Day 16, June 10: Eilat, Taba, Red Sea, Nuweiba
Our time in Jordan and southern Israel ends as we drive south to Eilat, Israel on the Red Sea, which is Biblical Elath, and cross the border near Taba, Egypt. We meet our Egyptian guide and travel by bus south along the shores of the Sea to Nuweiba to enjoy a relaxing time at our beach hotel and optional swim in the Red Sea. The Israelites possibly crossed the Red Sea from this large sandbar beach and where Pharaoh’s army drowned over three millennia ago. Many call Egypt part of the Holy Land as Abraham, Joseph, Jacob, Israelites, Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Jeroboam, Joahaz, Jeremiah, Joseph, Mary and Jesus all lived there.

Day 17, June 11: Mount Sinai
As we leave Nuweiba we view the Wadi Watir road where the Israelites might have traveled, and the granite column believed to have been placed by King Solomon to commemorate the Red Sea crossing. We continue driving a short distance to the traditional Mount Sinai or Mount Horeb, the Mountain of God, where Moses received the Ten Commandments, Jewish Laws, and Tabernacle Plans. Elijah fled from Jezebel and King Ahab to a cave there. At its base our tour begins with St. Catherine Monastery that stores some of the oldest manuscript copies of the Greek New Testament in existence today. For those who are able, the group will ascend to the 7,500-foot summit of the second highest mountain in Egypt either by camel or by walking. We get a panoramic view of the mountains that have changing shades of colors as the sun crosses the sky. After a terrific view of the Sinai desert and hidden patches of grass used by grazing flocks, we descend back down the conquered mountain and retire to our nearby hotel.

Day 18, June 12: Sinai Desert, Suez Canal, Cairo, On, Nile River
We leave Mount Sinai for our long drive in an air conditioned motor coach across the Sinai Desert, Wilderness of Paran, Wilderness of Sin, and Wilderness of Shur, the path the Israelites possibly used when fleeing Egypt during the Exodus. Our visits along the way are at the traditional stops of the Israelites at Rephidim where Moses struck the rock to get water and where they battled the Amalekites, the Oasis of Elim along the Gulf of Suez, the site of many springs and palm trees, and Marah Springs, where bitter waters were turned sweet for Israelite consumption. We turn and cross under the manmade Suez Canal connecting the Gulf of Suez with the Mediterranean Sea. Passing thru the Southern edge of the Land of Goshen where Joseph settled his family and Hebrew brethren. We arrive at the capital of Cairo and exit to the old city to see the red granite obelisk of Biblical On, where Joseph’s father-in-law Potiphera was a priest. We drive by Saladin’s fortress, Mohammed Ali mosque, and residences of many government officials, then across the famous Nile River, the centerpiece of Egypt’s long history, flowing thru the middle of the city. We see busy boat traffic, lush vegetation, palm trees and hearty crops created by millenniums of irrigation practices and methods. Our long distance travel ends at our hotel beginning a three nights stay. After dinner we see the Sound and Light Show at the Giza Pyramids.

Day 19, June 13: Memphis, Sakkara, Abusir, Dahshur, El Faiyum,
This day where we drive along Nile fed canals and lush vegetation, farms and farm animals. Our first stop brings us to the nearby ancient capital of Memphis that dates back to 3100 BC. We see a female Sphinx carved out of Alabaster Stone and the famous Colossus of Ramses. Our bus then takes us to neighboring Sakkara. Suddenly the vegetation stops and is contrasted by totally barren desert and the presence of the majestic pyramids and tombs. These were built as early as 2560 BC and have intrigued engineers ever since on how they did it. We view the Step Pyramid built in 2650 BC, which is the oldest of the 97 Pyramids found in Egypt. The morning is finished with visits to the many Pyramids and tombs at Abusir, Sakkara, Dahshur, Abu Ghauob, El-Lisht, and Maidum. Our afternoon drive takes us to the pyramids at Hawara and El Lahun, and then we see the water canal, grain storage silos, and Lake Birket believed to be built by Joseph to prepare for the seven years of famine.

Day 20, June 14: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Egypt Museum, Nile River
Our final day of touring is spent around Cairo by driving to see the Giza Pyramid Complex and the Great Pyramid of Khufu, or Cheops, originally at 482 feet, was the tallest human structure on the Earth until the 1800’s AD. It is the only remaining structure of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Renovations now allow entrance to this ancient tomb in the heart of the Pyramid through original tunnel shafts. Next to the large Giza Pyramids, we visit the famous male Sphinx statue with a lion’s body and human face. This mammoth statue was carved out of the original bedrock as early as 2550 BC. Though the Sphinx has been covered numerous times by the desert sand, it is completely exposed today for our enjoyment. We then drive to the world famous Egyptian Museum that has the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in the world. Realistic statues of Pharaohs, queens, and officials are there with eyes that make them look alive. Ancient weapons of war and expensive items laden with gold, gems and ivory are on display, plus many well preserved mummies. Most of the items were recovered from Pyramids and tombs. Afterward we end the day with a short relaxing sailboat ride on the Nile River.

Day 21, June 15: Cairo, return flight home
We leave the ancient sites in our memories as we return to modern times, departing from the Cairo airport for our return flight home.

 

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Price Includes:  First class lodging, full time tour escort, breakfast & dinner daily, guides, gratuities, Jordan and Egypt visa & border taxes, all entrance fees, and transportation as appear on itinerary with services of long distance deluxe motorcoach.

 

Not Included:  All air flights and air taxes, lunches, optional travel insurance.