Egypt and Jordan both conjure up images of magnificent pasts. In our time in Egypt we visit all the major sites including the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx, Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Egyptian Museum, as well as enjoy a relaxing three-night cruise on the Nile River. We then fly to Amman, the capital of Jordan, where a visit to the ancient Roman town of Jerash is followed by a stop at the lowest point on Earth - the Dead Sea. We explore Dana Nature Reserve before heading to the back of Petra, where we spend the first of several nights as guests of local Bedouin people. We start our full day's exploration of Petra by entering from the back door against the crowds; this experience is sure to be a true highlight. We then ride camels into the sand dunes of the vast and desolate Wadi Rum and have time to relax in the seaside town of Aqaba. A tour of Amman finishes off our amazing adventure.
Itinerary
| Day 1 |
(Fri) Arrive Cairo and transfer to hotel. |
| Day 2 |
Visit Egyptian Museum, pyramids and Sphinx. Sleeper train to Luxor. |
| Day 3 |
Arrive Luxor. Horse-drawn carriages to Karnak Temple. |
| Day 4 |
Visit Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon. Board Nile cruise boat. |
| Days 5-6 |
Sail to Aswan. Visit Edfu and Komombo Temples. |
| Day 7 |
Free day in Aswan. Optional visit to Abu Simbel. Sleeper train to Cairo. |
| Day 8 |
Arrive Cairo. Visit medieval quarter including Gayer-Anderson Museum, Ibn Tulun Mosque and Khan al-Khalili bazaar. |
| Day 9 |
Transfer to Cairo airport and fly to Amman. |
| Day 10 |
Day trip to Jerash and the Dead Sea. |
| Day 11 |
Drive to Madaba, Mt Nebo and Karak Castle, on to Dana Nature Reserve. |
| Day 12 |
Day walk in Dana Nature Reserve, continue to Al Beida (Ammarin Camp) hidden behind Petra. |
| Day 13 |
Full day exploring Petra starting from the quieter back entrance. |
| Day 14 |
Short visit to Petra (optional), ride camels into Wadi Rum, overnight desert camp. |
| Day 15 |
Full days exploration of Wadi Rum. |
| Day 16 |
Continue to Red Sea town of Aqaba, spend the afternoon relaxing in this great little town. |
| Day 17 |
Travel to Amman, explore with an afternoon city tour. |
| Day 18 |
Tour ends in Amman after breakfast (Tues). |