Archaeological Wonders of Egypt & Jordan

You are free to arrive in Cairo at any time. You will be met at Cairo airport and transfered to your hotel. There are no planned activities today, so check in and enjoy the city. In the evening meet our fellow group members and go over the details of the trip with the tour leader. Your tipping kitty will be collected as this time (please refer to the "tipping" section of these notes for more information) .Check the notice board to see the exact time and location of this group meeting. For late arrivals, no worries, the leader will leave a message at the front desk.

If you arrive early there are plenty of things to see and do in this amazing city. Visit the Saladin Citadel of Cairo, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, or to really get a feel for the place, get lost in the bazaars and join the locals for a coffee in a local cafe.

Enjoy a full day learning all there is to know about Egypt's mysterious marvel - the pyramids. Aside from the well known "big three", many people are not aware that Egypt is littered with hundreds of pyramids. We begin our morning exploring some of the lesser-known, but equally fascinating sites on the outskirts of modern Cairo.

Our first stop is Saqqara, the fascinating city of the dead and home to the oldest pyramid in Egypt, Dsojer, which is a step pyramid. Pharaohs, their families and even pets were laid to rest here. We continue on to the Pyramids of Dahshur, where we get the chance to enter the red pyramid, and find out why it is one of the most mysterious and interesting pyramids in Egypt. All of this before the jewel in the crown, a visit to the famous Pyramids of Giza (with entrance into the Khafre pyramid) and the famed Sphinx.

While once located in remote desert, the Pyramids of Giza now touch the suburbs of modern Cairo. No matter how many photos or documentaries we have seen, our first glimpse of these marvels of the ancient world will take our breath away. As a qualified Egyptologist, our tour leader is able to expertly explain the facts and myths behind these three mammoth works of art. We also visit the mysterious Sphinx, with its lion’s body and man’s face. Time permitting, there may be the chance for optional activities such as: entrance to one of the two smaller pyramids, a camel ride around the pyramids or visit the fascinating Solar Boat Museum, which displays one of the pharaoh’s funerary barges.

Catch our flight to Aswan and free to explore the riverside, city and local market. Aswan has a distinctive African feel to it. Small enough to walk around and graced with the most beautiful setting on the Nile, the pace of life is slow and relaxing. Spend time strolling up and down the broad Corniche watching the sailboats etch the sky with their tall masts or sitting in floating restaurants listening to Nubian music and eating freshly caught fish.

Late in the afternoon, we board a local boat, known as a felucca, to take a trip along the Nile with views of the Agha Khan Mausoleum and Kitchener Island. Named after the British general Horatio Kitchener, the island is known for its botanical garden and the exotic plants he planted there 100 years ago, which continue to flourish today. Our final stop is the home of our felucca captain on Elephantine Island, the largest of the Nile islands in this area. We take a walk through the village and fields to learn more about the life of the Nubian people, before enjoying a traditional dinner at a local families home.

We take a short early-morning flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel. Not only are the two temples located at Abu Simbel among the most magnificent monuments in the world, but their removal and reconstruction was also an historic event in itself. Threatened by submersion in Lake Nasser, the temples were rescued from their plight and rebuilt with the support of UNESCO. After touring the temples we transfer back to Aswan by plane.

In the afternoon, we visit the ancient granite quarries where you will see the famous unfinished obelisk and then visit the High Dam, built in the 1970s to control the Nile's water flow, a massive engineering feat at the time. We then return to the Nile where we take a boat ride to the Temple of Philae. This delicate temple of Isis was moved stone by stone from its ancient site (now submerged) to its present location on a Nile Island.

Estimated Travel Time:
Aswan to Abu Simbel, 25mins each way (flight time)

We travel to Luxor, stopping on the way at the Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples. In a scenic location, right on the banks of the Nile, Kom Ombo was dedicated to the Crocodile God and we can still view the remains of an ancient mummified crocodile, which was worshiped here thousands of years ago. In the middle of a bustling village, Edfu, the Temple of Horus is the most completely preserved temple in all of Egypt.

On arrival in Luxor this afternoon, we check-in to our hotel and the remainder of the afternoon is ours to explore. We can hire a horse and carriage (calèche) ride, wander through the bazaar or just relax at a cafe with a small, strong local coffee.

Estimated Travel Time:
Aswan to Luxor, 8 hours (including time at the temples).
Approximate distance: 140 Miles (230 km)

This morning we visit Karnak Temple, the center of all religious life in ancient Egypt. Built and extended by successive generations of rulers, we will be awed by the massive columns and painted hieroglyphs. Continue on to tour the Luxor temple, located near the Nile and right in the center of downtown Luxor. Later, learn all there is to know about the ancient art of embalming with a visit to the world's only Mummification Museum. This evening we enjoy a fun dinner of Egyptian pizza called manakish at a local restaurant.

Our day starts with a visit to the exciting ancient sites located on Luxor's West Bank. We begin with the two mammoth statues of Amenophis II at the Colossi of Memnon. These statues stood at the front of a temple, which is no longer in existence. They have been famous since Greek times as they were said to have made a unique singing noise. We can even see ancient graffiti discussing this on the statues, from travelers of days past. Next stop is the famous Valley of the Kings. While the treasure is now gone, the tombs contain the most incredible paintings of the life of their encumbent and stories from the Book of the Dead. We also observe archeologists and workers, continuing in the search for new Tombs. There is also the option to visit the the Tomb of Tutankhamun, whose treasures we will see at the Egyptian Museum. We finish our day with the spectacular temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a reminder of the power women held in the Ancient Kingdom.

*If you have pre-booked the Valley of the Kings Hot Air Balloon Ride you will be flying on Day 7.

In the late afternoon, we transfer to Luxor airport and board our return flight to Cairo.

Estimated Travel Time:
Luxor to Cairo, 1 hr (flight)
Approximate distance: 440 Miles (710 km)

This morning we visit the world famous Egyptian Museum. With over 10,000 pieces from every period of Egyptian history, including the treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun, the display can be a bit daunting. Our tour leader will direct us to the most important and magnificent items and there is free time for us to explore on our own. There is also the option to visit the famed Mummy Room where we can view the ancient remains of some of Egypt’s most important rulers.

After the museum, we lunch local style at a Kusharia restaurant which features a popular Egyptian meal, mixing rice, pasta and lentils, topped with a tomato salsa and fried shallots.

In the afternoon, wander the alleyways of Khan El Khalili Bazaar, legendary for fine brassware, copper, perfumes, leather, silver, gold, antiques and more. We are sure to find a little something to take home.

This morning we transfer to Cairo airport and take a mid afternoon flight to Jordan's capital Amman where you will be transfered to our hotel and start the second half of your adventure.
This evening there will be another group meeting where you will meet your new CEO and group members. Please look at reception for the time and location of this important meeting and bring along your passport and travel insurance documents. Afterwards you may head out to a local restaurant for an optional dinner with your CEO and traveling companions.

Estimated Travel Time:
Cairo to Amman, 1 hr (flight)

After breakfast we set off on our half day trip to Jerash, a fascinating place and one of the largest and most well preserved Roman sites outside of Italy. Its paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theatres, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and city walls pierced by towers and gates remain in exceptional condition. The drive takes less than an hour each way, but will transport you some 2000 years back in time.
Next, we head to the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is actually a lake, without any from of life whatsoever existing in its waters. The water is so dense that it is practically impossible to sink, being five to ten times as salty as regular sea water. We base ourselves at a resort where you will have access to the beach. While swimming, cover yourself with the sea's mud, which is reputed to have special healing powers, and don't forget to take a photo of yourself reading a book while floating! You will notice that the salt penetrates any cuts on your body and has an unusual smell, but there are showers to wash off under after swimming. Afterwards, relax under an umbrella next to one of the fresh water swimming pools or enjoy the other facilities at your resort hotel. Why not indulge in a massage or one of the other range of health and beauty therapies available.

Tonight, enjoy an included buffet dinner at our hotel.

Overnight at Dead Sea in a comfortable resort style hotel.

Approx travel times: Amman to Jerash, 2hrs (return); Amman to Dead Sea, 2hrs

We depart early today for the long but very interesting drive by way of the King's Highway to Petra. Our first stop is Mount Nebo, which is believed by many to be the site of Moses' death and has thus been a centre for pilgrimage since the earliest Christian times. Enjoy stunning views from the summit of the surrounding countryside and into Israel in the distance.

The town of Madaba has some of the finest Byzantine mosaics in the world including the famous sixth century mosaic map of Palestine. We also visit several other churches, the Archaeological Park and local museum, all containing stunning mosaics and information about the history of this centre of early Christianity. Afterwards, we visit Karak Castle. Karak is the largest late Islamic castle in Jordan. It was initially constructed in the Crusader period and expanded and refortified during the Ayyubid and Mamluk periods. We will arrive in the early evening at Wadi Musa, the town on the outskirts of Petra, where we will spend the night.

Approx ravel times, including driving time and all stops for lunch and sight seeing, Dead Sea to Wadi Musa (Petra township), 8 hours.

We have two full days to explore this wonderful site.
After breakfast at the hotel on Day 4, we depart for a full day tour of Petra. Upon arrival at the entrance to the site you will begin an unforgettable walk through the narrow canyon that forms the dramatic entrance to the city (the siq), until you round the final corner and are greeted by the unforgettable view of the dramatic façade of the Treasury building. Our guide will give a brief history of this city that the Nabateans carved from the living rock of the surrounding mountains. The site is large, but you can set your own pace depending on the weather and the interests of the group.

This evening we head to a local restaurant where you will be given a cooking demonstration with some hands on cooking, of some local dishes, finally eating your creations as a delicious dinner.

Day 5 is free for you to return and explore Petra at your own pace. You may prefer to spend some quality time relaxing around the hotel's pool.



Overnight two nights in our comfortable accommodation in Wadi Musa (Petra township)

After breakfast at the hotel, we make our way to Al Beidha, also known as Little Petra. This site is literally hidden away in a mountain and this miniature version of Petra contains a number of notable tombs and offers a glimpse of Petra without the crowds.

Later we drive to Wadi Rum, a vast, silent landscape of ancient riverbeds and the largest and most magnificent of Jordan's desert landscapes. Now the home of several Bedouin tribes, Wadi Rum has been inhabited for generations. These hospitable and friendly desert people are settled in Wadi Rum in scattered nomadic camps throughout the area.
We enjoy lunch before heading deep into the desert on a four hour 4x4 vehicle.
Afterwards we head to our comfortable tented camp, where we will enjoy a traditional meal for our lunch and learn more about this ancient culture.


Overnight in tented camp Wadi Rum.

Approx travel times: Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum, 2hrs

This morning we return to Amman by way of the Desert Highway. On arrival back in the capital, we undertake an orientation drive, showing you the highlights of Amman's capital, including the restored 2AD Roman amphitheater and the many layers of regional history contained atop Amman's hilltop Citadel.
Tonight, we head out together to enjoy a final dinner together to celebrate the end of a wonderful journey.

Overnight in Amman.

Approx travel times: Wadi Rum to Amman, 3.5 hrs

You are free to depart at any time today. Please note that check-out time from the hotel is normally mid-morning, but luggage storage facilities are available. We are able to organise extra post-trip accommodation if you wish to extend your stay for a few more days. Please ask at the time of booking.