Travel the Middle East across Egypt, Jordan and Israel from Petra to the Dead Sea.
Egypt, Jordan and Israel are ancient lands that conjure images of river valleys, powerful Pharaohs, pilgrims and cities carved from stone. Dive headfirst into Cairo, sail up the Nile on a felucca, party in Tel Aviv, take a jeep safari across Wadi Rum and experience more World Heritage Sites than you can shake a stick at: Battir; Petra; the Old Cities of Cairo, Acre and Jerusalem; the Church of the Nativity… it goes on – and so will you as you trek, swim, explore, photograph and taste your way across the best of the Middle East. This adventure will leave you with a greater appreciation for life here and a hands-on experience of some of the most significant religious and human history in this part of the world.
Highlights
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Trek through the siq and emerge in front of The Treasury in the ancient city of Petra
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Munch on ful and falafel as you wander the streets of Cairo
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Walk through the Valley of the Kings
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Scrub yourself with mud in the Dead Sea
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Lie on the beach at the Red Sea and watch a Saudi Arabian sunset
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Imagine you’re on Mars in Wadi Rum’s lunar-like landscape
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Visit ancient synagogues in Capernaum
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Roam the secret tunnels of the Templar Knights below ground in Acre
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Delve into Tel Aviv’s modern atmosphere
Itinerary
Day 1-2 Cairo
Welcome to the ‘Mother of the World’. A jumble of animated energy, Cairo rivals New York in the sleepless stakes; go for a walk here at 3am and still jostle with pedestrians. Get your bearings on arrival then cruise along the river, visit the Khan al-Khalili to experience the colour and chaos of this famous market, or catch the train to the Coptic Christian sector of the city and wander the streets to ancient churches. Travel to Giza and see the Pyramids and the Sphinx across the dunes from camelback, and be sure to visit the Tomb of Tutankhamun, filled with gilded treasures.
Day 3-5 Aswan/Nile Felucca
Once named as Syene in the Bible, the city of Aswan has long been of importance, both as a trade centre and a military garrison. Today it’s a market centre and tourist hub, so seek out a bargain (and maybe some lunch) at the fantastic bazaar, visit the mega rock temples of Abu Simbel and join a local family for dinner in a nearby village. Explore Aswan’s sights before boarding a traditional felucca and spending the night on the Nile under the Egyptian stars, floating past villages and rural life.
Day 6-7 Luxor
Travel on to Luxor this morning, with an optional stop at the Temple of Edfu or the Temple of Kom Ombo on the way. Pay a visit to a local animal care project and be moved by the generous work they do for these sick, injured and mistreated animals. Head on to visit the Valley of the Kings, the Colossi of Memnon, and then take your time exploring the stunning Karnak Temple. Stop for lunch with a local family, followed by a free afternoon or a visit to the Luxor Museum.
Day 8 Cairo
Enjoy a free day in Cairo to explore the many markets, museums, sights and squares.
Day 9-10 Dahab
Fly to Sharm El Sheikh and travel on to Dahab Beach. Spend your days exploring this former Bedouin fishing village – perhaps head out for some windsurfing on the Red Sea or go inland on a quad bike trip in the Sinai Desert, or slow the pace and relax on the beach.
Day 11 Red Sea Beach Camp
Drive through windswept plains to our secluded beach camp. A true hidden gem, Sawa Camp is situated on dazzling golden sands. Those keen to hit the water can go for a snorkel or dive on the nearby reefs. At the day’s end, sleep in beach huts and listen to the waves lap against the shore.
Day 12 Aqaba
Take a trip across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan and farewell your Egyptian leader. Take an arranged transfer to the hotel, where you’ll meet the Jordanian leader. Spend the evening exploring Aqaba.
Day 13 Wadi Rum
Channel Lawrence of Arabia in ‘The Valley of the Moon’ today and take a jeep safari past stunning rock bridges and sand dunes in this lunar-like landscape. Many ancient civilisations left traces here; Thamudic, Nabataean and Arabic texts all endure. Enjoy a traditional Bedouin meal and spend the night in a desert tent.
Day 14-15 Petra
Head on to the breathtaking ancient Nabataean rock city of Petra – one of the New7Wonders of the World and a UNESCO-listed site. After visiting the treasury, explore the site at your own pace. The next day is free to explore; perhaps walk ‘the siq’ or hike up to the monastery.
Day 16 Madaba
Travel the meandering squiggle of the King’s Highway to the city of Kerak. Explore the 12th-century crusader castle of Kerak before heading on to Madaba, with a stop for a dip in the Dead Sea and a look at Moses’s promised land from Mt Nebo. Stroll past Ottoman-style houses in the friendly market town; if fifth and sixth-century Byzantine mosaics are your idea of heaven, you’ve hit the jackpot in Madaba.
Day 17 Jerusalem
Explore the holy city of Jerusalem today. Walk in the footsteps of kings and pilgrims in the Old City and then head along the Ramparts walk for a great view over the city.
Day 18 Jerusalem
Head up the Mount of Olives for a bird’s-eye view of Jerusalem. Drive down to Gethsemane and visit the Church of Old Nations before visiting the Church of the Nativity. Take a guided walk of Jerusalem in the afternoon – starting at St Stephen’s Gate – and learn more about this fascinating city’s history.
Day 19 Jerusalem
Travel to Masada, stopping at Nabi Musa, a shrine linked to Moses in the Judean desert along the way. From there, head to the Monastery of St George of Koziba to see the enormous cliff-side construction, before continuing on to Masada. Catch a cable car and explore the top of the plateau then return to Jerusalem, stopping for a dunk in the Dead Sea on the way.
Day 20 Jerusalem
After an early start, visit to the holy sites of the Courtyard of the Dome and the Wailing Wall. Afterwards, travel by bus to the West Bank village of Taybeh and visit the local brewery. Visit the sobering Holocaust Museum on our return to Jerusalem.
Day 21 Nazareth
Set off from Jerusalem to Tiberias, taking in the ancient fishing village of Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee on the way. Pause to pay homage to Kabballah in the fourth holiest city in Judaism, Tsfat (Safed).
Day 22 Nazareth
It’s an early start this morning, followed by a short drive to visit the ancient port city of Acre. Visit the city walls, the 800-year-old Knight’s Halls and then head underground to the Templars’ secret tunnels. Drive on to Haifa and wander through the lush Bahaii Gardens, shop for baklava at the Druze Saturday market and visit the Church of the Annunciation on our return to Nazareth.
Day 23 Tel Aviv
Caesarea served as the capital of Israel during the Roman and Byzantine eras and was built by Herod in 25BC. Visit it on your way to the second-most populous city in Israel, Tel Aviv. Visit Jaffa, the oldest part of the city, before your trip ends at the hotel in Tel Aviv.
Inclusions
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Meals: 21 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners
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Transport: Camel, Felucca, Ferry, Jeep, Overnight sleeper train, Plane, Van
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Accommodation: Beach hut (1 night), Desert camp (1 night), Felucca (1 night), Hotel (11 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)
Included activities
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4WD jeep safari and desert camp
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Camel ride at the Pyramids
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Colossi of Memnon
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Dead Sea
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Donkey ride (seasonal - not in summer)
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Egyptian Museum
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Guided tour of Petra
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Intrepid Foundation Project visit - ACE (Animal Care in Egypt)
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Karnak Temple
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Kerak Castle
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Khan al-Khalili bazaar visit
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Overnight felucca sailing trip
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Pyramids and Sphinx
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Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)
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Wadi Rum Safari entrance and permit
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