Day 1: Arrival in Amman: Hotel Transfers and City Exploration
Once you arrive in Amman, our team will extend a warm welcome and be on hand to help with your hotel transfer. After you've comfortably settled in, we'll offer a brief introduction to the neighborhood, pointing out local shops, cafes, and restaurants. This will be followed by some free time for you to independently discover the city's distinctive atmosphere, allowing you to immerse yourself in its unique charm before the official commencement of the tour tomorrow.
Overnight - Amman
Day 2: Discovering Ancient Roman Ruins and Amman's Historical Sites
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
Day 3: Discovering Madaba, Mount Nebo, Kerak Castle, and Petra
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
Day 4: Discovering Petra and camping under the stars in Wadi Rum
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
Day 5: Jeep Safari in Wadi Rum & Swim in the Dead Sea
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
Day 6: From Amman to Cairo: Hotel Transfer and Optional Nile Dinner Cruise
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
Day 7: Exploring the Pyramids & Sphinx at Giza before transfer to Luxor
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 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 plane 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.
Day 8: Luxor : Exploring Luxor
In the morning, there's an optional tour – seize the opportunity for an unforgettable experience as you take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the West Bank of the Nile.
After breakfast, we begin our tour in Luxor, starting with the magnificent Karnak Temple, famous for its massive columns and majestic design. We then move on to the beautiful Luxor Temple, located in the heart of the city, showcasing the grandeur of ancient Egyptian history and architecture.
Visits: Karnak Temple – Luxor Temple
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 10: Edfu, cruise to Kom Ombo & Aswan
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
Day 11: Aswan, Abu Simbel option. Philae Temple & Aswan Dam
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
Day 12: Fly to Cairo, Egyptian Museum & optional tours
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
Day 13: Cairo, Free time. Departure airport transfer
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
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