Egypt & Jordan Adventure

Tour description

Throughout history Egypt’s vast array of breathtaking monuments has proved an irresistible draw to travellers from all over the world. Jordan's treasures are different, and newer to the world's tourists, but equally impressive and interesting in their own right. This tour takes you on a journey back in time to some of the most amazing sites of the ancient world, features a Nile felucca cruise and desert Bedouin camp, and will leave you with memories you will treasure for a lifetime.

We begin the tour in Cairo where we take time to visit possibly the most famous of ancient monuments, the Pyramids and Sphinx. We also learn more about Egyptian history at the Egyptian Museum before heading to the train station for the overnight sleeper train to Aswan. The Nile in Aswan is a beautiful sight, and full of  lush green islands and traditional felucca sailboats set among the cataracts. While in Aswan, we visit the tranquil island Temple of Philae by boat, and see the immense High Dam as well having the chance to visit the amazing temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel before boarding feluccas on a cruise down the Nile (luxury Dahabiyas and luxury cruise upgrades available).

After our relaxing time sailing down the river and watching typical Egyptian rural life pass us by on the river banks, we visit the temples at Edfu & Kom Ombo en-route to Luxor, where we include tours to the massive temples of Luxor & Karnak, the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and the temples of Queen Hatchepsut and Medinat Habu.

From Luxor we return to Cairo where we have a free day to explore the city and its many interesting sites like the Citadel of Saladin, the mazy alleyways of the Khan al Khalili bazaar, and Coptic Cairo further. Options are also available to do day trips out to the coastal city of Alexandria, or to the World Heritage site of the Valley of the Whales. 

We then bid farewell to the Nile Valley and head for the coast and the wonderfully laidback beach resort of Dahab for a couple of days to relax and perhaps enjoy some snorkelling at the Blue Hole, try some scuba-diving or a quad bike trip into the desert. There is also an option available to climb Mt. Sinai and visit St. Catherine's monastery.

Next we cross into Jordan and start exploring the country with an jeep safari amidst the stunning desert and mountain scenery of Wadi Rum. We then sleep overnight in the desert with the local Bedouins (we use a remote mobile camp in the summer, and a fixed camp with more comforts and shelter in the winter months).

Our next highlight is probably Jordan's most famous place, the hidden Nabatean city of Petra. You also visit the 'Little Petra' and the crusader castle of Shobak, and plenty of free time is allowed to explore the main site of Petra itself. 

From Petra we head north up the scenic King's Highway to Amman, with stops to visit the intricate Byzantine mosaics at Madaba, and the peaks, churches and distant views at Mt. Nebo.

Finally, we finish at a resort by the Dead Sea where we can bathe in its strange salty waters before driving to our hotel in Amman for our last night in Jordan. We then transfer you to Amman airport for your flight home. Optional day trips are available to explore the capital Amman, to visit the extensive Roman Ruins at Jerash or the Baptism site at Bethany, or Ajloun Castle. You can also add an optional extension to Bethlehem & Jerusalem in Israel.