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Wonders of Middle East – 17 days

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From €2,783

Departure Dates: Every Thursday

Itinerary:

Day 1: Jerusalem | Thursday

  • Arrival at Tel Aviv airport. Welcome to Israel! Border procedures and transfer to the hotel in Jerusalem. Free time.

Day 2: Jerusalem-Bethlehem- Jerusalem | Friday
TODAY´S HIGHLIGHTS: City tour of Jerusalem. Museum of Israel. Ein Karen. Shrine of Saint John the Baptist Holocaust Museum and Memorial. Bethlehem.

  • Breakfast. Excursion to visit the New City of Jerusalem, seeing the Shrine of the Book in the Museum of Israel, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed, and the model that represents the city of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus. We will go through the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, then going toward Ein Karen, a picturesque neighborhood on the outskirts of the city to visit the Shrine of Saint John the Baptist. We will also see Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum and Memorial. In the afternoon, we will travel to BETHLEHEM, located behind the wall built in recent years to separate the two communities. We will take a Palestinian guide to visit the Church of the Nativity, the Grotto of the Manger and the Shepherds’ Field.Return to Jerusalem and accommodation.

Day 3: Jerusalem | Saturday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Visit to old city of Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, Wailing Wall, Church of Holy Sepulcher, Tomb of King David, Cenacle and Abbey of the Dormition.

  • We include a visit to the old city of Jerusalem. Excursion by Mount Scopus toward the Mount of Olives. There is an extraordinary view of the walled Holy City from the top. We then continue to Gethsemane, the Basilica of the Agony. Departure toward the Old City. Visit to the Western Wall (Wailing Wall). We will continue along the Via Dolorosa to arrive at Calvary, the place where Christ was crucified, and to see the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We then go onward to Mount Zion to visit the Tomb of King David, the Cenacle (Hall of the Last Supper) and the Abbey of the Dormition. Accommodation in Jerusalem.

Day 4: Jerusalem- Sheik Hussein Bridge- AjlunJerash- Amman | Sunday
TODAY´S HIGHLIGHTS: Travel to Jordan. Fortress of Ajlun. Church of Saint Sergius. Jerash. Lunch included.

  • Breakfast. Early departure to border of Israel and Jordan. Arrival at Sheik Hussein Bridge to complete border and visa procedures. Welcome to Jordan! We explore the FORTRESS OF AJLUN, an imposing castle dating back to the 12th century. In this area, Muslims and Orthodox Christians have always lived together. We visit the historic CHURCH OF SAINT SERGIUS. Shall we all pray for peace? Lunch included. We continue to JERASH to visit its impressive Roman archaeological site. We then travel to AMMAN. Arrival and accommodation.

NOTE: The Sheik Hussein border must be crossed on a special bus for this purpose. This costs around $3 per person, which must be paid directly by the passengers themselves. FEES: Each country requires an entry/exit fee that passengers must pay directly at their destination. For guidance purposes, these are the fees/visa fees that may apply (prices subject to change without notice): Israel: $32 (Departure Fee to Jordan); Jordan: 40 dinars/$60 (Sheik Hussein Border visa).

Day 5: Amman- Castles of the Desert- MadabaMount Nebo- Amman | Monday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Castles of the Desert, Madaba Archaeological Park, Mount Nebo

  • We will depart towards the CASTLES OF THE DESERT, built between the 7th and 8th centuries. We will visit QASR KHARANA, with its imposing structure of thick walls and the QUSAYR AMRA World Heritage Site, notable for its remarkable frescoes. Then, we travel to MADABA, lunch is included. We will visit the Madaba Archaeological Park, which we cross via an ancient Roman road, and the Church of St. George, with its fantastic 6th Century mosaic representing the oldest known map of the Holy Land. We continue to MOUNT NEBO, where Moses stopped to look over the Promised Land. Return to Amman. Arrival and free time.

Day 6: Amman- Bethany- Panorama Complex – Dead Sea | Tuesday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Bethany, Dead Sea Museum, Dead Sea.

  • We leave for BETHANY on the banks of the River Jordan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; this is where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Then we visit the DEAD SEA MUSEUM, which an impressive Panorama Complex. Lunch is included. Arriving at our hotel at the DEAD SEA, do not forget to take a dip in the saltiest sea and lowest altitude on earth. Dinner and accommodation included.

Day 7: Dead Sea- Cave of Lot- Dana- Shobak- Petra | Wednesday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Lot´s Cave with its Byzantine Church. Dana. Shobak. Wadi Musa (site around Petra), Moses Spring. Petra Museum. Lunch and Dinner included.

  • Exciting section in the heart of Jordan. Following the Dead Sea, we visit LOT’S CAVE, discovered in 1991, with its old Byzantine church from the 6th century. Then we ascend into the mountains to DANA, a small, picturesque town of stone houses on a huge cliff. Lunch is included. We continue along the King´s Route to SHOBAK, where we take photographs (outside only) of the great Crusader Castle. We continue to WADI MUSA (the site around Petra). We will explore the MOSES SPRING, where Moses is said to have tapped the rock with his rod and the water gushed out, and the Petra Museum, an excellent exhibition that enables us to learn about the history of the Nabateans and to see magnificent pieces found in the area Dinner and accommodation. Any travelers who wish can go to an old Turkish bath or see a light and sound show in Petra.

Day 8: Petra- Wadi Rum | Thursday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT: Petra archeological site. Wadi Rum dessert trip on 4×4 vehicles. Nabatean temple ruins. Camel ride through the desert. Khazali ruins. Lunch dinner included, accommodation in a camp in the desert.

  • Today we have the most exciting day of the trip: First, we visit the impressive archaeological site of PETRA, which is accessed through a narrow canyon, and discover the temples and tombs excavated on the cliffs in this city that was founded 300 years before Christ. After lunch (included) we leave for the impressive desert of WADI RUM. At the Visitor Centre we board 4×4 vehicles to visit some of the most impressive landscapes. We stop in the town of RUM to visit the ruins of the Nabatean temple. We include a 45-minute camel ride through the desert. We will also visit the Khazali Canyon. In this spectacular place, we will see the engravings that reveal the origins of the Arabic language. Dinner and accommodation included in a desert camp.

Day 9: Wadi Rum- Aqaba | Friday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT: Visit Aqaba. Free time to relax in the resort and enjoy the Red Sea.

  • After breakfast we will leave for AQABA, Jordan’s second city. We will visit Jordan’s second city, a modern, commercial port city. Afternoon free to enjoy the hotel-resort and the warm waters of the Red Sea!

Day 10: Aqaba- Amman – Cairo | Saturday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Desert road to Amman, transfer in Cairo

  • After breakfast we will depart via “the desert road” to the AMMAN airport. Arrival. We will take a flight to Egypt for a little over an hour. Arrival at CAIRO. Border procedures and transfer to the hotel. Free time.

Note: Depending on the number of travelers, the trip from Aqaba to Amman airport may be made by regular VIP coach.

Day 11: . Cairo | Sunday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Pyramids of Cheops, Kefren and Micerinos, Egyptian Museum, Citadel of Saladin and the Alabaster Mosque.

  • Full day visit where we explore the famous Pyramids of Cheops, Kefren and Micerinos (tickets to go inside the pyramids are not included), and also the impressive Sphinx, which is sculpted from rock. Visit to the Egyptian Museum with its ancient art and where the treasure of the Lost Tomb of Tutankhamen is kept. Lunch included. Citadel of Saladin and the Alabaster Mosque. We will take a walk through the Coptic neighborhood where we `visit the Hanging Church built above a Roman fortress.

Day 12: Cairo- Luxor | Monday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Transfer to the airport, flight to Luxor. Transfer to the cruise. Temples of Luxor and Karnak. Full board aboard.

  • Breakfast. Transfer to the airport and flight included to LUXOR. Arrival and transfer to the cruise, boarding and accommodation. Full board on the cruise. Visit impressive set of temples of Luxor and Karnak. Accommodation on board.

Day 13: . Luxor- Esna | Tuesday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Necropolis of Thebes. Valley of the Kings. Colossae of Memnon. Temple of Queen Hatsepsut. Temple of Medinet Habu.

  • Today you will be able to admire the Necropolis of Thebes, visiting the famous VALLEY OF THE KINGS,where are hidden the tombs of the main pharaohs. Composed of several rooms and corridors that lead to the burial chambers, are among others, Ramses III, Seti I and Amenhotep II. You will also visit the Colossae of Memnon, two impressive statues of Amenophis II, as well as the Temple of Queen Hatsepsut (Deir el Bahari) and the Temple of Medinet Habu. During this day we can enjoy the beauty of the Nile riverbanks. You could do different activities on the boat and at evening enjoy the music at the disco. Full board. Night on board, navigating to ESNA.

Day 14: Esna- Edfu- Kom Ombo- Aswan | Wednesday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Temple of Horus, Temple of Kom Ombo. Accommodation on the boat. Full board.

  • Arrival to EDFU and visit the Temple of Horus (God represented by a Falcon), which in the past was partially covered by lime during the periodic flooding of the river Nile. The rescue and restoration work complete, we now have one of the most beautiful temples of Ptolemaic times, in an exceptional state of preservation. Navigation to KOM OMBO. Visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, the only temple dedicated to two gods, Sobek and Haroesis, where we find a Nilometer (former system for measuring the level of the Nile River) and a mummified crocodile. During the evening you will be able to enjoy the Chilaba’s party, local typical outfit (on route you could economically acquire them at local markets). Full board. Accommodation on board, navigating to ASWAN.

Day 15: Aswan | Thursday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Aswan, Optional Abu Simbel tour, full board, night on the boat.

  • Arrival to ASWAN. Possibility of getting the optional tour to Abu Simbel (visit NOT included in the itinerary), located two hundred and eighty kilometers from Aswam, visit the western desert and the temples carved on the cliff by Ramses II during the twelfth century BC, with 20 meters high statues, dedicated to the god Amon Ra, and the Temple of Nefertari, dedicated to the goddess Hathor. Visit the Red Granite quarry where is the famous 41 meters high Unfinished Obelisk. We will also visit the Aswan Dam, one of the largest in the world, which created Lake Nasser with a length of more than 500 km. In the afternoon, a felucca cruise on the Nile, typical sailing boats in the area, heading to the island of Kitchener where the Botanical Garden is located. Full board. Accommodation on board.

Day 16: Aswan- Cairo | Friday
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Light and Sound Show at the Giza´s Pyramids.

  • Breakfast. Transfer to the airport to take the plane to Cairo (flight included). Arrival to EL CAIRO airport and transfer to the hotel. During the evening, visit the Light and Sound Show at the Pyramids of Giza. Accommodation.

Day 17: Cairo | Saturday

  • Transfers to the airport and the end of our services.

Includes:

  • Includes departure transfer
  • Excursion: Valley of the Kings, Colossi of Memnon in Luxor, Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo.
  • Boat: Typical sailing boats felucca in Aswan.
  • Ticket admission: Temples of Luxor and Karnak in Luxor, Necropolis of Thebas, Valley of the Kings, Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu; in Luxor, Temple of Horus in Edfu,Temple of Kom Ombo in Kom Ombo, Red Granite Quarry and Unfinished Obelisk,
    Aswan Dam in Aswan.
  • Flights included: Cairo – Luxor, Aswan – Cairo.
  • 8 Lunch or Dinner Included in: Luxor, Luxor, Luxor, Esna, Kom Ombo, Aswan, Aswan, Aswan.

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