandstone cliff where they had been built more than 3,000 years before. The facade of the main temple is 108 feet high and 125 feet wide with four colossal seated statues about 65 feet high wearing the double crown and having the cartouches of Ramesses II. The entrance leads into a Grand Hall which is 57 feet high and 52 feet wide and was cut from the rock. It is supported with 8 pillars with statues of Ramesses II. The head and torso of the statue to the left of the entrance fell during ancient times, probably due to earthquake. The alignment of the temple is such that twice a year the sun's rays reach into the innermost sanctuary to illuminate the statues of Ptah, Amun - Re, Ramesses II and Re- Horakhty. Upon our return we have lunch on board the cruise. In the afternoon, we visit the Temple of Kom Ombo. Overlooking the Nile, this unique temple is in fact the fusion of two temples, set side by side, with each side having its own gateways and chapels. The left side of the temple is dedicated to Haroeris, the falcon headed God. The right part of the temple is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile headed God and God of Fertility. Later, we sail onwards to Edfu. Overnight on board the Nile Cruise. (B, L, D) |
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Day 5
Visit Edfu Sail to Luxor via Esna
Lock
As you enjoy your breakfast, we sail into Edfu. We take you on a shore excursion to visit the Temple of Edfu. Of all the temples of ancient Egypt, the one at Edfu is not only the best preserved, but the second largest after Karnak. The temple had been totally submerged under the desert except for the very top of the pylon entrance. A small amount of stone had been removed from the exposed part, but when excavated it was found to be in a near perfect condition. The temple is dedicated to Horus and was built in the Ptolemaic period. This temple is unusual in that it is on the west bank of the river which was normally dedicated to the afterlife. We return to our Cruise and enjoy a delicious lunch. Enjoy the sights of the Nile River from the deck, as your Nile Cruise sails to Luxor via the Esna Lock. Overnight on board the Nile Cruise. (B, L, D) |
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Day 6
The Valley of Kings The Temple of
Karnak Sound and Light Show in Luxor
After breakfast, we checkout from the cruise and take you to explore the West Bank of Luxor. We proceed deep into the desert to discover the Valley of Kings. This is the place where generations of pharaohs and nobles were buried in great splendor, housed in crypts cut into the cliffs. The treasures of the burial chambers of great Kings and Queens have long been looted by ancient Egyptians and visitors over many centuries. Yet, there is magic in the tombs of the great Kings with their imposing architecture and marvelous paintings. Even after over 5,000 years, the paintings retain their original colours and tell the story of civilization gone by. See the gigantic Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the only woman Pharaoh to have ruled Egypt. On our return, we take a photo-stop at the Colossi of Memnon. These two giant statues are all that remain of the mortuary temple of Amenophis III. We then tour the East Bank of Luxor where we visit the famous temple of Karnak. The Valley of Kings The Temple of Karnak Sound and Light Show in Luxor The majestic avenue of Ram-headed Sphinx's, the colossal statue of Pinudjem and the sight of its Sacred Lake will leave you awe-struck. In the evening be an audience to one of the most memorable event of your life. Have you ever wondered what life must have been like thousands of year ago? These thoughts of curiosity has inspired artist’s to take you there, for a brief period, through the creation of ‘Sound and Light Show’ at the Temple of Karnak. You get a glimpse back in time to see, feel and imagine how it was when the powerful ancient Egyptians ruled. The artist’s have masterfully created a spectacular show that draws you in as part of history. Overnight at hotel Maritim Jolie Ville or similar in Luxor. Add: Kings Island, Luxor - Egypt. (B, D) |
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Day 7
Fly to Cairo Guided City Tour of
Cairo
Today, we check out of the hotel and fly to Cairo. On arrival, we take you on a guided city tour of Cairo. Visit the Great Pyramids, one of the seven Wonders of the World. Also see the Pyramids of Khufu, Pyramid of Menkaure, Pyramid of Khafre and the Sphinx, carved from the natural bedrock at the bottom of the causeway to Khafre's pyramid. We also visit the Papyrus Institute and see beautiful paintings being made. Later, we visit the Egyptian Museum, which houses over 100,000 antiquities from every period of ancient Egyptian history. Do not miss the gallery featuring the famous treasures of Tutankhamun. We, then proceed to the medieval Bazaars of Khan-El- Khalili where you can shop for spices, precious stones and curios. Overnight at hotel Sofitel Sphinx or similar in Cairo. (B, D) |
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Day 8
Fly to Amman
Today, we check-out and drive to airport for our flight to Amman. On arrival at Queen Alia International Airport our local representative will greet you outside the custom area and take you to your hotel. The day is free for you to relax and soak into this fascinating city. Overnight at Hotel Dana Plaza or similar in Amman. Add: P.O Box 850577, Amman 11158, Jordan. Tel: +962 6 5924455 (B, D) |
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Day 9
Visit the World Famous Dead Sea
Madaba and Mt. Nebo
Today, get ready for a truly magnificent day. We drive to the Jordan valley southeast of Amman to Madaba, City of Mosaics. Visit the contemporary Greek Orthodox church at St.George, you will be amazed by the wonderful vivid, 6th-cntury Byzantine mosaic map showing the entire region from Jordan and Palestine in the north, to Egypt in the south. There are hundreds of other mosaics from the 5th through the 7th centuries scattered throughout Madaba. Later, we take you to Mt. Nebo. Visit the Sanctuary at Mt. Nebo, the memorial of oses, the presumed site of his death and burial place and center for pilgrimages since earliest Christian times. You will be impressed by the biblical feel from start to finish as you experience this divine tour. Get set to visit the world famous Dead Sea, one of the most spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes of the world, hiding wonderful treasures accumulated through thousands of years. It is the lowest body of water on earth, the lowest point on earth and the richest source of natural salts. You can enjoy rest of the time enjoying the sea. Enjoy a swim, sunbath or mudbath at this wonder of the world. In the evening we drive back to the Hotel. Overnight at Hotel Dana Plaza or similar in Amman. (B, D) |
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Day 10
City Tour of Petra
Today, we drive through kings highway to Petra the new wonder of the world. We spend the day exploring the magnificently mysterious rock carved rose red city of Petra, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Various walks and climbs reveal literal hundred of rock cut tombs, baths, funeral halls, temples, arched gateways, colonnaded streets and haunting rock drawings as well as a 3000 seat open air hemisphere, a gigantic first century monastery and a modern archaeological museum, all of which can be explored at leisure. See Petra's most famous monument, The Treasury, the setting for the film ' Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade'. We then drive back to Amman. Overnight at Hotel Dana Plaza or similar in Amman. (B, D) |
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Day 11
Return home with wonderful
memories
Your ‘Egypt with Jordan’ tour ends as you check out of the hotel in Amman. We hope you take back happy memories of your SOTC Tour. (B) |
