Egypt, Jordan & Israel Explored

Fly overnight to Cairo via Dubai. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

An exciting day ahead with a trip to the famous Pyramids of Giza and The Sphinx. From here you will visit the Egyptian Museum which houses an extensive collection of statues, mummies and treasures, including Tutankhamun's Tomb. A visit to Egypt is not complete without a stop at the renowned Khan El Khalili Bazaar to interact with the locals and shop for a keepsake souvenir.

This morning, set off to visit Old Cairo churches, the Coptic Museum, which hosts the world's largest collection of Egyptian Christian artefacts, and the ancient burial ground Sakkara. You will have the afternoon at leisure to explore the city, before dinner at Cairo Tower's revolving restaurant.

Take the desert road to Alexandria, on the coast. This afternoon, you'll discover Alexandria's many highlights, from the Roman theatre to the atmospheric Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, dating back to the 2nd century. Pause for a photo at the renovated 15th-century Qaitbay Citadel, once one of the most important defensive strongholds of Africa's Mediterranean coastline.

This morning, we visit El Alamein, the site of two key battles in WWII. The Allied victory in the second battle was instrumental in ending the Axis threat to Egypt. Explore the military museum and war cemeteries before travelling southeast back to Cairo. Stop en route to visit the still-active Monastery of St Macarius, inhabited by Coptic Orthodox monks since the 4th century AD.

Once you reach Luxor, transfer to the port to begin the journey along the Nile. This afternoon, visit Luxor's East Bank including the Temples of Luxor and Karnak, buildings dedicated to the Egyptian pharaohs.

Today explore the West Bank, one of the most stunning landscapes in Egypt. Visit the Colossi of Memnon statues, Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of Kings, home to the tombs of ancient Egyptian rulers. Then, sail on to Esna.

Head to the Temple of Edfu before sailing on to visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, famous for its unique twin temples. Sail to Aswan and stay overnight.

Touring the town of Aswan, stop at the 3,600-metre High Dam, walk around the Unfinished Obelisk and the majestic Temple of Philae. Enjoy a cruise on a felucca passing by the botanical gardens.

Disembark the ship and journey southwest to the iconic twin temples of Abu Simbel, at Egypt's furthest edge. This atmospheric temple complex, perhaps the greatest in Egypt, is dedicated to Ramesses II, often considered the greatest pharaoh of the New Kingdom. Admire its many halls and imposing statues before returning to Aswan for your flight back to Cairo.

Depart Egypt and take a short flight to Amman, the capital of Jordan. Transfer to your hotel before this evening's Jordan briefing.

Begin your explorations of Jordan with a visit to the Roman city of Jerash with its impressive archaeological remains. Continue to Ajloun, where we visit the 12th-century castle overlooking the Jordan Valley.

Explore the old city of Amman, with its impressive Citadel and large Roman theatre, before exploring the Desert Castles outside the city. After lunch, return to Amman and explore the monuments of the ancient city centre.

Visit Mount Nebo, one of the possible burial sites of Moses. The ruined 4th and 5th-century churches here are home to impressive Biblical mosaics. Continue to Madaba to visit the Orthodox Church of St George, famed for its mosaic map. Your evening ends in the town of Petra, where you’ll enjoy an authentic Levantine cooking class with a local chef.

Petra, the Lost City of the Nabateans, is an iconic site. Carved directly into the rugged sandstone cliffs, it is approached through a deep canyon known as the Siq. Your guide will introduce you to Petra's many secrets before an afternoon at leisure. This evening, we'll return to Petra and experience the unforgettable sight of the Treasury lit by over a thousand candles.

Start with a visit to Little Petra before transferring to Wadi Rum, the Valley of the Moon. This wondrous desert is filled with ancient valleys, towered over by sandstone mountains. A comfortable 4x4 will whisk you into the heart of the wadi, where you’ll follow in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia and hear the desert's long history. This evening, stay in a unique desert camp with luxurious en-suite private tents.

Depart your luxury desert camp and head to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth and famed for its spa-like minerals. Your afternoon is at leisure to float in its super-buoyant waters.

Depart Jordan and transfer to Tel Aviv for your adventure in the Holy Land.

Today you will visit Jaffa, the world's oldest active harbour, before travelling to Caesarea to view the fascinating Roman ruins on the shoreline. Drive to view the Holy Land at Mukhraga viewpoint before arriving at your hotel in Nazareth.

Begin at Kibbutz Degania Bet to gain an insider's perspective on Israel's Kibbutz movement. Continue to Tabgha, held to be the site of the 'miracle of the loaves and fishes' as depicted in the site's wonderful mosaics. In Capernaum, visit the site where Jesus is said to have raised a woman from the dead. See the House of St Peter and the nearby Mount of Beatitudes, the site of the Sermon on the Mount. This afternoon, spend some time in the Crusader town of Acre.

Drive through the scenic Jordan Valley into Palestinian Territory to visit Qasr El Yahud, the site of Jesus’ baptism. Continue to Jericho where you’ll take a cable car to the cliffside Quarantal Monastery on the Mount of Temptation. After lunch, return to the Dead Sea to experience its western shore.

Drive to Masada and ascend to Masada Fortress by cable car. Admire the spectacular view and hear the story of the last stand of the Jewish rebels against the Romans. Enjoy lunch in Qumran and visit the caves in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Tonight, stay in Bethlehem and enjoy a Palestinian cultural dance performance.

Visit Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, one of the most holy sites in the world. Continue to Jerusalem to visit the famous Western Wall, the last remnant of the original Temple Mount retaining wall, which supported the First and Second Temples of Jerusalem. Walk to the Stations of the Cross and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre before continuing to Temple Mount, site of the Dome of the Rock and Al Aksa Mosque..

Visit Mt Zion to see King David's Tomb, the Dormition Abbey and the Cenacle. After lunch, visit the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane, the site of Jesus’ arrest. Wander its atmospheric olive groves before this evening's Shabbat dinner, prepared by a local rabbi.

This morning travel overland from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv Airport (Ben Gurion) fo time to connect with your flights to New Zealand.