This morning we visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum for an informative guided tour. This incredible 490,000 sq.m complex has a mind boggling array of exhibits and ancient artefacts gathered from across Egypt and world, some of which are being displayed for the first time. The museum houses a giant exhibition of King Tutankhamun's treasures, including his solid gold funerary mask.
After our guided tour we travel on to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization to visit the fascinating Royal Mummies' Hall where the mummies of 20 ancient Egyptian kings and queens are on now display, including Ramses II and Queen Hatshepsut. Some of the mummies are so well preserved they still have hair on their heads and fingernails!
After we've explored this incredible hall and seen the mummies, we head back to our hotel for free time. You may wish to have drink at the bar or swim in the hotel pool before this evening's overnight train to Aswan.
Please Note: the Grand Egyptian Museum is scheduled to open in late 2024, though an official opening date has yet to be released. If travelling prior to the opening of the new facility we'll visit the Egyptian Museum instead. (B)
We arrive into Aswan and check into our hotel before heading off on a boat trip to Agilika Island where we visit the Temples of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis. The use of essential and perfumed oils in Egypt dates back to 2700BC, on our return to Aswan our final stop for the day will be at a perfume oil emporium. Spend the remainder of the evening at your own leisure; shop in the colourful souqs or simply kick back and relax. (B)
Today there is an optional early morning excursion by road to Abu Simbel, the famous the rock-cut temple of King Ramses II.
This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2 night cruise downstream towards Kom Ombo. Relax, top up your tan and chat with new friends as the felucca gently plies its route. Stops are made en route at local villages and at the waterside Temple of Kom Ombo. If sailing by felucca is not your style, consider upgrading to a 5 star luxury Nile Cruise, please see the tab above for prices. For more information about Nile Cruising please click here . (B/L/D)
Relax, go for a swim or just chill out in the sun on deck. Let your troubles melt away, as the felucca plies its route.
In the afternoon we dock near Kom Ombo and take a motorboat to visit the temple, which is dedicated to the crocodile headed god Sobek, before returning to the felucca for the night. (B/L/D)
This morning we disembark and drive to Luxor. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at its best. Enjoy some rest and relaxation.
Tonight, an optional visit to the Temple of Luxor is available alternatively, enjoy the facilities of our hotel. (B)
This morning we can revisit the Rose Red city for further exploration.
After we drive to Wadi Rum - a vast, silent landscape of pastel coloured sketches of sandy desert punctuated by amazing rock formations known as jebels. Here we'll undertake a 4x4 desert safari, before tucking into a Bedouin dinner at our desert camp. Bed tonight is under a galaxy of stars or in tents. (B/D)
After breakfast at the campsite, we head north along the Desert Highway to visit Shobak Castle, which is perched dramatically on a hill top and was built by the Crusader king Baldwin I in 1115. After exploring the castle we descend some 1300 meters to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the earth's surface. More than 400 meters below sea level, the mineral-rich Dead Sea is the world's original health and beauty spa. Drift out and bob in the waters and slap on some of the famous black Dead Sea mud to give your skin an invigorating boost.
For departures between April and October we'll head up the King's Highway to Wadi Mujib. We'll embark on a moderate –paced two hour trek along the Siq Trail. Measuring 500 metres in depth and spanning 4 kilometres across, the impressive Wadi Mujib is one of Jordan's most remarkable natural features.
This dramatic canyon features sheer rocky walls and sparkling waterways that range from puddle height to depths that are perfect for swimming (chest height or deeper) depending on the rainfall. When the water level is high you should be prepared for having to climb up ladders, clamber across boulders and be happy to wade through water.
The canyon is just one feature of the Mujib Biosphere Reserve, the lowest nature reserve in the world, home to a surprising diversity of wildlife and plant species. For those not interested in taking the full hike, you can walk part of or wait by the Visitor Centre till the group returns. After our trek we make our way to the Dead Sea. (B)
The Dead Sea is a natural phenomena and high on most travellers' bucket lists. Lucky for us we have a whole day to spend here, whiling away the time bobbing in its mineral-rich buoyant waters and lathering up with a detoxifying mud bath. Option to visit the Ma'in hot springs and the site where it is thought Jesus Christ was baptised by John (book locally). (B)
Today our holiday together comes to an end. We offer a departure transfer to Amman airport at 23:00 (evening of day 15) and today at 04:00, 07:00, 09:00, 12:00 & 16:00. If you would like a departure transfer at any other time or a transfer with post tour accommodation this can be arranged at an additional cost, please enquire.
If you have extra time and wish to head back to Amman, why not book our 2 day end in Amman add on? Perfect for those who wish to spend more time in Jordan's ancient capital, Amman. (B)
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