Benny’s Royal Tours Explore Pyramids, Petra & Nile Cruise Tour begins. Assemble Kochi International Airport at 05.00 hrs. Oman Airways Flight WY226G departs at 08.40 hrs and arrives at Muscat International Airport at 10.50 hrs. Later connect Oman Airways Flight WY413G to Amman at 14.45 hrs and arrive Queen Alia International Airport, Amman at 17.25 hrs. On arrival after emigration and customs formalities, meet Benny’s Royal Tour representative and transfer to hotel at Petra. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Petra
Overnight stay : Petra Elite or similar in Petra
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch on board and Dinner at Hotel /Restaurant
Day 2
Petra Tour
Visit Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
After continental breakfast, check out hotel and you will move directly to Petra, the world No. 1 tourist destination for a full day tour. Petra is called the “Red Rose City” because of the color of the Stone from which it is carved. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Historically speaking, the lost city of Petra is one of the most enigmatic civilizations in the world with their successful and prolific business trading spices and silks with China, India, Rome and Egypt, the people of ancient Petra, the Nabataea’s, have managed to endow their city with extravagant structures and infrastructures. The lost city of Petra has been the centerpiece of legends and fictional stories since its re-discovery in 1812 by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. The incredible fact about Petra’s structures is that they were not constructed, but were carved out of giant sandstone canyons surrounding the lost city. First, we visit the magnificent structure carved out of the sandstone rock face known as the Treasury or Al-Khazneh in Arabic. It was originally carved during the reign of Aretas IV Philopatris, a Nabatean King, at the start of the 1st century AD. Another carved out sculpture building from the Sandstone Mountains is called the Monastery. It stands at 45 meters high and 50 meters wide and echoes the typical Nabataea classical style. Petra is also host to several tombs which serves as the resting place for royalties. The Royal tombs consist of the Urn tomb, Silk tomb, Corinthian tomb, and Palace tomb. All of which were carved out from the city’s sandstone canyons too.
The Wadi Musa, the Valle of Moses & the Amphitheater
Then continue to Petra’s amphitheater was carved out, from the mountain rock and can seat a maximum of 8,500 people. The amphitheater was dated back to the 1st century AD and was designed with features from the Hellenistic period. The majority of the theater’s features have eroded due to the flash floods and earthquake that occurred in the city around 300 AD. The Wadi Musa, meaning the Valle of Moses, is a long valley close to many mountains where a Bedouin Camp sells local handicrafts, such as pottery, accessories, and bottles with colored sand where cars can’t be used and people walk around and rent horses, camels or a horse-drawn carriage.
Wadi Rum - The Valley of The Moon”
Later proceed to Wadi Rum, Wadi Rum is a protected desert wilderness in southern Jordan. It features dramatic sandstone mountains like the many-domed Jebel Um Ishrin, and natural arches such as Burdah Rock Bridge. Many prehistoric inscriptions and carvings line rocky caverns and steep chasms, such as Khazali Canyon. The natural watering hole of Lawrence’s spring is named after British soldier Lawrence of Arabia, who allegedly washed there. It is a natural treasure, also called “The Valley of the Moon”, that looks like an alien world; no wonder several Star Wars movies were filmed there. The Wadi Rum reserve is south of Petra, close to the border with Saudi Arabia. The blood red sands and the unworldly sandstone mountains create an uncanny Mars-like landscape and environment, making you truly feel like you are stepping foot on another planet, though you are right here on Earth. It is a favorite for Hollywood films set on Mars. Many films also have been filmed in Wadi Rum, like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Prometheus, Lawrence of Arabia, and Malayalam f ilm Aadujeevitham etc. A jeep ride in Wadi Rum offers a unique way to experience the vast and diverse landscape, allowing you to visit sites quickly, reach far-away attractions, and see landmarks like scenic canyons, rock arches, and sand dunes. Here we can enjoy a thrilling and unforgettable experience jeep ride through the valley. The desert’s quiet, expansive landscape combined with the Jeep ride’s adrenaline makes it an amazing adventure. Later we transfer to Amman. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Amman
Overnight stay : Golden Tulip Hotel or similar in Amman
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3
Full Day Amman Tour
Visit Roman Theatre and Citadel in Amman
After continental breakfast at hotel, check out and transfer to Amman’s Roman Theatre built in 2nd-century. This is the famous landmark in the Jordanian capital, it dates back to the Roman period. Here we see the Amman Citadel. The Amman Citadel is a historical site at the center of downtown Amman, the capital of Jordan. The L-shaped hill is one of the seven hills that Originally made-up Amman. Evidence of occupation since the pottery Neolithic period has been found and the hill was fortified during the Bronze Age. A Greek inscription on one of the pillars indicates that this Amphitheatre was built in honor of Emperor Antonius Pius (138–161 CE).
Folklore Museum
Jordan Folklore Museum is a museum in Amman, Jordan. It is located next to the Roman amphitheater, it was established in 1971. The museum showcases a collection of Jordanian cultural heritage items from the desert (Bedu), villages (Reef), and towns (Madineh) including; costumes, musical instrument and handicrafts. Along with mosaics
Dead sea Experience
After lunch we will transfer to Dead Sea area. The Dead Sea is a Salt Lake bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west. It lies in the Jordan Rift Valley, and its main tributary is the Jordan River. The lake’s surface is 430.5 meters below sea level, making its shores the lowest land-based elevation on Earth. You will get a chance to experience the feel of Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel in Dead Sea.
Overnight stay : Dead Sea Spa Hotel or similar in Dead Sea.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on board.
Day 4
Jordan – Egypt
After breakfast proceed to Amman international airport to catch the flight to Egypt. Egypt, a country linking northeast Africa with the Middle East, dates to the time of the pharaohs. Millennia-old monuments sit along the fertile Nile River Valley, including Giza’s colossal Pyramids and Great Sphinx as well as Luxor’s hieroglyph-lined Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings tombs. The capital, Cairo, is home to Ottoman landmarks like Muhammad Ali Mosque and the Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities. Egypt holds significant importance due to its rich history, strategic location, and contributions to civilization. Its ancient civilization was one of the world’s first, leaving behind monumental structures like the pyramids and influencing various aspects of life, including mathematics, medicine, and astronomy. Modern Egypt is a regional power, a vital strategic partner to the United States. Upon arrival at Cairo International airport meet the representative at the airport. After immigration formalities transfer to Hotel at Cairo.
Overnight stay: Grand Nile Tower Hotel or similar in Cairo.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on board.
Day 5
Cairo Sightseeing Tour
Visit the Great Pyramid of Giza
After breakfast proceed for the sightseeing tour to visit Egyptian Pyramids, the one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Egypt, the land of pharaohs and pyramids never fails to amaze its visitors with its rich culture, mysteries and monolithic pieces from the medieval times. Pyramid in the world was built as a tomb for the Egyptian Pharaoh. There are about 80 ancient Egyptian pyramids still standing, but the three biggest and Most well-preserved - called Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure, and - are located in Giza. The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the oldest and largest of the pyramids in Giza. It is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence; this is despite being the oldest wonder by about 2,000 years. The pyramids were built as tomb for Pharaoh Khufu and estimate that it was built in the 26th century BC during a period of around 27 years. Initially standing at 146.5 meters, the Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for more than 3,800 years. After 46 windy centuries, its height has been reduced by 9m. Khafre Pyramid is the second largest pyramid in Egypt, only about 10 meters lower than the Great Pyramid. The pyramid is unique in that the remains of the original cladding have been preserved in its upper part. Khafra built his pyramid at Giza next to his father’s pyramid. Its pyramid complex is better preserved than others. The Pyramid of Menkaure is the smallest of the three main Pyramids of Giza, located on the Giza Plateau in the southwestern outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. It is thought to have been built to serve as the tomb of the Fourth Dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Menkaure. You will also get the chance to visit the inside of Giza pyramids (optional).
Visit Great Sphinx of Giza
Another awesome attraction in Giza is the Great Sphinx of Giza, an imposing statue body of a lion and head of a human. Carved out of a single block of the surrounding limestone bedrock, this colossal Egyptian antiquity is claimed to be the oldest and the largest known sculpture in the world. Built-in 2500 BC, the Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt sits on the Giza plateau right in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Facing east, this stunning monument shimmers with the rising sun each morning and the Great Sphinx of Giza height is 73 meters long and 20.21 meters.
Visit Egyptian Museum
After lunch we visit the prestigious Egyptian Civilization Museum in Cairo. The visit to the Egyptian Civilization Museum is the main highlights of the trip to Egypt. It exhibits a rare collection of over 250,000 genuine artifacts that date as far back as 5000 years, including an exclusive exhibit dedicated to the Tutankhamon - A collection of treasures, gold, and jewellery that were buried in his tomb for over 3,500 years before they were discovered in the 1920s when his tomb was excavated. The museum contains more than a quarter of a million objects spanning over three millennia from the Old Kingdom to the Roman period, it would take at least nine months to see everything.
Visit Papyrus and Perfume factory
Later you will get a chance to visit papyrus and perfume factory. Papyrus is a material made from the pith of the papyrus plant. Papyrus is first known to have been used in Egypt, as the papyrus plant was once abundant across the Nile Delta. The Egyptian crown owned a monopoly on papyrus production from ancient times and it was even exported to many locations in the ancient world. You will get a chance to buy papyrus paintings to your home. Egypt is the land of perfumes. The Ancient Egyptians loved beautiful fragrances. They associated them with the gods and recognized their positive effect on health and well-being. The ancient Egyptians were famous all over the ancient world for their perfumes. From roman period it is very popular. Nenúfar, was the perfume used by Cleopatra, the fragrance of the blue lotus, which was sacred to the Pharaohs, and had hallucinogenic properties. In history the Caesar and Mark Antony were attracted by her perfume.
Dinner cruise in Nile with variety of entertainments
Evening you will transfer to Nile Dinner cruise to experience the culture and tradition of Egypt. The Nile River banks are blanketed in ‘the city of lights’ of Cairo making it an exceptional experience as you sail onboard a floating restaurant. Dinner is included followed by live entertainment including life folklore show, belly dancing and a colorful belly dancing show with a folklore band, featuring the unforgettable Tanoura spin, in keeping with Egypt’s whirling dervishes’ tradition - an unforgettable show not to be forgotten! Enjoy a Nile River dinner cruise aboard one of our elegant cruising restaurants sailing the world’s longest waterway. Later transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Cairo.
Overnight stay: Grand Nile Tower or similar in Cairo.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6
Flight to Aswan
After breakfast checkout from the Hotel .Then we transfer to Cairo airport to take flight to Aswan. Arrive to Aswan, the beautiful city famous by the Nubian culture and on arrival we will proceed to the Nile River to take you to the splendid Philae Island to Philae temple.
Board on 5-star cruise with Egyptian Dance shows.
Later we will check in 5-star Nile cruise. Enjoy your lunch in cruise. Later we sail to Phile Island in a Felucca ride. Feluccas are the traditional sailboats of Egypt Nile. Egyptians and foreigners alike enjoy a relaxing felucca ride. It was famed for its beauty and was known as the “Pearl of Egypt’.
Visit Phile Island, the Pearl of Egypt in Felucca ride
On arrival you will get guided tour of Philae Temple, you’ll explore the sacred site that was built to honor Egyptian Goddess Isis. Isis, the mother of God Horus and wife of Osiris, is famed for her symbolism of peace, beauty and love. Surrounded by water, the island of the temple is home to the incredible ancient Egyptian ruins that date back to 690 BC. On this tour, you’ll not only learn about the unique history from your personal tour guide, but you’ll also get the experience of sailing on the Nile River to and from Philae Island.
Aswan High Dam
Later we continue our journey through Sahara Desert and visit the beautiful Aswan Dam. Aswan High Dam, is the world’s largest embankment dam, which was built across the Nile, the longest river in the world in Aswan, Egypt, between 1960 and 1970. The Aswan Dam is approximately 11,811 feet long, 364 feet high with a base of around 3215 feet. During the construction process of the Aswan Dam, more than 90,000 Nubians were relocated as far as 45 kilometers away from their homes. The Aswan Dam contributes to more than half of the total power supply in Egypt. The dam has stopped the annual flooding of the Nile. Before the Aswan Dam was constructed, many Ancient Egyptian monuments like the statue of Ramses the Great in Abu Simbel had to be moved in order to stop them from being flooded. Later we will return back to cruise. Evening Nubian party will be operated by the cruise staff. Dinner on board.
Overnight stay: Royal Viking Nile Cruise Cruise similar
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on board.
Day 7
Aswan – Abu Simbel - Esna Lock
After early breakfast we transfer to Abu Simbel of Ramses II through Sahara Desert. The Sahara is a desert on the African continent. With an area of 9,200,000 square kilometers it is the largest hot desert in the world and the third largest desert overall, smaller only than the deserts of Antarctica and the northern Arctic. We will travel through the borders of Sudan, Libya and Iran. We will get an opportunity to see sun rise in Sahara Desert.
Visit Abu Simbel, the city of Ramses II, the Pharaoh.
On arrival in Abu Simbel, we visit the great temples dedicated to Pharaoh Ramses II and his wife Nefertary in Abu Simbel. Abu Simbel is an ancient temple complex, originally cut into a solid rock cliff, in southern Egypt and located at the second cataract of the Nile River. The Great Temple of Abu Simbel is fronted by four giant figures of Ramses II. It is difficult to tell that they were once cut into a multitude of pieces as part of the relocation effort. The two temples which comprise the site were created during the reign of Ramesses II between 1279 - 1213 BC. The great extensive artwork throughout the interior of the Great Temple were created to celebrate Ramesses’ victory over the Hittites at the Battle of Kadesh in 1274 BC. Later we return back to cruise. Lunch on board and continue our journey to Kom Ombo.
Tour to Kom Ombo, the crocodile temple
Later sail to Kom Ombo. The Temple of Kom Ombo is one of the Nile Valley’s most beautifully sited temples. Kom Ombo is an unusual double temple in the town of Kom Ombo perched on a small mound of stone and sand. Unique in Egypt, it is dedicated to two gods; the local crocodile god Sobek and Haroeris. The building is unique because its ‘double’ design meant that there were courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms duplicated for two sets of gods. Then return back to cruise. Dinner and variety of cultural activities on board. Then sailing to Edfu.
ESNA LOCK
Esna Lock is a lock and dam system on the Nile River in Esna, Egypt, designed to manage water levels and facilitate navigation. It is a vital part of the Nile’s waterway, connecting the upper and lower parts of the river and enabling boats to navigate between different water levels.
Overnight stay: Royal Viking Nile Cruise or similar
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on board.
Day 8
Edfu - Luxor
Visit the Temple dedicated to Falcon god Horus in Edfu.
Cruise will arrive at Edfu. After breakfast on board, we visit the Edfu temple, an Egyptian temple located on the west bank of the Nile in Edfu, Upper Egypt. It is one of the best-preserved shrines in Egypt. The temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus, was built between 237 and 57 BC. This is a mortuary temple built by the female Pharaoh Hatshepsut around 1470 BC. The architecture of this temple is considered unique and a turning point in the history of Egyptian architecture. The inscriptions on its walls provide important information on language, myth and religion during the Greco-Roman period in ancient Egypt. Later return back to Cruise and sail to Luxor.
Memorable visit Luxor Temple
After lunch we visit Luxor and Karnak Temples. Largely built by the New Kingdom pharaohs Amenhotep III in 1390 BC and Ramses II in 1279, this temple is a strikingly graceful monument in the heart of the modern town. The Luxor Temple is a large Ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the Nile River. The Karnak Temple Complex, commonly known as Karnak comprises a vast mix of decayed temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings near Luxor, in Egypt. Also known as the Southern Sanctuary, its main function was during the annual Opet celebrations, when the statues of Amun, Mut and Khonsu were brought from Karnak, along the Avenue of Sphinxes, and reunited here during the inundation.
Visit Valley of Kings, the Mummy film location.
Later proceed to west bank of Egypt to visit Valley of Kings and Hatshepsut’s Temple. The Valley of the Kings is the burial ground for many important kings of ancient Egypt. It was founded by the third XVIIIth Dynasty king,Tuthmosis, who kept adding glory to ancient Egypt. Kings had nice tombs, with all their important belongings, located next to their mortuary temples. During Egypt’s New Kingdom (1539-1075 B.C.), the valley became a royal burial ground for pharaohs such as Tutankhamun, Seti I, and Ramses II, as well as queens, high priests, and other elites of the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties. Many Hollywood films like Mummies have been filmed here. These beautifully painted tombs have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. For over a thousand years, the kings, queens and nobles of the New Kingdom (1500- 1070 B.C.) were buried in this valley, which is the world’s most magnificent burial ground. The valley contains hundreds of tombs, the most famous tomb (KV No. 62) belongs to the boy king Tutankhamen.
Visit the beautiful Hatshepsut’s Temple
Later visit Hatshepsut’s Temple, is one of the world’s most striking architectural masterpieces. Hatshepsut temple was built by Queen Hatshepsut during the 18th dynasty in the new kingdom on the west bank of the Nile under the cliffs of “Deir El-Bahari”. Its purpose was to become the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut and was known as Djeser-Djeseru (Holy of Holies). The temple was the neighbor of the Mortuary Temple of Mentuhotep II which was used as a primary model. It was dedicated to the god Amun and Hatshepsut herself who was successful in immortalizing her name through the ages. Later we transfer to Luxor airport to connect flight to Cairo. On arrival in Cairo airport, you will transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight on board in Luxor.
Overnight stay : Royal Viking Nile Cruise or similar.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on board.
Day 9
Luxor – Cairo -Alexandria
Visit the city of Emperor Alexander the great and Queen Cleopatra
Early morning we will transfer to Luxor airport to catch the flight to Cairo .Then transfer to Alexandria by bus. The city founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC and the Queen Cleopatra lorded over it. This was the Mediterranean’s dazzling city, home to the Great Library of Alexandria and the colossal Pharos Lighthouse, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and the Necropolis (Catacombs), one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages We arrive at corniche, the waterfront of Alexandrian harbour. It is one of the major corridors for traffic in Alexandria.
Catacombs, the Seven Wonders of the middle Ages
Here we visit the wonders of ancient world like Kom El Shoqafa, the Catacomb and site of ancient light house in Alexandria and are considered as the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. This consists of a series of Alexandrian tombs, statues and archaeological objects of Roman period. Later visit the Citadel of Qaitbay, the 15th-century defensive fortress located on the Mediterranean Sea coast, in Alexandria, Egypt. Here we can see the Pompey’s Pillar, a Roman triumphal column in Alexandria, set up in honor of the Roman emperor Diocletian between 298 - 302 AD. It is the biggest memorial column in Egypt on red granite, with a total height of about 28 meters and a base diameter of 2.7m. Later return to Cairo. Dinner and overnight stay in Cairo.
Day 10
Cairo - Fly Back Home
After breakfast, time for shopping. After lunch proceed to Cairo Airport back to home. Oman Airways Flight WY406G departs to Muscat at 18.05 hr. and arrives at Muscat International Airport at 00.15.
Day 11
Kochi Arrival
It’s the time to say goodbye to all the new friends you have made. We hope you take back happy memories of your Explore Pyramids, Petra & Nile Cruise Tour. We would like you to spare a few minutes of your time to write and tell us how you enjoyed your tour and any suggestions you may have for the future. Later connect Oman Airways Flight WY225G to Kochi 02.00 hrs and arrive Kochi International Airport at 07.15 hrs. With the sweet memories of Benny’s Royal Tours’ Explore Pyramids, Petra & Nile Cruise Tour
