If you’ve been dreaming of exploring the ancient cities of Cairo, Luxor, Petra and Amman – this Egypt and Jordan discovery trip is just the one. Witness the immensity of the great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, followed by a cruise down the Nile and a tour through the Valley of the Kings. Learn Egypt’s mythological history with a local leader as you traverse Karnak Temple and watch the sun go down from a traditional felucca boat. Head to Jordan – where you’ll see your second wonder of the world at The Treasury in Petra. Explore at your own pace with lots of free time, enjoy comfortable accommodation perfect for a recharge and then head to a local family’s house for a traditional dinner over some storytelling. Float in the Dead Sea as you reflect on this lifechanging trip and give your heart over to the Middle East – as many have before you.
- Day 1 - Cairo
Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Egypt. You'll be met on arrival at Cairo International Airport and transferred to your hotel, before your Egyptian adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6pm this evening. Cairo is one of the great cities of antiquity and its history can be symbolised by two imposing landmarks – the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. If you have some time spare, perhaps get out and explore the busy city streets or visit the Cairo Citadel which dates back to 1176 and is home to multiple museums and mosques.
Special information: 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.
The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.
- Day 2 - Cairo - Overnight Train
This morning after breakfast you’ll see two of the world’s most iconic sights – the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Explore structures that have stood for over 4500 years and learn the history from a true local. For an additional charge, you may be able to go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (although occasionally it’s closed to visitors). The Pyramids complex can be very hot in the summer months and has little shade to protect you from the sun so prepare accordingly. Your adventure continues to the Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world's greatest collections of ancient artefacts. Recovered from the tomb of Tutankhamun, the gleaming jewellery, golden death mask and gilded sarcophagi are an impressive site to say the least. It’s clear this pharaoh was prepared for a lavish afterlife! Take some time to freshen up back at the hotel before you board an overnight sleeper train to Luxor.
Special information: The train journey from Cairo to Luxor departs around 8pm and takes approximately 10 hours.
The inside thoroughfares of the Pyramids of Giza are very small and very warm, so for those suffering from claustrophobia, it is not recommended.
Accommodation aboard the overnight train is in two-berth cabins, which are comfortable and air-conditioned. All bedding is provided, and western-style toilets are located in each carriage. We recommend bringing additional toilet paper. General train cleanliness may not be to the same standards you are accustomed to. An included dinner and breakfast are served on board. You may want to purchase something extra beforehand to supplement your meal, particularly if you have any dietary requirements.
In rare circumstances you may be paired in your cabin with a group member of the opposite gender, depending on the group configuration. On other occasions, you might be sharing with another traveller of the same gender who may not be part of our group, again determined by the group configuration.
- Day 3 - Nile River Cruise
It's an early start this morning as you'll pull into Luxor around 6am. Take advantage of the early morning peace by visiting Karnak Temple – a spectacular collection of temples, chapels and pylons that are perhaps the most impressive of all the Pharaoh’s monumental works. Learn the secrets of an ancient Egyptian sanctuary, which developed over 1000 years and was, at its peak, the most important religious complex in Egypt. Your leader will take you through some of the most incredible highlights, such as the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Great Temple of Amun. After exploring Karnak, board your Nile cruise boat and settle into your cabin. This afternoon you'll have the option of heading off on a walking tour of Luxor and its bazaar with your leader.
Special information: Tonight, your boat will be docked in Luxor.
Nile cruise boats are typically very large with a passenger capacity of around 150. All cabins have private facilities and the boat is fully air-conditioned. All meals are included onboard, but you will need to pay for drinks.
Although we use the best possible five-star rated cruise boats available, the local equivalent of five stars isn't the same standard that you might expect at home. Nile cruise boats are not luxurious, but they are very comfortable and a great way to experience the Nile. Due to varying schedules, we are not able to provide advance notice of which exact boat you’ll be sailing on.
- Day 4 - Nile River Cruise
Today you’ll hop in a private minivan and discover ancient Thebes. Your first stop is the Colossi of Memnon – two 17-metre-high statues on Luxor's west bank. Continue on to the Valley of the Kings. Buried under the arid hills are over 60 pharaoh tombs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings. With your leader, explore the place where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (16th to 11th century BC) were secretly interred for all eternity, and where discoveries are still being made. Your group leader will explain the history and legends of these remarkable people, and the significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics, still well preserved in the deepest tombs. Visit three of the royal tombs, including Tutankhamun’s tomb where he is buried, then continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut – a columned building set against high cliffs that create a spectacular natural amphitheatre. The afternoon is yours to explore. Maybe you'd like to shop in the market or visit the world's first Mummification Museum, where you can discover the secrets of pharaonic preservation. This evening, set sail to Edfu.
Special information: Tonight, your boat will be docked in Edfu.
It is possible to do a hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings and the Temples of Antiquities on the West Bank. Your leader can reserve this service for you. We use Dream Balloons in Luxor. Pick up will be from your hotel between 4:30 and 5am and balloon capacity is 16 to 25. Cameras are prohibited in the basket, but phones are allowed. This activity is subject to weather conditions. Payment by card is possible and will attract a 3% bank service fee.
- Day 5 - Nile River Cruise
This morning, enjoy breakfast before setting off towards Kom Ombo. The temple of Kom Ombo, in the town of the same name, is an unusual double temple right on the bank of the Nile. This second century BC complex is unique because it has a mirror-image design, with either side dedicated to a different set of gods. One half is known as the Temple of Sobek (the crocodile-headed god of fertility), and the other half is dedicated to Haroeris (also known as Horus the falcon god). The whole temple is full of fascinating reliefs. You’ll explore Kom Ombo with your leader and absorb the history of the place, before having lunch aboard the ship. Sail onwards to Aswan, the home of beautiful Nile Valley scenery and significant archaeological sites.
Special information: Tonight, your boat will be docked in Aswan.
We do not include a visit to Edfu Temple as the only mode of transport there is through locally managed horse and carriages, the operators of which have been found to be in breach of our animal welfare guidelines. We have also received feedback that the experience itself is quite uncomfortable due to the nature of the vendors and local suppliers outside the site. Edfu is an included port stop on the Nile River cruise schedule. The duration of the walk is about 30 mins each way, along a busy road. Please inform your Leader if you will be leaving the boat to visit Edfu.
- Day 6 - Nile River Cruise
You have time this morning to explore or relax as you choose. Your leader can recommend one of the many optional activities that are available to you in this incredible location. Explore the picturesque city centre and its bazaar, opt to visit the High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk or feed your history needs with the Nubian Museum. Maybe you’d like to visit the breathtaking Abu Simbel – built by Ramses II, it was the gateway to Egypt for Southern Africans and its imposing facade clearly delineated the line between what was the Pharaoh's land and what was not. With the four gargantuan statues of Ramses guarding the Great Temple, carved directly out of the mountain on the west bank of the Nile, this is one of Egypt's most memorable sights. Late in the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely sailing trip on a traditional felucca before dinner on the ship.
Special information: Tonight, your boat will be docked in Aswan.
- Day 7 - Cairo
After breakfast today, say goodbye to your nights spent on the Nile. Visit Philae Temple this morning, an island-based temple complex built during the reign of Ptolemy II (around 280 BC). These picturesque walls show hieroglyphic scenes from Egyptian mythology – when Isis brought Osiris back to life, gave birth to Horus and was mummified after death. Catch a short flight back to Cairo. On your return to the capital, visit the Islamic parts of the city and the frenetic backstreets of the bazaar with your leader. A labyrinth of narrow streets and passageways, Khan is one of the biggest and oldest markets in the world. The 'Khan', sprawling around an old area known as Al-Azhar, is a quintessentially Cairo experience – a warren of alleys with stalls serving up a succession of intoxicating scenes. To celebrate your time in Egypt, join a local Cairo family for a delicious home-cooked dinner. The food and conversation will surely make for an evening to remember!
Special information: Today’s flight time is approximately 90 minutes.
- Day 8 - Amman
This morning take a short flight from Cairo to Amman. You will be unescorted on this flight. On arrival at Queen Alia International Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel, ready for your adventure to begin at 6 pm with a welcome meeting for the next stage of your trip. If you arrive early, feel free to head out and explore – highlights include the citadel with its amazing sweeping views of Amman, the Jordan Museum, which is home to the Dead Sea Scrolls, or the Roman Theatre, right in the middle of downtown Amman. After the meeting, you may like to get to know your group over an optional dinner, or explore on your own and pick up a coffee from one of the cafes, partnering it with an ara’yes – a toasted sandwich filled with spicy mincemeat.
Special information: As this is a combination trip, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change today.
- Day 9 - Wadi Rum
After breakfast today, journey down the Desert Highway to Wadi Rum (also known as the Valley of the Moon) – a landscape of rugged sandstone mountains standing tall in an ochre desert. When you arrive, meet your Bedouin hosts then have some free time for lunch. This afternoon, you’ll hop in jeeps operated by the local community to venture into the desert – this is part of an initiative by the Jordanian Government to bring much-needed income into this region. Visit several of Wadi Rum's distinctive rock formations and soak in the vast silence and spectacular desert landscapes. The Bedouins live in scattered camps throughout the area, and tonight, you’ll stay in one of these camps to spend an evening under the stars. If you like, you can take part in an optional Bedouin storytelling experience, which includes tea while a local woman (and her translator) tells a story about Bedouin culture, issues and traditions.
Special information: Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.
- Day 10 - Aqaba
Watch sunrise at your desert camp this morning, maybe checking out a few more of the local Wadi Rum sites if you have the energy. You’ll then depart mid-morning for the city of Aqaba on the Red Sea. Check into your hotel, then head out for a brief orientation walk of the town with your leader – the small Ottoman Mamluk Fort, dating from the 14th century and from where Lawrence of Arabia rode to Cairo, is worth a look. With great visibility and abundant marine life, this coastline is also an incredible spot for snorkelling, and the warm waters are host to clownfish, angelfish, sea turtles and corals. Speak to your leader if you’d like to arrange snorkelling, or simply head to the beach and soak up the scenery.
Special information: Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour.
- Day 11 - Petra
This morning, enjoy some free time in Aqaba before travelling to the fabled city of Petra. Dating back to the 6th century BC, Petra is considered the crown jewel of Jordan, featuring an impressive series of tombs and dwellings carved directly into the rock. The site remained unknown to the wider world until 1812, when it was visited by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. In 1985, Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site and is one of the world’s most incredible ancient sites (as well as one of the Seven Wonders of the World!). When you arrive, settle into your hotel and check out the village before sitting down to a group dinner at your hotel.
Special information: Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
The optional activity Petra by Night runs every Sunday to Thursday, beginning at 8.30 pm from the 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.
- Day 12 - Petra
Petra is justifiably on most people’s list of ‘must-visit’ places. The iconic Petra view – the Treasury's facade, seen from the narrow cleft known as the Siq – is arguably 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 m on either side. Join your guide and explore the old Roman road, amphitheatre and several old tombs, before enjoying free time to experience Petra at your own pace. Maybe climb up to the Monastery, carved from a mountain summit, where you’ll find magnificent views of the entire site. To cap off a memorable day, you’ll be welcomed into a local home for dinner. On the menu will often be maqluba (a casserole with rice, vegetables and chicken which is cooked, flipped, then served with either yoghurt or an Arab salad with tahina sauce).
- Day 13 - Amman
After breakfast, drive to the ancient Crusader castle at Shobak, where your leader will show you the grounds, a small chapel and the original gatehouse. This ancient castle was 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. Depart the castle and stop off at the viewpoint overlooking the Dana Nature Reserve before arriving in Madaba where you’ll visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George and see an impressive ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land. Arrive in Amman in the late afternoon, where your leader will recommend some great restaurants to sample the best of the city’s food scene.
Special information: Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Shobak Castle is undergoing maintenance works to preserve this historically significant building. As a result, you will see evidence of these renovations on your visit. In spite of this, we continue to visit because we consider it to be an important part of Jordan’s history, and that of the wider region, and are confident that the build work will not detract from your enjoyment.
- Day 14 - Amman
Take a short drive north to Jerash – once one of the grandest ancient Roman cities in the world and now home to some of the best Greco-Roman ruins. Jerash has a striking collection of archways, theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets, and is a beautiful place to spend a morning exploring. Then, drive to the shores of the Dead Sea – the lowest point on Earth (420 m below sea level). This isn’t actually a sea, but rather a super-salty lake (dead because of the lack of life in it) where the density of the water means you’ll go for a float, not a swim. The mud here is supposed to have healing properties, so why not cover yourself from head to toe for a nutrient-rich natural mineral mud bath. Spend some time relaxing here before returning to Amman for the evening. Maybe spend tonight at one of the many bars and restaurants in West Amman or ask your leader about the traditional cafes dotted around the city where locals spend their evenings.
Special information: Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.
- Day 15 - Amman
Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around noon and you are free to leave at any time. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
0800 110 108
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