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IMAGES OF SYRIA, JORDAN & EGYPT
Day 1 London to Damascus
Fly from London Heathrow with BMI to Damascus where you will be met
upon arrival and transferred to the Talisman Hotel for two nights.
(N)
Day 2 Damascus
One of the most evocative and exotic cities of the world, ancient
Damascus is a fascinating place of covered souks, great mosques and
vibrant street life. Today, with your guide, you will have the opportunity
to tour the city. Places of interest include the Azem Palace, the
inspiring Umayyad Mosque, the National Museum and the numerous cavernous
souks. (B/D)
Day 3 Damascus to Aleppo – 355kms
This morning drive to the formidable Crac des Chevaliers, the greatest
crusader castle of all. With its dramatic setting overlooking the
mountains the citadel stands as a bold reminder of the holy crusades.
Later continue onto Hama with its ancient water wheels and then to
Aleppo for your two night stay at the Mansouriya Hotel. (B/D)
Day 4 Aleppo
Today leave your hotel and drive out of the city to visit the monastic
Church of St Simeon the Stylite where St Simeon lived, chained to
a stone column, for forty-two years. Later return to Aleppo and tour
this beautiful city which is dominated by a huge citadel. (B/D)
Day 5 Aleppo to Palmyra – 350kms
Leave Aleppo and continue through the desert to Palmyra, one of the
world’s most famous caravan cities, ancient Roman centre and
a major link in the old Silk Road from China linking the east to Damascus
and Rome. Stay for two nights at the Palmyra Zenobia Cham Palace Hotel.
(B/D)
Day 6 Palmyra
Spend the day exploring the extensively excavated, and beautifully
restored, ruins of the 2nd Century AD Roman city with your guide.
Palmyra is undoubtedly one of the world’s great historical sites
and today you will have the opportunity to explore it in its entirety.
(B/D)
Day 7 Palmyra to Damascus – 245kms
This morning leave Palmyra and head west to Damascus via Maalula,
where Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus, is still in use. On your
arrival in Damascus continue onto the Talisman Hotel where you will
stay overnight. (B/D)
Day 8 Damascus to Amman – 280kms
After breakfast drive south to the magnificent Roman amphitheatre
at Bosra. After entering Jordan visit the well preserved Greco-Roman
city of Jerash, known as the ‘Pompeii of the East’. Jerash
dates from the time of Alexander the Great and is renowned for its
imposing Roman Forum and mile-long ‘Street of Columns’.
Continue to Amman where you will stay for two nights at the Marriott
Amman Hotel. (B/L)
Day 9 Amman
Today visit some of the Desert Castles, forts and hunting lodges of
the Umayyad Caliphs. Qusayr Amra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The black basalt fort of Azraq is in continuous use since Roman times
and was the headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia. Then head towards
the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea before returning to your hotel
in Amman. (B)
Day 10 Amman to Petra – 315kms
Leave with your driver and guide and proceed south along the ancient
Kings’ Highway, with stops at the Byzantine Church of Mount
Nebo with its spectacular views over the Jordan Valley, Jericho and
the Judean Hills. It was from here that Moses is said to have seen
the ‘Promised Land’. Proceed to Madaba where you will
see a unique 6th Century mosaic map which portrays the Holy Land.
Finally visit Kerak to see the famous 12th century crusader castle,
before arriving in Petra for a two night stay at the Movenpick Petra
Hotel. (B/D)
Day 11 Petra
A full day exploring the ‘Rose-Red City’ of Petra with
your guide. Hewn from solid rock Petra was founded by the Nabateans
and influenced by the Romans and Crusaders, before being abandoned
in the 6th century AD. Enter the city by foot through the Siq canyon,
a 1km long fissure through the towering cliffs, with a narrow winding
path that dramatically opens up to expose the awesome facade of the
Treasury. This historic site includes temples, baths, houses, paved
streets, public buildings, theatres, reservoirs and cisterns. (B/D)
Day 12 Petra to Amman – 315kms
Return to Amman and in the afternoon a walk through the bazaars to
the Gold Market. Also visit the Roman ruins of the citadel and theatre
which dates back to the 2nd century AD. (B)
Day 13 Amman to Cairo – by air
This morning transfer to Amman Airport for the direct flight to Cairo.
On your arrival you will be met and transferred by car to Giza to
stay at the Oberoi Mena House Hotel for the next three nights.
Day 14 Cairo
This morning explore the ancient ruins at Memphis, founded around
3,100 BC, this is the legendary city of Menes, the King who united
Upper and Lower Egypt. Continue to the necropolis of Sakkara to see
the Step Pyramid of King Zoser. Later visit the mystical pyramids
at Giza, site of the Great Pyramid of Cheops. Also see the famous
Sphinx and the Solar Boat Museum. (B)
Day 15 Cairo
This morning, a tour of the Egyptian Antiquities Museum leads you
to the treasures of Tutankhamen and the Mummies Room. After lunch,
explore medieval Cairo, including the Mosque of Mohammed Ali and the
14th century Sultan Hassan Mosque, then wander through the Khan el
Khalili Bazaar. (B/L)
Day 16 Cairo to Aswan – by air
Early this morning fly to Aswan and on arrival proceed direct by private
transfer to the spectacular temple complex at Abu Simbel. Return by
air to Aswan to join the MS Oberoi Philae for the next four nights
afloat. After lunch enjoy a felucca cruise around the islands of the
Nile, followed by a visit to the Nubian Museum. Please note that travel
from Aswan to Abu Simbel will be by convoy and that the cruise, and
shore excursions, are operated on a ‘join-in basis’ with
other travellers. (B/L/D)
Day 17 Nile Cruise
After breakfast enjoy a visit to Aswan’s High Dam and Old Dam,
The Unfinished Obelisk and the beautiful temple of Isis on the island
of Philae. Returning to the boat for a buffet lunch, you then sail
to Kom Ombo and to visit the Temple of Sobek and Haroeris overlooks
the Nile. Built during the Ptolemaic period, it is unusual in that
it is in fact two temples – one devoted to the crocodile-god,
Sobek, and the other to Haroeris, the falcon-headed god (Horus the
Great). Continue to Edfu, where the boat will moor overnight. (B/L/D)
Day 18 Nile Cruise
This morning visit the wonderfully preserved Temple of Horus. The
sanctuary of Horus contains the granite shrine that once housed the
gold cult statue of Horus. This afternoon the boat continues along
the Nile to Esna, passing through the lock and sailing on to Luxor.
Overnight onboard in Luxor. (B/L/D)
Day 19 Nile Cruise
Crossing over to Luxor’s West Bank you will visit some of the
stunning tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Inconspicuous and unassuming,
the Valley of the Kings hides its secrets well. The grand pyramids
of the earlier pharaohs proved too tempting to grave robbers, so from
the eighteenth to twentieth Dynasties, 26 pharaohs opted to build
their tombs in the valley. Carving them deep into the mountains, far
from reach, Tutankhamen, Ramses the Great and Tuthmosis III's tombs
lie in this single, sprawling necropolis. Continuing to the Valley
of the Queens, you then return via the temple of Medinet Habu and
the Colossi of Memnon. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight on board in
Luxor. (B/L/D)
Day 20 Luxor to Cairo – by air
After breakfast disembark and proceed to visit the awe-inspiring temple
complex at Karnak, the most important place of worship in all Egypt
during Theban power. It was built, dismantled, restored, enlarged
and decorated by several pharaohs. It's a complex of sanctuaries,
obelisks and pylons, dedicated to the glory of the pharaohs. Also
visit the imposing Luxor Temple before taking your return flight to
Cairo. You will be met on arrival and transferred to the Fairmont
Towers Heliopolis Hotel which situated near the international airport.
(B)
Day 21 Cairo to London
Depart on the non-stop flight with BMI to London.
STAYING ON
Stay overnight near the Dead Sea in Jordan – the lowest point on earth. Easily added to this itinerary with an overnight stay on the return to Amman, this is an excellent opportunity to experience its famous curative powers and buoyant waters.
Experience the desert at sunrise with and extend your time to include an overnight tented stay in Wadi Rum. Famous for its links to Lawrence of Arabia, Wadi Rum is an awe-inspiring place of endless ever-changing desert and towering rocky outcrops.
Relax and recuperate at the end of your tour with an extended stay in one of Egypt’s excellent beach hotels where an excellent option would be the Oberoi Sahal Hasheesh Hotel near Hurghada. A secluded haven on the Red Sea Coast, The Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh is bordered by white sand, aquamarine waters and vibrantly-hued marine life and is easily reached by car from Luxor.
Extend your stay in Egypt and visit Alexandria, easily reached from Cairo. Stay for three nights at the Four Seasons Hotel which will provide ample time to visit Pompey’s Pillar, the Catacombs, the Roman Theatre, Bibliotheca Alexandria and El Alamein before returning to Cairo and London. Please note that the National Museum is currently closed for renovation.
Explore Bahariya Oasis and the White Desert - a four day / three night journey for the adventurous traveller. From Cairo drive to Bahariya Oasis to visit the Temple of Ain El Muftella, the Temple of Alexander the Great and the Museum of Bahariya where the Golden Mummies are displayed. Next day depart by Jeep to see the incredible landscapes of the White Desert where you will camp overnight. On the journey back to Bahariya the following day, visit the Pharaohs market and Pyramid Mountain before returning to Cairo and London.
Options abound for extended stays on the River Nile. In addition to the four night cruise detailed in this itinerary, the Oberoi Philae also operates a four night cruise starting from Luxor and a six night cruise from Aswan to Luxor, and vice versa, which takes in the additional sights of Quina and the Temple of Dendera.
Planning your journey: We can design a unique journey to suit you as our tours are totally tailor made. By combining your own ideas with our knowledge and experience we can help you to create your own journey tailored exactly to your requirements Once you have formulated your ideas, or if you require some general or specific advice, please call us on 01892 515966 or simply send your ideas to pettitts@btconnect.com. On receipt of your enquiry we will provide you with a full written quotation together with our suggestions and recommendations.
A Guide to Price – IMAGES OF SYRIA, JORDAN & EGYPT
Prices vary according to selected airlines, hotels and season, however, an indication to the current cost of this itinerary is PRICE ON REQUEST. All prices are per person and are based on a minimum of TWO persons travelling together and sharing a twin bedded room with meals as indicated. If you wish to travel alone we will be pleased to assist you with your arrangements and can provide a proposal on request.
Note: Meal Basis (N) = No Meal; (B) = Breakfast; (L) = Lunch; (D) = Dinner
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