Highlights of Saudi Arabia Jordan and Egypt

Welcome to Saudi Arabia! Upon arrival at the Riyadh International Airport, prepare for a meet and greet followed by a transfer to your hotel.

Indulge in an evening of wonder at Boulevard Riyadh, the country's largest park, with an included entrance ticket and transfer. Prepare to be mesmerized by its lively ambiance, captivating performances, and breathtaking fountain display. Take your time to explore, savor delicious meals, and unwind before returning to the hotel at your leisure.


Overnight in Riyadh

Today, you will explore the impressive capital of Saudi Arabia. Climb the over 300-meter-high \"Kingdom Centre\" tower, offering stunning views of the city. Visit the National Museum, the country's largest, to learn about its history, culture, and art. Explore the Masmak Fortress, a glimpse into the city's transformation. Enjoy strolling through the neighborhood's souks and vibrant commercial life. Have lunch at a shopping center with various dining options. In the afternoon, discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Al Turaif DIRIYA, the former capital of the Saudi dynasty, with its palaces and urban complex. End the day at the grand Al Rajhi Mosque, witnessing a prayer and gaining insight into Islam. Return to your hotel, filled with the enriching experiences of the day.


Overnight in Riyadh

After breakfast at the hotel, today, you'll follow the ancient pilgrimage route from Iraq to Mecca, passing through historic towns in small oases. Explore AL QASAB, known for salt, wheat, and poets. Visit the walled city and salt ponds. Journey through desert dunes to SHAQRA, a growing city with a university. Discover its fortified ancient city and vibrant market. Proceed to USHAIQER, an important pilgrim stop with springs and a beautiful oasis. Explore the heritage village, museum, and stunning Najdi architecture. Continue to BURAYDAH, the capital of El Kasim province, with a large oasis. Arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy free time.


Overnight in Buraydah

After breakfast, Explore Buraydah's largest Camel Market in the morning, along with its camel hospital. The city's economy thrives on agriculture, including dates, lemons, oranges, and wheat. Don't miss the annual date market in August, drawing visitors from far and wide. Experience the flavors of this \"city of dates\" and indulge in the delicious sweetness of palm fruit.

Following that, you'll have time to meander through the city centre, with its vegetable market, grand mosque, jewellery souks, and activities. You will go to the Al Oqilat Museum, which teaches us about Arabian traditions and customs. Enjoy free time for a delicious lunch.

In the afternoon, continue your journey through the desert and arrive in the evening at Medina, the holy city known as \"the luminous city.\" As one of the most sacred cities in Islam, it attracts millions of pilgrims annually. Respect the beliefs and residents of Medina, remembering to follow the required dress code. In the evening, you will have the chance to see the Al Masjid Mosque from the outside, built by the prophet himself and his final resting place. Witness the devotion of the thousands who gather for prayer. Dinner will be included.


Overnight in Medina

Note: The Al-Ula region is renowned for its breathtaking beauty, although hotel options are limited. On certain occasions, you will spend two nights in Medina, including an afternoon visit to the Al Madinah Museum, before departing for Al-Ula early on Tuesday.

In Medina, you will have the opportunity to explore significant sites like the Prophet's Mosque (Al Masjid an Nabawi), a magnificent mosque with ten minarets capable of accommodating up to one million visitors. The hill of Uhud, a pilgrimage site where clashes occurred between the Prophet's forces and Meccan troops, offers a vast esplanade and a chance to climb the hill in silence, respecting the presence of pilgrims. The Mosque of Quba, the first mosque in history, and the nearby Ethiq garden and well, where the Prophet and his companions were welcomed, are also worth visiting. Free time will be available in the city center for shopping or an optional visit to the Hejaz Railway Museum.

In the afternoon, you will travel to Al-Ula, an awe-inspiring region often hailed as an open-air museum immersed in nature. There, you will marvel at the majestic rock formations, canyons, and ravines created by the region's ancient inhabitants. The itinerary includes a special visit to the Elephant Rock (Jabal Al Fil), a striking 52-meter-high rock formation resembling an elephant. Dinner will be provided as part of the experience.


Overnight in Al Ula

Today, In the Al-'Ula region, you will visit the enclosure of HEGRA (Madain Saleh), recognised World Heritage by UNESCO, of Nabataean culture, the Other Petra, which surprises us with its tombs cut in the rock in a desert atmosphere full of mystery. Lunch is provided. You will have a free time in Al-'Ula Heritage Village, the ancient Al-'Ula that has been brilliantly rebuilt, with its charming restaurants and stores. You will also have time to go around the lovely Oasis. Leave for TABUK in the late afternoon.


Overnight in Tabuk

Today after breakfast in the morning, you'll visit Tabuk, an ancient city with a rich history. Explore the 3500-year-old castle and its museum, learning about famous explorers and pilgrims. Then, visit the Mud House Museum to experience traditional adobe housing. Take a stroll through the city center, reaching the old train station-turned-museum with preserved steam machines. From Tabuk, cross the border to Jordan and continue to Wadi Musa, near Petra. Discover the Spring of Moses and explore the Petra Museum, showcasing Nabataean history. Enjoy dinner and consider optional activities like a Turkish bath or the lights and sounds show in Petra.


Overnight in Petra

Today is your most exciting day of the trip! You'll explore the impressive archaeological site of PETRA, with its ancient temples and tombs carved into cliffs. After lunch, head to the breathtaking WADI RUM desert. Hop on a 4x4 vehicle at the Visitor Centre for a memorable journey through stunning landscapes. Visit the Nabatean temple ruins in RUM and enjoy a 45-minute camel ride in the desert. Don't miss the remarkable Khazali Canyon, where you'll discover engravings revealing the origins of Arabic. Dinner and accommodation await you at the desert camp.


Overnight in Wadi Rum

After breakfast, youll leave for AQABA, Jordan's second city on the banks of the Red Sea. You walk through the center before heading to the border of EILAT, Israel, a modern city with great beaches. You can relax, have lunch, and take a swim. Then you continue towards the EGYPT border, passing by the Pharaoh's Island. Arrival, accommodation, and dinner are included in SAINT CATHERINE.

Fees: Jordan exit fees - $15, Israel exit fee - $32, Egypt entry visa - $45 (subject to change).

Prohibited items at the borders include drones, cameras with a 5.5 mtr zoom, and other professional equipment cameras. Company is not responsible for confiscated objects.

Note: In exceptional circumstances or with few participants, you may cross directly from Jordan to Egypt by boat (AQABA-TABA FERRY) without guide assistance. Cameras with certain specifications and professional equipment are prohibited at the borders.


Overnight in Saint Catherine

After breakfast at the hotel, Youll visit the impressive walled monastery of Saint Catherine at the foot of Mount Sinai, where Moses saw the Burning Bush. The monastery is a sacred place for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continuing through the picturesque landscapes of the Sinai Desert, you stop at the Well of Moses, a small oasis. You leave Sinai through the tunnel under the Suez Canal and arrive in Cairo by late afternoon.


Overnight in Cairo

After breakfast, a full-day journey to see the towering Sphinx and the three well-known pyramids of Cheops, Kefren, and Micerinos (but access tickets to the pyramids' interiors are not included). The Egyptian Museum displays pieces of ancient art as well as treasures from Tutankhamen's Lost Tomb. Lunch is included. Saladin's Citadel and the Alabaster Mosque are also worth seeing. You'll go through the Coptic area of town before viewing the church erected on top of a Roman fort.


Overnight in Cairo

Today youll leave Cairo for the Wadi El Natrun region, known for ancient Coptic monasteries. Founded by Christians fleeing Roman persecutions in the fourth century, these fortified monasteries attract pilgrims and showcase Coptic traditions. You'll visit Saint Macarius, founded in 360, and explore its grounds with a monk as your guide. Next, you'll explore the monastery of Anba Bishoy, established in 340, including the church, refectory, and the burial site of Coptic Popes. Take time to explore the vibrant area and visit the impressive new cathedral. Continuing to Alexandria, a bustling port city with over 5 million residents, you'll enjoy lunch and then visit the historic Qaitbey Fortress, built in 1480 on the site of the ancient Hellenistic lighthouse. A bus tour along the lively corniche offers a mix of chaotic and elegant areas. Enjoy some free time before spending the night at your accommodation.


Overnight in Alexandria

In the morning after breakfast, continue your visit of Alexandria, exploring the impressive Catacombs Kom Ash Shuqqafa, a Roman cemetery blending Pharaonic and Greco-Roman styles. Walk through bustling alleys to the Column of Pompey, a 30-meter high structure on temple ruins. Capture photos of the modern Library of Alexandria, symbolizing the city's ancient role as a center of knowledge. Lunch included, then head to Rosetta, where the Rosetta Stone was discovered. Marvel at its hieroglyphic, demotic, and ancient Greek inscriptions. See a replica in the nearby fortress of Rashid, a picturesque village with colorful fishing boats on the Nile. In Rosetta, stroll through the center, admiring the old Ottoman houses. Enjoy a boat trip on the Nile for scenic views and observing fishing boat activity. Return to Cairo by the end of the day. Note: Rashid fortress may be closed; in that case, view it externally and explore the charming village.


Overnight in Cairo

Today, in the early morning you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to ASWAN (included). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the ship for boarding procedures and accommodation. Explore the Red Granite Quarry with the famous Unfinished Obelisk, witness ancient Egyptian extraction techniques. Visit the impressive High Aswan Dam and enjoy a felucca ride on the river. Full board and accommodation on board.


Overnight onboard in Aswan

Today, in the morning, You might choose to visit Abu Simbel by bus or aircraft in the morning. You will then proceed to Kom Ombo. You will visit the unusual Kom Ombo Temple in the morning, which is devoted to two Gods, Sobek and Haroesis. The temple has a mummified crocodile and a Nilometer, an old Nile River level monitoring instrument. Then you'll board the ship and head to Edfu.


Overnight onboard in Edfu

Today, Enjoy a Full Board stay on the ship as you embark on a journey filled with wonders. Experience the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the Falcon God Horus, which was once partially submerged by Nile floods. Thanks to meticulous rescue and restoration efforts, this Ptolemaic gem now stands in remarkable preservation. Sail through the Esna lock, heading towards Luxor. Upon arrival, immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of the Karnak and Luxor temples. Spend the night onboard, savoring the tranquil ambiance. Note that the Luxor and Karnak visits might be arranged for the next morning, depending on arrival time and daylight availability. Unforgettable adventures await you.


Overnight onboard in Luxor

Today, before Disembarkation youll have the opportunity to explore the fascinating Necropolis of Thebes, including the Valley of the Kings (note: no entry inside the tombs). Please be aware that Tutankhamun's tomb is not included as the treasures are in the Museum of Egypt. Discover Queen Hatshepsut's temple, Medinet Habu, and the impressive Colossi of Memnon. Transfer to the airport for your included flight to Cairo. Services end upon arrival. Check your flight schedule for possible overnight stay.