Explore Middle East: Egypt, Jordan and Israel

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Cairo

  Open your Middle East exploration from Egypt, an ancient land full of mysterious relics and legendary stories.

  Touching down in Cairo, warmly welcomed by our representative and then be transferred to your hotel in a comfortable private vehicle. The rest of the day is yours to recover from the jet lag.

  • Cairo

• Day 2: Cairo, Pyramids & Sphinx

  When it comes to Egypt, what pops up in people's minds is usually the pyramid. Today's trip starts from the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest pyramid in Egypt. Nearby it, in the chamber of the Unas Pyramid, you will find the earliest Egyptian funerary texts. Continue to Giza to admire the Great Pyramid (known as the Pyramid of Khufu), the Pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure, and the mystical Sphinx.

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  • Cairo

• Day 3: Cairo, Egyptian Museum & Old Cairo

  Spend the morning exploring the Citadel of Salah Al-Din, a preserved medieval fortress constructed to resist the Crusader armies. Within it, you will see the 19th-century Muhammad Ali Mosque with its towering minarets dominating the skyline of eastern Cairo. Then, stroll through the winding alleys of Khan El Khalili Bazaar, searching for some exotic souvenirs or sampling some local snacks.

  Focus the afternoon in the Egyptian Museum, delving into the relics coming from ancient Egyptian kingdoms and recalling the past glory of pharaohs' time.

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  • Cairo

• Day 4: Cairo - Aswan, Nile River Cruise

  Fly to Aswan this morning. On arrival, meet your guide for tours to the High Dam and the Temple of Philae dedicated to the goddess of Isis. Afterward, board your Nile cruise for lunch and refreshment.

  Late in the afternoon, take a felucca sail and relish in the serenity of the Nile, enjoying the sunset on the Nile and having an ashore tour to the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener Island.

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  • Nile River Cruise

• Day 5: Nile River Cruise, Temple of Kom Ombo & Temple of Edfu

  Sail down the Nile and discover two significant ones among the numerous temples scattered along the Nile banks.

  The first stop is the Temple of Kom Ombo, uniquely with one side devoted to the crocodile god Sobek and the other side sacrificed to the falcon god Horus, the patron of pharaohs and the son of goodness Isis. Also dedicated to Horus, the Temple of Edfu is famed for the text and portrait incised on its building façade.

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  • Nile River Cruise

• Day 6: Nile River Cruise, West Bank of Luxor

  Continue the cruise to Luxor. Luxor is divided into two parts by the Nile, the east bank for the living and the west bank for the dead. Following the step of your guide, kick off your exploration of the West Bank dominated by sprawling cemeteries and mortuary temples. You will visit three tombs in the Valley of the Kings, discover the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut - the second female pharaoh in Egyptian history, and admire the Colossi of Memnon.

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  • Nile River Cruise

• Day 7: Luxor - Cairo, East Bank of Luxor

  Today, on the East Bank, you will explore the cult center of Amun - an ancient Egyptian deity: the spectacular Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, and the two-kilometer long Avenue of Sphinx that connects them.

  After the tour, get to the airport for your flight to Cairo.

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  • Cairo

• Day 8: Cairo - Amman, Archaeological Site of Jerash

  Leave Egypt behind and fly to Amman, the capital of Jordan. Meet your driver at the airport and set off for a side trip to Jerash to marvel at the ruins of the Greco-Roman city of ancient Gerasa. Afterward, return to Amman and skim over its historical center with imposing citadels, Roman Amphitheater, and museums.

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  • Amman

• Day 9: Amman - Petra, Madaba with Mosaic Map & Mt. Nebo

  Today you will depart for Petra. Along the way, stop at Madaba for the ancient mosaic map of the Middle East in the St. George Church, get a panoramic view of the holy land when passing through Mt. Nebo, and take a break at a Jordanian handicraft shop and see the workers creating Mosaic artworks in traditional styles with Byzantine touch.

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  • Petra

• Day 10: Petra - Dead Sea, the Lost City of Petra

  Wrapped in a shroud of mystery and featuring towering temples, grand theatre, and gloomy tombs carved directly into the vibrant sandstone cliff face, the Lost City of Petra appeared in Hollywood blockbusters from time to time.

  It is time to walk into the films, such as "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" and "The Mummy Return". During a 2-hour guided tour, your guide will share the stories behind these historical monuments. The rest of the time is yours to explore on your own.

  Late afternoon, drive on to the Dead Sea for a floating experience and a leisurely night.

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  • Dead Sea

• Day 11: Dead Sea - Allenby Bridge Border - Jerusalem

  This morning, head to the Allenby Bridge on the Jordanian side. Pass through the border and meet your Israeli driver at the other end of the bridge for the onward journey to Jerusalem. After arrival, check into your hotel and have the remaining time at your leisure.

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  • Jerusalem

• Day 12: Jerusalem, Mt. Olives & the Old City

  Start the tour today from the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem with the golden Dome of the Rock shining in the morning light. Descending the mount, visit the Church of All Nations and take a stroll in the adjacent Garden of Gethsemane. Walk into the old city via the Lion's Gate and follow the stops of Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Wind the way through the alleys of the bazaar and reach the Western Wall (the Wailing Wall), one of the last remains of the Second Temple. Proceed to Mount Zion to visit the Cenacle - the Last Supper Room, King David's Tomb, and the Dormition Abbey.

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  • Jerusalem

• Day 13: Jerusalem, Bethlehem & the New City of Jerusalem

  Drive south to Bethlehem this morning to discover the birthplace of Jesus marked with a silver star in the Church of the Nativity. Nearby is the Manger Square. There is also a visit to the Shepherds Field, where the angels first announced Jesus' birth.

  Proceed to the new city of Jerusalem and visit the Israel Museum with a wide array of artifacts relevant to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Do not miss the model of the old city in the Second Temple period and the Dead Sea Scrolls uncovered in Qumran. Next, visit the Holocaust Memorial of Yad Vashem and explore the famous Machane Yehuda Market.

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  • Jerusalem

• Day 14: Jerusalem - Tel Aviv, Departure

  Your epic journey to the Middle East comes to an end today. After breakfast, your driver will transfer you to Ben Gurion Airport for your home-bound flight.

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