Depart the USA on an overnight flight

Overnight in Cairo at Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel or similar.

This morning, visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities to view the unique collection of Pharaonic art and the renowned treasures of King Tutankhamen. Afterward, visit the Pyramids of Giza, constructed over 1,000 years before the birth of Moses. See the Great Sphinx and have the opportunity to ride a camel in the desert near the Pyramids. Tour the Old City and see the Citadel of Saladin, built in 1183 AD, and view the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. In Old Cairo, visit the Abu Serge Church built over the traditional site of the house where the Holy Family lived during their stay in Egypt. Overnight in Cairo at Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel or similar.

Bazaar/ Fly to Luxor/ Luxor Overnight Today, visit Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt. Travel to the necropolis of Saqqara, where you will see the world-famous Step Pyramid of King Djoser, the oldest known of Egypt’s 107 pyramids. Next, see Khan el-Khalili, a famous bazaar and souk in the historic center of Cairo. Fly to Luxor, where you will stay overnight. Overnight in Luxor at Nile Palace Luxor Hotel or similar.

Visit Valley of the Kings, where tombs were constructed for the kings and powerful nobles of Egypt for nearly 500 years. The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, across from Thebes (modern Luxor), within the heart of the Theban Necropolis. See the Colossi of Memnon, made of sandstone brought from Gabal el Silselah. Each colossus, including the pedestal and the crown, is about 21 meters tall and represents King Amenhotep III. See the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of only a handful of female rulers in Ancient Egypt. Her reign was the longest of all the female pharaohs. Sail to Esna, enjoying afternoon tea before visiting the Temple of Khnum. Overnight in Luxor at Nile Palace Luxor Hotel or similar.

statues and mighty monumental columns. Continue to the Karnak Temple, which took over 2,000 years to build and is the largest religious building ever constructed and see the famed Hypostyle Hall, the Obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Tuthmosis III, the temple of Amon, the Granite Scarabeus and the Sacred Lake. Overnight in Luxor at Nile Palace Luxor Hotel or similar.

This morning, fly to Sharm el Sheikh and enjoy free time at Sharm el Shiekh. It is known for its sheltered, sandy beaches, clear water and coral reefs. Overnight at Savoy Hotel Sharm El Sheikh or similar.

This morning, you can opt to climb Mount Sinai, where tradition says that Moses received the Ten Commandments. Everyone will experience a visit to the fortified St. Catherine’s Monastery, built in the 6th century, and one of the oldest working monasteries in the world with the world’s oldest continually operating library. Both the Codex Sinaiticus and Syriac Sinaiticus, important early Biblical manuscripts, were discovered here. Overnight in Wadi Rum at Martian Tents or similar.

After breakfast, visit an iconic feature of Wadi Rum, Khazali Canyon. A 20-minute walk then enables us to see many Nabatean inscriptions and drawings. The next stop is the Sand Dunes. Here is where you will enjoy your included Jeep Tour. There are other optional & additional Wadi Rum activities that can be enjoyed that are not included, such as Camel Rides & Sand Surfing. Drive to visit Lot’s Cave (Genesis 19). Here, Lot and his daughters are said to have sought refuge after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Overnight in Petra at the Hayat Zaman Hotel or similar.

Begin your journey south toward Petra today. Explore the city of Petra. Its entrance passes through a long, narrow gorge known as the Siq and can only be accessed by carriage, horseback or on foot. Once inside the city, marvel at the intricate detail of a city that was cut into the cliffsides of rose-colored rock. Travel to your hotel at the Dead Sea for dinner and overnight. Overnight in Petra at the Hyatt Zaman Hotel or similar.

October 11 - Jerash/ Desert Castles These three desert castles (Qasr Al- Kharrana, Quseir ‘Amra and Al-Azraq) are all disseminated on the black basalt desert running East of Amman. Qasr Al- Kharrana remains the best preserved, most dramatic and enigmatic of the “desert castles”. Qal’at al- Azraq is located on the ancient main trade route and served as a key junction between Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Syria. Pools of fresh water, now depleted, made it the largest oasis in the Jordanian desert. These pools of water gave a name to the castle, which means blue in Arabic. Journey to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. Stroll through the oval piazza and wander along colonnaded streets etched by the wheels of ancient chariots. Stand in the grand theatre where an onstage whisper can be heard in the top row. Overnight in Amman at Dead Sea Mövenpick resort and spa or similar.

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