Egypt & Jordan family holiday, Pyramids & Petra
| country: | Egypt, Jordan |
| departures: | 2009: 21 Dec 2010: 12 Feb, 5 Apr, 22 Oct, 18 Dec 2011: 18 Feb, 13 Apr, 21 Oct, 17 Dec |
| price: | From £1449 - £1649 (12 days) per adult and from £1399 - £1539 per child including flights from the UK. From £1049 - £1149 per adult and from £1049 - £1149 per child excluding flights. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
A journey across Egypt and Jordan – home to the wonders of many ancient civilizations
Cairo & the Pyramids
In Cairo, Egypt's eclectic capital, you visit the ancient Pyramids and the mysterious Sphinx, before marvelling at the huge number of treasures in the Egyptian Museum. The collection of mummies is also worth a look (optional).
Sinai & the Red Sea
Travelling down the Sinai Peninsula you visit the pilgrimage site of St. Catherine’s Monastery and have the opportunity to climb Mt. Sinai at sunrise. Your finale in Egypt is a camel trek by the Red Sea and snorkelling at relaxed, colourful Dahab.
Wadi Rum & Petra - Rose Red City
Journeying across the Red Sea, you continue into Jordan to Wadi Rum. Here you camp under the stars and gaze up at dramatic rock formations. You will also explore this incredible scenery on an exciting jeep safari. The fabled city of Petra is carved out of the very rock of which Jordan is formed. You have a full day to explore this ancient site by horse and on foot. Catching your first glimpse of the Treasury is a sight never to be forgotten.
Dana & the Dead Sea
Dana Nature Reseve is a national treasure best explored on foot on one of the many trails here. Following a visit to the Crusader castle of Kerak, your trip ends with a couple of days relaxing at the Dead Sea
Cairo & the Pyramids
In Cairo, Egypt's eclectic capital, you visit the ancient Pyramids and the mysterious Sphinx, before marvelling at the huge number of treasures in the Egyptian Museum. The collection of mummies is also worth a look (optional).
Sinai & the Red Sea
Travelling down the Sinai Peninsula you visit the pilgrimage site of St. Catherine’s Monastery and have the opportunity to climb Mt. Sinai at sunrise. Your finale in Egypt is a camel trek by the Red Sea and snorkelling at relaxed, colourful Dahab.
Wadi Rum & Petra - Rose Red City
Journeying across the Red Sea, you continue into Jordan to Wadi Rum. Here you camp under the stars and gaze up at dramatic rock formations. You will also explore this incredible scenery on an exciting jeep safari. The fabled city of Petra is carved out of the very rock of which Jordan is formed. You have a full day to explore this ancient site by horse and on foot. Catching your first glimpse of the Treasury is a sight never to be forgotten.
Dana & the Dead Sea
Dana Nature Reseve is a national treasure best explored on foot on one of the many trails here. Following a visit to the Crusader castle of Kerak, your trip ends with a couple of days relaxing at the Dead Sea
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Fly to Cairo Following your flight you transfer to your first night’s accommodation and check in. Hotel – 2 nights |
| Day 2: | Cairo, Egypt With a population of around 18 million people, Cairo is Africa’s largest city by far. Yet despite its size, Cairo retains a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Its long and colourful history dates from the 7th century AD, when it was established by the Arab leader Amr ibn al-As, and called Fustat (the tent). Today you’ll enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of two of the city’s most celebrated sights. At Giza, to the west of the city, the enigmatic Sphinx and great pyramids still stand on the edge of the empty desert overlooking the city. More than 4000 years old, the pyramids are the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that remain intact – a testimony to the ingenuity and skill of their builders. You’ll visit the famed Egyptian Museum which holds many thousands of exhibits; your local guide will focus on the Tutankhamun collection – probably the world’s greatest archaeological find. You’ll see the treasure found in the tomb of the boy-king: the jewel-encrusted golden mask, the golden sarcophagus and throne, plus many everyday articles, which were entombed with him to be used in the afterlife. The remainder of the day is left free for exploration; Cairo is a city full of wonders - your group leader will advise on what you can see or do to make the most 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 (approx. 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 (Swimming pool) (BD) PLEASE NOTE: Swimming pools at the hotels are often unheated and so can be cold in the winter months |
| 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 back at your hotel, you have time to visit the monastery to learn more about its fascinating history. 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 (1½ hours) 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. 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! (B) |
| Day 6: | Cross by ferry into Jordan; drive to Wadi Rum A relatively short drive (1½ hours) 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 an hour and a half 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 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 1800 metres. 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 (Swimming pool) (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. Some 2400 years ago the Nabataeans taxed the trade caravans that plied between southern Arabia and the shores of the eastern Mediterranean and, using the proceeds built the first houses and temples here; 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) - 1 night (BD) Please note, the 19 October 08 departure will stay at the Rummana campsite in Dana National Park, not at the guesthouse. You will be accommodated in comfortable two-person or family tents, with toilet facilities nearby. There is also a small dining area near to the campsite, which enjoys a great location. |
| Day 10: | Dead Sea Leaving Dana you wend your way along the King's Highway for about two hours, a winding road which follows the contours of the rocky hills. Occasionally passing nomadic shepherds as they tend their flocks in the few areas where there is water, you reach the small town of Kerak. Here a formidable Crusader castle overlooks a long, winding road down to the Dead Sea. The Crusaders had a huge impact on the region in the 11th – 13th centuries, and fought the forces of Islam in a long campaign, which saw many atrocities committed. Their temporary successes can be attributed - at least in part - to an outstanding ability to construct impregnable defensive fortifications, of which Kerak Castle is a prime example. Amazingly - given that it is over 850 years old - a great deal of the structure remains intact, and you can explore the dungeons, passages, refectory and kitchens of the castle, which also houses a small museum. After visiting Kerak you turn west and descend lower and lower until eventually you arrive on the shores of the Dead Sea - at 400m below sea level it's the lowest place on earth. Hotel – 2 nights (Swimming Pool) (BD) |
| Day 11: | Dead Sea At the Dead Sea the mineral content of the water is so dense that anybody attempting to swim finds that they float, rather than sink! It's a remarkable feeling and one you'll be able to experience for yourself as you relax during your free day here. (B) |
| Day 12: | Fly to London Transfer to Amman airport by road where the trip ends for Land Only clients. Those on group flights to the UK fly 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 pyramids were just extraordinary - I had wondered whether they would live up to expectations, but they were fantastic! (more)
small group family holiday
This is a 'small group family adventure' - typically you will join several other families and travel in a group of approx. 16 people. The trips are great value and a great way for you and your children to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of time to yourselves. Most adventure kids tend to be aged between 7 and 15, but some are younger (minimum age is usually 5) and some older (perhaps travelling as part of a larger family group). Please check with the operator to confirm the minimum age for this trip how this holiday makes a difference
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We stay in locally owned hotels, eat in local restaurants and travel in small groups. We use a local agent, local drivers and a Local Group Leader in both Egypt and Jordan. This fulfils part of our commitment to make a positive contribution to the local economy and is the best way of ensuring that our money reaches as many people as possible. Local overseas leaders offer a great way to find out more about the local culture, speak the language, understand the day-to-day life around them and help to ‘open doors’ to a fuller experience. Our local agents operate in a responsible manner and are committed to preserving the area in which they work. Dana Nature Reserve benefits financially from our stay, with money going directly to the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. During your stay a presentation is given on the vital work of the Society and tells how Dana’s story has developed. Our visit to Wadi Rum reinforces within 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 The Born Free Foundation is an international wildlife charity that helps animals in need around the world through animal rescues, anti-poaching, support for animal sanctuaries, endangered species conservation, education and public awareness. We ask clients to use their Travellers’ Alert function to which you can report cruelty to animals worldwide and also we visit Ngamba Island, a Born Free supported Chimpanzee Sanctuary, on our Uganda trips. 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 We offset all of our staff travel, both for commuting to work and overseas trips. We also pay £2 per person to partially offset the carbon used in the destination that they are travelling to. We think that offsetting carbon should be a choice made by the individual traveller therefore we ask clients if they would like to augment this £2 with a further contribution. Similarly we ask if you would like to offset your flights – we have set bandings given to us by our Carbon balancing partners - Blue Ventures Carbon Offset and Climate Care. The Foundation We ask our clients if they would like to donate to our Foundation. Small donations of £1 per person build up quickly and we are able to give one off donations to various small-scale projects worldwide. Recently these have included installing heating in a school in the High Atlas, Morocco, providing school equipment for a new school building in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon and providing playground equipment for children at a community centre in northern Tanzania. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |