Petra to the Pyramids - a Family Holiday in Jordan & Egypt (EXFPP)

Duration: 15 days (may vary)
Areas: Egypt, Jordan
Tour types: Family Adventures, History & Culture, Nature & Wildlife, Walking & Trekking

Description

Petra - the 'Rose Red City'
We begin with a visit to the remarkably intact remains of ancient Jerash where the cart-rutted Cardo Maximus attests to this city's 2000-year history. Next we journey southwards through Jordan for a float in the saline Dead Sea. From here we continue to the rocky pinnacle of Kerak's Crusader castle, before arriving at Petra - the 'Rose Red City half as old as time'. Here we enjoy two full days exploring on foot, discovering the hidden corners of this evocative site - no wonder Hollywood chose it as an Indiana Jones location!

Wadi Rum & St Catherine's
Travelling to the awesome desert landscapes of Wadi Rum, we take a 4WD safari and ride camels (optional) through terrain once familiar to Lawrence of Arabia to our Bedouin-style camp. Then after crossing into Egypt we spend time relaxing on the Red Sea coast at Dahab, with opportunities to snorkel over multi-coloured coral reefs. Next we strike into Sinai's wild and mountainous heart to visit the isolated monastery of St Catherine, in the shadow of Mount Sinai. A hike up the mountain allows us to witness truly breathtaking views over the barren peaks of the Sinai.

Cairo
Next to Cairo - city of a thousand minarets - where we visit the famous Pyramids of Giza, and Sphinx - perhaps the most recognised ancient remains in the world, and one that was regarded as ancient even by the ancient Greeks. In the Egyptian Museum we'll wonder at Tutankhamun's treasures, and see ancient mummified creatures regarded as holy by the ancient Egyptians.

Tour itinerary

Day 1

Join Amman.

Day 2

Explore Jerash and float in Dead Sea.

Day 3

Drive to Petra via Kerak.

Day 4

In Petra; guided tour; free afternoon.

Day 5

Free in Petra.

Day 6

Drive to Wadi Rum in 4WD; optional camel trek; overnight camp.

Day 7

Drive in 4WD to Aqaba; free afternoon.

Day 8 to 10

Ferry to Nuweiba; drive to Dahab; included snorkelling trip; optional activities - windsurfing.

Day 11

Late afternoon drive to St. Catherine's.

Day 12

Optional early morning ascent of Mt. Sinai; visit St. Catherine's Monastery; drive to Cairo.

Day 13

In Cairo; visit Pyramids, Sphinx and Egyptian Museum.

Day 14

Free time in Cairo.

Day 15

End Cairo.