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Arrive Amman and check into hotel.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
A short drive brings us to the extensive ruins of Jerash, considered to be best preserved of the Decapolis Confederation of Roman cities. The triumphal arch gives way to colonnaded streets, fountains, a unique oval courtyard and impressive theatre. Later we head south to the Dead Sea. At 300m below sea level, this is the lowest point on earth. The amazingly high salt content (33%) of the shimmering waters makes it almost impossible to sink! After a dip in the warm waters (and possibly a mud bath!) we drive on to Ajlun and visit the fine Crusader castle. From here we travel on to Madaba for our overnight stop.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
We set out today on one of the oldest trade routes in the world, the King’s Highway. Travelling south along this road that once carried the richly laden caravans of Solomon, we arrive at the lost city of Petra. Abandoned centuries ago, Petra is unique and unforgettable: a strange, otherworldly place, enhanced by the play of light and shadow, an altogether overwhelming place. We have the chance to walk through one of the most impressive and exciting sites of ancient history anywhere in the world. Winding down the dramatic Siq, we emerge at the famous ‘Khazneh’ (Treasury). Inside this remarkable city, our half day guided tour also takes us to the Theatre, Court of Justice, Urn Tomb, Triumphal Arch and the museum.
Our second day in Petra is left free to explore at your own pace and lose yourself in the atmosphere of the past. Steep paths lead to magnificent vantage points above the city, such as the Sacrificial High Place, and wind past overgrown tombs. Other worthwhile visits include Petra’s famous Monastery or a hike to the Royal Tombs.
Today we experience the beautiful area of Wadi Rum and some of the most spectacular desert scenery of the Middle East. This landscape of sandstone mountains and pink and white sands has been the home of the nomadic Bedouin people for generations and we hope to be able to see some of their camps during our visit. We have the option of taking a camel trek to take us deeper into the Wadi, seeing dramatic rock sculptures on our way. The area is steeped in the legends of Lawrence of Arabia and and some of the scenes of the famous film were shot here. Before our night under the starry sky, we may be lucky enough to witness a spectacular desert sunset. We sleep in a single, large,traditional goat hair tent (the best protection against typical desert extremes of hot and cold) which is laid out with rugs, mattresses, pillows and sleeping bags. The evening is normally spent around a campfire, with spectacular desert stars overhead: Washing facilities and WC are available at the camp.
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving Wadi Rum we walk a short distance before joining our bus and then we drive to Aqaba on the Red Sea. Here you have a chance to swim in the warm waters and go snorkelling or take a trip in a glass-bottom boat over the coral reef (optional).
This morning we make the trip across the Red Sea by ‘sea cat’ ferry to Egypt and the small town of Nuweiba on the Sinai Peninsula. On arrival we transfer to the laidback resort of Dahab.
The next few days you can choose to either relax or have a more active time from optional diving or a camel trek. Today there is also an organised snorkelling trip to the Southern Oasis within the Nabq National Park. Qualified open-water divers may choose to take advantage of the numerous dive operators – please bring certification and log book. Your tour leader will be on hand to help make arrangements.
Today is left totally free for you to choose how to spend your last day in Dahab. Choices range from more snorkelling, more relaxing, more shopping or even a trip on a Camel in the Sinai, whatever suits your fancy.
Late this morning we drive to St Catherine’s to visit the monastery and make the optional ascent to the summit of Mt. Sinai to the spot where Moses is said to have received the ten commandments from God. Built in 342AD, this Greek Orthodox monastery is still active and houses many priceless treasures and religious artefacts. The reputed Burning Bush, whence God spoke to Moses, is located within the courtyard. After our visit we have the option to take a 2 and a half hour trek to the summit of Mt. Sinai where we can sit and watch the setting sun bathe the surrounding peaks in colour before descending and overnighting in St Catherine's. Please note that there is the option to pay (locally) and upgrade to a room.
Overnight Standard Camping (C+) Included meals: Breakfast
Today we depart the Sinai Peninsula and make our way over to mainland Egypt and the African continent. We descend to the coast through the beautiful Wadi Feiran and there is the option to stop and swim before we continue via the Suez Canal, which joins Asia Minor and Africa, to Cairo for the remainder of our journey.
Africa’s largest capital, Cairo is situated mainly on the east bank of the Nile. Today we have all day to explore some of Cairo’s hidden treasures. You may chose to visit the illustrious Citadel, one of Saladin’s many strongholds during the Crusades period. There will also be the opportunity to go inside one of the many thousands of mosques in Cairo or simply wander the narrow back streets of this fascinating city. In the evening the area comes alive with the exoctic narrow alleyways and smells of Khan el Khalili market, the heart of Old Cairo and Islam in Egypt.
Driving to Giza we see the Pyramids and Sphinx, among the most impressive man-made spectacles in the world. The Great Pyramid of Cheops is the largest of the group (originally 145m high with a square base 232m). Second is the Pyramid of Chephren (136m high, width 210m). The complex includes the Sphinx, a crouching lion with a human head carved from solid rock, and the splendid Granite Temple. We also visit the Egyptian Museum which contains the treasure of Tutankhamun.
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