The Great Sites of Egypt & Petra 2024

DAY 1 - Departure

Monday January 8th, 2024

DAY 2 - Arrive in Cairo

Tuesday January 9th, 2024

Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, meet and transfer to the hotel for check-in, use the rest of the day at leisure and overnight at the hotel. 

NB: Check-in time at the hotel is 3 PM, so any earlier arrivals may have to wait for a room to be ready.

DAY 3 - Cairo

Wednesday January 10th, 2024 | B | L

Immerse yourself in the exploration of Cairo, the heartbeat of Egypt, also known as the “Mother of the World.” This is a city with a rich history having been part of the Persian, Ptolemaic, Roman and Byzantine empires and home to Christians, Jews and Muslims. Begin your exploration at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Egypt. The NMEC also boasts an extensive exhibition on the royal mummies of Egypt, and includes more than 50,000 ancient Egyptian artifacts collected from different periods. We’ll continue to Islamic Cairo, to visit the Citadel of Saladdin and Mohamed Ali Pasha’s 19th century alabaster mosque. After lunch, head to Old Cairo to see some of the most significant Coptic churches in the city, including the Hanging Church, Saint Sergius and Bacchus Church and St Barbara. Return to your hotel and have dinner on your own. Overnight in Cairo (B, L)

DAY 4 - Cairo - Aswan

Thursday January 11th, 2024 | B | L

Transfer to the airport for an early flight to Aswan. Upon landing, enjoy a morning tour of the High Dam and Philae Temple, the dwelling place of the goddess of Isis, the universal mother of nature and protector of humans. After lunch, transfer to the hotel in Aswan for check-in before a visit to the intriguing Unfinished Obelisk. Enjoy some time in the evening walking the markets and have dinner on you own. Overnight in Aswan. (B,L)

DAY 5 - Aswan

Friday January 12th, 2024 | B | L | D

After breakfast, you will be taken to the Nile Cruise ship. After lunch, join fellow passengers on a felucca trip (a traditional sail boat still used to traverse the Nile today). Pass by the Agha Khan Mausoleum, Elephantine Island and the Botanical Island of Lord Kitchener seeing them from your boat outside. Overnight onboard the ship. (B,L,D)

DAY 6 - Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu

Saturday January 13th, 2024 | B | L | D

Awake on board the ship in Kom-Ombo, where you will visit the riverside Temple of Kom-Ombo. This dual temple, dedicated to the gods Horus (falcon) and Sobek (crocodile), is completely symmetrical.  Depart Kom-Ombo for Edfu, home of The Temple of Edfu. The temple was constructed during the Ptolemaic period, between 237 and 57 BCE. It is an impressive structure, featuring massive pylons, a courtyard, hypostyle halls, offering chambers, and the sanctuary dedicated to Horus. Spend overnight docked near Edfu. (B,L,D)

 

DAY 7 - Edfu - Luxor

Sunday January 14th, 2024 | B | L | D

After another overnight on board the ship, arrive in the ancient city of Luxor. Start your morning with a visit to the west bank of Luxor, filled with many amazing sites that show the best of what Egypt has to offer. See the Valley of the Kings, the final resting place of many pharaohs from the New Kingdom period, including Tutankhamun and Ramses II. Proceed to the Valley of the Queens, the burial place of royal wives, princes, and other family members of the pharaohs. View the Colossi of Memnon, two enormous statues depict Amenhotep III and were once part of his mortuary temple. Finish the west bank at Hatshepsut, one of the most impressive and well-preserved temples in Egypt. Spend the afternoon on the east bank of the Nile, which features both the massive Karnak and Luxor Temples, jewels of not just Luxor, but all of Egypt. After dinner, overnight on the ship in Luxor. (B,L,D)

DAY 8 - Luxor - Cairo

Monday January 15th, 2024 | B | L

the airport for your flight to Cairo. Lunch will occur either before the flight or upon landing, pending the day’s flight schedule. During the evening, walk El Moez Street, a major thoroughfare located in the Islamic Cairo district. It spans approximately one kilometer and is lined with stunning historic buildings and landmarks, making it one of the oldest streets in Cairo. Head to Khan Khalili, a historic market district located near El Moez Street. It is one of the oldest and most famous bazaars in Cairo, dating back to the 14th century. The bazaar was originally a major hub for traders and merchants on the Silk Road. Grab a drink at the famed Fishawi Coffee Shop. Overnight at the hotel in Cairo. (B,L)

DAY 9 - Cairo

Tuesday January 16th, 2024 | B | L

Today we’ll focus on Ancient Egypt, beginning with a visit to the Giza plateau to view the Pyramids, and the enigmatic Sphinx. We will visit the newly-opened GEM museum, the largest museum in the world dedicated to Egyptian artifacts. Continue onto Memphis, the once resplendent capital of the Old Kingdom, where we’ll see the reclining statue of Ramses II. Then we’ll travel to Sakkara, the burial place of the pharaohs of the Old Kingdom and the location of the Step Pyramid, one of the world’s oldest stone structures. After the visits, we’ll return to the hotel overnight. (B,L)

DAY 10 - Cairo – Amman (JORDAN)

Wednesday January 17th, 2024 | B

Transfer to the airport for your flight from Cairo to Amman, Jordan. Arrive at Queen Alia Airport. You will be met & assisted by a local guide and taken to the hotel in Amman. Spend the balance of the day at leisure or you can walk around the city (depending on flight times). (B)

DAY 11 - Amman – Madaba – Mt. Nebo – Kerak - Petra

Thursday January 18th, 2024 | B

Drive southwards along the King’s way to Petra, visiting Madaba with the oldest map of the Holy Land, and its Mosaic School, Mt. Nebo and the alleged burial site of Moses overlooking the Dead sea and the Jordan Valley; then drive to Kerak to visit the Crusader Castle (stop for optional lunch), overnight in Petra. (B)

DAY 12 - Petra

Friday January 19th, 2024 | B

A full day to visit the many sites of Petra, the ancient city that was carved into the rose-red Sharah Mountains by the Nabatean and lost to civilization until rediscovery by the Swiss Burkhardt. Walk through the siq, a narrow and winding fissure between the cliffs, to reach the Treasury, the Roman Theater, the Courts and Qasr Bint Pharaoun, Temple of the Winged Lion and other monuments. A break for optional lunch or you may wish to climb up to the Monastery. Overnight in Petra. (B)

DAY 13 - Petra – Wadi Rum – Amman – Retrun (USA)

Saturday January 20th, 2024 | B

You’ll visit Wadi Rum Desert (with a short ride in a 4×4 vehicle) and its awesome moon-like landscape, where the film “Lawrence of Arabia” was shot. Return to Amman on the Desert Highway (stop for an optional lunch). Head to Queen Alia Airport for return flight home.  (B)