Cairo

Saturday, November 6th - Welcome to Egypt! Egypt as a place, and as a nation, is one of the most frequently mentioned names in the Bible. From the time when Abram went down to Egypt in a famine, to baby Jesus' flight to Egypt, it spans Genesis to the Gospels. It is full of meaning and symbolism. In the book of Genesis, Egypt is mentioned frequently, and for a number of different purposes and occasions. An early mentioning of Egypt occurred in Genesis 12:10, when Abram was struggling to survive a famine, and he made the journey to Egypt to escape the severest part of the famine. This indicates that Egypt was seen as a place of prosperity, a view corroborated a few verses later in, where Lot and Abram separate, and Lot chooses the best land, "Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar."

Modern day Cairo is one of the most straightforward cities you can visit. The pace is frenetic, but the place is honest: in-your-face rather than watch-your-back. Acclimatised, you mingle unnoticed. One of millions - about 16 million, in the second most crowded capital in the world. Vertically it is 20th century, with billboards flung against the sky, but in tone it is biblical: shades of baked earth as far the eye can see. Upon arrival in Cairo you will meet your bilingual escort who will remain with the tour for the remainder of your stay. You will be transferred by private deluxe motor coach to your hotel. After check-in at the hotel, you will have freshen up time before the welcome/orientation lunch followed by ample time to rest before leaving to visit Khan Ali-Kalil, Cairo's biggest open air market. Virtually unchanged since the 14th century some of the people here have been in the Khan market business for generations. Located in the heart of Cairo, stroll through rows and rows of exotic jewelry, spices, perfumes and souvenirs. Be sure you've honed your haggling skills and put them to good use here, no price is ever fixed! Start low and work back and forth with the vendor. Haggling is actually seen as a way of communicating and some vendors are insulted if you don't haggle because it’s a way of interacting with them! Later return to the hotel for a welcome dinner (dinner included)

Sunday, November 7th - Following breakfast at the hotel you are off by camel to the Pyramids at Giza. Your tour escort, also a professional Egyptologist, is an expert in the history and anthropology will lead you on a fascinating tour of ancient Egypt. Sole survivors from the ancient Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World, the amazing pyramids at Giza are the planet's oldest tourist attraction! It is amazing to think that these Pyramids were well known to Jacob, Moses and Aaron at the time of the Exodus and were probably seen by Jesus himself. Along with the Pyramids, the Sphinx is one of the most renowned monuments in Egypt. All your friends will be jealous when you tell them you saw the Sphinx in person because of its huge magnificence. The Sphinx (minus beard and nose) still guards the Giza Plateau with dignity and allure.

Later this afternoon, return to Cairo for a tour of the Egyptian Museum for a a teaching on the wonders that are in this massive place that prove the Bible to be true via hieroglyphics. The actual name of Pharaoh of the Exodus is not recorded in the Bible but it may actually be possible to see the man (mummy) that Moses spoke to during the time of the Exodus.

Monday, November 8th - This morning after breakfast, visit the Citadel in Cairo. This massive stone fortress was built by Salah ad-Din in the 12th century. It was later crowned with the Mosque of Mohammed Ali. It now offers amazing views of the city and in the distance, if the haze has lifted, even the pyramids. The Citadel continues to serve as a historical monument to Egypt's tumultuous past. Follow the walking tour through the several enclosures located within the Citadel to absorb some of the historical significance. After free time for lunch, board your bus for Saint Catherine. Arrive in Saint Catherine this evening.

Petra

Thursday, November 11th - Petra is the highlight of any tour to Jordan. Whether you are a first time visitor or you have visited this lost Nabatean city before, it holds a fascination like no other place. It is carved entirely from the natural multi-coloured stone and was extensively occupied for the thousand years between 500 B.C. and AD. 500. Originally settled by the Edomites, it is now mostly Nabatean, with Roman and Byzantine influences. By the time of the Arab invasion only a few Bedouins lived there until the Crusaders arrived in 1101 AD. Today we spend a full-day discovering the city for ourselves. The main entrance into Petra is through the Siq, a narrow 1.2 km long gorge hemmed in by 100m high cliffs. The first glimpse of Al Khazneh (The Treasury) as you abruptly reach the end of the Siq is truly breathtaking and no amount of descriptive prose does it justice; it is best-experienced first-hand.