Pharaohs, Pyramids & Petra

The Swiss explorer, Jean Louis Burckhardt, was commissioned by the ‘Association for Promoting the Discovery of the Interior Parts of Africa’ to discover the source of the Niger. After learning Arabic at Cambridge, he travelled first to Syria, adopting the name, clothing and manners of ‘Ibrahim ibn Abdullah’. En route to Cairo he heard stories of an ancient ‘lost’ city. On the pretext of making a sacrifice at the Tomb of Aaron (Jebel Harun), he ‘re-discovered’ the remains of the capital of Arabia Petraea. Further explorations took him along the Nile to re-discover the monumental temples of Abu Simbel. This itinerary follows Burckhardt’s travels in Jordan and Egypt on one extended arrangement, from the fabled ‘rose-red’ city of Petra to the Nile. The Monastery of St. Catherine has attracted pilgrims since AD 337 when the Empress Helena, mother of Constantine, built a sanctuary where Moses encountered the Burning Bush. The monastery has changed little and its spectacular setting at the foot of Mt. Sinai adds to its solitude and mystery.

VJV Exclusive Event - Luxor Temple Reception
Those who rediscovered ancient Egypt in the 18th and 19th centuries enjoyed magical overnight stays and this has prompted us to arrange private evening access to the Luxor Temple, enhanced by striking illumination, to savour the unique night-time atmosphere. A private reception has been arranged at the temple exclusively for the guests of Voyages Jules Verne. Enjoy a cocktail served by staff in pharaonic uniform at the illuminated Luxor Temple before strolling through the temple unimpeded by other visitors. A recording of Verdi’s Aida, once staged in the temple, will provide a musical background to the occasion and local musicians will play the Egyptian ‘takht’ music.

Note: For Oct 25 departure, a cocktail reception at the Old Winter Palace followed by a visit to the illuminated Luxor Temple.