Egypt & Jordan Connection - Gold

Upon arrival in Cairo, meet and greet at airport before being transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Today our Egyptologist will guide you through the amazing sights of Cairo. Discover the delights at the Egyptian Museum of antiquities. See some of the most famous artefacts discovered including those from King Tutankhamen. View the chariots, gloves, jewellery and most famously, the golden funerary mask. This afternoon, see the spectacular Pyramids and the Sphinx situated on Giza Plateau. (B) 

Transfer from the hotel to Cairo airport for a short flight to Aswan. On arrival, transfer to the port. There is an optional Abu Simbel tour. Embark on the cruise vessel at lunch time and visit the High Dam and the island Temple of Philae, dedicated to the Goddess Isis who is celebrated as the ideal mother and wife and the patron of nature and magic. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, sail to Kom Ombo, once known as Nubt, or the City of Gold. It is here that we can see the imposing temple dedicated to two very different gods, Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, the falcon god. Admire the Egyptian ingenuity with the invention of the Nilometer, once used to calculate the height, and ultimately the success of the annual flood. Continue to Edfu and tour the Temple of Horus. Admire this Ptolemaic temple, which was only recently discovered and excavated from the sand that covered it for over two thousand years. The temple is believed to be the best preserved one available to visit in Egypt. Depart after lunch for Luxor via Esna where your vessel crosses the loch. Discover this city, once known as Thebes and a bustling metropolis of trade. (B, L, D)

Today we cross the West Bank to tour the legendary Valley of the Kings and visit some of its famous tombs. Admire the massive Colossi of Memnon and discover the Funerary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Return to the cruise vessel for an overnight. (B, L, D)

Disembark after breakfast for your guided tour of the East Bank of Luxor. Once known as Thebes, the East bank was home to a bustling ancient metropolis. See the Temples of Luxor and Karnak and the Avenue of Sphinxes which once linked them across the city and is generally characterised as the 'world’s largest open air museum'. Continue to the airport for your flight to Sharm El Sheikh (direct or via Cairo). Once a tiny fishing village, Sharm is now known as the 'City of Peace' due to its proximity to Israel. Rest of the day at leisure. (B)

This morning. depart for the mountainous city of St Catherine, famous for its monastery. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage listed site that is believed to be the oldest continually inhabited monastery. See Mount Sinai, believed to be the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments. Overnight at Sharm El Sheikh. (B)

After breakfast depart for the Taba Border for the crossing into Israel and a short transfer to Arava border into Jordan. An English-speaking driver will meet you and transfer to your hotel in Aqaba. Free time to enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches of the Red Sea (B) .

After breakfast, transfer to take a four-wheel drive tour of Wadi Rum, the largest and most magnificent of Jordan’s desert landscape. Enjoy lunch under Bedouin tents. Continue to Petra for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Enjoy a full-day tour of the World Heritage Listed Site of Petra. This Nabataean City is carved into the rock face. Only discovered in 1812, this famous archaeological site is famous for the stunning treasury, with its impressive red façade. Other wonders of the fabulous city include its tombs, temples, funerary halls and rock reliefs. (B, D)

This morning, head to Mt Nebo to visit one of the most holy sites in Jordan and an early Christian pilgrimage location. It is here where Moses is thought to have died and a temple was constructed in his memory. Continue on to Madaba, also known as the city of mosaics, an ancient town mentioned in the Bible during the time of Exodus around 1200 BC. Resume your journey to the Dead Sea, the location of the lowest point on earth. Enjoy your time floating on the unsinkable sea and soak up the nutrients and minerals of the water. Dinner and overnight at your hotel. (B, D) 

Depart the Dead Sea for Jerash, location of a Greco-Roman settlement, known to have broken records for its record human settlement since neolithic times. Wander through the ruins of this remarkable city, one of the best Roman Provincial towns outside of Europe. Wander the colonnaded streets and admire the architecture of centuries ago such as Hadrian’s Triumphal Arch. Continue onto Amman to appreciate the ancient mixed with the modern. See the Citadel, the Forum and Roman Theatre. Tour Amman and discover the amazing Mosque of King Abdullah the First and the modern parts of the city with its amazing shopping. (B, D) 

After breakfast, depart for the airport. (B)