Egypt and Jordan

Feel as if you’ve stepped into another time as you enter a world of legends, relics, and indescribable beauty. Eons of history and iconic wonders, mouthwatering bites of savory cuisine, and stretching sunsets fading against the desert horizon – discover the essence of Jordan and Egypt.
Hotel Name: Amman Marriott Hotel

Your adventure starts in Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Meet your Jordanian Tour Manager who will accompany you throughout your time in the Middle Eastern country.
Hotel Name: Petra Marriott Hotel

Visit Area: Amman
Visit the Jordan city of Amman, where ancient relics meet modern wonders. The city is bustling with people and culture, and is often recognized as the most modernized Arab city. The city dates back even before 7,000 B.C., but rapidly increased in size following World War I – now it is home to Jordan’s king.

This morning, tour Amman, a city built on seven hills, with a rich history spanning nearly 10,000 years. Pause for lunch at a local restaurant, indulging in meze – a large variety of small sharing plates showcasing the exotic flavors of the Levant. This afternoon, take in Jordan’s rocky landscape during your four-hour journey to Petra, the fabled “Rose Red City.” At your hotel, connect with your fellow adventurers at a welcome dinner.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Petra
Visit the fabled “Rose Red City” of Petra, Jordan. It is a historical and archaeological city among mountains and valleys. The entire city is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, and is thought to date back to 4th century B.C.

At daybreak, weave along sandstone carvings as you tour the vast archeological site of Petra. Serving as a crossroads between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, Petra contains ages of hidden wonders just waiting to be explored. Take advantage of an afternoon at leisure to adventure further on your own. Perhaps you’ll trek up the 850 steps to the “Monastery,” one of Petra’s legendary monuments. In the evening, roll up your sleeves and join an authentic Arabic cooking class in a local home. During this Impact Moment, learn about the evolving role of women in Jordanian society as you chat about Bedouin traditions, ingredients and recipes from your host. Dig into dinner, family-style before returning to your hotel for the night.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa

Admittance: Impact Moment

A full morning transfer takes you to the once-fertile basin of the Jordan Valley. In Madaba, view its famous 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land and engage with the local community during a home-hosted lunch. Experience proverbial Jordanian hospitality and authentic home cooking as you share stories and connect with your hosts over a traditional meal. This afternoon, like Moses long before you, gaze upon the Promised Land at Mount Nebo. Then, descend to the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea for a two-night stay at a hotel featuring direct access to the legendary sea.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Home Hosted Lunch

This morning, it’s your choice! Travel the short distance between your hotel and the Jordan River to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the UNESCO-recognized site believed to be where St. John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ -OR- take advantage of your hotel’s private access to the beach and enjoy a morning at leisure to experience the Dead Sea’s natural buoyancy. Wrap up your afternoon at leisure with a scenic sunset overlooking the Dead Sea, before gathering for dinner at your hotel.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Marriott Cairo Hotel & Casino

Visit Area: Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is a salt lake bordered by Jordan to the east, and Israel and the West Bank to the west. Its surface and shores are 1407 feet below sea level, Earth’s lowest elevation on land. With 34.2% salinity, it is one of the world’s saltiest bodies of water. The amounts of salt in the lake makes it impossible for any animals to stay alive, hence the name the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is 31 miles long and 9 miles wide and its widest point.

Pre-dawn this morning,* say goodbye to your Jordanian Tour Manager before boarding a 90-minute flight to Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Arrive in the land of the Pharaohs and meet your Egyptian Tour Manager, who will accompany you for the rest of the trip. Feel Cairo’s constant thrum of energy wrap around you as you transfer to the hotel for a two-night stay.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Relax by the Dead Sea or Visit the Baptismal Site of Bethany Beyond Jordan
During your stay at the Dead Sea, you have the choice between two activities. Your first choice is to take advantage of your hotel’s private access to the beach and enjoy a morning at leisure to experience the Dead Sea’s natural buoyancy. Your second choice is to travel the short distance between your hotel and the Jordan River for an insightful visit of Bethany Beyond Jordan, the UNESCO-recognized site where, according to tradition, St. John Baptist baptized Jesus Christ. Full Day to Relax by the Dead Sea Activity Level: 1 Travelers opting for this Choice will enjoy free time at their Dead Sea resort hotel. You will be able to walk down on own through the hotel grounds to the shore of the Dead Sea where you can float or opt to spend time by one of the hotel pools or many lounges and public areas admiring views of the Dead Sea. Visit the Baptismal Site of Bethany Beyond Jordan Activity Level: 3 Travelers who select this Choice will join their Jordanian Tour Manager for a guided walking tour of the only UNESCO-recognized Baptismal Site - recognized also by all major Christian confessions. Travelers must be prepared to walk about 1 mile (1.5 km) over mostly flat terrain. Travelers will mostly walk along dirt paths, with some areas being paved but there is loose gravel along the way and the area leading down to the Jordan river has about 10 steps that can be slippery when wet. Most of the time the paths are under direct sun with very limited shade and shelter. Travelers must be prepared to walk and stand for about 90 minutes, in intense heat.

This morning, get a glimpse into ancient Egypt’s Pharaohs, power struggles, and dynasties during a visit to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities.** Be prepared for a dose of Cairo’s legendary traffic as you head to Giza. Embrace the Egypt you always imagined as you stand in awe before the iconic Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Marvel at the stoicism of the Great Sphinx, a colossal structure jutting out of the desert sand, full of mystery and intrigue. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: M/S Blue Shadow I, Nile River Cruise

Admittance: Giza Pyramids

Pre-dawn this morning,*** transfer to the Cairo airport for your 75-minute flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, visit the expansive ruins of Karnak Temple. Wander through this 4,000-year-old complex of pylons and obelisks, often of near-mythic proportions. Then, board your cruise ship and settle in for the next four nights. After lunch on board, enjoy an afternoon at leisure. This evening, take in the views from the sundeck, before joining your fellow travelers for your first dinner aboard.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Great Sphinx

As dawn breaks, venture to Luxor’s West Bank, trekking along the elaborate tombs of the Valley of the Kings.**** Delve even further into Egyptian legends with an included viewing of the tombs of King Tutankhamun and Ramses VI. Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut as well as the Colossi of Memnon before returning to the ship for a late lunch. In the early afternoon, set sail to Edfu, where you’ll arrive early tomorrow morning. As you sail upstream, glimpse the small farms scattered along the Nile’s banks, and appreciate the simple, modest livings of local farmers.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: 4-Night Nile River Cruise
The Nile is a north flowing river located in the northeastern part of Africa. It is regarded as the longest river in the world at over 4,000 miles long. The Nile and its water sources are shared by 11 different African countries.

In Edfu, pick between an early or a late start to your day, because it’s your choice! Head out at daybreak for a guided visit of the mesmerizing Temple of Horus, returning for a late breakfast aboard -OR- rise at your leisure and linger over a relaxed breakfast, as you take in views of a place where daily life has changed little over the centuries. This afternoon, coast along to Kom Ombo and visit a rare double temple. Then, watch the Egyptian landscape slowly drift by as you sail on to Aswan. This evening, don a traditional Egyptian gown and join a festive galabeya party for a fun evening on board.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Valley of the Kings
Located among the cliffs on the west bank of the Nile near Luxor is the Valley of the Kings, home to the tombs of the pharaohs of the New Kingdom. The tombs were built here over a period of almost 500 years. There are 63 tombs in the valley, 26 of them carved for kings, and the others were carved for royal family members.

Your morning opens in Aswan, the Nubian city. Discover the mysteries of Philae Temple. Located on a small island, this complex can only be reached by motorboat. Philae is among the architectural wonders rescued from the rising waters of the Nile during the construction of the High Dam. The afternoon is yours to explore more of Aswan. Perhaps you’ll visit the fascinating artifacts at the Nubian Archeological Museum. This evening, aboard a felucca (wooden sailboat), take in the views of the tall sand dunes on the western shore of the Nile before relaxing over dinner aboard.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Intercontinental Citystars

Admittance: Morning to Relax on the Ship or Visit the Temple of Edfu
In Edfu, during your Nile River cruise, you have the choice between an early or late start of the day. Your first choice is to join your Tour Manager for an early morning guided visit of the Temple of Horus, returning for a late breakfast aboard. Your second choice is to stay on board, rising at your leisure and lingering over a relaxed breakfast, as you take in views of the small farms dotting the riverbanks. Morning to Relax on the Ship Activity Level: 1 Travelers opting for this Choice will enjoy free time aboard their Nile cruise ship. This choice grants you the control over how many early morning starts you want to have and how many ancient ruins you are interested in visiting. If you chose to stay on board, you will be able to wake up at leisure, have a relaxed breakfast and make ample use of the ship's sundeck and lounges to read a book or admire the landscape. Visit the Temple of Edfu Activity Level: 3 Travelers selecting this Choice should expect an early continental breakfast on the ship and a 6:45 a.m. departure to the temple of Edfu. Travelers will join their Tour Manager for a guided tour of the temple for which they should be prepared to walk and stand for about 75 minutes over mostly unpaved or uneven terrain and with very limited shade. No seating is available during the actual guided tour. Breakfast will still be available on board upon returning to the ship.

Early this morning,***** return to Cairo. Head towards the old town and enjoy some free time to shop in the world-famous Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Peruse colorful trinkets, hand-painted crafts, polished pendants, and more. Check into your hotel in the late afternoon. This evening, celebrate the end of your Middle Eastern journey during a farewell dinner at your hotel.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Drive By: Kom Ombo
Kom Ombo is a town in Egypt famous for its temple, the Temple of Kom Ombo. This Graceo-Roman temple was built in 332 B.C. Being a double temple makes it quite unique. One temple is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and the other is dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god.

Your epic adventure comes to a close today. Return home with a new understanding of these mystical lands.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Aswan
Aswan is a city in the south of Egypt located just north of the Aswan dams on the east bank of the Nile River and is 81 miles south of Luxor, Egypt. It is said to be Egypt’s sunniest southern city and has a busy market and tourist center.