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The
Romance of the Near East
A Grand tour of Jordan ,Turkey and Egypt
All
in 21 days on a Locally Escorted Private Tour
Visit
Turkey's top sights-- Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Konya, Cappadocia
and Ankara. Then on to the land of the Pharaohs: Tour Egypt's top sights
: Cairo , Giza, Luxor and Aswan , you 'll get to cruise the Nile in
Luxury . As well as get to see
the top sights in Jordan , including Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum
. We have even included all the tips .

This
Private Tour starts weekly in Istanbul , compare with the Bodrum
Edition
DAY
1 - ISTANBUL Tuesday - Weekly - Year Round
We meet your flight and escort you to your Deluxe (5-star) hotel :Ceylan
Inter.Continental , Hilton Istanbul , Conrad, Hyatt or if you prefer
a boutique hotel : Blue House or similar . All transfers are on a private
basis . private air-conditioned vehicle , private chauffeur .
DAY
2 - ISTANBUL - Wednesday (BL)
Let us show you the city: the Blue Mosque, Byzantine Hippodrome,
Hagia Sophia , then the Underground Cistern. walk thru the columns
of this grand water reservoir and Topkapi Palace.
Lunch is included at a local restaurant.
All tours and transfers are on a private basis . private air-conditioned
vehicle , private chauffeur . Private guide for all the touring .
DAY
3 - CANAKKALE -Thursday (BL)
After breakfast we start our scenic drive south to the famous Gallipoli,
we cross the strategic Dardanelles, to land in Asia ! , tour Troy ,
before we reach Çanakkale and your hotel .
DAY
4 - PERGAMON & IZMIR- Friday (BL)
We drive to Pergamon to see its Acropolis, Temple of Trojan,
Altar of Zeus and Temple of Dionysus, the Red Basilica, and the ancient
medical center of the Asclepion, then continue to Izmir and your
hotel.
DAY
5 - EPHESUS & PAMUKKALE - Saturday (BL)
We drive to Selçuk to visit the extensive ruins of Roman
Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary. After lunch we continue to
Pamukkale for a tour of the ancient Roman spa of Hierapolis and
its warm calcium-rich mineral baths. Lycus River Hotel or similar.
DAY
6 - KONYA -Sunday (BL)
Passing through Turkey's fertile Lake District, we drive to Konya,
capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and home of the Whirling Dervishes.
We visit the Mevlana Museum, where the founder of the dervish order
is buried, overnight in Konya .
DAY
7 - CAPPADOCIA -Monday (BLD)
Enjoy your breakfast before continuing on to Cappadocia, stopping
at the Sultanhan Caravanserai on the way. We descend into a labyrinthine
Underground City at Kaymakli, then tour the rockhewn cave churches
and monasteries of the Göreme Valley and the rockhewn natural
citadel of Uçhisar. Cappadocia Inn Hotel , Kapadokya Lodge or
one of the top Cave suites hotels
DAY
8 - ANKARA & ISTANBUL -Tuesday (cB)
Heading north, we drive to Ankara for a visit to the monumental mausoleum
of Atatürk, father of modern Turkey, then we tour the famous
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations before heading to the airport for
our flight to Istanbul. Deluxe (5-star) hotel : Conrad, Hyatt
or if you prefer a boutique hotel : Blue House or similar
DAY
9 -CAIRO - Wednesday (cBD)
We escort you to the airport for your flight
to Cairo,
air fare is included in our rate in economy class with tax .
Our representative greets you at the airport and whisks you to your
hotel. Hyatt , Conrad , Sonesta or similar 5 stars
Visa fee for Egypt is to be paid locally upon arrival in cash ( $15
subject to change ) , visa may be issued upon arrival for a limited
number of nationalities such as : Australian, NZ, American,EU , Canadian
& 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.Our local rep. will meet after you exit the passport and customs
control .
DAY
10 - CAIRO - Thursday (BL)
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.
DAY
11 - Friday (BL)
On
Desert Safari for the Day - Fayoum Oases - And you thought the Pyramids
were old
We leave Cairo by sunrise ( private air conditioned car/driver/guide):
Full day Fayoum Oases including:
Hawara Pyramid, El Lahoun Pyramid, Ruins of Karanis, drive by Lake Qarun,
lunch is included at a local restaurant.
The
wilds of the desert begin right on the outskirts of Cairo, and continue
for hundreds of miles to the east and west, through sands, rock, mountains,
oases, and a surprising variety of scenery and inhabitants.
Join
us for a day ranging across the desert like modern nomads. In place
of camels, we’ll travel in comfortable, reliable four-by-four
Toyota Land Cruisers. Your guide and drivers will meet you at your hotel,
and soon you’ll leave bustling Cairo behind as you undertake the
drive toward the Oasis of El Fayoum, 150 kilometers to the southwest.
Hard as it is to believe, a great inland sea once covered these sands.
It was a holy reserve of sacred crocodiles, symbolized by the god Sobek.
We’ll
visit the temple of Kom Oshim, drive over ancient lake beds, and alongside
the waters of today’s Fayoum Lake to reach the fishermen’s
village of Chak Chouk. There we’ll stop for a lunch of fish caught
fresh that morning. There will be time to wander the village lanes and
discreetly watch the everyday activities of baking flatbread, irrigating
crops from the lake’s waters, and bringing in the catch. We’ll
also include the craft and pottery museum where the best works of local
artisans are on display.
Then
it’s into our four-by-fours again, for an off-road adventure!
We’ll head alongside and across desert washes, between dunes,
and over ancient lake beds for 35 kilometers to the Valley of the Whales
( In Arabic : Wadi-El-Hitan) . Incredibly, these great mammals once
thrived - almost forty million years ago- in waters surrounded by sands.
We’ll stop and gaze in amazement at their fossilized remains alongside
smaller sea creatures that remain in stone.
This valley was discovered in 1936 , by the German geologist George
Schweinfurth in the northwestern corner of Wadi El-Rayan.
The valley provides evidence of one of the major changes in this mammal
evolution has been declared by the UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site.
It is believed that these land based whales once had feet that may have
helped them somewhat while ashore . A team from the University of Michigan
discovered in the late 80's that these Zeuglodon whales did have rudimentary
feet , this was a startling discovery , suggesting that whales of Wadi
-El-Hitan had recently started living in water as well , these whales
were not related to any of the whales we have today , rather a more
slender body and may grow up to 75 feet long. Several skeletons of whales
are exposed in the sand. George Schweinfurth named this extinct specie
the Zeuglodon Isis Whales .
In
the evening, you’ll return to your hotel in Cairo. Land
transportation in air-conditioned four-wheel-drive Toyota Land Cruiser
with the services of driver and English-speaking driver. Lunch is included
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 12 - LUXOR - BOARD your NILE CRUISE - Saturday(BLD)
After an early breakfast , we fly to Luxor , check in on your Deluxe
Nile cruiser at noon. After lunch, we visit the great temples of Luxor
and Karnak, then return to our Nile cruiser in time for afternoon
tea.
Sample
deluxe Nile cruises : M/S
Monaco , M/S Monte
Carlo
, M/S Mojito . Queen
of Hansa ,
MS Beau Soleil . MS
Adonis ,
M/S Florence. MS Renaissance.
DAY
13 - VALLEY OF THE KINGS -Sunday (cBLD)
We tour today as well the magnificent tombs in the Valley of the
Kings, including Tut-Ankh-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.
DAY
14 - EDFU & KOM OMBO- Monday (cBLD)
We cruise by Esna to Edfu, where we board horse-drawn
carriages for the ride to the Temple of Horus. Returning to our
ship, we set sail for Kom Ombo. In the evening, there's a jolly galabia
party aboard.
DAY
15 - KOM OMBO & ASWAN Tuesday (cBLD)
We explore the twin Temples of Haroeris and Sobek at Kom Ombo,
then sail south to Aswan. After lunch we board a graceful felucca
and cruise among the islands, returning to our ship in time for tea.
DAY
16 - ASWAN ABU Simbel CAIRO Wednesday (cB)
After
breakfast we check out, visit the awesome Aswan dams, and next
an ancient granite quarry complete with an unfinished obelisk, then
board a motor launch to visit the Temples of Philae, returning
to Aswan by late morning. Transfer is included ( private car/driver)
back to Aswan airport.
A
short flight to Abu Simbel.
If you wish to overnight in Abu Simbel & attend the Sound &
Light show, please click here
in Abu Simbel : There we'll marvel at the temples dedicated to Ramses
the Great and Queen Neferatri, saved from rising waters of the Nile
when the High Dam was built, fly back to Aswan and connect with our
returning flight to Cairo .
Domestic air fare is included Aswan Abu Simbel Aswan as well as back
to Cairo .
In Cairo , we meet you at the airport & escort you back to your
hotel
DAY
17 - CAIRO - Amman - Thursday (BD)
Our representative escorts you to the airport for your Amman flight.
Air fare is included in Y class, tax included .
Our staff will meet you upon arrival and help with the transfer to your
hotel in Amman .Complimentary visa is issued upon arrival for American
& Japanese passport holders. Passport must be valid at least for 6 month
beyond the date of your arrival. Dinner is included at your hotel
DAY
18 - MADABA, KERAK & PETRA - Friday (BD)
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 .
DAY 19 - PETRA - Saturday (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.
DAY
20 - WADI RUM & The Dead Sea - Sunday(BD)
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 return to the Dead Sea resorts
such as the Mövenpick, Kempinski , or SAS Radisson
DAY
21 - Monday - Departure
(B)
Our representative escorts you to the airport for your homeward flight.
Bon Voyage !
Itinerary
is subject to change without notice.
For
guests that are 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 $65 per person,
minimum 2 guests, private car/driver to Bosra), 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
Jordanian
departure tax is included in our rate. Salam
& Bon Voyage
. Click here for the 12 days edition
( Without Egypt)
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Private
Tour
RATES (per person) in USD $
Private air-conditioned vehicle. Private Chauffeur . Private Guide
. Except while on board the Nile Cruise
You will be part of a 10-15 English Speaking Group |
| Triple |
US$
6810 |
| Double |
US$
6920 |
| Single |
US$
9050 |
YOUR
TOUR INCLUDES:
-
Complimentary
visa is issued upon arrival in Cairo and Amman for American, Australian,
NZ, EU , Singaporean & Japanese citizens, passports must be
valid for at least 6 month beyond the date of your arrival
-
Domestic
airfare within Turkey, Egypt (economy class ) as well as sleeper
train ticket within Egypt.
- One
way air fare Cairo Amman in economy class , tax included.
- Deluxe
Nile Cruise in Egypt including all meals, shore excursions. Large
bottle of water per person per day delivered to your cabin while on
board the Nile cruise Afternoon tea daily onboard the Nile cruise
.
- Tea/
Coffee and one small bottle of water per person with each meal on
board the Nile cruise
- All
transfers and porterage
- Jordanian
Departure tax
- Locally
escorted, guided sightseeing (including admissions fees) as described
in the itinerary
- Meals
as shown: (cB = continental breakfast; L
= set-menu lunch; D = set-menu dinner)
- Deluxe
( 5 stars ) and First Class (4-star) hotels as listed , including
hotel tax and service charges
- Bonus!
Lonely Planet Turkey, Egypt and Jordan guidebooks
- Tips
to drivers, porters, guides , all the crew on board your Nile cruise.
No Hidden charges, no additional tax.
Rate
doesn't include :
- International
air fare from / to your home country .
- Visa
Fee : in cash upon arrival, in Cairo and Istanbul ,or
from any of the Consulates
- Trip
-travel insurance
Sample
Hotels in Turkey or similar : 5 Stars and best available :
Istanbul : Conrad Hotel, Hyatt Hotel, Inter.Continental or similar
. If you prefer a boutique style Ottoman Mansion Hotel, please let's
know in advance : Sample : Blue House . Arena . Yesil Ev, Sultanahmet
Sarayi , Sultanhan or similar
Kusadasi : Korumar Hotel or similar
Pamukkale: Colassae Hotel or similar
Antalya: Talya Hotel or similar
Konya: Riixos Hotel or similar
Cappadocia : Cave Suites Hotel or similar (local 4 star)

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.... Read More .
More
Choices :
You
may choose to cruise the Nile on a Deluxe Yachts on the Nile
Or for a supplement : A deluxe private Air conditioned felucca or Dahabiya
cruise on the Nile
Sultans
, Caliphs and Pharaohs (17 Days)
Istanbul
, Petra , Sinai and Cairo and even include a Deluxe Dahabiya Nile Cruise.
Weekly
year Round : 17-Day Adventure in Turkey, Jordan and Egypt
Alexandria
Edition , including camping with the Bedouins in Wadi Rum
Memphis and Sakkara in Giza Egypt .
Go
Beyond Istanbul and combine the Grand Tour of Turkey, Egypt and Jordan
Including
a one week Deluxe Dahabiya Nile Cruise
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