Wonders of Jordan
Optional Egypt Post-Tour Extension
March 16 - 20, 2007
THE PERFECT CONCLUSION TO A WONDER-FULL TOUR
Jordan is a small Arab country, steeped in history and culture. Roman
Emperor Hadrian, the Prophet Moses, and T.E. Lawrence are just three
of the many historical personalities who passed through Jordan down
through the millennia. From the moment you arrive you get a sense of
its rich heritage, with remnants of ancient civilizations stamped into
the very fabric of this amazing land. Of particular note are the breathtaking
mountain and desert panoramas of Wadi Rum, and the ancient city of Petra,
hidden within a high desert gorge.
This country is so gorgeous that it served
as the primary film location for both the Oscar-winning “Lawrence
of Arabia” and the heart-pounding adventure flick “Indiana
Jones and the Last Crusade.” This tour extension is offered to
those who want the perfect ending to our tour in Egypt. You have traveled
with us on the River of the Pharaohs; now join us on the King’s
Highway, first mentioned in the Bible (Numbers 20:17 and 21:22) as the
route Moses wished to follow as he led his people north through the
land of Edom (southern Jordan).
Why come so far to see some of the world’s
greatest monuments, and then miss the amazing Wonders of Jordan? A very
short flight from Cairo to Amman puts them within reach!
ITINERARY
Friday, March 16, 2007
Cairo to Amman
After a relaxing morning in Cairo we transfer to the airport for our
5:00pm flight to Amman, Jordan, arriving at 6:20pm. Our Jordanian host
greets us and assists with our transfer to the deluxe InterContinental
Amman Hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, the group will receive their
keys and the luggage will be sent to the rooms directly. Dinner is included
at the hotel tonight. (Dinner)
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Madaba / Mount Nebo / Kerak
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel we depart south to Madaba,
home of the most famous Byzantine Mosaics. Visit the Greek Orthodox
church where the famous 6th century map of the holy places in the biblical
world is found.
Continue to Mount
Nebo, with its spectacular view of the Holy Land. Drive via
Wadi Mujjib and along the King’s
Highway to visit the Crusader
Castle of Kerak from the 12th century.
After lunch we proceed to the greatest city
of the Arab nation, which existed 2000 years ago: Petra.
Here we check in for a 2-night stay at our grand resort hotel with spectacular
views over the Great Rift Valley. (All
Meals)
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Petra
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at the hotel, then make like Indiana Jones
mounting a horse for the short horse ride to the entrance of the old
city of Petra
El Siq (350 meters). Enter gates to the past as you ride
into the site of Petra, where each red rose stone tells a story.
Built by the Nabateans
2,000 years ago (Nabataeans were a trading people of ancient Arabia),
Petra was their Capital City. Its monumental tombs, palaces, temples,
and treasury were hewn from the desert sandstone. Petra has the nickname
of “The Rose City” for its natural hues of rose and gold.
Walking through this majestic place has been likened to a spiritually
intoxicating experience!
Enjoy lunch in the old city of Petra with free
time in the afternoon to soak it all in. Returning to the hotel, the
remainder of the afternoon is free until we meet for a buffet dinner
at the hotel. Overnight in Petra. (All
Meals)
Monday, March 19, 2007
Valley of the Moon / Return to Cairo
After enjoying our hotel’s buffet breakfast we drive to the
village of Wadi
Rum to explore the splendors of the desert in the company
of local Bedouins. Our mode of transportation is not camels, but 4x4
jeeps (6 per jeep) during the two hours journey across the desert to
the Valley of the Moon and the great mountain of Al Khazali.
Discover clues to the past carved on the mountains
and on fallen boulders. Everywhere there are pictographs of Thamudic,
Nabataean, Greek and Arabic texts and some formal inscriptions. We see
rock art depicting hunting scenes and many other evidences of these
ancient civilizations.
We drive to the Amman Airport this afternoon
via the desert highway for our flight departing for Cairo at 7:20pm.
We are again received by our Egyptian host, who assists us with our
transfer to our nearby hotel for one last night in Egypt. (Breakfast
/ Lunch)
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Departure
After breakfast we check out of our hotel and transfer to the airport
for our our home-bound flight: Egyptair flight # 985 departing Cairo
at 10:00 am. The flight arrives at JFK Airport in New York at 3:15pm
the same day. (Breakfast)
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