Overview

Come along on a fascinating journey through time, commencing with a visit to the ancient, awe-inspiring city of Jerash. Here, you'll be captivated by the remarkable Roman architecture that once lay concealed beneath the sands of history. The adventure continues as you explore Jerash's most remarkable ruins, including its grand theaters, bathhouses, elegant fountains, labyrinthine paved streets, and commanding hilltop temples.

Following our exploration of Jerash, we'll return to Amman for an enlightening city tour. Amman, often referred to as the "white city," enchants with its array of white limestone structures that are nothing short of breathtaking. Our knowledgeable guide will unravel the rich tapestry of the city's history, pointing out archaeological gems and renovations spanning from the Neolithic era, through the Hellenistic and late Roman periods to the Arab Islamic Ages.

One of the tour's highlights is the Citadel, where you'll encounter the ancient Temple of Hercules, the 8th-century Umayyad Palace, the Byzantine Church, and the astonishing 6,000-seat Roman theatre, which harkens back to the 2nd century. Remarkably, this ancient theater still hosts cultural events, offering an unforgettable glimpse into Amman's vibrant cultural heritage.

Overnight - Amman
Meals: Breakfast

Today, we set forth on a picturesque journey along the King's Highway, a route that offers breathtaking vistas of Jordan's scenic wadis, serene olive groves, and charming rural villages. En route, we'll pause to visit significant historical landmarks, commencing with a stop in Madaba. Here, we'll explore the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, where you'll be captivated by the renowned 6th-century Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land, showcasing various biblical sites.

Our expedition continues to Mount Nebo, affording you the opportunity to stand in awe of the sweeping panoramic views of the Holy Land from its summit. As we progress towards our final destination, Petra, we'll traverse the impressive Wadi al-Mujib and make a captivating stop at the 12th-century Kerak Castle. This colossal fortress, built by Crusader King Baldwin along the ancient Egypt-Syrian caravan route, stands as a testament to history's grandeur.

Finally, our journey brings us to Petra, where we'll assist you in checking into your hotel for the night. You'll have some free time to explore the city at your leisure, yet we enthusiastically recommend embarking on the Petra by Candlelight tour through the Siq to the Treasury. This enchanting experience is truly a must-see.

Overnight - Petra
Meals: Breakfast

Today, we embark on a full-day adventure to discover the wonders of Petra, the renowned Nabatean site dating back to the 1st century AD. Once the bustling capital of the Nabatean commercial empire, Petra was forgotten for centuries until rediscovered by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812. Accessible only through a narrow passage called the Siq, Petra is perched on the edge of Wadi Aruba, surrounded by towering canyon walls and hills. Our guided tour takes us through the winding Siq, rising 200m above and only 2m wide. We'll pass by the terracotta pipes that once brought water into the city and the ancient Nabatean water channel. As we emerge from the Siq, we'll be awestruck by the sight of the Khazneh, also known as the Treasury, one of Petra's most impressive landmarks. We'll also explore the Roman amphitheater, colonnaded streets, and the multi-colored sandstone cliffs leading to the Monastery, Petra's biggest carved monument, standing 50 meters high and 45 meters wide. The views of Wadi Aruba and the Jordan Valley from this point are simply breathtaking. After an unforgettable day in Petra, we'll head to Wadi Rum, a stunning desert landscape of towering rocks and cliffs. Here, we'll be welcomed by friendly Bedouin hosts and settle into a comfortable campsite beneath the starry sky. We'll indulge ina delicious traditional Jordanian meal and spend the evening relaxing by the campfire, gazing at the stars, and enjoying the tranquility of this breathtaking desert setting.

Overnight - Wadi Rum Bedouin camp
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Our day begins with an exciting jeep safari through Wadi Rum's magnificent desert landscape. With sharp cliffs and intriguing rock formations, the enormous rust-colored rocky 'jebels' in this area were made famous by the film Lawrence of Arabia. We'll traverse the desert terrain and marvel at the stunning vistas that stretch out before us. After our adventure in Wadi Rum, we'll travel north to the banks of the Dead Sea. This body of water is the lowest point on earth, at over 400 meters below sea level. The sea receives a variety of incoming rivers, including the Jordan River, and when the rivers merge together, they leave behind a unique blend of salts and minerals that supply local industries with high-quality products. We'll stop for a swim in the Dead Sea, a truly unique and memorable experience unlike any other swimming experience. Due to its high salt concentration, you'll float effortlessly. Remember to avoid getting the water in your eyes, as it can be quite uncomfortable. After enjoying the unique swimming experience in the Dead Sea, we'll make our way back to Amman, taking in the scenic views of the hills of Jerusalem along the way. This area is believed to have been the home of five biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Adman, Zebouin, and Zoar (Bela).

Overnight - Amman
Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to Amman airport for your flight to Cairo, where we'll meet you upon arrival. Our team will assist you in obtaining your visa and luggage before transferring you to your Cairo hotel for check-in. Take some free time to explore the city on your own or relax at the hotel. For those interested in a unique dining experience, an optional Nile dinner cruise is available tonight. Please note that the cost of the Amman-Cairo flight is not included in the tour price. We've left this out to provide flexibility, as it's often more cost-effective for you to include this flight as part of your main international flight ticket. However, we're happy to book this flight for you separately if needed. Both Egypt Air and Royal Jordanian Airlines offer direct flights at any time during the day. We can also assist you in booking all of your international flights upon request. All transfers in Amman and Cairo are included in the tour price.

Overnight - Cairo
Meals: Breakfast

Begin your Egyptian adventure by visiting the iconic Great Pyramids of Giza, located on the outskirts of Cairo. Built by the Pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure around 2500 years BC, these pyramids are among the most recognizable ancient buildings in the world. Your Egyptologist guide will introduce you to the history of the Pharaohs and provide insights into why and how these pyramids were constructed. For the adventurous, there is even an option to climb inside one of the pyramids (subject to availability). Next, visit the majestic Sphinx, which was fully uncovered only in the 1920s and sits nearby the pyramids. Afterwards, we'll transfer you by bus or train south along the banks of the River Nile, passing through quaint towns and villages on the way to Luxor. Upon arrival, check-in to your hotel and relax after a long day of sightseeing.

Overnight - Luxor
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, you have the option to relax in your hotel or embark on an optional tour to Luxor Museum. This impressive museum showcases a vast collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including some of the most important specimens from this period. The museum also features items from the post-Pharaonic era in Egypt, providing a comprehensive look at the region's history.

Following the museum visit, we'll continue our journey south along the Nile towards Aswan. Our destination for the night is a local guesthouse in a Nubian village. The Nubian people are the ancient inhabitants of the Nile region, spanning across present-day southern Egypt and northern Sudan. During our stay, we'll have the opportunity to explore the vibrant and colorful houses of the Nubian village and enjoy a traditional meal. This is an excellent chance to immerse ourselves in the unique culture and lifestyle of this fascinating community.

Overnight: Luxor - 5-star Nile cruise boat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, there is an (optional excursion) seize the opportunity to take a spectacular sunrise hot air balloon flight over the West bank of the Nile. After breakfast, we'll embark on our tour of Luxor today, starting with the impressive temple complex of Karnak. Featuring towering columns and numerous temples and structures, Karnak rightly justifies Luxor's reputation as the largest open-air museum in the world! In the afternoon, we'll set sail up the Nile, passing through the lock at Esna and continuing on to Edfu, where we'll spend the night.

Overnight: Edfu - 5-star Nile cruise boat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we'll visit the nearby Edfu Temple, dedicated to the god Horus. We'll then continue upriver towards Kom Ombo, taking in the traditional rural Egyptian life that passes us by on the banks of the Nile. You may want to relax and enjoy a soak in the plunge pool on the boat's sun deck. At Kom Ombo, we'll tour the temple, which sits scenically by the banks of the Nile and is home to mummified crocodiles, among other things! Our cruise will then continue onwards to Aswan.

Overnight: Aswan - 5-star Nile cruise boat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, you have the option to visit the temples built by Ramses II at the amazing UNESCO World Heritage site of Abu Simbel. We'll depart very early with the aim of seeing the rising sun over the temples. If you choose not to visit Abu Simbel, you'll have the morning free. Our tours in Aswan include a trip to the beautiful island temple complex of Philae, which we'll reach by boat. The Philae temple remains one of Egypt’s most romantic and picturesque sites, having been completely relocated following work on the Dam. We'll also see the impressive Aswan High Dam, which was constructed to form Lake Nasser.

Overnight: Aswan - 5-star Nile cruise boat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After transferring to Aswan airport this morning. Upon arrival our Cairo tour begins with a visit to the world-renowned Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, also known as the Egyptian Museum. With your certified Egyptologist guide, you'll stroll through the halls highlighting each historical period of this ancient land. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure, or you can opt for a half-day tour to discover Cairo's old churches and synagogues in Coptic Cairo, visit the Citadel overlooking the city, and explore the narrow streets of the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. Finally, you can choose to end the day with an optional dinner cruise on the Nile.

Overnight - Cairo
Meals: Breakfast

Today, you have free time until we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. If you're interested in extending your trip, we offer a variety of options to add onto the end of the tour. You can spend some time by the Red Sea, add day trips to Alexandria, Cairo city tour, or visit the World Heritage Site of Wadi Rayan and the Valley of the Whales. Just let us know your preferences, and we'll be happy to arrange it for you.

Meals: Breakfast