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(415) 440-1124, 459 Fulton Street # 108 , San Francisco, CA 94102 USA

 

 

The Grand tour of North Africa and Arabia
Tour Egypt , Jordan and Syria

The Nile Cruise Version - 19 Days Near East Adventure
Start Weekly in Cairo
Start in Damascus or Amman year round

 

Luxury Nile Cruise, Sonesta Nile Cruise, Honeymoon cruise, Nile Cruise, adventuer cruise

Luxury Nile Cruises

 

 

 

Here's our own version of the Grand Tour. You'll journey on a deluxe cruise on the Nile to view the temples of the ancient Pharaohs at Luxor and Aswan , and live an Indiana Jones adventure at the Nabatean stone city of Petra in Jordan. To conclude it all, you'll ascend to Damascus, the goal of merchants and Crusaders over the centuries. "Grand Tour" is an understatement for this incomparable feast of sights and experiences. Add Morocco ?

 

 

 

DAY 1 - CAIRO Tour Starts Weekly on Thursday in Cairo
You may Arrive any day of the week , subject to the Nile cruise availability on your travel dates .

Our representative greets you at the airport and whisks you to your hotel.
We land at Cairo airport . Our local rep. escorts see us after you exit the terminal.
For a limited number of nationalities such as EU, Canadians, Australian, NZ, American , Singaporean and Japanese citizens, visa will be issued upon arrival at the Airport, pleas pay the $ 15 USD in cash upon arrival , no photo required , your passport must be valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of arrival, and onward through the awakening city to our hotel.
After exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort you (private air conditioned vehicle) to the hotel . Comapre with the 15-day version including Jerusalem , Palestine and Israel.

 

 

 

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, the Citadel of Saladin, and the Mohammed Ali Mosque, made of alabaster.
Lunch is included at the Mena House. Dinner is included at La Bodega Restaurant.

 

 

 

DAY 3 - LUXOR ! - Nile Cruise (BLD) -Saturday
We fly : in business class ( subject to availability), to LUXOR ( or Aswan) 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.
For Private touring on board the cruise: Please add $250 per person for the full cruise/shore excursions.

 

 

 

DAY 4 - LUXOR , EDFU- On Board Your Nile Cruise (BLD) - Sunday
We tour today as well 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.

Afterward, we'll continue on Luxor's west bank to get a totally different perspective on ancient Egyptian life, at the ancient workers' settlement of Deir el-Medinah. While most of the imposing stone monuments and sites of Egypt honor the lives and after-lives of royalty, Deir el-Medinah gives us unique and surprising insights into the ordinary citizens who constructed and decorated the tombs.

Here we'll see the excavated homes shared by laborers with their domestic animals. These quarters were surprisingly large, with three good-sized rooms, courtyard, kitchen, and even storage cellars. While ancient Egypt might not have been a workers' paradise, we'll see that artisans and builders were highly regarded in their community. We are proud to be the only operator to offer regular visits to this singular ancient settlement in its tour and cruise programs.

We sail in the afternoon we cruise 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& 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 :

The Mystery of Isis : Two millennia ago the Mediterranean world was enthralled by the mystery of 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!

Because of her wisdom and skill at protection, she was admired as a good magician capable of healing the sick and protecting the dead in their journey to the Underworld. Isis is portrayed regally, as a queen seated on a throne (which may be the meaning of her name), often holding her son Horus as a baby. Other images show her with broad, magnificent gilded wings able to protect the world.

Isis, the great Mother Goddess. Come explore her mystery in timeless Egypt when you Travel in Style!
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 dinner this evening is a buffet of Egyptian specialties, followed by a show featuring oriental performers, including of course a belly dancer.

 

 

 

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 . Remainder of the day at leisure.

 

 

DAY 8 - CAIRO (BL) - Thursday
Breakfast is included at your hotel. Half Day tour of Muiz Ledeenallah district and the major sites. Lunch is included at Abu-El Sid restaurant or Naguib Mahfouz.

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 9 - CAIRO - AMMAN - Friday
Our Cairo personnel will see you to the airport, where you'll board a flight for Amman. Upon landing, our Jordan hosts will greet you, assist you with the formalities, for American , EU , Canadian & Japanese citizens, visa will b issued upon arrival at the Airport, your passport must be valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of arrival, our local rep will escort you to your hotel. You'll have time to get acquainted with this city built on hills, its cafés and shops, and its surprisingly cosmopolitan population of Bedouins, Palestinians, and the descendants of migrants from the Caucasus.

 

 

DAY 10 - MADABA, KERAK, PETRA - Saturday (BD)
From Amman, we drive south along an ancient caravan route to Madaba, site of a church containing the oldest known map of the Holy Land. At Mount Nebo, we will behold the panoramic view of the Promised Land as seen by Moses in his last moments. Further on, at Kerak, we walk among the ruins of the Crusader castle of Renaud de Chatillon, one of a line that stretched from Aqaba to Turkey. At the end of the day, we reach fabled Petra.

 

 

 

 

 

Petra Jordan, Tour Jordan , adventure travel

Indiana Jones himself couldn't squeeze more adventure into this journey

 

 

 

DAY 11 - PETRA - Sunday (BD)
We'll spend the entire day at Petra, the stunning desert city hewn by the Nabateans from solid cliffs of pink and violet sandstone. Petra was known in the bible as Sela, and rediscovered only in 1812. You'll feel like Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark as you penetrate into the city through a narrow sandstone gorge, the Siq, and wander among the Temple of the Winged Lion, tombs, Roman theater, and the imposing Treasury. Our discoveries complete, we'll savor another evening and overnight in Petra.

 

 

 

 

DAY 12 - WADI RUM, AMMAN - Monday (BLD)
It's a day of desert adventure, as we board four-wheel-drive vehicles for an expedition to Wadi Rum, the "Valley of the Moon," where Lawrence of Arabia organized the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans during World War I. As you pass Bedouin encampments, you'll believe that nothing has changed in the intervening years. Our day of adventure concludes in Amman. We wil break for tea with the bedouins. Lunch is included enroute. Dinner ( with folk show) is included in Amman

 

 

 

 

DAY 13 - JERASH, BOSRA and DAMASCUS - Tuesday (cBLD)
We travel overland today to Jerash, among the best-preserved cities of the Romans, and walk among its colonnaded temples and theaters. We then cross the border into Syria to visit Bosra, a Roman City with a 15,000- seat amphitheater, before continuing to our next destination: Damascus.

For American , EU , Canadian & Japanese citizens, the Syrian visa will be issued upon arrival at the border, your passport must be valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of arrival, our local rep will escort you to your hotel.

Syria will not issue you a visa , if your passport has any Israeli stamps or visa for Israel, you are responsible for ensuring that your passport is valid and in order .

 

 

 

DAY 14 - DAMASCUS Wednesday (cBLD)
Our tour of Damascus includes the National Museum, the Old Bazaar, Omayyad Mosque, Azem Palace, Via Recta, the House of Anania, the Eastern Gate (Bab ash-Sharqi) in the walls of the Roman City, and St. Paul's Window. If there's time left over, the merchants of the city will be pleased to welcome you with a cup of tea, to ask after your family, and to negotiate a purchase, if you're interested.

 

 



DAY 15 - PALMYRA - Thursday (cBLD)
We leave Damascus today and visit Palmyra. The many sites of this ancient city include the museum, the temples of Bel, Baal Shamin and Nebo, the Roman baths, the Tetrapylon, Diocletian's Camp, and the Valley of the Tombs. It'll take us all day to see it all, so we spend the night here.

 



DAY 16 - KERAK Des Chevaliers Crusaders Castle , HAMA & ALEPPO - Friday (cBLD)
Today we reach Kerak, the Krak des Chevaliers, the most spectacular of the castles erected by the Crusaders in Holy Land. After an appreciation of this military outpost, we'll continue to Hama, known for its giant water wheels. By nightfall, we arrive in Aleppo.

 

 

 

Turkish Hamam add Spa  Package to your  stay in Syria  and Jordan


The Turkish Hamam is a tradition that still thrives in Jordan and Syria
Add a Spa package to your stay

 

 

 

 

DAY 17 - ALEPPO - Saturday (cBLD)
We see the sights of Aleppo today, including the museum, the Grand Mosque, the Citadel, and the old bazaar stretching fully eight kilometers in length. We'll also have a chance to see traditional caravansaries. In the afternoon, we visit St. Simeon's Cathedral, named for St. Simeon Stylites, a 5th-century Byzantine ascetic who lived atop a pillar for 40 years.

 

 

 

DAY 18 - SERGELLA, APAMEA & MAALOULA - Sunday (cBLD) Today we follow in the footsteps of Biblical peoples, visiting Sergella, one of the 500 Dead Cities of the North, which flourished between the fourth and seventh centuries but then was mysteriously deserted. Then it's on to Apamea, the Hellenistic City of a thousand columns established by Seleucus Nicator. Finally, we visit the village of Maaloula, where the inhabitants still speak Aramaic, the very language spoken by Jesus. We'll visit the St. Sergius chapel, then continue to Damascus.

 

 

 

DAY 19 - RETURN HOME - Monday (cB)
Our staff escorts you to Damascus International Airport for your return flight.
Comapre with the 15-day version including Jerusalem , Palestine and Israel.

 

 

RATES are per person in USD $

 

 
Deluxe Hotels
In Triple Occupancy
$ 7590
In Double Occupancy
$ 7705
In Single Occupancy
$ 9150

 


For Private touring on board the cruise
Please add $ 250 per person for the full cruise/shore excursions : Private guide/Egyptologist
Private air conditioned Vehicle


Honeymoon at the  Four Seasons  in Cairo
To upgrade to the Four Seasons Hotel in Cairo
Please add : $ 550 per person in double or triple
Sample Standard Room at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo

 

 

 

Holiday supplement:
For departures during Easter ( 2 weeks) of, Christmas, and New Year's, please add a supplement of 15 percent to the above rates.

 

 

Prices include:

 

  • Regional air fare between the countries listed in this itinerary , in Business Class , including tax.
  • Domestic air fare within Egypt as per itinerary in Business Class , including tax.
  • All ground transportation as described in itinerary, including all airport transfer .
  • All airport transfers in the three countries are on a private basis .

  • Hotel accommodations including tax and service at fine deluxe ,first-class ,or tourist -class hotels as selected.
  • Meals as specified from pre-set menu (B = continental breakfast, aB = full American or buffet breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner).
  • Sightseeing with guide and entrance fees as indicated .
  • Visa fee for Syria and Jordan . (Valid only for : American, EU , Canadian & Japanese citizens), your passports should be valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival. For other nationalities, please contact the consulates or visa service in your home country.
    Syria will not issue you a visa , if your passport has any Israeli stamps or visa for Israel, you are responsible for ensuring that your passport is valid and in order .

  • Jordanian departure tax.
  • For your deluxe Nile cruise :
    Complimentary welcome fruit basket awaits you in your cabin.
  • Complimentary galabya on board the cruise for the costume party.
  • Large bottle of 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.
  • Deluxe Nile cruise with all meals on board and all shore excursion as listed with the service of an English guide/Egyptologist ( Please advise if you prefer another language)

 

 

 

Upgrade your stay on the Nile
For the Ultra Deluxe Nile Cruise :
Please add 20 % to the listed deluxe rates for : M/S Radamis II, or Movenpick M/S Royal Lotus ,  Sonesta M/S Moon Goddess , or the Sonesta M/S Star Goddess, Mozart suite ( all cabins with Balconies ), on the ultra deluxe
Amarco ( All Suites )

the  ultra deluxe  M/S Amarco Nile Cruise

A sample suite on M/S Amarco ( all suites )

 

 

Our hotels include the following, as available, similar hotels may be substituted:


Deluxe Hotels
Amman
Sheraton or Hyatt
Petra
Movenpick
Damascus
Le Meridien
Plamyra
Cham Palace
Aleppo
Cham Palace
 

 

 

Every effort is made to adhere to the planned itinerary, however, for reasons beyond our control, it may be necessary to change routings, sequence of visits, and departure times.

 

 

Click here for
Extend to Dubai , 13 day with Wadi Rum , add Istanbul
16 Day Egypt & Jordan in Depth Touring Edition .
Add a cruise on Lake Nasser
The Wonders of Egypt & Arabia 22 days
. 17 Day Edition With Abu Simbel and Jerash    

 

 

 

 

 

Not included:

  • Personal expenses and beverages

  • Additional meals and services

  • Trip interruption and cancellation insurance (please see our insurance brochure).
  • Suggested tips: Per Person : Never required. Always Appreciated :

    Drivers : $ 2-3 USD for Transfers or :$5 for Full Day
    Guides : $ 7-10 USD for Full Day
    Nile Cruise : $7-10 USD per day for all the crew on board , give to the Reception Desk at the end of the cruise
  • Visa for Egypt :
    For a limited number of nationalities such as EU, Canadians, Australian, NZ, American , Singaporean and Japanese citizens, visa will be issued upon arrival at the Airport, pleas pay the $ 15 USD in cash upon arrival , no photo required , your passport must be valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of arrival, and onward through the awakening city to our hotel.
    After exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort you (private air conditioned vehicle) to the hotel

 

 

 

 


THE LANGUAGE OF THE JESUS IN THE LAND OF THE BOOK

Syria is truly the Land of the Book. The ancient alphabets of the Near East grew into Aramaic and then Hebrew, and finally Arabic and the modern Latin script that you're reading!

Jesus spoke to His Disciples in Aramaic. And nowhere else in the Holy Land does His language live as in Maaloula, where His words may still be heard exactly
as He spoke them. For the believer, or for anyone who values traditions of faith, it is a deeply moving experience.

Maaloula is just a short drive from Damascus, and home to Christian community that thrives after 2000 years.

As much as any land, Syria is the birthplace of the Christian faith. St. Paul converted on the road to Damascus, and in the early centuries of the Church,
six Syrian bishops were elevated to the Holy See as popes. The grand Omayyad Mosque is built on a sacred site shared by Muslims and Christians for centuries,
expressing the true brotherhood at the center of both faiths. Two million Syrians worship as Christians.

The full panoply of the Christian experience in the Near East has been played out in Syria. The Krak des Chevaliers is the unique never conquered Crusader fortress
that stands intact as if ready to host the Knights of the Cross once again––and is a must stop for the visitor of faith to the holy sites.

Extend your stay in Syria for one day and visit Maaloula

 

 

 

 

More choices :

 

 

Sample Charming Boutique Hotels in Syria :



Talisman Hotel:
Damascus
Talisman is more than an hotel: it is more like a home. We will provide you all the services and luxury of a five stars residence. Two wide opened courtyards with outdoor swimming
pool. Private and exclusive Turkish Hammam, read more .

 


Zenobia hotel: Palmyra
built in 1920 … Agatha Christy was one of the welcomed guests , the Zenobia Hotel is ideally located in the middle of Palmyra archeological site; rooms offers a wonderful view of the traces of past civilizations, which you can explore at your ease, read more .

 

 


Beit Wakil Hotel: Aleppo
A true example of the distinguished 16th century Aleppine architecture,is a charming palace situated just outside the old city walls.This perfectly preserved structure which has stubbornly defied the destructive elements of time,ranks among the most elegant and
beautiful palaces in the region, read more .

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