Itinerary:

Day 1 – U.S. / Cairo

Fly to Cairo.


Day 2 – Cairo

Upon flight arrival at Cairo airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.

Meals: Dinner

Lodging: Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel & Spa


Day 3 – Cairo

You will see the Grand Pyramid, known as Pyramid of Khufu or Pyramid of Cheops, and the mysterious Sphinx, located in the Egyptian city of Giza. It was constructed on the orders of Pharaoh Khufu and was destined to be his magnificent burial chamber. Dating from around 2,560 B.C., it took 20 years to build and was the world's tallest man-made structure for more than 4, 000 years. The site was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Smile for the camel ride as you ride on a camel around the pyramids.

Then visit the Solar Boat, one of the most amazing Pharaonic discoveries. It is one of the oldest, largest, and best-preserved vessels from antiquity

Continue to Memphis, capital of the Pharaohs during the Old Kingdom of Egypt, is known as the oldest known royal city in the world. Founded in 3,100 BC during the 1st Dynasty, it was the royal capital for 500 years and remained occupied in all for a total of 4,000 years. Visit the recumbent statue of Ramesses II and the 80-ton Alabaster Sphinx.

Continue to Saqqara to see the prototype of the Pyramids, the Step Pyramid. Saqqara is where the first pharoahs were buried.  built for the 3rd Dynasty Pharaoh Djoser by the exalted architect Imhotep in 4,800 years ago.

Continuing south, visit the Pyramid of Dahshour. King Senefru, father of King Cheops, built this pyramid, also known as the Red Pyramid, approximately 4,600 years ago. Many scholars consider it to be more glorious than the Great Pyramid of Cheops.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel & Spa


Day 4 – Cairo

Visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. Among other fascinating exhibits, it houses the world’s largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities; you will see the treasures of the Tomb of Tutankhamen and the extraordinary Mummies Room where you can view the ancient remains of some of Egypt’s most important rulers.
Over ten mummies, including that of Ramesses II, are displayed in freestanding glass cases in this climate-controlled room. Walk around the mummies and examine them from all angles, gaze into their incredibly well preserved 3,000-year-old faces.

Leave the museum and enter Old Cairo and walk back in time. Tucked away amid the modern urban area of Cairo lies one of the world's oldest Islamic cities, with its famous mosques, madrasas, hammams and fountains. Founded in the 10th century, it became the new centre of the Islamic world, reaching its golden age in the 14th century. UNESCO declared the Historic Cairo the World Heritage Site.

Visit the Old Coptic Church, is the official name for the largest Christian church in Egypt. The Church belongs to the Oriental Orthodox family of churches. The Coptic Orthodox Church was established by Saint Mark the apostle and evangelist in the middle of the 1st Century.

Continue to Citadel of Cairo The location, part of the Muqattam hill near the center of Cairo, was once famous for its fresh breeze and grand views of the city, and was fortified by the Ayyubid ruler Salah al-Din (Saladin) between 1,176 and 1,183 AD, to protect it from the Crusaders.

In the Citadel, we visit the Mohamad Ali Mosque, also known as Alabaster Mosque. Situated on the summit of the citadel, this Ottoman mosque, the largest to be built in the first half of the 19th century, is, with its animated silhouette and twin minarets, the most visible mosque in Cairo.

Visit to Khan el Khalili Bazaar, in the Islamic district of Cairo. The Medieval atmospheres of this traditional market, together with the labyrinth layout of the streets gives visitors o lot of pleasure and a glimpse into what medieval markets once were like.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel & Spa


Day 5 – Cairo / Abu Simbel / Aswan / Nile Cruise

Early morning flight to Abu Simbel, one of the most desolate spots on earth where Ramses the Great built his monumental temple.

Abu Simbel temples are two massive rock temples in Nubia, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at the Great Temple honoring Ramesses II - carved out of a cliff, with four 67-foot-high seated statues of the pharaoh at the entrance - and the adjacent Temple of Hathor, dedicated to his wife, Queen Nefertari, to commemorate his alleged victory at the Battle of Kadesh, and to intimidate his Nubian neighbors.

Then, take the short flight to Aswan.

Embark on H.S. Radamis II. Visit of the High Dam, an engineering miracle that has largely shaped Egypt's development and the tour the beautiful Temple of Philae, dedicated to one of Ancient Egypt's important figures, goddess Isis.

Welcome reception cocktail

Dinner on board

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Cruise aboard H.S. Radamis II


Day 6 – Nile Cruise / Kom Ombo and Edfu

Glimpse river life along the Nile while cruising aboard the Nile Adventurer. Stop to visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, an unusual double temple, once an important caravan town. Tour the Kom Ombo Temple dedicated to two of the Pharoahs Gods, Sobek and Haroeris.

Lunch on board

Then it's on to the Temple of the Falcon God Horus in Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt.

Enjoy a relaxing sail along the Nile, passing quaint villages and towns that haven’t changed in thousands of years. Sailing through the Esna lock.

Afternoon tea

Dinner on board

Oriental Show “Gallabia Party”

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Cruise aboard H.S. Radamis II


Day 7 – Nile Cruise / Luxor

Visit Luxor West Bank – Valley of the Kings & Queens, and Temple of Queen Hatshepsut ( El-Deir El-Bahari ).

The Valley of the Kings is a valley in Egypt where, for a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the Pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom. Valley of Kings where at least 62 ornately decorated tombs of the pharaohs were hidden; step into another world as you enter King Tut's tomb.

The Valley of the Queens is a place in Egypt where wives of Pharaohs were buried in ancient times. Many princes and princesses were also buried with various members of the nobility.

The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut is situated beneath the cliffs at Deir el Bahari near the Valley of the Kings. The mortuary temple is dedicated to the sun god Amon-Ra and is located next to the mortuary temple of Mentuhotep II, which served both as an inspiration, and later, a quarry. It is considered one of the “incomparable monuments of ancient Egypt”.

Lunch on board

Afternoon tea

Dinner on board

Belly dance show

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Cruise aboard H.S. Radamis II


Day 8 – Luxor

Disembark H.S. Radamis II.

Visit Thebes, the modern name Luxor. Thebes, the city of the god Amun, was the capital of Egypt during the period of the Middle and New Kingdoms. With the temples and palaces at Karnak and Luxor, and the necropolises of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, Thebes is a striking testimony to Egyptian civilization at its height, declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site.

Visit the vast Temple of Karnak, built over a span of 1,300 years; it is one of the world's largest temple complexes.The Karnak Temple Complex comprises a vast conglomeration of ruined temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings, notably the Great Temple of Amun and a massive structure begun by Pharaoh Ramses II.

Then tour Temple of Luxor, noted for its avenue of sphinxes, grand colonnades, and colossal statues of Ramesses II. Luxor Temple is a large Ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the River Nile in the city today known as Luxor (ancient Thebes) and was founded in 1400 B.C. , Known in the Egyptian language "the southern sanctuary", the temple was dedicated to the Theban Triad of Amun, Mut, and Chons and was built during the New Kingdom.

Evening Sound & Light Show at the Temple of Karnak.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Sonesta St. George Hotel Luxor


Day 9 – Luxor / Cairo / Amman (Jordan)

Fly to Cairo; connect international flight to Amman, capital of Jordan.

Upon arrival at Queen Alia Airport, transfer to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Lodging: Le Meridien Amman


Day 10 – Amman

Drive to Jerash, one of the best preserved examples of Roman civilization in the world. The city of Jerash known as the city of a 1,000 Pillars, its historical monuments cover a time span of more than 5,000 years.  Visit the Triple Arched Gate, the Huge Hippodrome, the Theatre and the only Roman Forum surrounded by 63 Ionic columns.

Continue to Ajloun Nature Reserve and then to the 12th century Saracen Castle built by one of Saladin's lieutenants in the campaign against the Crusaders. This is a beautiful area of Mediterranean woodland hills and forests of oak, pistachio, and pine trees.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Le Meridien Amman


Day 11 – Amman / Petra

Travel along the historic King’s Highway to Petra.

Visit the holy city of Madaba, well known for its outstanding Byzantine mosaics. The Greek Orthodox Basilica of Saint George, which houses the earliest surviving original map of the Holyland, in a mosaic floor dating to 560 A.D. The Madaba Mosaic Map is an index map of the region, dating from the sixth century AD, preserved in the floor of the Greek Orthodox Basilica of Saint George. With two million pieces of colored stone, the map depicts hills and valleys, villages and towns in Palestine and the Nile Delta. The mosaic contains the earliest extant representation of Byzantine Jerusalem, labeled the "Holy City."

Then on to Mt. Nebo, which is reputed to be the site of the tomb of Moses. Visit an ancient church located atop the hill overlooking the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley. The church is run by the Franciscan monks in the area and houses magnificent mosaics dating back to the 6th century.

Continue to Petra.

We will tour the city of Petra. Lost to the world for centuries in the mountains of southern Jordan, hidden deep in a canyon, the ancient rose-red city of Petra is an indescribable wonder intricately carved from sheer rock faces. It was rediscovered by the Swiss explorer Burkhardt in 1812 – Petra offers one of the most unique sights in the world.

Once it was a stronghold and capital for the Nabateans, but fell to Rome in 106 A.D.  Travel part of the way on horseback and the rest by carriage, through the deep and narrow passages that were carved millions of years ago by erosion. The Treasury finally appears magnificently and immediately in front of you, creating an awesome start to an unforgettable experience. Now we begin our exploration of what both the Nabateans and Romans left for us to witness.

Petra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. UNESCO has described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage.


Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Movenpick Petra


Day 12 – Petra / Israel / Jerusalem

We will cross the Jordan River into the West Bank through King Hussein Bridge.

Visit the Dead Sea, is a salt lake bordering Jordan to the east, and Israel to the west. Its surface and shores are 422 metres (1,385 ft) below sea level, the lowest elevation on the Earth's surface on dry land. The Dead Sea is 378 m (1,240 ft) deep, the deepest hypersaline lake in the world. It is also one of the world's saltiest bodies of water.

To Masada, UNESCO World Heritage Site built by King Herod between 37 and 31 BC, ascend by cable car to this last stronghold of the Zealots in their struggle against the Romans. Visit the excavations, Herod the Great’s Palace, synagogue and bathhouse.

Drive via the Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

Continue to Jericho, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with evidence of settlement dating back to 9,000 BC, providing important information about early human habitation in the Near East.

Visit Bethlehem, is birthplace of Jesus Christ, to visit the Church of Nativity.

Continue to Jerusalem.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: David Citadel Hotel


Day 13 – Jerusalem

Enter the Old City, view the Dome of the Rock, mosque of Islam; continue to the Western Wall. On to the Crusader Church of St. Anne and the Pool of Bethesda; see Pilate’s Judgment Hall, the Chapel of Flagellation and the Arch of Ecce Homo. Follow the steps of the Via Dolorosa through narrow alleys and souks to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Enter the Jewish Quarter; walk along the excavated Cardo, once a main street of Byzantine Jerusalem. Tour the Herodian Mansions, a complex of villas from 2,000 years ago. Ascend Mount Zion; visit Dormition Abbey, the traditional Upper Room and the Tomb of King David.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: David Citadel Hotel


Day 14 – Jerusalem / U.S.

Fly to the U.S.

Flight arrives in the U.S. on the same day.