Jordan & Egypt: Petra to the Pyramids

Explore biblical lands untouched by time from atop Mt. Nebo, at sandstone Petra, and in ancient Roman cities surrounding Jordan's Dead Sea shores. Sail down the River Nile on a journey that spans 5,000 years of history in the world's oldest civilization. Visit pyramids, temples and tombs that speak volumes about the lives of Egyptian kings and queens, traveling to places immortal and intriguing. And indulge in modern-day luxuries, enriched by the past, at premier hotels and resorts with views of the iconic sites you've dreamed of seeing. Explore the awe-inspiring wonders of ancient Jordan and Egypt on this 13-day journey from the Dead Sea to Cairo, including a 3-night cruise on the Nile from Aswan to Luxor aboard a luxury riverboat. Begin in Amman, Jordan, with a visit to the Dead Sea, a popular vacation spot for its spas and historical sites... in Madaba visit St. George Church, famous for its Byzantine art and 6th-century mosaic map... re-discover the "lost" city of Petra, carved out of pink sandstone in a mountain pass at Wadi Musa... Board your luxury riverboat at Aswan for a Nile River odyssey to ancient Egyptian sites, including Abu Simbel, the grand temple built by Ramses II, with towering statues of himself... the Philae Temples, a breathtaking complex of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman temples and monumental statues on Agilika Island... the House of the Crocodile and the Castle of the Falcon at Kom Ombo... the dazzling Valley of the Queens... the vast necropolis at the Valley of Kings and the tomb of Tutankammen... and the Avenue of Sphinxes at Luxor. Along the way, shore excursions include jeep safaris, a visit to a Bedouin camp, dining at local restaurants, and an Arabic cooking lesson in Amman. Stay three nights at the exclusive Mena House in Giza, your base for exploring the Khufu Pyramid and the Great Sphinx with an expert Egyptologist, as well as treasures of Cairo, including the Hanging Church, the Al Rifai Mosque, the Khan El-Khalili Market, and the new Grand Egyptian Museum.