Ancient Wonders of Israel, Egypt & Jordan

The resort town of Aqaba, on the Red Sea at the southern end of Jordan, is a popular spot for divers with some of the best coral reefs in the world. Snorkeling and other water sports are popular, and it's easy to hire a boat for a day or half-day, including lunch.Aqaba has become quite a bustling destination, with several large luxury hotels and a large shopping area. There are many jewelry stores selling pearls, gem stones, and gold and silver jewelry. It's worth noting that although it's an international beach resort, Aqaba is quite conservative—certainly much more so than Amman—and North Americans tend to be more comfortable at the private hotel beaches.

Welcome to Jordan and the ancient port city of Aqaba. Here, you’ll be transferred to your  Emerald Cruises luxury yacht to embark on an unforgettable voyage exploring the wonders of Jordan, Egypt and Israel.

Please book your flight to arrive into Aqaba prior to 07:00 PM.

The resort town of Aqaba, on the Red Sea at the southern end of Jordan, is a popular spot for divers with some of the best coral reefs in the world. Snorkeling and other water sports are popular, and it's easy to hire a boat for a day or half-day, including lunch.Aqaba has become quite a bustling destination, with several large luxury hotels and a large shopping area. There are many jewelry stores selling pearls, gem stones, and gold and silver jewelry. It's worth noting that although it's an international beach resort, Aqaba is quite conservative—certainly much more so than Amman—and North Americans tend to be more comfortable at the private hotel beaches.

On the shores of the Red Sea, Aqaba, Jordan's only coastal city is renowned for its stunning coral reefs and sunken vessels. Divers and snorkelling enthusiasts are drawn to the warm, clear waters to explore these underwater ecosystems. Beyond its natural allure, Aqaba holds a significant place in history, inhabited since around 4,000 B.C.

Positioned on the western shores of the Red Sea's Gulf of Suez, Ain Sokhna presents an elegant seaside town. As it is located only two hours from the Egyptian capital, Cairo, Ain Sokhna makes the perfect base for visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza, one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.’

Port Safago has been undergoing a transformation, slowly metamorphosing into a holiday rsort. Like other cities on the Red Sea, the commercial port town sits close to great offshore dive sites. Unlike others, however, tourist development hasn't taken off in a meaningful way. But if the mass tourism in Hurghada is a turnoff, Safaga offers a small-scale and much more low-key alternative, though the best dive sites can still be seen on a day trip from Hurghada. Safaga is also the closest beach resort to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, which lies 200 km (124 mi) to the southwest; when cruise ships offer land excursions to Luxor, they often do so through Safaga.

Today, you’ll arrive in Safaga, an enchanting Egyptian city that offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, water sports, and compelling ancient history. This former fishing village is nowadays popular or its stunning coral reefs and black sand dunes, peaceful beaches and therapeutic mineral springs.

Port Safago has been undergoing a transformation, slowly metamorphosing into a holiday rsort. Like other cities on the Red Sea, the commercial port town sits close to great offshore dive sites. Unlike others, however, tourist development hasn't taken off in a meaningful way. But if the mass tourism in Hurghada is a turnoff, Safaga offers a small-scale and much more low-key alternative, though the best dive sites can still be seen on a day trip from Hurghada. Safaga is also the closest beach resort to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, which lies 200 km (124 mi) to the southwest; when cruise ships offer land excursions to Luxor, they often do so through Safaga.

Safaga also serves as a gateway to some of the nation’s most iconic and ancient sites, transporting you into the heart of a more authentic Egypt. One such sites such as Luxor, formerly known as the ‘City of a Hundred Doors.’ Luxor is considered by many to be the world’s greatest open-air museum, where some of the most majestic temples remain.

The port and town of Sharm-el-Sheikh lies near the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula where the Straits of Tiran meet the Gulf of Aqaba. With its strategic position, the Sinai posed a desirable target for various rulers over the centuries. In recent times, the last battle for the Sinai was fought between Egypt and Israel from 1967 to 1979, ending with a peace treaty signed in Washington, D.C. Since the withdrawal of the Israelis, more and more Egyptians have settled in the Sinai, taking advantage of the booming tourist trade. However, vast interior regions are still sparsely populated. Many Bedouins have been affected by the advent of the 21st century, which is rapidly changing their age-old customs and nomadic lifestyle. As tourism and hotel projects continue to spring up along the Sinai coast, contact with Bedouins not involved in tourism is becoming increasingly rare. Once their nomadic life kept them on the move with their tents; today many Bedouins cultivate grain, vegetables and dates in addition to catering to the tourists. Sharm-el-Sheikh was initially developed by the Israelis during the Sinai occupation. Na'ama Bay, a short drive from the port, has grown from virtually nothing into a sizeable resort since the early 1980s. Between the two towns, a string of hotels line a once-untouched coastline. Resort hotels offer great opportunities for swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving. Glass bottom boat trips are available for those preferring to view the exotic marine life of the Red Sea without getting their feet wet.

On the tip of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, you’ll discover the glamorous resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh. Here, the desert meets the sea, creating an environment rich in biodiversity and a melting pot of cultures. Spend your day diving into the colourful world beneath the Red Sea’s shimmering surface, or take a step back in time, exploring the city’s ancient mosques and bustling bazaars, steeped in tradition.

Welcome to Israel. Situated on the edge of the Negev Desert between Egypt and Jordan and encircled by unique rock formations, Eilat presents a spectacular destination combining sun, sea and desert. Popular for its excellent water sports and incredible natural beauty, Eilat is also gateway to the Coral World Underwater Observatory, Israel’s biggest public aquarium and home to over 800 species, along with an Aquarium Museum, Shark Tank, Turtle and Stingray Pool. In the evening you will set sail and overnight in Aqaba

The resort town of Aqaba, on the Red Sea at the southern end of Jordan, is a popular spot for divers with some of the best coral reefs in the world. Snorkeling and other water sports are popular, and it's easy to hire a boat for a day or half-day, including lunch.Aqaba has become quite a bustling destination, with several large luxury hotels and a large shopping area. There are many jewelry stores selling pearls, gem stones, and gold and silver jewelry. It's worth noting that although it's an international beach resort, Aqaba is quite conservative—certainly much more so than Amman—and North Americans tend to be more comfortable at the private hotel beaches.

In prehistoric times, Aqaba’s strategic coastal location meant the city flourished as an epicentre of trade and communication. Its importance grew even more during the Iron Age when it was part of the biblical kingdoms of Edom, Moab and later, the Nabatean kingdom. In modern times, Aqaba has emerged as a major tourist destination, popular for its inviting warm waters, rich marine life, and impressive ancient history.

The resort town of Aqaba, on the Red Sea at the southern end of Jordan, is a popular spot for divers with some of the best coral reefs in the world. Snorkeling and other water sports are popular, and it's easy to hire a boat for a day or half-day, including lunch.Aqaba has become quite a bustling destination, with several large luxury hotels and a large shopping area. There are many jewelry stores selling pearls, gem stones, and gold and silver jewelry. It's worth noting that although it's an international beach resort, Aqaba is quite conservative—certainly much more so than Amman—and North Americans tend to be more comfortable at the private hotel beaches.

Your luxurious Emerald yacht cruise concludes in Aqaba, Jordan. After bidding farewell to your crew and fellow guests, from the yacht, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight home, or to continue your holiday.

Please book your flight to depart out of Aqaba after 11:00 AM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will operated unaltered from the itinerary states above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.