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Essence of Egypt and Jordan Itinerary
Day 1 - UK - Giza (Egypt)
Fly from the UK to Giza and transfer to the Mena House Hotel for a 2-night stay. Enjoy a special Scenic Sundowner as you sample drinks and canapes whilst watching the sun set over the Pyramids. (D)
Day 2 - Giza
Discover the Cedar Boat Museum, home to a restored barge that dates back to 2,500BC then admire the enigmatic Sphinx. Tonight enjoy the mesmerising Sound and Light show at the Great Pyramids. (B,L)
Day 3 - Giza - Luxor
Fly to Luxor and check in to the Sofitel Winter Palace, tonight's Special Stay. Visit the Luxor Museum and immerse yourself in local life with a walk through the colourful markets. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Luxor
Follow in the footsteps of famous explorers at the Valley of the Kings and see the well-preserved hieroglyphics inside the ancient tombs. At additional cost there is the chance to enjoy a bird's eye view of the ancient sites on a hot air balloon flight. Embark Sanctuary Sun Boat III then visit the immense complex at Karnak and see the amazing towering columns in the Hypostyle Hall. Toast the start of your Nile cruise with drinks and canapes at tonight's Scenic Sundowner. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Dendera - Luxor
Cruise along the Nile to Dendera, an ancient healing centre where pilgrims came for miraculous cures, and see the Temple of Hathor which is dedicated to the Egyptian goddess of love and healing. Back in Luxor, discover the beautiful Luxor Temple, one of the best-preserved ancient monuments which was once connected to the temple complex of Karnak along the Avenue of the Sphinxes. Tonight there is an on-board performance featuring a traditional belly dancer. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Edfu - Kom Ombo
Cruise past the villages and temples that line the banks of the river to Edfu which was once a prosperous city in ancient Egypt. The well-preserved Temple of Horus is dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus. This afternoon is spent exploring the famous Kom Ombo temple, dedicated to the crocodile God Sobek. On board tonight there is a Galabeyya party with traditional Egyptian delicacies, dancing and music. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Aswan
Aswan is the home of the Nubian people. Discover the beautiful Osiris temple complex of Philae which was moved to the island of Agilika to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser then visit the stone quarries to see the enormous Unfinished Obelisk which would have been the largest obelisk ever built if it had been completed. Take a traditional felucca boat trip along the river then join the Captain and crew for the Farewell Dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Aswan
Scenic FreeChoice activities to choose from today include a visit to a traditional Nubian village, a motorboat ride up the Nile and a trip to the colourful botanical gardens. Enjoy an overnight Special Stay at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract. Tonight's Scenic Enrich experience is a private dinner at The Terrace, where Agatha Christie spent time writing her novel Death on the Nile. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Aswan - Abu Simbel - Cairo
Fly to Abu Simbel to see the spectacular temples of Ramses II and Nefertari then fly to Cairo for a 2-night stay at the St Regis Hotel. (B,L)
Day 10 - Cairo
See the priceless treasures at the Egyptian Museum, including items from Tutankhamen's tomb, then choose from Freechoice excursions to Islamic Cairo, Old Cairo and the ancient site of Saqqara, home to the oldest stone building in the world, the Step Pyramid. This evening there is a Farewell Dinner with your tour director. (B,D)
Day 11 - Cairo - Amman (Jordan)
Fly to Amman and transfer to the Fairmont Amman hotel for a 2-night stay. Join your Tour Director for a dinner of local specialties. (B,D)
Day 12 - Amman
Explore the ruined city of Jerash and watch a thrilling re-enactment of a Roman chariot race. Today's Scenic Enrich experience is a private visit to the Royal Automobile Museum to see vehicles from the personal collection of the Royal Family. (B,L)
Day 13 - Amman - Petra
En-route to Petra call at Bethany Beyond the Jordan to see where Jesus was baptised, view the Moses Memorial Church at Mount Nebo and admire the colourful collection of Byzantine-era mosaics at Madaba. In Petra, check in to the Movenpick Hotel for a 2-night stay. (B,L)
Day 14 - Petra
Explore the magnificent Nabataean city of Petra, where temples, tombs, houses and even a huge Roman-style theatre are carved into the sheer rock face. Walk through the brightly-coloured narrow gorge to catch your first glimpse of the awe-inspiring Treasury. (B,D)
Day 15 - Petra - Wadi Rum
Travel to Wadi Rum in the heart of the desert for your Special Stay in one of the luxurious Martian tents of the Sun Camp, and enjoy gazing at the magnificent moon and stars from your own comfortable bed. Enjoy the dramatic sunset colours of the desert with a refreshing drink on tonight's Scenic Sundowner. (B,L,D)
Day 16 - Wadi Rum - Aqaba
Witness the sunrise in the desert then journey to Aqaba for a 2-night Special Stay at the Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea. (B,D)
Day 17 - Aqaba
This morning's Freechoice activities include snorkelling the Red Sea, a glass-bottomed boat trip and a relaxing spa treatment. Spend the afternoon at leisure enjoying the resort's facilities. (B)
Day 18 - Aqaba - Dead Sea
Check in to the Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa for a 2-night stay. (B,L)
Day 19 - Dead Sea
Enjoy being smothered in mud before a relaxing float in the mineral-rich Dead Sea. This evening's Scenic Sundowner event is a drink with your Tour Director in the Hilton's Sky Bar. (B,D)
Day 20 - Amman - UK
Transfer to the hotel for your return flight to the UK. (B)
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary.