On The Go Tours Pyramids, Petra, Promised Land - 19 Days

Overview

Travelling from Cairo to Tel Aviv, take in the highlights of Egypt, Jordan and Israel, neighbouring countries, steeped in history. From the grand Pyramids of Giza in Cairo, to the beautiful Rose City of Petra and the Biblical sites of Jerusalem, join us on a journey of epic proportion.

Highlights

• Jerusalem (West Bank) - Explore the sacred sites of the Old City, including the Wailing Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Via Dolorosa
• Petra - Discover this spectacular UNESCO-listed Nabataean city, which is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World
• Cairo - Marvel at the legendary Pyramids of Giza, explore the Necropolis of Saqqara and see King Tut's treasures at the Egyptian Museum
• Wadi Rum - Explore this vast red desert with its rolling dunes and dramatic rock formations in a 4x4 and camp under a blanket of stars
• Luxor West Bank - Discover exquisite tombs at the Valley of the Kings, see the towering Colossi of Memnon and explore the beautiful Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• The Dead Sea - Spend a night at the Dead Sea, float in the famously buoyant, mineral-rich waters and smother yourself in Dead Sea mud
• Luxor - Roam around the colossal Temple of Karnak and take an optional tour of the beautifully illuminated Luxor Temple at night
• Aswan - Take a leisurely boat trip to Agilika Island to explore romantic Philae Temple and wander around the colourful souqs
• Nile felucca cruising - Sail the River Nile on board a traditional felucca, visit islands and spend two nights sleeping under a blanket of stars (or upgrade to a 5 star Nile Cruise)
• Hurghada - Relax at the Red Sea, swim and opt to snorkel or scuba dive in the clear coastal waters
• Kom Ombo - Visit the unique double Temple of Kom Ombo located on the banks of the Nile
• Wadi Mujib - Trek the Siq Trail and go canyoning in the lowest nature reserve in the world (seasonal - included on departures Apr to Oct)
• Shobak - Visit Shobak Crusader Castle, perched dramatically on a hill top
• Bethlehem (West Bank) - Visit the Shepherd’s Field, Church of the Nativity and Manger Square
• Haifa - Walk through the beautiful terraces of the Bahai Gardens, set on the slopes of Mount Carmel and see the UNESCO listed Bahai Shrine
• Caesarea – Discover Roman and Crusader-era ruins
• Jaffa - Stroll around the picturesque fortified old town
• Tel Aviv - Independently explore Israel's "City That Never Sleeps", with its long stretch of beautiful beaches

Itinerary

• Day 1 Cairo

  Friday. Today is the start of your adventure through the holy lands. Included transfer from Cairo airport and hotel check in. The rest of the day is free to relax or those arriving early can opt to pre book our optional Backstreets of Cairo tour which departs the hotel at 10am today.
  
  For those who are arriving early, we also offer a pre tour Alexandria Day Trip. every Thursday.

  Meals:

  Accommodation:

• Day 2 Pyramids of Giza

  We start the day with a visit to the Giza Plateau to see the ancient Pyramids of Giza and the iconic Sphinx. Sole survivors from the ancient Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World, the pyramids are the planet’s oldest tourist attraction! Next we explore the sand-strewn tombs and temples of the ancient necropolis of Saqqara, home to Zhoser’s step pyramid. A visit to a government supervised Papyrus Museum will also be made at some point during today.

  Meals: 1 Breakfast

  Accommodation:

• Day 3 Cairo

  Cairo - Aswan. Today we visit the Egyptian Museum for an informative guided tour. The Egyptian Museum holds a mind-boggling array of relics and antiquities from almost every period of ancient Egyptian history are housed in the museum, making it one of the foremost in the world. Arguably the most famous exhibit is the solid gold funerary mask of King Tutankhamun. Made of solid gold and weighing 11kg, the mask was found covering the head of mummy, where it lay inside a series of 3 sarcophagi. You can also opt to see also the Royal Mummies for a small additional fee, if you wish. Note: the new Grand Egyptian Museum is set to open in 2020 (exact date yet to be released). Once open it will be visited in place of the current Egyptian Museum.
  
  We return to our hotel for free time, you may wish to have drink at the bar or swim in the hotel pool before this evening's overnight train to Aswan.

  Meals: 1 Breakfast

  Accommodation: Sleeper Train

• Day 4 Aswan

  Aswan. After arrival and check in in Aswan we enjoy a boat trip to Agilika Island where we visit the Temples of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis. We stop at a perfume oil emporium on return to Aswan. Spend the remainder of the evening at your own leisure; shop in the colourful souqs or simply kick back and relax.

  Meals: 1 Breakfast

  Accommodation:

• Day 5-6 Felucca Cruise

  Aswan - Nile felucca cruise - Kom Ombo. Optional early morning excursion by road to Abu Simbel, the famous rock-cut temple of King Ramses II, the Great Builder. This afternoon we board our Nile felucca for a 2 night voyage on the River Nile down stream, stopping along the way at local villages and islands. In the afternoon on day 5 we dock near Kom Ombo and take a motorboat to visit the temple before returning to the felucca for the night.
  
  If sailing by felucca is not your style, consider upgrading to a 5 star luxury Nile Cruise, please see the tab above for prices. For more information about Nile Cruising please click here.

  Meals: 2 Breakfast 2 Lunch 2 Dinner

  Accommodation:

• Day 7 Luxor

  Kom Ombo - Luxor. This morning we disembark and drive to Luxor. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at its best. Enjoy some rest and relaxation. Tonight, an optional visit to the Temple of Luxor is available alternatively, enjoy the facilities of our hotel.

  Meals: 1 Breakfast

  Accommodation:

• Day 8 Luxor

  Luxor. Today we will be exploring the West Bank of the Nile and the legendary Valley of the Kings. Marvel at Colossi of Memnon, the massive stone remains of the temple of Amenophis III, and explore the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and surrounding tombs.
  
  After lunch we visit the Temple of Karnak, a spectacular religious complex built on a gigantic scale, where you get lost wandering around the stone papyrus columns. The rest of the evening is at leisure.

  Meals: 1 Breakfast

  Accommodation:

• Day 9 Hurghada

  Luxor - Hurghada. Departing Luxor we head east to Hurghada part of the beautiful Red Sea Riviera for some beach time!

  Meals: 1 Breakfast

  Accommodation:

• Day 10 Hurghada

  Today can either be spent relaxing by the beach in Hurghada or on an optional boat trip to snorkel and swim at Giftun Island. Hurghada is one of the Red Sea's most popular resorts and it's the gateway to prime offshore reefs, which are some of the finest in the world. The resort also has an array of shops, restaurants and bars for evening entertainment.

  Meals: 1 Breakfast

  Accommodation:

• Day 11 Petra

  Hurghada - Cairo - Amman - Petra. We have an early start this morning as we make our way to Hurghada Airport. From here we'll fly to Amman via Cairo. Upon arrival into Amman we drive south to Petra arriving near sunset. Tonight you may wish to take a candlelight stroll through Petra’s Siq… a romantic preview of things to come on, by joining the 'Petra By Night' excursion (book locally).
  
  PLEASE NOTE: The flight from Hurghada to Amman via Cairo is not included in the cost of this tour. Travellers need to independently book these flights at a personal cost (total flight cost approximately USD$250 - $350pp) however, we can assist in booking these flights should you require. The flights to be booked are detailed in the tour Trip Notes.

  Meals: 1 Breakfast

  Accommodation:

• Day 12 Petra

  To discover the archaeological treasures of Petra, we first take a walk through the winding cleft in the rock that is known as the Siq, before reaching the awe-inspiring Treasury. This rose red building actually served as a royal tomb, but got its name from the legend that pirates hid their treasure there. More amazing Nabataean and Roman ruins follow, including a huge 8000 seat amphitheatre and other Royal tombs and Mausoleums.
  
  If you are feeling energetic, why not continue up the hillside along the ancient steps that take you to the Monastery, to take in the stunning views. Consider opting for our Petra Kitchen Add-on tonight.

  Meals: 1 Breakfast

  Accommodation:

• Day 13 Wadi Rum

  Petra - Wadi Rum. There is a chance to revisit Petra this morning before our afternoon drive to Wadi Rum. A vast, silent landscape of ancient riverbeds, pastel coloured stretches of sandy desert and amazing rock formations known as jebels that rise from the desert floor awaits. Boarding 4x4 jeeps, we take an exhilarating desert safari across the sand dunes, taking in the breathtaking scenery of Wadi Rum. Tonight, we enjoy a Jordanian dinner at our desert camp.

  Meals: 1 Breakfast 1 Dinner

  Accommodation:

• Day 14 Dead Sea

  Wadi Rum - Shobak – Wadi Mujib - Dead Sea. After breakfast at the campsite, we head north along the Desert Highway to visit Shobak Castle, which is perched dramatically on a hill top and was built by the Crusader king Baldwin I in 1115. After exploring the castle we descend some 1300 meters to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the earth’s surface. More than 400 meters below sea level, the mineral-rich Dead Sea is the world’s original health and beauty spa. Drift out and bob in the waters and slap on some of the famous black Dead Sea mud to give your skin an invigorating boost.
  
  For departures between April and October we’ll head up the King’s Highway to Wadi Mujib. We’ll embark on a moderate –paced two hour trek along the Siq Trail. Measuring 500 metres in depth and spanning 4 kilometres across, the impressive Wadi Mujib is one of Jordan’s most remarkable natural features. This dramatic canyon features sheer rocky walls and sparkling waterways that range from puddle height to depths that are perfect for swimming (chest height or deeper) depending on the rainfall. When the water level is high you should be prepared for having to climb up ladders, clamber across boulders and be happy to wade through water. The canyon is just one feature of the Mujib Biosphere Reserve, the lowest nature reserve in the world, home to a surprising diversity of wildlife and plant species. For those not interested in taking the full hike, you can walk part of or wait by the Visitor Centre till the group returns. After our trek we make our way to the Dead Sea.

  Meals: 1 Breakfast

  Accommodation:

• Day 15 Dead Sea

  The Dead Sea is a natural phenomena and high on most travellers’ bucket lists. Lucky for us we have a whole day to spend here, whiling away the time bobbing in its mineral-rich buoyant waters and lathering up with a detoxifying mud bath. Option to visit the Ma’in hot springs and the site where it is thought Jesus Christ was baptised by John (book locally).

  Meals: 1 Breakfast

  Accommodation:

• Day 16 Jerusalem

  Dead Sea – Jerusalem (West bank). This morning travel to the Jordanian border where after immigration formalities you will transfer by public shuttle bus over the border into Israel, here you’ll be met by a driver and transferred to your hotel in Jerusalem. The afternoon and evening offer free time. Today is the Sabbath and offers good opportunity to explore the World Heritage Listed city on foot without the usual crowds.

  Meals: 1 Breakfast 1 Dinner

  Accommodation:

• Day 17 Bethlehem

  Today we enjoy a guided tour of Jerusalem (West Bank) and Bethlehem (West Bank). Our first stop is the holy Mount of Olives where there are amazing panoramic views of the old city. We take a walking tour of the atmospheric old city; wander through the Armenian and Jewish quarters to the Cardo (ancient Roman road). We continue on through the old city and the Christian quarter, visiting the famous Wailing Wall - a place of constant prayer and one of the most revered Hebrew sites. Retracing the final laboured steps of Jesus, burdened under the weight of the cross, we walk along the Via Dolorosa to the hallowed Church of the Sepulchre; the site of the crucifixion, Jesus’ tomb and the resurrection.
  
  A short drive from Jerusalem is Bethlehem – the birthplace of Jesus; where we visit Manger Square and the Church of Nativity, which is reputed to be the oldest Church in the world and the site where Jesus was born. Spend the evening at leisure in Jerusalem.

  Meals: 1 Breakfast 1 Dinner

  Accommodation:

• Day 18 Jaffa

  Jerusalem – Haifa – Caesarea – Jaffa – Tel Aviv. We bid farewell to Jerusalem today and head north to the port city of Haifa. Here we'll visit the UNESCO world heritage listed Bahai Shrine and the beautiful tropical gardens set on the slopes of Mount Carmel. Travelling down the coast we stop in the historic city of Caesarea where Roman and Crusader-era ruins are strewn along the sea front. Continuing south we reach Jaffa, an ancient port where we enjoy a walking tour of the picturesque fortified town and marvel at the hilltop views. Then it's just a short drive to the vibrant, modern and cosmopolitan city of Tel Aviv, where we spend our final night. Dubbed "the city that never sleeps" Tel Aviv is renowned for its hedonistic nightlife and the city also has a plethora of trendy bistros, high-end restaurants and delicious street food stalls to choose from for dinner.

  Meals: 1 Breakfast

  Accommodation:

• Day 19 Tel Aviv

  Tuesday. Our tour ends today with an included transfer from Tel Aviv to Ben Gurion Airport at any time of day. There's so much to see and do in Tel Aviv that we highly recommend extending your stay to enjoy its beautiful beaches, art galleries and markets. We can book post tour accommodation upon request.

  Meals: 1 Breakfast

  Accommodation:

*Prices on this page may be out of date. For the most up to date price click on the Departure Date

Inclusions

• Breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 5 dinners
• 7 nights 4-5 star hotels in Egypt, 7 nights 4 star hotels in Jordan and Israel, 1 night deluxe desert camp in Wadi Rum and 2 nights felucca (open deck). If booking our Nile Cruise Upgrade, 6 nights 4-5 star hotels in Egypt and 3 nights Nile Cruiser (en suite cabin)
• 1 overnight train from Cairo to Aswan (Private 2 berth sleeper cabin)
• Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1, day 11 and day 19
• Touring of Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Aswan, Luxor, Hurghada, Petra, Wadi Rum and Shobak
• Dead Sea - Free time to swim and detox
• Wadi Rum - 4x4 desert safari through the sand dunes
• Touring in Israel - Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Haifa, Caesarea and Jaffa
• Escorted by Egyptian tour guide qualified in Egyptology, licensed Jordanian and Israeli tour guides in Jordan and Israel respectively
• All additional transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles
• Entrance fees included for sightseeing in Israel

Accommodation

4 - 5 star (4 - 5 star - Egypt, 4 star - Jordan + Israel) & Wadi Rum camp

• Holiday Inn Cairo Maadi, Cairo - 5 Star Hotel
• Sleeper Train, Cairo - Train
• Tolip Hotel, Aswan - 5 Star Hotel
• Felucca Sailboat, Felucca Cruise - N/A
• Steigenberger Nile Palace, Luxor - 5 Star Deluxe Hotel
• Sonesta St. George Hotel, Luxor - 5 Star Deluxe Hotel
• Swiss Inn Resort Hurghada, Hurghada - 5 Star Hotel
• Continental Hotel, Hurghada - 5 Star Hotel
• Old Village Resort, Petra - 4 Star Hotel
• Petra Moon Hotel, Petra - 4 Star Hotel
• Rainbow Camp, Wadi Rum - Standard Camp
• Holiday Inn Resort, Dead Sea - 5 Star Hotel
• Prima Royale, Jerusalem - 4 Star Hotel
• Eyal Hotel, Jerusalem - 4 Star Hotel
• BY 14 Hotel, Tel Aviv - 4 Star Hotel

Exclusions

• International flight between Hurghada and Amman is not included and needs to be booked separately by the traveller - refer to the Trip Notes, on day 11 for details
• International flights and visas (see Trip Notes for further information about visas)
• Tip for your tour guides in Egypt, Jordan and Israel. We recommend you allow USD$5-7 per day, per traveller. Tipping your tour guides is an entirely personal gesture
• Entrance Fees: USD$190-210pp, paid in local currency

Map

Notes

Age Policy

Pricing Information

"Guaranteed" refers to departures that are confirmed for departure. Pricing is Per Person.