Depart from Reno/Tahoe International Airport this morning on your flight to Amman.

Saturday, April 9   Amman, Jordan

After changing planes in Frankfurt, arrive in Amman very late tonight. Transfer to your hotel in Amman for the night.

Sunday, April 10    Amman

Today we will spend time with the Wilkes. We hope to worship with them, visit the desalinization project that has been developed through the work and guidance of Bill’s company, and see the projects Sally is involved in. Dinner and overnight in Amman.

Monday, April 11    Amman

Drive north from Amman this morning, crossing the Jabbok River, where Jacob wrestled with God. Travel into the fertile hills of Gilead to Jerash, one of the best-preserved examples of Roman civilization, which features theatres, churches, temples, and colonnaded streets. Ascend the northern hills of Jordan to Umm Qais to explore the remote, widespread ruins of the Decapolis city of Gadara. From here you can view the Golan Heights and the Sea of Galilee to the north and the Jordan Valley to the south. Return to Amman for dinner and overnight.

Tuesday, April 12   Amman – Dead Sea

Enjoy a panoramic tour of this Roman Decapolis city of Philadelphia, originally built on seven hills and a major crossroad. See the Citadel Hill and view the remains of the Roman Temple of Hercules. Drive to Madaba to see the 560 AD mosaic map of Palestine and Lower Egypt, including the map of Jerusalem showing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Stop at Mount Nebo to visit the church built on the site from which Moses viewed the Promised Land. On a clear day, one can see Jerusalem from the top of Mount Nebo. Visit Bethany-on-the-Jordan, where it is believed John the Baptist preached and possibly baptized Jesus. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your accommodations along the Dead Sea.

Wednesday, April 13   Dead Sea – Petra

Drive south along the ancient King’s Highway through the arid landscape to Karak, a small town located on top of an isolated hill, encircled by Crusader walls. A large, well preserved Crusader castle on the southern tip of the hill is one of the finest in the Middle East. Continue along the scenic canyons of Wadi Mujib, one of the most unspoiled areas of natural beauty in Jordan. Stop for a view of the gorge, which is over 1,600 feet deep. Explore Petra, the Red Rose City. For hundreds of years, Petra was forgotten until it was rediscovered in 1812. The entire city is carved into the sides of a deep gorge, which is entered on foot or by horse-drawn carriages. After a tour of the amazing temples, tombs, and dwellings chiseled from the rose-colored limestone, continue on to your hotel for dinner and overnight near Petra.

Thursday, April 14   Petra – Nuweiba, Egypt

Leave Petra, enjoying the desert scenery characterized by giant granite, basalt and sandstone mountains rising from the desert floor. T.E. Lawrence described the area as “vast, echoing and godlike,” and it was here that much of the epic Lawrence of Arabia was filmed. Upon arrival at Aqaba, take a speed ferry to Nuweiba, where the remainder of the day is free to relax in this beach town along the Gulf of Aqaba. Dinner and overnight in Neweiba.

Friday, April 15    Nuweiba – Mt. Sinai

Enjoy leisure time in Nuweiba, with its beautiful mountain scenery and spectacular coral reefs. You may even decide to take the opportunity to swim with a dolphin! Depart late in the afternoon for Morgenland Village, at the foot of Mt. Sinai, where you will enjoy dinner and overnight. It is suggested that you turn in early tonight!

Saturday, April 16   Mt. Sinai – Cairo

Starting out from Morgenland in the early morning darkness, follow the footsteps of Moses up Mount Sinai, where he received the Ten Commandments. If you wish, for a small fee, part of the ascent may be made on camelback. As the sun rises, the full wonder and beauty of these unique and historic mountains are revealed in the stunning view. After sunrise, walk down the mountain to visit the famous Monastery of St. Catherine which, in its spectacular setting at the foot of the mountain, was founded in the fourth century on what is believed to be the site of the burning bush. Depart Mt. Sinai for Cairo, tracing the footsteps of Moses across the Sinai Desert, where the Bedouins still live today as they did in Biblical times. Stop en route at the possible site of the parting of the Red Sea. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Sunday, April 17    Cairo

Today is free in Cairo to visit with local Christians and see mission projects. This evening, worship with the Heliopolis Community Church in Cairo. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Monday, April 18   Cairo

Begin the day in Giza, the melting pot of ancient and modern Egyptian civilizations. See the three Pyramids of Giza, which includes the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), the oldest and only surviving wonder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Nearby is the Great Sphinx, carved almost entirely from one massive piece of limestone. Opportunity will be given to enjoy a unique view of the pyramids while riding on a camel! Visit the ancient city of Memphis, the oldest capital of Egypt, to see the colossal alabaster statue of Ramses II. At nearby Sakkara, an ancient Egyptian cemetery, see the Step Pyramid and some of Egypt’s wall paintings and reliefs. After dinner at your hotel, return to Giza for the spectacular Sound and Light show, narrated by the Sphinx! The beautiful illumination of the Pyramids is captivating, while the audience relives the glory of the Pharaohs and the history of the Pyramids. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Tuesday, April 19   Cairo

Explore the Biblical sites of Cairo today. Walk through the Citadel of Salah el Din, home to most of the rulers of Egypt from the 12th to the 19th century. See the Mosque of Mohammed Ali and visit the Khan El Khalili Bazaars. Tour Old Cairo, including the Hanging Church, built on top of the southern water gate of Roman Babylon. Dating back to the 4th century, this may be the oldest Christian place of worship in Cairo. See the Church of St. Sergius, built over one of the spots where the Holy Family rested after fleeing from King Herod. Stop at the Synagogue of Ben Ezra, where a spring marks the place where the Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses in the reeds, and where Mary drew water to wash. In the afternoon visit the Egyptian Museum, which houses over 100,000 antiquities and relics from ancient Egyptian history. See some of the fabulous treasures of Tutankhamen, including the famous gold mask and the sculptures of Prince Rahotep and Princess Nofret. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Wednesday, April 20   Cairo – Luxor

Fly from Cairo to Luxor. Tour the magnificent Temples of Luxor and Karnak. Cross the west bank of the Nile to visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Proceed to the Valley of the Kings to visit the tombs. Visit the tomb of King Tut, if open. In the evening, attend the memorable sound and light show. The show will be a fitting end to our visit to Ancient Thebes, with dinner and overnight in Luxor.

Thursday, April 21    Luxor - Aswan

Depart Luxor early this morning, stopping at Edfu to visit the Temple of the falcon god Horus, and KomOmbo to visit the Temple of the crocodile god Sobek. Continue to Aswan for dinner and overnight.

Friday, April 22    Aswan - Cairo

A visit to the spectacular high dam starts today’s morning excursion and is followed by a visit to the Temple of Philae. In the afternoon, view the Elephantine Island by felucca (traditional Nile sailing boat) and visit the Agha Khan Mausoleum. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Saturday, April 23   Cairo - USA

Depart very early this morning on your return flight, arriving in Rena mid-evening of the same day!

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CST 2013363-40