Epic Jordan-Egypt Discovery Adventure

We arrive at Amman Airport, complete border formalities and transfer to your hotel. You have free time to relax or begin exploring at your own pace.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

After breakfast we head north into the hills to discover Ajloun Fortress, a formidable 12th century castle. In a region where Muslims and Orthodox Christians have long lived side by side, we visit the old Church of Saint Sergius. Lunch is included. We continue to Jerash to explore its superb Roman archaeological site before returning to Amman for the evening.

We depart for the Desert Castles built between the 7th and 8th centuries, visiting Qasr Kharana with its imposing walls and Qusayr Amra, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its frescoes. We then continue to Madaba – lunch included – to walk the Madaba Archaeological Park along a Roman road and visit the Church of St George with its 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land. We carry on to Mount Nebo, where Moses is said to have gazed over the Promised Land, then return to Amman and you have free time.

We leave for Bethany on the banks of the River Jordan, a UNESCO World Heritage site believed to be where John the Baptist baptised Jesus. We visit the Dead Sea Museum within the impressive Panorama Complex. Lunch is included. On arrival at our Dead Sea hotel, we float in the saltiest sea at the lowest point on earth. Dinner and accommodation are included.

We ascend the historic King’s Road, echoing the Moab kingdom of the Bible. At the hilltop stands Karak Castle – entrance included – a striking example of 12th century military architecture that became a key fortress between Jerusalem and Aqaba. We pause in Dana, a picturesque stone village perched on a vast cliff. Lunch is included. We continue to Shobak for photographs of the great Crusader castle from outside only, then reach Wadi Musa for visits to Moses Spring and the Petra Museum to learn about the Nabataeans. Dinner is included. You may choose to unwind in a traditional Turkish bath or attend the Petra light and sound show.

We spend the morning in Petra, entering through the narrow Siq to discover temples and tombs carved into rose red cliffs in a city that dates to around the 3rd century BC. After lunch – included – we continue to the desert of Wadi Rum, board 4x4s at the Visitor Centre to explore majestic landscapes, include a 45 minute camel ride, and visit Khazali Canyon to see engravings that illuminate the early development of the Arabic language. Dinner and overnight in a desert camp are included.

After breakfast we drive to Aqaba on the Red Sea and stroll the centre before crossing the border into Israel to arrive in Eilat, a modern resort with fine beaches. You have time to relax, have lunch and wander – perhaps take a swim. We then continue to the Egyptian border and into Sinai, stopping for photographs of Pharaoh’s Island with Saladin’s powerful fortress, before reaching Saint Catherine. Dinner and accommodation are included. Border fees – at the crossings between Jordan, Israel and Egypt – are payable by travellers: Jordan USD 15 exit, Israel USD 32 exit, Egypt USD 45 entry visa comprising USD 25 visa plus USD 20. Amounts are approximate and may change without notice by local authorities. Drones and cameras with a 5.5 m zoom, as well as other professional equipment, are prohibited and may be seized by border authorities. Important note: in exceptional circumstances or when the group is small, we may cross directly from Jordan to Egypt by ferry – Aqaba to Taba – taking just over two hours, with no guide assistance during the crossing.

At the foot of Mount Sinai we visit the remarkable walled Monastery of Saint Catherine, associated with the Burning Bush and revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims. It belongs to the Orthodox Church and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We then traverse the Sinai Desert’s picturesque landscapes – lunch included en route – pause at the Well of Moses, pass under the Suez Canal through the tunnel and arrive in Cairo in the late afternoon for accommodation.

A full day in Cairo as we visit the Pyramids of Cheops, Kefren and Micerinos – tickets to enter the interiors are not included – along with the Great Sphinx carved from the rock. We explore the Egyptian Museum with its extraordinary antiquities, including the treasure of Tutankhamun. Lunch is included. We continue to the Citadel of Saladin and the Alabaster Mosque, then walk through the Coptic quarter to the Hanging Church built above a Roman fortress.

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for the included flight to Luxor. On arrival we board our Nile cruise for full board accommodation. We visit the magnificent temples of Luxor and Karnak. Overnight on board.

We explore the Necropolis of Thebes, visiting the Valley of the Kings where tombs of major pharaohs such as Ramses III, Seti I and Amenhotep II are hidden within the hills. We also see the Colossi of Memnon, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari and the Temple of Medinet Habu. During the day we enjoy the beauty of the Nile’s riverbanks – you can join activities on the boat – and in the evening enjoy music at the disco. Full board. Night on board sailing to Esna.

We arrive in Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus, once partly buried by deposits from the Nile’s floods and now superbly restored, making it one of the finest Ptolemaic temples. We sail to Kom Ombo to visit its unique dual temple dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris, where we find a Nilometer and a mummified crocodile. In the evening you can enjoy a party celebrating local traditional dress – outfits can be bought economically in local markets. Full board. Overnight on board sailing to Aswan.

We arrive in Aswan. You may opt for the excursion to Abu Simbel – not included – about 280 kilometres from Aswan to see the temples of Ramses II hewn from the cliff in the twelfth century BC with statues 20 metres high, and the Temple of Nefertari dedicated to Hathor. We visit the red granite quarry with the famous 41 metre Unfinished Obelisk, the Aswan High Dam which created Lake Nasser stretching more than 500 kilometres, and the beautiful Temple of Philae dedicated to Isis on an island reached by boat. In the afternoon we take a felucca cruise on the Nile to Kitchener’s Island and its botanical garden. Full board. Overnight on board.

Breakfast and transfer to the airport for the included flight to Cairo. On arrival we transfer to the hotel. In the evening we visit the Light and Sound Show at the Giza Pyramids. Accommodation.

After breakfast we transfer to the airport – end of our services.