| HIGHLIGHTS: Cairo - Luxor - Aswan - Alexandria - Mt. Sinai - Aqaba - Wadi Rum - Petra - Kings Highway - Amman - Jerash
By the time of his death, in 332BC, the empire of Alexander the Great extended from Egypt, through the Sinai, parts of Jordan and on towards the Indus Valley. Alexandria itself was named in his honour. On this comprehensive trip through the region we loosely follow in the footsteps of this great adventurer. For the first week or so we enjoy the many highlights of the Nile Valley. We begin in Cairo, where we explore the pyramids and Sphinx and then head south to Luxor where we ride donkeys into the fabled Valley of the Kings and have time to check out the many other sights.
In Luxor we board our Nile Riverboat, and as we cruise south to Aswan we watch timeless scenes along the banks of the Nile, as farmers go about their daily business, tending their crops. We visit the riverside temples at Edfu and Komombo, and once in Aswan we have time to explore this laid - back southern city which has long been a favourite with travellers.
Back in Cairo we have a full day to explore the older parts of the city and the next day we head to Alexandria, a laid - back coastal city, where we visit the new Alexandria Museum and the Roman Catacombs. A free day allows time for a side - trip to see the WWII battlefields at El Alamein - or we can check out some of the famous coffee shops that have been around since the 1920's.
In the barren, yet amazing Sinai Peninsula we have the chance to ascend Mt. Sinai at dawn and then take the ferry to Aqaba, in southern Jordan. For anyone wanting to experience the highlights of the Middle East, Jordan is a 'must'. The people are extremely friendly, the food is excellent, and the monuments are among the best in the region. While Petra is undoubtedly the 'jewel in the crown', Jordan also boasts a fine crusader castle, at Kerak, and a fascinating Roman city, at Jerash. Our trip ends in the lively city of Amman.
Day 1 Cairo. Your trip starts today in Cairo. No activities are planned so you may arrive at any time. Rooms are generally available after 1.00 pm. If you have not pre-booked an arrival transfer you will find taxis available on arrival at Cairo Airport. Make sure you agree the price before you set off into town Your tour guide may make contact tonight, otherwise you will see him tomorrow morning at the tour briefing, which usually takes place after breakfast.
Day 2 Cairo. With a population of around 16 million people, Cairo is one of the world's biggest cities, and there's a lot to see and do. With our guide we visit the pyramids and the Sphinx, and we also see the wonderful Valley Temple of King Khafre (Chephren). The afternoon is free to explore further and many will want to check out the Egyptian Museum (just a short taxi ride away on the other side of the river… depending on Cairo traffic). In the evening we head to the train station for the Overnight Train to Luxor - always a fun experience. Our air - conditioned carriage has large, comfortable seats (similar to business class seats on a 'plane) that recline back at about 45 degrees. There is a toilet located at the end of the carriage.
Day 3 Luxor. Luxor boasts the greatest quantity of ancient sites anywhere in the world, and there's heaps to see and do while here. After checking our gear in to the hotel, just near the bazaar, we have time to explore our surroundings - or perhaps enjoy a swim in the rooftop pool. The bazaar is pretty big and will keep shopaholics busy for hours. Alternatively you can visit the excellent little Luxor Museum - or take a stroll around Luxor Temple, dominating the centre of town. Entrance fees for these two options are listed below. Another popular activity is to take a horse - carriage ride to Karnak Temple, dedicated to the great God Amon, and considered one of the greatest of Ancient Egyptian monuments. Your tour guide can help organise the carriages. Don't miss the sunset tonight over the West Bank
Day 4-6 Luxor - Nile Cruise. We wake early and cross the Nile where our donkeys are waiting to take us into the Valley of the Kings. After matching up the donkeys to our riders we head off, just as the sun begins to rise in the eastern skies. It's great fun and one of the highlights of our visit to Egypt. Around midday we return to the east bank where we board our Nile Riverboat and set sail towards Aswan. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax on the sundeck. During the next two days we sail upstream, watching the dark waters of the Nile glide past. We stop at Edfu, to explore the well - preserved Temple of Horus, considered one of the finest examples of temple building, and at Komombo we visit the Temple of Sobek, a Greco - Roman temple that overlooks the river. All meals are served in the comfortable dining room, and on one evening we enjoy an impromptu fancy - dress party, which is always fun.
Day 7 Aswan. There's heaps of things to do in and around Aswan. It's one of our favourite places and very popular with travellers. It has an easy - going charm and the locals are very friendly. We can visit the beautiful Temple of Isis at Philae, saved from the rising waters of the Nile, or just hang around in town, exploring the vibrant Nubian bazaar and checking out the excellent Nubian Museum.
Day 8 Aswan - Cairo. Those who have booked the optional excursion to Abu Simbel will rise early and travel by road along the shores of Lake Nasser to the great Temple of Ramses II, one of the most impressive ever built. For the rest of us, it's another lazy day in Aswan, checking out the shops and watching the locals. After a break for lunch we might head out on a felucca sailboat and then take a camel ride towards the Monastery of St. Simeon - a great way to spend the afternoon In the evening, we are transferred to the station where we board the overnight sleeper train to Cairo. Sleeping berths (with beds and linen) are provided in private, two - person cabins and a reasonable 'airline - style' dinner is served on board. A toilet is located at the end of each carriage.
Day 9 Cairo. Arriving back in Cairo we are transferred to our hotel and the rest of the day is free to explore this amazing city. In the older part of the city there is a lot to see, including some beautiful old mosques and, of course, the fantastic Khan al - Khalili bazaar - an amazing mix of shops and stalls that have traded goods and gossip since the Middle Ages. There's time for everything and our tour guide can help organise taxis: but be prepared to bargain.
Day 10 Cairo - Alexandria. Today we travel to Alexandria, arriving around midday. After checking in to the hotel we make an afternoon visit to the new Alexandria Museum, which has a marvellous collection of artefacts dating back to around 350BC - 100AD. We also visit the Roman Catacombs. The rest of the day is then free to explore this waterfront city, which stretches for some 17 kiLometres along the Mediterranean coast.
Day 11 Alexandria. We have the best part of two free days to check out Alexandria. Among the various things worth doing are: - Visit Qaitbey Fortress, now a naval museum, where you can see what remains of the famous Pharos (lighthouse) once considered one of the seven wonders of the world. - Have a drink in the classic Cecil Hotel, built in 1930 and now one of the city's great institutions. - Explore the bazaar on Nokrashi Street. - Stroll along the lengthy corniche and watch locals having fun on the extensive beachfront. - Visit one of Alexandria's famous caFes, such as 'Pastroudi's' or 'Trianon'. - Splash out on a seafood dinner at one of the city's many excellent restaurants. We also have the chance to make an optional full day excursion to the battlefields at El Alamein. The cost of this varies, depending on how many decide to go. A rough indication of price is given below.
Day 12 Alexandria - Cairo. The morning is free for further exploration and around midday we head back to Cairo, arriving in the late afternoon.
Day 13 Cairo - Mt. Sinai. The Sinai is an untamed wilderness of immense beauty, with jagged pink granite mountains punching up into clear blue skies. We drive east from Cairo, and spend the night in a simple bungalow style hotel near Mt. Sinai. The hotel is in a beautiful location and very close to the start point for our hike tomorrow.
Day 14 Mt. Sinai - Aqaba. Those wishing to ascend Mt. Sinai to watch the sun rise over the peninsula will be woken up between 2.00am and 3.00am (depending on the season). It is a fairly steep climb (with stairs all the way) and most people take about two and a half to three hours to reach the summit. We take it easy, with plenty of rest stops, and our aim is to reach the top in time to watch the sun rise over the southern end of the peninsula - a magical experience We then continue to Nuweiba, where we farewell our Egyptian leader before boarding the hydrofoil to Aqaba. On arrival in Aqaba we meet our Jordanian guide/leader and drive to our hotel, located just near the beachfront. Note that, during the winter months (Oct - Mar) it can be very cold on Mt Sinai, so you should bring thermals and a fleece.
Day 15 Aqaba - Wadi Rum - Petra. For many people, Wadi Rum represents everything that a desert should be. It's a magical place where weathered sandstone mountains rise out of pink - coloured sands. T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) spent a fair bit of time here, and the region is also home to the famous Desert Police, who can sometimes be seen riding camels and wearing their long - flowing robes and headdresses. We enjoy a fantastic jeep tour into the desert and later we continue our journey to Petra.
Day 16 Petra. We spend much of the day exploring the many wonders of this ancient city, founded more than 2000 years ago as a temporary refuge for nomadic Arabs and Bedouin. We enter through the narrow 'siq' and visit the numerous tombs, temples and public buildings - as well as the impressive rock - hewn amphitheatre. It's a really interesting day, but a tiring one, and at the conclusion we can enjoy an optional Turkish Bath at our hotel - a great way to end the day.
Day 17 Petra - Kings Highway - Amman. We follow the ancient Kings Highway, a road that dates back to the Old Testament, and beyond. We reach Dana, where we have time to stroll though the ancient village. Recent finds have revealed evidence of Paleolithic, Egyptian, Edomite, Assyrian, Nabataean and Roman civilisations. While here we can visit the craft centre to purchase attractive locally - made silver jewellery and charms. Continuing our journey, we reach the splendid crusader castle at Shobak, originally built to protect the eastern flank of the Latin Kingdom and its trade routes to the sea before falling to Saladin in 1189. Further on, at Madaba, we visit the Greek Orthodox church of St. George, which houses a 6th century mosaic map depicting the old city of Jersusalem. We arrive in the lively city of Amman, where we check in to our hotel before heading out 'on the town'.
Day 18 Jerash - Amman. The Roman city of Jerash is in a fine state of preservation. Founded in the time of Alexander the Great, it had become a centre of considerable importance by the 3rd century AD. Today it is one of the grandest ancient cities in the world, with an imposing collection of archways, theatres, baths and colonnaded streets. We enjoy a morning tour and the afternoon is free for an optional excursion to the Dead Sea, or to explore Amman further.
Day 19 Amman. Your trip ends today, after breakfast. Check - out time is usually around 12.00 noon and you are free to leave at any time. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring Amman.
From the pyramids to Petra, this comprehensive journey through Egypt and Jordan follows in the footsteps of the great conqueror 19 day tour departing Cairo. 3 nights accommodation onboard a riverboat. 2 nights accommodation onboard an overnight train. 1 night accommodation in a hostel. 12 nights accommodation in budget/tourist class hotels. 18 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners. Gecko's expert English-speaking local guides in both countries, and local site guides at some sites. Sightseeing including entrance fees where applicable. Full day exploring Petra. Jeep safari in the Wadi Rum. Donkey ride to explore the Valley of the Kings. Optional ascent of Mt Sinai (included in price)
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