Petra To The Pyramids - Family Holiday

Day 1
Those on group flights will be transferred to the hotel on arrival of the flight. Those not on the group flight will meet at the hotel in Madaba in the evening.

Day 2
There is free time to relax this morning before heading south to the Dead Sea in time for a 'float' in the thick saline waters. We then drive south stopping at Mt Nebo, where Moses was shown the Promised Land. Later we head onto Madaba where we spend the afternoon. Known as 'The City of Mosaics' this city is best known for its spectacular 6th century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land

Day 3
Today we have a spectacular drive down the King's Highway, which winds its way up and down many wadis such as Wadi el Mujib. There are other stops of interest en route to punctuate the driving, including Kerac, a castle that was hugely important in Crusader times. We then head south to reach Jordan's premier historical site and one of the world's most outstanding ancient cities: Petra.

Day 4
The whole day is spent here at Petra, an incredible site. The 'Rose-red city, half as old as time' - Petra was hidden for centuries until the Swiss explorer Burkhardt made his great discovery in 1812. Petra was founded by the Nabateans, an Arab tribe that arrived here in the 6th century BC. Building at Petra began in the 3rd century BC and continued through the Roman period, financed by taxes levied on the desert caravans. Two features of Petra are unique: firstly, it is a city made defensible by being built down a series of chasms, rather than on a hilltop; and secondly, it is built directly into the rock - beautiful red and yellow sandstone carved into the most impressive facades which glow in the brilliant sunlight. After walking down the siq, the narrow chasm which is the only entrance to the city, we come out directly in front of El Khazneh, the Treasury. (Please note that due to current Jordanian group regulations the journey to the siq has to be taken on horseback - this costs US$10 and is not included in the price). Continuing to the centre of the city, we pass the houses and tombs of the rich citizens, and the amphitheatre. A long walk beyond the centre is El Deir, the monastery, with its superb facade topped by a huge urn (please note the walk up is by a series of steps). Some of the exploration can be done on horseback. Included in this day is an informative two-hour guided tour to provide background and historical information about this incredible site. The next day is free for those who wish to return to this incredible site for more exploring or there is the chance to relax at the hotel.

Day 5
Free day in Petra to relax at hotel or another visit to the site of Petra (optional).

Day 6
We now join the modern desert highway and make our way to Wadi Rum, a stretch of beautiful sand and rock desert. This is where Lawrence of Arabia and Prince Faisal assembled the Arab tribes for the attack on Aqaba in the First World War, and also where sections of the film 'Lawrence of Arabia' were shot. Night skies can be spectacular here and we take a four-wheeled drive vehicle far into the area for an exciting desert adventure.

Day 7 - 8
Beyond Wadi Rum, the road drops sharply through dramatic scenery to Aqaba, Jordan's port and holiday resort, with long beaches and coral reefs. We recommend that you visit one of the private sections of the beach where facilities are also provided. Your leader will be able to recommend the best ones (entrance fees are around 5-15JND depending on the beach and facilities) There are several good restaurants in Aqaba for an evening meal too.

Day 9
Today we will be catching a ferry ride from Aqaba to Nuweiba in Egypt and hence changing from our Jordanian guide to an Egyptian one. The ferry ride is unled. On arrival at Nuweiba we transfer to Dahab and have the rest of the afternoon to relax by the hotel or The Red Sea.

Day 10 - 11
We have time here to relax by the hotel pool, swim or snorkel in the Red Sea, one of the finest places to visit in the world for marine life. The reefs are home to a wealth of coral and fish and the water is clear and warm - which makes it ideal for swimming. We will stay in a large hotel complex with restaurants and a pool. On the afternoon of day 11 we transfer to Saint Catherine's Monastery for our overnight stay.

Day 12
This morning we get up very early for an ascent of Jebel Mousa, better known as Mount Sinai (2,285m), where Moses received the Ten Commandments. This climb is optional as it may be too testing for some children. Rising at 1:30 am can be a shock but it will assure us of wonderful dawn views. We can climb to the summit via 3,750 steps cut into the rock, known as the 'Steps of Repentance', alternatively you can hire a camel for most of the way and this may be a more suitable option for some children. The views at dawn are magnificent as we look across the barren mountain range. On our descent, via the camel road, we visit Saint Catherine's Monastery, built around the putative Burning Bush, where God manifested himself to Moses (Exodus 3:5-6). It was once only accessible by being winched over the high walls, but we can now enter by more conventional means. The inside of the monastery is a fascinating collection of chapels, monks' cells and even a mosque. In the afternoon we drive to Cairo.

Day 13
A memorable day tracing the history of the pyramid. We visit the best-known site at Giza on the western outskirts of Cairo. Home to the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus and the timeless and enigmatic Sphinx, these great monuments to the afterlife defy the imagination. Only the throng of sightseers, Egyptian and foreign, milling around their huge foundations keep the viewer in the 21st century. Later we visit the incredible Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, which contains relics dating back to 4000 BC, including the fantastic riches of Tutankhamun's tomb. Here is the unique opportunity to survey the many fabulous treasures of Egypt in one place and to set the scene for this remarkable civilisation.

Day 14
We transfer to the airport for our flight to London. Those not on the group flights will leave us in Cairo after breakfast.