Breakfast like a local in Jordan

If you have the possibility try a breakfast in one of the local cafes, which will be a different experience than the western styled buffet at the hotels. A typical, hearty breakfast in Jordan consists of hummus, falafel, ful, pickles, pitta bread and the obligatory cup of tea with fresh mint. Like you see there is no spoon or fork. It is eaten with the hands and the pitta bread is used as a kind of spoon to scoop up the soft hummus and ful. Certainly it is no problem to ask the waiter for a cutlery. 

FAQs for Cruise Passengers in Aqaba

A) Where I meet the Petra Nights Tours representative?

Our representative waits with the Petra Nights Tours signage close to the cruise exit door.

B) What is the driving distance from Aqaba Port to Petra?

You drive about 2 hours from Aqaba Port to Petra. If your tour includes also Wadi Rum, the drive from Petra to Wadi Rum is about 1.5 hours, and from Wadi Rum to Aqaba Port it takes another 45 minutes.

c) How large are the distances within Petra Archaeological Site?

The standard tour from entrance of Petra to the Siq, the Treasury, along the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs to Qasr Al Bint is about 3.5 kms, and you have to walk the same distance back to the entrance. Due to the volume of walking and uneven ground, this tour’s not suitable for people with walking difficulties. There’s a lengthy walk, however you don’t have to complete the whole trek. Comfortable footwear is essential.

D) There are any means of transportation inside Petra?

Motorized vehicles are not allowed inside Petra. Each Petra ticket includes a short horse ride about 700 meters from the entrance to the beginning of the Siq with a horse boy. The number of horses is limited. So there is no guarantee a horse is for all visitors available, especially on cruise excursion days, when many travelers arrive at the same time. 

For elderly and handicapped visitors exists the possibility to rent a horse drawn carriage from the entrance to the Treasury and back. Each carriage can take maximum 2 passengers, and the rate is 20 Jordanian Dinar = 30 USD for this distance. The carriage from the entrance to the restaurant area and back is about 60 USD.  There are only 10-12 horse drawn carriages in Petra, so availability cannot be guaranteed. Please inform us in advance to increase the possibility of reserving one carriage for you. Kindly note that the horse handlers expect a good tip.

Camel and donkey rides can also be rented from the Treasury on, but this has to be negotiated directly with the owners.

E) Do I have a guide during the tour?

For up to 6 passengers we offer an English speaking spot guide, you meet him in Petra. For the rest of the tour our English speaking escort will accompany you and assists you with everything. 7 and more passengers or other languages than English require an escorting guide from and to Aqaba Port, which is more expensive than the spot guides in Petra, because the guide spends more time with you.

F) Can I combine Petra and Wadi Rum in one day?

This depends on when your cruise docks and departs from Aqaba Port and the season. In wintertime for example sunset is about 17:00, and the Petra and Wadi Rum combination takes 10 hours.

G) Will I be allowed to explore the area on my own?

Yes, you will be allowed to explore Petra and Wadi Rum on your own, provided that you comply with the given time suggested to you by your escort. This is to ensure that you don’t have to worry in missing your ship.

H) At which restaurant do we take the lunch?

If your booking includes a lunch meal, it is usually booked at a restaurant close to Petra Archaeological site. You will enjoy buffet with a selection of international and Arabic cuisine. In some cases, when Petra is combined with a Wadi Rum excursion, we suggest a lunch box to save time. Excursions to Dead Sea include the lunch with the beach use at one of the Dead Sea Hotels. 

I) Should I tip my guide and driver?

Tips and gratuities are not included on the tour cost. It is strictly optional and at your discretion. However, Jordan has a strong tipping culture and the personnel may expect a tip from you.

J) What I have to bring?

Comfortable shoes, camera, sun protection, if yo go to the Dead Sea swimming suit, rubber soles swimming shoes and a towel.

K) Why you require an advance payment?

When you book a tour with us, we spend time and effort for your arrangements. This includes for example a special permission to pick you from Aqaba Port, the reservation of driver and guide, who are just waiting for you on this day. So we have to make sure you are taking the tour by requiring an advance payment of minimum 25% of the total amount. This can be done by credit card payment or bank transfer.

L) Why you need passport and credit card copy?

Credit card (front page) and passport copy of the credit card holder are required by the credit card companies as fraud reduction measure, and we cannot process the payment without these documents.

In case you decide to pay cash upon arrival, we need the passport copy of the credit card holder and the front page of the credit card as scam/fraud prevention. Occasionally we receive faked bookings, and the copies shall protect our business from out-of-pocket payments. If you choose to wire money on our bank account passport and credit card copies are not requested.

M) Will you refund my money if I miss my tour because the ship is late or cannot make it into port?
Yes. You will receive a full refund for your tour if you cannot make a tour departure due to a ship delay or a missed port call.

Live Cam Petra Jordan

To get an idea of the rock city Petra before you arrive visit the Live Cam http://www.petralivecam.com/

Museum Of Popular Tradition

Located in the eastern section of the Roman Theater in Amman, this museum displays the traditional costumes of Jordanians, including embroidery and antique jewelry, as well as domestic utensils. It also houses a collection of mosaics from some Byzantine churches in Jordan.
Opening hours: 8.00-16.00 in winter, 8.00-18.30 in summer
Opening Days: daily except Tuesday
Entrance Fee: Included in the 1 JOD fee for the Roman Theatre Amman

The Royal Automobile Museum

The Royal Automobile Museum, located in King Hussein Park in Amman, is the first public automotive museum in the Arab region. It serves as a tribute to the late King Hussein while showcasing part of Jordan's history. The museum displays 70 of the late King's cars and motorcycles, some dating as back as 1909 including a Lincoln, Ferraris, Packards and Rolls-Royces, Mercedes Benz, Porsches and Cadillac. 
Opening Hours: 10.00-19.00 - Friday until 21.00
Opening Days: daily except Tuesday, first day Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha
Entrance fee: 3 JOD per person / 5 JOD per person with audio guide 

Desert Castles Jordan

Desert Castles

There might be different ways to drive to Azraq, but I just remember we drove in the direction of Amman Airport, passed Al Jweideh, Abu Alanda and the industrial area of Sahab. From here just followed the signs pointing to Azraq or Iraq as destination. After visiting the highlights of Jordan, the visit of the Desert Castles will show you another side of the country. You will feel that Jordan’s landscape is mainly desert, but unlike Wadi Rum the east is a black basalt desert, flat and makes the impression of no man’s land. The road is partly not in the best condition and bumpy, and there is a lots of truck traffic through the desert from/to Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

There are totally nine Desert Castles east and southeast of Amman, but the easiest to visit are Kharanah, Amra and Azraq. Kharanah and Amra are located directly beside the highway, Azraq castle you find after turning left at the junction in Azraq town. The Desert castles are an impressing example to the flourishing beginning of Islamic-Arab civilization, architecture and art. They had been built by the Umayyads 661-750 AD. The Umayyads had been the second caliphate after the death of prophet Mohammad and made Damascus their new capital. Many castles lie on the ancient trade route towards Medina and Kufa. They served as residences, caravanserais and bath.  

Kharaneh is well preserved with its original architectural elements and consists of two levels. 61 rooms area arranged around a courtyard. Round buttresses occupy the four corners. Narrow openings in the outer wall seem to be arrow slits, but actually they provided light and ventilation for the interior. Several staircases lead to the upper floors. Stucco discs with stylized plants decorating the upper sections of some rooms reflect close contact with the art of Iraq and Mesopotamia. The original function of the building is not clear, most scholars think it had been a khan, which would make Qasr Kharaneh the earliest known khan of the Islamic period. 

The eastern solitude made me feel this is worth a shot, some green bushes close to Qusair Amra. 

Quseir Amra has been inscribed upon the World Heritage List of the Convention concerning the protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Built in the early 8^th century, this hunting pavilion in the steppe was from to time used as a temporary lodging for members of the ruling Umayyad family. The most outstanding features are the reception hall, the hydraulic structure and the baths, both richly decorated with figurative fresco and reliefs. 

Dancing and bathing people and animals, less frequently found in later Islamic art on such a large and public scale in Qusair Amra. 

Visa and Passport Information Jordan

Visa & Passport Information

In general your passport has to be valid minimum 6 month beyond the length of the trip when traveling in Jordan. The cost of a single entry visa is 20 JD per person (around 30 USD), it is valid for 28 days. Travelers arriving and departing Aqaba, either through the port, the airport or at the crossing from Israel or Saudi Arabia, are granted a free visa to Jordan. Most nationalities can obtain the Jordanian visa at the airport or the land borders, except the Allenby Bridge/King Hussein Bridge. The visa has to be paid in cash in Jordanian Dinar, money exchange facilities are existent. Some nationalities need the visa prior to arrival, see the below list. This list is meant solely as a useful tool and the data within it is subject to change without prior notice. It is recommended that you check with the Jordanian diplomatic mission in your country prior to travel.

Nationals from below countries are able to obtain the Jordanian visa upon arrival, except at Allenby Bridge:

Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria,  Burma, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, China (Taiwan), Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Holland, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Korea, Norway, Oman, Palestine/PNA Passport Holders, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Salvador, Samoa, San Marino, São Tomé and Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, South Africa, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Syria, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United Kingdom & North Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela, White Russia, Yemen, Zimbabwe. 

Nationals from below countries need the Jordanian visa prior to arrival:

Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameron, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Republic of Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Moldavia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Vietnam, Zaire, Zambia.

Is it safe to travel to Jordan?

Is it safe to travel to Jordan?

Jordan has the reputation to be a very safe and secure country by global and regional standards, and despite regional turmoil, Jordan remains one of the safest countries to visit in the Middle East. It is not only safe, it is also welcoming. This is the rule all over Jordan including Petra and Wadi Rum desert. If you intend to explore Petra’s upper parts, off the main trails, it is certainly necessary to hire a guide. A visit to Wadi Rum is the best way to experience the Bedouin culture, well know for the hospitality of desert dwellers, here applies the same rule, for excursions deep in the desert a guide is a must. On the contrary to the desert the capital Amman is characterized by bustle and often chaotic traffic, you have to be cautious when crossing streets, because pedestrian crossings are very rare.  

Most of the Jordanians speak English quiet well, and are willing to help if assistance is needed. Visitors will feel safe and comfortable, in a small group or as solo traveler. The comments we receive from our clients are only positive, emphasizing that the Jordanians are friendly and hospitable people. Visitors are respected as guests and Jordanians are proud to show the attractions Jordan has to offer. Moreover, the country relies on the tourism industry for revenues, so the government takes safety of tourist seriously.

In the course of the Arab Spring demonstrations are occurring, most likely after Friday noon prayers, especially in downtown Amman and in other towns like Irbid, Zarqa, Karak, Tafileh, Ma’an. Demonstrations are mostly peaceful, but like everywhere common sense shall be the rule. As a traveler you should avoid all protests and large gatherings of people.

The vast majority of tourist visit Jordan safely and trouble free. The level of crime is low and not a serious risk although in crowded places visitors could be the target of pickpockets or petty thieves. Travelers should be more guarded in these areas and in all tourist locations in Jordan to lessen the likelihood of becoming a victim of petty thefts. We recommend, like everywhere in the world, keep important documents, credit cards and bags in sight at all times when making a purchase.

For additional safety information you can check on various forums the opinion from travelers recently been in Jordan, or look at your own government’s travel advice before you go.

Spice Shop Amman Downtown

Spice Shop Amman Downtown

Egypt 13 Days: Cairo, Nile Cruise (Luxor & Aswan), Sharm, St. Catherine, Fayoum, Extra tours in Luxor

Egypt 13 Days: Cairo, Nile Cruise (Luxor & Aswan), Sharm, St. Catherine, Fayoum, Extra tours in Luxor

Day 1: Cairo Airport – Cairo Hotel

Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport you will be met after the passport control by your tour manager who will help you through your customs formalities then escort you to your hotel for check in and overnight.

Day 2: Memphis - Sakkara - Giza Pyramids - Sphinx - Cairo Hotel - Sound & Light Show (B) 

Breakfast, meet your Egyptologist guide (8:30 AM) drive to Memphis at the edge of the western desert (35 min. drive) the capital of Egypt until the end of the first Kingdom about 2270 BC, one of the most important cities throughout the history of Ancient Egypt. You will be visiting Memphis open air Museum the most important piece is Ramses the second statue about 20 meters long. Close to Memphis you will drive to Sakkara the City of the dead with the famous step Pyramid of Zoser the greatest Pharaoh of the 3rd Dynasty 2650 BC, the step pyramids is known to be the first stone building ever build in the world. Then you will be visiting a Mastaba (Tomb) for the Nobel Mereruka from the old kingdom the tomb have beautiful colored paintings about life in Egypt during the old Kingdom. Drive to the Pyramids of Giza, in front of Kefren Pyramid stands the alabaster Sphinx, which was discovered in 1912 carved from a single piece of stone, it is a lion with a portrait of a Pharaoh's head, it is also believed by many to be a likeness of Pharaoh Kefren. Drive back to your hotel (16:00). Evening drive to Giza Pyramids to attend the Sound and light show at Giza pyramids; the show narrates part of the Pharaonic history in an artistic musical show, the show lasts for 45 minutes.

Day 3: Meidum – Hawara - Fayoum – Karanis - Cairo Hotel (B, L)

Breakfast, 08:30 meet your Egyptologist guide, drive to Meidum to visit the eight-stepped pyramid. It is a huge structure and is surrounded by the debris from the casing that collapsed. Drive to visit the pyramid of Hawara and the remains of the temple built by Amenemhet III. Drive to Fayoum Egypt's largest oasis, overlooking Lake Qarun, a popular spot for hunting and fishing. You will have the chance to see the old way of irrigation by water wheels. Lunch overlooking the lake, on the way back visit the Roman site of Karanis that poses an ancient market and ancient oven for backing which gives a good idea about normal life in the Roman period the city once housed two limestone temples and a large agora. Return transfer to your Cairo hotel, you reach about 17:00.  

Day 4: Egyptian Museum - Old Cairo - Khan El Kalili Bazaar - Cairo Hotel (B)

Breakfast, 09:00 meet your Egyptologist guide and drive to Down Town visit the Egyptian Museum (2 hours tour), which contains a vast collection of Pharaonic antiquities including the fabulous treasures of King Tut-Ankh-Amon. Continue your tour to Old Cairo visiting the old Coptic Churches the Hanging Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary built in the 3rd century and the Church of St. Sergius built in the 4th century and visit the oldest Jewish Synagogue of Ben Ezra. Drive to visit the medieval Citadel of Salah El-Din, built in the 12th century and contains many structures, the most impressive of which is the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali. It was designed in the early 19th Century by a Greek Architect from Turkey the style is based on the Ottoman mosques of Istanbul. In the afternoon visit Khan El Kalili bazaar (the old market), drive back to your hotel. 

Day 5: Cairo Hotel - Flight to Aswan - Nile Cruise - Philae Temple - Kom Ombo (B, L, D)

Breakfast, meet your tour manger, transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Aswan. Upon arrival to Aswan meet your representative who will transfer you to embark your Nile Cruise ship. Embark your Nile Cruise ship, start your tour visiting the Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk at the Granite Quarries, lunch on board. Sail to Kom Ombo. Visit the Ptolemaic Temple shared by the two Gods Sobek and Horus in Kom Ombo. Sail to Edfu, afternoon tea, dinner on board & Nubian folkloric show. 

Please note that entertainment schedules & sailing times are subject to change but all sights in the itinerary will be visited. Check in time is early morning.

Day 6: Nile Cruise: Temple of Horus - Luxor (B, L, D)

Breakfasts on board visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu, the best preserved Egyptian Temple, sail to Luxor. Lunch on board, afternoon tea, dinner on board & Galabeya party, overnight in Luxor. 

Day 7: Nile Cruise: Valley of Kings & Queens - Luxor & Karnak Temple (B, L, D)

Breakfast on board, cross to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings and Queenswhere tombs of 64 Pharaohs and 57 Queens have been discovered, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El Deir el El Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon facing the Nile, lunch on board, visit the Karnak Temple, which is considered the World’s largest religious complex, and then visit Luxor Temple which was started by Amenhotep III and completed by Ramses II. Return to the cruise, afternoon tea, dinner on board & belly Dance show, overnight in Luxor. 

Day 8: Valley of the Nobles - Habu Temple - Valley of the Artisans - Luxor Hotel (B)

Disembark your Nile cruise after breakfast. 07:00 meet your Egyptologist guide and visit in the west bank the valley of the Nobles, the tombs of the great dignitaries from the middle and the new kingdom dynasties. You will enter Menna’s tomb and Nakht’s tomb. Continue to the Habu temple the mortuary of Ramses the 3rd one of the world’s largest monuments, is the second in importance and size to Karnak temple. Proceed to the valley of the artisans that used to be village and necropolis of all the workmen who built and decorated the royal tombs in Thebes, it is the only place in Egypt where you can see normal Egyptian ancient houses from the Pharaoh’s period. The tombs of the Artisans is among the best tombs  not in its size but for the quality of the painting material and the accuracy it was painted with. Transfer to your Luxor hotel about 15:00. 

Day 9: Luxor - Flight to Sharm El Sheikh - Sharm Hotel (B, D)

Breakfast at hotel, dependent on departure time transfer to Luxor Airport for your flight to Sharm El Sheikh. Meet your representative and drive to your hotel for check in. 

Day 10: Sharm El Sheikh Leisure (B, L, D)

Free Day in Sharm (Breakfast Lunch, Dinner+Soft Drinks).

Day 11: Sharm El Sheikh Leisure (B, L, D)

Free Day in Sharm (Breakfast Lunch, Dinner+Soft Drinks).

Day 12: Sharm El Sheikh Hotel - St Catherine Hotel (B, D)

Check out from hotel, drive 2.5 hours to St. Catherine. Check in your hotel, free time, dinner and early rest.  

Day 13: Mount Sinai - St Catherine Monastery - Nuweibah Port - Aqaba Port (B)

2:00 AM wake up call, drive 10 minutes to Mount Sinai, climb about 2 hours the mountain where it is believed that God delivered his 10 commandments to Moses. Watch the sunrise from the summit, return to the hotel for breakfast. Then visit St. Catherine Monastery. The monastic order was founded in the 4th century AD by the Roman Empress Helena who had a small chapel built beside what was believed to be the Burning Bush from witch God spoke to Moses. The chapel is dedicated to St. Katherine the legendary martyr of Alexandria. The monastery houses many  Icons from 6th century to the 18th century, and an important library that poses many historical hand written bibles and many important historical messages and agreement. Transfer to Nuweibah Port for taking the fast boat to Aqaba in Jordan.

Egypt 11 Days: Cairo, Nile Cruise (Luxor & Aswan), Sharm, St. Catherine

Egypt 11 Days: Cairo, Nile Cruise (Luxor & Aswan), Sharm, St. Catherine 

Day 1: Cairo Airport – Cairo Hotel

Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport you will be met after the passport control by your tour manager who will help you through your customs formalities then escort you to your hotel for check in and overnight.

Day 2: Memphis - Sakkara - Giza Pyramids - Sphinx - Cairo Hotel - Sound & Light Show (B) 

Breakfast, 08:30 meet your Egyptologist guide and drive 35 minutes to Memphis at the edge of the western desert. Once, Memphis was the capital of Egypt until the end of the first Kingdom about 2270 BC, one of the most important cities throughout the history of Ancient Egypt. You will be visiting Memphis open air Museum the most important piece is Ramses the second statue about 20 meters long. Close to Memphis you will drive to Sakkara the City of the dead with the famous step Pyramid of Zoser the greatest Pharaoh of the 3rd Dynasty 2650 BC, the step pyramids is known to be the first stone building ever build in the world. Then you will be visiting a Mastaba (Tomb) for the Nobel Mereruka from the old kingdom the tomb have beautiful colored paintings about life in Egypt during the old Kingdom. Drive to the Pyramids of Giza, in front of Kefren Pyramid stands the alabaster Sphinx, which was discovered in 1912 carved from a single piece of stone, it is a lion with a portrait of a Pharaoh's head, it is also believed by many to be a likeness of Pharaoh Kefren. Drive back to your hotel (16:00). Evening drive to Giza Pyramids to attend the Sound and light show at Giza pyramids; the show narrates part of the Pharaonic history in an artistic musical show, the show lasts for 45 minutes.

Day 3: Egyptian Museum - Old Cairo - Khan El Kalili Bazaar - Cairo Hotel (B)

Breakfast, 09:00 meet your Egyptologist guide and drive to Down Town visit the Egyptian Museum (2 hours tour), which contains a vast collection of Pharaonic antiquities including the fabulous treasures of King Tut-Ankh-Amon. Continue your tour to Old Cairo visiting the old Coptic Churches the Hanging Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary built in the 3rd century and the Church of St. Sergius built in the 4th century and visit the oldest Jewish Synagogue of Ben Ezra. Drive to visit the medieval Citadel of Salah El-Din, built in the 12th century and contains many structures, the most impressive of which is the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali. It was designed in the early 19th Century by a Greek Architect from Turkey the style is based on the Ottoman mosques of Istanbul. Continue your tour visiting Khan El Kalili bazaar area (the old market) drive back to your hotel. 

Day 4: Cairo Hotel - Flight to Aswan - Nile Cruise - Philae Temple - Kom Ombo (B, L, D)

Breakfast, meet your tour manger, transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Aswan. Upon arrival to Aswan meet your representative who will transfer you to embark your Nile Cruise ship. Embark your Nile Cruise ship, start your tour visiting the Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk at the Granite Quarries, lunch on board. Sail to Kom Ombo. Visit the Ptolemaic Temple shared by the two Gods Sobek and Horus in Kom Ombo. Sail to Edfu, afternoon tea, dinner on board & Nubian folkloric show. 

Please note that entertainment schedules & sailing times are subject to change but all sights in the itinerary will be visited. Check in time is early morning.

Day 5: Nile Cruise: Temple of Horus - Luxor (B, L, D)

Breakfasts on board visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu, the best preserved Egyptian Temple, sail to Luxor, Lunch on board, afternoon tea dinner on board & Galabeya party, overnight in Luxor. 

Day 6: Nile Cruise: Valley of Kings & Queens - Luxor & Karnak Temple (B, L, D)

Breakfast on board, cross to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings and Queens where tombs of 64 Pharaohs and 57 Queens have been discovered, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El Deir el El Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon facing the Nile, lunch on board, visit the Karnak Temple, which is considered the World’s largest religious complex, and then visit Luxor Temple which was started by Amenhotep III and completed by Ramses II. Return to the cruise, afternoon tea, dinner on board & belly Dance show, overnight in Luxor. 

Day 7: Nile Cruise - Luxor Airport - Sharm El Sheikh Hotel (B, D)

Breakfast on board, disembark your Nile cruise. Transfer to Luxor Airport for your 1 hour flight to Sharm El Sheikh. Upon arrival to Sharm El Sheikh meet your representative to transfer you to your hotel (Dinner+Soft Drinks)

Day 8: Sharm El Sheikh Leisure (B, L, D)

Free Day in Sharm (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Soft Drinks).

Day 9: Sharm El Sheikh Leisure (B, L, D)

Free Day in Sharm Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Soft Drinks).

Day 10: Sharm El Sheikh - St Catherine (B, D)

Check out from hotel and drive 2.5 hours to St. Catherine, check in your hotel, dinner and early rest.

Day 11: Mount Sinai - St Catherine Monastery - Nuweibah Port - Aqaba Port (B)

2:00 AM wake up call, drive 10 minutes to Mount Sinai, climb the mountain about 2 hours, where it is believed that God delivered his 10 commandments to Moses. Watch the sunrise from the summit, climb down, back to the hotel for breakfast. Then visit St. Catherine Monastery. The monastic order was founded in the 4th century AD by the Roman Empress Helena who had a small chapel built beside what was believed to be the Burning Bush from witch God spoke to Moses. The Chapel is dedicated to St. Katherine the legendary martyr of Alexandria. The monastery houses attractive and rare Icons from 6th century to the 18th century and a very important library that poses many historical hand written bibles and many important historical messages and agreement. Drive to Nuweibah for taking the fast boat to Aqaba Port in Jordan.

Egypt 9 Days: Cairo, Luxor, Sharm, St. Catherine

Egypt 9 Days: Cairo, Luxor, Sharm, St. Catherine

                

Day 1: Cairo Airport – Cairo Hotel

Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport you will be met after the passport control by your tour manager who will help you through your customs formalities then escort you to your hotel for check in and overnight.

Day 2: Memphis - Sakkara - Giza Pyramids - Sphinx - Cairo Hotel - Sound & Light Show (B) 

Breakfast, meet your Egyptologist guide (8:30 AM) drive to Memphis at the edge of the western desert (35 min. drive) the capital of Egypt until the end of the first Kingdom about 2270 BC, one of the most important cities throughout the history of Ancient Egypt. You will be visiting Memphis open air Museum the most important piece is Ramses the second statue about 20 meters long. Close to Memphis you will drive to Sakkara the City of the dead with the famous step Pyramid of Zoser the greatest Pharaoh of the 3rd Dynasty 2650 BC, the step pyramids is known to be the first stone building ever build in the world. Then you will be visiting a Mastaba (Tomb) for the Nobel Mereruka from the old kingdom the tomb have beautiful colored paintings about life in Egypt during the old Kingdom. Drive to the Pyramids of Giza, in front of Kefren Pyramid stands the alabaster Sphinx, which was discovered in 1912 carved from a single piece of stone, it is a lion with a portrait of a Pharaoh's head, it is also believed by many to be a likeness of Pharaoh Kefren. Drive back to your hotel (16:00). Evening drive to Giza Pyramids to attend the Sound and light show at Giza pyramids; the show narrates part of the Pharaonic history in an artistic musical show, the show lasts for 45 minutes.

Day 3: Egyptian Museum - Old Cairo - Khan El Kalili Bazaar - Cairo Hotel (B)

Breakfast, 09:00 meet your Egyptologist guide and drive to Down Town visit the Egyptian Museum (2 hours tour), which contains a vast collection of Pharaonic antiquities including the fabulous treasures of King Tut-Ankh-Amon. Continue your tour to Old Cairo visiting the old Coptic Churches the Hanging Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary built in the 3rd century and the Church of St. Sergius built in the 4th century and visit the oldest Jewish Synagogue of Ben Ezra. Drive to visit the medieval Citadel of Salah El-Din, built in the 12th century and contains many structures, the most impressive of which is the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali. It was designed in the early 19th Century by a Greek Architect from Turkey the style is based on the Ottoman mosques of Istanbul. Continue your tour visiting Khan El Kalili bazaar area (the old market) drive back to your hotel. 

Day 4: Cairo Hotel - Cairo Airport - Luxor - Karnak & Luxor Temple (B)

Breakfast, check out and transfer you to Cairo Airport & help you for check in for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival to Luxor you will be met and start your tour by visiting the east bank. The Karnak Temple is the largest religious complex in the world it was continuously built by generations for 2000 years, the temple was mainly dedicated to the God Amon Ra. The most celebrated feature of Karnak is the great hypostyle hall that covers 600 square meters; a forest of 134 columns supports the ceiling all decorated with religious scenes. Then visit the Luxor Temple, about 10 minutes drive from Karnak Temple. Amenophis the 3rd started building the temple and parts of it were completed by Ramses the 2nd, and 2 of his seated colossal statues flank the doorway of the temple. Transfer to your hotel about 12:00 noon. Free afternoon. 

Day 5: Colossi of Memnon - Valley of the Kings & Queens - Hatshepsut Temple - Sharm El Sheikh (B, D)

Breakfast, 07:00 meet your Egyptologist guide and drive to the west bank. First stop will be at the Colossi of Memnon, where is the remains of the monumental avenue witch used to be lead to the temple of Amon-Ofis the 3rd, the temple has unfortunately disappeared. Continue to the Valley of the Kings where about 64 pharaohs tombs were discovered. You will have the chance to enter the tomb of king Ramses the 6th which is famous with its magnificent ceiling colored paintings, and the tomb of Tutmose the 3rd characterized by its concise graphic style. In the Valley of the Queens visit the tomb of queen Thiti and the tomb of Prince Pra-her-Umenef, one of Ramses the 3rd sons. Drive to Eldeir El Bahari to visit the funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut built about 1460 BC, an architectural masterpiece designed by the architect Senmut. Return transfer to your hotel about 11:30. You will be met and transferred to Luxor Airport for your 1 hour flight to Sharm El Sheikh. Transfer to your Sharm El Sheikh hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Leisure Sharm El Sheikh (B, L, D)

Free Day in Sharm (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner+ Soft Drinks)

Day 7: Leisure Sharm El Sheikh (B, L, D)

Free Day in Sharm (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner+ Soft Drinks)

Day 8: Sharm El Sheikh - St Catherine (B, D)

Check out from hotel, drive 2.5 hours to St Catherine. Dinner and overnight at your hotel, early rest.

Day 9: Climb Mount Sinai - St Catherine Monastery - Nuweibah Port (B, L)

2:00 AM wake up call, drive 10 minutes to Mount Sinai, start to climb 2 hours the mountain, where it is believed that God delivered his 10 commandments to Moses at its summit. Watch the sunrise from the summit, climb down, back to the hotel for breakfast. You visit then St. Catherine Monastery. The monastic order was founded in the 4th century AD by the Roman Empress Helena who had a small chapel built beside what was believed to be the Burning Bush from witch God spoke to Moses. The chapel is dedicated to St. Katherine, the martyr of Alexandria. The monastery houses many attractive and rare Icons from 6th century to the 18th century and an important library that poses many historical hand written bibles and many important historical messages and agreement. Lunch at hotel, drive to Nuweibah Port, to take the fast ferry to Aqaba Port in Jordan, you reach in the late afternoon/evening time. 

Six Days Holy Land Tour

Program 5: 6 Days from Allenby Bridge to Ben Gurion Airport

Day 1: Allenby Bridge - Jerusalem Old City - Jerusalem Hotel 

Meet your guide at Allenby Bridge. Start our tour with an introduction to the city from the top of The Mount of Olives, and then walk down to the Garden of Gethsemane. We also visit the "Wailing Wall", the last remnants of the Temple in Jerusalem. We continue in the footsteps of Jesus along the Stations of the Via Dolorosa, Jesus' "Way of Suffering", and unto the Church of the Holy Sepulcure, where Jesus was crucified and buried. The Via Dolorosa also passes through the Old City's oriental "Suq" (Bazaar). At the end of the day we visit King David's Tomb and the "Room of the Last Supper", the Ceanaculum. Overnight Jerusalem.

Temple Mount Jerusalem

                         

Day 2: Bethlehem - Ein Karem – Jerusalem Hotel (B)

We drive to explore Bethlehem, where we first visit the ancient Church of the Nativity, where we can really touch the very place where Jesus was born. Built by St. Helena already in the 4^th century, it has been an active church and never destroyed ever since! Here St. Hieronymus wrote the first Latin translation of the Bible – the "Volgata". We shall also visit the "Milk Grotto" and the "Shepherds Fields". Please note that the tour to Bethlehem can be cancelled without prior notice due to security circumstances. Returning to Jerusalem we drive to the picturesque village Ein Karem, the place where John the Baptist was born. We will visit the "St. John in the Mountains" church, built on the place where the house of St. John was standing. We will also visit the Church of Visitation, where St. Mary visited Elisabeth out in the vineyard, and prophesized her the birth of St. John. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Ein Karem

Day 3: Jerusalem New City – Jerusalem Hotel (B)

This day is dedicated to Jerusalem's New City: We visit the famous "Menorah" (Candelabra) situated outside the "Knesset", Israel's parliament, and the the Israel Museum with the "Shrine of the Book", where the "Dead Sea Scrolls" are exhibited, the Model of Jerusalem at the time of the 2nd Temple. Visit Yad Vashem Museum & Machne Yehuda Market. Overnight Jerusalem.

Day 4: Cana – Nazareth – Mt. of Beatitudes – Capernaum – Tabgha – Tiberias/Nazareth Hotel (B) 

We start the day in Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle by turning water to wine at a wedding, continue to Nazareth, where we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and the Greek-Orthodox St. Raphael church near Mary's Well, continue to "Mt. of Beatitudes" we can enjoy the special church built by the Italian architect Berluzzi, as well as the wide view over the Sea of Galilee. We also visit the archaeological excavations of Capernaum, "The Town of Jesus", and its well-known Synagogue and the Church of the Fish & Bread in Tabgha. Overnight Tiberias or Nazareth.

Synagogue in Capernaum

Day 5: Mt. Carmel – Caesarea – Old Jaffa – Tel Aviv Hotel (B)

We leave the Galilee, and visit Mt. Carmel, where Elijah fought the Prophets of the Baal, and visit the Carmelite Stella Marris Convent, were Elijah hid in a cave and saw how God gave rain at will, by a cloud approaching the Carmel. The view from this spot is indeed enormous, and you can see from here wide over the Haifa Bay and sometimes into the Lebanon. We drive to Caesarea Maritima, the magnificent port-city built by King Herod the Great. From here St. Peter went to Rome and started with his first miracles. In Caesarea an inscription of the procurator Pontius Pilate was found. Continue with a walk in the old city of Jaffa, one of the ancient gateways to the Holy Land. Today Jaffa's romantic alley-ways attract many artists, who have their galleries there. Depending on the time we have left, we can drive through the pulsating city of Tel Aviv. Overnight Tel Aviv.

Day 6: Tel Aviv Hotel – Ben Gurion Airport (B)

Breakfast at hotel, check out, transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your departure.