Ancient Wonders of Egypt and Jordan
Christian Believers Pilgrimages
Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, proceed to baggage claim and collect your luggage. Proceed to the arrival’s hall, where your tour guide and driver will meet you. Transfer to your hotel in Cairo for check-in. Enjoy dinner at the hotel and stay overnight.
Day 1: Arrival to Cairo
After breakfast, we visit the wonders of the ancient world, some of which date back to 1000+ years before Abraham. We spend time at one of the world's seven wonders - the pyramids. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet, is the most colossal pyramid ever built. Today, we will also see the Sphinx and visit the Egyptian Museum, which houses Tutankhamun's treasures and ancient remains. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.
Day 2: Cairo
After breakfast, we will take a short drive to Memphis. Memphis was founded around 3,100 BC and is the legendary city of Menes, the king who united Upper and Lower Egypt. From a biblical perspective, Memphis is most likely where Abraham lied to Pharaoh about his wife Sarah being his sister and where Joseph served as second in command. In Memphis, we visit a huge and well-preserved statue of Ramses II. We continue to Sakkara, one of the largest archeological sites in Egypt! Sakkara is dominated by the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, which dates back to 2700 BC. It is one of the oldest stone structures in the world! See how local Egyptian carpets are made before a short drive south brings us to Faiyum, the region created by the divinely inspired wisdom of Joseph. Here, you will find ancient storehouses and a man-made lake created by a canal, whose construction was ordered by Joseph. It was this lake that provided irrigation for desert land and supplied the food needed to survive his prophesied seven-year famine. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.
Day 3: Cairo
This morning, after breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight to the modern city of Luxor. Upon arrival, we visit the Temple of Karnak (temple of the New Kingdom period) and the East Bank of the Nile. It was during this period that the bondage and Exodus occurred. Karnak, second to Giza's Pyramids, is one of Egypt's most important Pharaonic sites. Then, we embark on board our Nile cruise. Then lunch, followed by the visit of the famous Temple of Luxor, founded in Amenhotep III's reign, grandson of the Pharaoh of the Exodus. Re-board our ship for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Fly from Cairo to Luxor | Embark Nile Cruise
​This morning, we visit the Valley of the Kings (where many ancient pharaohs were buried) and the famous Temple of Hatshepsut, the princess who perhaps pulled baby Moses out of the Nile River. This temple may have been designed by Moses. Back to our cruise. Lunch and start navigation towards Edfu, passing through Esna lock. Dinner and overnight on our ship.
Day 5: Valley of the Kings
After your breakfast aboard the cruise, you will be transferred to visit the famous Edfu temple, then back to the cruise ship to continue sailing to Kom Ombo to visit the crocodile-headed God of fertility and creator of the world and then return to your cruise vessel to sail to Aswan with dinner In Aswan and an enjoyable overnight stay aboard the cruise.
Breakfast, then depart to visit the High Dam, built from 1960 - 1971, is a significant factor in Egypt's agricultural success. We also spent time at Philae Temple on the Isi-Island. This complex was moved from upriver due to the impending destruction upon the completion of the High Dam. For those who wish to participate, a visit is available this afternoon to Abu Simbel, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Nubian Monuments." Our Egyptologist guide discusses the relevance of this spectacular site from Egyptian history. We will also put in perspective the long history of Egypt. Here, we visit the massive temple of Pharaoh Rameses II, perhaps the greatest builder of temples in ancient Egypt (13th Century BC), and a second one of Queen Nafertari, Rameses's most beloved wife. Free time is available in Aswan, followed by a Felucca ride around the Agh Khan Mausoleum for those who do not participate in the Abu Simbel trip. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 7: Aswan
Breakfast and transfer to the airport via Cairo for your flight to Amman, Jordan. Upon arrival in Amman, make your way to the baggage claim area and collect your luggage. Proceed to the Arrival Hall, where you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver. Transfer to the hotel in Amman for check-in and enjoy dinner at the hotel before retiring for the evening.
Day 8: Aswan | Cairo | Amman
This morning, you will transfer to the "lost" city of Petra! This city is located amongst rugged desert canyons and mountains. Enjoy a walking tour of the former capital and trading center. Your first stop will be visiting the Siq, a mile-long gorge with several magnificent structures carved into the mountains. The walk will culminate with a visit to the Petra Museum. The museum holds numerous artifacts from the Neolithic period of Nabataean history. The museum also contains architecture from the Romans and a Byzantine chapel. Spend this afternoon at your leisure; feel free to shop. Return to Amman for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Petra
Today, after breakfast, travel to the Castle of Kerak, the largest castle among mountain-top crusaders. Following this visit, transfer to the "City of Mosaics," Madaba. While in this city, you will visit St. George's Church, home to a true treasure of Christianity. This Church houses the oldest map of the Holy Land, which includes Israel, Palestine, and Southern Egypt. Later, visit Mt. Nebo, Jordan's most revered holy site. This mountain was mentioned in Deuteronomy 34, "Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah." While here, you will tour the Holy site where Moses died and was buried. After visiting this Sacred place, return to Amman before dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Kerak | Madaba | Mt. Nebo
After breakfast departure to airport for departure back home.
Day 11: Return Flights
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