2009 Egypt & Jordan Tour
June 16 – July 4, 2009
Itinerary
Tuesday/Wednesday, June 16/17th 2009 (D):
Departure, JFK Int’l: 11:59 PM, June 16.
Arrival at Cairo International Airport, via Amman, Jordan, evening, June 17. Upon
arrival you will be greeted by your guide, who will transfer you to your 5 Star Hotel in Cairo.
Overnight at your hotel.
Thursday, June 18th 2009 (B, L):
Breakfast at the hotel. The morning will be at leisure to allow you to rest and refresh from
your long journey. Late morning (~10 am), we will do a tour of the City of Cairo. (Lunch is
on your own).
In the early afternoon we will take you to VISIT TO THE EGYPTIAN MUSEUM IN CAIRO.
The Museum: The Egyptian Museum was first built in Boulak. In 1891, it was moved to
Giza Palace of "Ismail Pasha" which housed the antiquities that were later moved to the
present building. The Egyptian Museum is situated at Tahrir Square in Cairo. It was built
during the reign of Khedive Abbass Helmi II in 1897, and opened on November 15, 1902.
The Museum exhibits over 120,000 objects in its 107 halls, comprising the world’s greatest
collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, including 12 rooms filled with the golden treasures,
all from the world-famous tomb of the boy-king Tutankhamun astound and delight visitors.
More than two million people flock to this magnificent site each year.
Mummies room: A specially-built area dedicated to the well-preserved mummies of 11
Royal Kings and Queens of Ancient Egypt, including the Great Ramses II, Egypt’s longest
ruling pharaoh.
Group dinner at Azhar Park.
Friday, June 19th 2009 (B, L):
Breakfast at the hotel. This day is reserved for professional theatre visits, including the
spectacular Cairo Opera (Lunch is included). Dinner is at your leisure. Overnight at your
hotel in Cairo.
Saturday, June 20th 2009 (B, L):
Breakfast at the hotel.
VISIT TO THE CITY OF MEMPHIS & NECROPOLIS OF SAKKARA.
The famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser at Sakkara is the oldest known of Egypt’s 107
pyramids & the first freestanding stone structure in the world. The tombs belonging to the
nobles of the past show the beauty and excellence of Ancient Egyptian art on their walls and
give an insight into the daily life of Ancient Egypt. Memphis was founded around 3,100 BC
during the Old Kingdom.
Memphis is the legendary city of Menes, the king who united Upper and Lower Egypt.
Much of what we know of Memphis comes from its necropolis, texts and papyrus from other
parts of Egypt, and Herodotus, who visited the city. Early on, Memphis was probably a
fortress from which King Menes controlled the land and water routes between Upper Egypt
and the Delta.
Sphinx: Visit the Valley Temple, housing the
mysterious Sphinx, located in what was once a
quarry to the east of Chephren’s pyramid. One
theory suggests this Pharaoh’s workers shaped
the body into a lion and gave it their king’s
face, as a guardian of the necropolis. Almost a
thousand years after its construction, King
Thutmose IV placed a stela between the front
paws. It describes how the Sphinx had spoken
to the then prince in a dream, promising him
kingship if he cleared away the desert sand that
was choking the Sphinx.
Lunch is included in the tour. Dinner is at your leisure. Overnight at your hotel in Cairo.
Sunday, June 21st 2009 (B, L):
Breakfast at the hotel.
VISIT TO THE CITADEL & MOHAMED ALI MOSQUE.
Islamic Cairo: The fascinating tour of Islamic Cairo, starts with
the ancient Citadel, a spectacular medieval fortress perched on a
hill above the city. Originally built by Salah El-Din in 1176 to
fortify the city against the Crusaders, it has never been without a
military garrison. Today it is a complex of four mosques and four
museums, including the beautiful and graceful Mohamed Ali
Mosque. Built from 1830 to 1857, the mosque also became the
site of the great Ottoman ruler’s tomb. From the arcaded
courtyard, enjoy a magnificent view across the city to the
Pyramids in Giza.
Lunch is included.
KHAN EL KHALILI BAZAAR.
The fascinating Khan El-Khalili Bazaar is reputed to be the largest bazaar in the Middle East.
Originally founded as a watering stop for caravanserai in the 14th century, the bazaar has
now grown to vast proportions. As one wanders through the labyrinth of narrow streets you
will find workshops and stalls selling all manner of things from woodwork, glassware and
leather goods to perfumes, fabrics and Pharaonic curiosities. Remember to bargain hard!
Dinner is at your leisure. Overnight at your hotel in Cairo
11/24/08
Monday, June 22, 2009 (B):
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning visits to theatres in Cairo and interactions with Egyptian designers.
Afternoon and evening, free time in Cairo. Dinner is at your leisure.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 (B, L, D):
Breakfast in the hotel, then we will transfer you to the airport for your Egypt Air flight to
Abu Simbel.
VISIT THE TEMPLE OF ABU SIMBEL
The Great Temple at Abu Simbel, which took about twenty
years to build, was completed around year 24 of the reign of
Ramesses the Great (which corresponds to 1265 BC). It was
dedicated to the gods Amun Ra, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah, as
well as to the deified Ramesses himself. It is generally
considered the grandest and most beautiful of the temples
commissioned during the reign of Ramesses II, and one of the
most beautiful in Egypt.
Afterwards we will transfer you back to the Abu Simbel
Airport, for your Egypt Air flight to Aswan, where you will
be transferred to an overnight hotel.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 (B):
Breakfast in the hotel, then transfer to the MOVENPICK ROYAL LILY CRUISE.
Enjoy lunch on board and a welcome drink and check in.
VISIT TO CLASSICAL ASWAN INCLUDING PHILAE TEMPLE & UNFINISHED OBELISK
Philae Temple: One of the main sites visited by almost every tour to Egypt is what is billed
as Philae, but Philae is actually a nonexistent island now buried beneath Lake Nasser. The
island was sometimes visible and sometimes not after the Old Aswan Dam was built, but was
permanently submerged by the High Dam.
Philae is an approximate Greek rendering of the local name "Pilak" known from hieroglyphic
texts and which may be Nubian in origin. The anc ient Egyptians saw in their name for
Philae an etymology with the meaning "island of the time [of Ra]", i.e. creation, but the
island’s history is later than that.
Unfinished Obelisk: Much of the red granite used for ancient temples and colossi came from
quarries in the Aswan area. Around these quarries are many inscriptions, many of which
describe successful quarrying projects. The Unfinished Obelisk located in the Northern
Quarry still lies where a crack was discovered as it was being hewn from the rock. Possibly
intended as a companion to the Lateran Obelisk, originally at Karnak but now in Rome, it
would have weighed over 2.3 million pounds and would have been the worlds largest piece
of stone ever handled. However, a crack in the stone occurred, which caused it to be
abandoned. Tools left by its builders have given us much insight into how such work was
performed. The site has recently been renovated and equipped with tourist facilities. Nearby
is the Fatimid Cemetery.
Afternoon tea on board. Gourmet dinner menu on board. Overnight on board.
Thursday, June 25th, 2009 (B, L, D):
Breakfast on board.
VISIT TO KOM OMBO TEMPLE.
Located in the town of Kom-Ombo, about 28 miles north of Aswan, the Temple, dating to
the Ptolemies, is built on a high dune overlooking the Nile.
The Temple known as Kom Ombo is actually two temples consisting of a Temple to Sobek
and a Temple of Haroeris. In ancient times, sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the river
bank near here. The Temple has scant remains, due first to the changing Nile, then the Copts
who once used it as a church, and finally by builders who used the stones for new buildings.
Everything is duplicated along the main axis.
There are two entrances, two courts, two colonnades, two hypostyle halls and two
sanctuaries. The left or northern side is dedicated to Haroeris (sometimes called Harer,
Horus the Elder) who was the falcon headed sky god and the right to Sobek (the
crocodile headed god).
Lunch on board the cruise while you cruise to Edfu.
VISIT TO EDFU.
Edfu was, according to the Egyptian myths, the place where the
falcon-headed god Horus avenged the murder of his father Osiris
by killing Seth.
The Temple of Horus is one of the youngest grand monuments of
Egypt. Its construction was begun in 237 BCE by Ptolemy 3, but
not finished before 180 years later by the father of Cleopatra, yet
its structure, architecture and decorations are fully based upon
much older patterns. Some Greek elements have been introduced,
but generally it works well with the Egyptian ones.
Afternoon tea to be served in the lounge
Dinner on board.
Overnight on board in Esna.
Friday, June 26th, 2009 (B, L, D):
Breakfast buffet on board.
VISIT TO THE WEST BANK OF LUXOR
VALLEY OF THE KINGS & QUEENS: We proceed with a visit to the West Bank of
Luxor to explore the Valley of the Kings, a vast city of the Dead where magnificent tombs
were carved into the desert rocks, richly decorated and filled with treasures for the afterlife
by generations of Pharoahs. You will also have the chance to visit at least one tomb in the
Valley of the Queens.
Photo stop at Colossi of Memnon: On the way back to the River Nile, your road passes by
the famed Colossi of Memnon, known in Ancient Greek times for their haunting voices at
dawn.
AFTERNOON VISIT TO THE EAST BANK.
Luxor Temple: This afternoon your Egyptologist will guide you on a tour of the East Bank
of Luxor, starting with the strikingly graceful Temple of Luxor dedicated to the god Amun.
Karnak Temple: Proceed to the Temple of Karnak, built over more than a thousand years by
generations of Pharaohs. The great “Hypostyle Hall” is an incredible forest of giant pillars,
covering an area larger than the whole of Notre Dame Cathedral.
Afternoon tea served in the lounge
Farwell Gala dinner on board. Overnight on board in Luxor.
Saturday, June 27th, 2009 (B, L, D):
Early breakfast on board & check out for transfer to Luxor airport for flight to Cairo
We will be met in Cairo and transfer to Alexandria by motor coach. Upon arrival, we will
visit the Catacombs of Alexandria.
CATACOMBS OF KOM EL SHUQAFA
The Catacombs of Kom El Shugafa are the largest Roman burial site discovered in Egypt to
date, consisting of three tiers of tombs and chambers cut into the bedrock to a depth of about
35 meters. Constructed in the 2nd century AD as a single-family crypt, these tombs represent
the last existing major construction for the sake of the old Egyptian religion. They were later
expanded to hold more than 300 individual tombs. There is even a banquet hall where
grieving relatives paid their last respects with a funereal feast. Though the motifs are pure
ancient Egyptian, the architects and artists were schooled in the Greco-Roman style, resulting
in an amazingly integrated art quite unlike anything else in the world.
Transfer to our hotel near the Mediterranean Sea. Dinner is at your leisure. Overnight at the
hotel in Alexandria.
Sunday, June 28th, 2009 (B, L):
Breakfast at your hotel. City Tour of Alexandria.
MORNING VISIT ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE
The only Roman amphitheater in Egypt was discovered quite recently, during the foundation
digging for a new apartment building. The well-preserved theatre once stood with thirteen
semi-circular tiers of white marble imported from Europe. It contains galleries, sections of
mosaic-flooring, and marble seats for up to 800 spectators. At one point, it may have even
been roofed over to serve as an Odeon for musical performances and some inscriptions
suggest that it was sometimes also used for wrestling contests.
ALEXANDRIA NATIONAL MUSEUM
Alexandria national museum was originally a palace built on the Italian modern style since
1928. The museum building was formerly the site of the United States Consulate in
Alexandria and was sold to the Supreme Council of Antiquities for the purpose of developing
the museum to add to the treasures of this historic city.
The museum comprises more than 1800 archaeological pieces that narrate the Pharaonic,
Greek, Roman, Coptic, Islamic and modern history of Egypt. The museum has an outdoor
theatre, which accommodates 800 people and a lecture auditorium for 150.
Late afternoon, return by coach to Cairo. Dinner is at your leisure. Overnight at your hotel in
Cairo.
Monday, June 29th, 2009 (B, L, D):
Breakfast at the hotel & check out.
FLY TO AMMAN AND SHORT CITY TOUR
We will transfer you to the airport for your early flight to Amman. There you will be
greeted by your Jordanian guide and given a brief tour of Amman, including theatre visits
with Dr. Ghassan Haddad.
Group dinner in Amman, overnight in Hotel.
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 (B, L):
Breakfast at the hotel.
We will take you to Jerash, located 48 km north of Amman and nestled in a quiet valley
among the mountains of Gilead, to experience the grandeur of Imperial Rome. Jerash is 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.
In the afternoon, we will continue by coach to Irbid, in the north of Jordan, where we will be
hosted by Dr. Haddad and participate in a traditional Jordanian evening meal.
We will then return you to Amman. Overnight at your hotel in Amman.
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 (B, L):
Breakfast at the hotel & check out.
We will take you to Petra.
VISIT MADABA, MOUNT NEBO & KERAK
In many respects Madaba is a typical East Bank town which differs in one major aspect:
underneath almost every house lies a fine Byzantine mosaic. Many of these mosaics have
been excavated and are on display in the town's museum, but it is estimated that many more
lie hidden waiting to be discovered.
VISIT TO THE MOUNT NEBO
Mount Nebo is one of the most revered holy sites of Jordan, located 10 km west of the
Roman Byzantine town of Madaba, for this is where Moses is said to have been buried. The
site's association with the last days of Moses is described in moving words in Deuteromony
(34:1-7). The episode of Balak and Balam (2:13-26) also took place here.
VISIT TO THE KERAK
It was the Crusaders who made Kerak (biblical Charach Mouba) famous. The fortress,
located 124 km south of Amman, was built in 1142 by Payen le Bouteiller, lord of Montreal
and of the province of Oultre Jourdain, on the remains of earlier citadels, which date back to
Nabataean times. He made Kerak the new capital of the province, for it was superbly situated
on the King's Highway, where it could control all traffic from north and south and grow rich
by the imposition of road-tolls.
Lunch en route. Dinner is at your leisure. Overnight at your hotel in Petra.
Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 (B, L):
Breakfast at the hotel.
MORNING VISIT TO PETRA
So far, no method has been found to determine when
the history of Petra began. Evidence suggests that the
city was founded relatively late, though a sanctuary
may have existed there since very ancient times. This
part of the country was traditionally assigned to the
Horites, probably cave-dwellers, the predecessors of
the Edomites. The habits of the original natives may
have influenced the Nabataean custom of burying the
dead and offering worship in half-excavated caves.
However, the fact that Petra is mentioned by name in
the Old Testament cannot be verified. Although Petra
is usually identified with Sela, which also means a
rock, the Biblical references are not clear. II Kings
xiv. 7 seems to be more specific. In the parallel
passage, however, Sela is understood to mean simply
"the rock" (2 Chr. xxv. 12). As a result, many
authorities doubt whether any town named Sela is
mentioned in the Old Testament.
Lunch en route. Dinner is at your leisure. Overnight at your hotel in Petra.
Friday, July 3rd, 2009 (B, D):
Breakfast at the hotel & check out.
Additional one-half day continuing the exploration of Petra.
We will transfer you from Petra back to Amman.
Farewell Dinner. Overnight at your hotel in Amman.
Saturday, July 04th, 2009 (B):
Breakfast at the hotel & check out.
We will transfer you to the Queen Alia International Airport, for your flight back home
with a lifetime of memories!
End of tour
Note: Exact Tour and Tour Information are subject to change.
Key to tour - Items listed in:
Meals Provided: = B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
Blue: City names, main tour sites, events
Red: The first time a city is mentioned.
2009 Egypt & Jordan Tour
June 16 – July 4, 2009
Client price: $5,620/person, double occupancy
(Price based on 20-28 persons)
Single Supplement: $846/person
Tour Price includes: International airfare from JFK to Egypt and return from Jordan to JFK;
all domestic Egyptian and Egypt/Jordan flights, private transportation, transfers, excellent level
of hotels (4 + 5-star hotels – Double Occupancy), guides, drivers, all tours listed, entrance fees,
transfers, meals as listed (B, L, D), tips for all guides, drivers and porters.
Not included: Additional activities which are not currently listed, visas, special transfers if
arrival is at a different time from the main group, drinks at meals.
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Mongol Global Tour Company, Inc. can provide:
Travel Guard Travel Insurance & CSA Travel Protection Insurance
Great rates on domestic connection flights are also available through
Mongol Global Tours.
For information regarding travel insurance please visit the Mongol Tour Company website
http://www.mgtourco.com/2848543_21859.html
Maximum: 28 Participants
Deposit: $500 (non-refundable after Jan. 1)
Dec. 15, 2008: Deadline for registration and deposit to USITT
Jan. 1, 2009: 1st payment: $2500 to USITT
Mar.1, 2009: 2nd payment: remainder of tour costs due to USITT