7-Nights Jordan to Egypt: The Sinai Peninsula & The Shimmering Red Sea - 18-to-Thirtysomethings

7 nights from: $899

Jordan to Egypt: The Sinai Peninsula & The Shimmering Red Sea
Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula is a land of stark beauty, deep history, and wild adventure — a true crossroads of ancient empires. If you’re craving something off the beaten path, this eight-day journey through lesser-known Jordan and the rugged Sinai is exactly what you need. Start in Madaba, home to the oldest surviving map of the Holy Land, then take a thrilling 4x4 ride through the dramatic dunes of Wadi Araba. Cross the Gulf of Aqaba to Dahab, a laid-back coastal haven with chances for world-class optional snorkelling in the famous Blue Hole. Then, step into history at Saint Catherine, the world’s oldest active Christian monastery, before hiking to the summit of Mount Sinai — where legend says Moses received the Ten Commandments. From vast deserts to sacred sites, this trip is made for travellers ready to push their boundaries and experience something extraordinary.

Highlights
Choose to snorkel the vibrant Blue Hole of Dahab in the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea, Visit Saint Catherine’s Monastery—the world’s oldest continuously operating Christian monastery dating back thousands of years, Hike to the summit of Mount Sinai where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments, Cross the legendary Suez Canal a vital link between Europe and Asia

Group Leader
This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders, otherwise known as a Chief Experience Officer (CEO). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.

Group Size Notes
Max 16, avg 12

Meals Included
6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Meeting - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
Your Big Night Out Moment: Cairo.
Wadi Araba Hike. Wadi Araba Camping. Saint Catherine's Monastery Visit. Mount Sinai Sunrise Hike. Free time in Dahab. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

The prime attractions of Madaba, Jordan—located on the King's Highway, 20 mi/30 km southwest of Amman—are its many sixth-century Byzantine mosaics. Free Madaba Travel
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The most famous and most impressive of these mosaics is the enormous sixth-century map of Palestine and Egypt that is located in St. George's Greek Orthodox Church.

A few blocks from the church is the Madaba Archaeological Museum, which contains the remains of several Byzantine churches, including some wonderful mosaics found there and in other parts of the region, as well as other ancient artifacts. The nearby mosaic school was established to teach the restoration of these rare artworks.

Residents of Madaba are reclaiming their once-endangered heritage thanks to efforts, aided by USAID, such as the Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art and Restoration. The area offers many shops for mosaics and other souvenirs. Cafes and restaurants also proliferate.

Madaba is a good base for exploring surrounding sights. You should definitely consider a jaunt to Mount Nebo—it offers an excellent view of the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea and (on clear days) Jerusalem. A sixth-century church marks the spot where Moses is said to have seen the Land of Canaan at the end of his life (he, too, enjoyed the view).

Other area attractions include Mukawir (20 mi/34 km southwest of Madaba) or Herod's Fortress, where Salome danced and John the Baptist was beheaded); the beautiful mosaics in the church at Siyagha; and more beautiful mosaics in Umm ar-Rasas.

Near Herod's Fortress is the Bani Hamadi Project, where Bedouin women continue an ancient tradition of making and working with simple looms.