Egypt & Jordan

Day 1: Welcome to Ancient Egypt

Welcome to Egypt! On arrival at the airport, you’ll be transferred to our hotel to enjoy the rest of today at leisure.

Day 2: Pyramids of Giza & Saqqara

Explore Egypt’s most famous site today as we enjoy a tour of the legendary Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The largest of the three pyramids, Cheops, will tower above you at 481ft tall - it was the tallest man-made structure in the world for 3,800 years. Later, continue to Saqqara to see the famous Pyramid of Djoser and explore the countless tombs and burial sites that this necropolis has to offer. A visit to a government supervised Papyrus Museum will also be made at some point during today.

Day 3: The Grand Egyptian Museum

Today we’ll visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum. This vast museum is home to thousands of artefacts, some of which have never been on display before. Built just 2km from the pyramids, the new museum is also home to a large Tutankhamun exhibition and makes use of modern technology including virtual reality. After our tour we head over to National Museum of Egyptian Civilization where 20 mummies of ancient Egyptian kings and queens are now on display in the Royal Mummies' Hall, including Ramses II and Queen Hatshepsut. After we've seen the mummies, we return to the hotel where there's time to relax before we board the overnight train to Aswan this evening.


Day 4: Philae Temple

Arrive in Aswan and enjoy some free time before we take a boat trip to Agilkia Island this afternoon. Here we discover the beautiful Philae Temple, which is dedicated to the goddess Isis. The temple was painstakingly relocated to Agilkia in the 1960s after floods from Lake Nasser threatened to destroy it. After our final visit to the perfume oil emporium, you can spend the rest of today at leisure - perhaps take a stroll through Aswan’s bustling market.

Day 5: Felucca Sailing & Optional Excursion to Abu Simbel

This morning you may join our optional trip to Abu Simbel to marvel at the 4 giant statues of Ramses II that guard the entrance to this famous temple. Later, we say goodbye to Aswan and board a traditional felucca sail boat to begin our cruise along the Nile. If sailing by felucca is not your style, consider upgrading to a 5 star luxury Nile Cruise.

Day 6:Felucca Sailing & Kom Ombo

Relax onboard our felucca as we cruise along the mighty Nile. This afternoon we dock at Kom Ombo and explore the famous symmetrical temple, dedicated to both the falcon god Horus and the crocodile god Sobek. We then continue downriver and spend our final night onboard the felucca. 

Day 7: Luxor

Disembark this morning as we drive to ancient Luxor. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city and there is an optional trip to Luxor Temple tonight. After dark the site is beautifully illuminated by hundreds of lights.

 

Day 8: Valley of The Kings

Today we’ll explore the famous Valley of the Kings, where important pharaohs were buried in richly decorated tombs. Our excursion will also take in the temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Marvel at these two giant statues of King Amenhotep III, all that remains of what was once the largest temple complex in the world. This afternoon our tour continues to the colossal Karnak Temple. You’ll feel like a pharaoh yourself as you walk down the Avenue of Sphinxes and admire the towering columns of Hypostyle Hall. This evening, we return to Cairo on the night train.

Day 9: Free time in Cairo

Arrive back in Cairo and enjoy a day in the bustling capital at leisure. Perhaps explore Khan el Khalili bazaar where you can buy souvenirs and taste delicious street food.
 

Day 10: Goodbye Egypt, Hello Jordan

Today we say goodbye to Egypt and transfer to the airport for your flight to Amman, Jordan. On arrival you’ll be transferred to our hotel where the rest of today is free to enjoy as you please.

Day 11: Mt Nebo & the Promised Lands

This morning we’ll tour the citadel and Archaeological Museum in Amman and walk through a local souk to taste typical Jordanian street food.

We then leave Amman and travel to Mt Nebo - the site from where Moses first saw the Promised Land. Enjoy the same view over the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea and Jericho before we explore Madaba. We’ll tour highlights of the town including the Church of St George and the Madaba Museum. Our day continues with a trip to the UNESCO-listed ruins of Umm-ar-Rasas, where we’ll see the beautiful mosaic floor of St. Stephen’s Church, before we finally arrive in the “Rose City” of Petra. There is an optional excursion tonight to see Petra by night, as we take a candlelit stroll to the ancient Treasury. 

Day 12: Petra sightseeing

Enjoy a tour of Petra today as we walk along the Siq to the Khazneh (The Treasury), which you may recognize from the blockbuster film, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Our tour will also climb the steep steps to Ad-Deir (The Monastery), hidden high in the hills.

Day 13: Wadi Rum

See more of Petra this morning as we climb to the High Place of Sacrifice and enjoy magnificent views of our surroundings. We also visit Wadi Farasa, then say goodbye to Petra as we travel to the desert of Wadi Rum. Enjoy a 4X4 safari into the wilderness to our remote campsite and feast on a delicious Jordanian meal. Tonight, we settle down to sleep under the stars, away from the lights and noise of civilization.

Day 14: Shobak Castle & The Dead Sea

We leave the desert this morning and head to Shobak Castle, built by the Crusader King Baldwin I in 1115. After exploring this fascinating hill-top fortress we continue to the shores of the Dead Sea. Bob in the mineral-rich waters where the high salt content will keep you afloat.

Before we arrive at the Dead Sea, April to October departures will also enjoy a trek along the famous Siq Trail to Wadi Mujib, one of Jordan’s most remarkable natural features. Walk through the towering canyon and prepare to get wet as we wade through the river. 

Day 15: Farewell

Our adventure ends today with a departure transfer to Amman airport.