Road to the Pyramids (21-Day)

Led by Mr. Henry Ou, President of Air & Sea Travel Center
Travel Date: December 28, 2010- January 17, 2011

Per Person Price: $6,688 + tax + fuel surcharge            Single Supplement: $1,350

Dec 28 (Tue)                       Honolulu – Taipei
We began our vacation by boarding an international flight to Taipei. Meals and snacks will be served on the plane.

Dec 29 (Wed)                      Taipei – Bangkok
Transit flight in Taipei and continue to fly to Bangkok. Upon arrival at Bangkok International airport, we will meet Air & Sea Travel Center representative who will escort us to our hotel.

Hotel accommodation: Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel or similar

Dec 30 (Thu)                       Bangkok – Amman                                   (B, D)
Free at leisure. After welcome dinner, we transfer to airport and fly to Amman, the capital and the largest city of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Dec 31 (Fri)                        Amman – Jerash – Amman                      (B, L, D)
We will arrive at Queen Alia Airport in the early morning. Meet with our tour guide and transfer to breakfast. Then we proceed to Jerash and visit the Roman Theaters, the largest theater in Jordan. This ancient theatre was built during the reign of Marcus Aurelius (169-177 AD), the large and steeply raked theatre could seat about 6,000 people. Transfer back to Amman and enjoy the New Year Eve Gala Dinner at hotel.

Hotel accommodation: Le Meridian Hotel or similar

Jan 1 (Sat)                         Amman – Madaba – Mount Nebo – Dead Sea – Petra                                               (B, L, D)
We will visit the Christian Town of Madaba “The City of Mosaics” and take a detour to visit the Monastery in Mount Nebo, where the Hebrew Bible says that Moses stood and witnessed the “promised land.” Next, visit the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea 409 meters below sea level swim in its warm, salty waters. Transfer to Petra for dinner and overnight.

Hotel accommodation: Crowne Plaza Hotel or similar

Jan 2 (Sun)                         Petra – Amman                                                                                                 (B, L, D)
After breakfast, visit the ancient Nabatean Capital, Petra, the fabled "rose red city, half as old as time" The fun starts with horseback riding, followed by a walk through the Siq, a long narrow fissure between two overhanging cliffs. The tour then proceeds to gradually unfold the mysteries of the Rose-Red City with its spectacular treasury, Royal Tombs, Burial Chambers and High Places of Sacrifice. Drive back to Amman.

Hotel accommodation: Le Meridian Hotel or similar

Jan 3 (Mon)                        Amman– Beth Shean – Tiberias                                                                              (B, D)
In the morning, enjoy the Amman city tour and visit the Citadel Hill. It has been inhabited for centuries, important as a military and religious site. The Citadel also is home to the Temple of Hercules which is said to have been constructed under the Roman Emperor. Follow by a visit to the Ummayad Palace. At noon, we will transfer to Sheikh Hussein Bridge to cross to Israel. The drive is about 3 hours. Upon arrival, visit Beth Shean, the site of spectacular archaeological excavations and a rich history, dating back to biblical times. We will overnight in Tiberias.

Hotel accommodation: Royal Plaza Hotel or similar

Jan 4 (Tue)                         Tiberias (Golan Heights – Capernaum – Sea of Galilee)                                            (B, L, D)
After breakfast, drive to the Golan Heights, a territory controlled by Israel since 1967, also claimed by Syria. Next visit the Banias, a national park follows the Banias stream. Visit Capernaum and the Mt. of the Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We will overnight in Tiberias.

Jan 5 (Wed)                        Tiberias – Jerusalem                                                                                          (B, L, D)
After breakfast, visit Tabgha, the traditional site of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes (and the third resurrection appearance of Jesus in Christianity). Continue the day by visiting the oldest continuously inhabited sites in Israel, Akko, one of the world heritage sites. Next, proceed to the third largest city in the country, Haifa and see The Stella Maris Monastery, a19th-century Carmelite monastery located on the slopes of Mount Carmel of Israel. The tour continues with a visit to the Caesarea, site of Roman ancient capital and has a lot to do with Christianity. We will drive to Jerusalem.

Hotel accommodation: Olive Tree Hotel or similar

Jan 6 (Thu)                         New city of Jerusalem                                                                                        (B, L, D)
The highlight for today is to visit the new city of Jerusalem including Israel Museum – the shrine of the book where the Dead Sea scrolls are exhibited and the model of Jerusalem from Jesus time. Visit the Yad Vashem Memorial Museum to the Holocaust and its victims. Continue to Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John and Baptist. Visit the Church of Visitation and Church of St. John the Baptist. We continue to Beth Lehem and visit the Basilica of Natvity and View of Shepherd’s fields.Drive back to Jerusalem.

Jan 7 (Fri)                          Old city of Jerusalem                                                                                         (B, L, D)
After breakfast, depart to visit the old city of Jerusalem starting with a breathtaking view of the city from Mount of Olives. Visit the Churches of Pater Noster and Dominus Flevit. See the Garden of Gethsemani, and enter the walled city through the Lion’s gate. Continue and visit the Basilica of St. Anne, the western wall known as the Wailing Wall, the Cross Sations via Dolorosa, the holy Sepulchre, the Roman Cardo and the Jewish quarter. Last, we will visit Mt. Zion and see the Dormition Abbey, King David’s tomb and the Last Supper Room. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Jan 8 (Sat)                          Jerusalem – Cairo                                                                                                    (B)
Today, we depart to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport and fly to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo International Airport, meet our tour guide and transfer to hotel.

Hotel accommodation: Pyramid Park Hotel or similar

Jan 9 (Sun)                         Cairo – Giza – Sakkara – Memphis – Cairo                                                               (B, D)
The highlight for today is to visit the Great Sphinx of Giza, the iconic image of Egypt, a statue of a reclining lion with a human head that stands on the Giza Plateau. We will also visit the three pyramids including the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), the last surviving representative of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren), slightly smaller than the Great Pyramid. Last, we will visit the Pyramid of Menkaure (Mycerinus), the smallest of the Giza Pyramids. Visit the Step Pyramid which is considered to be the earliest large-scale stone construction. After that, proceed to visit the important historical site, Memphis. Enjoy an evening Dinner Cruise sailing in the Nile for two hours and see the Belly Dancing and Oriental Show.

Jan 12 (Wed)                      Esna – Edfu – Kom – Ombo                                                                                 (B, L, D)
This morning, continue the sail to Edfu and visit the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the god Horus. Then we sail to Kom-Ombo, visit the Temple of Kom-Ombo, dedicated for god Sobek and Haroeris. We will overnight onboard in Kom-Ombo.

Jan 13 (Thu)                       Kom – Ombo – Aswan                                                                                        (B, L, D)
Today, we will sail to Aswan. In the afternoon, enjoy a tour around Elephatine Island by Felucca sail boat ride; the Botanical Garden and the Agha Khan. We will stay overnight onboard in Aswan.

Jan 14 (Fri)                        Aswan – Abu Simbel                                                                                           (B, L, D)
The Nile River Cruise adventure ends this morning. After disembark, we will visit the Temple of Philae.Then we will drive to Abu Simbel and visit the temples. Abu Simbel Temples are two massive rock temples in Nubia, southern Egypt on the western bank of Lake Nasser. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Nubian Monuments," which run from Abu Simbel downriver to Philae (near Aswan). Dinner is arranged at hotel.

Hotel accommodation: Abu Simbel Seti Hotel or similar (local best)

Jan 15 (Sat)             Abu Simbel – Aswan – Cairo – Bangkok               (B, L)
Early in the morning, we will enjoy sunrise in Abu Simbel Temple. After breakfast, we drive back to Aswan and visit the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk. Lunch is arranged at local restaurant. In the afternoon, we fly to Cairo. In Cairo, we will transit flight and fly back to Bangkok.

Jan 16 (Sun)                        Bangkok
Arrive Bangkok airport in the afternoon and transfer to hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.

Hotel accommodation: Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel or similar