23 Days Middle East Experience Tour Package
Duration: 23 Days / 22 Nights
Priced From: $5,396 (All pricing reflects per-person Land Only expenses)
Dates: Oct, Mar, Oct
Israel's parliament, the Knesset, and the President's House, the Yad Vashem in Jerusalem tell of the origins of the nation of Israel, but a closer look at the fundamental pursuits of the Israelis is better told with examination of its agricultural settlements. These types of farms with a history of collectivist principals are called kibbutz and one such kibbutz we visit is Ein Gedi, where the green of the fields stand as a contrast to the dry and isolated surroundings. There's opportunity to see what constitutes an Israeli spa when we soak in mineral-enriched mud or float in the nearby Dead Sea. In Egypt, we can glean an insight of the lifestyles in the country's rural establishments. It is quite a unique experience passing the farmers of the countryside on donkeyback. Led by an expert guide, our trusted animal takes us along pathways, where the Nile nourishes the fertile land far below. Indeed, we have an opportunity to experience much of the country's traditional transportation; we later embark on an excursion on camel, which is considered by many as the best way to travel in Egypt. We also board a first-class Nile cruise ship that takes us from Luxor to Aswan and we leisurely drift along the shores where bountiful sugarcane and cornfields grow.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Tel Aviv
Today we arrive in Tel Aviv and transfer to our hotel. Stretched along the beautiful beach strip of the Mediterranean, Tel Aviv is Israel's largest city and biggest commercial center. It is a busy metropolis that inspires its visitors with a unique energetic atmosphere. Tel Aviv presents a lively combination of entertainment venues, shopping malls, exotic markets, and golden beaches. It is also the country's greatest cultural center, home of a variety of museums, galleries, theatres and concert halls. Overnight in Tel Aviv. Dinner if required.
Day 2 Tel Aviv & Jaffa
Today we have a tour of vibrant Tel Aviv, a modern city with a unique mix of European and Middle Eastern influences. We see the Independence Hall and the colourful Carmel Market before visiting the Museum of the Diaspora, a multi-media depiction of the history of the Jewish people. This afternoon we will visit the Old Port City of Jaffa (Yaffo), an ancient and beautiful city located in the south of Tel-Aviv. Jaffa claims over 4,000 years of history and is the place where the prophet Jonas was swallowed by the whale, and the Rock of Andromeda can be seen jutting from the water. The Turks, Napoleon and the British also established their rule of the region through control of this city. We have a walking tour of the old city of Jaffa, a major attraction with winding alleys full of cafes, restaurants and art galleries. You will have free time for independent exploration. Jaffa is a mixed city with Jews, Christians and Muslims living together in harmony. Return to Tel Aviv. Overnight in Tel Aviv. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 3 Tel Aviv - Caesarea - Akko - Haifa
Travelling north along the scenic Mediterranean coast road, we will cross Netanya and visit the impressive ruins of Caesarea, once Roman capital of the Holy Land. Caesarea, whose construction began in 22 BC was dedicated by Herod to his patron Augustus Caesar. When it was completed 12 years later, only Jerusalem outshone it in its grandeur. The Roman theatre here once seated 3,600 people. By the main gate to the theatre is proof that Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea during the time of Jesus, actually lived in this area. At various times in its history, this beautiful coastal town has been a Roman Capital, a port and a major conquest for the Crusaders. We continue through this historic and dramatic landscape to Haifa via Megiddo, named in the Book of Revelations as the place of Armageddon, the place where the forces of good and evil will meet in the final battle for mankind. Of particular interest are the outlines of 5,000 year old early Bronze Age temples. After visiting Acre (Akko), with it's underground Crusader city and the crypt of St John, we arrive at the beautiful city of Haifa. Overnight in Haifa. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 4 Haifa - Nazareth - Tiberias
We begin our day with a visit to the summit of Mount Carmel with its breathtakingly panoramic view of the town, the bay, and a considerable part of western Galilee. Later we will tour the Persian Gardens and the Bahai Shrine. We travel onwards to Nazareth where we visit the largest Basilica in the Middle East--the Church of Annunciation. According to one of the ancient traditions, it was here that the archangel Gabriel foretold the coming of Jesus to the Virgin Mary. The interior of the present church has a most beautiful design, incorporating fragments of much older buildings. We continue to Tiberias on the shore of the Sea of Galilee (Yam Kinerett). Overnight in Tiberias. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 5 Tiberias - Capernaum - Tabgha - Tiberias
At the northern tip of the Sea of Galilee we visit Capernaum, one of the most important Jewish and Christian sites of the Roman and Byzantine period and home of some of the Disciples. Jesus is believed to have moved here from Nazareth because it was the home of his first converts, Peter and Andrew. Continuing, we arrive at Tabgha where Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and fishes. We visit the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes. The mosaic floor is incredible, featuring ancient Egyptian motifs. We then board our boat for a delightful cruise across the emerald Sea of Galilee to ancient Tiberias, a relaxed seaside resort located in the cradle of Christianity. Overnight in Tiberias. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 6 Tiberias - Kibbutz Ein Gedi & the Dead Sea
Today we journey through the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea Highway to Ein Gedi, an Israeli collective kibbutz, where we spend the night. We can visit the Ein Gedi spa adjacent to the kibbutz where we will have the chance to bathe in the mineral-enriched mud or have a float on the Dead Sea. Overnight in Kibbutz Ein Gedi. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 7 Kibbutz Ein Gedi - Masada - Wadi David - Jerusalem
This morning we travel south to visit Masada. This great flat-topped mountain and natural fortress was once held by a small band of Jewish zealots for three years despite the force of Roman armies. On this site 1,000 people committed mass suicide rather than be enslaved. Flavirus Josephus said, "Who decided a long time ago, brave soldiers that we are, not to be slaves of the Romans or of any person other than God; for he alone is the true and just master of men." From Masada we travel northward to the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. After a short walk we reach Wadi David (David's Spring), a waterfall hidden in an oasis of luxuriant green vegetation that hangs clustered in a canyon wall. We continue our journey toward Jerusalem. On the northwest shore of the Dead Sea we encounter the settlement of Qumran. In 1947 it was here that two shepherd boys made one of the most significant discovery in religious history, the Dead Sea Scrolls (written texts of the Old Testament) hidden in the caves. The people who wrote them are believed to have been the Essenes who lived here until AD 68. Later in the day we arrive in Jerusalem, the City of David. Overnight in Jerusalem. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 8 Jerusalem - Bethlehem - Jerusalem
Old and new merge seamlessly in Jerusalem. This sophisticated, sleek and reverent capital welcomes visitors to share its heritage. Our tour takes us by way of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, to the President's House and the Yad Vashem Memorial and Museum to the Holocaust. We will visit the inspiring Chagall Windows that depict the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and the incredible model of Old Jerusalem, a miniature of the city at the time of Jesus. From Jerusalem we continue to Bethlehem.* We visit the Church of the Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus. Built like a citadel over the cave where it is believed Jesus was born, the original 4th century church commissioned by Constantine was altered in AD 530 by Emperor Justinian. It was later captured by the Crusaders and then came under the jurisdiction of Saladin and then the Mamluks. *NOTE: Due to security concerns / procedures that change frequently, Bethlehem exists in our programme on a provisional and tentative basis only. In the event that a visit to the West Bank is not appropriate by departure time, we may remain in Jerusalem and expand our sightseeing there with a visit to the Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea scrolls and a model of the second temple. Overnight in Jerusalem. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 9 Jerusalem: The Old City
Today we will see the Old City from the vantage point of the Mount of Olives. We then enter through the Jewish Quarter to witness the Herodian Mansions, a lavish palace in antiquity and built formerly of white marble, followed by a visit to the most important site in Judaism, the Western Wall. This is followed by a tour to one of the glories of Islamic Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount. Following the last steps of Christ along Via Dolorosa, we approach Calvary and the most sacred site in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Most Christians venerate this site as the location of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. In Jerusalem, you may hear the Muslim call to prayer competing with the clanging of bells from Christian churches and the prayers of Jews bobbing before the Western Wall. Everywhere you turn you'll see reminders of the three religions - Islam, Judaism and Christianity - that have shaped this part of the world. Overnight in Jerusalem. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 10 Jerusalem - Tel Aviv, Israel - Cairo, Egypt
Today we transfer to the airport and fly to Cairo; transfer to our hotel in Giza. Overnight in Cairo-Giza. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 11 Cairo: Memphis & Saqqara, Great Pyramids & the Sphinx
This morning we travel to Memphis and Saqqara, chronologically the two most important sites in all of Egypt. Memphis was the capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom (ca 2700-2180 BC), and Saqqara was used as a burial place for residents of Memphis including kings, princes and nobles. Our drive this morning takes us past some small, colourful villages and plantations in the fertile Nile Valley. At the ancient city of Memphis we will see several statues in a garden-like setting, including the colossal statue of Rameses the Great. You will have ample opportunity to photograph the statue from the gallery's mezzanine. From Memphis we travel a short distance to Saqqara, the ancient burial site. On the site, considered by many archaeologists to be one of the world's most important excavations, is the Step Pyramid, constructed by Imhotep in the 27th century BC. The pyramid is part of the tomb complex of Zoser, the first Pharaoh of the Old Kingdom. The pyramid began as a simple mastaba, or long, flat tomb building. Over the course of time, Imhotep added to this mastaba five times--the pyramid eventually measured 62m (203 feet) in height! After lunch we pay a visit to the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. These Pharaonic monuments have come to symbolize Egypt's glory and mystery. Impressive in their grandeur, the pyramids are estimated to have been constructed over a period of 20 years using more than 100,000 labourers each year. The Great Pyramid of Cheops, constructed from over two million stone blocks, is 135m (443 feet) high! The stone for the Pyramid complex -- Pyramid of Cheops, Pyramid of Chefren and Pyramid of Mykerinos--was quarried from nearby hills south of Cairo. You may enter one of the pyramids through a long, narrow passageway and explore the deep inner chambers (for an extra cost of approx USD 4.00). Later we see the Sphinx. This feline-human was named by the Greeks because it resembled the mythical winged monster with a woman's head and lion's body. Legend has it that this "Sphinx" proposed a riddle to the Thebans and killed all who could not guess the correct answer! The Sphinx was carved from one solid piece of limestone and measures 50m (164 feet) in length and 22m (72 feet) in height. Overnight Cairo-Giza. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 12 Cairo - Alexandria - Cairo
Early this morning we travel from Cairo to Alexandria, a city whose 19th century architecture is redolent of colonial days. In Alexandria, we visit the Roman Catacombs, tombs that were tunneled into the bedrock in the age of the Antonine emperors (2nd century AD) for a single wealthy family still practicing the ancient religion. These tombs represent the last existing major construction for the sake of the old Egyptian religion. Though the funerary motifs are pure ancient Egyptian, the architects and artists were schooled in the Graeco-Roman style. Applied to the themes of Ancient Egyptian religion, it has resulted in an amazing integrated art, quite unlike anything else in the world. A highlight of today is a visit to Bibliotheca Alexandria. Once the greatest library in the ancient world, the Bibliotheca is dedicated to "the writings of all nations." Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the modern Bibliotheka cost some USD150 million, all by donation from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iraq. At the end of our sightseeing, we return to Cairo. Overnight in Cairo-Giza. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 13 Cairo - Abu Simbel - Aswan
Early this morning we fly from Cairo directly to Abu Simbel and the imposing rock temples of Rameses II and his queen, Nefartari. In the 1960s Abu Simbel became the focus of world attention as the controversial construction of the High Dam threatened the temples. In a large-scale world relief, funded mainly by UNESCO, the temple was delicately disassembled with the aid of laser technology and shifted to a site on the banks of the artificially formed Lake Nasser. We have a guided tour of this site, including the interior of the colossal temples. The Temple of Rameses II, with its immense statues of the Pharaoh seated on his throne, is one of the classic images of the power of the Pharaohs. Inside the temple you will see well-preserved wall decorations and several murals. We also gain insight into the reconstruction process by visiting the interior of the artificial mountain. After our tour we travel by road to Aswan with a brief visit to the High Dam en route. Constructed between 1960 and 1971, the High Dam collects and stores water over a number of years so that the annual Nile flood can be controlled. We will have a panoramic view of Aswan to the north and Lake Nasser to the south. This evening we will attend the Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple. The temple is situated on an island, and we have to take a boat to get to the site. Since early this century, the site of Philae was flooded for six months each year. An incredible restoration programme was undertaken in the 1960s and the temple was moved stone by stone to a higher elevation. Overnight in Aswan. Basma Hotel (or similar). Breakfast and dinner.
Day 14 Aswan: St Simeon Camel Trek
Today we travel by small boat across the River Nile to the west bank. From here we travel by camel across the sandy desert to the Christian Monastery of St Simeon. Riding a camel is one of the most invigorating, exciting ways to see Egypt. Before we begin this easy trek our Tour Leader and camel trainer will teach you the technique of riding a camel! This is a journey that can be undertaken by anyone at any age (one rider per camel). Our trek is about 45 minutes to the monastery. Those who prefer not to ride can stay with the boat and rejoin the camel riders for our trip to Kitchener's Island. Dating from the 6th century, and in use until the 13th century, the Monastery of St Simeon is one of the best preserved Christian sites in Egypt. The monastery, built on two plateaux, is surrounded by a high wall. Inside we will see the chapel, living quarters, kitchen and dining areas, wine press, bake area and storerooms. On our tour we will also see the remains of some Coptic frescoes --depictions of Christ and saints as well as many geometric patterns. From the monastery we continue on our camel journey for another 15 minutes back to the bank of the Nile. From here we board our boat and ride among the islands dotting the Nile. Up the hill, above the river, is the Mausoleum of the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismailis, a Shi'ite sect based principally in India but with followers around theworld. The tomb is an elegant pink granite structure of late 1950 origin. The main island is called Elephantine Island because many of the rocks look like elephants bathing in the Nile. We will arrive at the beautiful Kitchener's Island where we will have time to stroll through the rich botanical gardens with trees, plants, and bushes. This evening we cross the Nile to a Nubian village and enjoy dinner at a local home. Overnight in Aswan. Basma Hotel (or similar). Breakfast and dinner.
Day 15 Aswan: Nile Cruise Embarkation
This morning we have a leisurely sail on a fellucca, a traditional sailing vessel used for centuries for carrying goods and passengers along the Nile. At around midday we board our Nile cruise vessel and enjoy lunch on board. This afternoon you have a choice between a free afternoon either on board the ship (which will remain docked in Aswan until tomorrow), or in the town of Aswan, OR you can join the ship's sightseeing programme. This sightseeing will likely include the 'Unfinished Obelisk', the High Dam (already seen), and Philae temple, also already visited, but some passengers enjoy seeing it again during daylight hours. Overnight on Nile cruise. NTS cruise (or similar). All meals.
Day 16 Nile Cruise: Kom Ombo & Edfu
We will make a stop and visit the Temple of Kom Ombo. In ancient times, Kom Ombo was strategically important as a trading town on the caravan route from Nubia to Cairo. Kom Ombo, actually two temples in one, is dedicated dually to Haroeris and Sobek, respectively the god of the sky and the crocodile-headed god. Here we are able to see the remains of a mummified crocodile. Crocodiles no longer exist in the Egyptian part of the River Nile, but in Pharaonic times they lived here in great numbers and were worshipped as gods! From Kom Ombo we continue along the River Nile toward Edfu. As the largest and most completely preserved Pharaonic temple, albeit Greek-built, Edfu is dedicated to the god Horus. Construction of this temple began under Ptolemy III Euergetes I in 237 BC. We will allow time to explore this massive and impressive site, enclosed by walls and flanked by two large pylon gateways. Here we will also be able to see a Nilometer -- an ancient technique of measuring the Nile's water fluctuations and setting the level of taxes! Overnight on Nile cruise. NTS cruise (or similar). All meals.
Day 17 Nile Cruise: Luxor Carriage Tour & Karnak Temple
Overnight or early this morning we will have arrived at Luxor. This morning we will enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the streets of Luxor to visit one of the most fantastic archaeological sites in the world: Karnak Temple. Karnak was built, added to, dismantled, restored, enlarged and decorated during its colourful history of over 1,500 years. At certain points in Egyptian history, this temple was the most important in all of Egypt. When we arrive at the temple you will be awed by the grandeur of the tremendous pylon gateway and the Avenue of 1,000 Sphinxes that originally ran all the way to the Nile and Luxor Temple! We will have a guided tour of the complex, massive by any standard. Our carriage ride continues through the town of Luxor and surrounding countryside. This is one of the best ways to see local town and village life in Egypt where we see the "fellahin" (farmers) at work. During time on your own this afternoon, we suggest a visit to the excellent Luxor Museum. Overnight on Nile cruise (docked at Luxor). NTS cruise (or similar). All meals.
Day 18 Luxor: Valley of the Queens
Today we disembark our cruise and move to our hotel in Luxor. This morning we make an excursion the Valley of the Queens. After crossing the Nile we will board our bus for the short journey to visit this wonderful necropolis on the western shore of the Nile. The Valley of the Queens was used as a burial site for the royal women of the 18th, 19th and 20th Dynasties. Ancient Egyptians called this place "Set Neferu" meaning Seat Of Beauty, and today only a few of the eighty tombs are open to the public. We will visit 3 tombs. The Valley of the Queens holds far more than graves of queens. High officials had been buried here before the first queen. Royal children were also buried here next to the queens. As well as our visit to the Valley of the Queens we will also have a guided tour of the workers' village and the Madinat Habu temple. Madinat Habu, also known as the temple of Rameses III was known in ancient times as Djanet, and according to ancient belief, was the place were Amon first appeared. Both Hatshepsut and Tuthmosis III built a temple dedicated to Amon here, and later Rameses III constructed his larger memorial temple on the site. Overnight in Luxor. Luxor Sheraton (or similar). Breakfast and dinner.
Day 19 Luxor: Valley of the Kings
Early this morning we cross the River Nile by boat to the West Bank where the wealth of antiquities is outstanding. On the other side we will meet our transport for our excursion into the Valley of the Kings. Our preferred method of travel today is by donkey (though we can arrange a minibus for those who do not wish to travel in this manner). After we "saddle-up" we begin our trek through the New Gourna Village and into the countryside. En route we will pass by the Colossi of Memnon. These two huge statues sit side by side; they originally flanked the entry to the funerary temple of Amenophis III. The Colossi were named from a legend explaining the phenomenon of the dawn. Excellent photo opportunities occur here with you on your donkey and the Colossi in the background. We continue from here along the road leading into the hills. From where the road forks, we travel along the stony pathway toward the cliff ridge. Our donkey ride from here on offers breathtaking views of the Nile valley below. At some points, we make brief stops for photographs and to give our donkeys a rest; there are also some parts of the trail that we have to walk as the burden to the donkey would be too much. When we arrive at a ridge overlooking the Valley of the Kings we will dismount from our donkeys and walk the remainder of the way down into the valley. It is a short but steep walk; a good pair of shoes or lightweight hiking boots will be required. Once in the isolated valley dominated by large pyramid-shaped mountains, we will have a guided tour of three of the many tombs that are here. The valley was the burial ground for pharaoh kings throughout the New Kingdom. Note that some of the tombs have steep stairways and all are dark inside. It is a good idea to have a small flashlight with you today for a closer inspection of the interior of the tombs. When we have finished the guided tour of the Valley of the Kings. We then proceed to the funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut -- the first woman to rule as pharaoh! We have a tour of this impressive complex, discovered in the mid-19th century and still under restoration. The temple's 37 m- (121 foot-) wide causeway leads us to three huge terraced courts. After our tour we return by donkey (or minibus) through the countryside to the river. We may be invited into a village home for some tea before returning to Luxor. Tonight you may choose to visit the Sound and Light show at Karnak Temple (optional). Overnight in Luxor. Luxor Sheraton (or similar). Breakfast and dinner.
Day 20 Luxor - Kharga Oasis
Today we travel by road to Kharga Oasis, the southernmost of Egypt's five western oases. It is located in the Libyan Desert, about 200 km to the west of the Nile valley, and is some 150 km long. The oases have always been crossroads of caravan routes converging from the barren desert. In the case of Kharga, this is made particularly evident by the presence of a chain of fortresses that the Romans built to protect the Darb el-Arbain, the long caravan route running north-south between Middle Egypt and the Sudan. Stunning views of the surrounding desert and the charm of the mountains create a wonderful atmosphere of pureness and serenity. This afternoon you can enjoy the amenities of our resort. Overnight at Kharga Oasis. Sol Y Mar Pioneers Resort. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 21 Kharga Oasis - Luxor
This morning we visit the Temple of Hibis, built on the site of an 18th dynasty settlement of Saites, Persians and Ptolemies. One of the few Persian monuments in Egypt, the 6th century BC temple is well-preserved with painted vultures and huge reliefs of Darius greeting Egyptian gods on the outer walls. Ten kilometers away, the Necropolis of al-Bagawat contains 263 mud-brick chapels with Coptic murals, including the Chapel of Peace with images of Adam and Eve and the Ark on its dome and the Chapel of the Exodus with frescoes of pharaonic troops pursuing the Jews led by Moses, out of Egypt. Pharaonic monuments include the al-Hhuwaytah Temple which dates from 522 BC and the Temple of Amenebis. We return to Luxor. Overnight in Luxor. Luxor Sheraton (or similar). Breakfast and dinner.
Day 22 Luxor - Cairo: Archaeological Museum & Islamic Cairo
This morning we fly from Luxor to Cairo and proceed immediately to the famous Museum of Egyptian Antiquities where we see some of Egypt's most beloved treasures. Among the 100,000 pieces housed on the museum's two floors is the famous exhibit of Tutankhamun whose tomb was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. The tomb and treasures of this young Pharaoh, modest by Pharaonic Egyptian standards, is perhaps the best preserved of the discovered tombs. We also see archaeological relics from the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom and Greco-Roman periods. Our tour today is fully guided by our English-speaking guide. We also allow some time for you to explore the treasures on your own (Mummies Room: approx US $10 extra cost). After a break for lunch, we proceed to Islamic Cairo where we will tour the Citadel, begun by Saladin in the 12th century. Today the Citadel's buildings are mainly from the Ottoman period, and are truly grand. From the Citadel, actually a complex of three mosques and four museums, we enjoy an amazing view of Cairo spread beneath the hilltop. Here we will see the fabulous Mosque of Mohammed Ali, also known as the "Alabaster Mosque." Overnight in Cairo-Heliopolis. Novotel Airport (or similar). Breakfast and dinner.
Day 23 Departure
Departure from Cairo. Breakfast if required. RHLAH S'IDAH !
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10/09
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