The Historic Journey - Israel, Jordan & Egypt Combined

Thursday: En Route

Depart the U.S.A. on your flight to Israel.

Friday: Tel Aviv

Welcome to Israel! Arrive Ben Gurion Airport; special meeting, assistance and transfer to your hotel in trendy Tel Aviv’s Mediterranean beach. Balance of the afternoon at leisure. Tonight, Get Together Dinner. (D)

Saturday: Tel Aviv

Morning walking tour through the city’s well known streets including Dizengoff Square ending at Ben Gurion House, former residence of the First Prime Minister. See his personal belongings and his expensive library. Reminder of day is at leisure to enjoy all the delights of this Mediterranean paradise. (B)

Sunday: Tel Aviv/Haifa

Depart Tel Aviv and drive to the extraordinary Israeli Museum at the Yitzhak Rabin Center. Continue to ancient Caesarea; explore the Roman and Crusader ruins including the impressive 2,000-year-old theater and aqueduct. Arrive in Nazareth, the sacred town where Jesus spent part of his youth; visit the Church and view Mary’s Well. On to the sparkling port city of Haifa; check into your hotel atop Mt. Carmel. Evening: Enjoy Dinner and a special cultural presentation (subject to minimum 10 participants). (B.D)

Monday: Haifa

View the golden-domed Baha’i Shrine and visit the breathtaking “Hanging Gardens”, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Drive along the coast to Rosh Hanikra; descend by cable car to see the magnificent underwater grottoes. Continue through the picturesque seaside town of Nahariya to the timeless Crusader city of Acre; walk through the subterranean city and bazaars that recall the colorful middle Ages. Then, to Safed, one of Judaism’s holiest cities; visit the ancient synagogues and the charming Artists’ Quarter. Return to your hotel for overnight. (B)

Tuesday: Haifa/Jerusalem

Depart Haifa en route Capernaum, by the Sea of Galilee, to see the fantastic ruins of the ancient synagogue dating back to the 5th-century. Ascend the strategic Golan Heights and learn about the 20th and 21st century battles. Continue to Katzrin, capital of the Golan and to the Monument of the 7th Brigade. In the magnificent strip of the Golan known for producing the finest wines in the world, enjoy wine tasting and a tour of the wine making process. Continue for a visit to a former Syrian army bunker at Kibbutz Kfar Charuv, settled by Americans and Israelis together. Enjoy a late lunch in the communal dining room. Then drive south to Jerusalem, stopping first for a blessing and hope filled toast to our arrival in the eternal city. Overnight in Israel’s capital. (B.L)

Wednesday: Jerusalem

Drive to Hadassah Medical Center to the see the sublime Chagall Windows. On to Yad Vashem, Israel’s National Memorial and Museum of the Holocaust, visit the Children’s Pavilion and Avenue of the Righteous. Then, continue to Mount Herzl to pay respects to Israel’s founders and heroes. Pass the Supreme Court and the Knesset (Parliament) en route to the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Walk through the New Israel Museum and the Billy Rose Sculpture Garden; see the Scale Model of ancient Jerusalem. Evening: Night Tour of illuminated Jerusalem followed by a restaurant dinner and the “Night Spectacular” Sound & Light Show at the Citadel Museum (weather and schedule permitting). (B.D)

Thursday: Jerusalem

Drive to Mt. Zion to visit the Tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper. Enter the Old City to the restored Jewish Quarter; walk along the Cardo – the main street of Byzantine Jerusalem. Continue to the Western Wall, the last remnant of the Second Temple and view the Dome of the Rock. Proceed through the Hasmonean Tunnel (tunnel schedule permitting) or tour the Herodian Mansions, a completely excavated residential quarter from 2000 years ago. Follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; stroll through the exotic bazaars. End today with a visit to the fabulous Friends of Zion Heritage Center before returning to your hotel; or, an optional visit to Bethlehem may be arranged. (B)

Friday: Jerusalem / Petra

Morning transfer from Jerusalem to the Allenby/ King Hussein Bridge. Our representative will meet you at the Terminal Building on the Israeli side of the Border, attend to all required procedures at this crossing and escort you to the awaiting vehicle to begin your tour of Jordan; an Exclusive Isram Service with no waiting for shuttle buses! Meet your Jordanian guide and driver and begin your drive through the dramatic desert scenery of the Kings Highway. First stop is Mt. Nebo, highest point of the Moabite mountain range, offering a remarkable view of the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Then proceed to Madaba, home to some of the finest Byzantine mosaics in the world. View the 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land. Lunch en route. Continue to Petra, built by the Nabateans over 2000 years ago. Dinner and overnight in Petra. (B.L.D.)

Saturday: Petra / Amman

A most unforgettable day in Petra! Your guide will take you on a tour into the “rose-red” city (by horseback and foot) from the main gate to the beginning of the “Siq”, a winding canyon road. At the end of the passage, you’ll see Petra’s most beautiful monument, the Treasury, made famous in the movie “Indiana Jones”, carved out of solid rock from the side of the mountain. Beyond the Treasury, you’ll discover soaring temples, elaborate royal tombs, a theatre, burial chambers and water channels. After lunch, depart Petra and drive north to Amman, the modern and ancient capital of Jordan. Check into your hotel for overnight. (B.L)

Sunday: Amman / Cairo

Morning drive to Jerash, known as the “Pompeii of the East”, one of the world’s best preserved Greco-Roman cities. Your local guide will escort you on a tour of the Temples of Artemis and Zeus, the Roman Forum, Hadrian’s Arch, the massive Theatre and the mile long Street of Columns. After lunch, time permitting, continue to Ajloun for a visit to Saladin’s magnificent mountaintop castle. In time, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo (Note: Flight from Amman to Cairo NOT included and must be added as additional). Arrive Cairo; transfer to your hotel for overnight. (B.L)

Monday: Cairo

Begin the day with a visit to Giza to see the Three Great Pyramids, the oldest surviving structures built by man; enter one of the Pyramids. Stand in awe at the magnificent Sphinx carved out of a single piece of stone, guarding the Giza plateau. Try a camel ride before continuing for lunch at a local restaurant. On to the new, spectacular, must-see Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the largest archaeological museum in the world with objects covering 5000 years of ancient Egyptian civilization. GEM is host to over 100,000 artifacts, including King Tut’s entire treasure collection. Return to Cairo for overnight. (B.L)

Tuesday: Cairo / Luxor / Cairo

Early morning flight to Luxor. Drive past the famed Colossi of Memnon to the beautifully terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari. Then explore the Valley of the Kings containing the secretive tombs of New Kingdom Pharaohs; enter the Tomb of Tutankhamen. After lunch, tour the Karnak Temple-Complex, built by generations of Pharaohs over a 2000-year period. Continue to the Avenue of the Sphinxes and the imposing Temple of Luxor with its grand colonnades. Return flight to Cairo and transfer to your hotel for overnight. (B.L)

Wednesday: Cairo

Morning drive to Old Cairo to see the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. The Museum presents a richer and deeper insight into Egyptian culture through the ages; enter the fascinating Mummy Room housing all 22 Mummies. Continue to the beautiful Coptic Church of St. Sergius where legend says Jesus and the Holy family stayed after fleeing from Jerusalem. On to the 9th century Ben Ezra Synagogue (subject to permission), the oldest in Egypt. Proceed to the Mosque of Mohammed Ali, at the 12^th century Citadel of Saladin. Drive to the bustling Khan el-Khalili Bazaar where shopping is an exotic experience. Afternoon is at leisure.  Evening Dinner on the Nile. Overnight in Cairo.  (B.D)

Thursday: En Route

Transfer to Cairo Airport for your departure flight. (B)

THE HISTORIC JOURNEY with Nile Cruise Extension

Featuring: 5 Day Deluxe Nile Cruise
18 Days * 16 Nights

Program follows same itinerary till Sunday (arrive Cairo).
BALANCE OF ITINERARY

Monday: Cairo / Luxor

NILE CRUISE

Transfer to the airport for an early morning flight to Luxor. Arrive and transfer to your Nile Cruise for a 5 Day/4 Night Cruise. After lunch, visit the Avenue of the Sphinxes and the imposing Temple of Luxor with its grand colonnades, standing alone in the heart of town. Continue to the vast Karnak Temple-Complex, built by generations of Pharaohs over a 2000-year period. Evening, enjoy on board entertainment featuring belly dancing. Overnight in Luxor. (B.L.D)

Tuesday: Luxor / Esna

NILE CRUISE

After breakfast, visit the Valley of the Kings containing the secretive tombs of New Kingdom Pharaohs. On to the beautifully terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari. Pass the famed Colossi of Memnon, standing nearly 70 feet tall. Sail to Esna. Balance of the afternoon at leisure. Join your Captain for a welcome cocktail before dinner. Overnight in Esna. (B.L.D)

Wednesday: Esna / Edfu / Kom Ombo

NILE CRUISE

Early morning set sail to Edfu. Visit the Temple of Horus, the best preserved of all large Egyptian Temples, built over 180-year period. In the afternoon, arrive in Kom Ombo, a hill town over-looking the banks of the Nile. Visit the Greco-Roman Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Horus, the Sun God, and Sobek, the Crocodile God. This evening, a traditional fun-filled Galabeya party. Overnight in Kom Ombo. (B.L.D)

Thursday: Kom Ombo / Aswan

NILE CRUISE

Morning set sail to Aswan. Visit the Aswan High Dam and the granite quarries where the stone for the ancient monuments and modern dam of Aswan were cut. View the gigantic, unfinished Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut. Continue by motorboat to the beautiful island of Philae to see the exquisite, gleaming white Temple of Philae. After lunch, sail on a traditional Egyptian “felucca” (sailboat) which glides along the Nile, passing by Lord Kitchener’s Island and the dramatic white marble Aga Khan Mausoleum. Nubian Show this evening after dinner on board. Overnight in Aswan. (B.L.D)

Friday: Aswan / Cairo

After disembarkation, return flight to Cairo where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. Or, join an optional tour to Abu Simbel*, please reserve at time of booking. Overnight in Cairo. (B)

*Optional Tour to Abu Simbel: Fly from Aswan to Abu Simbel where you will be met by your Isram guide. Marvel at the temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, carved into rock over 3,000 years ago. The temples were relocated to save them from flooding – an incredible feat of modern engineering preserving ancient glory.  Return flight to Cairo and transfer to your hotel.

$495 per person. Please reserve at time of booking.

Saturday: Cairo

Begin the day with a visit to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. The Museum presents a rich, deep insight into Egyptian culture through the ages; enter the fascinating Mummy Room housing all 22 Mummies. Then continue to Giza to see the Three Great Pyramids, the oldest surviving structures built by man; enter one of the Pyramids. Stand in awe at the magnificent Sphinx carved out of a single piece of stone, guarding the Giza plateau. Try a camel ride before continuing for lunch at a local restaurant. On to the new, spectacular, must-see Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the largest archaeological museum in the world with objects covering 5000 years of ancient Egyptian civilization. GEM is host to over 100,000 artifacts, including King Tut’s entire treasure collection. Return to Cairo for overnight. (B.L)

 Sunday: En Route

Transfer to Cairo Airport for your departure flight; or extend your journey to Dubai, please inquire. (B)

Please Note: The cruise line reserves the right to alter the sailing schedule.