Discover the rich treasures of Luxor - King Tut's tomb, the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon. Visit Cairo, with its awe-inspiring sights - the Egyptian Museum, the Pyramids and the Sphinx. Then fly to Amman, the capital of the Kingdom of Jordan. Drive through the countryside to Petra, a magnificently preserved archeological site, and thrill to a 4 x 4 excursion to Wadi Rum. Rejoin the ship in Aqaba.
02MIDSAF-D LUXOR & PETRA
Departure: Safaga
Duration: 2.5 Days / 2 Nights
Rejoin ship: Aqaba
Reserve: A minimum of 90 days prior to sailing
This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure requires advance booking through Silversea Reservations at least 90 days prior to departure. Requests received after this date may be accommodated on a space-available basis and the programme price is subject to change. Payment in full is due within 120 days prior to sailing. This programme is non-refundable if cancelled within 90 days of sailing.
The wonderous Valley of the Kings, where ancient Egypt's illustrious rulers found their final resting place, awaits you. Visit King Tut's Tomb, stop for photo opportunities at the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut perched at the head of a valley overshadowed by the peak of the Thebes, and the Colossi of Memnon. In Cairo, visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities as well as The Great Pyramids that are the only remaining monuments of the ancient wonders of the world. Top this off with a visit to Petra, a marvel of architecture carved into pink sandstone cliffs.
DAY ONE - Safaga/Luxor
Depart the pier for the approximately three-hour and half drive to Luxor. Arriving just after mid-day, proceed directly for a buffet lunch at deluxe Hotel. After lunch, cross the Nile to the West Bank for a visit to the Valley of the Kings. During a period of 500 years from the 16th to the 11th century B.C., tombs were constructed in this Thebean Necropolis for the kings and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom. The 'wadi' consists of two valleys, the East Valley, where the bulk of the royal tombs are situated, and the West Valley. To date, 63 tombs have been discovered, with chambers ranging in size from a simple pit to a complex tomb with over 120 chambers. Most of the tombs were cut into the limestone, and took six years to complete, depending upon their size. The most notable tomb which you will be see is dedicated to King Tutankhamun, as it includes a display of the young king's mummified body.
Following your visit, a photo stop is made at the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which is dramatically perched at the head of a valley overshadowed by the peak of the Thebes. Queen Hatshepsut was the fifth pharaoh of the 18th dynasty of Ancient Egypt. Egyptologists generally regard her as one of the most successful pharaohs, reigning longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty.
A final photo stop is made at the Colossi of Memnon, a pair of colossal statues standing alone in a farmer's field. The statues are all that remains of the Temple of Amenhotep III. From here, drive back to the East Bank for check in at Sonesta Hotel Luxor. Join your guide for a visit to the Luxor temple, located in the center of town. The original temple was built on the site of an even older sanctuary. Over the centuries, various rulers made additions and Ramses II added a statue of himself and two obelisks; one of which stands today in Paris.
Return to the hotel where a buffet dinner is served.
Overnight at the Sonesta Hotel (or similar) - Luxor
DAY TWO - Luxor / Cairo / Amman
After a very early wake up call, enjoy a continental breakfast followed by check out and a drive to Luxor airport, where you will be boarding the flight to Cairo. The duration of the flight is approximate one hour.
Once you arrive in Cairo, board your coach and begin the day with a visit of the Egyptian museum of Antiquities. The museum was established by the Egyptian government in 1835 however, the present museum building was built in 1900, in the neo classical style by the French architect Marcel Dourgnon. The museum exhibited collections now exceed 12000 objects range from pre historic era to the Greco Roman period. The museum consist of two floors, the museum's ground floor follows the history of ancient Egypt, and the second floor consist of thousands of smaller items from the span of Egyptian history. One of the most important rooms in the Egyptian museum is on the second floor that includes the treasure of Tutankhamun the boy-king who ruled Egypt for nine years. Beyond his famous treasures, and his god-like golden mask, Tutankhamun appears as a shadowy figure in Egyptian history. The pharaoh is indeed gone, but the mightiness of his treasures still fascinates us to this very day. Next you will also be visiting the Mummies room where you can come face to face with some of the great rulers of ancient Egypt.
After this visit you will have lunch in one of the deluxe hotels followed by the visit of the great Pyramids of Giza located 9 miles (14 km) west of Cairo.
The Great Pyramids are considered the most famous of Egypt's attractions and the only monuments left of the ancient wonders, the three main Pyramids at Giza were built as tombs by Cheops, his son Chephren, and Chephren's son Mykiernus to preserve each of the pharaohs' mummified body for eternity. For centuries, these unique structures have intrigued the world while surviving the rise and fall of great dynasties.
A short drive takes you to the top of the plateau for a panoramic view across the desert and the pyramids. A string of camels usually provide great photo opportunities for a nomimial fee. Southeast of the great pyramid stands the sphinx carved out of solid rock around 2650 BC. Steeped in legend and superstition, the sphinx was a monument either to the sun god Ra or to Pharaoh Chephren. It has the head of a man and the body of a lion. The monument faces east, probably to greet the rising sun and the return of life each day.
After the visit of the Pyramids and Sphinx, return to the airport for check-in for your flight to Amman, Jordan. The 3-hour flight includes dinner service. Following your arrival, gather your belongings and proceed through Immigration formalities. The Jordanian Silversea representative will meet you and assist with your transportation to your hotel for a well-deserved rest. A light in-room snack will be provided.
Overnight at the InterContinental Hotel (or similar) - Amman, Jordan
DAY THREE - Amman / Petra / Aqaba
Enjoy a buffet breakfast after an early (06.00 a.m.) wake up call, followed by check out and the 3-hour drive to Petra. The Jordanians are as proud of this site as the Egyptians are of theirs. A rose-hued city carved out of solid sandstone, Petra is the legacy of the industrious Arab people who settled here more than 2,000 years ago. The site is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it has also been designated one of The New Seven Wonders of the World.
Entrance to the city is through the Siq, a narrow gorge of over 1km in length, which is flanked on either side by soaring, 80m high cliffs. Just walking through the Siq is an experience in itself. As you reach the end of the Siq you will catch your first glimpse of Al-Khazneh (Treasury). At nearly 40m high and intricately decorated with Corinthian capitals, friezes, and more, the original function of the structure is still a topic of debate. Some experts believe it was a temple, while others think of it as a place used to store documents.
Pass back through the Siq and enjoy a buffet-style lunch at a local hotel outside the archaeological site. Afterward, sit back and relax as you follow the path of British adventurer TE Lawrence, and meet with a Bedouin family on a 4x4 adventure.
Wadi Rum is the site of the 1916's Arab revolt championed by Lawrence. Here, aboard a 4x4 vehicle, visit the Valley of the Moon. You will be rewarded for the bumps and jolts of this one-hour ride with dramatic vistas of desert dunes, wind-sculpted hills and dramatic rock formations. Sip a glass of champagne as you watch the sun descend behind the mountains of Wadi Rum.
Your day has one more fascinating experience for you. Dinner is served under a Bedouin tent! Imagine yourself as a nomad in the stark desert that surrounds you. At the end of the meal, an hour's drive returns you to Silver Whisper.
Please note: This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure requires guests to bring their passport. In addition, an extensive amount of walking and climbing on uneven grounds, at the Valley of the Kings, entrance to the tombs requires negotiating sloping pathways and a series of steps make the tour unsuitable for guests with limited mobility or those utilising a wheelchair. Guides are only allowed to provide commentary outside the tombs. Guests are advised to wear lightweight clothing with comfortable, rubber-soled walking shoes. Sandals are not permitted. Remember to carry sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a sweater for the evening and your camera. Taking photos is forbidden in the Valley of the Kings and the Egyptian museum. Guests can bring one checked luggage with a maximum weight of 50lb (23kg) and one carry-on with the maximum weight of 17lb (8kg).
Guests will need to be prepared to obtain a visa to enter Jordan upon arrival at the airport in Amman. It is the responsibility of each guest to verify their eligibilty for a Jordanian visa. The visa must be paid upon arrival, and can only be paid in Jordanian Dinar. The current amount is JOD 40 per person (approx. USD $58).
Guests should be prepared to walk 3 - 5 miles at Petra. Temperatures can be quite high with little to no shade. There are a limited number of carriages, camels and donkeys available at Petra, available on a first-come, first-served basis, at additional cost and their use is in no way encouraged or sanctioned by the Silversea. The carriages are not insured, therefore their use is strongly discouraged. Guests must be able to climb in and out of an off-road vehicle. The desert drive is mostly over rugged terrain and can be bumpy. This tour is not suitable for guests who utilise a wheelchair and those that suffer from neck/back problems. The desert drive is operated in 4X4 vehicles that are basic and owned and operated by the local Bedouin people in the area. They are the best offered and every seat may be utilised. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. Don't forget to bring a sweater or jacket for cool weather after sunset and remember your camera. Restrooms are of local standard and may fall below Silversea expectations. This tour offers a unique desert experience; a sense of adventure is required.
The tour sequence may vary. Space is limited, but a minimum of participants is required to operate this excursion.
Programme Includes:
· Transfers as described above
· One-night stay at Sonesta Hotel (or similar) - Luxor, Egypt
· One-night stay at InterContinental Hotel (or similar) - Amman, Jordan
· Two breakfasts, three lunches, two dinners (restaurant-served lunch and dinner include choice of one glass of house wine or one bottle of local beer and one soft drink)
- Egyptian visa secured on arrival
- Economy-class air tickets - Luxor / Cairo / Amman Business Class upon request at an additional charge and subject to availability
· All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary
Not Included:
Jordanian visa, photos of the camels or indigenous people, any meals and drinks not specified above, personal charges, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance and other personal items.
