From Mumbai to Luxor featuring an overnight in Dubai calling on Doha, Qatar; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Fujairah, United Arab Emirates; Muscat; Salalah, Oman and Petra with 7 days at sea from $10,799

NOTE: You may choose this exclusive shore event, credit toward a customized Virtuoso on-shore event, credit toward a Virtuoso Discovery pre/post hotel stay or shipboard credit. Ask us for complete option details.

Exclusive Shore Event: Petra | The "Rose" City of Petra & Lunch

We will depart from the pier by deluxe motor coach from Aqaba to Petra, one of the ancient world's most precious sites.  The drive takes approximately 2 hours through a region steeped in almost 9,000 years of continuous, living history of human civilization.

The ancient Nabataean city of Petra has often been called the eighth wonder of the ancient world.  Always breathtaking and never to be forgotten, it is the legacy of the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled in southern Jordan more than 2000 years ago. Admired then for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels, Petra is now a UNESCO world heritage site that enchants visitors from all corners of the globe. 

Upon arrival, we will approach Petra via foot and walk through the 1,200-meter-long Siq, it's steeply rising sides all but obliterating the sun, to reach the ancient city's astounding monuments and the Siq's mysterious rock faces punctuated by inscriptions and the huge guardian 'spirit blocks.'  Rounding the last bend, the gorge opens into a natural square where we'll get our first magical glimpse of Petra's most famous monument, El-Khazneh, The Treasury.  Its intricately carved facade glows in the dazzling sun.  Statues of Nabataean goddesses and tiers of Corinthian columns punctuate the famous rose-red facade.  At the summit stands a vast urn, which according to legend contains the treasures of the pharaohs. More facades beckon until the ancient city gradually unfolds.  Beyond, we'll discover the numerous individual monuments, including buildings, tombs, baths, funerary halls, temples, arched gateways, and colonnaded streets, mostly carved from the kaleidoscopic sandstone by the technical and artistic genius of its inhabitants.

Returning to the entrance of the Petra site, we'll proceed to the award-winning Taybet Zaman Village resort which retains the traditional atmosphere of a 19th century ancient village of Taybet and was transformed into a 5-star hotel in the late 80's. We will dine on local delicacies and listen to the soothing sounds of the ancient Oud.  Following lunch, we will board the motor coach for our drive back to Aqaba.

Approximate Length: Eleven hours.

Suggested Attire: Casual wear with comfortable walking shoes, hat, light jacket, and sunglasses.

Note: This excursion requires 3 hours walking approximately 2-miles round-trip over a loose shale road through a desert canyon at higher altitude and at times in direct sun. It is not recommended for anyone with walking difficulties, or short in stamina.  Clients unable to visit the site are welcome to wait in the Movenpick hotel where the lunch will be held. There may be a gentle horseback ride available and a limited number of donkey-carts; they are both owned by locals operating independently and we have no way of reserving them, or knowing in advance if they will be available These are recommended for those with walking difficulties only, and it should be understood that the ride can be a bit rough and guests must stand upright in the cart during the ride.