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Egypt/Jordan

Ancient Egypt & Petra: A Floating Campus Voyage

Program No. 25725RJ
Itinerary
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All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
13 days
12 nights
What's Included
32 meals ( 11B, 10L, 11D )
3 expert-led lectures
6 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your name tag.
Afternoon:
After arriving at the hotel, check in and take some time to unpack and relax. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. The Group Leader will lead field trips, and we will have expert lectures aboard our ship. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 3/4 steps up/down. Elective: Opportunity to swim in the Dead Sea; bring your swimsuits and water shoes. We recommend dark older bathing suits, the salt content can bleach, damage, or stain light colored clothing.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out, board our motorcoach, and start our way to Petra. Along the way we will make a stop at the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on the planet. Its salt concentration is eight times that of ocean water. If you wish to “swim” — actually float — take your swimsuit and water shoes.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will head to our hotel for check-in.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 3/4 steps up/down. Strenuous walking, about 5 miles in/out of Petra; sloping path, natural and slippery surfaces, two benches along the way; high temperatures, little to no shade. Wear comfortable shoes.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out from the hotel, we will head to Petra for a walking field trip with our Group Leader to explore the monuments and settlements of one of the most extraordinary places on earth: Petra. The name derives from Latin, “petrae,” meaning rock. Numerous archaeological excavations have taken place since its “discovery” in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. Hidden in a great rift valley east of Wadi Araba, about 50 miles south of the Dead Sea, Petra was the principal city of ancient Nabetaea, though subsequently ruled by several other empires including the Roman, Byzantine, and Persian.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will drive to Aqaba and embark the ship in the late afternoon for the cruise portion of our program. Once aboard, we will have a safety orientation before we depart. Please note that this departure is part of our Floating Campus programs. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary. Sea conditions affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and sometimes miss ports because it is not safe to dock. Because of this, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of excursions without prior notice.
Dinner:
Aboard ship,, dinners will be eaten in the open seating dining room. Most will be buffets, with choices of salads, vegetarian and meat or seafood entrees, dessert, and coffee, tea, and water. The first and last dinners on board will include a glass of wine, with other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Full day at sea.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Free time on the ship.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time on the ship. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 3/4 steps up/down. Walking about 2 miles, standing up to an hour at a time; uneven, hilly terrain; up to 150 steps each way at tombs, hot conditions, sun with no shade.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will disembark the ship for an overnight in Luxor. We will ride to the Karnak and Luxor temples and explore with our Group Leader.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will visit the temple of Luxor, known in the Egyptian language as “ipet resyt” (the southern harem). It was built by King Amenhotep III who reigned from 1390-1353 BCE. He dedicated it to Amon-Re, king of the gods, his consort Mut, and their son Khons. Although badly ruined, no site in Egypt is more impressive than Karnak. It is the largest temple complex ever built and represents the combined achievement of many generations of ancient builders. The Temple of Karnak is actually three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples. Afterwards, we will head to our hotel for check-in.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 3/4 steps up/down. Walking about 2 miles, standing up to an hour at a time; uneven, hilly terrain; up to 150 steps each way at tombs, hot conditions, sun with no shade.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out from our Luxor hotel and board a motorcoach with our Group Leader for a field trip to explore the Nile’s West Bank Valley of the Kings and the tombs of King Tutankhamun, Queen Hatshepsut, and the colossal statue of Memnon. A plethora of tombs were constructed for ancient Egypt’s nobility between the 16th to 11th centuries BCE. Since the end of the 18th century CE, there have been significant archaeological investigations at the Theban Necropolis. Recent excavations, under the direction of the Theban Mapping Project, have unearthed additional tombs as well as provided a more meticulous and cautious approach to excavation.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will board our motorcoach and return to the ship.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Full day at sea.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Free time on the ship.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time on the ship. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Full day at sea.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will transit the Suez Canal. Free time aboard the ship.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time on the ship. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 3/4 steps up/down. Walking about 2 miles, approximately 2 hours; standing up to 2 hours at a time.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Free time on the ship.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
We'll see some of the famous highlights of the Eastern Harbor of Alexandria that has been a crossroads of history and culture for 2,300 years. This is where the Pharos (the Greek word for lighthouse) — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — guided people from all nations safely into port, where Queen Cleopatra first laid eyes on Julius Caesar. We will have a photo stop at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina: the new Library of Alexandria (no inside visit), “reborn” in 2002. The ancient library was renowned as the greatest in antiquity, one of the legacies of Alexander the Great, whose thirst for knowledge was legendary. The new library shares the same goals of openness, scholarship, and the sharing of knowledge as its long-lost predecessor.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 3/4 steps up/down. The drive from Alexandria to Cairo is about 2 hours & 45 mins.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Upon arrival in Alexandria, we will disembark the ship and head to Cairo.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will head to our hotel for check-in.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 3/4 steps up/down. Walking up to 2 miles; rough, uneven terrain, standing up to 1/2 hour at different locations; hot conditions, sun with no shade, 150 to 200 steps for those who wish to ascend smaller pyramids.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out by motorcoach on a field trip to explore the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The astonishing monuments of the Giza Plateau are marvels of ancient architectural prowess. The three largest pyramids are the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Kafhre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. Each is a tomb dedicated to these kings of Egypt. As we walk, we will take in the extraordinary sight of these ancient monuments, learn about great Egyptian dynasties, and why they were constructed. We will then descend the plateau to view the Great Sphinx and marvel at the presence of the guardian of this vast necropolis. An imaginary creature that shows the strength of the lion and the intelligence of a human, it was carved from a single gigantic block of limestone more than 4,600 years ago — though the actual date is a matter of scholarly debate. The Great Sphinx has been known as the “Father of Fear”. A wise man once said: “Everything fears time, yet time fears the Pyramids.”
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will continue our exploration with a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum, which houses the largest collection of pharaonic antiquities in the world. The museum displays an extensive collection spanning from the Predynastic Period to the Greco-Roman era. The museum also houses the splendid statues of the great kings Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, whose tombs lie in the pyramids of the Giza plateau. An extensive collection of papyri, sarcophagi, and jewelry—among other objects—completes this uniquely expansive museum.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Please Note: This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Nov 10, 2027 - Nov 22, 2027
Dec 01, 2027 - Dec 13, 2027
Dec 1 - Dec 13, 2027 Itinerary Differences: This departure begins in Amman and ends in Cairo.