Egypt and Jordan

Egypt, the “Land of the Pharaohs”, should be a bucket-list destination for every westerner. Of all Imprint’s offerings, this is the most “sight-rich” itinerary. The list is impressive and long:  the great pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, mighty Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Queens, the temples or Kom-Ombo and Isis, and finally, the wondrous Abu Simbel. This is an iconic checklist that can’t be duplicated anywhere else in the world. We also add the amazing experiences of a classic Nile Cruise, an evening of Nubian gastronomy, the great mosques of Islamic Cairo, Khan-el-Khalili bazaar, and more. And, were this not enough, the tour continues with the pre-eminent sight in the region, the hidden city of Petra and concludes in magical Wadi Rum in next-door Jordan.

Day 1 Cairo
We will gather for our get-acquainted meeting in our Cairo hotel and have dinner together.
Pyramids Resort by Jaz (3 nights) https://www.jazhotels.com/hoteldetail/81-egypt-cairo-pyramids-resort-by-jaz

Day 2 Cairo
Egyptian Museum; Pyramids
This morning will start with a visit to the magnificent Egyptian Museum. This collection boasts an astonishing array of archaeological finds including the exquisite riches of Tutankhamun. In the afternoon we drive to Giza to explore the mysteries of the Great Pyramids and the mighty Sphinx, with plenty of photo opportunities as sunset approaches.

Day 3 Cairo
Museum of Egyptian Civilization; Khan el Khalili; Wikala al-Ghouri
Today we begin with the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. This brand new museum boasts both chronological and thematic histories of the world’s oldest continuous culture. In the afternoon we’ll visit Islamic Cairo and Khan El Khalili Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest. We’ll have free time for shopping, and take a break for tea at the iconic Feshawi Café. A sunset dinner from Asher Park concludes our busy day.

Day 4  Luxor
Dahshur
An early morning departure brings us to Dahshur where we will see the unique Red and Bent Pyramids. They are among the largest and most accessible in Egypt but attract fewer visitors and are therefore less chaotic than those at Giza. Later we transfer to the airport for a short flight to Luxor. Upon arrival we will be taken to our hotel.
Aracan Luxor (1 night) https://www.aracan.ca/

Day 5 Nile Cruise
Valley of Kings; Hatshepsut
Today begins with a visit of three tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut. We’ll finish with a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon. [Note:  The many temples, tombs, and monuments of the West Bank are constantly being restored leading to sporadic closures. Specific sites are not guaranteed.  Imprint will endeavor to arrange visits to the most significant and interesting sites available at the time of our visit.]  After our west bank explorations we transfer to our Cruise boat, our home for the next 4 nights.
Hapi V Nile Cruise

Day 6 Nile Cruise
Karnak
This morning we have a leisurely visit to mighty Karnak Temple, greatest on the Nile. After lunch on board we begin our relaxing sail on the Nile.

Day 7 Nile Cruise
Kom-Ombo
After breakfast on board, we will enjoy a visit to Edfu. You can disembark to explore the small town or relax on our Nile boat. Then we sail on to Kom-Ombo to visit the unique double temple, dedicated to both Horus the falcon god and Sobek the crocodile god. This temple is beautifully lit in the evening.

Day 8 Nile Cruise
Isis; Falucca; Nubian village
Today is our day in Aswan. In the morning we will visit the unique Temple of Isis. It sits, isolated, on an island. In the afternoon, as the sun wanes, we travel by felucca (traditional Nile sailing boat) to Elephantine Island and a visit to a Nubian Village. We’ll learn about the contemporary lives of the Nubian people and enjoy dinner in a Nubian home.

Day 9  Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel; Sound & Light show
A late morning departure sends us across the desert to Abu Simbel. Late this afternoon we’ll visit the magnificent temples of Ramses II and his Queen Nefertari. These temples received global attention in 1968 when they were completely dismantled and relocated to avoid inundation. This evening we’ll enjoy Egypt’s best Sound & Light Show.
Seti Abu Simbel Hotel (1 night) https://www.setiabusimbel.com/

Day 10 Cairo
Today is a travel day. This morning we transfer to Abu Simbel airport for our flight to Cairo (via Aswan). Upon arrival in Cairo we will check into our hotel for some rest and relaxation.
Novotel https://all.accor.com/hotel/0502/index.en.shtml?utm_campaign=seo+maps&utm_medium=seo+maps&utm_source=google+Maps

Day 11  Petra, Jordan
Dead Sea
Our day begins with a transfer to Cairo airport for our flight to Amman. Upon arrival at Queen Alia airport we'll be met by our Jordanian guide who will assist us through immigration and customs, and escort us to the Dead Sea for a quick "bob” in the saline waters. In the afternoon we will continue our journey south to Petra.
RN Hotel (2 nights) no website

Day 12 Petra
This entire day is dedicated to exploring the lost Nabatean city of Petra. The morning starts with a journey through the fabled SIQ, the deep and narrow sandstone cleft which opens to reveal the iconic Treasury. The day continues with our exploration of ancient Temples, Royal Tombs, a Roman theater, houses, and more. For those interested, there is an optional night visit available. Walk the siq by candlelight and emerge to find the space before the iconic Treasury filled with hundreds of flickering oil lamps.

Day 13 Wadi Rum
We depart in the morning for the magical desert region of Wadi Rum, the filming location for many movies including The Martian and Lawrence of Arabia. Upon arrival we’ll enjoy a mint tea or cardamom coffee before touring this moon-like desert landscape in a jeep. After sunset we’ll enjoy a classic Bedouin dinner.
Galaxies and Planets Camp (1 night) no website

Day 14 Amman
Tour over today. Included transfer to Amman or Amman airport for flight home. Please note, we will not arrive back in Amman until mid afternoon. For those continuing to Imprint’s Jerusalem extension, transportation to the Allenby Bridge border crossing and on to Jerusalem is included today.

[Itinerary details & hotels subject to change]

What’s Included:
13 nights accommodation; All breakfasts, 7 dinners, 8 lunches; All tour transport (bus, plane, jeep); All tips (guides, tour director, local guides, drivers, group meals, hotel & cruise staffs); Full-time services of an Egyptian/Jordanian tour manager; All entrances: Egyptian Museum, Great Pyramids & Sphinx, National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Red and Bent Pyramids, Valley of the Kings sights, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon, Karnak Temple, Kom-Ombo, Isis, Abu Simbel, Petra; All activities: Tea at Feshawi Café, Khan-el-Kalili bazaar, Nubian village visit/dinner, Dead Sea visit, Bedouin dinner & jeep tour - Wadi Rum, and more

Important exceptions:
Tour participants are responsible for the cost of drinks, free-time sightseeing & meals, expenditures of a personal nature, and flight baggage overage fees.

Jerusalem Extension

(The extension is dependent upon cessation of hostilities. We recommend NOT adding Jerusalem during registration. It can be added at any time later, once the conflict has been resolved.)

Day 1
After breakfast we’ll head back north to the Allenby Bridge border crossing with Israel. We’ll be met by our ace tour leader Mahdi and escorted to Jerusalem where we will settle in at our perfectly located hotel and have dinner together. Border crossing times vary greatly. If time allows we will visit the Jordan River (Jesus’ baptismal site) and make a quick photo stop for the picturesque St George’s Monastery in Wadi Qelt.
Accommodation:  Hotel Golden Walls (5 Nights) http://goldenwalls.com/

Day 2
Today we will explore the Dome of the Rock compound. Then its exploration time in the Arab and Armenian Quarters of the Old City. After a break for lunch, we’ll have an optional Q&A session with a local artist. This is your chance for a genuine cultural connection and opportunity to get a local’s view of the various challenges of life in Jerusalem.

Day 3
This morning we’ll tour the Western Wall Tunnels, followed by a walking tour of Old Jerusalem, including the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Via Dolorosa. Your afternoon is free for you to explore on your own, shop, or relax in the hotel. At the end of the afternoon join us at the hotel to walk to the Western Wall.  The Sabbath celebrations there are not to be missed. For those who desire, we can arrange an optional Sabbath dinner in Jewish homes.

Day 4
Today is another ‘filled to the brim’ exploration day. We’re off to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity and the famous Walled Off Hotel. On the way we’ll visit the Mt of Olives and Gethsemane. We’ll finish off the morning with an olivewood carving demo.  In the afternoon we’ll return to Jerusalem to visit the Israel Museum. This eclectic museum is headlined by some of the Dead Sea Scrolls and a fascinating model of Historic Jerusalem.

Day 5
Today is an entirely free day to explore Jerusalem further on your own. There is no shortage of museums, sights, and activities to keep you busy. Our favorites include the Holocaust Museum (Yad Vashem), hike the Old City ramparts, City of David archeological site with Hezikiah’s Tunnel, the Citadel (Tower of David), Garden Tomb, Solomons’ Quarries, the Herzl Museum, or Mea She'arim Orthodox neighborhood.

Day 6
Extension over after breakfast. Imprint will assist with airport transfer arrangements.

[Itinerary details & hotels subject to change]

What’s Included:
5 nights accommodation Golden Walls Hotel; All breakfasts, 2 dinners, 1 lunch; All tour transport (bus); All tips (tour leader, drivers, group meals, hotel staff); Full-time services of an Israeli tour manager; All entrances: Dome of the Rock, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Western Wall Tunnels, Church of the Nativity, Walled Off Hotel, Israel Museum; All activities: Old Jerusalem Walking tour, Q&A with local artist, Sabbath celebrations at Western Wall, Mt of Olives, Gethsemane, olive wood carving demo, and more

Important exceptions:
Tour participants are responsible for the cost of drinks, free-time sightseeing & meals, and expenditures of a personal nature.