Treasures on the Red SeaEgypt and Jordan - Sculpted by Mother Nature, Enhanced by Humankind (port-to-port cruise)

Regular price: $3,581.00
Sale price: $3,581.00

Departure Date

Cabin Type per person

Quantity

CroisiCruise: SAQ_PP

8 Days

January to March 2024
on board the MV La Belle De l'Adriatique

THE CROISIEUROPE DIFFERENCE

All meals included - DRINKS INCLUDED with meals and at the bar
Refined French cuisine - Gala dinner and evening - Welcome cocktail
Wi-Fi on board
Headsets are included for excursions
Official welcome from the captain and crew
Onboard activities
Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
All port fees included

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

Embark on a journey brimming with unparalleled historical abundance. Voyage to the cradle of civilization and the epicenter of the three monotheistic religions. Jordan's deep history makes it one of the top cultural destinations, so come discover the vast and "God-like" earth T.E. Lawrence fell in love with. Herodotus described Egypt as the "Gift of the Nile." Today, we have been endowed with its ancient legacies of gods and pharaohs. Relaxation and inspiration await you.

DISCOVER
- The wonders of the Red Sea between Egypt and Jordan
- The kaleidoscope of red and ocher rocks along the Sinai Peninsula
- Naama Bay, spectacular marine life and ecosystems
- The Valley of the Kings and the Karnak Temple Complex, one of the most astounding spots in Upper Egypt
- The Wadi Rum desert and the Bedouins that call it home

Itinerary

Day 1: Sharm el Sheikh

Passengers are welcome to board at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, you will be introduced to the crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner on board. Remainder of the evening at leisure.

Day 2: Sharm el Sheikh

This morning is at leisure.

In the afternoon, tour Sharm El-Sheikh and the Seafloor in Naama Bay. A glass-bottom boat tour will introduce you to the colorful riches found within the Red Sea. You'll then explore Sharm El-Sheikh and its traditional souk.

Spend the afternoon cruising. Take advantage of the warm weather on the Sun Deck as you pass alongside the Sinai Peninsula, a sacred area for many religions. The land takes its name from Mount Sinai, assumed to be where God delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses. At dusk, the earth takes on burnt-red tones and becomes a feast of colours.

Day 3: Hurghada - the Valley of the Kings and the Karnak Temple

The morning will be spent cruising.

Leave for a full-day excursion to Thebes, the ancient capital of the Pharaohs. Discover the Valley of the Kings and the Karnak Temple Complex (lunch included–driving time is approximately 9 hours round trip). The Valley of the Kings is one of ancient Egypt's top tourist destinations. Located on the west bank of the River Nile, the isolated valley is dominated by a great pyramid-shaped mountain. The area has been the site of royal burials for almost 4,000 years. More than 63 tombs include Seti I(2) and II; Ramesses III, IV, VII, and IX; Siptah; Tausert-Setnakht; and Merenptah. You'll be able to visit three with your entry ticket. The final resting place for these great pharaohs remains one of the most impressive sites to visit in the world. Farther along, dominating the eastern bank, sits the 59-foot high (18 m) Colossi of Memnon—faceless effigies seated on thrones at the entrance to the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. Also visit the Karnak Temple Complex. At the heart of this site stands the colossal Precinct of Amun-Re, enclosing a sacred lake that priests used in purification ceremonies before performing rituals in the temple. The night will be spent cruising.

(2) Access to the tomb of Seti I is limited to the first 50 visitors daily: thereafter, a visit to another tomb will be offered.

Day 4: At Sea

We'll spend the day cruising on the Red Sea. Tonight there will be a festive gala evening.

Day 5: Nuweiba(5) - Monastery of Saint Catherine(4)

The morning will be spent cruising. Early in the morning, join us on an excursion to Monastery of Saint Catherine(4) (lunch included–driving time is approximately 5 hours round trip).

4) Egyptian authorities may decide unexpectedly to limit access to Sinai. The monks who live at the monastery reserve the right to refuse access from time to time. If this occurs, CroisiEurope will organize a stopover in Eilat for an excursion to Timna Park.

(5) Depending on the availability of the port of Nuweiba, this stopover may be replaced by Sharm El Sheikh.

Day 6: Aqaba - Petra

Today a full-day excursion to Petra (lunch included–driving time is approximately 4 hours round trip). Petra is unquestionably one of the greatest marvels ever sculpted by Mother Nature and enhanced by humankind and is considered one of Jordan's national treasures. Carved into the pink and red stone by the Nabataeans—an Arab people living in Jordan over 2,000 years ago—Petra, meaning "rock" in Greek, was strategically located at the junction of the silk and spice trade routes. To enter the city, we will follow the "siq," a narrow gorge approximately a half-mile in length, delimited by sharp cliffs on either side—ending at Al Khazneh, also known as "The Treasury." This tomb of a Nabataean has an impressive Hellenistic facade carved directly into the pink stone at the beginning of the 1st century. It is a masterpiece of refinement and symmetry which, on its own, makes a visit to Petra worthwhile. You will also discover the Roman-style Nabataean theater carved into the rock over 2,000 years ago. After we return to the ship, we'll begin to cruise once again

The night will be spent cruising to Sharm El Sheikh.

Day 7: Aqaba - Wadi Rum

Today's excursion is in the Wadi Rum desert. Set out in Jeeps to cross the magnificent desert, also known as the Valley of the Moon. Its vibrant red earth and stunning rock formations make it one of Jordan's most extraordinary sites. Follow the footsteps of T.E. Lawrence and fall in love with the area as he did. Geologists think that Wadi Rum was formed from a strong push from underground, which caused a large fissure in the surface. As a result, the rock formations provide some of the best photo ops found on the planet. Some wind-brushed mountain peaks reach over 6,000 feet. Deep canyons and sand dunes add to the mystique. Large caravans of merchants and wares traveling between the various territories once crossed this desert. Today, a few hundred Bedouins still call the area home. Their hospitality is second to none, and they have adopted a humanistic and green approach to tourism in their homeland.

Day 8: Sharm el Sheikh

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.

INCLUSIONS:

Your cruise with all meals from dinner the first evening to breakfast on the final day
All onboard beverages (not including the special lists)
Accommodation in a double-occupancy, climate-controlled cabin with shower in private bathroom
Sightseeing as per itinerary
Onboard entertainment
Assistance from our onboard, multi-lingual host/hostess
Welcome Cocktail
Gala Evening
Emergency/repatriation insurance
All port fees

EXCLUSIONS:

Drinks from our special lists or drinks ordered during excursions or transfers
Transfers to/from departure/arrival points
Cancellation and baggage insurance
Personal expenses
Egyptian Visa

Enquire About This Itinerary

Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. All featured tour itineraries and offers maybe subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are valid for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.