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Please note, itinerary subject to change. |
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This trip is a fascinating combination of natural history and culture. Add in one of the most comfortable sailing vessels we know and we think this itinerary offers the very best of the region.
Egypt and Jordan are brimming with Biblical and historic sites. Less well known are some of the interesting wetland and desert sites. From Amman, we visit Azraq, a unique wetland located in the heart of the arid Eastern Desert. From the walkways and hides, visitors can observe birds close at hand, including local, migratory and occasional rare species.
Dana is Jordan's largest nature reserve, covering some 320 square kilometers of spectacular mountains and wadis along the face of the Great Rift Valley. From scorching sand dunes in the west to cool mountaintops in the east, the Dana Biosphere Reserve is home to a great variety of wildlife.
We will spend a whole day at legendary Petra. The "rose red city half as old as time" was lost to the world for centuries and is now perhaps the most impressive archaeological site in the Middle East. At the Dead Sea, we will have the chance to swim and experience the amazing buoyancy of the ultra-salty waters. We'll also travel to the sites of Lawrence of Arabia's Bedouin encampments as we explore Wadi Rum in our jeeps. The dramatic desert valley of wind-sculpted sandstone monoliths presents an unforgettable landscape.
Our six-night cruise takes us from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean aboard the sleek luxury vessel, Le Ponant. Built in 1991, Le Ponant's well-appointed cabins are positioned mid-ship, and all have outside views and private facilities. The four-deck vessel has ample deck space and is well served with world-class cuisine, interesting lectures and exceptional service. We'll cruise to Sharm El Sheikh where more
we'll view the abundant sea life amid the crystalline waters and rich coral reefs.
We will also visit the impressively fortified 6th century St. Catherine's Monastery on the Biblical site of the Burning Bush and St. Anthony, the oldest Christian monastery in Egypt. A highlight will be transiting the historic Suez Canal, cutting through 162 kilometres of desert to link the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea. We disembark at Alexandria and visit the wonders of Egypt, including the remarkable pyramids and the Sphinx, before our tour ends in Cairo.
This trip will appeal to travellers who enjoy a mix of landscapes and seascapes and the pleasure of sailing 'à la Française'.
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| FACTS: |
| • | 14 days (7 sailing days) |
| • | Maximum 18 Quest participants on a 64-passenger ship |
| • | Start in Amman, Jordan and finish in Cairo, Egypt |
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| HIGHLIGHTS: |
| • | Explore the Red Sea aboard Le Ponant |
| • | Visit Jordan's legendary sites |
| • | Transit the astounding Suez Canal |
| • | Discover the surreal beauty of Egypt's Western and White Desert |
| • | Admire the remarkable pyramids at Memphis and the great Sphinx at Giza |
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| ACTIVITY LEVEL: |
| • | Easy to Moderate: Anyone with a reasonable level of fitness should be able to take part in all activities. Some of the daily excursions will involve a certain amount of walking, so you should bring comfortable walking shoes. If you have any concerns about being able to participate in this trip, please contact our office for further information. |
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| SHIP: Le Ponant |
| LIMIT: 64 passengers | |
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| ITINERARY IN BRIEF: |
| Day 1: |
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Arrive in Amman |
| Day 2: |
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Azraq Wetlands and Shaumari Nature Reserve |
| Day 3: |
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Dead Sea, Petra |
| Day 4: |
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Petra |
| Day 5: |
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Dana Reserve, Aqaba |
| Day 6: |
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Wadi Rum, Aqaba, embark Le Ponant |
| Day 7: |
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Sharm El Sheikh, Sinai |
| Day 8: |
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Sharm El Sheikh, Ras Mohammed |
| Day 9: |
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Ain Soukhna, Suez Canal
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| Day 10: |
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Transit Suez Canal |
| Day 11: |
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At sea |
| Day 12: |
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Disembark Le Ponant at Alexandria, travel to Cairo |
| Day 13: |
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Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, Sakkara |
| Day 14: |
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Depart Cairo |
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 Tony is a professional naturalist, wildlife photographer and teacher who has travelled extensively in North and Central America. He is a caring tour leader who shares his contagious enthusiasm and well-honed skills with his tours participants. Tony has lead previous Quest tours to Hawaii, Costa Rica and Eastern and Western Canada.
416-633-5666 / 1-800-387-1483
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Our participants say...
Le Ponant was every bit as special as we had anticipated The trips to the monasteries and the time in the glass bottomed boat were also most enjoyable. At both monasteries, we were privileged to enjoy special tours with a monk. Our time on Le Ponant was a very special experience of a lifetime!
J.S. and G.S., St. George, ON
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