FROM THE PYRAMIDS & ST. CATHERINE TO PETRA
A cultural tour of Egypt & Jordan

Between Egypt & Jordan, half of the world’s history has its origin. However, for whatever reason, a combination of the two civilizations’ centers in one journey has hardly ever been offered. This 14day journey traces the historical routes of the Exodus, the trade routes from the time of Moses as well as the wonders of the pyramids and sphinx, the treasures of ancient Egypt, which we discover as we cruise the Nile, Mount Sinai and it’s famous St Catherine, Wadi Rum, Petra and Amman.
This then will be a historical journey into history!

Day 1 (WED): Arrive Cairo (EGYPT)
Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome in Arabic. We are warmly received at Cairo Airport and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Pyramisa Hotel (2 nights)

Day 2 (THU): Cairo/Pyramids
This is a day to go back in time, starting with a visit to the most famous of the Egyptian sphinxes, the Great Sphinx of Giza, followed by the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops). Completed around 2600 BC, this pyramid was 146m (478ft) high and consisted of over 2 million limestone blocks weighing over 2 tons each. We the visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiques. The Museum houses the world's greatest collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, including 12 rooms filled with golden treasures from the world-famous tomb of the boy-king Tutenkhamun. (B, D)

Day 3 (FRI): Cairo/Aswan (Flight)
An early morning flight gets us to Aswan where we are warmly received and transferred to our boat, home for the next three nights. This is also a day for those who may want to take an optional flight excursion to Abu Simbel to see the temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. Visits in Aswan include the famous and monumental Aswan High Dam and the romantic and majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilka, then sail to Kom Ombo to visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile-god Sobek. It stands at a bend in the Nile where in ancient times the sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank. Continue to Edfu.
Overnight: M/S Sherry Nile Cruise (3 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 4 (SAT): Nile Cruise
Morning we will be visiting the well-preserved Greek built Temple of Horus. This temple, built during the reigns of six generations of Ptolemy’s, is not only the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt, but also the second largest after Karnak. We then sail to Esna. Cross the lock and continue to Luxor. (B, L, D)

Day 5 (SUN): Nile Cruise
We begin our day with a visit to the West Bank of Luxor to explore the Valley of the Kings, a vast City of the Dead where magnificent tombs were carved into the desert rocks, richly decorated and filled with treasures for the afterlife by generations of pharaohs. Our visit will also includes Queen Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. (B, L, D)

Day 6 (MON): Luxor
After breakfast we disembark from our cruise ship and visit the Karnak and Luxor Temples. The ancient Egyptians knew the Temple of Karnak as Ipet-isut. It is a city of temples built over 2000 years and dedicated to the Theben triad of Amon, Mut and Khonsu. This derelict place continues to overshadow many of the wonders of the modern world. It is the mother of all religious buildings and a place of pilgrimage for nearly 4,000 years. Luxor Temple was connected to Karnak Temple by an avenue of sphinxes in ancient times. Unlike Karnak, Luxor is mainly the work of one pharaoh - Amenhotep III, and was added to by Tutankhamun, Horemheb, Ramses II and Alexander the Great. During Akhenaten’s reign, all religion other than the worship of Aten was rejected and development at Luxor stopped. When Akhenaten died, the old religions returned, along with the priests, so the temple began to expand again. After the tour we are transferred for our flight to Sharm el Shaikh. Upon arrival we are met and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Sheraton Luxor Hotel (1 night) (B, D)

Day 7 (TUE): Luxor / Sharm-el-Sheik (Flight)
This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Sharm el Sheikh. Upon arrival we are met and transferred to our hotel. Sharm is world renowned for it’s beautiful beach and offers several sea sports that one can enjoy or sunbathe. The day is free to enjoy these activities.
Overnight: Cataract Layaline Hotel (1 night) (B, D)

Day 8 (WED): Sharm-el-Sheik / St. Catherine (Drive)
This afternoon we drive to the Sinai desert to prepare for our ascend on the historical and holy site of St Catherine.
Overnight: Wadi El Rha Hotel (1 night) (B, D)

Day 9 (THU): St. Catherine/Aqaba (JORDAN)
A pre dawn climb on the biblical Mountain of Moses. The feeling to stand on the spot where Moses is reputed to have received the Ten Commandments, with spectacular sunrise view of the Sinai, is something that cannot be described but has to be experienced. After descending, we have breakfast at a local hotel before visiting yet another historical place – the St. Catherine’s Monastery, constructed on order of Emperor Justinian in the area of what is believed to be Moses' Burning Bush. Drive to Nuweiba to have lunch then transfer to the pier to catch the speed ferry to Aqaba in Jordan. Meet & transfer to our hotel.
Overnight: Aqaba Gulf Hotel (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 10 (FRI): Aqaba
Aqaba, the most southern port of Jordan on the Red Sea is full of life and activity. It is a place for sea cruising, sea food, bazaars and souqs. This day is free to catch up for the long previous day. (B, D)

Day 11 (SAT): Aqaba / Petra (Drive)
Morning we take a short drive northwards to Wadi Rum. We change vehicles and get into our 4X4’s open top jeeps and take an adventurous ride visiting the Wadi Um Eshreen, the Moving Sand, Al Khazali, Abu Aineh and Rum Mountain. We see the trail of Lawrence and the famous Red Mountains. This is the scene of any desert at it’s best. After an interesting safari we proceed north to the spectacular city of Petra.
Overnight: Panorama Hotel (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 12 (SUN): Petra
The highlight for today is Petra – the most magnificent site in the Middle East. After passing the main gate we take a horse ride for about 700 meters to the entrance of the SIQmand walk along the SIQ until the most astonishing monuments of Petra, the Treasury, appear all of a sudden. We wander among the tombs, temples, water cisterns, the Roman Theater, street of Facades, the Royal Tombs, the massive Courthouse, Roman Street and Triumphal Arch and end at Qasr Al-Bint. (B, D)

Day 13 (MON): Petra / Amman (Drive)
Continue northwards to Amman with stops to visit the Dead Sea and the Christian town of Madaba to visit St. George’s Apostle Church that houses the earliest original mosaic map of the ancient Middle East. Continuing to nearby Mount Nebo, we visit the church on top of the hill where it is believed that Moses viewed the Promised Land.
Overnight: Cham Palace Hotel (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 14 (TUE): Amman
Amman, the capital of Jordan, offers both the old and new. Our day tour starts with a visit first to see the Roman Amphitheater followed by the Citadel, the Archeological Museum, the beautiful King Abdullah Mosque. We then spend time at the local souq and also visit the newly built high-class area of Abdoun. We then go out of town to see the huge site at Jerash where we also cover the Triumphal Arch, the Hippodrome, the Temple of Zeus and the Forum, the mile long street of Columns, the Nymphaeum, the Temple of Airtimes and the Viaduct Church. (B, D)

Day 15: (WED): Depart Amman
After a journey into antiquity and Biblical times, we bid farewell as we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight, or better still, complete the exploration of history by joining our Tour of Syria & Lebanon called "From Palmyra to Baal beck". (B)

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Departure Dates

2008 English Speaking Departures Jan 16, Feb 27, Mar 12, Apr 16, May 07, Jun 18, Jul 16, Aug 20, Oct 15, Nov 05, Dec 17

Inclusions

Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation/cruise mentioned or similar including taxes Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner) All sightseeing and transfers Services of local English speaking guide & driver in Egypt. While in Jordan driver cum guide with local English speaking guide in Petra & Jerash. Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary Domestic air/ferry tickets International airfares Border/departure/airport taxes Insurance Visas Tips/Beverage Drinks/Beverages with meals Entrance fees into the Pyramids, the visit to the Solar Boat Museum, the Mummies Room at the Egyptian Museum, entrance into Tout Ankh Amoun Tomb in the Valley of Kings – payable cash and as an optional.

Tour Price

We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.

Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2008 US $ 3085 • CA $ 3085 US $ 465 • CA $ 465 Peak season charges will be applied for traveling during Christmas (Dec 10/2007 – Jan 10/2008) OR during Easter (Mar 05/2008 – Apr 05/2008). Please contact us for quotes.

Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour

Canada - West Coast CA $ 1600 USA - West Coast US $ 1400 Canada - East Coast CA $ 1400 USA - East Coast US $ 1200

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 15 participants.

Notes

Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.