Crusaders, Petra and Pyramids - Family

15 days - from $2890

Arriving in Cairo, we visit the Egyptian Museum, pyramids and Sphinx. Further south we ride camels and take a sailboat trip around Aswan's islands.

A relaxing Nile cruise then brings us to Luxor, where we visit Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings before returning to Cairo. A morning is spent at the fascinating Pharaonic Village, where we gain a fun, interactive insight into life in ancient Egypt, before exploring the bustling, centuries-old Khan el Khalili bazaar.

Mt Sinai is the next stop, before crossing into Jordan, where we spend a night in a traditional Bedouin camp deep in the spectacular setting of Wadi Rum - a real highlight! We take a full day to discover the amazing city of Petra, visit a Crusader castle, and swim (or float!) in the Dead Sea, before our adventure ends in Amman.

Highlights

• Egyptian Museum
• The Pyramids
• Sphinx
• Aswan & the Islands
• Valley of the Kings
• Luxor
• Bedouin Desert Camp
• Aqaba
• Wadi Rum
• Petra
• Komombo Temple
• Nile Riverboat Cruise
• Dead Sea
• Amman
• Edfu Temple
• Camel Ride
• Shobak Castle
• Pharaonic Village

Itinerary:

Day 1 (Sun) Arrive Cairo and transfer to hotel.2 Visit Egyptian Museum, pyramids and Sphinx. Sleeper train to Aswan.3 Explore the Aswan bazaar. Afternoon camel ride and felucca trip.4 Optional visit to Abu Simbel. Board Nile cruise boat.5 Nile cruise. Visit Komombo and Edfu temples.6 Arrive Luxor. Horse-drawn carriages to Karnak Temple.7 Visit Valley of the Kings. Afternoon free. Sleeper train to Cairo.8 Visit Pharaonic Village and Khan el Khalili bazaar. Afternoon free.9-10 Drive to the Sinai. Optional ascent of Mount Sinai. Hydrofoil to Aqaba (Jordan).11 Drive to Wadi Rum and ride camels to our Bedouin camp.12 Morning hike around Wadi Rum, then drive to Petra.13 Full day exploring Petra.14 Drive via Shobak Castle and the Dead Sea to Amman.15 Tour ends in Amman after breakfast (Sun).
Included: Local tour leader, professional local guides, arrival transfer, transport, sightseeing and entrance fees.
Not Included: Flights & taxes, meals unless specified, drinks, visas, travel insurance, tips (see below), spending of a personal nature, optional sightseeing.
Meals: 14 breakfasts,4 lunches,9 dinners
Valid From: 01 Jan 07
Notes: Age limits and responsibility for minors Our family trips are not recommended for children under the age of six. There must be at least one parent/adult guardian for three minors. Parent/adult guardian must be fully responsible for their minors throughout the entire trip. If you have a question regarding age and suitability, please contact us for further advice. Accommodation Triple share rooms are not available on the overnight trains or Nile cruise boat in Egypt. For bookings with an odd number of passengers, one adult will have to share a room on the train and the cruise boat with someone else from the tour of the same gender or a single supplement can be requested for the tour, at additional cost. If you have requested a triple room, this will only apply to your hotel stays, if available. Bedouin Camp We spend one night in Bedouin-style tents. Accommodation is 'dormitory-style' and we sleep as a group on the floor of the tent. Mattresses and blankets are available. you must bring a 'sleeping sheet' and in winter (November-March) you might consider bringing sleeping bags, although plenty of blankets are available. Clean water is also available and there are adequate shower and toilet facilities. Note that nights are cold during winter (especially December) and you should bring thermal clothing with you. Nile Cruise Schedules There are numerous boats cruising the Nile, all of which must negotiate the lock at Edfu. As a result, boats arrive and depart Aswan continuously throughout the day. The printed itinerary is therefore only a guideline and you may find you have more (or less) time in either Luxor or Aswan. The actual cruising time, from Aswan to Luxor, is about a day and a half and this will be accomplished both during the day and at night. The Hydrofoil Crossing - Nuweiba to Aqaba Getting onto the hydrofoil can be a frustrating process. There is NOTHING to do once inside the terminal and the boat is sometimes late (you will not find out about this until you are inside). Occasionally it is out of order and the old ferry-boat is used instead, which adds another couple of hours to the journey. The system has improved over the years, however there are some things you should know: First, your Egyptian tour leader is NOT ALLOWED to go inside with you so, for a few hours, you will be on your own. This journey is accomplished by numerous foreigners so do not be alarmed. Egyptian Law requires you to pass through Immigration and Customs controls about 2 hours prior to the departure of the boat, and as noted above, there is nothing to do once inside other than sit around and wait. There is a very limited canteen, so we strongly recommend you bring some biscuits/drinks FROM CAIRO as these are not easy to find in the Sinai. Please also have a magazine, book, crossword puzzles or other distractions with you...and your kids! All travellers departing Egypt at Nuweiba Port must pay a 50 Egyptian Pound departure tax (subject to change). Your tour leader will collect this to pay immigration control. Summertime Schedules As the days get warmer, temperatures can start to soar - particularly in Upper Egypt (Luxor and Aswan). From April to October, to avoid the midday heat, some days start very early (eg at 0500). Please be prepared for this; our schedules are designed to make touring as comfortable for you as possible. 'Baksheesh' and Tipping Throughout the Middle East, tipping is part of the fabric of life. The local word is 'baksheesh', which when translated into English falls somewhere in between 'tip' and 'bribe'. Everyone constantly tips everyone else and foreign travellers are expected to comply with this system. It is part of everyday life and is a form of remuneration for doing something, regardless of the standard of service. This is quite confusing for those used to the western concept of tipping as a way of showing appreciation. Over the years we have found that most of our customers find this constant need for tipping to be both tiresome and embarrassing, especially if you don't have the correct small change. To overcome this, we have established a very successful tipping kitty system. At the beginning of the tour, your tour leader will suggest collecting a set amount from each tour member. He/she will then distribute all tips along the way, on behalf of the group, to the local guides, drivers, porters and anyone else who provides services along the way. We have surveyed thousands of our previous clients and the vast majority clearly prefer this procedure. We hope that this system will also work for you. The amount will vary from trip to trip, but it usually works out to be about the equivalent of US$3 per person per day. If you are out on your own, for example at a restaurant, you should also leave a tip for the waiter. Please note that the tipping kitty will NOT include a gratuity for your tour leader. They work hard for you and if you are happy with their service it is appropriate to tip them as well. The normal amount expected is US$3 (or equivalent) per day from each member of the group. Ramadan Ramadan occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is an exciting (and at times, frustrating) time to travel in the Middle East. In the evening there is a celebratory atmosphere as people break their fast, and to witness all this is a real highlight. However, during the day, people must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity, so if you encounter someone who is a bit grumpy, be sympathetic! Tourist sites are generally unaffected although some places may close early, but your leader will plan around this. Most hotels bars and tourist restaurants will remain open. Overall, Ramadan is a really interesting time to the Middle East, although you do need to be flexible, sympathetic and sensitive. In 2010, Ramadan starts on 11th August and finishes on 9th September, with the Eid el Fitr feast commencing on 10th September. In 2011, Ramadan will start on 1st August and finish on 30th August. Christmas & New Year Supplements Please note that some hotels in Jordan & Egypt have a compulsory Gala Dinner on Christmas and New Year's Eve. The Dinner fee is paid locally and will be automatically charged to your room bill.
Starts/Ends: Cairo to Amman
Trip Reference: PTPP