PREMIUM PRIVATE TOUR: Discovering some of the world's best archaeological sites, we combine Cairo's ancient wonders including the famous Valley of the Kings, the Pyramids of Giza, with Jordan’s greatest Roman ruins and castles, the finest Byzantine mosaics, the buoyant waters of the Dead Sea and the superb UNESCO rose red city of Petra - The Jewel in Jordan's crown. With thousands of years of culture, cuisine and ancient history to experience, this tour is sure to delight.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Cairo
Welcome to Egypt and the start of your holiday! Arrival Cairo and included transfer to your hotel. The remainder of today is at your leisure to relax and enjoy your hotel facilities, or explore Cairo your way. Consider heading out for dinner at one of the restaurants offering views over the Nile River and city, or head to the sound and light show at the pyramids this evening.
Overnight: Cairo
Pyramids & Saqqara
Today we pay a visit to the only remaining ancient wonder of the world, the impressive Pyramids at Giza Plateau. Gaze in awe at Cheops (Khufu) - the largest of the three great pyramids. Constructed from over 2.5 million limestone blocks, it is thought to have taken more than 20 years to construct. The other two - Chephren and Mycerinus are equally breathtaking, and all three Pyramids are truly a sight that can only be fully appreciated in person. Our tour continues to Memphis, where we’ll see the colossal statue of Ramses II. After, we’ll tour the tomb-strewn necropolis of Saqqara, featuring King Zhoser’s Step Pyramid - constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh’s chief architect in 2700 BC and the template for all future pyramid construction.
Overnight: Cairo | Breakfast
Egyptian Museum
Today we explore the new Grand Egyptian Museum, which houses a giant exhibition containing the treasures of King Tutankhamun. Many pieces on show are being displayed for the first time and artefacts have been brought together from across Egypt and the world to this one location. The museum also makes use of new technology including virtual reality. Note: the Grand Egyptian Museum is set to open in 2020, though an official date has yet to be released. If travelling prior to the opening of the new facility we'll visit the Egyptian Museum this morning instead.
This afternoon, we'll head to the world famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar, with trinkets and delights to be found amongst the many shops and stalls located here. We'll then continue to The Citadel, this monumental Islamic-era fortification, in the heart of Cairo, was once the seat of government from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Here, we'll visit the beautiful Mosque of Muhammed Ali, built in the 1830's this impressive structure is made from alabaster stone and is a smaller version of the Blue Mosque found in Istanbul.
Overnight: Cairo | Breakfast
Philae Temple
Cairo - Aswan. After breakfast, we take a short flight south to Aswan and transfer to our hotel. This afternoon we visit Philae Temple and Aswan High Dam. Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, was rescued in an enormous UNESCO effort in the 1970s. Due to high water levels in the reservoir created by the Old Aswan Dam and further aquatic drama due to the creation of the mighty High Dam, Philae Temple was relocated stone by stone to higher ground on nearby Agilika Island.
Overnight: Aswan | Breakfast
Impressive Abu Simbel
Aswan - Abu Simbel - Aswan. It's an early start today as we board our short flight down south to explore the temples of Abu Simbel, created to revere the mighty pharaonic ruler King Ramses II. Guarding the entrance to the temple (built between 1290 and 1224 BC) hewn into the side of a mountain are four famous colossal statues of the pharaoh himself. In a fit of architectural wisdom, Ramses II had the entire temple carefully angled and oriented in order that the sun’s rays would align twice a year on his date of ascension to the throne (in February) and on his birthday (in October) and illuminate the inner sanctum of the temple. The other rock cut temple at Abu Simbel is the Temple of Hathor, which is fronted by six massive standing statues. Four of them represent King Ramses II, the other two are of his beloved wife - Queen Nefertari. Famously, both temples were re-located in a multi-million dollar operation in 1972, further up from the shoreline of Lake Nasser.
Returning to Aswan, free time is offered to perhaps do some shopping in the colourful souqs and markets or simply relax in this attractive town which straddles the Nile River. This afternoon we board our luxury Nile cruiser for our three night journey up the River Nile.
Overnight: Nile Cruiser | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Nile Cruising & R&R
Nile Cruising. Spend the next two days relaxing aboard our luxury Nile cruiser, taking in the riverside village views from the deck, and exploring some of the exciting historical sites located along this stretch of the Nile. On day 6 we'll moor up at the riverside and enjoy a visit to the waterside Temple of Kom Ombo. Consisting of two temples, one dedicated to the Crocodile-headed god Sobek and the other dedicated to the falcon god Horus.
On Day 7, we will reach the west bank of Luxor and explore the best of Ancient Thebes, the tomb strewn Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
Overnight: Nile Cruising | Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 2, Dinner x 2
Karnak & Luxor Temple's
After a leisurely breakfast we'll disembark our cruiser this morning to visit Karnak Temple. Karnak is a spectacular myriad of sanctuaries, pylons, chapels, halls and obelisks, all dedicated to the Theban gods and to the greater glory of Egypt’s Middle and New Kingdom rulers. Later, we'll visit Luxor Temple, dedicated to Amun, construction work on the temple began during the reign of Amenhotep III in the 14th century BC. We'll continue to our hotel later today for check in, where the rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Luxor | Breakfast
Luxor to the Dead Sea
Luxor - Dead Sea. This morning a transfer will take you to the airport to board your flight to Amman via Cairo (the flight from Cairo to Amman is not included, please see the Trip Notes for further details). Upon arrival we transfer to the lowest point on earth - the Dead Sea, a natural phenomenon, where you float like a cork in the intensely salt rich waters. The high concentration of mineral salts in the sea also gives your skin a fabulous detox!
Overnight: Dead Sea | Breakfast
Dead Sea & Karak Castle
Dead Sea - Kerak Castle - Petra. Time for a bit of pampering - perhaps a day at a Dead Sea spa where you can indulge yourself in a variety of luxurious well-being treatments? Or simply relax in the sun by the Dead Sea, the choice is yours. In the afternoon of day 11 we drive south, visiting Kerak Crusader Castle en-route to Petra.
Overnight: Dead Sea (1) Petra (1) | Breakfast x 2
The Rose City of Petra
Petra - Madaba - Amman. The jewel in Jordan’s archaeological crown is the Rose City of Petra, here we’ll spend a full day sightseeing. Catching your first glimpse of the Treasury through the corridors of the siq, will be a memory sure to remain with you forever. We’ll wander down the ancient Roman rock carved streets, exploring the Nabataean tombs, amphitheatre and other hidden treasures this once-lost city has to offer. If you’re feeling daring, why not climb the hundreds of steps to Ad-Deir? Ad-Deir is better known as the Monastery and with its impressive facade and the spectacular views, it is definitely worth the physical exertion!
On day 13, we’ll have the chance to revisit Petra before driving onward to St George’s Church in Madaba to view the fascinating 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land, before continuing to Amman later this afternoon.
Overnight: Petra (1) Amman (1) | Breakfast x 2
Roman Jerash & Saracen Castle
Amman - Jerash - Ajlun - Amman. Today we take in the magnificent Roman provincial city of Jerash. With its colonnaded street, theatre, nymphaeum and Temples of Artemis and Zeus. To make these spectacular 2000 year old ruins come to life you’ll join the throngs at the Jerash hippodrome watching a 7 lap chariot race and battle re-enactment. We then drive onward to Ajlun for a tour of the crusader era Saracen Castle, built by the armies of Salah ad din.
Overnight: Amman | Breakfast
Farewell
Today marks the end of our incredible journey through Egypt and Jordan. A transfer will be provided to take you to airport to meet your onward flight. Should you wish to book additional nights to further explore more of Jordan, please enquire.
For information about visas, top travel tips and much more, take a look through our: Egypt travel guide and Jordan travel guide.
Breakfast
Extend your stay and explore the Holy Lands!
Jerusalem & Beyond - 4 day extension
Take an inspirational journey to the revered Holy Land. Serving as a pillar to the Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths, we tour Jerusalem - the heart of the Promised Land and beyond, visiting some of world's most sacred and historical sites.
Prices & Dates
Prices shown are per person when there are 2 persons sharing a room. The single supplement price needs to be added to the per person price where single rooms are required. If travelling solo, an additional ‘1-person’ supplement will apply.
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Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Sonesta Hotel Cairo, Cairo
The Sonesta Hotel & Casino is a sophisticated and luxurious hotel offering spacious, en-suit rooms with opulent furnishings. Enjoy a cocktail at the poolside bar or indulge in a relaxing massage or Turkish steam bath at the full-service spa. With 5 restaurants located within the hotel you'll be spoilt for choice over dining options.
Movenpick Hotel, Aswan, Aswan
Situated on Elephantine Island, the Movenpick is a luxurious hotel with stunning views of the Nile River. There is a range of spacious and luxurious rooms with stylish furnishings, private balconies or terraces and a great selection of amenities including WiFi, satellite TV and tea/coffee making facilities. The Movenpick offers three restaurants as well as the Lounge Bar and Panorama Bar. Guests can also make use of the outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts.
Deluxe Cruise, Nile Cruising
Deluxe Nile cruise boats are elegant, luxurious boats with spacious cabins and an excellent range of facilities. You'll have the opportunity to relax as your cruise boat meanders along this famous river. Enjoy delicious dining experiences coupled with incredible views of the villages and vistas that dot the river bank.
Steigenberger Nile Palace, Luxor
The Steigenburger Nile Palace is a grand hotel and stylishly furnished, with many rooms overlooking the Nile River. The hotel has a health club with massage rooms, sauna, steam room and fitness room, and a tennis court on the roof, not to mention a riverside pool. Its four restaurants offer a choice between Nubian, Lebanese, Italian, and Thai cuisine.
Sonesta St. George Hotel, Luxor
An elegant and luxurious classical hotel, the Sonesta's sophistication will ensure you a comfortable stay. The hotel has a sweeping terrace with fantastic views of the Nile, a grand entrance of polished marble and handsomely appointed furnishings with exquisite detail and a beautiful health spa. All its rooms offer views of the city or the river, complemented by a wide range of restaurants and cafes. Just minutes away you will find the temples at Luxor and Karnak, home to two of ancient Egypt's most famed sanctuaries.
Movenpick Resort & Spa, Dead Sea
The Dead Sea Movenpick is a luxurious, bungalow style resort right on the edge of the Dead Sea. The hotel spa has a range of treatments on offer, using Dead Sea minerals.
Petra Movenpick, Petra
Enviably located opposite the entrance to Petra, the Movenpick Resort perfectly combines classic Oriental flare with Middle Eastern charm. All the guest rooms are newly renovated to a high standard with colourful local fabrics and natural hues that tastefully complement the surroundings. Guests enjoy a complimentary mini-bar and Wi'Fi as well as a whole host of amenities. With no less than seven restaurants and bars - you will be hard pushed to go hungry or thirsty at this wonderful resort. The Petra Movenpick Hotel is situated opposite the visitor's entrance to Petra.
Kempinski Hotel Amman, Amman
The Kempinski is a grand, modern hotel with spacious rooms. The Kempi Spa offers a range of relaxing treatments and there is a gym and outdoor swimming pool.
In Brief
