Bales introduces trekking holidays in Jordan

Bales Worldwide is introducing a raft of new options for its Egypt, Morocco and Arabia programme for 2008/9 including the addition of The Amber, the operator’s third dahabiyya on the Nile, Oberoi’s new Zahra Spa Cruiser, an increased focus on the Red Sea, as well as walking holidays in Jordan.

The programme includes nine escorted holidays and countless independent travel choices to Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Libya, Iran and Uzbekistan with prices starting from £995 per person for the nine day Treasures of the Nile holiday.

The full programme is available as a printed brochure, as well as to read online via Balesworldwide.com.

Trekking In Jordan

New for 2008 is a choice of fully supported walking holidays in Jordan. In the Footsteps of the Bedouin includes a stunning four day camping trek which affords the opportunity to approach the magnificent ‘Rose-Red City’ of Petra in the footsteps of the ancient Bedouin – the Petra Trail. Traversing the desert route that journeys through narrow wadis and over mountain passes, the walk is fully supported with porters and guides and features camping out beneath the vast desert sky, entering the ancient city from the sanctity of its sacred ‘High Places’.

The ten day holiday is priced from £1595 per person and includes all camping equipment such as mattresses, sleeping bags and good quality tents. A reasonable level of fitness is advised as the itinerary involves on average seven hours trekking each day and the first holiday departs on the 14th March 2008.

Jordan with a difference is a 10 day holiday priced from £1485 per person. The journey through the hidden roots of the Hashemite Kingdom is discovered through a series of day walks and desert trails taking in Um Qais, Iraq Al Amir, Mt Nebo, Madaba, Umm er-Rasas, Kerak, Petra Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. The highlight has to be the optional trek between Little Petra and the magnificent Monastery which passes ancient Neolithic ruins and traverses the rocky ledges of the Sharah mountain ranges.

The Nile In Style

Bales continues to be one of the few UK tour operator to offer this unique dahabbiya Nile cruise experience (private 19th century style wooden crafted river sailing vessels) as part of the 12 day Nostalgic Nile holiday priced from £1599 per person. Due to its popularity Bales will add a third vessel for 2008, as the Amber joins the Nesma and the Zahra. The dahabiyyas revive those elegant days of the early 19th century when aristocrats and sophisticated travellers cruised the Nile.

All vessels are fitted out in colonial style with oriental and Egyptian touches and each of the six cabins has its own individual decoration. The 12 day holiday includes three days in Cairo staying at the Mena House Oberoi Hotel, before embarking on the cruise at Luxor or Aswan for a leisurely seven day cruise. The vessel stops at private moorings, away from the larger towns, as well as calling in at little visited Nile islands.

The Oberoi Zahra Cruise

Bales will feature Oberoi’s new Zahra Cruiser which promises the Nile’s first massages suites as well as offering the largest cabins on the river. The seven day cruise sailing from Luxor to Aswan features as part of Bales’12 day holiday, The Oberoi Zahra Cruise, priced from £1695 per person and combines a three night stay at the Oberoi Mena House in Cairo.The luxury cruiser has 27 suites; the standard cabins feature king size beds set in 26 square metres (the size of many regular hotel rooms) with large picture windows and panoramic views of the Nile.

Passengers can enjoy daily ‘spa time’ as part of their Nile sightseeing itinerary, to take advantage of the wellness options including relaxing treatments in one of the three massage suites, a dip in the swimming pool, or something more strenuous in the gymnasium.

Red Sea Options

Bales has expanded its Red Sea programme for 2008, offering a wide choice of holidays in five different resorts. New for 2008 is the introduction of El Quseir, a quieter and less commercialised resort located 140 kms south of Hurghada. It offers excellent diving and snorkelling and is ideally situated to explore the nearby desert by Jeep Safari. Stay at the Movenpick El Quseir Resort which has a private beach and is built in a tradition Nubian style.

For a copy of the new brochure or for reservations visit Balesworldwide.com.