Private Touring
Turkey , Egypt , Jordan , Israel and Palestine

Ancient Civilizations
Ottoman, Pharaohs and Caliphs

21 - Day Tour . We'll show you : Egypt : Cairo , a Nile Cruise, a unique stay in the desert resort town of Sharm El Sheikh on the Red Sea, even a climb to the top of Mount Sinai , and Abu Simbel, then sail on a ferry across the Red Sea to Jordan to see Petra , Jerash and Amman , and even Jerusalem , and a foray into Istanbul . Private Car/Driver/Guide , even while on board the Nile Cruise

Start Daily in Istanbul . Subject to cruise availability in Egypt.
Cruise embarkation from Aswan or Luxor, embarkation days vary between Deluxe, First class , as well as the different cruise boats, we will try our best to accommodate your dates. Compare with the 12 day version . Add Italy

DAY 1 -- ISTANBUL- Daily arrival, year round
Tour starts daily in Istanbul- Private Touring all the way
Our staff meets your flight and escorts you to your hotel.

This tour starts daily in Istanbul, yet please keep in mind that we keep the right to substitute some site based on the following: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday. Ayasofia is closed on Monday. Kariye Museum is closed on Wednesdays. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.

DAY 2 -- ISTANBUL (BLD)
We dive right into this fascinating city with visits to its top sights: Topkapi, the palace of the Sultans for centuries; Hagia Sophia, the greatest church in Christendom for a thousand years; the Blue Mosque, with its exquisite blue tiles; the Byzantine Hippodrome, scene of chariot races and gladiator combat; and the eerie Sunken Palace cistern beneath it. Then we go on a shopping spree at the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar. If you like, join us for Istanbul by Night, a dinner tour with live music and belly dancing (optional, at extra cost)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner .

DAY 3 - Cairo - (B)
Breakfast is included at your hotel. Our local rep will assist with your transfer to Istanbul Airport .
Air ticket is included & issued in Istanbul for Istanbul / Cairo air fare, tax included.
Arrive at Cairo Airport, on a Monday, Wednesday or a Thursday .
Visa fee is included & issued upon arrival for citizens of : EU, US, Australia, NZ, Canada, & Japan, you're responsible for your passport being in order & valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of arrival. Transfer is included to your hotel:
Deluxe : Grand Hyatt , Le Meridien Pyramids , Gezirah Sofitel or similar, First Class : Novotel , Zoser , Cataract , or similar

DAY 4 - CAIRO / ASWAN/ Abu Simbel (B)
Early breakfast at the hotel. Very Early morning Transfer is included from your hotel to the airport.
Domestic air fare between Cairo & the cruise is included, issued & delivered in Cairo . Your flight will make a brief stop in Aswan then continues on to Abu Simbel .

In Abu Simbel : Tour the mighty Temples of Ramses the Great & his Queen:
In the larger temple, colossal figures of Ramses are seated with the gods and attended by his queen and daughters.
The smaller temple is dedicated to Queen Nefertari, who appears as Hathor, the goddess of love, joy and fertility, symbolized by the benevolent cow. We explore these fine temple by ourselves in the quiet of the morning, admiring their ancient aura and artistry, before we head back to Aswan by air.

Upon Arrival in Aswan : We proceed to the Old Cataract Hotel ( Deluxe ), or Movenpick Elephantine Island , or Basma Hotel/ Isis Corniche in Aswan for First Class , overlooking the Nile and the ancient island of Elephantine. Remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 5 - Aswan - KOM OMBO (BLD)
Breakfast is included at the hotel .
We have several vessels available , embarkation on Wednesdays & Fridays , upon arrival our local rep will assist with your transfer from the hotel to your luxury Nile Cruise.
Check in on our luxury cruiser in the morning, then visit the Aswan High Dam, the red granite quarries of the ancient pharaohs, Nubian Museum, and the temples of Philae, reconstructed on an island in the middle of the Nile . After a shipboard lunch, we set sail for Kom Ombo, where we explore the twin Temples of Haroeris and Sobek. We continue our cruise to Edfu, where we dock for the night.

DAY 6 - EDFU & LUXOR (cBLD)
We board horse-drawn carriages (or motor vans) for the ride to Edfu's Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved Ancient Egyptian temples on the Nile. After lunch , we continue our cruise down the Nile to Luxor. Afternoon tea is served on the sun -deck. Dinner & entertainment on board.

DAY 7 - LUXOR & THEBES (cBLD)
Today we tour the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut's Temple of El Deir El Bahari , and the Colossi of Memnon. After lunch, the afternoon is free for shopping. Afternoon tea is served on deck. Dinner & folk dance show on board.

DAY 8 - LUXOR & KARNAK (cB)
After breakfast, check - out
We tour the Great Temple of Amon at Karnak , the "mother" of all temples, and the smaller yet charming Temple of Luxor, checking out of our cruise vessel before lunch. Transfer is included back to Aswan airport
Domestic air fare is included as well back to Cairo .
In Cairo , we meet you at the airport & escort you back to your hotel: Deluxe : Grand Hyatt, Le Meridien , Sofitel Gezirah , Sonesta , J. W. Marriott or similar, First Class : Helnan Shepheard's , Ramses Hilton , Cataract , by the Pyramids , or Novotel by the Airport

DAY 9 - SHARM EL SHEIK - RED SEA (BD)
Now that you've seen the best of the Egypt of the Pharaohs, our guides escort you to the airport. You'll fly over the Sinai Peninsula and land at historic Sharm El Sheik on the Red Sea, non-stop flight or via Cairo . You're at the beach and free to swim, or explore under the waters. Dinner is included at the hotel

DAY 10 - SHARM EL SHEIK (B)
Relax! Today is set aside as a strategic mid-journey break. Spend some time in the sun, but don't miss your chance to snorkel or dive under Red Sea waters for an array of coral and glittering tropical fish. 

DAY 11 - MOUNT SINAI Monday (BL)
Our knowledgeable guides arrange a pre-dawn departure into the still-cool wilderness of Sinai, through which Moses led the Children of Israel to the Promised Land. Our goal is the Monastery of St. Catherine, built of rock at the base of Mount Sinai, at the site of the Burning Bush. We tour the monastery, ( closed during Christian holidays and local festivals) , we can never guarantee that the monks will have the Monastery open on any given day , in which case we tour the exteriors, the monastery is rich in history, icons and sacred paintings, then return to Sharm El Sheik. Lunch box included along with 2 bottled water ( large size ) for each guest.

DAY 12 - AQABA, PETRA Tuesday (B)
We'll drive to the port of Nuweiba, where we'll board the Red Sea ferry.  Across the water in Aqaba, with Israel and Saudi Arabia in sight, our Jordan-based representative waits to greet you. You'll drive north under a towering ridge of mountains, and arrive at your hotel in Petra for the night. Complimentary Jordanian visa fee (valid only for American & Japanese citizens. Passports must be valid for at least 6 month upon arrival).

Day 13 - Petra (BL)
A full day tour of Jordan's most famous site, the rose-red city of Petra. Venture through the Siq (the gorge between two towering mountains) until you reach the treasury which, like the most of the structures at Petra, is carved into the rose-red Nubian sandstone. Lunch is included today

DAY 14 -Amman (BL)
We head north in our private air -conditioned vehicle , with our private guide and private chauffeur.
On to Mt. Nebo! Madaba and visit the site of the oldest map of the Holy Land, St. George's Cathedral. Then on to Jerash, the best preserved Roman City of the East. Lunch is included at a local restaurant.
We spend the night in Amman at the SAS Radisson or Sheraton Hotel or similar .

Day 16 - Jerusalem (cB)
Our local rep. will escort you across the border into Israel and onto Jerusalem & your hotel.
always , private car/driver. Remainder of the day at leisure. Deluxe : King David (or similar ) , First : Notre Dame Hotel or the American Colony or similar.

Day 17 : Bethlehem (CB)
to Bethlehem to visit the Church of Nativity, Shepherd’s Field and , some free time to explore as you wish or spend some extra time at the Church, then back to Jerusalem and your hotel.

Day 18 . Full Day Touring (CB)
Drive to Mt. Of Olives where you will start your day with a magnificent view of Jerusalem and the Dome of the Rock (Entry is still forbidden). Visit the Church of all Nations, Gethsemane then continue to St Stepehen’s Gate where you will follow in the footsteps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Visit the newly excavated Cardo and continue to the Western (Wailing) Wall, the only remaining portion of the Second Temple. Continue to Mt. Zion and King David’s Tomb. Above the tomb is the Coenaculum (Room of the Last Supper). After lunch and some rest continue to West Jerusalem and visit Hadassah Medical Center with its synagogue adorned with the famous “Chagall windows” biblical scenes on stained glass windows executed by Marc Chagall. Stop at the Shrine of the Book to view the Dead Sea Scrolls. Visit the Israel Museum. Dinner at an Arabic Restaurant with its magnificent Mezaz and grilled lamb, chicken or fish.

Day 19 : Drive to Jericho (CB)
In Jericho visit the Mt. Of Temptation and take a cable car to the top. Continue to the Dead Sea – the lowest spot on earth and on to Massada. Ascend by cable car to the top to view the fortress where 967 Jewish Zealots resisted a siege from the Roman army for three years. Next stop will be Qumran to view the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were hidden. A swim in the Dead Sea would be your life’s experience.

Day 20 . Nazareth (CB)
Drive north from Jerusalem to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation. Then continue to the Sea of Galilee and take a boat ride . Visit Capernaum “City of Jesus” Tabgha “Miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes”, Mt. Of Beatitudes “Sermon on the Mount”. Finally you will visit today’s baptismal site on the Jordan River. Return to Jerusalem.

Day 21 : Departure (CB)
You will be taken to Ben Gurion Airport in time for your return flight. Salam . Bon Voyage. Have a nice flight. Itinerary is subject to change without notice.

Deluxe Hotels and Nile Cruise ( 5 Stars)

Rate Includes :

• Bottled water (large bottle per person daily while on board the cruise)
  
• Private car/guide/driver for all transfers and tours listed in the itinerary , including on board the Nile Cruise.
  
• One way air fare "Y" class Istanbul Cairo with tax.
  
• Hotel accommodation with tax & service charge as per itinerary.
  
• Abu Simbel tour & entrance fees with a private guide
  
• Welcome fruit basket on board the cruise .
  
• All shore excursions on board the Nile Cruise WITH a Private Guide.
  
• All entrance fees and the service of an English speaking guide .
  
• Meals B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner. As well as afternoon tea daily, on board the cruise
  
• Domestic air tickets between Cairo & the cruise, as well as ABU SIMBEL, tickets are issued & delivered in Cairo, "C" class with tax included. Subject to plane configuration
  
• All transfers as per itinerary .
  
• Visa fee for Jordan & Egypt, visa will be issued upon arrival at Airports for : American,Australian, NZ, EU , Canadian & Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival.

Rates are per person in US Itinerary is subject to change without notice.
Boarding the cruise is from either Luxor or Aswan, depending on the availability at the time of booking.

Rate doesn't include :

• International air fare.
• Turkish Visa Fee : $20 in cash upon arrival, , or from any of the  Turkish Consulates.
• Trip/travel insurance ( please ask us for the flyer).
• Tips : Suggested : Driver : $ 2 USD per person per day . Guide : $ 3 Per person per day . For the Nile cruise : $7 per person per day while you are on board. Total at the end of the cruise to the reception.

Dining Room Reservations: Meet other passengers
YOU will not require any, our dining rooms do accommodate all our guests in one seating, one less thing to worry about while you are on the Nile. Enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere with several different languages being heard at dinner.

Do we get sea sickness while sailing the Nile ?
This is river sailing, so do not expect any waves , no rough seas ! Your Nile cruises is actually a floating hotel that moves from place to place along the Nile. Actual cruising times are short and pleasant.

What to Pack:
Most of the year look forward to warm, even hot weather in Luxor & Aswan, morning & evenings are cooler. For Shore excursions, we suggest comfortable cotton & natural fabric lightweight clothing. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.

Clothing on Board:
Lightweight comfortable & casual clothing. Swimsuits, sun hat. Dining room dress code is casual for breakfast & lunch, but smart casual for dinner. All ships are fully air conditioned

Radamis I
The four-deck, 72-meter (236-foot)-long Radamis I operated by the Swiss Mövenpick hospitality experts has 71 deluxe staterooms, four deluxe suites, a gourmet restaurant, swimming pool, bar and boutique.

Radamis II
The four-deck, 72.3-meter (237-foot)-long Radamis II operated by the Swiss Mövenpick hospitality experts has 80 luxurious staterooms (including six suites), swimming pool, gourmet restaurant, three bars, nightly music and dancing in the lounge/discotheque, onboard boutique,
hair dresser