The Best of Egypt and Jordan
The Nile Cruise Version

A Grand Egypt and Jordan Adventure : 14-Day
Here's the best way to see the best of these two gems of the Near East
See the top sights in Egypt : Cairo, Giza and a 5-day cruise along the Nile , then on to Jordan , Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum , Jerash, and the Dead Sea
We have even included all the tips

Enjoy your honeymoon on the Nile

Compare with Dubai and Jordan tour , add Syria
Combine with Syria or Turkey for an even more exciting vacation adventure.

DAY 1 - CAIRO Tour Starts : Thursday- Weekly Year Round
Our representative greets you at the airport and whisks you to your hotel. Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur. Visa fee is included and will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for : Australian, NZ, American, EU , Canadian, Singaporean & Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo.

The Egyptian visa will be issued upon arrival in Cairo .
As you exit the gate, you will pass through a door or two , down some stairs , then walk for 2-5 minutes , until you pass the duty free shops, at the end of a wide corridor , you will see the security officers. There you will be met by a local representative, who will be holding a sign with your name .
Our local representative will then take your passport to obtain a stamp from the cashier / bank window and escort you to speak with the passport officer. He will escort you through another last check on your passport as you exit the passport control, into customs area, he will assist you in collecting your luggage and clearing customs . After exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort you (private air conditioned vehicle) to the hotel . Start from Athens , Greece ? please click here.

DAY 2 - CAIRO (BLD) - Friday
On your first full day in Egypt we show you the Egyptian Museum, including the "Mummies Room" , the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, lunch is included at the Mena House . Dinner is included at La Bodega restaurant or Abu El Sid

DAY 3 - LUXOR ! Board your Nile Cruise (BLD) - Saturday
We fly to LUXOR ( or Aswan) , in Luxor we proceed to cross the Nile to the West Bank :
We tour today as the magnificent tombs in the Valley of the Kings including Tut-Ank-Amon's tomb and the great temple of Queen Hatshepsut, we stop at the Colossi of Memnon on the way back to our cruise. and board our Nile cruiser in time for a delicious lunch. Complimentary welcome fruit basket awaits you in your cabin .The gigantic Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, and the mighty Temple of Luxor are our goals in the afternoon. We'll return in time for the afternoon tea served on deck. You'll have a chance to explore your ship before dinner.

DAY 4 - LUXOR , EDFU (BLD) Sunday
We sail to Esna to go through the locks , and on to Edfu where we dock for the night. In the evening , we'll celebrate in Egyptian style, dressed in galabias, the flowing national costume, a galabya will be delivered to your cabin with our compliments)

DAY 5 - EDFU, KOM OMBO (BLD) Monday
We moor in Edfu, climb aboard horse-drawn carriages, and clip-clop through the town to the Temple of Horus, Egypt's best-preserved temple. Re-embarking on our Nile cruiser, we enjoy lunch as we sail further south upriver .
We disembark downstream at Kom Ombo to visit its twin temples of Haroeris, the sun god, and Sobek, the crocodile god, the continue our voyage to Aswan, while we party after dinner with music and dance.

DAY 6 - CAMEL CARAVAN, NUBIAN VILLAGE , ASWAN (BLD) Tuesday
First we tour Aswan dams, then on to the new Nubian Museum then the awesome Aswan dams, and next an ancient granite quarry complete with an unfinished obelisk. Then we go by motor launch to the Island temple of Philae , dedicated to the Ancient Goddess ISIS :

"I, Isis, am all that has been, that is or shall be; no mortal man hath ever seen me unveiled."

Called Aset by the ancient Egyptians, the goddess was a Madonna in the Mediterranean tradition that stretches far, far back to the primitive Mother Goddess from Anatolia, home to some of the oldest human communities on earth.

Isis was the powerful and quick-witted protector of her son Horus, the Sun God. Ancient peoples throughout the Mediterranean regarded Isis and Horus as the perfect Madonna and Child. Another legend says she was also the mother of the fertility god Min who, judging from the depiction of him on temple walls, needed no help from Viagra!

In the afternoon we enjoy a leisurely sail by graceful felucca on the Nile.
For those who are interested : a short camel caravan & ride is included to visit a local Nubian Village. Our farewell dinner this evening is a buffet of Egyptian specialties, followed by a show featuring oriental performers, including of course a belly dancer.

On board the ultra deluxe Movenpick Nile Cruises

DAY 7 - ASWAN , CAIRO (BL) Wednesday
Board our return flight to Cairo. In the afternoon, wander through the city on your own, or do your last-minute shopping. Lunch is included at your hotel

A complimentary Dinner is included at a local home:
Meet the locals, you may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family ( T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town):
This evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people of Cairo l! You'll be invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, you may enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.

DAY 8 - AMMAN -JORDAN - Thursday (B)
After breakfast, our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight to Jordan ( Air ticket included in our rate, in economy class with tax ). All transfers are always included and are provided on a private basis. We'll pick you up from Queen Alia Airport , proceed to Amman for check-in and overnight at your hotel .
Complimentary visa issued upon arrival at Amman Airport, valid only for Australian, NZ, Canadian, EU citizens , American , Singaporean & Japanese citizens. Passports must be valid for 6 month at least at time of arrival.

DAY 9 - MADABA, KERAK & PETRA - Thursday (BL)
We drive south along the King's Highway, an ancient caravan route, to Madaba to visit the church containing the oldest known map of the Holy Land. Continuing to Mount Nebo, we enjoy the panoramic view of the Promised Land the way Moses saw it for the first time. Further on, at Kerak, we tour the ruins of its romantic Crusaders' castle of Renaud de Chatillon, one of a line which stretched from Aqaba to Turkey. Finally, we arrive to PETRA . Lunch is included enroute. Sample Deluxe Hotels : Marriott Petra and Movenpick Petra .

DAY 10 - PETRA - Friday (BD)
Today the fabulous Nabatean City of Petra awaits us. Made famous in the Indiana Jones movie "Raiders of the Lost Ark," its ancient temples, tombs and striking Khazneh (Treasury) were hewn right from the pink and violet sandstone. We spend a full day here, and another night.

Now open in Petra, The Petra Kitchen is a delightful way to round out your Jordan travel experiences. Like any home kitchen, The Petra Kitchen is a relaxed, informal atmosphere where you’ll gather to prepare an evening meal, working alongside local women under the supervision of our chef.

Each evening meal includes soup, cold and hot mezza and salads, and a main course—all typical Jordanian dishes. You will have get an inside glimpse of the secrets behind the famous regional cuisine of the Levant.

The Petra Kitchen offers an evening of learning, fun and a very special dining experience, with each dish gaining the special flavor of a reward well-earned. Great care has been taken to make The Petra Kitchen a truly Jordanian experience—right down to the furnishings, all crafted in Jordan, the tableware, all produced by the Iraq al Amir Women’s Co-operative, and the aprons and table linens, all hand-embroidered by the Jordan River Foundation.

The rate includes the cuisine course, meal and all non-alcoholic beverages as well as take-home recipes for all dishes prepared that evening.

DAY 11 - WADI RUM - Dead Sea Resort - Saturday (BL)
We board four-wheel-drive vehicles for an expedition to Wadi Rum, the "Valley of the Moon" where T. E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia") organized Arab resistance to Ottoman rule during World War I. After our visit, we head northwards to Pella in the Jordan Valley. Visit Um Qais, Gedara of the Bible (Matthew 8:28-34) for a spectacular view of the Sea of Galilee, the Yarmouk River . Lunch is included enroute in one of the local restaurants, then head to the Dead Sea resort area and overnight .

DAY 12 - JERASH - Sunday (BL)
We drive to Jerash, among the best-preserved Roman cities in the world, to tour its temples, theaters, churches and colonnaded streets. Lunch is included as well today in one of the local restaurants before we head back to the Dead Sea. Sample Deluxe hotels : Kempinski and Movenpick.

DAY 13 - The Dead Sea - Monday (BL)
Breakfast at the hotel . Rest of the day at leisure , as you enjoy the lowest geological spot on Earth and maybe experience floating in the waters of the Dead Sea

DAY 14 - The Dead Sea - Amman Airport , Departure - Tuesday (B)
After breakfast , transfer back to Queen Alia Airport . Private air condition car for your transfer. Private chauffeur .

For guests going on to Syria with us. You will continue on to The Syrian border, visit Bosra before continuing to Damascus. Or if you are touring Syria on your own, we'll be glad to arrange for the transfer to Bosra in Syria ( Supplement $ 165 per person, minimum 2 guests, private car/driver to Bosra). Jordanian departure tax is included in our rate. Salam & Bon Voyage

• Do you Speak THE LANGUAGE OF THE JESUS IN THE LAND OF THE BOOK ? Visit Maaloula in Syria .
• Extend to Dubai & the United Arab Emirates

Private Tour RATES per person: in US

Your fully escorted tour includes:

• All airport / hotel/cruise transfers, on a private basis as per itinerary.
• Air fare between Cairo and Amman in " Y" economy class , tax included .
• Accommodation with breakfast and tax.
• Pre-set menu meals as listed : "L" = lunch , "D" = dinner (as indicated in the itinerary)
• Services of local professional guides .
• Admission fees to museums and sites as detailed in the itinerary .
• Jordanian departure tax.
• Complimentary visa is issued upon arrival for EU , Australian, NZ, Canadian, American & Japanese passport holders. Passport must be valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival.
• Domestic air tickets within Egypt "Y" economy class with tax .

• Nile Cruise with all meals and shore excursions. Cruise shore excursions : You will be part of a group: 10-15 English speaking guests .
  
• While on board the cruise :
  Bottled water ( one per person) delivered to your cabin daily while you are on board the cruise.
  Tea or coffee /bottled water with each meal while on board the cruise.
  Complimentary welcome fruit basket awaits you in your cabin.
  Complimentary galabya on board the cruise for the costume party.
  
• Tips to all your drivers, guides, porters , and the crew on board your Nile cruise, all hotel and restaurant staff.

The tour does not include:

• International airfare from / to your home country .
• Travel Insurance
• Personal expenditures (beverages, laundry, special meals, etc.)

Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea

Amid scenes of exquisiteness and peace, the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar will give you the opportunity to enjoy its riches where Marc Anthony, Queen of Sheba, Aristotle and even Cleopatra once strived to unravel mystery.

Millennia Of History, Welcome to Ishtar

Surely there is no region on earth where nature and history have more wonderfully conspired, where so exciting a drama has obtained so beautiful a theatre.

Amid scenes of exquisiteness and peace, the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea gives you the opportunity to enjoy its riches - where Marc Anthony, Queen of Sheba, Aristotle and even Cleopatra once strived to unravel mystery.

Indulge in the ultimate family escape to the Ishtar Royal Villa.
The Ishtar Royal Villa is a three bedroom masterpiece that allows the comfort of joining two
Ishtar Beach Chalets located directly on the beach to it, making it an ideal secluded retreat for families seeking unmatched personalised luxury and intimacy.

The Ishtar Royal Villa offers the following benefits:
• Complimentary massage upon arrival in the privacy of the wellness area of the Villa which includes a Therapy Room, Steam Room, Sauna and a Shower Room
• Exclusive Dead Sea Bathroom Amenities
• Complimentary VIP Bar
• Complimentary High-Speed Internet Access
• Designer Tea and Coffee-making Facilities
• VIP Welcome Tray
• Fruit & Water replenished daily
• Laptops on request
• iPods on request
• Kids' VIP Welcome Set
• Luxury Turn-down Service
• Farewell Ishtar Gift
• International Newspapers
• Complimentary Pressing upon arrival
• DVD/CD Player
• Private Infinity Edge Pool and Outdoor Jacuzzi
• Personal Butler
• Personal Chauffeur during the entire stay, from point of arrival at Queen Alia International Airport until point of departure from the Airport

The Ishtar Royal Villa has an area of 476 square meters in addition to 74 square meters in each individual Ishtar Beach Chalet, as well as a private garden and pools, totaling a breathtaking 1,830 square meters of absolute luxury.

All rooms have natural stone floors and designer furniture, featuring King size beds, a living area, a working desk and a walk-in wardrobe. Rooms are located on the second floor and have an area of 68 square meters and a bi-level private terrace of 45 square meters with terrace furniture and an outdoor Jacuzzi.
The Ishtar Spa Rooms feature a state-of-the-art DVD/CD player (upon request) and complimentary suit pressing upon arrival.

More Choices :

Combine this tour with any Travel in Style tour to Egypt, or Turkey for an even more exciting vacation adventure.

• Syria, Turkey, and Greece in 11 days

• Add Istanbul , or Syria

• Compare with the Best of Jordan 4 days or the 6 day version .

• Extend to Dubai & the United Arab Emirates
  
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• Visit the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature in Jordan
  
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