pyramids to petra with cruise what's not included 14 days ... · • amman - explore the...

TRIP NOTES

Pyramids to Petra with Cruise14 days | Cairo to Amman

Pyramids to Petra with Cruise - 14 days updated on 28-12-2018

www.onthegotours.comUK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] 1300 855 684 [email protected] 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 USA 1 866 606 2960 SA 0800 990 311

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

- 1 -

Discover the best of Egypt and

Jordan on an adventure that

includes the phenomenal Pyramids

of Giza, temples, tombs and

Crusader castles. Cruise the Nile,

explore the Egyptian Museum, be

enthralled by Petra and take in

dramatic desert of Wadi Rum - a

photographer’s delight.

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Petra - discover this spectacular UNESCO-

listed Nabataean city, which is one of theNew Seven Wonders of the World

• Cairo - marvel at the legendary Pyramidsof Giza, explore the Necropolis of Saqqaraand see King Tut's treasures at the EgyptianMuseum

• Wadi Rum - explore this vast red desertwith its rolling dunes and dramatic rockformations in a 4x4 and camp under ablanket of stars

• Luxor West Bank - discover exquisite tombsin the Valley of the Kings, the toweringColossi of Memnon and the beautifulTemple of Queen Hatshepsut

• The Dead Sea - spend a night at the DeadSea, float in the famously buoyant, mineral-rich waters and smother yourself in DeadSea mud

• Luxor - roam around the colossal Templeof Karnak and take an optional tour of thebeautifully illuminated Luxor Temple atnight

• Aswan - take leisurely boat trip to AgilikaIsland to explore the romantic PhilaeTemple and wander around the colourfulsouqs

• Amman - explore the ancient hilltop citadel,fascinating Archaeological Museum andbustling souqs

• Nile cruising - cruise from Aswan to Luxor,spending 3 nights on board a 5 star Nilecruiser

• Kom Ombo - visit the Nile side Temple ofKom Ombo

• Umm ar-Rasas - take in this ancient citywhich was once an important stop on thecaravan route between east and west

• Mt Nebo - visit one of the most sacred sitesin Jordan with views across the PromisedLand

• Madaba - see Jordan’s finest Byzantinemosaics at the Church of St George in thisChristian market town

• Wadi Mujib - trek the Siq Trail and gocanyoning in the lowest nature reserve inthe world (included on tours departing Aprilto October)

• Shobak - visit Shobak Crusader castle,perched dramatically on a hill top

What's Included• Breakfast daily, 3 lunches, 4 dinners

• 8 nights 4 - 5 star hotels and 1 night WadiRum deluxe desert camp

• 3 nights aboard a 5 star Nile Cruiser• 2 overnight trains: Cairo - Aswan and Luxor -

Cairo (Private 2 berth sleeper cabin)• Airport arrival and departure transfer, day 1

and day 14. Departure transfers are offeredon day 14 at 04:00, 07:00 and 12:00

• Touring of Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Aswan &Luxor

• Touring of Amman, Dead Sea, Petra, WadiRum, Umm ar-Rasas, Mt Nebo & Shobak

• 4x4 desert safari through the sand dunes ofWadi Rum

• Dead Sea - Free time to swim and detox• Escorted by an Egyptian tour guide degree

qualified in Egyptology and a licensedJordanian tour guide

• All relevant transfer and transportation inprivate modern air-conditioned vehicles

What's Not Included• Tipping Kitty: USD$90-120, paid in local

currency• Entrance Fees: USD$220-240, paid in local

currency• International flights (including the flight

from Cairo to Amman on day 9)• International flights and visa• Tip for your tour guides, we recommend

you allow USD$5 - 7 per day, per traveller.Tip for your Nile cruise staff, we recommendyou allow $10 USD. Tipping your guides

TRIP NOTES

Pyramids to Petra with Cruise




- 2 -

and the cruise staff is an entirely personalgesture

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : CairoSaturday. Welcome to Egypt and the start ofyour holiday! Arrival at Cairo Airport, you will bemet by a representative from On The Go Tours.The prominent sign depicting our companylogo easily identifies our representative. CairoInternational Airport can appear to be a littlechaotic to the uninitiated, this is normal! Uponexiting the airport you will be escorted to ourawaiting transportation and transferred to yourhotel. Here, your Egyptian adventure begins!For those arriving a day or two earlier thanDay One of the tour, one of our staff will beon hand to advise on where best to enjoyyour extra time in Cairo in advance of the tourcommencing. Day One is designed to be anarrival day for all passengers, so there are noformal arrangements on this first day.NOTE: From the 01 Apr 2019, the WelcomeMeeting will be held on day 1 at 7pm. Overnight- Cairo

Day 2 : Pyramids & Saqqara

Cairo - Aswan. After a good nights rest, wehave a full day of touring planned for today.You’ll need to have your bags packed as we’llbe travelling down to Aswan in southern Egypttonight. We then visit the famous pyramidsand huge Sphinx at Giza Plateau. Sole survivorsfrom the ancient Greek-listed Seven Wonders ofthe World, the pyramids are the planet’s oldesttourist attraction! Known as Cheops, Chephrenand Mycerinus, the pyramids were already morethan 2,000 years old when Herodotus theGreek historian visited them (5th century BC). Ahighly skilled corps of mathematicians, masons,surveyors and stone cutters carried out thejob of building the pyramids. 100,000 workers

were used to carry out the backbreakingtask of moving and laying the stones ofthe largest pyramid-Cheops. About 2.5 millionlimestone blocks, quarried locally and weighingin excess of 6 million tonnes, were used in theconstruction of Cheops.

Leaving the Pyramids of Giza, we visit agovernment supervised papyrus emporiumwhere you can buy genuine papyrus at quitereasonable prices. Continuing to the necropolisof Saqqara, we can explore the myriad tombsand temples at this site and see Zhoser’sstep pyramid - constructed by Imhotep, thepharaoh’s chief architect in 2700 BC!Later there will be a chance to have dinner andfreshen up. Entrance fees and tip kitty will becollected at this time. Overnight sleeper train toAswan. Overnight - Sleeper Train (B)

Day 3 : Aswan & the PhilaeTemple

Arrive into Aswan this morning. In the afternoonenjoy a leisurely boat trip to Agilika Island fora guided tour of the romantic Philae Temple -dedicated to the goddess Isis. As the sun sets,free time to shop in the colourful souqs andmarkets or simply relax and watch an amazingsunset in Egypt's southern most town straddlingthe River Nile.

5 STAR NILE CRUISER: You will be providedwith the cruising schedule upon arrival toAswan. Cruise schedules vary. Boarding of thecruise ship will be on day 3 for a period of 3nights, or on day 4 for a period of 3 nights.Facilities on board the Nile cruiser include a bar,lounge, dining room and outdoor recreationarea. The boat deck offers plenty of space forrelaxation and there is a swimming pool. Youroutward facing cabin located on the main orupper deck offers air-conditioning, a privatebathroom and views of the Nile as we sail. In the

evening, low–key entertainment is on hand. Allmeals are included, buffet style.

Your cruiser will sail for a total duration of 8- 12 hours covering a distance of 212km (splitbetween 2 of the 3 days you are on board).The remainder of the time the boat is in dockin either Aswan, Luxor or at sightseeing stopsen route. Views will be obstructed whilst thecruiser is in dock as ships dock side by side.You may also need to cross the reception ofother boats the reach your vessel. Free timeis offered during this time to independentlyexplore whilst docked when sight-seeing is notincluded. Overnight - Aswan - Nile Cruiser (B,L, D)

Day 4 : Nile Cruise & Optionalexcursion to Abu Simbel

Aswan – Nile cruise - Kom Ombo. Optional earlymorning excursion to Abu Simbel. Travellingdue south through the vast sandy desertwe arrive at the site. Abu Simbel - thegargantuan rock-cut temple of King Ramses II,the Great Builder is possibly the most awe-inspiring temple of all ancient Egypt, with itsmammoth rock-cut façade. Abu Simbel wascreated to revere the mighty pharaonic rulerKing Ramses II. Guarding the entrance to thetemple, the four famous colossal statues ofRamses II sit majestically, staring out across thedesert, seemingly since time began. In a multi-million dollar operation in 1972, the templewas famously re-located further up from theshoreline of Lake Nasser, which had threatenedto erode the foundations of this monolithictemple complex.If you choose not to embark upon this optionalexcursion, there is plenty to do in Aswan, beforethe early afternoon departure on our 5 starNile cruiser. Explore Aswan and its beautifulshoreline and corniche or perhaps do a spot ofshopping.

TRIP NOTES





- 3 -

Our Nile Cruiser departs Aswan this afternoonand we cruise the River Nile to Kom Ombowhere we disembark to visit the temple which isdedicated to the crocodile headed god - Sobekbefore returning to the cruiser.

Please note: For those who book the optionalexcursion to Abu Simbel, the cruiser remains inport until your return from Abu Simbel. On a rareoccasion the ship may have already set sail fromAswan by the time we return, if this happens youwill be transferred by road to the nearest dock torendezvous with your cruiser. Overnight - NileCruiser (B, L, D)

Day 5 : Nile cruise to Luxor

Nile Cruise - Luxor. Relax, enjoy a swim in thepool and chill out in the sun on deck thismorning. Let your troubles melt away as wecruise the River Nile to Luxor. Home of thelegendary Valley of the Kings and Temple ofKarnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt atits best. Arriving into Luxor this afternoon therest of the day is free to explore the city beforewe spend our final night aboard the cruiser.Overnight - Luxor - Nile Cruiser (B, L, D)

Day 6 : LuxorThis morning we disembark and check into our5 star Luxor hotel. The day is free to enjoythe hotel facilities, relax and explore. Tonight,we have the opportunity to visit Luxor Templewith dinner afterwards. Built by Amenophis III,Luxor Temple looks stunning at night whenit's illuminated by hundreds of lights. Book/paylocally at approx USD$25 including entrancefees and buffet dinner. Remainder of theevening is at leisure. Overnight - Luxor (B)

Day 7 : Valley of the Kings

Today we cross to the West Bank of the Nilefor the day's touring, an early start allows usto avoid some of the fierce heat as we ventureto the awesome Valley of the Kings. The firstmonument you’ll see on the West Bank is theimposing 18m-high Colossi of Memnon, whichrepresent the remains of the temple of thehedonistic Amenophis III.

The Valley of the Kings is studded with oftenhighly decorated pharaoh's tombs, some ofwhich you can enter. Some of the tombs areso well preserved; the colours of the incrediblepharaonic friezes are still as vibrant as when theywere first painted. The best known tombs arethose of Ramses II, Seti I, Amenhotep II and ofcourse, the tomb of King Tutankhamen. Beyondthe Valley of the Kings is Deir al- Bahri, otherwiseknown as the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.Rising out of the desert plain, in a series ofterraces, it is one of Egypt’s finest and mostphotographed monuments.

We return to the east bank around midday,where we have a chance to relax by the hotelpool. Meeting up mid afternoon, we visit thecolossal Temple of Karnak. More than a temple,Karnak is a spectacular complex of sanctuaries,pylons, chapels, halls and obelisks, all dedicatedto the Theban gods and to the greater gloryof Egypt’s Middle and New Kingdom rulers.Tonight, we return by overnight sleeper train toCairo. Overnight - Sleeper Train (B)

Day 8 : Egyptian Museum

We arrive into Cairo and embark on a guidedtour of the Egyptian Museum. A mind-bogglingarray of relics and antiquities from almostevery period of ancient Egyptian history arehoused in the museum, making it one ofthe foremost in the world. Arguably the mostfamous exhibit is the solid gold funerary maskof King Tutankhamun. You can also opt to seealso the Royal Mummies for an additional feeif you wish. Remainder of the day free to relax,shop and explore. Perhaps head to Khan el-Khalili bazaar and pick up a few souvenirs. Anoptional Cairo city tour is also available locally.Overnight - Cairo (B)

Day 9 : Goodbye Egypt, HelloJordanSunday. Hotel check out and included onwarddeparture transfer to Cairo airport for your flightto Amman (Flight not included). Arrival Ammanairport and included transfer to your hotel. Therest of the day is free for you to relax or head outand explore the city.

Please note:The flight from Cairo to Ammanis not included in the cost of this tour. If youprovide us with your flight details, we will bethere to meet you at Amman airport and transferyou to your hotel.Overnight - Amman (B)

TRIP NOTES





- 4 -

Day 10 : Mt Nebo & thePromised Lands

Amman - Madaba - Mount Nebo - Umm arRasas - Petra. Today we tour the citadel andArchaeological Museum of Amman before wetake a walk through the bustling local souk toenjoy typical Jordanian street treats of falafeland hummus at the country’s most popular localstreet stand. As the pictures on the wall willprove, the unglamorous food stand was a greatfavourite of the late King Hussein.

Departing Amman, we’ll stop at Mt. Nebo -the site from which Moses saw the PromisedLand. Having led the Israelites for 40 yearsthrough the wilderness, Moses finally saw themfrom this awesome vantage point. This amazingpanorama includes the Jordan River Valley,the Dead Sea, Jericho and the spires anddomes of the Mt. of Olives and Bethlehem onthe Judean hills just across the wide valley.Later we visit Madaba en route to Petrawhere we see the Church of St George, theMadaba Archaeological Park, Apostles Churchand Madaba Museum.

Continue onto one of Jordan’s World Heritagesites, Um ar-Rasas, once an important stopon the busy caravan routes. The impressivemosaic floor of the St. Stephen Churchfeatures medallions commemorating all theearly Christian pilgrimage sites of the region,and the extensive ruins also include one of thearea’s earliest Stylite towers, where a Byzantinehermit lived atop the tower and preached to thepilgrimage visitors.

Our final stop of the day is Petra. Tonight,consider doing a Petra by Night excursion(payable locally) for a tantalizing candlelightstroll through Petra’s Siq…. a romantic previewof things to come.

Overnight - Petra (B)

Day 11 : The Nabatean City ofPetra

Wadi Musa (Petra). The beautiful UNESCO listedheritage site of the Rose city of Petra is a definitehighlight of Jordan, and this has been secondedby people all over the world who have recentlyvoted Petra one of the New Seven Wonders ofthe World.

Little is known about the Nabataeans, the tribefrom Western Arabia who settled in the cityaround the 6th century BC, though its obviouswhen visiting the Rose city that they weregifted engineers and architects. The city wasa flourishing centre of trade for many yearsuntil an earthquake devastated many buildingsand their water management system aroundAD 663. A succession of habitation, leadershipand further development followed, but as thecaravan trade routes were gradually displacedby the advent of sea trade routes, the city’simportance gradually declined and Petra passedinto obscurity, and it was abandoned in 1189.The city lay undiscovered for hundreds of yearsuntil it was discovered by a Swiss explorer,Johann Burchkardt in 1812. The approach toPetra is very undulating. The town itself isset across some rather steep hills that wenddownwards to the star attraction, the Rose City.

We take a guided walk through the narrow and100 metres deep cleft in the mountains, knownas the siq. We pass numerous inscriptionsand carvings until reaching the awe inspiringTreasury, carved entirely from the Red rock. Thisbuilding actually served as a royal tomb butgot it’s name from a legend of pirates whostored their treasure there. It’s natural to havean Indiana Jones moment here as it was thisbuilding that served as the Holy Grail’s restingplace and the prize Indy so coveted.

As the Treasury is passed, the hidden valleywidens to reveal the remains of the city proper.Continuing our walk, we’ll then go on to exploremore of this fantastic once-lost city. Many moreamazing ruins follow including a huge 8000seat amphitheatre and more royal tombs andmausoleums. If you are feeling energetic, climbthe ancient steps to the Monastery to seestunning views of the area.

In all, there are some 800 registered sitesin Petra, including some 500 tombs. Just asfascinating as the rock–carved monuments arethe rocks themselves. Petra is an erosion–hewnmasterpiece. Sandstone shot with mineralsburst into colour giving off blue, red, orange andgreen hues. Amongst the rocky and sometimesjagged scenery, it’s sometimes hard to knowwhat is man–made and what is the result ofpure nature. Our exploration takes us past manytombs, temples, an impressive amphitheatreand a Roman colonnaded street. Concluding theguided aspect of the tour, you’re free to head offand further explore.

Better known as the Monastery, Ad-Deir has asimilar facade to that of the Treasury, but is farbigger and the views from the nearby clifftopsare awesome.

Today's sightseeing tour of Petra is conductedat a moderate pace covering approximately 12- 15km (including the Monastery). Much of theground will be rocky and uneven and you willneed to have an average level of fitness tocomplete the full tour. There will be short breaksalong the way. Some travellers choose not tocomplete the full tour and skip the climb to theMonastery and should you do this you'll be ableto independently explore and stroll back towardthe siq at a leisurely pace.

Want to learn how to cook Middle Eastern food?Consider opting for our Petra Kitchen Add-ontonight! See our website or brochure for details.Overnight - Petra (B)

TRIP NOTES





- 5 -

Day 12 : Wadi Rumdesertscape

Petra - Wadi Rum. A chance to revisit Petrabefore our afternoon drive to Wadi Rum. A vast,silent landscape of ancient riverbeds, pastelcoloured stretches of sandy desert and amazingrock formations known as jebels that risefrom the desert floor, the desertscape of WadiRum represents some of the most stunningcountryside on the planet.

This desert is home to the once nomadicBedouin people who would roam the deserttending to their flocks of goats. Most Bedouinsnow are village based although they still relyon goats to provide milk, yoghurt and cheese.Quite often Bedouins will return for a periodof the year to their original nomadic lifestyle.Boarding 4 x 4s jeeps, we take a safari throughthe sand dunes, getting up close and personal tothe surrounding scenery of Wadi Rum. Tonight,we enjoy a Jordanian dinner. Overnight - WadiRum (B, D)

Day 13 : Crusader Castles &the Dead Sea

Wadi Rum – Shobak – Wadi Mujib – Dead Sea.After breakfast at the campsite, we head northalong the Desert Highway to visit Shobak Castle,which is perched dramatically on a hill top andwas built by the Crusader king Baldwin I in 1115.After exploring the castle we descend some1300 meters to the Dead Sea, the lowest point

on the earth’s surface. More than 500 metersbelow sea level, the mineral-rich Dead Sea is theworld’s original health and beauty spa. Drift outand bob in the waters and slap on some of thefamous black Dead Sea mud to give your skin aninvigorating boost.

For departures between April and October we’llhead up the King’s Highway to Wadi Mujib.We’ll embark on a moderate –paced two hourtrek along the Siq Trail. Measuring 500 metresin depth and spanning 4 kilometres across,the impressive Wadi Mujib is one of Jordan’smost remarkable natural features. This dramaticcanyon features sheer rocky walls and sparklingwaterways that range from puddle height todepths that are perfect for swimming (chestheight or deeper) depending on the rainfall.When the water level is high you shouldbe prepared for having to climb up ladders,clamber across boulders and be happy to wadethrough water. The canyon is just one featureof the Mujib Biosphere Reserve, the lowestnature reserve in the world, home to a surprisingdiversity of wildlife and plant species. After ourtrek we make our way to the Dead Sea. For thosenot interested in taking the full hike, you canwalk part of or wait by the Visitor Centre till thegroup returns. After our trek we make our wayto the Dead Sea.

Note: Lunch and dinner at the Dead Sea are notincluded in our stay. A buffet lunch is offereddaily at a cost of 13 JD and a dinner buffetnightly at a cost of 19 JD per person. There is alsoan a la carte menu and other restaurant choiceavailable onsite. Overnight - Dead Sea (B)

Day 14 : AmmanFriday. Dead Sea - Amman Airport. Hotel checkout and included onward transfer to the airportin Amman. Departure transfers are offered at04:00, 07:00 and 12:00 today. If you would likea departure transfer at any other time or atransfer with post tour accommodation this canbe arranged at an additional cost.(B)

Arriving to JordanUpon arrival to Amman Queen Alia Internationalairport, you will pass through immigration,baggage claim and customs. As you exitcustoms into the public arrivals hall, please beon the lookout for our representative, who will

be holding an On The Go Tours logo signboard.Our representative will introduce you to ourdriver, who will transfer you to your hotel.At the hotel reception desk, please take noteof the On The Go Tours information sign onthe counter which will tell you what time ourAmman representative will be in the hotel lobbyto meet with you and discuss the details of yourtouring program, to give you our informativewelcome letter and to answer any questions youmay have.

If for any reason you have trouble locatingour representative (after waiting 20 minutes atimmigration) or your flight to Jordan is delayed,please call or send a text message to emergencycontact number as stated on your tour voucher.

Entrance FeesEntry fees to sites are not included, althoughreasonably priced. However entrance fees aresubject to change at the discretion of theMinistry of Tourism. There is no reduction forISIC student card holders at Jordanian sights.A two day pass for Petra is currently 55JD(approximately USD$77) and a one day ticket is50JD (approximately USD$70), included in theabove budget.

In Jordan, we collect entrance fees on Day 2 ofthe tour, the amount is noted under exclusionson page one of this document. On our Roadto Jordan and Temples Tombs and Treasurytours where entrance fees will be collectedon the day you arrive in Jordan and on thePyramids Petra and Promised Land tour wherethey are collected before you arrive at Petra. Abreakdown of the entrance fee total is providedupon arrival.

All funds collected in Jordan for entrance feesand optional excursions that you may wishto undertake are payable in local currency -Jordanian Diner (JD).

Essential Packing• Camping at Wadi Rum - All bedding (of a

well-laundered standard) is provided at ourBedouin camp. It is of a personal choiceshould you wish to bring your own sleepsheet or sleeping bag. You will also needto pack insect repellent and a torch orheadlamp would be very useful.

TRIP NOTES





- 6 -

• If visiting in winter pack warm clothes and anumbrella

• If summer bring lightweight clothing,sunscreen and a hat

• UK 3 pin and European 2 prong (Europeanmore so for Israel) electrical adaptors as thesockets vary from one hotel to another

• Tour voucher and a copy of your travelinsurance

• Two spare passport photos and a photocopyof your passport

• Proper walking shoes (joggers/ trainers) forsightseeing in Petra

• Waterproof clothing including bathers withtrainers/walking shoes that you don't mindgetting wet for the Siq Trail in Wadi Mujib

Tip KittyAt the start of your tour we take a smalltipping kitty (the amount is noted underexclusions) from all tour participants to covertips throughout your holiday. This saves you thehassle of knowing when and how much to tipbellhops, luggage luggers, bus drivers, antiquityguards, train conductors and other support staffthroughout the tour.

This amount does not include a tip for your tourguide. For a job well done, we would suggestUSD$5 - 7 per day for your tour guide, howeverthe decision to tip or how much is entirely upto you. Your tipping kitty in Jordan is collectedin local currency - Jordanian Dinar (JD). Tippingyour guide and driver is an entirely personalgesture.

Health RequirementsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Jordan from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that you receive allof the appropriate vaccinations. As a guideTetanus, Diphtheria and Hepatitis A are stronglyrecommended. As tap water is not safe to drinkin Jordan, only drink bottled mineral waterwhich is readily available from hotels, shops andrestaurants.

Optional Add-onsIf you have opted to extend your stay or enhanceyour holiday with one of our Add-ons pleasenote the following:Alexandria day trip - departs approx. 7am andreturns to Cairo at between 5 - 7pm. Entrance

fees are payable locally by you, budget approxUSD$18.El Alamein day trip - departs approx. 7am andreturns to Cairo at between 5 - 7pm. No entrancefees are required for this trip.Abu Simbel – Entrance fees are payable locallyby you, please budget approx USD$15.For further information about Add-ons, pleaserefer to our website;https://www.onthegotours.com/Egypt/Tour-Add-ons

Currency in JordanThe currency of Jordan is the JordanianDinar. Pound Sterling, US DollarsEuro andother major currencies can be exchanged inJordan. Exchange facilities are available atvarious bureau de changes and banks in majortowns have ATMs. Traveller's Cheques are notrecommended.

Climate in JordanThe maximum daily temperature in Ammanranges from 12°C in January to 32°C in August.The weather in the Jordan Valley (Petra) andsouth of the country is very hot during thesummer months of April through to September.At this time of year daytime temperatures canexceed 38°C and increase to as high as 49°C. Thesun can be fierce so it is advised to apply plentyof sunscreen, especially at the Dead Sea.

In winter (December to February) temperaturescan range from 0°C to 12°C. If visiting duringwinter you will need to pack warm clothes forsightseeing, although the Dead Sea region willstill be quite warm. If your holiday includes a stayin the Wadi Rum desert, winter wear items suchas hat, scarf and gloves are also advised.

Jordan Time & VoltageJordan is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime(GMT). From the last Sunday in March to thelast Sunday in October Jordan observes DaylightSaving and is 3 hours ahead of GMT. Standardvoltage is 220 volts. Primary sockets require theEuropean, 2 pronged variety. We recommendthat you pack a universal travel adaptor. You willneed a voltage converter, and plug adaptor inorder to use U.S. appliances.

Visa for JordanPlease be advised that visa requirements aresubject to change and that visa procurement isthe responsibility of the traveller and not On TheGo Tours. Please also ensure that your passportis valid for at least 6 months from your planneddate of departure from Jordan.

As a registered holiday operator we are able toobtain Jordan tourist visas free of charge for UK,EU, AUS, NZ, SA, CAN and USA passport holderstravelling with us on a holiday including a stayof more than 2 consecutive nights in Jordan orif arriving via a land border staying more than3 nights. If your holiday complies with theserequirements we will arrange the visa for yourstay/s and present it to you upon arrival.

If we are obtaining a free of charge visa on yourbehalf, our airport representative will meet yourPRIOR to immigration at Amman InternationalAirport and escort you through immigrationpresenting your free visa approval letter toofficials. If you are unable to make contact withour representative prior to immigration pleasedo NOT proceed through immigration (as youwill need to pay the visa cost) but instead call ouremergency contact number.

Please be sure to provide us with your fullpassport details at least 4 weeks prior to yourarrival in order for the free visa to be arranged.

Should you NOT wish to take advantage of afree visa or you are not staying in Jordan formore than 2 consecutive nights, UK, EU, AUS, NZ,CAN and USA passport holders can obtain a visaupon arrival at a cost of 40JD/USD$60/EURO42for single entry. South African passport holderscan obtain a visa upon arrival at no cost.

If you are arranging your visa independently,our airport representative will meet you in theArrivals Hall. (Representatives are not permittedto enter the immigration area to assist clientswho have/will arrange their visa independently).

It is no longer possible to get a multiple entryvisa for Jordan. If planning to leave Jordan andtravel to Egypt or Israel and re-enter Jordan ata later date you will need to arrange a secondvisa. If you are travelling with us and staying in

TRIP NOTES





- 7 -

Jordan for more than 2 consecutive nights, wewill obtain this second visa for you. Alternatively,you can obtain a second visa at the border at thecost noted above.

On departure (via land or sea), a 10JD departuretax of is applied to all visitors. If departing Jordanby air then the departure tax is included in theairfare.

ShoppingJordan offers a range of quality souvenirs.Look out for high-quality artefacts includingrugs, pottery, paintings, jewellery, embroideryand woven items produced by local Jordanianwomen under the auspices of the Noor-Al Hussein Foundation and the Queen AliaFund. A popular form of ceramic wareis ‘Jerusalem Pottery’. Platters are highlydecorated with biblically-inspired designsincluding fish, peacocks, grapes and gobletsof wine. Known as Hebron glass, colourfulhandmade glassware in brilliant colours is a nicebuy, as is silver jewellery crafted by the Bedouinpeople. Dead Sea products of all guises, olive oiland soaps, sweetmeats and olive wood objectsare also uniquely Jordanian souvenirs.

IMPORTANT: Set your budget and don’t beswayed, remember the caveat – ‘Let the buyerbeware’. Any purchases made whilst on holidaywith us, irrespective of whether the store isrecommended by us or other, are at yourown discretion. Please make sure that you arecompletely happy with the product you arepurchasing and the delivery arrangements (wewould recommend you take away with youany purchases rather than rely on shippingservices). On The Go cannot be held responsibleor accountable for items bought in country orshipping arrangements. Proceed with caution.

Mosques, Religion &Ramadan93% of the population are Muslim. Othersare Christians or followers of other faiths. Allmosques are open to non-Muslims but cannotbe visited during prayer times. If visiting amosque you will need to dress conservatively.Ensure limbs are covered and shoes removedwhen entering any Mosque. Men must refrainfrom wearing shorts, as must women.

RAMADANRamadan is a month of fasting observed byMuslims throughout the world and adherentsof the Muslim faith fast during daylight hoursand break their fast with lavish meals andlively celebrations in the evening. Ramadanculminates a month later in a 3 day celebrationcalled Eid al - Fitr. Many shops (excluding thosewhich cater mainly to tourists) and attractionsclose earlier during Ramadan. As such wewill start our tour earlier during this periodto make the best use of time, leisure timewill be offered in the late afternoon. Note:Traffic is exceptionally heavy during Ramadan,especially toward the time of breaking the fast.Forthcoming Ramadan dates are as follows,(approximate) -27 May - 25 June 2017

Many shops (excluding those which catermainly to tourists) and attractions close earlierduring Ramadan, so our itinerary is slightlyaltered to ensure we visit all itinerary attractions.Non-Muslims are not expected to fast overRamadan, but it is considered impolite to eatfood or drink on the street.

Petra Park Services ChargeThe cost of the entrance ticket to Petra includesa compulsory 7JD fee to ride an Arabianhorse. This Government-approved directive isin support of the local Bedouin who own thehorses and also live in the surrounding townof Wadi Musa. As you have paid this obligatorycharge, you are indeed entitled to ride a horse800 metres down to the entrance gate at Petra.However, please be aware that you'll need to tipthe horse handler an extra 2JD. IMPORTANT- OnThe Go Tours only recommends that you do soif you are an experienced rider. The decision toride a horse is a personal one.

Wadi Rum Desert CampMost of our tours include a night in WadiRum where you can choose to camp underthe stars or in tents at our remote Bedouincamp. Our camp is set amongst toweringweathered sandstone rocks and rolling red sanddunes. You can choose to spend the nightcamping under the stars or bedding down in ourcomfortable permanent tents with twin bedsand linen provided, although you may wantto bring your own sleeping bag liner. There

are environmentally friendly shared bathroomfacilities with hot and cold running water, toiletsand showers. Our communal tent, roughly 10x 6 metres has proper seating for dining andanother area with low tables and cushionsscattered about where we gather at night. Eachevening traditional Bedouin food is served andthere is often a little light entertainment aroundthe campfire. Desert camping, although basic, isfun and the best way to experience Wadi Rum.

Bedding is provided at our camp, though ifvisiting in winter (Nov - Mar) you may wish tobring your own winter-weight sleeping bag ifyou feel the cold, as temperatures will fall closeto zero. To do so is of an entirely personal choice.

Wadi Mujib GorgeIf travelling between 01 Apr - 31 Oct, you havethe option to take a walk through the canyonsof Wadi Mujib. Starting at the visitor's centrenear the Mujib Bridge we walk/ wade upstreamthrough the gorge nestled deep within thesandstone outcrop to the base of a largewaterfall. Depending on seasonal rainfall levels,the gorge may contain pools deep enough forswimming. It's an ideal walk to take slowly andenjoy the cool water and shade, especially inthe heat of the summer. Despite being relativelyeasy at times, it does have hidden risks. Whenthe water level is high you should be preparedfor having to climb up ladders, clamber acrossboulders and be happy to wade through water.The river bed changes after each winter floodand this can create deep pools and strongcurrents making this walk harder (speak to yourguide about the current conditions). Alwaystake care along the walk, avoid pools andrapids, respect any rope barriers and take care ifscaling up wet rocks using the ropes. Dependingon conditions this would be unsuitable fortravellers that are not confident swimmers.

What you need to bring:Clothes: Should be light and comfortable. T-shirts and long shorts are advisable (to protectlegs). You are advised to wear a bathing suitunder your clothes and bear in mind that allyour clothes will get totally wet so don’t wearanything that you don’t mind getting ruined.Shoes will also get totally wet. Therefore wearsomething that is not slippery and avoid flipflops or thongs - rugged water shoes are a good

TRIP NOTES





- 8 -

option. You may wear hiking sandals as well.Sunscreen is important along with caps. (Thebeginning of the hike is under the sun but lateryou are shaded by the mountains). You maywant to bring clothes to change into after thewalk. Prescription eye glasses and sunglassesmay get damaged and are best left behind.

23 March 2019 tourThis departure will not visit nor stay at theDead Sea as the entire area is closed forthe 2019 World Economic Forum. Alternativearrangements have been made and guests willbe accommodated at the Ma'in Hot SpringsResort & Spa, located 30km from the Dead Sea.The hotel uses a natural hot spring which flowsfrom the Dead Sea and offers a full range ofspa packages using Dead Sea products for thosethat are interested. During your stay in Jordanwe will ensure that a stop is made at the DeadSea Panorama, so you will at least be able to seethe Dead Sea from a distance.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

VisasEgyptVisa requirements are subject to change andthat visa procurement is the responsibility of thetraveller and not On The Go Tours. Please alsoensure that your passport is valid for at least 6months from your planned date of departurefrom Egypt.

After booking your holiday, please provide uswith your passport details as soon as possible sothat we can proceed to book trains and flightstickets, if included within your holiday.

Visas are required by all visitors to Egypt.E-Visa. You can obtain an e-Visa for tourismpurposes prior to travel by completing anapplication and making payment online. The e-Visa can be obtained up to 3 months prior totravel and is valid for 30 days from the date ofentry. The e-Visa is available to a long list ofeligible countries and the Government of Egyptis constantly adding to the list. The current cost(Mar 2018) of a single entry e-Visa for tourismpurposes is USD25 or equivalent. The visa costis set to rise to USD60 and this may happen atany time. We recommend you secure an e-Visa

prior to travel as it will speed up and smooth theimmigration process upon your arrival.

Online applications can be completed at:visa2egypt.gov.eg

Visa upon arrival. It still remains possible fornationals of some countries to procure theirtourist visa upon arrival at Cairo InternationalAirport. Please contact your nearest EgyptianEmbassy or Consulate to see if this is availableto you. The current cost of the visa (Mar 2018) isUSD25 and is payable in USD CASH ONLY. Thevisa upon arrival cost is also set to rise to USD60and this could happen without notice. Althoughnot official a visa can near always also be paid inequivalent GBP or Euro CASH ONLY according tothe exchange rate of the day. Please note that inthe event of visa refusal at port of entry, On TheGo Tours cannot be held responsible.

Important: RSA, Chinese and passport holdersfrom a number of other countries cannot obtainan e-Visa or Visa upon arrival. Citizens of thesecountries must obtain an Egyptian Tourist Visaprior to travel. Please contact your nearestEgyptian Embassy or Consulate for furtherdetails.

Note: When filling in an Egyptian visa form, youwill be asked to provide your address in Egypt.For the purposes of this form, please use eitherof the following addresses:

Holiday Inn Cairo Maadi.Corniche El Nil, Maadi, Cairo 11431Tel + 202 25260601

Steigenberger Cairo Pyramids HotelAlexandria Road, Pyramids - Giza, Cairo, EgyptTel +202 33772555

Le Meridien PyramidsEl Remaya Square, Pyramids, Cairo, 12561, EgyptTel: +202 33777070

Mecure Cairo Le Sphinx Hotel1 Alexandria Desert Road, Pyramids, Cairo,12556, EgyptTel: +202 33776444

Oasis Hotel

Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, Pyramids 12556 -Cairo / EgyptTel: +202 38387333 & +202 38387666

JordanFor those travelling onwards to Jordan. A visais required for most nationalities visiting Jordan.If you are travelling with On The Go Tours (aregistered tour company), this is now obtainableupon arrival and free of charge. If you are a UK,EU, AUS, NZ, SA, CAN and USA passport holdersand travelling with us, (on a holiday including astay of more than 2 consecutive nights in Jordanor if arriving via a land border staying more than3 nights) we will arrange the visa for your stay/sand present it to you upon arrival.

Our airport representative will meet your PRIORto immigration at Amman International Airportand escort you through immigration presentingyour free visa approval letter to officials.

Please be sure to provide us with your fullpassport details at least 4 weeks prior to yourarrival in order for the free visa to be arranged.

Should you NOT wish to take advantage of afree visa or you are not staying in Jordan formore than 2 consecutive nights, UK, EU, AUS, NZ,CAN and USA passport holders can obtain a visaupon arrival at a cost of 40JD/USD$57/Euro42for single entry. South African passport holderscan obtain a visa upon arrival at no cost.

On departure (via land or sea), a 5 - 10JDdeparture tax of is applied to all visitors. Ifdeparting Jordan by air then the departure taxis included in the airfare.

IsraelFor those travelling onwards to Israel. British,South African, Australian, New Zealand, USA andCanadian passport holders do not require a visato enter Israel. For all other nationalities pleasevisit the Israeli embassy website.

Please be advised visa requirements are subjectto change, therefore it is essential that you checkcurrent visa requirements with the embassybefore travel.

TRIP NOTES





- 9 -

TroubleshootingThese things will most likely never happen, butit’s good to be prepared if they ever do. Here area few tips to keep your trip hassle-free. Egypt isno worse than anywhere else when it comes tocrime. Minimise your chances of being robbedwith these tips:• Leave valuables in the hotel safe deposit or

better still, at home• Keep bags locked at all times with a

combination/padlock. Bags should also belocked when being transferred in vehicles,onboard the train, felucca or when taking aflight.

• Carry your passport on your person• Carry spare passport photos & a photocopy

of your passport• Carry your bag close to your person rather

than over your shoulder• Travel in a group or pair, especially if you are

femalePlease note On The Go Tours will not be heldliable for loss or damage to personal propertyunder any circumstances.

It's not like homeTravel to far - flung corners of the earth involveslifestyles and conditions that are sometimesvery different from what you are used toback home. You must come prepared to copewith unusual situations, local inadequacies andunpredictable events as and when they occur.Foreign travel is definitely not suitable forpeople who expect or demand everything togo exactly as planned. With the greatest respectand in the interest of your ultimate enjoymentyou must understand this. Things can and dochange in foreign countries.

Entrance Fees & LPEntry fees to sites of antiquity are not included,although reasonably priced. In Egypt, we collectentrance fees on Day 2 of the tour (the amountis noted under exclusions). A breakdown ofthe entrance fee total is provided upon arrival.Entrance fees and optional excursions thatyou may wish to undertake are payable inlocal currency - Egyptian Pounds (EGP). A localPayment of cash GBP150 (or USD equivalentas per the Egyptian bank rate of the day), ifapplicable to your tour and noted under theexclusions is also payable on day 2.

On tours that also travel to Jordan, entrancefees there are payable in Jordanian Dinar (JD).In Israel (on our Pyramids Petra Promised Landtour) entrance fees are included.

Tip KittyAt the start of your tour we will collect a tip kitty(the amount is noted under exclusions) from alltour participants to cover tips throughout yourholiday. This saves you the hassle of knowingwhen and how much to tip bellhops, luggageluggers, bus drivers, antiquity guards, trainconductors and other support staff throughoutthe tour.

This amount does not include a tip for your tourguide. For a job well done, we would suggestUSD$3 - 5 per day for your tour guide. Tippingyour guide and crew is an entirely personalgesture and ultimately the amount is up to you.

Your tip kitty in Egypt is collected in EgyptianPounds (EGP). If you are travelling to Jordan, thetip kitty for this part of your holiday is collectedin Jordanian Dinar (JD).

In Israel we do not collect a tipping kitty. As aguideline we recommend that you budget USD$4-6 per day per traveller for your guide andUSD$2-3 per day per traveller for your driver(payable in Israeli New Shekel ILS) in Israel.

CurrencyThe currency of Egypt is the Egyptian Pound.

Pound Sterling, US Dollars, Euro and othermajor currencies can be exchanged in Egypt.Exchange facilities are available at most hotelsand all major towns have ATMs. It's advisableto request notes in smaller denominations, as itcan sometimes be hard to get change from largenotes and smaller notes are handy for smallerpurchases and gratuities. Traveller's Chequesare not recommended as they're often difficultto exchange.

Health RequirementsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Egypt from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that you receive allof the appropriate vaccinations. As a guideTetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A andRabies are strongly recommended. As tap water

is not safe to drink in Egypt, only drink bottledmineral water which is readily available inhotels, shops and restaurants.

ClimateTemperatures in Egypt are generally high (25- 30 degrees) and even hotter in the summermonths from May to September, when the suncan be fierce and temperatures soar, so packlight comfortable clothing, sunscreen and a hat.

In Cairo and the Nile Delta region, winter(October to February) can be cooler - so takea jacket, long-sleeved tops and trousers forthe cooler evenings. The south remains warmduring this time but again, temperatures dodrop in the evenings. Rainfall is negligible withthe most falling along Egypt’s Mediterraneancoastline.

Time & VoltageEgypt is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time(GMT). Standard voltage is 220 volts. Primarysockets require the European, 2 pronged variety.We recommend that you pack a universal traveladaptor. You will need a voltage converter, andplug adaptor in order to use U.S. appliances.

Essential Packing• Towel for the felucca (if applicable to your

chosen tour)• Lightweight cotton garments• Comfortable walking shoes for the Pyramids

and Valley of the Kings. Pack flip flops/thongs/jandals to wear aboard the Nilefelucca or Nile Cruiser

• DEET based mosquito repellant &antihistamine cream

• 2 pin, European electrical adaptor• A small daypack for your day-to-day needs• Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, swim costume

and torch• Sleep sheet or sleeping bag if travelling with

us on the felucca or onward to Jordan.Felucca: We suggest hiring locally a freshlylaundered winter warmth blanket for USD$15(total) for the 2 night stay.Wadi Rum camp: All bedding (which is freshlylaundered) is provided at Wadi Rum andtherefore bringing a sleeping bag is not anecessity but your own personal choice.

TRIP NOTES





- 10 -

If doing a felucca cruise or travelling betweenNovember and March, pack warm clothes (i.e. –fleece, jacket, trousers, jeans, hat and scarf) astemperatures plummet at night.

Arrival TransfersA complimentary airport arrival transfer isincluded in your tour. Upon arrival at CairoAirport you will be met by a representativefrom On The Go Tours PRIOR to immigration.The prominent sign depicting our companylogo easily identifies our representative whowill fast track you through the immigrationqueue. Please have your tour voucher handyand make it available to our representative. Ourrepresentative will assist you with your luggageand escort you to our vehicle, where you willwave goodbye and be transferred to your hotel.

If, for any reason you have trouble locating ourrepresentative (after waiting 20 minutes in thearrival hall) or your flight to Egypt is delayed,please call or send a text message (standard textmessage, not messenger or what's app) to theemergency contact number as stated on yourtour voucher.

Travelling By Overnight TrainFor journeys between Cairo and Aswan and/or Luxor on our Signature tours, and fromLuxor to Cairo on our Budget tours, we utilisethe overnight 1st class sleeper train service(excluding Treasures of the Nile). On the trainthe two berth cabins are lockable, equippedwith bunk beds, linen, washbasin and towel,allowing passengers to relax and stretch out.A simple dinner and breakfast is included onthe service. Dinner, served within an hour ofyour boarding is of a very average standardand we recommend that you eat dinner priorto boarding the train. A basis breakfast isserved in the morning and tea and coffee isoffered complimentary. There is a bar carriagelocated toward the centre of the train wherehot and cold beverages can be purchased,and sometimes alcohol. The sleeper train isthe highest class of rail travel available inEgypt, though by western standards it would beconsidered of a moderate standard.

We always request our cabins to be side byside in the same carriage, though ultimately the

location of our cabins, and whether they aretogether rests with the rail authority.

If you are a solo traveller and have opted toshare a room for your tour and not pay thesingle supplement you will be sharing a cabinwith another On The Go traveller, or if this isn'tpossible, a member of the public (of the samesex).

EtiquetteDespite the inevitable ups and downs oftravelling abroad, you will generally be showngreat hospitality in Egypt. In return, pleasedemonstrate sensitivity and respect for the localcustoms. Egypt is a Muslim country; so careshould be taken to dress respectfully in largecities and towns, for example, when at marketsand in public places.• Ladies should avoid wearing ‘clingy, tight or

suggestive’ attire, and stick to cool, flowing,cottons in busy city areas and markets

• Take care to dress conservatively and ensurethat limbs are covered and remove footwearprior to entering a mosque

• Ex-military style clothing should not be worn• Ask permission before taking photographs

of people• The standard form of greeting is a

handshake. Men and women do not kiss atany time as a form of greeting

RamadanThe majority of the Egyptian population isMuslim (approx 86%), with a small minorityof Jews and Christians. Ramadan is a monthof fasting observed by Muslims in Egyptand throughout the world and adherents ofthe Muslim faith fast during daylight hoursand break their fast with lavish meals andlively celebrations in the evening. Ramadanculminates a month later in a 3 day celebrationcalled Eid al - Fitr. Many shops (excluding thosewhich cater mainly to tourists) and attractionsclose earlier during Ramadan. As such we willstart our tour earlier during this period to makethe best use of time and itineraries will beslightly altered to ensure we visit all attractions,leisure time will be offered in the late afternoon.Non-Muslims are not expected to fast overRamadan, but it is considered impolite to eatfood or drink on the street.

Note: Traffic is exceptionally heavy duringRamadan, especially toward the time ofbreaking the fast. Forthcoming Ramadan datesare as follows, (approximate) -

05 May – 04 June 201924 April – 23 May 2020

ShoppingEgypt is a virtual Aladdin’s Cave. While Cairo'sKhan al-Khalili bazaar is cavernous and fullof unusual and everyday objects, smallersouqs and bazaars abound in other towns,too. Top buys include - perfume concentrate,carpets and rugs in innumerable hand-loomeddesigns, backgammon boards, hand-craftedshisha pipes, Pharaonic objects fashioned inmarble and alabaster, Egyptian cotton clothingand of course - authentic papyrus.

IMPORTANT: Set your budget and don’t beswayed, remember the caveat – ‘Let the buyerbeware’. Any purchases made whilst on holidaywith us, irrespective of whether the store isrecommended by us or other, are at yourown discretion. Please make sure that you arecompletely happy with the product you arepurchasing and the delivery arrangements (wewould recommend you take away with youany purchases rather than rely on shippingservices). On The Go cannot be held responsibleor accountable for items bought in country orshipping arrangements. Proceed with caution.

pyramids to petra with cruise what's not included 14 days ... · • amman - explore the...

Documents