Itinerary

Day 1 Cairo

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the hub of the country. Millennia of history have made it one of the most fascinating places in the world. The Egyptian Museum whose 107 halls feature huge statues on the ground floor, and small statues, jewels, Tutankhamon treasures and the mummies on upper floors. Other downtown sights include the Saladin Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, and Khan Khalili bazaar. Nearby Giza is famous for the Pyramids of Egypt, among the largest constructions ever built.

Transfer to/from Cairo Airport in private vehicle with English speaking driver.

You will be met in the tunnel by an airport representative who will in turn facilitate the visa process ($15 per person - included in tour cost), escort you through customs and immigration, off to baggage claim and finally to passenger pick up. It is here that you will connect with our representative associate who will arrange airport transfer to your hotel.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

The Four Seasons Hotel rests quietly but powerfully along the banks of the Nile, with a precious view of both the river and the Citadel. Conveniently located, it’s simple to get around the city from here. The 365 rooms stand at a height of thirty stories, looking over the shoulders of the city and catching an eyeful of the culture and vivaciousness of Cairo. The steak restaurant offers the most succulent of delights, while the upscale Chinese restaurant’s modern, fluid decor add a contemporary glow to the dining experience. With swimming, spa, and a flurry of activities for adults and children alike, some guests are forced to book extra days at the hotel and take advantage of the facilities. Others choose to roam the city, though subconsciously longing to return to this dazzling hotel.

Overnight at Four Seasons Nile Plaza.

Day 2 Cairo

Enjoy this tour which explores the relics of ages past, and includes visits to ancient Memphis, Saqqara and the Great Pyramids of Giza. Already millennia old by the birth of Christ, the elaborate statues and astonishing scale of these sites will amaze all who visit. This tour also features the famous Sphinx, whose constructor's still remains unknown, but its sheer beauty and allure has mystified the likes of Alexander the Great and Napoleon Bonaparte. This tour includes a private vehicle, a driver, and a highly trained Egyptologist, and entry to either Chephren (Khafre) or Menkaure (Mycerinus) pyramids, as well as the Solar boat. Entrance to the Pyramids come with an additional cost, and be aware that a limited number of people are allowed inside daily, so arrive early so you will not be disappointed.

Enjoy the city's finest cuisine with a private table at the very best restaurants.

Overnight at Four Seasons Nile Plaza.

Day 3 Cairo

This full day tour includes a private tour with your trained Egyptologist guide through the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and its Mummy Room, which houses priceless archaeological finds including the treasures of Tutankhamun and the Greco/Roman period. In the afternoon visit Saladin Citadel, a spectacular medieval fortress built by the renowned leader himself and dating back from the 12th century. Here you will explore the mosque and tomb of the Ottoman ruler Mohamed Ali, whom laid the foundation for the modern nation of Egypt. Later, on a walking tour, you will get to stroll through the fabled Khan Khalili bazaar, absorbing the sights, scents, exotic treats and energy of this ancient yet vibrant meeting place.

Enjoy the city's finest cuisine with a private table at the very best restaurants.

Overnight at Four Seasons Nile Plaza.

Day 4 Nile

Glide up the Nile at night and explore ancient temples during the day. Edfu (Idfu) is located on the west bank of the River Nile between Esna and Aswan. Of all the temple remains in Egypt, the Temple of Horus at Edfu is the most completely preserved. Kom Ombo was originally an Egyptian city called Nubt, meaning City of Gold. The town's location on the Nile 50 km north of Aswan (Syene) gave it some control over trade routes from Nubia to the Nile Valley, but its main rise to prominence came with the erection of the temple in the 2nd century BC.

Transfer to/from Cairo Airport in private vehicle with English speaking driver.

Take your flight from Cairo to Luxor. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour.

Airport transfer with a private vehicle and English-speaking driver in Luxor.

Enjoy a private tour with a qualified Egyptologist guide exploring the East Bank of Luxor. Visit the most impressive temples of Karnak and Luxor, while learning about ancient Egyptian history from your own personal guide. Start your day with a visit to the Temples of Karnak. Walk along the Avenue of Sphinx to enter the complex as your guide explains how the massive facade was constructed. Continue to Luxor Temple which was once joined to the Temples of Karnak by a two-kilometre long Avenue of Sphinx, a portion of which marks the entrance to the temple. Your private guide will offer interpretation and guide you through the most important parts of the temples.

Enjoy an evening of entertainment including local music.

The first step aboard the Sonesta Star Goddess may be overwhelming, as you traverse time and envision the days when pharaohs and peasants used this river to cultivate, motivate, and spiritualize a civilization. The Star Goddess floats along the Nile, majestic as its history, with 33 suites and 5 decks. The Sun Deck overlooks the water, while serving light meals and a variety of cocktails. In between stops at different land sites along the way, there are plenty of activities. Entertainment includes a discotheque, themed parties, and dance performances. Private terraces allow for a retreat later on, as you take a sip of this great body of water. So powerful was the Nile that a god was once dedicated to its welfare. Today, the Sonesta glides quietly and triumphantly along its waves.

Overnight at Sonesta Star Goddess.

Day 5 Nile

This morning you will meet up with your guide and explore some of the most incredible sites of the country. You will visit the Valley of the Kings where you will have the chance to explore three tombs. For a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the kings and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom (the Eighteenth to the Twentieth Dynasties of Ancient Egypt). The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, opposite modern Luxor. Then it's off to the nearby Valley of the Queens and also the recently renovated mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut was the second pharaoh of the eighteenth dynasty of Ancient Egypt. She is generally regarded by Egyptologists as one of the most successful pharaohs, reigning longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty. The tour includes a visit to the huge Colossi of Memnon which are all that remain of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III.

Done in conjunction with the West Bank private tour. Enter the famous tomb of King Tutankhamen.

Enjoy an evening of entertainment including local music.

Overnight at Sonesta Star Goddess.

Day 6 Nile

Visit the Nile-side Temple of Horus, the falcon god, built in 230 BC by Ptolemy III. The Temple of Horus in Edfu (also known as the Temple of Edfu) is considered the best-preserved cult temple in Egypt. This is partly because it was built later than most: in the Ptolemaic era from 237 to 57 BC. Despite its later date, it reflects traditional pharaonic architecture and so provides an excellent idea of how all the temples once looked. Edfu is also very large: the second largest in Egypt after Karnak Temple.

Visit a unique Greco-Roman temple dedicated to two gods: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, the sun god. The Temple in Kom Ombo (also known simply as Kom Ombo Temple) dates from about 180 BC, during a period known as the Ptolemaic era, and had some additions built on to it during Roman times. It stands right on the bank of the Nile between Edfu and Aswan. The temple is unusual in that it is a double temple, with one side dedicated to the god Haroesis and the other side to Sobek. The design is almost perfectly symmetrical, with two side-by-side sanctuaries and two parallel passageways leading through the outer parts of the temple. The right side is dedicated to Sobek-Re (the crocodile god combined with the sun god Re), along with his wife (a form of Hathor) and their son Khonsu-Hor. Sobek is associated with Seth, the enemy of Horus. In the myth of Horus and Osiris, Seth and his followers changed themselves into crocodiles to escape. The ancient Egyptians believed that by honouring the fearsome crocodile as a god, they would be safe from attacks. The left side is dedicated to Haroeris, the "Good Doctor" (a form of the falcon-headed god Horus the Elder) along with his consort Ta-Sent-Nefer, the "Good Sister" (another form of Hathor).

Enjoy an evening of entertainment including local music.

Overnight at Sonesta Star Goddess.

Day 7 Nile

This 1/2 day tour begins with a visit to the impressive Aswan High Dam. The water which was collected behind created Lake Nasser, the world's largest artificial lake. View the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the Goddess Iris, on the island of Agilika, stopping at the “unfinished obelisk,” a practical demonstration of the methods used by ancient craftsmen to create impressive monuments.

Enjoy a Nile adventure as you sail aboard a traditional, non-motorized felucca around Kitchener's Island, the Aga Khan Mausoleum and botanical gardens.

Enjoy an evening of entertainment including local music.

Overnight at Sonesta Star Goddess.

Day 8 Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm el-Sheikh is a beach town on the Sinai Peninsula and a great place to relax after seeing the country. Ras Mohammed is located on the very tip of the Sinai Peninsula, and is one of the best dive sites. St. Katherine’s is the oldest active monastery in the world, and has been attracting pilgrims since the year 330 AD. Climb the slopes of Mount Sinai and enjoy stunning views of the desert landscape, while considering the significance of this culturally important site.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, and driver in Aswan.

Take your flight from Aswan to Cairo. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour and a half.

Fly from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour.

Airport transfer with private vehicle and English-speaking driver in Sharm El Sheikh.

The Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh sits in the palm of the Red Sea, an architectural goddess and resort like no other in the Middle East. With 136 rooms, each featuring a balcony or private terrace, it is hard to avoid the view of shimmery water beyond. Restaurants and bars such as the Observatory Lounge offer views of the Island of Tiran, while the Reef Grill lies on a coastal strip and overlooks the sea. Though some choose to relax in private cabanas or dance to underwater music, others prefer visiting the Bedouin of Sinai, or traveling a little further off to Ras Mohammed, a national park protecting marine and desert life. Whichever choice, the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh waits patiently, with an abundance of activities and tranquility for all guests to share.

Overnight at Four Seasons.

Day 9 Sharm El Sheikh

Full day desert excursion. St. Catherine’s is the oldest active monastery in the world and has been attracting pilgrims since the year 330 AD. Steeped in history, the buildings of the monastery complex represent many architectural styles. Climb on the slopes of Mount Sinai and enjoy stunning views of the desert landscape, while considering the significance of this culturally important site.

Overnight at Four Seasons.

Day 10 Amman

Amman's history dates from the bronze age and features grand Roman ruins and some of the region's finest mosques. The old city is centered on the Souk (a colorful traditional market) and the King Hussein Mosque. Since Amman resembles Rome, as it is situated on seven hills, the city was a favorite place for Roman soldiers and officials. Behind the Roman forum stands a Roman theatre—the largest theatre in Jordan—with room for 6,000 spectators. Amman is also home to some of the grandest mosques in the Middle East. The enormous King Abdullah I Mosque is capped by a magnificent blue mosaic dome beneath which 3,000 Muslims may offer prayer. The most unusual mosque in Amman is the Abu Darweesh Mosque covered with an extraordinary black and white checkered pattern and is unique to Jordan.

Sign up for optional activities at your resort (not included in tour price); deep sea fishing, boat excursions, scuba diving, or other.

Airport transfer with private vehicle and English-speaking driver in Sharm El Sheikh.

Take your flight from Sharm El Sheikh to Amman. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour and 25 mins.

You will be met by an airport representative who will facilitate the visa process , escort you through customs and immigration, then it is off to baggage claim and finally to passenger pick up. It is here that you will connect with our Kensington associate who will arrange airport transfer to your hotel.

Airport meet and assist/transfer in Amman with a private vehicle and English speaking driver.

Framed by the energetic city of Amman, the Four Seasons rises above the hills between the prestigious areas of Al Sweifiyah and Shmeisani. At 15-storeys, the 192 rooms and suites are the most sophisticated and spacious in the city. With dark, intimate settings, restaurants range from thematic Thai cooking in an exhibition kitchen to Italian dining in a trendy, refined environment. It is key to make use of the splendor of facilities available at the Four Seasons Amman, as the lively guest will relish the classic massages and aquatic exercises. Retreat from pampering, and take in the breathtaking view of Amman, be it from your balcony or the Foyer lounge terrace over drinks.

Overnight at Four Seasons.

Day 11 Petra

Petra is famously described as "a rose-red city half as old as time". A spectacular and unique sight, its massive buildings are carved directly into the sandstone cliffs. Enclosed by towering rocks and watered by a perennial stream, Petra controlled the ancient commercial routes across the desert to the Persian Gulf. The impressive eastern entrance leads steeply down through a dark and narrow gorge called the Siq (the shaft), a natural geological feature formed from a deep split in the sandstone rocks. It opens directly onto Petra's most elaborate ruin, Al Khazneh ("the Treasury") hewn directly out of the sandstone cliff. A little farther from the Treasury is a massive theatre, so placed as to bring the greatest number of tombs within view; and at the point where the valley opens out into the plain the site of the city is revealed with striking effect. Almost enclosing it on three sides are rose-coloured mountain walls, divided into groups by deep fissures, and lined with tombs cut from the rock in the form of towers.

Jerash, located 48 km north of Amman and nestled in a quiet valley among the mountains of Gilead, rivals the grandeur of Imperial Rome being one of the largest and most well preserved sites of Roman architecture in the World outside Italy. To this day, its paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theaters, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and city walls pierced by towers and gates remain in exceptional condition. Enjoy visiting the sites in the company of your Driver-Guide.

Avail of a transfer to Petra with a private vehicle and driver.

The Siq Al-Barid (Little Petra) is located to the north of Petra, only a 10 minute drive away. A classical temple stands guard outside the miniature siq which would appear to have been an important suburb of the city of Petra, situated at the point where several ancient caravan routes met, linking Wadi Araba with Gaza, Egypt and the Mediterranean coast. The narrow file, only some 350 m long, is crammed with tombs, temples, triclinia, houses, water channels and cisterns. The surrounding area is picturesque and fun to explore.

The splendorous Mövenpick Resort Petra is the close neighbor of the ancient, dusty rose city of Petra. The hotel, offering 183 rooms and suites, plays host to wanderers aching for the short trek into this well of history and ruins. Upon returning, spend time at one of the seven hotel restaurants, each of which opens doors to culinary persuasions from across the world, though special focus is given to Middle Eastern specialties. The hotel itself remains a centre of activity, with a fully equipped fitness gym, health and wellness swimming pool and steam bath, and views of open horizons. Sit down to some traditional Arabic argil at the end of the evening, and absorb the sun as it sets.

Overnight at Movenpick Petra.

Day 12 Amman

A Jordanian Tourism tax will be paid on your behalf to cover public liability insurance on equipment such as Jeeps, camels and horses.

Petra is the treasure of the ancient world, and the rock-carved rose-red city is full of mysterious charm. Indeed, it was "designed to strike wonder into all who entered it". Petra is the legacy of the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled in southern Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. Admired then for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels, this remarkable city of grand buildings carved into massive cliffs evokes wonder to this day. Enjoy being shown the wonders of the city in the company of your Driver-Guide.

Enjoy a private transfer from Petra to Amman. The transfer time is approximately 3hrs in duration.

Framed by the energetic city of Amman, the Four Seasons rises above the hills between the prestigious areas of Al Sweifiyah and Shmeisani. At 15-storeys, the 192 rooms and suites are the most sophisticated and spacious in the city. With dark, intimate settings, restaurants range from thematic Thai cooking in an exhibition kitchen to Italian dining in a trendy, refined environment. It is key to make use of the splendor of facilities available at the Four Seasons Amman, as the lively guest will relish the classic massages and aquatic exercises. Retreat from pampering, and take in the breathtaking view of Amman, be it from your balcony or the Foyer lounge terrace over drinks.

Overnight at Four Seasons.

Day 13 Amman

Airport meet and assist/transfer in Amman with a private vehicle and English speaking driver.

Depart from Amman international airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.

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