Deserts, Tombs & Jordan Tour 16 days

Tour Options
Extra Day in Amman - post-tour - 3-star
Sleeper Train upgrade (one way)
Our standard tours use the First Class carriages on the ‘sitting train’ from; Cairo to Aswan, Cairo to Luxor, and Luxor to Cairo. These are comfortable reclining seats with plenty of space around them. If you wish, you can exchange this train for the European-style ‘wagon-lit’ sleeper train, where you get your own private cabin and berth. This option covers a one-way journey on the train and includes transfers and a light evening meal & breakfast on the train.
Single Room Supplement
This option guarantees you a single room in all the hotels throughout the tour.
If you are a single traveller, then you may share a twin or triple room with other single travellers in the group. If we do not have any other single travellers available for you to share with at the time of your booking, then we will need to add this supplement to your tour price (this can be refunded to you later if other people book who you can share with).
Jerusalem & Bethlehem day trip
This full day tour starts with a fantastic panoramic view over Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, before visiting the Church of All Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane. We then continue onto Bethlehem to the Church of Nativity, where Jesus was born. Returning to Jerusalem we visit the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site, and take a walk along the Via Delarosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This tour includes all transfers, an English speaking guide, entrance fees and lunch.
Wadi Rayan & Valley of the Whales day trip
This tour features a day trip from Cairo to the Fayoum region where we head for the Wadi Rayan Protected Area, which surrounds a fresh-water lake in the middle of the desert, filled by the remaining irrigation water from the Fayoum area. There are several waterfalls here, and a bird hide which gives good views of the lakes birdlife, particularly in the winter months when the lake is an important stop for migrating water-birds. We also visit the Springs Oasis area, a rare example of an uninhabited Saharan oasis, and host to many different plants and animals, including Dorcas Gazelle, Ruppell’s Sand Fox and Fennec Fox.
After a stop for a packed lunch, we then drive into the stunning desert & mountain scenery of Wadi Hitan (Valley of the Whales). This World Heritage Site is accepted as the most significant site in the world to demonstrate the evolution of whales, and we take a 2-3km walk here to see several specimens of fossilised whales of different types sitting on the surface of the sand, as well as fossilised mangroves and the remains of crab holes.
This tour requires a minimum of 2 people to run.
Hot Air Balloon Flight - Luxor
This trip runs early in the morning in Luxor, so that you catch the early morning sun over the Valleys of the Kings & Queens, temples and desert. The trip runs from between 5.00am and 10.00am (start times vary), with about 1 hour in the air. We normally book this for you on your second day in Luxor, before the West Bank tour. There is a minimum number of people required for the trips to run, and they are also weather dependent. It is very rare however that are cancelled, and if this happens, we will refund you in full.
Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids
Watch this spectacular laser light and sound show at the pyramids. Listen to the head of the Sphinx as it tells the story of the Pharaohs and how the great pyramids were built. The show is available in different languages and runs from early to late evening. All transport is provided along with entrance fees.