October 2024

Thu 24 : Auckland > Dubai

Overnight flight to Dubai.

Fri 25 : Dubai > Amman > Dead Sea (D)

Transit to onward flight. On arrival transfer to our hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea.

Sat 26 : Dead Sea (B,D)

A day to relax and enjoy the healing qualities of the water and mineral enriched mud.

Sun 27 : Dead Sea > Petra (B,D)

Visit the famous 6th century Mosaic Map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land in Madaba, look across the Holy Land from Mt Nebo and visit the crusader castle of Kerak. Continue to Petra.

Mon 28 : Petra (B,D)

Travel on foot or by horseback to Petra – the ancient capital of the Nabateans who carved a wonderland of temples, tombs and elaborate buildings out of solid rock. The afternoon is at leisure and return this evening to see Petra by candlelight.

Tue 29 : Petra > Wadi Rum (B,D)

Visit Little Petra, or Beida, this morning before driving to Wadi Rum. Transfer to jeeps to travel through the eerie moonscape scenery to overnight in a tented camp this evening.

Wed 30 : Wadi Rum > Amman (B,D)

Drive to Amman and check in to our hotel.

Thu 31 : Amman > Jerash > Aljoun > Amman (BD)

Visit the Roman City of Jerash and the ancient market town of Aljoun including the impressive hilltop ruins of Aljoun Castle.

November 2024

Fri 1 : Amman > Desert Castles > Amman (BD)

Enjoy an orientation tour of Amman from the modern malls to the labyrinth of streets in the heart of the old city. Head into the desert to explore the ancient desert castles dotted through eastern Jordan.

Sat 2 : Amman > Iraq al-Amir(BLD)

Drive into rural Jordan and visit the Iraq al-Amir Women’s Cooperative enabling women to become financially independent. After lunch prepared by the local women, visit the site of Bethany where John the Baptist is said to have baptised Jesus.

Sun 3 : Amman > Cairo (B)

Fly to Cairo and check in to our centrally located hotel.

Mon 4 : Cairo (B,L)

A full day to explore the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza followed by the ancient capital of Memphis and the step pyramid and tombs at Sakkara.

Tue 5 : Cairo (B,L)

Start with the Egyptian Museum including the treasures of Tutankhamun before visiting the Citadel and Old Cairo. Finish the day in chaotic Khan el Khalili bazaar.

Wed 6 : Cairo (B)

Visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation and the monumental Mosque of Sultan Hassan.

Thu 7 : Cairo > Aswan (B)

Fly to Aswan and visit the Nubian community on Soheil Island. Learn about Nubian traditions, culture and architecture, so far removed from their Egyptian neighbours.

Fri 8 : Aswan > Abu Simbel > Aswan (B,L,D)

Fly to Abu Simbel to see the temples of Rameses II and his wife Nefertari, rescued by UNESCO from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Continue to Aswan and check in to our luxurious all suite Nile cruiser. This afternoon visit the High Dam and Philae Temple.

Sat 9 : Kom Ombo > Edfu (B,L,D)

Sail for Kom Ombo and visit the temple dedicated to both Horus and Sobek before continuing to the stunning temple of Edfu. Pass the lock at Esna tonight and sail on to Luxor.

Sun 10 : Luxor (B,L,D)

Visit the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and the funerary temple of Hatshepsut. Farewell party on board the ship this evening.

Mon 11 : Luxor (B)

Check out and visit the temples of Luxor and Karnak before checking in to King Farouk’s former winter residence, the iconic Old Winter Palace Hotel. At leisure this afternoon to explore the market or rest in the hotel.

Tue 12 : Luxor > Cairo > Alexandria (B)

Visit Luxor Museum this morning before flying to Cairo. Travel by road to Alexandria and check in to our hotel.

Wed 13 : Alexandria (B,L)

Visit the Roman amphitheatre, the Catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar and the fortress of Quait Bey.

Thu 14 : El Alamein (B,D)

Transfer to the Commonwealth cemetery and museum at El Alamein. Return to Alexandria for an afternoon at leisure.

Fri 15 : Alexandria > Cairo > Dubai (B)

At leisure until an evening transfer to Cairo for the flight to Dubai.

Sat 16 : Dubai > Auckland

Arrive Dubai and transit to our onward flight.

Sun 17 : Auckland

Morning arrival in Auckland.