Days
16
Price from
See the Pyramids, sail the Nile and soak up Petra
From the Valley of the Kings to the awe-inspiring ruins of Petra, this 16-day adventure through Egypt and Jordan reveals the sphinxes and tombs of your childhood imagination and then some. Sail down the Nile, visit traditional Nubian communities, dig for obscure treasure in ancient marketplaces and float in the Dead Sea. Be guided by a passionate Egyptologist and a Jordanian local, respectively, for the most immersive possible experiences in two fascinating nations. This tour reveals the iconic sites that you’ve seen on film plus plenty of intimate moments with locals who are proud to invite you into their world.
- Code
- PGEJC
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 9 reviews
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Why you'll love this trip
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Discover the icons of ancient Egypt like the monumental temples of Abu Simbel, the Sphinx, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings with an Egyptologist as your guide.
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Take a whole day to soak up the wonders of Petra on a guided exploration of the Treasury, the cobbled Roman Road, the Amphitheatre and several tombs.
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Spend four nights on a riverboat cruising the Nile, alighting to explore ancient sites and relaxing by the onboard pool as life flows by.
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Travel through the immense red desert landscapes of Wadi Rum and spend the night at a Bedouin camp in a luxuriously furnished tent complete with your own private terrace.
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Enjoy local moments like a homecooked meal with a family in Cairo, visits to Nubian villages along the Nile and a tour of Jordan’s desert with Bedouin hosts.
Is this trip right for you?
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Both countries can get very hot in the summer months of July and August, while Jordan can be cold in winter. Where possible, you will visit sites in the early morning, but we ask that you consider your suitability to the season you wish to travel.
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This itinerary involves multiple early starts in order to beat the heat and avoid crowds.
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In order to participate in all of the included activities and excursions, you will need to have a basic level of mobility and fitness. Exploring some sits requires navigating steep or rocky terrain. Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes are essential.
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Accommodation aboard the overnight train is in two-berth cabins which convert to bunk beds. Keep in mind general train cleanliness may not be to the same standards you are accustomed to.
Gallery
Itinerary
Welcome to Cairo! On arrival at the airport, take an included transfer to your hotel. You are free to arrive at any time today before an important welcome meeting, held at 6 pm. If you do arrive early, perhaps get out and explore the busy streets, finding a hole-in-the-wall eatery for a snack like ta’ameya – Egypt’s take on falafel. After your welcome meeting, where you will meet your local leader and fellow travellers, perhaps enjoy an optional dinner with the group. While your hotel may not serve alcohol, there are a number of great options for food and drink in the surrounding Zamalek area.
Accommodation
- Novotel El Borg or Similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Cairo- Saqqara and Memphis Afternoon Tour (Min 2 customers) - Transfers/Entry/Guiding-p/p - EGP1100
- Cairo - Sufi Dance Khan al-Khalili -Entry Fee - EGP85
- Cairo - Islamic Art Museum -Entry Fee - EGP140
- Cairo - The Citadel - Entry Fee - EGP180
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
An airport arrival transfer is included. This transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Peregrine. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 15 days prior to travel.It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Optional Activities listed are suggestions for time spent in Cairo if arriving early or spending extra time in Cairo at the end of your tour.
This morning, tour the mighty Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx with your small group. Seeing these structures up close is captivating, and for an additional charge, you may be able to go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (or Cheops). After stopping to purchase some lunch, continue to the Egyptian Museum – home to an incredible array of artefacts and antiquities. Your expert leader, who is a trained Egyptologist, will take you through some of Egypt’s dynastic history, and will have plenty of time to explore on your own – perhaps purchasing a pass into the Royal Mummy Room. Afterwards, return to your hotel to freshen up before transferring to the railway station for a comfortable overnight sleeper train to Luxor.
Accommodation
- Sleeper Train (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cairo - The Egyptian Museum headset
- Cairo - Pyramids and Sphinx
- Cairo - Egyptian Museum
Optional Activities
- Cairo - The 2nd Pyramid of Khafre - Entry Fee - EGP100
- Cairo - The Great Pyramid of Cheops - Entry Fee - EGP400
- Cairo -The Royal Mummy Room- Entry Fee - EGP180
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
The Great Pyramid of Khufu is occasionally closed to visitors without notice. There is an additional EGP 50 fee to take photos in the Egyptian Museum.You will be required to walk around the pyramids complex. It can be very hot in the summer months, so be prepared for little shade and pack appropriate clothing, sun protection, and lots of water. Inside the pyramids is very small and warm. For those suffering from claustrophobia, it is not recommended.
Accommodation on board the overnight train is in two-berth cabins which convert to bunk beds. All bedding is provided and western-style toilets are located in each carriage. Your bags will be stored in your cabin. A simple dinner and breakfast will be served. It may be worth bringing some additional snacks, especially if you are vegetarian or have dietary requirements. Despite being a tourist class train, facilities are basic. Keep in mind general train cleanliness may not be to the same standard you are used to.
After an early breakfast on board, arrive into Luxor. It's a vibrant place with an excellent bazaar, situated close to some of ancient Egypt's most important sites. Travel to Karnak – one of the world's most celebrated temple complexes built over a period of some 200 years, and some of it dating back to 2055 BC. Your guided tour of the temple reveals its finest sections. Later today, transfer to your Nile cruise boat, which will be your home for the next four nights. You can relax by the pool on the boat or explore the town. For the rest of the afternoon and evening, you are free to relax, shop in the bazaar or perhaps experience the atmosphere of a local tea house.
Accommodation
- Riverboat (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Luxor - Karnak Temple
Optional Activities
- Luxor - Luxor Museum -Entry Fee - EGP140
- Luxor - Luxor Temple -Entry Fee - EGP160
- Luxor - Sound and Light Show at Karnak -Entry Fee - EGP300
- Luxor - Sound and Light Show at Karnak Tour - Transfers/Entry/Guiding -p/p - EGP800
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Rise early this morning and head into the Valley of the Kings. Buried under the arid hills here are over 60 tombs of pharaohs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings. Tutankhamun's final resting place is also located here, and you'll have free time to visit it. Your guide will explain the funerary rites of the ancient Egyptians and significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics. You will visit three royal tombs and then continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, set in a spectacular natural amphitheatre. Your final stop is the Colossi of Memnon – giant statues that were once part of an impressive colonnade. Enjoy lunch on return to the boat and relax on deck as you set sail from Luxor to Edfu, taking most of the afternoon and evening (approximately 1 pm to 11 pm), and passing through Esna Lock on the way.
Accommodation
- Riverboat (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Luxor - Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)
- Luxor - Tut Ank Amon Tomb
- Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple
Optional Activities
- Luxor - Valley of the Queens -Entry Fee - EGP100
- Luxor - Valley of the Queens -Tomb of Queen Nefertari -Entry Fee - EGP1200
- Luxor - Deir el Madina -Entry Fee - EGP80
- Luxor - Medinat Habu Temple -Entry Fee - EGP100
- Hot Air Balloon - Valley of the Kings - USD120
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Optional Activities mentioned today are for entry only or an organised tour facilitated by your leader. If you prefer to do your own thing, transport to sites are available and your leader can assist with organising this.You can purchase a photo ticket that will entitle you to take photos in any of the three tombs that you visit as part of your tour. The cost of the camera ticket is around EGP 300.
It is possible to do a Valley of the Kings hot air balloon tour which your leader can reserve for you. Peregrine only uses providers that have been risk assessed. You will be picked up between 4.30 and 5 am from your hotel. Balloon capacity is maximum of 25 people and cameras are prohibited in the basket (mobile phones are acceptable). This activity runs subject to weather conditions. Speak to a Peregrine booking agent for more details.
Please note that passing through Esna Lock may be a slow process depending on the number of vessels waiting.
This morning, you will be moored near Edfu and may have the option to venture independently into town to see the nearby temple. Continue along the river, relaxing in the sun on deck and taking in the desert hills forming a backdrop over the lush riverbanks. This afternoon, arrive at Kom Ombo Temple, sitting spectacularly on the river’s edge. The temple was built in approximately 181 BC and is dedicated to two gods – Horus (god of protection) and Sobek (god of fertility, linked to the Nile’s water). Each god has a dedicated section – north or south – and there have been recent discoveries of mummified crocodiles in the Sobek section. Afterwards, board your boat around 6 pm and continue to Aswan, arriving at around 9.30 pm.
Accommodation
- Riverboat (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Aswan - Kom Ombo Temple
Optional Activities
- Edfu - Edfu Temple -Entry Fee - EGP180
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
The only mode of transport to Edfu Temple is by locally managed horse and carriages. As a company committed to responsible travel, animal welfare is extremely important to us. Operators of this service have been found to be in breach of our animal welfare guidelines and, for this reason, we do not include this visit. In addition to animal welfare concerns, we have had a large amount of feedback suggesting that the visit itself is uncomfortable due to pushy vendors and suppliers at the site.Previously, some travellers have decided to walk to the temple. This takes approximately 30 minutes each way. Be aware the road is busy and there have been instances of travellers getting hassled by the carriage drivers. If you choose to walk, inform your leader before you depart and ensure you are carrying water, hat and sunscreen and have comfortable shoes.
While we recommend that you do not visit Edfu Temple, the decision is ultimately up to you. Edfu is an included port stop on your cruise.
Explore Aswan today – Egypt's southernmost city. Its relaxed charm is due in no small part to its large Nubian population. Depending on time, you might visit the beautiful Temple of Isis – the goddess of health, marriage and wisdom – rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated on Philae Island. It's a marvel of decorative pylons featuring some of Egypt's finest carvings – definitely one of the real gems of Upper Egypt. The rest of your day will be free to wander, and Aswan is a great place for it. The Nubian Bazaar and the Nubian Museum are both recommended. The waterfront promenade, or Aswan's 'corniche', runs alongside one of Nile's most appealing stretches and is the perfect place to stop for a mint tea. Watch the waterfront come alive at dusk, with people strolling and socialising all evening.
Accommodation
- Riverboat (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Aswan - Felucca Ride
- Aswan - Philae Temple
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
If there is no time today, you may visit the Temple of Isis tomorrow. Access to the temple is by small motorboats.
Depart early this morning and visit the iconic Abu Simbel by plane. With four gargantuan statues of Ramses guarding the Great Temple, this is one of Egypt's most memorable sights. After your return, the rest of the day is free for you to make your own discoveries. A popular option in Aswan is a sailboat ride around the islands in a traditional felucca, stopping off at the botanical gardens on Kitchener's Island. Alternatively, travel to the Monastery of St Simeon – an abandoned seventh-century fortress monastery located in the desert on the Nile's west bank. You might even prefer to simply relax by the hotel pool or do some shopping in the local bazaar. Your group leader will be on hand to help you arrange any excursions. In the evening, visit a Nubian village with your group and enjoy the warm hospitality and cuisine of this local community. After dinner, watch some traditional Nubian dancing, perhaps attempting some moves yourself!
Accommodation
- Hotel Basma or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Abu Simbel - Abu Simbel temples
- Abu Simbel - Flights to and from Abu Simbel
Optional Activities
- Aswan - Unfinished Obelisk -Entry Fee - EGP80
- Aswan - Nubian Museum -Entry Fee - EGP140
- Aswan - Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple -Entry Fee - EGP300
- Aswan -Sound & Light Show Philae Temple Tour (Min 2 customers) -Transfers/Entry/Guiding-p/p - EGP800
- Aswan - High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk Tour (Min 2 customers) Transfers/Entry/Guiding-p/p - EGP700
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
Your included flight to Abu Simbel will leave at around 7 am from Aswan. You will have two hours on site which includes transport to and from the temple. The expected arrival time back to Aswan is 12 pm (midday). Due to flight scheduling and availability, these times may change.On rare occasions the group may be split over several flights, or that this activity may take place yesterday. If this occurs, an additional local guide will join you to ensure that all travellers enjoy a full guided tour.
After breakfast, transfer to Aswan Airport for a short flight back to Cairo (approximately 1.5 hours) where you will be met and taken to your hotel. Drop your luggage and head with your group to the Al-Azhar neighbourhood to visit Khan al-Khalili Bazaar – a sprawling maze of alleyways with myriad products on sale, including the gold market, cloth market, 'perfume street' and the spice market. Continue to the ninth-century Ibn Tulun Mosque – one of the oldest and largest in Egypt. Its perfectly proportioned courtyard and distinctive minaret make it a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. Nearby stands the Gayer-Anderson Museum, housed in two fine old villas with a fascinating collection of Arabic artefacts, furniture and memorabilia. Stop off for an Arabic coffee or mint tea, and in the evening, share a meal with a family, gaining an insight into local Egyptian life.
Accommodation
- Novotel El Borg or Similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cairo - Gayer Anderson
- Cairo - Home Cooked Meal
- Cairo - Khan al-Khalili Bazaar
- Cairo - Ibn Tulun Mosque
Optional Activities
- Cairo - Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids Tour (Min 2 customers)-Transfers/Entry-p/p - EGP700
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
For the flight from Aswan to Cairo, the baggage allowance is up to 23 kilograms for checked-in luggage and 7 kilograms for carry-on baggage. These allowances are subject to the airline's discretion.
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Amman. On arrival you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel in Amman. Cosmopolitan and contemporary, yet steeped in biblical history, Amman has served as both the modern and ancient capital of Jordan. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a 1994 excavation uncovering homes and towers believed to have been built during the Stone Age (circa 7000 BC). Enjoy a free afternoon to maybe head to the Old Town’s Roman Amphitheatre, find fine culture at the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, look down on the city from the hilltop Temple of Hercules, or relax in a Turkish bath house. Soak up the atmosphere as you sip mint tea in a cafe. Meet your new leader and group tonight at a welcome meeting at 6 pm. As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group may change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and you're welcome to attend, as this is a great chance to meet your new fellow travellers.
Accommodation
- Sulaf Luxury Hotel Amman or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group will change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and meet your new fellow travellers.
After breakfast, drive from Amman to Wadi Rum (approximately 4.5 hours). Enjoy some lunch in the small village of Rum and browse the informative visitor’s centre. Afterwards, jump into a local jeep and journey into Wadi Rum with your Bedouin hosts. This region is probably best known for its connection with the British officer T E Lawrence, who was based here during the Great Arab Revolt of 1917 and 1918. Much of David Lean's movie on his exploits, 'Lawrence of Arabia', was actually filmed in Wadi Rum. Visit several of the area’s distinctive rock formations and appreciate the vast silence and spectacular desert landscapes. These landscapes are home to Bedouin communities that live in scattered camps. You will enjoy an evening with them at one of their camps, set in an amazing location deep in the desert.
Accommodation
- Desert Nights Camp (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Wadi Rum - Desert Jeep tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
In Wadi Rum, you will stay in permanent Bedouin-style tents with private bathrooms and hot water. Tents are furnished complete with comfortable king-size or twin beds, a sofa, mirrors, lamps, and premium bedding. All furniture is handmade. Electricity is provided in the guest tents in the evenings via solar power. Each tent has a private terrace with a fantastic view of the Wadi Rum Mountains – an ideal place to watch the stars at night.Please note that it is often difficult to secure our preferred camp in Wadi Rum. The alternative site is Memories Aicha Luxury Camp. If you would like to confirm in advance which camp is available for your tour, please check with a Peregrine booking agent 30 days prior to departure.
After waking up in the unique surrounds of your Bedouin camp this morning, take a walk around the area – the length of which depends on the group’s desires – before scaling one of the large dunes to enjoy panoramic views of your surrounds. Afterwards, head in 4WDs back to the main entrance opposite the Seven Pillars of Wisdom – the mountain named after Lawrence of Arabia’s book. The visitor's centre here is also a great spot to buy some jewellery and handicrafts, mostly made by a women's co-operative dedicated to supporting local industries. Continue your journey to the fabled city of Petra (approximately 2.5 hours). On arrival, there is time to check out the town that has grown around the site and to relax, ready for a big day of exploring Petra tomorrow.
Accommodation
- Petra Moon Hotel or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Petra - Petra By Night tour - JOD17
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
Petra is a small and busy city with limited hotel options, so it is often difficult to secure a preferred hotel here. Alternative hotels in Petra may include Old Village Resort, P Quattro Relax or Hyatt Zaman. If you would like to confirm in advance which hotel is included on your tour, please check with a Peregrine booking agent 30 days prior to departure.
Petra, dating back to the sixth century BC, is the jewel of Jordan, the lost city of the biblical Nabateans, an impressive series of tombs and dwellings carved directly into the rock. The iconic view – the Treasury's glorious facade, glimpsed from a narrow cleft known as the Siq – is perhaps the single-most striking sight of the entire region. The Siq leads through the rock and is sometimes only a few metres wide, with walls soaring up to 180 metres on either side. With your guide, explore the old Roman road, amphitheatre and several old tombs. You will also climb up to see the Monastery, providing a magnificent view of the entire site. There is a cafeteria on the site, where you can enjoy your own light lunch. The rest of the day will be at your leisure. This evening, perhaps take the chance to witness Petra by night if your dates align. Seeing the Treasury plaza lit up by candlelight while Bedouin music plays is a truly memorable experience.
Accommodation
- Petra Moon Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
The optional activity Petra by Night runs every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, beginning at 8.30 pm from Petra Visitor Centre and finishing back at the Visitor Centre around 10.30 pm. Please ensure you check your departure date if you are planning to book this activity as it is not available on all departures. This activity is suitable to book either tonight or yesterday evening.
For another glimpse at Petra, rise very early for an unguided morning visit, if you wish. Afterwards, drive to the ancient Crusader castle at Shobak – originally built to protect the eastern flank of the Latin Kingdom and its trade routes to the sea before it fell to Saladin in 1189. Enjoy superb scenery and stop off at the viewpoint overlooking the Dana Nature Reserve before arriving in the late afternoon at your Dead Sea premium accommodation. Named for the lack of life in its waters, this lake is so intensely salty that the water density makes swimming and getting underneath the surface very difficult.
Accommodation
- Dead Sea Spa Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Petra - Petra second day visit (unguided)
- Shobak - Shobak Castle
- Dana - Ancient Village Visit
- Dead Sea - Visit Including Dinner
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that Kerak Castle is not included in your tour, as it is often very congested and busy. However, if there is sufficient interest among members of the group, your group leader can also arrange an optional visit to Kerak Castle today.
Enjoy a relaxing morning spent at the Dead Sea, perhaps heading back to the lake shores for a swim. The warm, highly saline waters make bobbing on the water's surface a unique experience. After lunch, leave the Dead Sea for Mount Nebo, considered to be where Moses saw the Promised Landed before he died. The modest church here with foundations dating back to the fourth century houses some of the best mosaics in Jordan. Continue to Madaba – or the City of Mosaics – and stop at St Georges Church, best known for its Byzantine mosaic depicting a map of the Holy Land. Head back to Amman and spend the evening here.
Accommodation
- Sulaf Luxury Hotel Amman or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Madaba - St Georges Church
- Mt Nebo - Mt Nebo visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
This morning, leave Amman for a short drive north to Jerash (approximately 1 hour) – once one of the grandest ancient Roman cities in the world. These are some of the best ruins Greco-Roman ruins around. Reaching its peak as a favourite of the emperor Hadrian, it has a striking collection of archways and theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets, and is a beautiful place to spend the morning exploring. Grand columns encircle the city's centrepiece of the Oval Plaza – an atmospheric place to linger after exploring Jerash's riches. Afterwards, return to Amman for the evening (approximately 1 hour). Perhaps spend your night at one of the many bars and restaurants in West Amman, or speak with your group leader about the traditional cafes dotted around the city where locals spend their evenings.
Accommodation
- Sulaf Luxury Hotel Amman or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Jerash - Roman ruins
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Your trip will come to an end today after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around 12 pm (midday), and so you are free to leave at any time. If you have arranged a private airport transfer, you will be advised of the pick-up time. If you would like to spend more time in Amman, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
15 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 10 dinnersTransport
Jeep, Plane, Private aircon bus, Riverboat, Sleeper trainAccommodation
Overnight train (1 night), Riverboat (4 nights -Egypt Feature Stay), Comfortable hotel (9 nights), Bedoiun Camp (1 night -Jordan Feature Stay)Included Activities
- Cairo - The Egyptian Museum headset
- Cairo - Pyramids and Sphinx
- Cairo - Egyptian Museum
- Luxor - Karnak Temple
- Luxor - Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)
- Luxor - Tut Ank Amon Tomb
- Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple
- Aswan - Kom Ombo Temple
- Aswan - Felucca Ride
- Aswan - Philae Temple
- Abu Simbel - Abu Simbel temples
- Abu Simbel - Flights to and from Abu Simbel
- Cairo - Gayer Anderson
- Cairo - Home Cooked Meal
- Cairo - Khan al-Khalili Bazaar
- Cairo - Ibn Tulun Mosque
- Wadi Rum - Desert Jeep tour
- Petra - Petra second day visit (unguided)
- Shobak - Shobak Castle
- Dana - Ancient Village Visit
- Dead Sea - Visit Including Dinner
- Madaba - St Georges Church
- Mt Nebo - Mt Nebo visit
- Jerash - Roman ruins
Important notes
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
An optional single supplement is available on this trip for solo travellers who do not wish to share a room. Please refer to your booking agent for further information.
INTINERARY
The 'Petra by Night' optional activity is only available on on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Please make sure your departure dates line up with this if you want to participate.
Following recent safety incidents we recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Egypt before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on peregrineadventures.com/en-au/travel-alerts
Essential trip information
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