Pyramids to Petra
Cairo, Egypt
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From the treasures of the pharaohs to Jordan's fabled "lost city," our journey celebrates the glories of the ancient world. On a five-day Nile cruise aboard a 40-cabin luxury vessel, we explore Egypt's spectacular temples and enjoy the captivating beauty of the Nile as we pass graceful sailing feluccas and villages inhabited since the time of the pharaohs. At Abu Simbel, we see the colossal statues of Ramses II gazing out over the Nile Valley, and at dazzling Petra, we explore a metropolis carved from red sandstone in the 3rd century BC. Our grand finale finds us in the sheer magnificence of the desert canyon of Wadi Rum, famed haunt of Lawrence of Arabia.
Itinerary
Days 1-8
Cairo, Egypt / Pyramids of Giza / Nile Cruise / Aswan / Abu Simbel
Nothing quite prepares one for the first sight of thePyramids—these towering structures, Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus, continue to radiate the magnificence that has awed visitors for millennia. We also visit Cairo's treasure-packed Egyptian Museum, then fly to Luxor to walk among the stone columns of the Temple of Karnak and explore the legendary tombs of the Valley of the Kings and Queens. Aboard an elegant boat, we sail to the temples of Edfu, Esna, and Kom Ombo, and visit dramatic Abu Simbel, where statues of Ramses II are hewn into the cliff faces.
Days 9-12
Amman, Jordan / Jerash / Kerak / Petra
We enjoy lunch with a family near Amman, then explore the ancient Roman city of Jerash, an archaeological masterpiece. On our way to Petra, we stop in at Mt. Nebo, long a destination for Christian pilgrimage, and the great Crusader fortress at Kerak. At Petra, we enter on foot through a narrow slot canyon to behold lavish temples and palaces chiseled into solid rock, including the iconic Al-Khazneh ("Treasury"), with its elaborate Greek-style fa§ade. One evening, we'll experience Petra by the light of a thousand candles.
Days 13-15
Wadi Rum / Dead Sea
The landscape of Wadi Rum, with its ever-changing palette of colors and awe-inspiring rock spires, is mesmerizing. This extraordinary canyon was the headquarters of Prince Feisal bin Hussein and T. E. Lawrence during World War I as they fought the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire. Our overnight in a Bedouin-style tented camp is perfect for enjoying the desert landscape, and the journey ends at a lovely hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea, where we can take a dip in its therapeutic waters. Depart on Day 15 via Amman, Jordan.
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