In Transit: Flights depart from various US gateways

Arrive To: Muscat, Oman

Afternoon: Join your group leader and fellow participants for introductions and program orientation.

Dinner: Welcome dinner at the hotel

Lodging: Park Inn Muscat

Meals Included: Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: Muscat offers a unique opportunity to witness a modern commercial centre existing in harmony with its traditional culture. We will start our excursion with Grand Mosque the most exquisite Mosque in Oman. The developed part of the site, including the fully consolidated areas and landscaping, covers 416,000 square metres. The Mosque complex (covering 40,000 square metres) is constructed on a raised podium in keeping with the tradition of Omani mosques that were built elevated from street level. It can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers and consists of a main prayer hall, ladies prayer hall, covered passageways, a meeting hall, and library which will eventually contain up to 20,000 books. After Grand Mosque drive to Bait Al Zubair Museum to experience the splendid Omani Heritage. The collection at the museum includes traditional Omani weapons jewellery, costumes, traditional weapons...etc. After the museum, explore Al Alam Palace, the official residence of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said the ruler of Oman. The palace is an architectural marvel for both its design and its location between the twin Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant

Afternoon: We depart to Muttrah Souq (traditional market)– one of the most popular souqs in the Middle East. Take a walk in its labyrinthine alleyways beckoning with a myriad of merchandise, from imported fabrics to exotic Oriental spices, perfumes and richly handcrafted artefacts. Here, scents of exotic Arabian perfumes and spices float through the air. Other shops specialise in famous Omani khanjars (daggers), antiques, traditional silver jewellery, and handicrafts in copper, camel bone, wood, leather and hand-made Omani costumes. This afternoon, board the MV Minerva

Dinner: Dinner on board the ship

Lodging: MV Minerva

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Admittance to the Fort may be denied to those wearing shorts (either sex) and to those whose shoulders are uncovered. Toilet facilities at the Fort are limited and basic and are Asian style at the hot springs. There are 135 steps in the fort complex. There may be the opportunity to dip your feet in the hot springs where fish give a pedicure. Should you wish to participate in this, please collect a beach towl from the gangway on disembarkation.

Breakfast: On board the ship

Morning: Nakhl Fort: Drive to Nakhl, the headquarters of the ancient Yaruba tribe - a small group directly descended from the early Arab immigrants from Yemen - and discover the restored massive ochre fort set high on a rocky outcrop in the center of the village, overlooking extensive date plantations.

Lunch: On board the ship

Afternoon: Your after noon is free to continue to explore the port, or relax on board the ship.

Dinner: On board the ship

Lodging: MV Minerva

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: On board the ship

Morning: Join your study leader for a moring lecture.

Lunch: On board the ship

Afternoon: Relax on on board the ship as you sail the Arabian sea.

Dinner: On board the ship

Lodging: MV Minerva

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: On board the ship

Morning: Spend the day at sea, sailing towards Salalah, Oman

Lunch: On board the ship

Afternoon: Continue sailing towards Salalah. The ship is scheduled to arrive at approximately 6:00 pm.

Dinner: On board the ship

Lodging: MV Minerva

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Admittance to Job's Tomb may be denied to those who are wearing shorts (either sex) and to those whose shoulders are uncovered, ladies may also be required to cover their heads. As all visitors are required to remove their shoes when walking around the outside of the tomb you may wish to bring a pair of socks. Basic toilets are available at Al Balid and Job's Tomb.

Breakfast: On board the ship

Morning: Sights of Salalah: Explore western Dhofar combining scenic drives and visits to the main sites around Salalah. Visit Job's Tomb, a sacred pilgrimage site for Muslims, Christians and Jews. This simple tomb is housed in a small domed building on Jebel Issin. Enjoy the panoramic views over the striking Qata Mountains and Jubriah plain. Closer to Salalah, a visit to the Al Balid Archeological Museum will give an insight to the once thriving frankincense trade and the opportunity to view some of the frankincense trees that give rise to this prosperous trade.

Lunch: On board the ship

Afternoon: Free time in the afternoon to explore the port on your own, or relax on board the ship

Dinner: On board the ship

Lodging: MV Minerva

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: On board the ship

Morning: Join your study leader for a morning lecture

Lunch: On board the ship

Afternoon: Relax on board the ship as you sail the Arabian sea.

Dinner: On board the ship

Lodging: MV Minerva

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: On board the ship

Morning: Join your study leader for a morning lecture.

Lunch: On board the ship

Afternoon: Relax on board the ship as you sail the Arabian sea.

Dinner: On board the ship

Lodging: MV Minerva

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: On board the ship

Morning: Join your study leader for a morning lecture.

Lunch: On board the ship

Afternoon: Relax on board the ship as you sail towards Massawa, Eritrea.

Dinner: On board the ship

Evening: Ship arrives in Massawa late this evening

Lodging: MV Minerva

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Tourism is in its very early stages in Massawa. You will witness the economic and structural problems of the town with many buildings in need of repair. Tourist infrastructure is in its very early stages - transport and the level of guiding are not geared toward western expectations. Nevertheless we hope that you will enjoy this unique opportunity to gain an authentic and revealing insight into the life in this region of the Red Sea.

Breakfast: On board the ship

Morning: Massawa City Discovery: Discover the Eritrean port town of Massawa, strategically located on the shores of the Red Sea and the largest deep water port on the Red Sea. The town has, for centuries, attracted the attention of traders and empires, the architecture reflecting periods of Arabic settlement, Ottoman rule, Italian colonisation, and Ethiopian rule prior to Independence. Massawa has suffered greatly from earthquakes and further damage was inflicted during fierce fighting in World War II and, more recently, the long Eritrean War of Independence which ended in 1991. The field trip will include a sightseeing drive through the old town near the port where you will see the Arab influence of coral buildings and ornate, decorative doorways. Located on a series of islands, you will also visit Taulud Island where more western and Ottoman architecture can be viewed. Here the main sights are the Old Railway Station, St. Mariam Cathedral, the 1920 Banco d'Italia as well as the formerly magnificent Imperial Palace and the impressive Tank Monument commemorating the end of the War of Independence. You will visit the Regional Museum with exhibits on the Red Sea, Archaeology as well as the Colonial era and Eritrean life. There will also be the opportunity to visit a salt factory.

Lunch: On board the ship

Afternoon: Free time to explore the port on your own, or relax on board the ship.

Dinner: On board the ship

Lodging: MV Minerva

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: On board the ship

Morning: Join your study leader for a morning lecture.

Lunch: On board the ship

Afternoon: Relax on board the ship as you sail the Red Sea

Dinner: On board the ship

Lodging: MV Minerva

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: On board the ship

Morning: Join your study leader for a morning lecture.

Lunch: On board the ship

Afternoon: Relax on board the ship as you sail towards Safaga, Egypt

Dinner: On board the ship

Lodging: MV Minerva

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: On board the ship

Morning: Valley of the Kings: Drive across the desert to Luxor for your first visit to the magnificent Karnak Temple, and view its stunning columns. Continue for lunch before crossing to the west bank of the Nile to visit the dramatic Valley of the Kings, where you can visit three tombs independently. You will also enjoy a short visit to the Ramesseum and a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon. NOTE: All coaches traveling to/from Luxor are required to travel in convoy with a police escort. The convoy may be stopped at checkpoints enroute and these stops may vary in length. As guiding is not permitted in the tombs, guides will giveyou explanations outside and you will visit the tombs independently. Entry to the Tomb of Tutankhamun costs approximately $20 USD per person. This charge is not included in this excursion and is payable locally if you wish to visit the tomb independently.

Lunch: Lunch will be served at a hotel on the east bank.

Afternoon: Return through the desert to Safaga.

Dinner: On board the ship

Lodging: MV Minerva

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: On board the ship

Morning: Desert Drive: Undertaken in 4WD vehicles, this exciting excursion reveals views of the southern Sinai desert, the Straits of Tiran and the coast of Saudi Arabia. An hour’s drive will bring you to the Nabak National Park where you can see the mangrove forest – the most northerly in the world – and enjoy a short visit to the National Park Visitor Centre. Continue your desert drive, enjoying dramatic views of the desert’s mountains and wadis; a stop will also be made to sample traditional tea and bread in a Bedouin camp. PLEASE NOTE: As this excursion involves travelling off-road, please be aware that the rough terrain will make the journey bumpy and uncomfortable at times. Each 4x4 vehicle accommodates 6-8 passengers on inward facing bench style seating. Good walking shoes are recommended. There are only very basic toilets on this field trip.

Lunch: On board the ship

Afternoon: Glass Bottom Boad Trip: Drive to a local hotel to join your glass-bottom boat from which you can discover the fantastic reefs and exotic marine life that flourish in the clear waters of the Red Sea. NOTE: You will need to walk across the beach and along a floating jetty (which is wobbly - no handrail) to join the glass bottom boats. The boat trip will last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Dinner: On board the ship

Lodging: MV Minerva

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: On board the ship

Morning: Wadi Rum: Drive into the heart of Jordan to see extraordinarily shaped mountains rising out of the rose-red desert. There’ll be a photo stop en route at the Seven Pillars of Wisdom – a dramatic formation of hills – before driving into the Wadi to see the Nabataean rock carvings and Lawrence’s Well. Later you can enjoy refreshments at a Bedouin camp before returning to Aqaba.

Lunch: On board the ship

Afternoon: Relax on board the ship, or explore the port on your own. The ship will be in port overnight.

Dinner: On board the ship

Lodging: MV Minerva

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: On board the ship

Morning: Disembark the ship for flights returning to North America. If you are continuing on to the Petra extension, you will transfer by coach to Petra.

Lodging: MV Minerva

Meals Included: Breakfast