Embark on an exhilarating 16-day journey unraveling the wonders of Egypt and Jordan. From the awe-inspiring Pyramids and the mystical Valley of the Kings to serene Nile felucca cruising and leisure by the Red Sea, the Egyptian leg promises a blend of history and relaxation. Jordan adds another layer of enchantment with the rose-hued marvel of Petra, the captivating red desert of Wadi Rum, and the unique buoyancy of the Dead Sea. This comprehensive adventure offers an immersive experience, seamlessly weaving historical marvels and the natural splendor of these two captivating countries.
Greetings in Egypt! Upon your arrival in Cairo, delight in an inclusive transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your pace. If you arrive early, consider enhancing your experience by reserving our optional Backstreets of Cairo tour.For those with an inclination to extend their stay and delve deeper into Egypt's wonders, we also provide a pre-tour excursion to the Mediterranean city of Alexandria.
Optional Excursions: Cairo city tour approx $45 pp
Alexandria DayTrip approx $149 pp
Overnight - Cairo
Our day begins with an exploration of Egypt's most iconic site—the magnificent Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx. With ample time for exploration, you'll have a close encounter with the world's only surviving and oldest ancient wonder. Following that, we venture to the ancient tomb-filled necropolis at Saqqara, featuring the highlight of Zhoser's step pyramid, crafted by Imhotep, the pharaoh's chief architect in 2700 BC. Additionally, today's itinerary includes a visit to a government-supervised Papyrus Museum at some point during the day.
Overnight - Cairo
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, we embark on an enlightening guided tour of the new Grand Egyptian Museum, an expansive 490,000 sq.m complex showcasing a staggering array of exhibits and ancient artifacts from Egypt and around the world, some of which are unveiled for the first time. Notable among them is the giant exhibition featuring the treasures of King Tutankhamun, including his iconic solid gold funerary mask. Following our guided exploration, we proceed to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, where the captivating Royal Mummies' Hall unveils 20 mummies of ancient Egyptian kings and queens, such as Ramses II and Queen Hatshepsut, remarkably well-preserved with hair and fingernails intact. After immersing ourselves in this extraordinary hall, we return to the hotel for leisure time before boarding the overnight train to Aswan this evening.
Optional Excursions: The Pharaonic Village: approx $45 pp
Overnight - Sleeper Train
Meals: Breakfast
Upon our arrival in Aswan, we check into our hotel and then embark on a boat trip to Agilika Island. There, we explore the Temples of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis. The use of essential and perfumed oils in Egypt dates back to 2700 BC. On our return to Aswan, our final stop for the day is at a perfume oil emporium. The remainder of the evening is yours to enjoy at your own pace—whether you choose to explore the vibrant souqs or simply unwind and relax.
Overnight - Aswan
Meals: Breakfast
Today presents an optional early morning excursion by road to the renowned Abu Simbel, home to the rock-cut temple of King Ramses II. Later in the day, we embark on our Nile felucca for a 2-night cruise downstream toward Kom Ombo. Relax, soak up the sun, and engage in conversations with fellow travelers as the felucca gracefully follows its course. Along the way, we make stops at local villages and the waterside Temple of Kom Ombo. If felucca sailing isn't your preference, consider upgrading to a luxurious 5-star Nile Cruise.
Optional Excursions: Abu Simbel Temple approx $90 pp by bus
Overnight - Felucca Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sail on the Nile aboard a felucca heading to Kom Ombo. Unwind, take a refreshing swim, or simply bask in the sun on the deck. Allow your worries to dissolve as the felucca gracefully follows its course. In the afternoon, we dock near Kom Ombo and utilize a motorboat to visit the temple dedicated to the crocodile-headed god Sobek. Following our exploration, we return to the felucca for a tranquil night on the river.
Overnight - Felucca Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we disembark and proceed to Luxor. As the home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Karnak, Luxor, with its 4000-year-old history, represents ancient Egypt at its finest. Take some time for rest and relaxation. This evening, you have the option to visit the Temple of Luxor, or alternatively, enjoy the amenities of our hotel.
Optional Excursions: Luxor Temple approx $40 pp
Overnight - Luxor
Meals: Breakfast
Today, our exploration takes us to the West Bank of the Nile and the renowned Valley of the Kings. Admire the Colossi of Memnon, the imposing stone remnants of Amenophis III's temple, and delve into the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and its adjacent tombs. Following lunch, we visit the Temple of Karnak, a magnificent religious complex on a grand scale, where one can wander amidst the stone papyrus columns and get lost in its splendor. The remainder of the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Optional Excursions: Hot air balloon approx $120 pp
Overnight - Luxor
Meals: Breakfast
On day 9, we depart Luxor and head east to Hurghada, situated along the stunning Red Sea Riviera. Enjoy the remainder of today and tomorrow with free time for exploration or relaxation. On day 10, consider an optional day trip to Giftun Island for swimming and snorkeling, available for booking locally. Hurghada stands out as one of the Red Sea's premier resorts, boasting hotels and expanded infrastructure that offer exceptional aquatic facilities for activities such as sailboarding, yachting, deep-sea fishing, SCUBA diving, and snorkeling. Its central location serves as a gateway to world-class offshore reefs.
Optional Excursions: Snorkelling approx $60 pp
Overnight - Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast:2
This morning, we start early, heading to Hurghada Airport. A flight to Amman via Cairo awaits us, and upon reaching Amman, we drive south to Petra, arriving near sunset. Tonight, you might consider a candlelight stroll through Petra’s Siq—a romantic preview of things to come by joining the 'Petra By Night' excursion (book locally). It's important to note that the flight from Hurghada to Amman via Cairo is not covered in the tour cost.
Optional Excursions: Petra Candlelight tour approx $90 pp
Overnight - Petra
Meals: Breakfast
Welcome to the captivating Rose City! Our guided walk to Petra begins by traversing the renowned narrow and deep siq, leading to the breathtaking reveal of the magnificent Treasury. As we stroll along gravel tracks, we'll delve into the ancient Nabatean tombs and explore Roman rock-carved streets adorned with temples, royal tombs, staircases, arched gates, and public buildings. The colossal amphitheatre, initially constructed for 3000 spectators and expanded by the Romans to accommodate 7000, awaits our exploration. Following the guided tour, you have the freedom to continue exploring, relax, or ascend the hillside along ancient steps to reach the Monastery for stunning views.
Overnight - Petra
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, we have the option to revisit the Rose Red city for additional exploration. Later, we embark on a journey to Wadi Rum—an expansive, serene terrain adorned with pastel-colored sandy desert canvases and remarkable rock formations, also known as jebels. Our adventure continues with a 4x4 desert safari, followed by a delightful Bedouin dinner at our desert camp. Tonight, you have the choice to sleep under a canopy of stars or in tents, immersing yourself in the unique experience of the Wadi Rum desert.
Overnight - Wadi Rum
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast at the campsite, we embark on a journey north along the Desert Highway. Our first stop is Shobak Castle, a dramatic hilltop fortress built by the Crusader king Baldwin I in 1115. Following our exploration of the castle, we descend approximately 1300 meters to the Dead Sea, the Earth's lowest point. Situated more than 400 meters below sea level, the mineral-rich Dead Sea is renowned as the world's original health and beauty spa. Float in its waters and indulge in the famous black Dead Sea mud for a rejuvenating experience.
For departures between April and October, our route takes us up the King’s Highway to Wadi Mujib. Here, we engage in a moderate-paced two-hour trek along the Siq Trail. Wadi Mujib, with its impressive 500-meter depth and 4-kilometer span, showcases sheer rocky walls and sparkling waterways. The canyon's water levels vary, offering opportunities for swimming, depending on rainfall. When the water is high, be prepared for climbing ladders, navigating boulders, and wading through water. The canyon is a highlight of the Mujib Biosphere Reserve, the world's lowest nature reserve, boasting diverse wildlife and plant species. For those not interested in the full hike, there's an option to walk part of it or wait at the Visitor Centre until the group returns. After our trek, we proceed to the Dead Sea.
Overnight - Dead Sea
Meals: Breakfast
The Dead Sea is a natural wonder and a must-visit destination for many travelers. Fortunately, we have an entire day to indulge in this unique experience—floating in the mineral-rich, buoyant waters and indulging in a detoxifying mud bath. There's also the option to explore the Ma’in hot springs and the site believed to be where Jesus Christ was baptized by John (available for booking locally).
Overnight - Dead Sea
Meals: Breakfast
Today marks the conclusion of our journey together, departing from the Dead Sea to Amman. Departure transfers to Amman airport are available
Meals: Breakfast
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