10 days Egypt gay tour & Nile River Cruise, followed by 6 days in Jordan from Cairo, Egypt to Amman, Jordan
November 3 – 18, 2016
Sanctuary Retreats MS Sanctuary Nile Adventurer
The eternally staggering sights of Cairo and Ancient Egypt in top comfort. 5 nights in 5-star hotels, plus 4 nights sailing the Nile aboard the 32-cabin ultra-luxury Sanctuary Nile Adventurer ex Luxor in the cabin of your choice, followed by 6 days in Jordan exploring Amman, The Dead Sea, Petra and more.
This four night luxury Nile gay cruise, beginning in Luxor and ending in Aswan, takes in the highlights of Upper Egypt on board the finest floating boutique hotel.
Egypt & Jordan Gay Cruise & Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - Thursday, November 3, 2016
Arrive Cairo, Egypt Arrive and be greeted by our local tour guide. (VISA REQUIRED – OBTAINABLE AT THE AIRPORT)
Transfer to the "5-Star" Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza. Glamorous and stylish, the Four Seasons Nile Plaza is located in the leafy quarter of Garden City, a modern retreat in an historic part of Cairo.
Check-in at hotel, with remainder of day at leisure. Welcome Dinner in the evening.
Day 2 - Friday, November 4, 2016
Discover Cairo Buffet breakfast at leisure at your hotel.
Today, our Egyptologist will escort us on a fascinating tour of 7,000 years of Egyptian history with a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, open since 1902. The Museum exhibits over 120,000 objects in its 107 halls, comprising the world's greatest collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts. Two grand halls containing countless artifacts and one room reserved for the golden treasures, all from the world-famous tomb of the boy-king Tutankhamun, astound and delight visitors. More than 2 million people flock to this magnificent site each year.
Enter the Mummies Room, a specially built area dedicated to the well-preserved mummies of 11 Royal Kings and Queens of Ancient Egypt, including the Great Ramses II, Egypt's longest ruling pharaoh.
Lunch will be in the heart of Islamic Cairo.
Coptic Cairo (coptic: Christianity brought to Egypt through the flight of The Holy Family) refers to a religious/secular area of Old Cairo encompassing the Babylon Fortress (built in 100AD by the Roman Emperor Trajan to defend the frontiers of the Roman Empire); the Coptic Museum, home to art and artifacts from Early-Christian Egypt (circa 300AD) to the present; the Hanging Church – thought to have originated in the 7th century – is so named as it sits "suspended" on top of the Fortress of Babylon; the Church of Saints Serguis (at the site where The Holy Family rested on their fight through Egypt) and the Synagogue of Ben Ezra, renowned for its treasured "Geniza Documents" chronicling the lives of Jews in Egypt's past.
The Coptic Museum, with its airy buildings, to its walls covered with intricate mosaics, to its lush, landscaped gardens, is a tranquil oasis hidden away from the hustle and bustle of everyday Cairo. Containing the world's largest collection of Coptic artifacts and artwork (displaying a rich mixture of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman traditions), the museum houses over 16,000 original pieces, illustrating the development of Egyptian history throughout the ages.
Continue on to the meandering streets of Old Cairo – see and hear the teeming life of the city as you wander through its by-ways and explore the shops of Khan el Kahlili Bazaar, the major "souk" (originally an open-air marketplace) of the old Islamic District of Cairo. Here you may haggle over, and/or purchase any type of Egyptian souvenir you might desire – woven rugs, copper and brass pots, luxurious fabrics, hand-made art-work – enjoy the adventure!
Day 3 - Saturday, November 5, 2016
The Pyramids, Sakkara & Memphis Founded in 3100BCE, Memphis is the legendary city founded by King Menes, who united Upper and Lower Egypt. According to tradition, he first created dikes to protect the area from Nile floods and then started the city's construction — much of what we know of Memphis comes from its" necropolis" (cemetery), texts and papyrus from other parts of Egypt, and the writings of the Greek Historian, Herodotus, who visited the city. Early on, Memphis was probably a fortress from which Menes controlled the land and water routes between Upper Egypt and the Delta. Later, this great city became the administrative and religious center of Egypt, was home to a cosmopolitan community and most likely one of the largest and most important cities in the ancient world.
Across the Great Court of the Pyramid Complex of Zoser in Sakkara, stands the Step Pyramid, the oldest known of Egypt's 107 pyramids – built by Pharaoh Imhotep, one of the world's most famous historical figures. Although the original structure was a burial chamber 28 meters (91.9ft) underground, Imhotep enlarged it several times to eventually reach a six tiered rectangle 60 (196.9ft) meters high, gleaming outside with polished limestone, and, inside, richly decorated with beautiful Egyptian engravings and paintings.
LUNCH will be at the historic Mena House Hotel, located at the base of the Pyramids.
Embark on an unforgettable tour of the Great Pyramids of Giza built for the Pharaoh's Cheops, Chefren and Mycerinus. The only present-day surviving structures of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, they were constructed nearly 4500 years ago with blocks of limestone from the Turah Hills on the outskirts of Cairo. (Alone, The Great Pyramid of Cheops required over 2,300,000 blocks of stone, each weighing about 2.5 tons; at its base, it covers 13 acres of land.) Millions of visitors come each year to ponder the fascinating mystery of their existence and explore the ancient burial chambers within.
Un-earthed from a burial pit at the foot of The Great Pyramid of Egypt was the "Khufu" (King Cheops' ship, crafted: ca. 2500BCE) – an intact, full-sized funerary vessel designed to transport the deceased pharaoh across the heavens. Now on display at the Solar Boat Museum, this ship (measuring 43.6m/143ft long and 5.9m/19.5ft wide), is one of the oldest, largest, and best-preserved vessels from antiquity.
Visit the Valley Temple, housing the mysterious Great Sphinx of Giza, one of the world's largest and oldest statues, yet basic facts about it are still subject to debate, such as when it was built, by whom, and for what purpose. With the body of a lion and the face of a man wearing a royal head cloth, craftsmen may have based the statue on King Khafre, invoking his likeness to guard this enormous funerary complex. Over the ensuing generations, as social mores and religions changed, the Sphinx and its meaning were disregarded, and the statue became covered by the slowly drifting desert sands – after centuries of being "entombed", the entire Sphinx was totally excavated in 1925 to 1936, in digs led by the French archaeologist, Emile Baraize.
(In legend, however, a young prince – ca. 1499BCE – fell asleep in the shadow of the Sphinx, having a dream in which the Sphinx told him that if he cleared the sand away, he would become Pharaoh. After placing a "Dream Stela" – an inscribed column detailing the prophecy – between the Sphinx's paws, the prince did eventually become King Tuthmose IV, the eighth pharaoh of Egypt.)
Day 4 - Sunday, November 6, 2016
Cairo/Luxor: Karnak & Luxor Temples After breakfast in the hotel, your guide will escort you to Cairo Airport to board your flight to Luxor. Arrive in Luxor and transfer to the "5-Star" Sofitel Pavilion Winter Palace Hotel. Located on the banks of the Nile, tucked into the tropical gardens of an opulent 19th-century palace, the hotel offers all luxury amenities – tennis courts, swimming pool, spa, shops, cafes and five restaurants serving international cuisines. Centrally located, there are many sites within walking distance – at your leisure, visit the temples, museums and the bustling "souk" (central market).
Built over 2,000 years ago, and enriched continuously by succeeding generations of pharaohs, the 62-acre Temple of Karnak was dedicated to the god Amun-Ra, the champion of the poor and destitute. In reverence to their god, pharaoh's continuously glorified him in larger, more magnificent architecture – be awed by the majestic size and scope of this ancient Egyptian Ipet-isut ("The Most Selected of Places"), especially noting the great "Hypostyle Hall" (a roof supported by huge columns) – an area of 5,000 square meters (50,000 sq ft) with a veritable forest of 134 huge (10m/33ft in circumference), intricately carved and painted pillars soaring to heights of 24m (80ft).
Founded in 1400BCE, connected to the Temple of Karnak via the Avenue of the Sphinxes and known as one of the most beautiful temples in Egypt, is the Temple of Luxor ('ipet resyt' or "The Southern Harem"). This temple expressly honored the "Royal Ka" (life power/re-birth)) with one of the most important religious rites in ancient Egypt – a month-long tribute to the fertility goddess – the "Opet Festival". In homage and gratitude to the cult of the Royal Ka, colossal seated figures, statues and obelisks were erected on its grounds; the temple is one of the best preserved of all of the ancient Egyptian monuments with large amounts of the structure, statuary and relief carvings still intact, earning Luxor its nickname: "The World's Largest Outdoor Museum".
Between both the Temple of Karnak and the Temple of Luxor is the highly rated Luxor Museum with its quality collection of Egyptian antiquities. Most of the artifacts displayed were discovered in the area of ancient Thebes (modern Luxor), with highlights of the collection including masterpieces of pharaonic art as well as examples of everyday objects.
Return to your hotel with evening at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast. Lunch and Dinner at local restaurant
Day 5 - Monday, November 7, 2016
Abydos & Denderah
After breakfast, we begin traveling overland to Abydos and Denderah, two of the most ancient and archaeologically rich cities in Egypt:
Abydos, long revered a sacred site, was ancient Egypt's center for the Cult of Osiris ("Lord of the Netherworld"). Once a vast complex of buildings erected in homage to the 19th dynasty pharaoh, the Temple of Seti I is all that remains today – the temple has some of the best bas-reliefs in Egypt and is the site of the famed "Kings' List", showing, in chronological order, cartouches (papyrus scrolls and hieroglyphs) of the dynastic Egyptian pharaohs.
Dendera is also known for its exquisite, and almost intact, architecture – "The Dendera Temple" complex, which contains the Temple of Hathor (Goddess of Love), is one of the best-preserved temples in all of Upper Egypt. View the "Dendera Zodiac" (a sculptured bas-relief) on the chapel ceiling ("…the only complete map that we have of an ancient sky."); it has been conjectured to represent the basis on which later astronomy systems were based.
Our lunch box will be provided by the boat.
Check in to the "5-Star" Sanctuary Nile Adventurer, moored at a private dock in Luxor. The friendly reception staff welcomes you aboard the luxury craft that offers such amenities as deluxe, air-conditioned cabins – each with a Nile view, a sun deck and swimming pool, gym, library, shops and a café/bar/lounge and restaurant serving gourmet cuisine and high tea. "On-board" entertainment includes: lectures by your Egyptologist guide; a belly dancer, a "Whirling Dervish" show; and a colorful "galabeyya" party, which gives each guest the opportunity to dress up in traditional Egyptian dress and dance to Arabic music .Enjoy the relaxed pace, the peaceful quiet and, especially, the glorious sunsets on your four-day cruise along the Nile.
Spend the afternoon at leisure aboard the boat.
Tonight we will be greeted by our Boat Manager, who will introduce us to the boat staff and review on-board facilities and our cruise program for the next few days. Complimentary Egyptian wine and local beer will be served.
A gourmet menu on board for dinner, followed by a belly dancer and a "Whirling Dervish" show.
Overnight on board in Luxor.
Accommodation: Sanctuary Nile Adventurer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 - Tuesday, November 8, 2016 Valley Of The Kings & Queens After breakfast aboard the ship, we begin our on-land adventures by visiting the West Bank of Luxor, exploring the Valley of the Kings & Queens – the vast "City of the Dead" where magnificent, richly decorated tombs were carved into the desert rocks, then filled with priceless treasures by the ensuing generations of Pharaohs.
A Coda Special Event NEFERTARI'S TOMB has the best preserved and most eloquent paintings of any Egyptian burial site: it is the Sistine Chapel of Egyptian history, so to speak. The paintings on the tomb walls depict Nefertari's journey after death to the afterlife, guided by various guardian-spirits and deities, including Isis, Hathor, and Osiris. The tomb was discovered in 1904, and quickly became world famous. Based on minimum participation on the tour & on special permission being granted, we will enter the NEFARTARI TOMB during our visit to the Valley of the Kings and Queens.
One of the notable pharaohs was not a man, yet a woman assuming a man's identity allowing her to rule Egypt – rising out of the desert plain in a series of vast, tiered stairways and terraces, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut awesomely and artistically merges with the sheer limestone cliffs that surround it, as if nature herself had built this extraordinary monument.
As we return to the ship, en-route is a photo-op: the famed Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues (each a towering 18 m/60ft in height and weighing an estimated 720 tons) of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. In 27BCE, an earthquake partially destroyed the colossi, provoking the superstition that the statues hauntingly "sing at dawn", bringing good luck to those that hear them.
The Artisian Tombs are located within The Workers' Village at Deir El Medina, the remnants of homes, shops and galleries of the workmen, artisans and designers of the royal Egyptian tombs. Visit the smaller tombs they constructed for their own personal afterlives – lesser in size and grandeur, yet beautiful and precise in their scale and decoration.
Arrive at the ship and enjoy Lunch on board as you cruise to Esna. Afternoon Tea will be served in the lounge & a Gourmet Dinner will be served in the restaurant.
Overnight aboard: Sanctuary Nile Adventurer
Accommodation: Sanctuary Nile Adventurer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 - Wednesday, November 9, 2016 Esna Temple Breakfast buffet aboard the ship, and then our Egyptologist will guide you in-and-around the Greco-Roman Temple of Khnum at Esna, with its beautifully preserved "Great Hypostyle Hall", built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius.
Return to ship to continue on trip down the Nile.
Lunch on board, while you cruise to Edfu.
This afternoon, explore the largest and most completely preserved Pharaonic – albeit Greek-built – temple in Egypt, the extraordinary Temple of Horus at Edfu. Return to ship to continue on trip down the Nile enjoying:
Cooking lesson: Egyptian cooking lesson will be presented on board.
Afternoon Tea: Afternoon tea will be served while you cruise to Kom Ombo.
Dinner: Tonight's dinner on board will be an "Egyptian Night" costume party for all guests, with a chance to dress up in traditional Egyptian "galabeyyas". Dinner will be a lavish buffet of Egyptian specialties, followed by oriental music and dancing for everyone.
Overnight on board Sanctuary Nile Adventurer in Kom Ombo.
Accommodation: Sanctuary Nile Adventurer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8 - Thursday, November 10, 2016 Kom Ombo, Philae Temple & Felucca Ride Breakfast aboard the ship, then a day-trip to Kom Ombo Temple (actually two temples combined:- one dedicated to the crocodile, "Sobek"/God of Fertility, and the other to the falcon,"Horus"/God of War); the building is unique due to its 'double' design –in each temple, everything is aligned perfectly symmetrically to the other – a superior architectural achievement.
Return to the ship and enjoy lunch on board as you cruise to Aswan.
A short motorboat ride to the island of Agilika, lying in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam, brings us to the romantic and majestic Philae Temple, originally located near the "First Cataract" of the Nile River and moved here as part of the UNESCO Nubia Campaign – saving antiquities from the Aswan High Dam Project in the 1960's. What we refer to today as "Philae" is the main temple complex which was dedicated to the cult of Isis, Goddess of Love.
One of the most famous stones left behind is the 'Unfinished' Obelisk– still lying at its original quarry site, where a crack was discovered within its composition as it as it was being hewn from the rock – it would have measured 120-feet and weighed over 1150 tons when completed, and stood taller than any known obelisk ever raised.
In the afternoon, weather permitting, take a peaceful, relaxing ride on a "felucca" (a typical Egyptian, one-mast sail boat) around Elephantine Island, Lord Kitchener's Botanical Gardens, and the Agha Khan Mausoleum.
Return to ship for the remainder of the afternoon, and enjoy high-tea being served in the lounge.
Tonight's farewell dinner will be a gala dinner (jacket required), with white-gloved waiters serving gourmet cuisine.
Overnight on board Sanctuary Nile Adventurer in Aswan.
Accommodation: Sanctuary Nile Adventurer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9 - Friday, November 11, 2016 Aswan | Abu Simbel After breakfast, check-out from the Sanctuary Nile Adventurer and transfer to Aswan Airport for the flight to Abu Simbel. Upon arrival, proceed to the temples of Ramses II. The two temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel are each fronted by colossal statues up to 20 meters high, and are famed as the most impressive monuments remaining of Ancient Egypt in modern times. Recently the temples were threatened by the waters of Lake Nasser, and with the help of a UNESCO campaign they were cut into blocks, raised piece by piece, and reassembled in a new position higher up the hillside.
After our tour transfer to the "5-Star" Seti I Abu Simel Hotel with deluxe, air-conditioned rooms offering spectacular desert views, a lounge, cafes and restaurants, a swimming pool, and live entertainment nightly in the hotel bar.
This evening attend the Abu Simbel Sound and Light show. Colored lights and lasers illuminate the majestic Temple of Abu Simbel, making a dramatic show during this narration of the Pharaoh Ramses II's exploits and the battle of Kadesh.
Dinner is at the hotel. Overnight at Seti I hotel at Abu Simbel.
Day 10 - Saturday, November 12, 2016 Fly To Cairo & On To Amman After breakfast, checkout and transfer to Abu Simbel airport to board your flight to Cairo.
Arrival at Cairo, meet and assist at Cairo Airport to board your flight to Amman. (The flight Cairo/Amman is quoted separately. Royal Jordanian RJ504 Dep Cairo 3:30p / Arr Amman 4:45P.) After landing, meet at Q. A. I Airport, finish all formalities (VISA REQUIRED – OBTAINABLE AT THE AIRPORT) and transfer to Hotel and proceed with check-in.
Transfer to Welcome to Jordan dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 11 - Sunday, November 13, 2016 Amman & Jerash Breakfast in the hotel. Today, enjoy a full-day tour to the north of Jordan, beginning with a visit to Jerash – dating from the 3rd Century BCE, it is considered one of the largest and most well-preserved sites of Roman architecture in the world outside of Italy – Jerash, to this day, with its colonnaded streets, baths, theaters, plazas and arches remains in exceptional condition.
LUNCH at a local Lebanese restaurant.
Aljoun Castle (resembling a "Crusader" fortress, yet constructed by Muslims in 1184-85 as a military fort) is beautifully preserved and a superb example of Arab and Islamic architecture.
Day 12 - Monday, November 14, 2016 Madaba, Mount Nebo & The Dead Sea Breakfast and then check-out from the hotel. We will travel by air-conditioned vehicles to the first stop, Madaba, known in Jordan as the "City of Mosaics " – visit the Greek Orthodox Basilica of Saint George and view The Madaba Mosaic Map, depicting, in over 2,000,000 pieces of colored stone, one of man's earliest depictions of Jerusalem and its environs. The next site is Mt Nebo, a promontory where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land, and, according to some religions, his burial site. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Continuing on to The Dead Sea (with a salinity of 34.2%, making it one of the world's saltiest bodies of water), take time to relax on its shores, wander its beaches or, perhaps, take a "float" in the water. Check in to the luxurious Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea Hotel. Dinner is at the hotel this evening.
Day 13 - Tuesday, November 15, 2016 Dead Sea | Petra Breakfast. Morning at leisure, Drive to Petra, where we check in at Mövenpick Resort Petra Hotel Dinner at the hotel.
Day 14 - Wednesday, November 16, 2016 Petra Breakfast, Enjoy a full day exploring the "Rose Red" city of Petra, entering on horseback and foot through the narrow Siq (Passage). Sculpted from a mountain range by the Nabataeans in the third century BC, Petra was abandoned and lost to the outside world for a thousand years before its rediscovery in 1812. Major sites include the Treasury, the Temple of the Winged Lions, baths, markets, storerooms and tombs. Return to Mövenpick Resort Petra Hotel for dinner and overnight at Hotel.
Day 15 - Thursday, November 17, 2016 Petra | Amman Breakfast. Morning at leisure. Direct transfer to the hotel in Amman, check in. Transfer for our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 16 - Friday, November 18, 2016 Amman | Home Breakfast. Transfer to Q. A. I. Airport for return flights home.
Meals: Breakfast
Deluxe Egypt & Jordan Gay Cruise & Tour Itinerary
Date
Port
Meals
03 Nov
Cairo, Egypt
D
04 Nov
Cairo, Egypt
B, L, D
05 Nov
The Pyramids, Sakkara & Memphis
B, L, D
06 Nov
Cairo/Luxor: Karnak & Luxor Temples
B, L, D
07 Nov
Abydos & Denderah
B, L, D
08 Nov
Valley Of The Kings & Queens
B, L, D
09 Nov
Esna Temple
B, L, D
10 Nov
Kom Ombo, Philae Temple & Felucca Ride
B, L, D
11 Nov
Aswan | Abu Simbel
B, D
12 Nov
Abu Simbel | Cairo | Amman
B, D
13 Nov
Amman & Jerash
B, L
14 Nov
Madaba, Mount Nebo & The Dead Sea
B, L, D
15 Nov
Dead Sea | Petra
B, D
16 Nov
Petra
B, D
17 Nov
Petra | Amman
B, D
18 Nov
Amman | Home
B
What's Included:
• Luxury accommodations on bed and breakfast basis for the hotels and on full board basis for the cruise
– 3 nights at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza in Cairo, Nile View Room
– 1 night at the Sofitel Pavilion Winter Palace Hotel in Luxor, Superior Garden View room
– 4 nights aboard the Sanctuary Nile Adventurer Ex Luxor, Cabin per choice
– 1 night at the Seti Abu Simbel Hotel in Abu Simbel, Standard room
– 3 nights at the Four Seasons Hotel in Amman, Premium room
– 1 night at the Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea Hotel, Premium room
– 1 night at the Mövenpick Resort Petra Hotel, Standard room
• All sightseeing tours as mentioned in the itinerary
• Special opening of NEFARTARI TOMBS (Subject to approval & based on minimum 15)
• Expert Egyptologist guide to accompany the group
• Coda representative on minimum participation
• Domestic Airfare in Egypt in Coach Class
• Horse riding in Petra & Tip to the horse leader
• Lunch during sightseeing tours in Cairo
• Dinners in Cairo, Abu Simbel, Amman, Petra
• Mineral water aboard sightseeing busses
• Trip Cancellation & Interruption insurance (recommended)
• Pre-departure assistance and Coda Travel Portfolio
Not Included:
• International Airfare Home/CAIRO | AMMAN/Home
• Visa for Egypt, currently $25 per person, obtainable at the airport in Cairo
• Visa for Jordan, currently JD40 (approx. $29) per person, obtainable at the airport in Amman
• Gratuities to Egyptologist, Jordanian guide & drivers in both countries
• Items of personal nature, phone calls laundry, WiFi
• Use of carriage, camel or donkeys in either country
• Beverages during meals
• Excess luggage charges: For domestic flights within Egypt the maximum allowed weight is 20kgs (about 40lbs) per person. Please take care in packing to avoid excess baggage charges which can be considerable.
• Any other item not mentioned in Inclusions
Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service at Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza. Featuring panoramic views of the Nile, this 5-star hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with a flat-screen satellite TV and a marble bathroom. It has luxury spa facilities, and outdoor landscaped pool area.
The well-appointed rooms at Four Seasons overlook Cairo. A bathtub, separate glass-enclosed shower, and 2 sinks are in each bathroom. Some rooms have a sitting area with sofas and others have a private terrace where meals can be enjoyed.
Discover 30 stories of dining, entertainment, and Egyptian- and art deco-influenced décor at our luxury hotel in Cairo. Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza is a place to treat yourself, break free from routine and discover the best of the city.
The Nile Plaza's spa includes a gym, salon, and an indoor pool. Guests can relax in the jacuzzi or unwind with rejuvenating massage.
A freshly prepared, rich breakfast buffet is served every morning. Guests can sample traditional meals from the region at Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza's restaurant.
Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service at Sofitel Pavilion Winter Palace Hotel Luxor. This opulent Luxor hotel blends rich colonial design with the glory of Pharaonic times. Built in 1886 as a winter palace for the Egyptian royal family, it has welcomed presidents, politicians and celebrities. Agatha Christie wrote her famed 1937 novel "Death on the Nile" here.
The contemporary peach façade of this luxury 5-star hotel in Luxor gleams against a backdrop of rare plants palms and fruit trees. Archaeologist Howard Carter, discoverer of Tutankhamens tomb wandered the same leafy paths.Beyond the jade-green waters of the Nile curve past Luxor and Karnak temples monuments to the ancient City of Thebes.
Sip fruit cocktails at LOasis bar under the Egyptian sun. Experience Egyptian cuisine and traditional folk music in El Tarboush restaurant. At Il Palmeto you may relish authentic Italian cuisine views over the pool - and peace.Steps away the palace is an exquisite setting for our sister hotel Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor.
Within an easy stroll from the hotel, find Luxor Temple, Luxor Museum and the bustling central market. Take a tour of the nearby Karnak Temples with their illuminated Pharaohs and Sphinxes.
Located at the foot of the Grand Temple of Ramses II, Abu Simbel Hotel offers views of Lake Nasser. It offers a landscaped pool area, luscious gardens and Nubian-style accommodation.
All accommodation at Seti Abu Simbel Hotel offer views of a garden or Lake Nasser. Each room offers a flat-screen TV, a minibar and a wardrobe. The suite includes a living room with sofa. The bathroom is fitted with a shower and hairdryer.
Guests can have their pick of sumptuous cuisine at the hotel's main restaurant that offers both fine oriental and international buffets specialties. Toshka serves à-la-carte specialties, while the Pool Bar offer cocktails and mocktails.
Many onsite activities can be carried out during guests' stay including table tennis and billiards that are available at an added fee.
Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service at Four Seasons Hotel Amman. Experience a crown jewel in the heart of Jordan's bustling capital city: Four Seasons Hotel Amman, a majestic luxury hotel set atop the highest of the White City's famous seven hills. This 5-star hotel is one of Amman's best-known modern architectural crown jewels.
Located 5 minutes' drive from Sweifiyah Financial District and Shopping Area, Four Seasons Hotel Amman boasts luxurious accommodation with panoramic views of the city. It offers an indoor pool, a gym and a spa.
All air-conditioned accommodation at Four Seasons is furnished with warm colours and carpeted floors. Each suite comes with a private bathroom and a living room with a flat-screen TV.
Enjoy Arabic dishes at Seasons or dine at Asia for a taste of Asian cuisine. Vivian serves Italian food and The Foyer Lounge serves breakfast and snacks. Alcohol is served at The Square Bar, and Five Grill & Lounger offers sheesha and refreshments while boasting a view of Amman.
Experience world-class service at Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea. Boasting tree-lined outdoor pools overlooking the waters of the Dead Sea, the 5-star Kempinski features a private stretch of beach and a spa offering sea mud and sea salt treatments.
Home-made pasta, Thai dishes and signature chocolate desserts and watermelon granites are served at Kempinski Ishtar's restaurants. Try a drink at the Babylonian-inspired cocktail bar, or enjoy a whisky and cigar at the lounge bar.
Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea offers rooms set among palm trees and olive groves. All rooms and suites come with a balcony with sea views. They are carved in natural stone complemented by contemporary details.
Guests can refresh in the 9 freshwater pools, or relax in the spa with traditional Thai massages or hammam sessions. The state-of-the-art fitness centre has personal trainers available on request, and yoga and meditation classes are on offer.
Experience world-class service at Movenpick Resort Petra. Featuring free Wi-Fi, the 5-star Movenpick Resort Petra is located directly at the entrance to the ancient city of Petra. The hotel's rooftop garden terrace offers views of the hills.
The newly renovated rooms at Movenpick Petra each have a private outdoor balcony. They feature white linens and bright windows. Each has a work desk and is equipped with air conditioning and satellite TV.
The Al Saraya all-day-dining restaurant and Mediterranean Al Iwan restaurant offer a large selection of dishes. The Al Maqa'ad Bar features carved wooden screens, while the Al Ghadeer roof Garden boasts views over Petra's hills. Guest can also enjoy desserts in The Al Baraka Tea Room or get a takeaway from the Caravan Stop Shop.
Guests can workout in the well-equipped fitness centre or enjoy a cocktail in the hotel's stately lobby.
Sanctuary Nile Adventurer
The elegant Sanctuary Nile Adventurer has just 32 cabins, offering a luxurious yet relaxed cruise on the Nile. Decorated in a contemporary style, the ship's design combines modern Egyptian culture with seven thousand years of heritage. Add gourmet cuisine as well as sightseeing experiences with the country's most experienced Egyptologists, this is a taste of genuine 5-star luxury on a timeless river.
Add gourmet cuisine as well as sightseeing experiences with the country's most experienced Egyptologists, this is a taste of genuine 5-star luxury on a timeless river. The Sanctuary Nile Adventurer seamlessly blends contemporary Egyptian culture with authentic character, a blend of East and West. The extensive sun deck areas, with their elegant teak floors, include private cabanas around the pool area, the perfect spot for relaxing while taking in the scenery.
Why The Sanctuary Nile Adventurer?
• Chic and contemporary decor with a Pharaonic and modern Egyptian influence
• Itineraries led by the best Egyptologists
• Award-winning chefs
• All cabins have a Nile view and are air-conditioned
• Recently renovated
The Sanctuary Nile Adventurer has an upper sun deck with swimming pool (which is heated up to 28 degrees during winter), a shaded deck with an outdoor bar and a lounge bar terrace. The restaurant is spacious and seats 75.
In addition, there is a library and games room with computer and internet access. Along with a gym and a massage room, there is also a gift shop.
(14.2 - 16.5m²)
All cabins are fully air conditioned with individual control and have Nile view plus private bathroom with bathtub, shower, hairdryer, mini bar and LCD screens with satellite television.
$ 7995
$ 11195
Standard Cabin Main Deck
(14.2 - 16.5m²)
All cabins are fully air conditioned with individual control and have Nile view plus private bathroom with bathtub, shower, hairdryer, mini bar and LCD screens with satellite television.
$ 8145
$ 11545
Standard Cabin Bridge Deck
(14.2 - 16.5m²)
All cabins are fully air conditioned with individual control and have Nile view plus private bathroom with bathtub, shower, hairdryer, mini bar and LCD screens with satellite television.
$ 8395
$ 11745
Standard Cabin Promenade Deck
(14.2 - 16.5m²)
All cabins are fully air conditioned with individual control and have Nile view plus private bathroom with bathtub, shower, hairdryer, mini bar and LCD screens with satellite television.
$ 8895
$ 12195
Deluxe Cabin Main Deck
(21.3m²)
These cabins are larger than the standard, and feature many of the advantages of the suites. They also feature circular windows that provide fabulous views whilst sailing down the Nile. The deluxe cabins are fully air-conditioned with individual control, mini bar, hair dryer, satellite television and LCD screens.
$ 9695
$ 12695
Presidential Suite Promenade Deck
(42.4m²)
The two Presidential Suites, with their own private balconies are luxuriously appointed with state of the art technology and opulent furnishings. The traditional tones, and cutting edge design, create an eye catching contrast. The suites also feature exquisite amenities, mini bar, hair dryer, satellite television and LCD screens.
INCLUDES DOMESTIC AIRFARE WITHIN EGYPT: CAIRO-LUXOR | ASWAN-ABU SIMBEL-ASWAN | ASWAN-CAIRO
Above rates DO NOT include international flight CAIRO-AMMAN
At the time of writing, we have designated RJ504 Dep Cairo 3:30p / Arr Amman 4:45P. Current cost $210 per person, coach; $380 business class.
Arrive and be greeted by our local tour guide. (VISA REQUIRED – OBTAINABLE AT THE AIRPORT)
Buffet breakfast at leisure at your hotel.
Coptic Cairo (coptic: Christianity brought to Egypt through the flight of The Holy Family) refers to a religious/secular area of Old Cairo encompassing the Babylon Fortress (built in 100AD by the Roman Emperor Trajan to defend the frontiers of the Roman Empire); the Coptic Museum, home to art and artifacts from Early-Christian Egypt (circa 300AD) to the present; the Hanging Church – thought to have originated in the 7th century – is so named as it sits "suspended" on top of the Fortress of Babylon; the Church of Saints Serguis (at the site where The Holy Family rested on their fight through Egypt) and the Synagogue of Ben Ezra, renowned for its treasured "Geniza Documents" chronicling the lives of Jews in Egypt's past.
Founded in 3100BCE, Memphis is the legendary city founded by King Menes, who united Upper and Lower Egypt. According to tradition, he first created dikes to protect the area from Nile floods and then started the city's construction — much of what we know of Memphis comes from its" necropolis" (cemetery), texts and papyrus from other parts of Egypt, and the writings of the Greek Historian, Herodotus, who visited the city. Early on, Memphis was probably a fortress from which Menes controlled the land and water routes between Upper Egypt and the Delta. Later, this great city became the administrative and religious center of Egypt, was home to a cosmopolitan community and most likely one of the largest and most important cities in the ancient world.
Embark on an unforgettable tour of the Great Pyramids of Giza built for the Pharaoh's Cheops, Chefren and Mycerinus. The only present-day surviving structures of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, they were constructed nearly 4500 years ago with blocks of limestone from the Turah Hills on the outskirts of Cairo. (Alone, The Great Pyramid of Cheops required over 2,300,000 blocks of stone, each weighing about 2.5 tons; at its base, it covers 13 acres of land.) Millions of visitors come each year to ponder the fascinating mystery of their existence and explore the ancient burial chambers within.
After breakfast in the hotel, your guide will escort you to Cairo Airport to board your flight to Luxor. Arrive in Luxor and transfer to the "5-Star" 
Founded in 1400BCE, connected to the Temple of Karnak via the Avenue of the Sphinxes and known as one of the most beautiful temples in Egypt, is the Temple of Luxor ('ipet resyt' or "The Southern Harem"). This temple expressly honored the "Royal Ka" (life power/re-birth)) with one of the most important religious rites in ancient Egypt – a month-long tribute to the fertility goddess – the "Opet Festival". In homage and gratitude to the cult of the Royal Ka, colossal seated figures, statues and obelisks were erected on its grounds; the temple is one of the best preserved of all of the ancient Egyptian monuments with large amounts of the structure, statuary and relief carvings still intact, earning Luxor its nickname: "The World's Largest Outdoor Museum".
Check in to the "5-Star" Sanctuary Nile Adventurer, moored at a private dock in Luxor. The friendly reception staff welcomes you aboard the luxury craft that offers such amenities as deluxe, air-conditioned cabins – each with a Nile view, a sun deck and swimming pool, gym, library, shops and a café/bar/lounge and restaurant serving gourmet cuisine and high tea. "On-board" entertainment includes: lectures by your Egyptologist guide; a belly dancer, a "Whirling Dervish" show; and a colorful "galabeyya" party, which gives each guest the opportunity to dress up in traditional Egyptian dress and dance to Arabic music .Enjoy the relaxed pace, the peaceful quiet and, especially, the glorious sunsets on your four-day cruise along the Nile.
After breakfast aboard the ship, we begin our on-land adventures by visiting the West Bank of Luxor, exploring the Valley of the Kings & Queens – the vast "City of the Dead" where magnificent, richly decorated tombs were carved into the desert rocks, then filled with priceless treasures by the ensuing generations of Pharaohs.
One of the notable pharaohs was not a man, yet a woman assuming a man's identity allowing her to rule Egypt – rising out of the desert plain in a series of vast, tiered stairways and terraces, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut awesomely and artistically merges with the sheer limestone cliffs that surround it, as if nature herself had built this extraordinary monument.
Breakfast buffet aboard the ship, and then our Egyptologist will guide you in-and-around the Greco-Roman Temple of Khnum at Esna, with its beautifully preserved "Great Hypostyle Hall", built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius.
Breakfast aboard the ship, then a day-trip to Kom Ombo Temple (actually two temples combined:- one dedicated to the crocodile, "Sobek"/God of Fertility, and the other to the falcon,"Horus"/God of War); the building is unique due to its 'double' design –in each temple, everything is aligned perfectly symmetrically to the other – a superior architectural achievement.
One of the most famous stones left behind is the 'Unfinished' Obelisk– still lying at its original quarry site, where a crack was discovered within its composition as it as it was being hewn from the rock – it would have measured 120-feet and weighed over 1150 tons when completed, and stood taller than any known obelisk ever raised.
After breakfast, check-out from the Sanctuary Nile Adventurer and transfer to Aswan Airport for the flight to Abu Simbel. Upon arrival, proceed to the temples of Ramses II. The two temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel are each fronted by colossal statues up to 20 meters high, and are famed as the most impressive monuments remaining of Ancient Egypt in modern times. Recently the temples were threatened by the waters of Lake Nasser, and with the help of a UNESCO campaign they were cut into blocks, raised piece by piece, and reassembled in a new position higher up the hillside.
After breakfast, checkout and transfer to Abu Simbel airport to board your flight to Cairo.
Breakfast in the hotel. Today, enjoy a full-day tour to the north of Jordan, beginning with a visit to Jerash – dating from the 3rd Century BCE, it is considered one of the largest and most well-preserved sites of Roman architecture in the world outside of Italy – Jerash, to this day, with its colonnaded streets, baths, theaters, plazas and arches remains in exceptional condition.
Breakfast and then check-out from the hotel. We will travel by air-conditioned vehicles to the first stop, Madaba, known in Jordan as the "City of Mosaics " – visit the Greek Orthodox Basilica of Saint George and view The Madaba Mosaic Map, depicting, in over 2,000,000 pieces of colored stone, one of man's earliest depictions of Jerusalem and its environs. The next site is Mt Nebo, a promontory where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land, and, according to some religions, his burial site. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Breakfast. Morning at leisure, Drive to Petra, where we check in at Mövenpick Resort Petra Hotel Dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast, Enjoy a full day exploring the "Rose Red" city of Petra, entering on horseback and foot through the narrow Siq (Passage). Sculpted from a mountain range by the Nabataeans in the third century BC, Petra was abandoned and lost to the outside world for a thousand years before its rediscovery in 1812. Major sites include the Treasury, the Temple of the Winged Lions, baths, markets, storerooms and tombs. Return to Mövenpick Resort Petra Hotel for dinner and overnight at Hotel.
Breakfast. Morning at leisure. Direct transfer to the hotel in Amman, check in. Transfer for our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
Discover 30 stories of dining, entertainment, and Egyptian- and art deco-influenced décor at our luxury hotel in Cairo. Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza is a place to treat yourself, break free from routine and discover the best of the city.
Sip fruit cocktails at LOasis bar under the Egyptian sun. Experience Egyptian cuisine and traditional folk music in El Tarboush restaurant. At Il Palmeto you may relish authentic Italian cuisine views over the pool - and peace.Steps away the palace is an exquisite setting for our sister hotel Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor.
Guests can have their pick of sumptuous cuisine at the hotel's main restaurant that offers both fine oriental and international buffets specialties. Toshka serves à-la-carte specialties, while the Pool Bar offer cocktails and mocktails.
All air-conditioned accommodation at Four Seasons is furnished with warm colours and carpeted floors. Each suite comes with a private bathroom and a living room with a flat-screen TV.
Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea offers rooms set among palm trees and olive groves. All rooms and suites come with a balcony with sea views. They are carved in natural stone complemented by contemporary details.
The Al Saraya all-day-dining restaurant and Mediterranean Al Iwan restaurant offer a large selection of dishes. The Al Maqa'ad Bar features carved wooden screens, while the Al Ghadeer roof Garden boasts views over Petra's hills. Guest can also enjoy desserts in The Al Baraka Tea Room or get a takeaway from the Caravan Stop Shop.
