Egypt & Jordan holiday, Pyramids & Petra

country:	Egypt, Jordan
trip type:	A small group adventure
departures:	2009: 19 Dec 2010: 13 Feb, 27 Mar, 29 May, 7 Aug, 23 Oct, 19 Dec 2011: 27 Feb, 2 Apr, 15 Apr, 28 May, 6 Aug, 22 Oct, 19 Dec
price:	From £1299 - £1619 (11 days) including flights from the UK. From £869 - £1239 excluding flights. Local payment 100 GBP.
vouchers:	Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday

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Jordan holidays

the amazing things you'll be doing

An adventurous journey exploring the highlights of Egypt and Jordan

The Wonders of Cairo
In Cairo you visit the legendary Pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx. You’ll also see the vast array of treasures stored in the Egyptian Museum. Journey into the remote lands of the Sinai Peninsular to explore St Catherine’s Monastery and make a breathtaking sunrise ascent of Mt. Sinai itself. You’ll then enjoy a camel trek and snorkel on the shores of the Red Sea at charming Dahab.

Red Sea & Petra
Crossing the Red Sea by ferry you journey straight to Wadi Rum to camp Bedouin-style beneath the towering canyons that were once the desert hideout of Lawrence of Arabia. Discovering the legendary rock-cut city of Petra is a definite highlight of the trip, and the journey culminates with an enchanting stay in the remote nature reserve at Dana and a visit to the Dead Sea.

Explore in depth...
If you would prefer a more in-depth adventure then have a look at our dedicated Jordan trips and our range of Egyptian holidays. In Jordan enjoy time at the Dead Sea and explore Kerak. In Egypt explore the Nile Valley including the Valley of the Kings in Luxor and the wonders of Aswan. Alternatively spend time sailing the Nile on a felucca or camping out in the remote western desert.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Depart London After your flight, you transfer to your first night’s accommodation and check in. Hotel – 2 nights
Day 2:	Cairo, Egypt With a population estimated at 15 million people, Cairo is by far Africa’s largest city, yet despite its size, it still manages to retain a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Its long and colourful history dates from the 7th century, when it was established by the Arab leader Amr ibn al-As, and called Fustat (the tent). Modern Cairo is a city packed with wonders; this morning you visit the Pyramids of Giza which have overlooked the city for millennia, bearing witness to the ingenuity of their ancient architects and builders. You’ll also make a fascinating visit to the Egyptian Museum, home to the incredible Tutankhamun collection and countless reminders of the wonders of the Pharaohs. The remainder of the day is left free for exploration; your Group Leader will advise on what you can see and do to make the most out of your stay. (B)
Day 3:	Into The Sinai Early this morning you set off east towards the Suez Canal, where huge ships appear to sail across the desert, and take the Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel under the canal to enter the Sinai Peninsula. It’s a full day’s journey to St. Catherines’s today (total 7-8 hours) but with stops en route. Few descriptions of this remote corner of Egypt do it justice. Sliced through by deep wadis (valleys created by seasonal watercourses), its mountains of sandstone and granite change colour throughout the day as the fierce desert sun crosses the sky; the sunsets are particularly spectacular. The mountains are almost entirely devoid of vegetation; indeed this harsh landscape offers little sustenance but is, nevertheless, the traditional land of the Bedouin, who have mastered the art of survival in such extreme conditions. Although many have now settled in the towns that lie scattered along the Sinai coastline, they still cling to their nomadic ways and keep their traditions very much alive. Turning south from the Suez Canal you continue along the coast to Hammam Faraoun (Pharaoh’s Bath) where you can bathe in the hot springs and explore the cave. When you’re about 45 minutes away from St Catherine’s – your final destination today – you’ll start to see the walled valley of the Feiran Oasis, home to some 12,000 date palms and the site of Sinai’s earliest Christian community. You stop to visit the Convent of Banat Saba’a (Seven Sisters), inhabited by a small community of Greek nuns. Its gardens and citrus groves, overlooked by the surrounding granite peaks are a haven of peace and an indication of the industry of the sisters. At the heart of the complex is a tiny stone chapel richly decorated with icons. The final leg of the drive brings you to St. Catherine’s village. Nestling in a valley at the foot of Mount Sinai (also known as Jebel Musa, or Mount Moses) it’s said to be the oldest continuously inhabited monastery in the world. Hotel – 1 night (BD)
Day 4:	Mt Sinai & St Catherine’s Egypt’s highest mountains - Mount Sinai (2285m) and Jebel Katerin (Mount St. Catherine - 2642m), both overlook the monastery. Rising well before first light, you make your way by torchlight up the track that leads to the summit of Mount Sinai. Soon after dawn has broken, the jagged peaks of the nearby mountains flush red and orange with the first rays of the rising sun; it’s well worth the early start to savour these views! You return the same way or can take the 3750 rock steps, cut by the monks in the 6th century AD, back down to the village. After a much-deserved breakfast at your hotel, you have time to visit the monastery to learn more about its fascinating history. This Greek Orthodox foundation dates back to 337 AD, and accepts only monks of Greek origin; mostly from the monasteries of Mount Athos. Christians, Jews and Muslims all believe that this was the spot where God revealed the Ten Commandments to Moses, and the Burning Bush from whence God spoke was transplanted in the monastery, and attracts pilgrims from all over the world. After your visit, you’ll continue for about 90 minutes to the delightful resort of Dahab, your base for the next two nights. Hotel – 2 nights (B)
Day 5:	Red Sea Snorkelling & Camel Safari This morning you set-off by jeep to the famous Blue Hole – a deep underwater coral tunnel. Renowned in the dive world, this fantastic site is Sinai contrast at its best; the warm waters of the Red Sea offset by the desert sands and mountains. You’ll continue from here to Ras Abu Gallum by camel; loafing along is a really relaxing way to travel! The warm and relatively shallow waters of the Red Sea support a series of coral reefs unsurpassed outside Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Over the years, successive generations of minute polyps have deposited the calcium they extract from the sea as limestone external skeletons on to the fossilised remains of their predecessors. Today you can explore the breathtaking array of offshore coral and, using snorkels, get to know the brightly-coloured tropical fish that populate this wonderful undersea world. Back in Dahab, you can dine in one of the many small, outdoor Egyptian restaurants lined along the sea-front; soaking up the atmosphere in this relaxed former hippy hangout is a great way to spend the afternoon and/or evening! (BL)
Day 6:	To Jordan, Wadi Rum A relatively short 90-minute drive brings you to the port of Nuweiba, where you’ll say goodbye to your Egyptian leader, for your short , 55 minute Red Sea ferry crossing to Aqaba in Jordan. Upon arrival, you’ll meet your Jordanian leader and continue north to Wadi Rum – it takes about 90 minutes from Aqaba to the desert. The Desert Highway offers some incredible scenery on your first journey through Jordan; upon arrival at the entrance to Rum, you’ll transfer to 4WD vehicles and head once more into the desert! During your stay you may see the black ‘beit ash shar’ tents of the hardy Bedouin who still wander throughout the Middle East, as they have for centuries. Moving between the few grazing spots which dot the parched landscape, they survive by breeding goats, sheep and camels. Although the traditional nomadic way of life is starting to disappear as some Bedouin succumb to the lure of fixed accommodation, many adhere stolidly to the old way - albeit with the occasional addition of a 4WD vehicle for transport! Living in such a hostile environment has taught them long ago the importance of a friendly welcome and the ancient code of hospitality to travellers still survives. You camp close to the entrance of the wadi, and in true desert fashion, you can usually sleep in a traditional Bedouin tent or under the stars. As the sun sets on the rocky outcrops, an astonishing transformation takes place; the sandstone changes hue, passing through a spectrum of yellow, gold, orange, red and finally purple, as the shadows lengthen and the stars come out; the skies are clear and stars stand out brightly. The Milky Way, satellites and shooting stars can be clearly seen; the perfect opportunity for star-gazing! Bedouin-style camp (communal sleeping arrangement) - 1 night (BD)NB we aim to get you to Wadi Rum in time for sunset, but if the sailing is delayed, for example for bad weather, you may arrive after dark.
Day 7:	Wadi Rum/Petra You have plenty of time to explore the wadi, which offers some of the most extraordinary desert scenery. From a distance, Wadi Rum's sheer sandstone cliffs appear to hover like a shimmering mirage on the horizon. It's only from close quarters that you can fully appreciate just how large some are, rising to a height of 1800m. It's hard to describe the majesty of this setting without sounding too effusive; suffice to say that the beauty that captivated Lawrence of Arabia is just as evident today. To the Howeitat Bedouin, who have taken it as their own, the area is known as the Valley of the Moon. These people are reputedly the remainder of Lawrence's Arab army who marched with him from Azraq in the north, then stayed behind once battle was done. On your jeep tour, you’ll stop to climb hills and enter narrow siqs where many inscriptions can be seen. Passing Thamud nomads from Saudi Arabia and the Nabataean people have both left their mark on the surrounding rocks. Nature provides a number of rock bridges that offer some stunning views. You’ll then make the two-hour journey to Petra, with plenty of time allowed to discover this amazing site! Hotel – 2 nights (B)
Day 8:	Petra Wadi Musa gives its name to the modern town that stands close to the well-concealed city of Petra - perhaps the world's most famous 'lost city'. Its exact location was unknown in the West until 1812, when the Swiss explorer J.L. Burckhardt, a convert to Islam, made a short detour to sacrifice a goat at the nearby meli (tomb) of the prophet Harun. As he picked his way towards the foot of the mountain, he stumbled across the siq, the narrow defile that leads to Petra; the rest is history. Since that day many others have made their way along the same path and, as Burckhardt must have done, gazed in awe at the splendid monuments that adorn this remote valley. Today you’ll have a full day to explore the fabled site of Petra, following the same path as Burckhardt, which funnels you through the banded rock walls that tower above. At the end of the kilometre-long path, you are rewarded by a glimpse of the most beautiful building of all - the Khazneh or Treasury - so-called because the Bedouin believed that the urn crowning the edifice held a cache of gold and jewels. The first sight of this perfectly proportioned tomb, carved from the towering rock, is truly unforgettable, but there's much more to come! Some 2400 years ago the Nabataeans taxed the trade caravans that plied between southern Arabia and the shores of the eastern Mediterranean. Using the proceeds they built the first houses and temples here. Later, these taxes proved even more rewarding, and today the Nabataean legacy includes houses, tombs, temples, a (Roman-built) amphitheatre and much more. Although it is a tiring walk, it is well worth making the hour or so ascent up the rocky path, which leads to the Monastery, a vast structure rivalling even the Treasury. Time should also allow you to climb to one of the High Places, the mountain-top alters where ritual sacrifices were made; from here there are spectacular views of the mountains, valleys and canyons below! (B)
Day 9:	Dana National Park After a two-hour drive through spectacular mountain scenery, you make your way down to the recently developed nature reserve around Dana village. The reserve aims to protect some of Jordan's endangered species, including ibex, mountain gazelle, wolf and red fox. As well as conserving wildlife, Dana has also managed to preserve the timeless traditions still practised in the village. This afternoon you spend time exploring this fascinating reserve, taking a guided walk along old paths through the mountains. Wadi Dana drops from 1500m above sea level to 100m below sea level as it plunges from the eastern plateau of the Great Rift Valley down to the Dead Sea. It is possible to gauge the remarkable variety of habitats ranging from semi-arid forests to sub-tropical wadis as you walk. At sunset you should enjoy breathtaking views from the terrace of your guesthouse.Resthouse (multi-share accommodation) - 1 night (BD)
Day 10:	Amman En route to Amman, you'll stop at the Dead Sea where you will have some free time to experience the unique floating sensation. (B)
Day 11:	Fly To London Transfer from hotel to Amman airport where the trip ends for Land Only clients and those on group flights to the UK proceed to London.Please note: You’ll be accompanied on your journey by a Group Leader to smooth the way; one leader will accompany you through Egypt, and a separate leader will join you for the Jordan section of your trip.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

travellers' tales

The most memorable part of my holiday was Dhana Nature Reserve. Four stars. (more)

how this holiday makes a difference

On this trip: We employ two local group leaders, stay in locally owned hotels, eat in local restaurants and travel in small groups. Dana Nature Reserve benefits financially from our stay - money going directly to the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. During your time here we have also arranged for a presentation on the vital work of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and Dana’s story – how it has developed. Our visit to Wadi Rum reinforces in the Bedouin community the need to preserve their cultural heritage.

Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us.

Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems.

Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full.

Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book.

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