GONETRAVEL’N
A107 Heritage Village, 5212 – 48th Street
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada T4N 7C3
www.gonetraveln.ca
Phone (403) 346-6767 Toll Free: 1-888-343-2545
Presents
JORDAN EXTENSION
October 9th – 16th, 2009
WONDERS OF EGYPT & DUBAI
October 15th – November 1st, 2009
JORDAN
For the past 10,000 years travelers have crisscrossed Jordan on its famous trade
routes. Today visitors come to Jordan to see its great natural beauty and the
Kingdom’s historical and archaeological wealth. In Jordan you are welcomed into a
friendly vital society.
EGYPT
LAND OF THE PHAROAHS
Step back in time and experience the glory of ancient Egypt. With a culture dating
back over 5,000 years the romance and history of this country surpasses all
imagination. From the Great Pyramids of Giza to the golden treasures of King
Tutankhamen, the awe inspiring Temple of Karnak and the wonders of the Valley of
the Kings this is a must see country for all serious travelers.
Day 01 - Friday - October 9th, 2009 - Alberta/Amman, Jordan
Today depart Alberta enroute on your adventure to Jordan‟s capital city of Amman.
(In-flight meals & entertainment included)
Day 02 - Saturday - October 10th, 2009 - Amman, Jordan
Upon arrival we will check into our hotel.
Day 03 - Sunday - October 11th, 2009 - Amman, Jordan
After breakfast at the hotel we will drive to Um Qais ancient Gadara, one of the most
brilliant of the Greco-Roman cities. Tucked away in the hillside, at a height of 378 meters
above sea level, Um Qais offers an incomparable panoramic view. An exciting walk
through the ages is in store for us. After that we will drive 45 minutes north of Amman to
Ajilun Castle, (Qalat Rabadh), one of the greatest medieval Islamic fortresses that
protected the trade routes between Jordan and Syria and which repelled the Crusaders
for decades. We will then proceed through the pine forests and olive groves on our way
to the ancient Greco-Roman city of Jerash where we will tour through the colonnades,
theatres, plazas, fountains and baths, amphitheater, churches, temples and the vast
Roman Forum. (Breakfast & Dinner included)
Day 04 - Monday - October 12th, 2009 - Petra
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for a tour south of Amman to visit Mount Nebo
where Moses glimpsed the Promised Land and where he is buried. A little further on at
Madaba, marvel at a 6th century mosaic map of Palestine, 25 yards long and originally
composed of 2 million pieces, inside the Orthodox Church of St George. From there we
will drive along the Biblical Kings highway via Wadi Al Mujib, a deep and majestic cut
through rugged highlands that drains into the Dead Sea. We will continue on to visit
Kerak Castle and see Noah‟s tomb. Kerak is the largest late Islamic castle in Jordan, an
impressive example of medieval military architecture, initially constructed in the
Crusader period and expanded and refortified during the Ayyubid and Mamluk periods.
Continue on to Jordan‟s greatest treasure, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Petra.
(Breakfast & Dinner included)
Day 05 - Tuesday - October 13th, 2009 - Petra
Today enjoy a full day tour of the Red Rose City of Petra which lay long forgotten until a
Swiss adventurer became intrigued by tales of this „lost‟ city, and disguised as a pilgrim,
sought it out just 200 years ago. The unique and dramatic architecture of Petra such as
the temple-like façade of the Treasury of the Pharaohs, used in Indiana Jones and the
Last Crusade, has enchanted visitors ever since. Upon arrival at the site begin an
unforgettable trip on horse back or horse drawn cart to the Treasury. The Nabateans
carved this capital of theirs from the living rock of the surrounding mountains in Petra.
Among other monuments you will visit the Pharaoh‟s Castle, the Triumphal Arch, the
Amphitheater and Monastery. (Breakfast & Dinner included)
Day 06 - Wednesday - October 14th, 2009 - Petra/Dead Sea
After breakfast this morning we continue our tour of Jordan, driving to little Petra
(Al-Beidah) to see the ruins of the ancient village dating back some 9000 years, one of
the oldest archaeological sites in the middle East. From there we will travel onwards to
Wadi Rum a vast, silent landscape of ancient riverbeds and pastel colors. Wadi Rum is
Jordan‟s most magnificent desert as we will see on a two hour jeep ride. Our last stop
today will be the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, where you will have time for
floating in the salty water. (Breakfast & Dinner included)
Day 07 - Thursday - October 15th, 2009 - Dead Sea/Amman
After breakfast this morning, we will drive to the Desert Castle of Azrak where we will
visit Azrak, Amra & Kharaneh Castles – 3 examples of Islamic art and architecture.
(Breakfast & Dinner included)
Day 08 - Friday - October 16th, 2009 - Amman/Cairo
This morning we will take a city tour of Amman and visit the Roman Theatre, the Citadel,
King Abdullahs Mosque and then transfer to the airport for our flight to Cairo.
(Breakfast & Dinner included)
EGYPT
Day 01 - Thursday - October 15th, 2009 - Alberta/Cairo, Egypt
Today depart Alberta on your adventure to “The Land of the Pharaohs”.
(In-flight meals & entertainment included)
Day 02 - Friday - October 16th, 2009 - Cairo, Egypt
We will arrive in Cairo and be transferred to our five star hotel for a well deserved rest.
(In-flight meals included)
Day 03 - Saturday - October 17th, 2009 - Cairo visiting Memphis, Giza & Sakkara
Our full day tour today will be spent visiting the spectacular sites near the ancient city of
Memphis. We will visit the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and Sakkara one of the greatest
archaeological sites in the world, containing the Step Pyramid, the oldest in the world,
built by Imhotep around 2630 BC. We will also travel to Dahshour to see the Bent
Pyramid, named due to a change in the angle of the upper portion, making it less steep.
(Breakfast & Lunch included).
Day 04 - Sunday - October 18th, 2009 - Cairo/Luxor
After breakfast this morning we will enjoy a city tour of Cairo including The Citadel of
Saladin & The Alabaster Mosque and also the Al Sultan Hassan Mosque & Madrasah.
On our way we will visit The Egyptian Museum, the most important depository of
Egyptian antiquities anywhere in the world. It features artifacts from the Pharaonic and
Greco-Roman periods, including the celebrated mummies of ancient Egypt‟s Kings and
the treasure of Tutankhamen‟s Tomb. This evening we will fly to Luxor and check into
our hotel. (Breakfast & Lunch included)
Day 05 - Monday - October 19th, 2009 - Luxor (Nile Cruise)
This morning we will tour the Valley of the Kings where generations of pharaohs and
nobles were buried in great splendor in crypts cut into the cliffs. 62 royal tombs have
been uncovered so far, of which only the tomb of Tutankhamen was nearly undisturbed
when discovered in 1922. Visit Deir El Bahari, Queen Hatshepsut's monumental rock
temple. We will also stop for pictures at the two Colossi of Memnon guarding the valleys.
Along the way, we will see Madinet Habu Temple, the last great architectural work of the
Pharaonic period. Locals believe that it has a special magical significance. From there
we will then transfer to the cruise ship and enjoy lunch on board. This afternoon we will
tour the fabulous Temples of Karnak and Luxor. To walk among the pillars of the
colossal Temple of Amon Ra and along the Avenue of the Sphinxes is an experience you
will treasure for the rest of your life. After dinner, we will enjoy a belly dance show
onboard. Overnight onboard our ship.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included).
NILE CRUISE
The Nile is the life blood of Egypt and as you sail peacefully along, you will pass fields
of date palms and villages of mud-brick houses framed by a backdrop of glorious sand
dunes. Early risers will enjoy viewing the sand dunes at sunrise when they are most
pristine. Along the still shores of the Nile you will view Bedouins beginning their day
by heating coffee on their open fires.
Day 06 - Tuesday - October 20th, 2009 - Luxor/Esna/Edfu (Nile Cruise)
This morning we will begin our sail leisurely down the Nile to Esna, through Esna Lock
and on to Edfu. This evening we will enjoy a welcome cocktail party and musical
entertainment. Overnight onboard our ship.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included).
Day 07 - Wednesday - October 21st, 2009 - Edfu/Kom Omb/Aswan (Nile Cruise)
This morning we will board a horse-drawn carriage for a drive through Edfu to visit Edfu
Temple (The temple of Horus) with its menacing black stone statue of the falcon god.
Built in the time of Cleopatra about 2,000 years ago, it is recent by Egyptian standards
and beautifully preserved. We will then return to the ship to enjoy our lunch while
beginning our sail to Kom Ombo, the site of a temple dedicated to Sobek, the Crocodile
God, and Horus, symbol of the Pharaohs. Many temples in Egypt have been moved back
from the Nile but Kom Ombo sits in its original location on the bank of the Nile as it did
centuries ago. Afterwards, if time allows, you will have some time in the village for
shopping at the bustling local bazaar. Later in the afternoon we will sail to Aswan.
This evening our “Gala Evening” is an Egyptian night so we hope you all bought a
“Galabia” in the market for the occasion. Ladies if you happen to have a CLEOPATRA
wig this is the night to wear it!
Overnight onboard our ship. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included).
Day 08 - Thursday - October 22nd, 2009 - Aswan (Nile Cruise)
Depart Aswan this morning by air for Abu Simbel. The 45 minute flight takes us to the
site of the famous temples built by Ramses II. Here four gigantic statues of Ramses
stand. Their original intent was to intimidate travelers on their journey from Nubia to
Egypt. The entire site had to be rescued from the water of Lake Nasser by UNESCO. We
will also visit the Temple of Queen Nefertari. After flying back to Aswan, we will be
visiting the High Dam. The High Dam provides Egypt with the electrical and agricultural
resources that support the country‟s population. We continue to the Unfinished Obelisk
lying abandoned exactly where it was being constructed. It was meant to have reached to
the sky at 41.7 meters until a flaw was found in the granite. We will then board a motor
launch to the Island of Agilika to visit the Granite Quarries and the Temples of Philae
which were actually moved from Philae Island to high ground on Agilika Island when the
High Dam was built. This afternoon sail on a traditional felucca amongst the islands of
the Nile, including Elephantine Island and several Nubian villages. View Kitchener‟s
Island, on which The Botanical Gardens is located, and the Mausoleum of the Aga Khan
high on a hill overlooking the Nile. After dinner this evening we will enjoy a Nubian
Folkloric Show. Overnight onboard our ship.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included).
Day 09 - Friday - October 23rd, 2009 - Aswan /Cairo/Alexandria
This morning after we disembark our cruise ship, we will board our flight to Cairo where
we will enjoy lunch and begin a pleasant drive through the fertile Nile Delta to the
seaport of Alexandria. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, this Mediterranean
port city soon became one of the major centers of commerce and science of the
Hellenistic world. (Breakfast & Lunch included).
Day 10 - Saturday - October 24th, 2009 - Alexandria
Today we will visit The Citadel of Qaitbay (Fort of Qaitbay) a 15th century defensive
fortress located on the Mediterranean Sea coast, built upon/from the ruins of the
Lighthouse of Alexandria. From there we will tour the Alexandria Library, once the
largest library in the ancient world. Generally thought to have been founded at the
beginning of the third century BC, the library was conceived and opened during the
reign of Ptolemy I Soter, or that of his son Ptolemy II of Egypt. We will then tour the El
Montazah Gardens. (Breakfast included).
Day 11 - Sunday - October 25th, 2009 - Alexandria/Cairo
Your sightseeing today features a tour of the intriguingly decorated Catacombs, the
largest known Roman burial site in Egypt, consisting of three tiers of tombs and
chambers cut into the rock to a depth of about 35 meters. Constructed in the 2nd century
AD, probably as a family crypt, 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 funeral feast. From there we will tour the Roman Amphitheatre. This is
the only Roman amphitheatre in Egypt, which dates back to the second century AD. Also
known as the Roman Theatre it was discovered in 1963, when the foundations for a new
apartment building were being dug. The terraces, arranged in a semicircle around the
arena, are extremely well-preserved. An earlier theatre is believed to exist underneath
the Medical University. We will also see Pompey‟s Pillar, an approximately 25m red
Aswan granite column with a circumference of 9m, the tallest ancient monument in
Alexandria. Later in the afternoon we will drive back to Cairo.
(Breakfast included).
Day 12 - Monday - October 26th, 2009 - Cairo
This morning our guided tour to Old Cairo includes a walking tour to El Mo‟iz Street, the
Khan El Khalili Bazaar, a tour of the City of the Dead and Coptic Cairo.
(Breakfast & Lunch included)
Day 13 - Tuesday - October 27th, 2009 - Cairo/Dubai
This morning we will board our flight to Dubai. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure – perhaps
you could go the City Centre Shopping Mall which is only 5 minutes from the hotel.
(Breakfast & Dinner included).
DUBAI
A trip to Dubai transports you on a journey through time. It is located along the southern
coast of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula. Archaeological discoveries suggest
that, as long as 4000 years ago, small fishing communities lived along the coast of the
Arabian Gulf on the site of modern Dubai. It is also believed that the natural sheltered
harbor afforded by the Dubai Creek was a busy port of call on the ancient trade route
between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. Dubai is one of the seven emirates and the
most populous city of the United Arab Emirates.
Day 14 - Wednesday - October 28th, 2009 - Dubai City Tour & Desert Safari
Dubai is a city that provides a new setting at every turn, richly mixing together the old
and the new; it is without a doubt the leading tourist destination in the Middle East.
Dubai is a city of ages that rises out of the desert and crowns the gulf coast with its
presence. Our tour takes you on a journey that shows you the old and new Dubai.
We go through the spice market, fish, fruit & vegetable market and the Gold Souk and
then onto the Bastakia area to view the traditional wind towers and the old Fahidi Fort,
which is today the Dubai History Museum. We also stop for a photo shoot at the
Jumeirah Mosque, an architectural landmark in Dubai. Enjoy a few hours on your own
after lunch before our late afternoon Desert Safari which gives us an opportunity to see
the golden sand dunes of Arabia in 4-wheel drives where we will experience the thrill of a
life time, a roller coaster ride on the sand dunes. We‟ll stop on the highest sand dune to
view the beautiful sunset for some breathtaking photographs. We then continue our
journey to our Bedouin campsite in the heart of the desert, where henna design, local
dresses, camel rides and Hubbly Bubbly (water pipes in different flavors) are available to
try. Adding to the atmosphere of the night, an enchanting belly dancer performs a
fascinating dance to the rhythm of Arabic music. We‟ll top it off with a delicious BBQ
buffet dinner. We will return to the hotel for overnight (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
included)
Day 15 - Thursday - October 29th, 2009 - Dubai/Sharjah/Ajman
Sharjah is an exciting lively city with colorful souks filled with interesting artifacts in
every corner. The combination of restored houses in traditional style with walls of sea
coral, the bright colors of the material souks, the exciting fruit and vegetable market and
the fascinating fish souk, gives the city a magical feeling. This magic is illustrated in the
museum, housed in the newly renovated Fort of Ajman. In the Al Markazi Souk the skills
of the gold jewelers are on display. The numerous monuments in the city reflect the
craftsmanship of the people, especially in the renovated conservation “Heritage Area”.
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure for sightseeing or for shopping at Deira City Centre, one
of the biggest malls in the United Arab Emirates, just a 5-minute walk away from the
hotel. (Breakfast & Dinner included)
Day 16 - Friday - October 30th, 2009 - Dubai/Abu Dhabi
Today we will enjoy a fascinating tour to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, which is
situated about 170 km southwest of Dubai. Many of the city‟s striking examples of
modern architecture show fascinating interpretations of Islamic themes captured in
today‟s materials. Learn everything about the oil – the so called “black gold” – and how
it has transformed Abu Dhabi into the wealthy city of today. A reminder of the historical
past is the renovated Al Husn Palace – now home of the Centre of Documentation and
Research. A drive along the beautiful Corniche gives a magnificent view of the city and
we will also visit the Heritage Village (Culture Museum), Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Fish
Market. (Breakfast & Dinner included)
Day 17 - Saturday - October 31st, 2009 - Dubai
Enjoy a leisurely morning and a late checkout after lunch before beginning our tour of
Palm Island. This afternoon we will join an exciting tour to witness firsthand the growth
of the multi-cultural metropolis of Dubai. Our first stop is the Office of “Nakheel”,
developers of the fascinating Palm Island where we will take a close look at the scale
models of this astounding project. Drive on the Palm Jumeirah to reach our next stop, the
prestigious Jumeirah area and home to the upscale Jumeirah Beach Residence as well as
the worlds largest artificially created Marina. Continue to Emirates Hills, boasting
opulent villas, lakes and The Montgomerie – a world class golf course. We will then drive
to souk Madinat Jumeirah, an Arabian-themed marketplace where the history and
heritage of the region comes alive. We will make a stop at Ski Dubai and see the first
indoor ski resort in the Middle East, offering an amazing snow setting for skiing,
snowboarding and tobogganing or just playing in the snow all year round. We will then
pass by Burj Dubai - the world‟s tallest skyscraper. The design of the tower is derived
from the unique cultural and historical influences of the Gulf Region. The tower‟s base
and geometry reflects the six-petal desert flower of the region. The tower will combine
residential and commercial space including the first Giorgio Armani hotel, entertainment
complexes, world‟s largest shopping malls, parks and water features.
This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner before transferring to the airport.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included)
Day 18 - Sunday - November 1st, 2009 - Dubai/Canada
Board our flight to Canada. (In-flight meals included)
TOUR INCLUDES:
- International Airfare
- All airport transfers by private coach
- Accommodation in deluxe hotels
- Nile cruise (four nights) on deluxe ship
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- All tours and entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
- All touring by air-conditioned coach
- English speaking guide throughout
- Services of GoneTravel‟N tour leader
TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Travel and medical insurance
- Airport taxes
- Items of a personal nature
- Gratuities $150.00
- Visa
ALL COSTING IN CANADIAN DOLLARS
COST PER PERSON (based on double occupancy)
LAND AND AIR - $5999.00
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT - $1500.00
This program is subject to the terms and conditions posted on the GONETRAVEL‟N
website at www.gonetraveln.ca
A deposit of $1000.00 per person will guarantee participation in this
program.
FINAL PAYMENT DUE AUGUST 17, 2009
TO BOOK CALL
GONETRAVEL’N
A107 Heritage Village
5212 – 48th Street
Red Deer, Alberta T4N 7C3
www.gonetraveln.ca
Phone: (403) 346-6767 Toll Free: 1-888-343-2545