Take an extraordinary journey on this escorted tour of Egypt, beginning and ending in Cairo, followed by a 4-night stay in Jordan. Begin with a 3-night stay in Cairo—called the “Mother of the World”—to explore the legendary sites you’ve dreamed of seeing. Stand before the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza and Sakkara’s tombs of the kings. Survey King Tutankhamun’s treasures at the Egyptian Museum (Note: upon its opening, the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza will replace Cairo’s Egyptian Museum in this itinerary.) In Old Cairo, visit the Alabaster Mosque, situated on the summit of the Citadel. Visit Abu Serga Church built on the spot where the Holy Family stopped and rested towards the end of their journey to Egypt. Also see the 4th century Church of the Virgin Mary (called the Hanging Church), built on the remains of an old Roman Babylon fortress. These and more exciting discoveries are to be found as you see Egypt’s incredible monuments to pharaohs and gods of Egyptian history. Fly to Luxor to embark on your Nile River cruise. You’ll visit the monument of Karnak with its ancient Avenue of the Sphinxes and the Temple of Amun-Ra as well as Luxor Temple. Visit the valley of Kings and Valley of Queens, where the pristine tomb of King Tutankhamun was found with undisturbed riches and splendor. This incredible cruise on the Nile River takes you to amazing ancient sites, including the Temple of Edfu, twin temples at Kom Ombo, devoted to the crocodile god Sobek-Ra and the falcon god Horus. Ponder the magnitude of the task of building the pyramids with a visit to the granite quarries—where an unfinished obelisk still remains. Visit the Temple of Isis, then take a return flight to Cairo to explore the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and its Hall of Mummies before a felucca ride on the Nile and the chance to browse the bustling maze of the endless bazaar in Cairo’s medieval alleys. Your adventure continues with four nights in Jordan, with a flight from Cairo to Amman. Spend one night each in Amman and Petra, and two nights at the Dead Sea. Enjoy superior accommodations, transportation, and guided sightseeing with expert Local Guides to see the red city of Petra, Roman ruins of Amman, the ruins of Jerash, and the Dead Sea.