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 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.
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.
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
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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 )
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.
Not
included:
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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