16 Day Inspirational Tour & Cruise
for the "Bible Believing" Christian

Introduction to Egypt

Day 1 • Overnight Flight 
Our life-changing journey begins this evening as we board our overnight flight to Cairo, Egypt.   

Day 2 •  Cairo
We arrive in the land of the Pharaohs, Jacob, Joseph and Israel during the famine!  Upon arrival at the airport we meet our guide and are immediately transported into Cairo, the capital of Egypt. We transfer to our hotel to settle in and start soaking up the atmosphere of this exciting city.
 

Day 3 •  Coptic Cairo, Hanging Church & Alabaster Mosque
We begin our sightseeing with a visit to the Hanging Church - the most famous Coptic church in Cairo. The Hanging Church was named so as it was built by the Nile River over the Roman Gate of Babylon. During a walking tour, our guide will point out that this section of the old city was definitely the route taken by Abraham, Joseph, Moses and the family of Jesus - an inspiring thought. Next we visit the beautiful Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali to better understand Moslem religious practices.  Completed in 1848, the Ottoman-style Muhammad Ali Mosque is the most noticeable in all of Cairo and has dominated the skyline for the past 150 years. A stop will be made at the papyrus factory store, where we see the process of creating lovely Egyptian art pictures.  

Day 4 •  Memphis, Sakkara, Joseph's Storehouses
We enjoy a day of touring in and around Cairo with a short bus ride to Memphis.  Founded around 3,100 BC, Memphis is the legendary city of Menes, the King who united Upper and Lower Egypt.  From a Biblical perspective, Memphis is most likely where Abraham lied to Pharaoh about his wife Sarah being his sister and where Joseph served as second in command.  While in Memphis we will view a very large and well-preserved statue of Ramses II.  Next is Sakkara, which is one of the most extensive archaeological sites in Egypt!  Sakkara is dominated by the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, dating back to 2700 BC. It is one of the oldest stone structures in the world!  Following an interesting stop to see how local Egyptian carpets are made, a short drive to the south finds us in Faiyum, the region created by the divinely inspired wisdom of Joseph. Here you will find ancient storehouses and a man-made lake created by a canal, who's construction was ordered by Joseph.  It was this lake that provided irrigation for a desert land and supplied the food needed to survive his prophesied seven year famine.

Day 5 • Transfer to Luxor, Nile Cruise
Early this morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Luxor, where we check in to our 5-Star river cruise. We then set off to visit the Valley of the Kings (where many ancient pharaohs were buried) and the famous Temple of Hatshepsut, the princess who perhaps pulled baby Moses out of the Nile River. We visit a courtyard that was likely to be frequented by Moses during his days of princely training. Time will be allowed for those who wish to visit one of Luxor's famous perfume factory stores. We re-embark for lunch, enjoy the sundeck and pool before an evening tour of the famous Temple of Luxor, which was founded in the reign of Amenhotep III, grandson of the pharaoh of the Exodus.  Nile Cruise Boat

Day 6 •  Karnak, Esna to Edfu
After breakfast, visits include the Temple of Karnak (temple of the New Kingdom period) and the East Bank of the Nile. It was during this period that the bondage and Exodus occurred. Karnak second to Giza’s Pyramids, is one of Egypt’s most important Pharaonic sites. We board our ship for lunch and continue sailing towards Edfu, having dinner as we cross through the Esna lock.  Overnight on board. 

Day 7 • Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan
This morning after breakfast we visit Edfu, the location of one of the best preserved Egyptian Temples. This site was initially developed 1000 years before Abraham came to Egypt!  Lunch and sailing to Kom Ombo, where we visit the remains of Kom Ombo Temple, situated on the riverside. Unlike most, this temple is dedicated to two gods - the crocodile god of Sebek and the solar god of war, Horus the Great.  Overnight on board. 

Day 8 •  Aswan High Dam, Free Time, Abu Simbel Option
Our touring today is in and around the modern city of Aswan. Included will be a visit to the High Dam, built from 1960 - 1971, and a major factor in Egypt’s agricultural success. We then also spend time at Philae Temple on the Isi-Island. This complex was moved from up river due to the impending destruction upon the completion of the High Dam. This afternoon we disembark for free time to stroll through the city markets. 
An optional (half day including flights) tour is also offered to Abu Simbel, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Nubian Monuments."  Our Egyptologist guide discusses the relevance of this spectacular site from Egyptian history. We will also try to put in perspective the long history of Egypt. Here we visit the massive temple of Pharaoh Rameses II, perhaps the greatest builder of temples in ancient Egypt (13th Century BC) and a second one of Queen Nafertari, Rameses's most beloved wife. Overnight on board. 

Day 9 • Cairo Pyramids & Tutankhamen’s Treasures
An early morning flight back to Cairo will allow for a full day of touring beginning with some sights of ancient Egypt - some of which date back to 1000+ years prior to Abraham. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet, is the most colossal pyramid ever built. Today we will also see the Sphinx and tour the Egyptian Museum, location of Tutankhamen's treasures and ancient remains. 

Day 10 • Marah, Amalekites, Mt. Sinai
This morning we depart Cairo with stories of the  "Land of Goshen" to the north and travel the southward route of the Exodus through the Wilderness of Shur. We learn of the terrain and the history of this region en-route as we stop at Marah (Springs of Moses), the Wilderness of Sin and further to the south, the Oasis of Feiran. For those who are able, we climb a small hill to the ruins of an ancient chapel that overlooks the palm tree valley where Israel battled with the people of Amalek. Have your picture taken with arms raised in remembrance of God's victory while Moses' arms were held high by Aaron and Hur.  Arriving in the late afternoon to the hotel at Mt. Sinai (Mt. Horeb), we have dinner and rest for our early morning activity.

Day 11 • Red Sea Crossing, Aqaba
Just into the new day, those who desire and are physically capable will depart for a memorable early morning walk up Mt. Moses.  You may choose to ride a camel part way, stop at one of the stations to take in scenery along the climb to the summit (750 steps) for a sunrise to remember.  Once at the top, enjoy a time of praise and then depart down the mountain for breakfast. A visit to St. Catherine's Monastery, claimed to be built around the area of Moses' Burning Bush, will be followed by a short ride to the Red Sea. A stop for lunch along the shore will provide a view of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel to the north. Gazing across the Gulf of Aqaba, we can begin to imagine the miracle of the parting of the sea.  We board a ferry for a scenic crossing to Jordan and our lodging for the evening in Aqaba, Biblical Ezion Geber - the lovely seaport of King Solomon.

Day 12 • Petra 
This morning we turn north toward the amazing mountain fortress of Petra, known to be inhabited by the Edomites - the descendents of Esau. Begin the tour with a walk through the "Siq," an immense crack in the Nubian sandstone, to the city of Petra carved out of the rose red rock. The Treasury, El Khazneh, is one of the most elegant remains of antiquity. Beyond El Khazneh we are surrounded on both sides by hundreds of Petra's carved and built structures. Nearby, we stop at the spring claimed to be the place where Moses struck the rock. Departing Petra, we  travel northward on the King's Highway through the land of the Moab where to the east we view the hilltop palace/fortress of Machaerus, the place where John the Baptist was beheaded.  We overnight in Amman for the next two evenings.

Day 13 • Mt Nebo, Mabada, Amman 
Our morning tour begins in the town of Madaba, the biblical Medeba, 30 kilometers south of Amman. Madaba is best known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics and at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George we view the earliest surviving mosaic map of the Holy land.  Mt. Nebo, believed to be the site of the tomb of Moses, commands a spectacular view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea.  Study the panorama as we read the scripture of God showing Moses the "Promised Land" before He brought him home to heaven. Looking to the northwest we view the Plains of Moab, the area where the tribes of Israel camped before crossing the Jordan and picture Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the place where Jesus was baptized.

Day 14 • Amman
We begin our day with a tour of the Old and New city of Amman. Of special interest is the Roman Amphitheatre, an overview from the Citadel and free time for shopping at the the popular downtown souks. The remainder of your day is free to explore on your own. Visit the Jordan Archaeological Museum, take advantage of your chance to sample some mouth-watering Arabic delicacies and go shopping for gold or embroidery at these famous markets.

Day 15 • Jerash
We travel to Jerash, one of the best preserved and most complete provincial Roman cities. Jerash, Gerasa of Roman Times, was one of the cities of the Decapolis, a confederation of 10 Graeco-Roman cities dating from the 1st century BC situated in Jordan, Syria and Israel. Known as the Pompeii of the East for its extraordinary state of preservation, the ruins indicate human occupations at this location for more than 2,500 years. The most well known monuments include the colonnaded street, the Temple of Zeus, the Forum, and Hadrian’s Arch. 

Day 16 • Homeward
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Price Includes:  5 star lodging and Nile Cruise in Egypt, 3 star lodging in Mt. Sinai,  4 star lodging in Jordan, roundtrip air fare from NYC (discount airfare available nation-wide), expert Biblical guides, admissions, baggage handling, sightseeing, breakfast & dinner daily, border taxes ($11).

Not Included: Air taxes, airline fuel charges, Fuel charges and air taxes can be $300 or more, gratuities,  Egyptian visa ($20 U.S. and Canadian Citizens).  Egypt visa fee is payable upon arrival at the Cairo airport and does not need to be purchased in advance, Jordan visa ($20 will be added to your final invoice - visa obtained for U.S. and Canadian Citizens).

Please Note: Gratuities in Egypt and Jordan are the responsibility of the individual and approximately $9 per day (land portion) and $11 per day (cruise portion) should be kept in reserve for this purpose.