Classic Egypt & Jordan

• Day 1:
• Arrive in Cairo

We meet you at Cairo airport and transfer you to a deluxe 5-star hotel (normally the Oberoi Mena House). The rest of the day is free for you to settle in and relax.

• Day 2:
• Cairo - Pyramids, Sphinx & Museum tour
  

We enjoy a full day tour today to the majestic Pyramids and Sphinx at Gisa, and also to the famous Egyptian Museum. In the evening we transfer to the station for the overnight sleeper train journey to Luxor.

• Day 3:
• Luxor - Board cruise boat. Karnak and Luxor temples.
  

After arriving early into Luxor this morning, we board our luxury Nile cruise boat for breakfast before visiting the huge temple complex at Karnak. Our cabins are available at lunchtime and the afternoon is free to relax or explore Luxor. In the evening we visit Luxor temple in the centre of town.

• Day 4:
• Luxor - West bank tour, sail to Edfu
  

This morning we tour the West Bank of the Nile and explore the Pharaonic tombs in the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatchepsut and Medinat Habu temples, and the Colossi of Memnon. In the afternoon we sail up-river and cross through the lock on the Nile at Esna before continuing to Edfu. Before the tour starts this morning, you also have the option of a spectacular hot air balloon flight to see the sun rise over the West Bank of the Nile.

• Day 5:
• Edfu and Komombo temples. Sail to Aswan
  

We visit Edfu temple this morning, before continuing to sail up the Nile to Aswan, breaking the journey at the temple at Komombo en-route.

• Day 6:
• Aswan. Free time, and island felucca trip. Abu Simbel option
  

The Nile is at its most picturesque in Aswan, and we have this morning free to explore the town, its markets, and to walk along the Corniche or visit the Nubian Museum. In the afternoon we take a felucca sailboat trip around Kitchener and Elephantine islands.
You also have the option this morning to visit the spectacular temples to Ramses II at Abu Simbel.

• Day 7:
• Aswan - Philae temple. Fly to Cairo

We take a boat trip this morning to the beautiful island temple of Philae and the huge Aswan Dam. In the afternoon we take an internal flight with Egypt Air back to Cairo.

• Day 8:
• Cairo - City tour. Fly to Amman
  

Our tour of Cairo today includes the Citadel overlooking the city, some important and beautiful mosques, Coptic Cairo, and time to explore and shop in the busy Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. Late this afternoon, or early in the evening we take a short flight to Amman where we transfer to a city centre 5-star hotel. 

• Day 9:
• Amman - City tour, visit Jerash
  

We explore central Amman this morning, visiting the Roman amphitheatre and other sites. In the afternoon we take a short tour out of the city to see the impressive and extensive Roman ruins at Jerash.

• Day 10:
• Amman - Desert castles tour
  

We have a full day trip out of Amman today, heading east into the desert to explore some of Jordan's strange 'Desert Castles'. More combinations of forts and palaces than castles, the remains of some of these are very impressive and atmospheric. We will also visit a desert nature reserve before returning to Amman.

• Day 11:
• Drive to Madaba and to Aqaba
  

We leave Amman early this morning and head south to the town of Madaba, which is home to some incredibly well preserved and important Roman mosaics. We then continue south along the Desert Highway until we reach Aqaba and the Red Sea. The afternoon is free to relax in our 5-star beach resort or to do a snorkelling trip by boat to one of the nearby offshore islands.

• Day 12:
• Aqaba - Free morning. Wadi Rum jeep safari
  

The morning is free today to relax and enjoy the Red Sea. At around midday we make the short drive into the incredible desert scenery of Wadi Rum where we have a short camel ride to our lunch stop with the local Bedouins. After lunch we enjoy a jeep safari around the cliffs and rock formations before driving to Petra late in the afternoon.

• Day 13:
• Petra - tour and free time

We have a full guided tour of around 4 hours in Petra today, and also have plenty of free time to explore more of the site, perhaps to walk up to the High Place of Sacrifice and the huge Monastery, carved into the cliffs and overlooking the Jordan valley.
In the evening there is an optional Petra by Candlelight tour.

• Day 14:
• Petra - Little Petra and free time
  

This morning we visit 'Little Petra', and in the afternoon you are able to revisit the main site to explore some more.

• Day 15:
• Kings Highway - Kerak, Mt. Nebo and the Dead Sea
  

We leave Petra early today and drive north up the scenic King's Highway, stopping to explore the  impressive crusader castle at Kerak en-route. We also stop to admire the huge and colourful valley of Wadi Mujib, and to hopefully enjoy great views towards Jericho and Israel from Mt. Nebo. We finish the day by arriving at our Dead Sea resort in time for a swim and possible mud bath in the Dead Sea.

• Day 16:
• Dead Sea - Transfer to airport
  

Your time is free to relax at your hotel today, and perhaps enjoy some of the spa facilities, before we transfer you to the airport for your departure. Alternatively you can extend your stay and add a visit into Israel or to the nearby Batpism site at Bethany.