Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Africa. the continent where human beings first came into existence, Customs, traditions & ancient rites tie Africans to generations & ancestors past and to the collective memory of myriad people. There are time-honored ceremonies, music that dates back to the days of Africa's golden empires & masks that tell stories of spirit worlds never lost. In many rural areas, it can feel as though the modern world might never have happened and there is nowhere like it on the planet for wildlife, wild lands & rich traditions that endure. Welcome to Old Africa & prepare to fall in love.

And Middle East is a grand epic, a cradle of civilisations & a beautiful, complicated land that is home to some of the planet's most hospitable people. History Writ Large – it is a story written on the stones that litter the region, from the flagstones of old Roman roads to the building blocks of ancient Egypt & the delicately carved Tombs & Temples from Petra to Persepolis. This is where humankind first built cities & learned to write and it was from here that Judaism, Christianity & Islam all arose. Wherever you find yourself, the past is always the ‘present’ because here, perhaps more than anywhere else on earth, history is the heart & soul of the land.

Welcome to   mystical   Egypt - with its mighty Nile & magnificent monuments, the beguiling desert & lush delta, with its long past & welcoming, story-loving people. With sand-covered Tombs, austere Pyramids & towering Pharaonic Temples, Egypt brings out the ‘student’ in all guests as they explore the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, where Tutankhamun’s Tomb was unearthed & see the glittering finds in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. And you never know - your donkey might stumble across yet another find, for that is the way many previous discoveries were made.

Arrive in the ‘eternal’ city of Cairo set on the Nile River. Romantically known as the City of a Thousand Minarets, the Egyptian capital is a place of extremes, filled with ancient landmarks, snarling traffic, ornate mosques, & glittering modern skyscrapers.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Cairo International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative (holding a placard with your Name), who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in and provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next few days.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Balance of the day free to relax or for optional activities (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make the arrangements).

Monumental History| Artistic Treasures| Living Life

Cairo has been the largest city in Africa & the Middle East ever since the Mongols wasted imperial Baghdad in 1258.

Filled with sights, sounds & smells, many visitors find Cairo's frenetic energy overwhelming; but for those with a sense of humor & a certain amount of patience, it harbors a treasure trove of experiences that cannot be replicated anywhere else. Cairo’s treasures abound, from ancient wonders such as the world’s oldest Pyramid to the earliest Coptic Christian monuments in the Old Town, to bustling Islamic Cairo.

From above, the distorted roar of the Muezzins' call echoes out from duelling minarets. Below, car horns bellow tuneless symphonies amid avenues of faded 19^th century grandeur while donkey carts rattle down dusty lanes lined with colossal Fatimid & Mamluk monuments.

As Egypt has been a prize for conquerors from Alexander the Great to Rommel, so Cairo has been a fulcrum of power in the Arab world from the Crusades unto the present day. Although a relatively modern capital (by Egyptian standards, at least), the city's history is linked to that of Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt's Old Kingdom, dating back more than 2,000 years.

Cairo itself was founded in 969 AD to serve as the new capital of the Fatimid dynasty, eventually incorporating the older capitals of Fustat, al-Askar, & al-Qatta'i. During the 12^th century, the Fatimid dynasty fell to Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt.

Over the following centuries, Cairo's rulership passed from the Sultans to the Mamluks, followed by the Ottomans, the French & the British. Following a period of massive expansion in the first half of the 19^th century, Cairo's residents revolted against the British in 1952 & successfully regained the city's independence.

Cairo is a vast city whose boundaries are difficult to define. More than 22 million people call the chaotic, exotic, smelly, dusty & also beautiful city, home. Many of its neighborhoods (including satellite Nasr City with its shiny shopping malls & embassy enclave Maadi) are technically outside the city limits.

The main tourist neighborhoods include Downtown, Islamic Cairo & Coptic Cairo, while affluent Heliopolis & the island of Zamalek are both known for their restaurants, nightlife & upmarket hotels.

At the heart of the chaotic Downtown designed in the mid-19^th century by a team of European architects, is the modern political landmark like Tahrir Square & the vast Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities including royal Mummies & gilded King Tutankhamun artifacts. Nearby, Giza is the site of the iconic Pyramids & Great Sphinx, dating to the 26^th century BC. In Gezira Island’s leafy Zamalek district, 187 metre Cairo Tower affords panoramic city views.

Dating back to the 6^th century BC, the oldest neighborhood is Coptic Cairo, the site of the Roman settlement of Babylon, famous for its historic Christian monuments. Coptic Churches, huge medieval Gates & Bazaars selling everything from motorbike parts to perfumes.

Perhaps the most interesting section is medieval (Islamic) Cairo, a warren of streets just bustling with life. Islamic Cairo represents the part of the city built by its Fatimid founders. It is a labyrinthine maze of Mosques, Souks & breathtakingly beautiful Islamic monuments, all of which echo to the sound of countless Muezzins calling the faithful to prayer. The Ulema of its 1000year old Al-Azhar Mosque (for centuries the foremost centre of Islamic intellectual life) remains the ultimate religious authority for millions of Sunni Muslims, from Jakarta to Birmingham.

Wherever Arabic is spoken, Cairo's cultural magnetism is felt. Your nerves will jangle, your snot will run black from the smog & touts will hound you at every turn. Every strand of Egyptian society knits & unravels in this febrile megalopolis, acknowledged as Umm Dunya or "Mother of the World" by medieval Arabs, & as Great Cairo by 19^th century Europeans.

Morning, meet the Egyptologist Tour-guide at 08:00 am & proceed for a full day 8 hour excursion to visit the Pyramids.

Drive to Giza Plateau - best known as that part of Cairo closest to the world-famous Pyramids, situated high on the desert plateau immediately to the west of the urban district.

The 3 main Pyramids at Giza - Cheops, Chephren & Mykerinos. are the focal point of the Giza necropolis, or cemetery, that served the elite of the Old Kingdom capital of Egypt at nearby Memphis during the mid to late 4^th Dynasty (around 3^rd millennium BCE). 3 Pharaohs were buried here in turn - Khufu, Khafre & Menkaure - their astounding burials attracted a number of surrounding, associated, burials of their queens, family members & nobility.

One of the premier attractions of Egypt, if not the world, the Pyramids of Giza represent the archetypal pyramid structures of ancient Egyptian civilisation, some of the most famous manmade objects in the world, & together with the Great Sphinx - the legendary guardian that stands by the huge funeral complex with its lion body & the head of King Chephren, at the base of the Giza plateau - are the iconic image of Egypt & whose grandeur remains unsurpassed more than 4,000 years after they were erected.

Marvel at the famous Pyramids & get lots of photos as the Tour-guide explains how these monumental Tombs were built in around 2,500 BC for the 3 Pharaohs.

You have some free time to explore inside one of the Pyramids independently (optional - additional cost & the Tour-guide is not permitted inside). You can also enjoy a camel ride here (optional - additional cost) & absorb the sweeping views over central Cairo. 

Visit the Valley Temple where the Priests mummified the body of King Chephren owner of the 2^nd Pyramid at Giza Plateau.

Although most people associate Egypt with the Pyramids of Giza, there are known to be at least 118 ancient Pyramids scattered around the country, with more being discovered every few years or so. The majority of these monuments are spread out along the desert between the Giza Plateau & the semi-oasis of Al-Fayoum (2 belonging to Kings & 6 to Queens).

There are also a number of pyramids in & around Dashur that are important because they show the evolution, including the failures & the first success of the pyramid builders, as they tried to build the first true, smooth sided pyramid. Other later Pyramids are less spectacular, sometimes made of mudbrick & therefore not as well preserved today, but still important, because they are the first to be decorated with inscriptions & various scenes. For example, the ruined Pyramids of Unas at Sakkara was the first one that we know of to be inscribed with the 128 magical spells of the Pyramid text.

In between, break for lunch & if you want, briefly visit a papyrus institute to see the ancient craft of papyrus painting in action. Watch the artisans at work & perhaps, buy some of the delicate artworks & contribute to local well-being.

If time (& Tour-guide) permits, you might want to take the opportunity for an Optional (direct payment) visit to the Solar Boat Museum, home to the reconstructed funeral barge of Khufu, the pharaoh for whom the largest Giza pyramid was built. Gaze in awe at the wooden boat, and learn how its remnants were discovered & reassembled by archaeologists.


Continue to Memphis, Egypt’s ancient capital & administrative center until around 2,200 BC. 

Memphis is the English name for the present-day site of one of the great ancient capital cities of Egypt, located in & around several villages near the modern capital of Cairo & first established towards the end of the 4^th millennium BCE by the Pharaoh Narmer, at the time of his Unification of Upper Egypt & Lower Egypt.

Memphis was the chief cult city of the Egyptian god of wisdom & craftsmanship, Ptah. Although little remains of their achievements today, having been ravaged by the depredations of time, the flood plain environment & the cannibalising of its stone for the building of medieval Cairo, the Pharaohs & priests of Ptah once endowed the city with vast Temple complexes & built their cemeteries on the desert hills adjoining it to the east and (especially!) to the west. A center of power for over 3,000 years, this aeons-old city is believed to have been purpose-built & was characterized by majestic Temples & Palaces.

It remained the capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom period, at the time when the great Pyramids were being built. Central power returned to the city when the New Kingdom Pharaohs made it once again Egypt's northern & main administrative capital, alongside the religious & ceremonial capital at Luxor in the south.

Although very little remains to be seen on the surface, Memphis features a great Sculpture Museum & allows an evocative insight into both ancient greatness (its transitory nature!) and modern Egyptian rural life. Also, the main ancient necropolis of the city, located nearby on the desert plateau at Saqqara, is worth a visit.

Explore the city’s last remaining vestiges around the villages of Dahshur & Sakkara, and visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed outdoor open-air Museum that houses broken statues, carvings & columns found at the site. Sakkara was also a vast, ancient burial ground which served as the necropolis for the inhabitants of Memphis.

Get fascinating insights into ancient Egypt from your knowledgeable Tour-guide & learn about its heyday in the 3^rd & 2^nd centuries BC, as you immerse yourself in ancient Egypt at this fascinating yet crowd-free site (Memphis attracts fewer visitors than those in Giza, so you can admire in quiet surroundings).

Marvel at the prize exhibit – a spectacularly huge, fallen statue of Ramses II that once stood in the city. See the Alabaster Sphinx which still remains.

Sakkara features numerous Pyramids, including the world-famous Step Pyramid of Djoser - the world's oldest free standing stone structure, sometimes referred to as the Step Tomb due to its rectangular base, as well as a number of mastabas (Arabic word meaning 'bench'), built for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser by his vizier, Imhotep. Constructed in around 2,650 BC, it is considered an important part in the process of the Pyramid evolution.

Admire the incredible, Step Pyramid of Djoser as you learn about the main features of this flat-topped, 4,600 year old Pyramid & how it was built. For example, it is an extremely important as the first Pyramid built in Egypt, though it is not a true, smooth sided one. There are also a number of other Pyramids in & around Dashur that are important because they show the evolution, including the failures & the first success of the Pyramid builders, as they tried to build the first true, smooth sided Pyramid.

Later Pyramids are less spectacular, sometimes made of mudbrick & therefore not as well preserved today, but still important, because they are the first to be decorated with inscriptions & various scenes. For example, the ruined Pyramids of Unas at Sakkara was the first one that we know of to be inscribed with the 128 magical spells of the Pyramid text.

Another 16 Egyptian Kings built Pyramids at Sakkara, which are now in various states of preservation or dilapidation. High officials added private funeral monuments to this necropolis during the entire Pharaonic period & it remained an important complex for non-royal burials & cult ceremonies for more than 3,000 years, well into Ptolemaic & Roman times.

Finally, drive back to the hotel in Cairo.

Balance of the evening is at leisure to relax or for optional exploration (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08:30 am, proceed to the internationally renowned Museum of Egyptian Antiquities which features artifacts from the Pharaonic period. for a 3 hour experience.

Although the entire Museum is filled with artifacts from as far back as the prehistoric period, the most renowned exhibit is, without a doubt, the collection of treasures once belonging to the reign of the boy pharaoh - King Tutankhamun - gold & jewelry which was enclosed in his tomb for over 3,500 years before it was discovered in the 1920s when the tomb was discovered. Don't miss the astonishing solid gold death mask & six gilded coffins.

The Museum displays a rare collection of 5000 years of art which is considered the largest most precious collection of Egyptian art in the world.

Other highlights include the Amarna Room, devoted to Akhenaten; the Greco-Roman mummies; and the larger-than-life statue of Khafre, considered by many to be the museum's masterpiece.

From the Royal Mummy Room to a number of glittering galleries showcasing finery extracted from various ancient tombs, there is a ton to see. The Mummy Room contains 27 royal Mummies from Pharaonic times, now displays 9 Mummies of the New Kingdom kings & queens. One of them is the newly discovered mummy of Queen Hatsheput

The extensive collection of over 165,000 items of ancient Egyptian antiquities, with a representative amount on display, the remainder in storerooms. Treasures include everyday objects, Tombs, jewelry & Mummies from the prehistoric Egyptian period through to the Roman era.

Getting around to all 107 halls in one trip is tough, so you will want to choose a few subjects or exhibits that are most important to you.  With thousands of artifacts on show, the Museum can be overwhelming without guidance.

Knowing where to start can be daunting so step back in time as the Egyptologist Tour-guide helps you navigate & introduce you to the highlights of the Egyptian & Roman collections (if there’s anything you want to see more or less of, let your Tour-guide know).

View the star attraction - the Tutankhamun exhibits - admire his spectacular, solid gold death mask, coffins, chariots & other funerary riches.

See other Pharaonic furnishings, sarcophagi & everyday objects, Roman-era funerary paintings & more, as your Tour-guide recounts their history.

If you wish, visit the Royal Mummies Room (optional - additional cost), another showpiece. Enter this climate-controlled room to view the Mummies of Egyptian rulers such as Ramses II - builder of Luxor’s Karnak Temple.

After introducing you to the main attractions, your Tour-guide will give you free time to explore further on your own & meet him / her at the predetermined time / place.

Return to the hotel & Check-out by 12:00 noon (we will request the hotel to allow you to use the hotel facilities & leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

Later in the afternoon, meet the Tour-guide again at 02.00 pm & proceed for a 4 hour ‘walking’ tour of the city.

A ‘walking’ tour of Islamic Cairo takes you from one of the remaining gates of the city, Bab el-Futuh, to Khan el-Khalili Bazaar for a few hours of browsing and bargaining among its bustling stalls. The two monumental gateways, Bab el-Futuh (Gate of Conquests) and Bab el-Nasr (Gate of Victory), mark the northern edge of Fatimid Cairo. Between the two lie the remains of the fortified wall which once encircled the city and which still gives the impression of invulnerability. Beside the Gate of Victory stands the El-Hakim Mosque, built during the first years following 1,000 AD. A place of worship for a mainly Indian Shiite sect, it was extensively restored with concrete and marble in 1980 losing much of its restrained beauty in the process

Discover Cairo's Islamic heritage, as you visit to the medieval Citadel of Salah el-Din, containing within its walls the Ottoman-style alabaster mosque of Mohammed Ali. Cairo, “City of a thousand minarets”, is not considered by Muslims to be as holy a city as Mecca, Medina or Jerusalem. Its streets and alleyways do however conceal treasures of Islamic art, many of which, although crumbling, offer a dazzling sight to anyone who knows how and where to look.

The Khan - el - Khalili Bazaar is the domain of shopkeepers & tourists. Jewellery, items made from copper, marquetry boxes, imitations of pharaonic objects, semi-precious stones, rugs, blown-glass dishes & other souvenirs are bought & sold in the shops grouped by trades along the narrow streets. It is a place to meander, bargain & lose one’s way…but not miss out on a cup of tea or karkade at the bazaar’s famous Cafe Fishawy.

You would also visit the Hanging Church,   the most famous Coptic Christian church in Cairo, as well as possibly the first built in Basilican style.

The Hanging (The Suspended) Church derives its name from its location above a gatehouse of the Roman fortress in the Old or Coptic Cairo area with its nave suspended above the passage. It was probably built during the patriarchate of Isaac (690-92), though an earlier church building may have existed elsewhere dating as earlier as the 3^rd or 4^th century.  The church is approached by 29 steps; early travelers to Cairo dubbed it "the Staircase Church." The entrance from the street is through iron gates under a pointed stone arch. The 19^th century facade with twin bell towers is then seen beyond a narrow courtyard decorated with modern art biblical designs.

Maybe the oldest existing synagogue in Cairo, the Ben Ezra Synagogue or El-Geniza.

The Synagogue is located right behind the Hanging Church & was originally a Christian church, which the Coptic Christians of Cairo had to sell to the Jews in 882 AD in order to pay the annual taxes imposed by the Muslim rulers of the time. The church was purchased by Abraham Ben Ezra, who came from Jerusalem during the reign of Ahmed Ibn Tulun, for 20,000 dinars. The Synagogue was a place of pilgrimage for North African Jews & the site of major festival celebrations.  Numerous restorations & renovations were made over the centuries, and the present building dates from 1892. It is a faithful reconstruction of the original, which had collapsed. During the reconstruction, a medieval Geniza (a hiding place for sacred books and worn-out Torah scrolls) was discovered, revealing thousands of original documents from the Middle Ages. Today, Ben Ezra Synagogue is a historical monument & the most-visited Jewish site in Cairo. Be prepared to pass through security in order to enter the synagogue.

The sightseeing concludes.

Return to the hotel to freshen up & pick up the luggage.

In time, you will then be met by a Journeys Driver / Rep who will transfer you to the Cairo Ramses Station to board your overnight ‘Sleeper’ train for Luxor.

Despite being a tourist class train, facilities aboard the overnight train, are basic. Accommodation is in 2 berth cabins which convert to bunk beds. All bedding is provided on board & western-style toilets are located in each carriage. Your bags will be stored in your cabin, where airline-style dinner & breakfast will be served.

On arrival at Luxor Station in the morning, you will be met by a Journeys Rep who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the departure point for the tour of Luxor, where you will meet other members of the Group, who would be your co-passengers on the Cruise.

Please stand right outside of the Carriage exit. If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Station & make your own way to the hotel.

Luxor built on & around the ancient site of Thebes, is one of Egypt's great attractions. It is also commonly known as the world's largest open air museum, filled with awe inspiring monuments of ancient civilization as well as some of the best preserved.

Testaments to a desire for immortality, built for eternity in sandstone and granite, the Temples, Tombs & Palaces still stand, surrounded by souks & luxury hotels. On the east bank of the Nile, in the City of the Living, Luxor & Karnak Temples greet the sunrise. The sunset on the west bank throws shadows through the City of the Dead - the Tombs of the Nobles, the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut's Temple.

Visitors have been coming here since the Greco-Roman times. Today, you can walk through history: past statues with the heads of gods & animals, beneath carved lotus buds & papyrus.

On the east bank of the Nile, in the City of the Living, Luxor & Karnak Temples greet the sunrise. The sunset on the west bank throws shadows through the City of the Dead: the Tombs of the Nobles, the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut's temple.

Visitors have been coming here since the Greco-Roman times. Today, you can walk through history - past statues with the heads of gods & animals, beneath carved lotus buds & papyrus.

Meet the Tour-guide & proceed to explore the incredible Temple of Karnak, the construction & development of which spanned the Middle Kingdom to Ptolemaic times. The Temple grew from the contributions of nearly 30 Pharaohs, making this magnificent structure the largest ancient religious site in the world, covering about 200 acres.

Walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall, its columns expertly aligned over an area of 50,000 square feet.

The 3 hour sightseeing concludes.

You will then be transferred to the Pier where you will board your Cruise Ship which will be your floating hotel on the Nile for the next 4 nights.

Check-in & enjoy lunch on board.

Later in the afternoon at 02.00 pm, meet the Tour-guide again to continue your 3 hour sightseeing.

Visit the West Bank to see the Valley of the Kings & Queens where you will see the Necropolis of Thebes, the burial grounds of the great pharaohs of the New Kingdom.

The magnificent monuments of Ancient Thebes stand proudly near the banks of the Nile around the modern city of Luxor. Today, Thebes has some of the finest monuments & most precious relics of ancient Egypt, including the extraordinary collections of art & artefacts in the tombs of the kings & queens, notably that of the young pharaoh Tutankhamun.

They include the Temples of Luxor & Karnak within the city (which you saw in the morning), the Colossi of Memnon, the temples of Deir al-Bahri & Medinat Habu and the concealed tombs of the Valleys of the Kings & Queens on the west bank.

Marvel at one of the most characteristic of Egyptian temples, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt's first female pharaoh at El-Deir El Bahari situated in a dramatic setting with a limestone backdrop.

Continue on to see the Colossi of Memnon.

When it comes to the task of reflecting the magnificence of the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, Colossi of Memnon does just that. Known to the locals as es-Salamat or el-Colossat, the site holds 2 colossal stone figures of the Pharaoh seated on his throne with his hands on his knees & a straight gaze eastwards - 20 metres high with 2 metres long & 1 metre thick feet cut out of single blocks of quartzite sandstone from el Gabal el-Ahmar - erected in 1350 BC, to act as guards to a Theban necropolis along the Nile River, when he was considered as a living god on earth.

One of the figures aptly called the Northern statue has a smaller figure on the side resembling the Pharaoh’s mother Mutemwia. The Southern statue has smaller figures of Tiy, Pharaoh’s wife & one of his daughters. On the sides of the sculpture are depictions of Nile gods representing Upper & Lower Egypt.

Aside from the huge statues, the site also has remaining artifacts. There are 2 headless lion bodied sphinxes & a crocodile tailed sphinx. With the efforts to preserve the remaining artifacts, may the pieces be available to tourists of the future generations.

Return to the Ship.

Balance of the day is at leisure or perhaps, go for one of the Optional (additional cost), activities available here (ride in a horse-drawn caleche or sail in a felucca or take a sunset cruise or see the city from a hot-air balloon).

Enjoy breakfast as you cruise northward to Qena on a scenic route far from the crowds & other cruise ships.

Get off & accompanied by the Tour-guide, visit the beautiful Ptolemaic Temple of Hathor at Denderah, with its massive stone roof, dark chambers, underground passages & inscribed columns. This temple, as well as the surrounding area, served as a Coptic Orthodox Monastery during the Roman persecution which reached its peak in the 3rd century AD. Traces of the basilica surrounding the temple can still be viewed.

Return to the on the Ship & sail back towards Luxor.

Enjoy lunch on board.

Then, stop on the East Bank of the Nile to explore Luxor Temple - one of the best preserved of all of the ancient monuments with large amounts of the structure, statuary & relief carvings still intact.

The Temple is dedicated to Amon, king of the gods, his consort Mut & their son Khonsu and was once the focus of one of the most important religious festivals in ancient Egypt - the annual Opet Festival. During this festival the cult statues of Amun, Mut & Khonsu would travel from Karnak to Luxor & as a result, the Temple is not aligned to the river (as is more usual) but to the Temple complex at Karnak.

It is also said that the temple was in fact dedicated to the royal Ka, which was symbolically joined to the living king during the Opet festival. Thus, the Luxor Temple was a shrine of the King's cult and not just for the Theban god Amon & his family. It may have been where many of the kings of Egypt were crowned in reality or conceptually (as in the case of Alexander the Great who claimed he was crowned at Luxor).

Using sandstone blocks from Nubia, construction of the temple was begun by the pharaoh Amenhotep III (1390-52 BC) & gradually expanded by Tutankhamen (1336-27 BC) & Horemheb (1323-1295 BC) & Rameses II (1279-13 BC). The temple complex is surrounded by mud-brick walls, symbolic of the separation between the world & the sacred realm of the gods.

The entrance to the temple known as the first pylon, was built by Ramesses II & was decorated with scenes of his military expeditions, in particular his triumph at the battle of Kadesh.

Two red granite Obelisks originally stood in front of the first pylon at the rear of the forecourt, but only one, more than 25 meters high, now remains. The other was removed to Paris where it now stands in the center of the Place de la Concorde. 6 colossal statues of Ramesses II, two of them seated, flanked the entrance, though today only the 2 seated ones have survived. The one to the east was known as “Ruler of the Two Lands”.

To the rear of the temple are Chapels built by Amenhotep III of the 18^th Dynasty & Alexander. During the Roman era, the temple & its surroundings were a legionary fortress and the home of the Roman governor in the area. Inside the courtyard of Ramses lies the Mosque of Abu el-Haggag which was built over a portion of the temple in the 19^th century AD.

Return to the Ship after the 4 hour exploration.

Balance of the evening is at leisure. 

Morning, cruise to the town of Edfu, the Greek city of Apollinopolis Magna.

The provincial town of Edfu was the 'home' & an ancient pagan cult centre of the falcon god Horus of Behdet (ancient name for Edfu), the avenging son of Isis & Osiris.

The Ptolemaic Temple of Horus (also known as the Temple of Edfu) where the god is worshipped, as it exists today, is an ancient settlement & Cemetery site from around 3000 BC onward. Just outside town, there are some ancient Pyramids. It is believed by the Egyptians to be the site of a famous battle between Set - the God of Chaos & Horus. 200 years ago, the Temple was buried by sand, rubble & part of the village of Edfu, after the pagan cult was banned. But, the desert sand also preserved the building & with its roof intact, it is one of the most atmospheric of ancient buildings, similar in style to the Temple of Hathor in Dendera. Excavation was begun by archeologist Auguste Mariette in the mid 19^th century.

The 2^nd largest in Egypt after the Karnak Temple in Luxor, this Temple is considered the best-preserved cult Temple in Egypt, partly because it was built later than most: in the Ptolemaic era from 237 to 57 BC.  Yet despite its later date, it exactly reflects traditional Pharaonic architecture & provides an excellent idea of how all the Temples once looked.

Started by Ptolemy III in 237 BC, on the site of an earlier & smaller New Kingdom structure, the sandstone Temple was completed some 180 years later by Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos, Cleopatra VII’s father. In conception & design it follows the general plan, scale, ornamentation & traditions of Pharaonic architecture, right down to the Egyptian attire worn by Greek Pharaohs depicted in the Temple’s reliefs.

Although it is much newer than cult Temples at Luxor or Abydos, its excellent state of preservation helps to fill in many historical gaps; it is, in effect, a 2000 year old example of an architectural style that was already archaic during Ptolemaic times.

Proceed on a horse drawn carriage to explore the most completely preserved pharaonic Temple, entered via a long row of shops selling tourist stuff & a new Visitor Centre with a room for showing a 15 minutes film on the history of the temple in English.

Come back to the Ship.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax as you set sail for Kom Ombo, where the Ship will dock.

 Kom Ombo famous for the Temple of Sobek & Haroeris (also known as Temple of Kom Ombo) stands on a promontory at a bend in the Nile, at the north end of the largest area of agricultural land south of Gebel el-Silsila, between Aswan & Edfu. Situated on a plateau cut by 2 long dry streams which isolated the site, it provides one of the most spectacular settings of any of Egypt's river Temples. Originally, the city was called Nubt, meaning City of Gold & it became a Greek settlement during the Greco-Roman Period. There are also Tombs from the Old Kingdom in the vicinity of Kom-Ombo village.

In later times, Kom Ombo was situated at the terminus of 2 caravan routes, one running westward through the Kurkur Oasis to Tomas in Nubia, while the other ran from Daraw through the Eastern Desert, regaining the Nile at Berber. Those routes were regularly used during early modern times, although how old they are, is uncertain.

On the opposite side of the Nile was a suburb of Ombos, called Contra-Ombos. The city was a bishopric before the Muslim conquest, and under the name Ombi is included in the Catholic Church's list of titular sees. Karol Wojtyła (the future Pope John Paul II) was titular bishop of Ombi from 1958 until 1963, when he was appointed Archbishop of Krakow.

Since this bend in the Nile was a favored spot for crocodiles to bask in the sun & threaten locals, it is natural that the temple would be dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god. The crocodile was held in especial honor by the people of Ombos & in the adjacent catacombs are occasionally found mummies of the sacred animal. The Roman coins of the Ombite nome exhibit the crocodile & effigy of the crocodile-headed god Sobek.

Early morning, accompanied by the Tour-guide, proceed to visit the Temple of Sobek & Haroeris, built on a high dune overlooking the Nile, by Ptolemy VI Philometor in the early 2^nd century BC & it evolved under successive rulers. There are also tombs from the Old Kingdom in the vicinity of Kom-Ombo village which you will visit, time permitting.

The Temple of Kom Ombo is an unusual double Temple. The building is unique because its 'double' design meant that there were courts, halls, sanctuaries & rooms duplicated for 2 sets of gods. The Temple is atypical because everything is perfectly symmetrical along the main axis.

The structure is built of local sandstone from Gebel el-Silsila. Apparently, troops stationed at Kom Ombo (it was a training ground for African elephants used by the army during the Ptolemaic Period) built much of the temple. The use of elephants was actually a Ptolemaic innovation, as was the use of camels in Egypt.

The southern half was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, god of fertility & creator of the world with Hathor & Khonsu. Meanwhile, the northern part of the Temple was dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris, also known as Horus the Elder, along with Tasenetnofret (the Good Sister). This was why the Temple was called both "House of the Crocodile" & "Castle of the Falcon".

The Temple had a specific theology and the texts & reliefs found there refer to cultic liturgies which were similar to those from that time period. The characters invoked the gods of Ombos & their legend.

Overall, the relief sculpture is typical of the Ptolemaic & Roman periods, with very deeply carved sunken reliefs on the exterior walls & columns, and fine quality bas-relief on the interior walls. Much of the relief is covered with a very thin layer of plaster & the original color survives in many places. The decorations of the inner rooms depict Ptolemy VI & Cleopatra II, and Ptolemy VII with Cleopatra II & Cleopatra III.

The scene on the inner face of the rear wall of the Temple is of particular interest as there is a rare engraved image of what is thought to be the first representation of medical instruments for performing surgery, including scalpels, curettes, forceps, dilator, scissors & prescription medicine bottles dating from the days of Roman Egypt and two goddesses sitting on birthing chairs. Archeologists found an image which they named Nilometer used to measure the level of the river waters & helped predict the coming harvest.

Little remains of the New Kingdom Temple. Much of the Temple has been destroyed by the Nile, earthquakes & later builders who used its stones for other projects. Some of the reliefs inside were defaced by Copts who once used the Temple as a Church. All the Temple buildings in the southern part of the plateau were cleared of debris & restored by French archeologist Jacques de Morgan in 1893,

A few of the almost 300 crocodile mummies discovered in the vicinity are displayed in The Crocodile Museum.

Return to the Ship & sail for Aswan enjoying the scenic views up & down on Egypt’s river of destiny.

As you sail past quaint ethnic villages, you will see white clad farmers with their donkeys, camels & water buffalos, working in the lush green fields. And ever present on the horizon just beyond the palm trees is the sandy desert.

Arrive in Aswan, Egypt’s most southern city that has always been the country's main gate to the rest of Africa. In the ancient Nubian lands, Aswan seems to close the doors on the Middle East & to open those on Africa.

The picturesque Aswan located in the ancient Nubian lands, seems to close the doors on the Middle East and to open those on Africa. No ivory or precious woods can be found on its narrow streets today but the 3^rd largest city in Egypt is full of the scent of spices straight from the south.

In addition to rich history & stunning scenery, the city of Aswan offers opportunities to experience true African culture in the surrounding Nubian villages.

The Nubian people, recognisable from their shiny black skin, possess a dignity & easy grace which give the Sudanese a similar appeal. In addition to rich history & stunning scenery, Aswan offers opportunities to experience true African culture in the surrounding Nubian villages. Sudanese people are present in fairly large numbers in Aswan enjoying life at a slow pace.

No ivory or precious woods can be found on its narrow streets today but the 3^rd largest city in Egypt is full of the scent of spices straight from the south. The bustling souk adopts the colours & smells of incense & herbs & one can see Sudanese women vendors, wearing their traditional long, brightly coloured veils wrapped around the bodies, walking around.

Sitting in the shadow of more popular Luxor (due to its more famous sites), Aswan is unique in its own right, illustrating traces of wonderful Nubian culture & history, along with contemporary modern structures such as the Aswan high Dam which mixes with the old Pharaonic history such as Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk & more.

There are plenty of things to see, but it is not a place to hurry. Aswan is a very special city which combines the beauty of the Nile Valley & the mysteries of ancient Egyptian Temples. In addition to rich history & stunning scenery, Aswan offers opportunities to experience true African culture in the surrounding colourful Nubian villages with their colourful houses standing out against the backdrop of the West Bank’s desert escarpment.

On the northern end of the First Cataract, marking ancient Egypt's southern frontier, Aswan has always been of great strategic importance. In ancient times, it was a garrison town for the military campaigns against Nubia; its quarries provided the granite used for so many sculptures & obelisks.

The Nile is wide, languorous & beautiful here, flowing gently down from Lake Nasser around dramatic black-granite boulders & palm-studded islands. The large island of Seheyl & the village of Gharb Seheyl, situated just north of the old Aswan Dam, have various laid-back guesthouses & offer an opportunity to swim in the river.

Afternoon, visit the Aswan High Dam & learn more about this architectural, technological & engineering modern marvel. Egypt's accomplishment & a contemporary example of building on a monumental scale.

Plans for the Aswan Dam began at the end of the 19^th century, when Egypt’s fast-growing population made it imperative to cultivate more agricultural land, only possible by regulating the flow of the Nile, which would also ensure the river did not burst its banks during the flood. British engineer Sir William Willcocks started construction in 1898 above the First Cataract, with the dam structure made almost entirely of Aswan granite. It was raised twice to meet demand, not only to increase the area of cultivable land but also to provide hydroelectric power. Today the old dam generates hydroelectricity only for a nearby factory producing fertilisers.

The Dam or more specifically since the 1960s, the Aswan High Dam is an embankment Dam built across the Nile in Aswan & took 11 years to build. It has a towering height of 111 metres, a base width of 980 metres & measures 2441 metres across. Aswan Dam was a feat of engineering for its time & the largest Dam in the world. Although not an attraction in itself, the road that runs across the top of the dam (which you'll take if heading to the Airport or Abu Simbel) has excellent Nile views.

The Dam led to the creation of Lake Nasser & it now generates electricity for most of Egypt & is also a prime source of drinking water. Consisting of 12 generators each rated at 175 megawatts, it generates a whopping 2.1 gigawatts. The project is commemorated by a lotus-shaped monument at the western end of the Dam.

Frequent flooding of the Nile sometimes led to the destruction of whole crops & widespread drought. Over the years the Dam has protected Egypt from several drought periods between 1972 to 1973 & 1983 to 1987 that would have been utterly devastating.

The Aswan Dam has also proved to be culturally beneficial as over 22 monuments & archaeological excavations were spared the threat of being flooded

Continuing on, walk to the Pier to board a motorboat or a Felucca for a short ride to the captivating Island of Agilika located in the low Dam reservoir downstream of Lake Nasser & Aswan Dam, to see one of the most amazing places here - the Philae Temple, one of the last strongholds of ancient Egyptian religion & dedicated to goddess Isis. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Nectanebo I in between 362-389 BC.

Philae in Greek or Pilak in ancient Egyptian, means ‘the end,’ defining the southern-most limit of Egypt. It was begun by Ptolemy II & completed by the Roman Emperors. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, it was one of the last strongholds of ancient Egyptian religion which attracted pilgrims for thousands of years & was one of the last pagan temples to operate after the arrival of Christianity. And since Philae was said to be one of the burying-places of Osiris, it was held in high reverence both by the Egyptians to the north & the Nubians (often referred to as "Ethiopians" in Greek) to the south. This sacred site was venerated from the Pharaonic era up to the Greek, Roman & Byzantine periods with each ruler adding their own stamp onto the stones here. 

During the construction of the old Aswan Dam, the Temple was flooded for 6 months each year, allowing travellers to row boats among the partially submerged columns to peer down through the translucent green at the wondrous sanctuaries of the mighty gods below. After the completion of the High Dam, the Temple would have entirely disappeared had UNESCO not intervened & saved it from a watery grave.

Between 1972 & 1980, the Government in conjunction with UNESCO decided to dismantle the massive Temple, stone by stone from Philae Island & meticulously reassembled it 20m higher on nearby Agilika Island which was landscaped to resemble the original sacred isle of Isis. One of the things that separate the Philae Temple is the unparalleled archaeological & architectural wealth most of it in near-mint condition. Today, the temples continue to work their charm on all who visit.

In the central court of the Temple of Isis, the mammisi is dedicated to Horus, son of Isis & Osiris. Successive Pharaohs reinstated their legitimacy as the mortal descendants of Horus by taking part in rituals celebrating the Isis legend & the birth of her son Horus in the marshes.

The 2^nd Pylon leads to a hypostyle hall, with superb column capitals & beyond lie 3 vestibules, leading into the Inner Sanctuary of Isis. Two granite shrines stood here, one containing a gold statue of Isis & another containing the barque in which the statue travelled, but these were long ago moved to Florence & Paris & only the stone pedestal for the barque remains, inscribed with the names of Ptolemy III & his wife, Berenice.

Take a side door west out of the hypostyle hall to the Gate of Hadrian where there is an image of the god Hapi, sitting in a cave at the First Cataract, representing the source of the river Nile.

East of the 2^nd Pylon is the delightful Temple of Hathor, decorated with reliefs of musicians (including an ape playing the lute) & Bes, the god of childbirth. South of this is the elegant, unfinished pavilion by the water’s edge, known as the Kiosk of Trajan (Pharaoh’s Bed), perhaps the most famous of Philae’s monuments & one that was frequently painted by Victorian artists, whose boats were moored beneath it.

Heading north, you walk down the outer Temple court, which has colonnades running along both sides; the western one is the most complete, with windows that originally overlooked the island of Bigga. At the end is the entrance of the Temple of Isis, marked by the 18m high towers of the first pylon with reliefs of Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos smiting enemies.

There are other principal structures situated at the south end on the smaller islands, with the other ruins mostly sharing a more Roman influence.

Continue your explorations with a visit to the granite quarries, site of the famed Unfinished Obelisk.

The ancient Egyptian Obelisk’s were of significant importance as they stood in front of Temples generally in pairs as an indication to the Grand entrances. Mostly constructed of red granite which was hewn from the granite rock at points along the River Nile then, sailed to their destination points as far as Cairo & Alexandria.

This massive stone column nicknamed the Unfinished Obelisk was cut out from the bedrock, but was abandoned after a flaw in the stone was discovered. Had it been finished, the Obelisk would have weighed 1168 tons & stood nearly 42m high.  It is assumed that this was the intended mate for the so-called Lateran Obelisk in Rome, which originally stood before the Temple of Tuthmosis III at Karnak & is still credited as being the largest Obelisk in the world.

From chisel marks & discarded tools, Archeologists have been able to deduce the extraordinary skill with which Egyptian masons worked on the native granite & the Pharaonic quarrying techniques, such as soaking wooden wedges to split fissures & using quartz sand slurry as an abrasive. When its hieroglyphs were compared with those of the Rosetta Stone, it threw great light upon the Egyptian consonantal alphabet.

There are more Obelisks worldwide now that left Egypt, having been bought or stolen by various Governments & shipped overseas to be placed in prominent positions in major cities such as Rome (11 in Italy in total), Paris, London (4 in the UK), Istanbul, Israel, Poland & New York City along with many still in place at Temples & locations in Egypt (8 in total left in Egypt as of now).

Walk through the quarries past some ancient pictographs of dolphins & ostriches, painted by quarry workers centuries back.

The tour concludes & you return to the ship.

If conditions permit, sail around Aswan islands in a felucca (sailboat).

Morning after breakfast, the Cruise program comes to an end.

Disembark & meet The Journeys Rep who will transfer to Aswan Airport for the short flight to Abu Simbel, a village in Nubia, southern frontier of pharaonic Egypt, near the border with Sudan.     

On arrival at Abu Simbel Airport, you would be welcomed by the Egyptologist Tour-guide & immediately proceed for a visit to the Temples (Tour-guides are not permitted inside either the Great Temple of Ramses II or the smaller Temple of Hathor).

Laid-back & quiet, the Nubian town of Abu Simbel lies only 40 km north of the Sudanese border, on the western bank of the artificial Lake Nasser, about 230 km southwest of Aswan.

It is famous for 2 spectacular colossal rock Temples, part of UNESCO's Nubian Monuments World Heritage site, desert scenery & millennia-old monuments set amidst soaring cliffs.

The Temples were once in danger of being flooded with the construction of the Aswan High Dam but were saved via an extensive project to cut the temples into pieces & move them to higher ground, where they are seen today. By means of a complex engineering feat between 1963 - 1968, a workforce with an international team of engineers & scientists, supported by funds from more than 50 countries, dug away the top of the cliff & completely disassembled both Temples, reconstructing them on high ground more than 200 feet above their previous site. In all, some 16,000 blocks were moved & the Temples were salvaged from the rising waters of the Nile.

Possibly the most awe-inspiring Temples in all ancient Egypt, the 2 massive Sun Temples at Abu Simbel, carved out of a sandstone cliff on the western bank of Lake Nasser, were built by the Egyptian king Ramses II Egypt's longest-ruling Pharaoh (reigned 1279 - 13 BCE) to revere the mighty Pharaonic ruler himself. Ramses the Bold, Ramses the Great, Ramses the narcissist are perhaps all apt titles for one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful rulers. Built to demonstrate his political clout & divine backing to the ancient Nubians, Abu Simbel is an incredible self-tribute.

Over the centuries, the desert sands imperceptibly shifted until the Temple was all but lost to humanity. Only one of the heads of the Pharaohs was showing & a small part of the rest of the Temple peeked above the desert sands. The Temples were unknown to the outside world till they emerged as a historical treasure only after the discovery in 1813 - 17 by the early Egyptologist Giovanni Battista Belzoni & by the Swiss researcher Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. But it wasn’t until the British happened upon the Temple & started excavating earnestly that the full glory of Abu Simbel was revealed to the modern world.

The Temple itself, dedicated to the sun gods Amon-Re & Re-Horakhte, consists of 3 consecutive halls extending 185 feet into the cliff, decorated with more Osiride statues of the King & with painted scenes of his purported victory at the Battle of Kadesh.

The other rock cut Temple at Abu Simbel is the Temple of Hathor, which is fronted by 6 massive standing statues, Guarding the entrance to the Temple, hewn into the side of a mountain, are 4 colossal statues, spectacular examples of ancient Egyptian art, of the Pharaoh King Ramses II himself. The other 2 are of his beloved wife, Queen Nefertari.

The 66 foot seated figures of Ramses are set against the recessed face of the cliff, 2 on either side of the entrance to the main Temple. Carved around their feet are small figures representing Ramses’ children, his queen, Nefertari, & his mother, Muttuy (or Queen Ti). Graffiti inscribed on the southern pair by Greek mercenaries serving Egypt in the 6^th century BC have provided important evidence of the early history of the Greek alphabet.

Illustrating the knowledge of the sciences, exhibited by ancient civilizations and in a fit of precision & architectural egotism, Ramses II had the Great Temple carefully angled & oriented in a strategic geometric placement so that the sun’s rays would align twice a year on the date of his ascension to the throne (22 February) & on his birthday (22 October) to illuminate the inner sanctum of the Temple.

This incredible phenomenon when the first rays of the morning sun penetrate the whole length of the temple & illuminate the shrine in its innermost sanctuary, provides for a most spectacular sight, which has come to be referred to as the Sun Festival of King Ramses II. Crowds assemble in to the Temple before sunrise & watch the shafts of light slowly creep through the inner Hypostyle Hall & through to the Sanctuary. Significantly, the Sun illuminate statues of Amun-Re, Re-Herakhte & Ramses the god, whilst the statue of Ptah - the god of darkness, remains in the shadows.

On the short walk to the entrance, the Tour-guide will explain the history of the site, including details of the UNESCO-led relocation of the entire cliff face to higher ground, and how the temples were discovered by accident in 1813.

Using photos & illustrations, the Tour- guide will explain about the structures & interior artworks. As one of the few ancient Egyptian sites which largely escaped damage by past invaders, the interiors of Abu Simbel’s temples are astounding.

Learn the stories behind Abu Simbel’s detailed bas-reliefs & hieroglyphs, take in the unusual dedications to Queen Nefertari & slip inside her own exquisite temple.  Stand beneath the colossi that guard the Great Temple and spot carved baboons high on the rock face.

The scale of the buildings and their detailed decoration leaves most visitors in awe. The temples' attraction is further enhanced by their scenic location on the edge of Lake Nasser in the orange sands of the desert.

After visiting the Temples, there may be time for a short visit to the small Visitor Center which documents the UNESCO relocation project. You will then have free time to enter the Temples & explore them at your leisure.

In time, you would be transferred back to the Airport to continue on your onward flight to Cairo.

Arrive at Cairo Airport & relax till Checking-in to depart for Amman (No Rep inside the Airport).

Arrive in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan situated at the crossroads of Asia, Africa & Europe, within the Levant region, on the East Bank of the Jordan River. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Palestine & the West Bank of the Jordan.  

Once an important trading center of the Roman Empire & straddling the ancient Holy Land of the world's 3 great monotheistic religions, Jordan is a tiny desert kingdom wrapped in history & continues to enthral a whole new generation as a modern, vibrant nation. Over the years, Jordan has grown into a stable, peaceful & modern country.

Jordan, which once captivated ancient travellers, is one of those places that most North Americans know nothing about. We remember that it was mentioned was in the Bible & we think that the one scene from Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade was shot there, but that is about all we have. We also have a vague notion that Jordan & the Middle East as a whole, really isn’t a great place for travelers.

A safe haven in a region of conflict, Jordan has delighted visitors with its World Heritage Sites, friendly towns & inspiring desert landscapes.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Amman Queen Alia International Airport, subsequent to Customs & Immigration, you will be met by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort and discuss the program for the next few days. He / she will provide the transfer to the hotel, help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes after you exit in the Arrivals Hall, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel.

Reach the hotel & Check-in & relax.

Amman, the modern capital of Jordan, is one of the oldest inhabited places in the world. A fascinating city of contrasts - a unique blend of old & new, ideally situated on a hilly area between the desert & the fertile Jordan Valley.

In the commercial heart of the city, ultra-modern buildings, hotels, smart restaurants, art galleries & boutiques rub shoulders comfortably with traditional coffee shops & tiny artisans' workshops. Everywhere there is evidence of the city's much older past. Recent excavations have uncovered homes & towers believed to have been built during the Stone Age.

With many references to it in the Bible (then known as Rabbath-Ammon, the capital of the Ammonites), it was also referred to as the “City of Waters’. In the 3^rd century BC, the city was renamed Philadelphia after the Ptolemaic ruler Philadelphus. The city later came under Seleucid as well as Nabtean rule, until the Roman General Pompey annexed Syria & made Philadelphia part of the Decapolis League - a loose alliance of initially ten free city-states under overall allegiance to Rome. Under the influence of the Roman culture, Philadelphia was reconstructed in typically grand Roman style with colonnaded streets, baths, a theatre and impressive public buildings.

During the Byzantine period, Philadelphia was the seat of a Bishop & therefore several churches were built. The city declined somewhat until the year 635AD. As Islam spread northwards from the Arabian Peninsula, the land became part of its domain. It reverted to its original Semitic name Ammon or Amman.

The ancient capital was spread over 19 hills, or "jebels". Often referred to as the white city due to its low size canvas of stone houses, the city offers a variety of historical sites. Towering above Amman, the site of the earliest fortifications is now subject to numerous excavations which have revealed remains from the Neolithic period as well as from the Hellenestic & late Roman to Arab Islamic Ages. 

Amman’s modern history began in the late 19^th century, when the Ottomans resettled a colony of Circassian emigrants in 1878. As the Great Arab revolt progressed and the State of Transjordan was established, King Abdullah I, the founder of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, made Amman his capital in 1921.

Due to the city's modern-day prosperity & temperate climate, almost half of Jordan's population is concentrated in the city area. The residential suburbs consist of mainly tree-lined streets & avenues flanked by elegant, almost uniformly white houses in accordance with a municipal law, which states that all buildings must be faced with local stone.

The downtown area is much older & more traditional with smaller businesses producing & selling everything from fabulous jewellery to everyday household items. The people of Amman are multi-cultural, multi-denominational, well-educated & extremely hospitable. They welcome visitors & take pride in showing them around their fascinating & vibrant city.

The 3 Museums located here, that offer a glimpse of history & culture - the Jordan Archaeological Museum, the Folklore Museum & the Museum of Popular Tradition. 

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08.00 am & proceed for a 3 hour sightseeing tour of this biblical city & then proceeding for Dead Sea, enroute stopping at Jerash & Ajloun.

There are a number of renovations & excavations taking place that have revealed remains from the Neolithic period, as well as from the Hellenestic & late Roman to Arab Islamic Ages.

The site which is known as the Citadel includes many structures such as the Temple of Hercules, the Umayyad Palace and the Byzantine Church. At the foot of the Citadel lies the 6,000 seat Roman Theatre, which is a deep-sided bowl carved into the hill and is still being used for cultural events. Another newly restored theatre is the 500-seat Odeon that is used for concerts. The three main museums here offer a glimpse of history & culture.

Visit the Citadel, Museum, Amphitheatre, Folklore Museum, & King Abdullah's Mosque, the old & new part of Amman.

Go up to the enchanting Citadel located on a hill & walk through thousands of years of history & layers of civilizations, since the ancient times of the Ammonites, and provides great photographic opportunities for views over the city. The historical overview not only provides the historical context for Amman, but for entire Jordan. You will also see the Citadel Archeological Museum to see some fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Then, get a taste of ancient Philadelphia - the city that stood where Amman is now over 2,000 years ago - at the Roman Theater close to downtown, that reflects the historic legacy of the city. Impressive to note that it has withstood the vagaries of nature for over 2millennium & with its seating for 6,000 spectators, it is still in use to host cultural events (our office will know if there is anything going on during your dates).

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Modern shopping malls are increasingly abundant in Jordan but open air souqs are what many travellers will remember most. Wander the streets of downtown Amman below Rainbow Street where you will find the hustle & bustle of market streets as in any busy city. Enjoy dipping into spice shops & just taking in the sensory overload of color & smell. There are also some fun fabric & antique shops in this area.

Return to the hotel & Check-out.

Immediately after, depart for Dead Sea, enroute stopping at Jerash for an unforgettable experience of exploring the Roman ruins, including the Corinthian Column, Hadrian’s Arch & the Hippodrome.

Jerash is one of the best examples of a Roman provincial city in the entire Middle East located on a plain surrounded by hilly wooded areas & fertile basins. This ancient Graeco-Roman city is a close second to Petra as the favourite destination in Jordan and boasts an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years, making it one of Jordan’s most impressive archaeological sites.

Conquered by General Pompey in 63 BC, it came under Roman rule and was one of the 10 great Roman cities, the Decapolis League. Hidden for centuries in sand before being excavated & restored over the past 70 years, Jerash reveals a fine example of the grand, formal provincial Roman urbanism that is found throughout the Middle East, comprising paved & colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop Temples, handsome Theatres, spacious public Squares & Plazas, Baths, Fountains & city walls pierced by Towers & Gates.

Visit the spectacular oval Forum, stroll down the long colonnaded Roman street, see the lush Nymphaeum that was consecrated to the nymphs & explore the Temple of Artemis.

Spend an hour in Jerash & continue driving northwest through a beautiful pine-forest & olive groves to the magnificent hill town of Ajloun where Emperor Hadrian stayed over the winter of 129-30 AD & built himself an arch well outside the town, leaving unbonded its sides for future city walls.

Near the city, admire the Great Mosque whose prayer Minaret, one of the oldest of its kind in Jordan, can be seen from all over the city.

Ajloun is surrounded by some of the best natural scenery in Jordan & has 10 centuries of history to share. The city reached its peak of importance as a transit point between the former economic powers of Damascus & Cairo in the 11^th century. With a Mediterranean climate, fertile soil & its proximity to various strategic points, the city was the ideal place for a community easy to defend.

The marvels of nature & the genius of medieval Arab military architecture have given the city, 2 of the most important ecological & historical attractions in the Middle East: the sprawling pine forests of the Ajlun-Dibbine area, & the towering Ayyubid Castle which helped to defeat the Crusaders 8 centuries ago.

Climb the slopes of Mount 'Auf to visit the great 12^th century Castle built around 1184-1185 AD by the famous Islamic leader Salah al-Din. The massive Qal'at Ar-Rabad (Arabic for "Hilltop Castle") occupying a large stretch of the Jordan Valley, is one of the very few Castles that were built to protect the country against the Crusaders who had already occupied south Jordan, from their massive Castles at Showbak & Karak when they were driven out of Trans Jordan in 1188 - 1189).

Note that there is a useful explanation in English just inside the main gate & a small Museum containing pots, snatches of mosaics & some intriguing medieval hand grenades.

After the Crusader threat subsided, the Castle was largely destroyed by Mongol invaders in 1260, only to be almost immediately rebuilt by the Egyptian Mamluks. In the 17^th century, an Ottoman garrison was stationed here. No longer needed for military purposes, it was used as an administrative center responsible to Damascus.

This superb example of Arab & Islamic architecture was built as a rectangle with 4 square towers & an entrance on the south side dominating a wide stretch of the north Jordan Valley & passages to it. From its hilltop position, the Castle protected the communication routes between south Jordan & Syria and was one of a chain of forts & pigeon posts, which lit beacons at night to enable messages to be transmitted from Damascus & Euphrates to as far as Cairo in a single day. The rearing of pigeons is still a popular pastime in the area.

The Castle today with its beautifully preserved structures, towers, chambers, galleries & staircases is a popular attraction, providing superb panoramas from Auf Mountain towering above the green hills of Ajloun & can be seen from many miles away, betraying its strategic purpose as a military watch post that protected the trade routes in the 12^th - 15^th centuries. The views from these lofty heights are nothing short of spectacular.

Some of the stones with which the Castle was built have Crosses carved into them, giving credence to a tradition, recounted by a 13^th century Arab historian that: "an ancient Monastery once stood on the site, inhabited by a Christian named Ajloun; when the Monastery fell into ruin, the Castle took its place & the name of the Monk".

When visitors have seen enough history, they drive north through the pine forests to the 1,300 hectare Ajloun Forest Reserve known for its low temperatures, fresh air & picturesque Hiking Trails through oak & pistachio forests, camping in grassy clearings & if lucky, spotting some of the region's Roe Deer.

Continue on to Dead Sea, passing some of the villages surrounding Ajloun & may be, sampling fresh figs, grapes & olives at one of the family-friendly restaurants.

Enroute a stone marker indicates "Sea Level", but the Dead Sea itself is not reached before descending another 400 meters below this sign.

Arrive by afternoon & Check-in at the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure (we will be happy to offer suggestions for “optional’ programs & make arrangements). Try the wonder of the Dead Sea Mud. With seemingly magical results, your skin will look & feel positively radiant.

Without doubt, the world’s most spectacular natural & spiritual landscapes, the dramatic, beautiful Jordan Rift Valley is flanked by mountains to the east & the rolling hills of Jerusalem to the west, giving it an almost other-worldly beauty.

World's richest source of natural salts, hiding wonderful treasures that accumulated throughout thousands of years, the lowest body of water on earth at 400 metres below sea level, the lowest point on earth's surface, this vast, stretch of water at the Dead Sea receives a number of incoming rivers, including the River Jordan. As its name evokes, the Dead Sea is devoid of life

However, the sparsely populated & serenely quiet area where Biblical scholars can get their daily dose of religious history, is famous for being the site that the Dead Sea Scrolls are from. Specifically, a Cave in Qumran, the site where a number of ancient Manuscripts written just after the time of Christ, were found. These Scrolls provide contemporary & philosophical information about Jesus & his followers. The area is believed to have been home to 5 Biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Adman, Zebouin & Zoar.

Once the waters reach the Dead Sea, they are land-locked & have nowhere to go, so they evaporate, leaving behind a dense, rich, cocktail of salts & minerals that supply industry, agriculture & medicine with some of its finest products. They also provide the raw materials for the renowned Jordanian Dead Sea Bath Salts & cosmetic products marketed worldwide.

The natural rich, black, stimulating Dead Sea Mud long exploited for its skin-friendly properties, is unequalled in its ability to enrich, enhance & hydrate. Scientifically speaking, its water contains more than 35 different types of minerals that are essential for the health & care of the body skin including Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Bromine, Sulfur & Iodine. They are well known for relieving pains & sufferings caused by arthritis, rheumatism, psoriasis, eczema, headache & foot-ache, while nourishing & softening the skin.

While swimming, the extreme salinity will help you discover cuts you never knew you had (don’t shave beforehand) & be prepared for a few minutes of agony if any water gets in your eyes. 'Swimming’ is actually a misnomer - the buoyancy makes it difficult to do much more than happily bob. And because the salt content is 4 times that of most world's oceans, you can float effortlessly on your back while soaking up the water's healthy minerals along with the gently diffused rays of the Jordanian sun. Here is the only place in the world where you can recline on the water to read a newspaper.

The sunset touching distant hills with ribbons of fire across the waters of the Dead Sea brings a sense of unreality. It is normally as calm as a millpond, with barely a ripple disturbing its surface, but it can become turbulent.

During most days, however, the water shimmers under a beating sun. Where rocks meet its lapping edges, they become snow-like, covered with a thick, gleaming white deposit that gives the area a strange & surreal sense.

The unusually warm, incredibly buoyant & extremely high mineral-rich waters with renowned curative powers & therapeutic qualities, have attracted visitors since ancient times, including King Herod the Great & the beautiful Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra.

The small Museum in the village is a wonder in itself with its unique location at the lowest point on Earth hosts a collection of materials from Lot’s cave (located just up the hill from the Museum) & amazingly well-preserved Graeco-Roman clothing, in addition to hundreds of Greek inscriptions & an interesting collection of artifacts.

This Cave is believed to be where the Prophet Lot escaped to, following the story of Sodom & Gomorrah. It is believed to have been transformed into a Church & the intricate mosaic floor can still be seen today.

The UNESCO World Heritage listed Al-Maghtas signifies a landmark moment of the origin of Christianity. Religious & non-religious tourists alike, also walk through a peaceful path of gorgeous Dead Sea vegetation viewing sites built during the Roman & Byzantine empires, to the location where Jesus of Nazareth was Baptised by John The Baptist.

For contributing to the economic development of local Jordanian communities, travellers may visit Ghor Al Safi Women’s Association for Social Development, a Crafts Center boasting a mixture of art, heritage & community, designed to advertise the colorfully made handicrafts of 15 local women & purchase soulfully made handicrafts.

Early morning, depart for Petra, enroute visiting Madaba with its Churches, Mt Nebo & Kerak.

After passing through a string of ancient sites along the 5,000 year old Kings´ Highway, the first city you reach is Madaba, a typical East Bank town, known as the “City of Mosaics", where underneath almost every house lies a fine Byzantine mosaic, with its long history dating back further than 1300 BC. The town was first mentioned in the Bible as Medeba at the time of the Exodus (Numbers: 21,30; Joshua 13:9), it was then an Amorite town close to the Moab border & it changed hands frequently.

The amiable market town has one of Jordan's largest Christian communities but is best known for a spectacular collection of Byzantine & Umayyad era Mosaics that have been excavated & are on display in the town's spectacular Museum. But, it is estimated that many more lie hidden waiting to be discovered. A collection of Byzantine Churches as well as ancient Roman artifacts are also displayed.

The town’s long tradition of religious tolerance is joyfully & loudly expressed on Friday, when Imams (religious teachers) summon the faithful to pray before dawn & bells bid Orthodox Christians to rise at first light.

Madaba was sacked by the Persians in 614 & its ruin was completed by the earthquake of 747. It stood abandoned for over 1000 years until, around 1880, a group of about 2000 Christians from Al-Karak settled here. Imagine their excitement in 1884 when they came across the remnants of a Byzantine Church on their construction site. Among the rubble, having survived wilful destruction, fire & neglect, the flooring they discovered wasn’t just another Mosaic but one with extraordinary significance: to this day, the wonderfully vivid 6^th century Byzantine Map of Jerusalem & the Holy Land on the floor of the 19^th century contemporary Greek Orthodox St George’s Church, showing the entire region from Jordan & Palestine in the north, to Egypt in the south.  With 2 million pieces of vividly colored local stone, it depicts hills & valleys, villages & towns as far as the Nile Delta. This map includes a fascinating plan of Jerusalem: on the left is the north gate from which 2 colonnaded streets run south. On the straight street through the heart of the city stands the domed Holy Sepulcher. Clearly inscribed above the north & east gates is the legend "Holy City of Jerusalem".

Other Mosaic masterpieces found in the Church of the Virgin & the Apostles & the Archaeological Museum, depict a rampant profusion of flowers & plants, birds & fish, animals & exotic beasts, as well as scenes from mythology & everyday pursuits of hunting, fishing & farming. Literally, hundreds of other Mosaics from the 5^th - 7^th centuries are scattered throughout Madaba's Churches & homes.

The interpretative Visitors Centre housed in a beautifully restored late 19^th century traditional house belonging to the Al Batjali family, contains interesting information panels in English on the history of Madaba & also shows a 10 minute film depicting the historical context.

See the n Map of Jerusalem & the Holy Land on the floor of the 19^th century contemporary Greek Orthodox St George’s Church.

If time (& Tour-guide) permits, you may stop at a couple of more interesting places.

Synonymous with the city, Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art & Restoration was originally set up as a School in 1992 by the Jordanian government & trains Jordanian artists in the production & painstaking nature of restoration of the Mosaics, spreading awareness & appreciation of the Craft throughout the country. The restoration work of the school’s Artisans is evident in the Archaeological Park, the Church of the Apostles & at Khirbet Mukhayyat.

Madaba Museum is housed in several old Madaba residences, & features a 6^th century Mosaic depicting a naked satyr; a saucy (& partly damaged) Mosaic of Ariadne dancing with cymbals on her hands & feet & a Mosaic in the courtyard depicting 2 Rams tied to a tree - a popular image recalling Abraham’s sacrifice. One room features a small, dusty Folklore Museum which exhibits jewellery, traditional costumes & a copy of the Mesha Stele.

Stop by Hussein bin Ali Road or “The Tourist Street” to purchase handicrafts and products specific to the Mosaics & religious Iconography found here.

The grand old well restored building Dar Al Saraya beside a hillside Plaza, was built in the late 19^th century as the administrative centre of the Ottomans & was subsequently used as the headquarters of the British administration in 1922.

Drive along the same route Prophet Moses was forbidden to travel on by the King of Edom & picture yourself standing where he was laid to rest, & where the late Pope John Paul II tread on his first pilgrimage of the millennium.

The commanding peak of Mount Nebo, one of the most revered holy sites of Jordan, where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land, a land he was himself forbidden to enter. Centuries ago, earliest Christian pilgrims flocked to Mount Nebo on their final destination to visit the Sanctuary & left behind vivid accounts of their travels, which helped archaeologists identify this Sanctuary.

Perched on the summit along several rocky outcrops is the centrepiece of a small hilltop complex commanding sweeping views of the Dead Sea, Israel & Palestinian Territories beyond. The remains of the first Church & Monastery - Moses Memorial Church (also called Siyagha) - constructed in the 2^nd half of the 4^th century to commemorate the place of Moses' death, were uncovered in 1933 under the direction of the Jerusalemite Franciscan Fathers.

It is believed that he died aged 120 & was later buried in the area, although the exact location of the burial site is the subject of conjecture.

The Church features 2 funeral chapels, a vestibule paved with magnificent Mosaics. The earliest of these is a Panel with a braided Cross presently placed on the east end of the south wall. 6 Tombs have been found hollowed from the natural rock beneath the mosaic covered floors from different periods.  

From the mountaintop rising to about 800 meters at its apex, the highest point in the Moabite range, you can admire stunning views across Jordan Valley & Dead Sea, to the rooftops of Jerusalem & Bethlehem.

Next stop is the city of Al-Karak (or Kerak) still a largely Christian town where many Christian families trace their origins back to the Byzantines. The town is built on a triangular plateau & boasts a number of restored 19^th century Ottoman buildings. But it is undoubtedly the ancient Crusader Castle, at its narrow southern tip, within the city walls, dominates the city & is one of the highlights of Jordan.

In late 2016, Islamist terrorists tried to take hostages here which resulted in deaths. The attack had the effect of galvanising the community, with residents pulling together to refurbish the town's Mosques & Churches and creating volunteer groups to improve local living conditions.

The magnificent Crusader Al-Karak Fortress (or Crak des Moabites or Le Pierre du Desert) soaring above valleys & hills like a great ship riding waves of rock, was built in 1142 by Payen le Bouteiller.

The imposing fortified Castle was legendary in the battles between the Crusaders (Franks) & the Islamic armies of Saladin (Salah ad Din). Now, one of the most famous preserved Crusader Castles, initially, it was just one in a long line of Frank defences, stretching from Aqaba in the south to Turkey in the north. It was superbly situated on the King's Highway, where it could control all traffic from north & south and grew rich by the imposition of road-tolls. Each stronghold was built to be a day's journey from its neighbor & at night, a beacon was lit at each Castle to signal to Jerusalem that it was safe.

But Al-Karak's origins go back long before the Crusaders; the earliest remains are Iron Age, shortly after the Exodus, when this was a part of Moab. Then it fell out of history until the Byzantine period, when it was again important enough to have an Archbishop.

More imposing than beautiful, the Castle is nevertheless an impressive insight into the architectural military genius of the Crusaders. Throughout the Crusader stronghold & later Mamluk fortress, there are detailed descriptions of the history & function of particular structures. There is a small but interesting Museum inside, one of the finest of its type surviving today.

The Castle is some 220 metre long, 125 metre wide at the north end & 40 metre wide at the southern end where a narrow valley deepened by a ditch separates it from the adjoining & much higher hill - was once Saladin's favorite artillery position. There were / are 2 sections in Al-Karak, both contained within the stout walls, separated from the town by a deep dry moat. The Fortress in typically Crusader style, has dimly lit stone-vaulted rooms & corridors leading into each other through heavy arches & doorways.

As visitors enter the modern gate, one path leads through a massive door down the stairs to the well-preserved lower courtyard & underground vaults providing access to Mamluk architecture complexes, most of which were probably associated with a Palace. Among these ruins are a well-preserved School with an adjoining Mosque.

The ruins of the upper level are attributed to the Crusader period & throughout the Castle, dark & roughly shaped Crusader masonry is easy to discern from the finely crafted blocks of lighter & softer limestone used in the later Arab structures.

Finally, get ready to leave for the final stop of the day.

Arrive at Petra by evening & Check-in at the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure (we will be happy to offer suggestions for “optional’ programs & make arrangements).

The UNESCO World Heritage listed rock-carved rose-red city of Petra is indeed one of the most amazing ancient tourist sites in the World & undoubtedly the most famous attraction of Jordan that enchants visitors from all corners of the globe.

Dating to around 300 B.C., it was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom. Hidden behind an almost impenetrable barrier of rugged mountains & shifting sand, Petra tells of a lost civilization. Little is known about the Nabateans - an industrious Arab nomadic desert people who settled in southern Jordan more than 2,000 years ago & whose Kingdom rose up from these cliffs & peaks. Control of water sources & an almost magic ability to vanish into the cleft rocks ensured the Nabateans remained unconquered for centuries.

Raqmu, or Petra (as the Greeks called it), grew into the Nabateans’ most prominent city, linking camel caravans between the Mediterranean & Arabian Seas, from Arabia Egypt, Syria & beyond to Greece & Rome, turning it into an important junction & trade route for silk, spice & other stuff, linking China, India. Their incredible wealth grew especially from the lucrative incense trade.

The Romans arrived in 63 B.C., signaling a new era of massive expansion & grandiose construction, like the Theater that seated more than 6,000 spectators, as well as some of the city’s most impressive facades.

Christianity came to Petra in the 3^rd & 4^th centuries & flourished, but the city waned after an A.D. 336 earthquake & under the early Islamic dynasties of the 7^th century.

Petra was only rediscovered by Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt in 1812 & it continues to spill its secrets. Visiting Petra then meant going in disguise, speaking in local dialect & engaging the trust of surrounding tribespeople.  But, today visitors are warmly welcomed both by the Bedouins who still relate to the ancient city as their ancestral home & the townspeople of neighbouring Wadi Musa whose facilities make visiting a pleasure.

Even now, Archaeologists have explored less than half of the sprawling site & in 2016, with the help of satellite imagery, a monumental structure was found still buried in the sand. Some archaeologists have ranked ancient Petra as the 8^th wonder of the ancient world - a truly justifiable claim. Petra is unique in every respect, having something to offer to the historian, anthropologist, archaeologist, geologist, architect & the naturalist, all of whom regularly come to Petra to conduct their studies & be in touch with the ancient past.

Admired then for its refined culture, massive architecture & ingenious complex of dams & water channels, the entire city of ruins is a work of art, painted on a natural stone backdrop that changes color every hour. The elegant Silk Tomb swirls with streaks of red, blue & ocher, while vivid Mosaics still pave the floors of a Byzantine-era Church.

Much of Petra’s legendary appeal comes from its awesome, multicolored sandstone high mountains; it is a secluded site of steep rocky slopes, towering craggy mountain tops & blushing pink sandstone cliffs, into which most of the celebrated honeycomb of caves, tombs, facades, theatres & stairways carved by the Nabateans. Its spectacular setting deep inside a narrow desert gorge, can be accessed by walking through a kilometre long chasm (or siq), the walls of which soar 200 metres upwards.

Petra’s engineering phenomena are legion, including the sophisticated water system that supported some 30,000 inhabitants. Carved into the twisted passageway of the Siq, the irrigation channel drops only 12 feet over the course of a mile, while underground cisterns stored runoff to be used in drier times of the year.

Admired then for its refined culture, massive architecture & ingenious complex of dams & water channels, the entire city of ruins is a work of art, painted on a natural stone backdrop that changes color every hour. The elegant Silk Tomb swirls with streaks of red, blue & ocher, while vivid Mosaics still pave the floors of a Byzantine-era Church.

Various walks & climbs reveal literally hundreds of buildings, tombs, baths, funerary halls, temples, arched gateways, colonnaded streets & haunting rock drawings - as well as a 3,000 seat open air theatre, a gigantic 1st century Monastery & a modern archeological museum, all of which can be explored at leisure. A modest shrine commemorating the death of Aaron, brother of Moses, was built in the 13th century by the Mamluk Sultan, high atop mount Aaron in the Sharah range.

Petra's most famous monument, the Treasury, appears dramatically at the end of the Siq. Used in the final sequence of the film "Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade." the towering façade of the Treasury is only one of myriad archaeological wonders to be explored at Petra.

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09:00 am & proceed for a 6 hour excursion to the Red Rose City.

The visit of the ancient Nabatean Capital starts on horse cart, followed by a walk through the Siq, a long narrow fissure between two overhanging cliffs. The tour then proceeds to gradually unfold the mysteries of the Red Rose City with its spectacular treasury, Royal Tombs, burial chambers and high places of sacrifice.

Often described as the 8^th wonder of the ancient world, it is without doubt Jordan’s most valuable treasure. Hidden behind an almost impenetrable barrier of rugged mountains, the legendary city of Petra is, perhaps, the most stunning site in the entire Middle East, carved out of craggy rocks by the Nabateans, an industrious Arab people who settled in the South more than 2,000 years ago, turning it into an important junction for the silk, spice and other trade routes that linked China, India & southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece & Rome.

The approach through the cool gloom of the Siq, a long narrow gorge whose steeply rising sides all but obliterate the sun, provides a dramatic contrast with the magic to come. Suddenly, the gorge opens into a natural square dominated by Petra's most famous monument, the 'Treasury' [Al Khasneh], whose intricately carved facade glows in the dazzling sun. The Monastery [El Deir] & the High Place of the Sacrifice [Al Madbah] are among the myriad archeological wonders to be explored in Petra. The giant red mountains & vast mausoleums of a departed race have nothing in common with modern civilization, and ask nothing of it except to be appreciated at their true value - as one of the greatest wonders ever wrought by nature & man.

Return to the hotel by late afternoon.

Balance of the day is at leisure (we will be happy to offer suggestions for “optional’ programs & make arrangements).

Early morning around 06.00 am, you will be picked up for short drive to the Arava Border Crossing to begin your journey into Israel.

You will be dropped off at the Jordanian side and will then walk to the Terminal on the other side to complete the border formalities. After the completion & obtaining the Visa, you will be met by The Journeys Rep who would be holding a placard with your name & waiting at the exit of the Israeli Terminal. 

You would be transferred to Jerusalem, enroute visiting Eilat - Israel’s southernmost town & a desert resort on the shores of the Red Sea.

The astonishing fish & corals of the temperate gulf waters are unique in their color and variety. Twice yearly, millions of birds fly over Eilat on migration between Europe and Africa, above the stunning red mountains and azure waters of the Red Sea Gulf. The many natural wonders and attractions of this area, the inviting beaches, crystal seas and sunny climate, make friendly Eilat a choice holiday destination for travelers from all over the world.

Spend some time exploring the city and in time, continue on your drive to Jerusalem.

People have been writing about Jerusalem for the better part of its 3000 year history, but still today your first glimpse inside the ancient walled city will leave you speechless. More than beautiful, however, Jerusalem is a spiritual centre, holy to the three great monotheistic faiths, Judaism, Christianity & Islam.

That three religions have assigned so much importance to a solitary city makes Jerusalem one of the most fascinating places you will ever visit. Within a short walk of each other, you can find Christians quietly praying in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jews dancing by the Western Wall & Muslims prostrate before Al-Aqsa Mosque. Whatever your credence, it’s hard not to be swept up in the emotional tide that pulsates through these ancient streets.

Jerusalem, or Al-Quds as it is known in Arabic, has an inevitably powerful effect on its visitors, breeding political activism, religious fanaticism or simply a greater appreciation of the magnificent tide of human history. A quick run through the main tourist sights won’t do it justice, so plan on staying a while, and see what it does to you.

Check-in on arrival by afternoon.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or for optional activities.  (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.  B

Morning, at 09:00 am, meet the Tour-guide in the lobby who will accompany you for a full day 8 hour tour of Jerusalem.

Dedicate the first part of the day to visit and join the holy prayer and participate in the Khutba at the Al Aqsa Mosque. Continue on to Haram-e-Sharif, learning about its historical & architectonical background, as well as the many legends told about the holy Al Aqsa Mosque & the Dome of the Rock.

From here we move along the colorful "Suq" (bazaar) to the Church of the Resurrection of Jesus, where the Khalif Omar met the Bishop Sophronius & prayed outside, in order not to desecrate the Holy City.

You will also visit the Omar Mosque, situated just outside the church and commemorating that event. Walk through the Jewish Quarter to see some of the archaeological excavations made there, such as the Roman Cardo, and then, if permitted, visit King David's tomb - a place holy for Muslims, Jews and Christians. We end the day at the famous Western ("Wailing") Wall, where we can see Jews from all over the world, in their different dresses, coming to pray near the last remnants of their temple.

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or for optional activities (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Full day is at leisure to relax or for optional activities (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Alas, like all good things, the wonderful experience comes to an end & it is time to say good-bye to the Holy Land.

Check-out of the hotel by 11:00 am (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow the usage of the hotel facilities & leave the luggage at the Bell Desk, if you want to venture out). 

If your onward flight is later in the evening, you can go to the city & explore Tel Aviv on your own (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements, if required).

“Travel is like knowledge. The more you see the more you know you have not seen” - Mark Hertsgaard

The iconic journey comes to an end and it is time to go home. In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & obtain your feedback about the arrangements for the tour & transfer you to Terminal? -  Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport for the flight back home.  B

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