Pyramids to Petra: Cairo, Luxor, Petra & More

Upon arrival into Cairo International Airport after you will be met by Goway's local representative and transferred to your hotel. You will be presented with full documentation if required, including domestic airline tickets. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.
Cairo, the Triumphant City, is the glorious capital of Egypt, the cradle of civilization and the beacon of religion. It is the largest city in the Middle East and Africa and lies at the centre of all routes leading to and from the continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Greater Cairo extends on the banks of the River Nile to the south of its delta. Here, the Nile divides into two tributaries, the Rosetta and the Damietta. On its East Side stands the evidence of 2000 years of Islamic, Christian Coptic and Jewish culture still flourishing to this day. On its West Side lies the Ancient Egyptian city of Memphis (Giza), the renowned capital of the Old Kingdom and the site of the Pyramids, the only surviving wonder of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. Indeed, a journey through Cairo is a journey through time, a journey through the history of an immortal civilization.

Today, you will visit Cheops' Pyramid, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and the Sphinx, the great god-lion sentinel. Built over 35 centuries ago, the towering pyramids were erected to preserve bodies and treasures for the afterlife. You will also visit the Solar Boat Museum, housing the spectacular funerary boats placed at the disposal of the King for his journey to the afterlife. You'll continue on to Memphis, the first capital of ancient Egypt, and Sakkara, the "City of the Dead", to see the step pyramid of King Zoser and the Wall of Cobras.

Transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your chosen ship, your floating hotel for the next 5 days.

After lunch, in an unforgettable excursion, you will drive to the Luxor Temple. Built largely by Amenhotep III and Ramses II, the temple served as the setting for the rituals of the festival of Opet, which was held to reconcile the human aspect of the ruler with his divine office.

Next, visit Karnak Temple, erected in 1928 BC as a small shrine dedicated to Amun the God of Thebes. The temple comprises of three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples all constructed over 1300 years ago. The three main temples of Mut, Monthu and Amun are at the centre. Karnak is now the largest and oldest temple compound on earth.

Luxor is a city that has often been called the "world's greatest open air museum". With the number and preservation of monuments in the area, it is unparalleled to anywhere else in the world. Luxor is actually composed of three different areas: the city of Luxor - located on the east side of the Nile, the town of Karnak - located just north of Luxor, and Thebes - which is on the west side of the Nile across from Luxor.

Today visit the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El-Deir, El-Bahari and the Colossi Memnon.

The Valley of the Kings in Upper Egypt is home to many pharaonic tombs of the New Kingdom, including those of King Tutankhamun and Ramses the Great. Each king's formal name and title is inscribed in his tomb, which is also adorned with his images and statues. Most of the tombs were cut into limestone following a similar pattern: three corridors, an antechamber, and a sunken sarcophagus chamber.

The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty was built just north of the Middle Kingdom temple of Mentuhotep Nebhepetre, amid the bay of cliffs known as Deir El-Bahri. In ancient times the temple was called Djeser-djeseru, meaning the sacred of sacreds. The female pharaoh chose to build her temple in a valley sacred to the Theban Goddess of the west, on a direct axis with the Karnak Temple of Amun on the East Bank.

This evening enjoy a Captain's Welcome Cocktail and dinner on board.

This morning you sail to Edfu. The main monument at Edfu is the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus on the edge of the town. The temple is perhaps the best-preserved in all of Egypt and ranks second behind Karnak, simply because of its immense size of approximately 230 by 400 feet with a pylon measuring over 100 feet high. At the temple's entrance stand two large black granite statues of Horus depicted as a falcon. The elaborate carvings on the walls of the temple are as beautiful as if they were carved just yesterday. Inside the temple is a small sanctuary where the priests of the day offered the best parts of the animals to the gods.

Kom Ombo is located on a bend in the river Nile about 50 km north of Aswan. Located on the east bank, it is home to an unusual double temple built during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The temple is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris (Horus the Elder). Despite being badly damaged, the temple is a beautiful sight as one approaches from either direction on the river, particularly as sunset nears and the colours change.

This morning's sightseeing includes Aswan's High Dams, unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Philae. After lunch, sail around Elephantine Island and the Botanical Gardens.

The High Dam, Just north of the border between Egypt and Sudan lays the Aswan High Dam, a huge rock filled dam which captures the world's longest river, the Nile, in the world's largest artificial reservoir, Lake Nasser. The dam, known as "Sadd El-Aali" in Arabic, was completed in 1970 after 10 years of work.

A short trip on a motorboat to temple of Philae will bring you to a magnificent vista of the island, before landing at what would have been the ancient quay on the south side. The temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis and has many legends connected to it. The most well known legend tells the story of how Isis found the heart of Osiris here after his murder by his brother Seth.

Aswan, Egypt's sunniest southern city and ancient frontier town located about 81 miles south of Luxor, has a distinctively African atmosphere. Its ancient Egyptian name was Syene. Small enough to walk around and graced with the most beautiful setting on the Nile, the pace of life is slow and relaxing. Days can be spent strolling up and down the broad Corniche, watching the sailboats etch the sky with their tall masts, or sitting in floating restaurants listening to Nubian music and eating freshly caught fish.

Disembark from your ship after breakfast and transfer to your Aswan hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure (optional Abu Simbel excursion available).

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Amman Jordan via Cairo. You need to make your own way through immigration where you will pay for your visa, and go through customs. Once completed, you will be met by the Karma House representative in the arrivals hall and transferred to your hotel. The rest of your day is at leisure.

Upon arrival in Amman, you will be met prior to customs and immigration and assisted by our local representative. Transfer to our hotel where the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Breakfast - Amman City tour to include the visit of the citadel, Roman Theater, the archeological museum, King Abdullah Mosque, old & new Parts of Amman. Visit the endless churches of Madaba known as the city of mosaics for the famous mosaic map flooring the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, the oldest map in the world depicting the Holy Land. Continue to visit Mount Nebo, the mountaintop memorial of Moses with captivating views of the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, River Jordan. Continue to Petra - check in at Hotel - Dinner & overnight.

After breakfast full day dedicated to visit Petra the Rose Red City - The visit will include the main sites such as the "Siq", a long winding fissure between two walls of overhanging cliffs, the "Khazneh" referred to as the Treasury, the Street of Facades, the Court House and the Amphitheater. Dinner & Overnight at Petra hotel.

After breakfast this morning, depart Petra and head to Wadi Rum, the most enchanting desert in the world. An open space and a setting that resembles that of the moon, Wadi Rum will engulf you with its enigmatic lure. We will arrange for a Open Top, Bedouin driven 4X4 jeep with open windows for a 2 hr tour inside the desert to visit Lawrence Spring and Khazalee Mountain - end the tour and continue to Amman - Hotel for check in, Dinner and overnight.

After breakfast drive to visit the Roman city of Jerash visiting Maximus Cardo, the colonnaded street flanked by temples, churches, theaters & endless mosaics. Continue to visit Ajloun Castle is an awe-inspiring Islamic fortress that withstood the power of the Crusader armies in the 12th Century. Climbing the narrow staircases and walking through endless hallways takes you back to a time of chivalry and faith, where you can almost imagine the sounds of battling Iron and the sight of the raging battlefield. Back to Amman for overnight (No Dinner included).

After breakfast transfer to Amman Airport for departure - Goway Representative will help at the Airport.