Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Jordan – Egypt – Amman – Petra – Wadi Rum – Dead Sea – Cairo – The Nile
100% customisable for you
Your epic adventure to Jordan and Egypt begins today with a flight to the ancient Jordanian capital of Amman. On arrival, a friendly member of our team can assist with visas and luggage, before a private driver whisks you off to your first hotel: a modern property in the heart of the city. Spend the rest of today settling in, relaxing and enjoying the facilities at the hotel ready for a day of exploring tomorrow.
Rise and shine, it’s your first full day in exciting Jordan. Kickstart the day with a morning exploring the city of Jerash, the site of ancient Gerasa, a Greek city that reached its peak under Roman occupation. Your private guide can show you around and explain its remarkable history – abandoned in the 12th century and hidden for several hundred years, the Greco-Roman ruins are some of the best preserved in the world, with impressive colonnades and temples.
This afternoon is all about experiencing the contemporary delights of Amman, either at your own pace or our team can arrange to have a private guide accompany you around the city’s sights. Spend time soaking up the sights and smells of the souqs or visiting landmarks like the King Abdullah I Mosque, with its vast blue dome, or the ancient Citadel, which towers over the city from its position atop a hill.
After another delicious breakfast, a private driver will collect you from your hotel and hit the road south to Petra. The drive takes about three hours if you were to head straight there, but there are plenty of interesting places to stop off en route. First up: Mount Nebo, a 2,300ft viewpoint offering panoramic views across the Dead Sea and landscape beyond. Next, the Madaba Archaeological Park and imposing fortress of Kerak provide glimpses into the region’s history. Continue to Petra and your hotel for the next two nights: a simple yet elegant property located right at the entrance of the site.
The rest of today is yours to spend enjoying your new desert surroundings and the hotel’s facilities. Our team could also arrange to experience the ancient wonder of Petra at night when it’s lit up with flickering candles, which makes for a truly mesmerising sight.
Today, you’ll spend a full day exploring Petra, the thriving capital of the Nabataean Empire, which was carved from sandstone cliffs over 2,000 years ago. When people think of Petra, they often picture the Treasury, the most elaborate and famous monument known around the world for its exquisite craftsmanship. But at its peak, the city was four times the size of Manhattan and housed a thriving civilisation, so there is plenty more to see beyond the Treasury. Your knowledgeable guide will take you on a grand tour of this ancient city, taking in royal tombs, a Roman theatre, the Jinn blocks, an ancient dam and the Qasr Al Bint Temple, built to appease the Nabataean Gods. Round off your visit with a tour of the Monastery, which offers fabulous views of the ancient city.
Head deeper into the Jordanian desert today, as you travel two hours along the scenic Desert Highway to Wadi Rum. Your home for the night here is a Bedouin tented camp set in a warm and welcoming setting. After settling in and freshening up, head out in the company of a seasoned local driver-guide for a desert adventure in an all-terrain vehicle.
Nicknamed the ‘Valley of the Moon’ for its resemblance to Mars, the protected desert of Wadi Rum dazzles with both its ancient history and lunar landscapes. These harsh lands have been the home of nomadic Bedouin tribes for centuries and many still live here today. Spend the afternoon admiring giant sculpted arches, dramatic rock formations and deep canyons before turning in for an evening of stargazing in your camp in the middle of the desert.
Your adventure across Jordan continues today with a five-hour drive north to the shores of the Dead Sea to experience the therapeutic thrill of floating on the salty surface. On arrival, settle in for one night in a luxurious sea-front hotel and spend the rest of today enjoying the charms of the Dead Sea. This natural spa dazzles with its unusual properties: it’s the lowest body of water on Earth (at 1,000ft below sea level) and is completely devoid of life because of the high salt and mineral content.
The time has come to bid Jordan a warm farewell and commence the second chapter of your historic journey in Egypt. Take in your final views of Jordan as you’re privately transferred to the airport, where you’ll catch a one-and-a-half-hour flight to Cairo. A private driver will be waiting for you on arrival to whisk you off to your next hotel: an illustrious property overlooking the Pyramids of Giza.
It’s up and at ‘em again today as you’ll be met by a private guide to lead you around the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Built around the third millennium BC, the pyramids are colossal structures and a testimony to the power of the Pharaohs during the fourth dynasty and the golden age of Ancient Egypt. The tour is also a great opportunity to discover lesser-known sites including the Sphinx, guardian of the necropolis of Giza, and the megalithic Valley Temple of Khafre.
Next up is the Grand Egyptian Museum, the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to one civilisation. With 12 different galleries, there’s plenty to discover throughout the museum, a particular highlight being the Tutankhamun collection: a display of all 5,000 artefacts from the famous pharaoh’s tomb.
In the evening, leave the big city behind and take a one-hour flight to Luxor, where you’ll stay overnight in a hotel.
This morning, you’ll be privately transferred to the Nile and guided onto the Steam Ship Sudan, our luxury vessel which inspired Agatha Christie to write Death on the Nile. Your home for the next five nights is a beautifully designed cabin that offers the utmost in comfort, the perfect place to rejuvenate after the busy days of sightseeing ahead.
After a delicious lunch on board, spend this afternoon discovering the eastern bank of Luxor and the revered Temple of Karnak, one of the largest sacred complexes in the world. Home to the temple of the sovereign god Amon, this sanctified space was constructed over a period of nearly 2,000 years. Come evening, climb back aboard and sail towards Qena, a quieter area of the Nile, and enjoy your first dinner and sunset on this magical river.
Wake up bright and early and embark on a guided adventure to Abydos, the holy city of Osiris (the god of the underworld). The city has remained an important place for pilgrimage since the Old Kingdom dynasties and houses an enchanting temple said to be the birthplace of Ramesside art. On the way back, make a stop at Dendera, a finely preserved temple complex featuring intricate hand-carved chapels, winding staircases and panoramic terraces offering splendid views across the surrounding countryside. Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening savouring life on the Nile.
First up on today’s agenda is the Valley of The Kings, one of the most iconic symbols of Ancient Egypt and a site that offers a glimpse into the ancient journeys of deceased Pharaohs in the afterlife. The star of the show is the tomb of Ramses VI, a beautifully decorated, cathedral-like tomb. Then it’s onwards to the lesser-visited Valley of the Nobles, the resting place of prominent nobles, and Valley of Artisans (Deir el-Medina), an ancient village that housed the workmen who constructed the grand temples.
After a busy morning of sightseeing, kick back and relax onboard the Steam Ship Sudan this afternoon as you continue sailing to Edfu.
Wake up bright and early and beat the crowds to the Temple of Edfu, which, built in the third century BC, is dedicated to the falcon god of Horus. The temple is one of the best preserved in Egypt and documents fascinating relics of ancient Egyptian religion. Enjoy a delicious lunch on board the steamship as you sail to Kom Ombo just in time for sunset.
Spend the evening touring the unusual temple complex, which is dedicated to two ancient deities: the falcon god Horus and the crocodile god Sobek. Settle in for a hearty dinner on board and a good night’s rest ready for another action-packed day tomorrow.
Your historic journey across Jordan and Egypt continues today as you sail along the golden banks of the Nile to Aswan, a charming riverside city and gateway to the ancient civilisation of Nubia. As early as the third millennium BC, this region acted as the centre of commercial exchange in the civilised world. Nubia was a rich and powerful land that supplied Egypt with gold (Nubia means ‘gold’), impressive soldiers, sought-after wood and precious ivories.
Spend today at the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the great mother Isis, goddess of healing and magic. The cult of the goddess continued here for a long time, until it was transformed into a Coptic church by the Byzantine emperor Justinian in the sixth century. Spend your final evening on the Steam Ship Sudan with a delicious meal and a spot of stargazing on deck.
Wave goodbye to your luxurious steamship this morning, as it’s time to head back to dry land for your final night in Egypt. Transfer from the steamship to your hotel aboard a traditional sailing boat, known as a felucca, stopping off at Kitchener’s Island on the way. The island was named after the former British consul in Egypt, who turned this island desert into a beautiful botanical garden.
Arrive at your hotel this afternoon, and either head into Aswan to visit the market and pick up some last-minute souvenirs, or relax at your hotel before toasting to the end of a memorable trip.
Sadly, the time has come to bid farewell to the beautiful River Nile and embark on the journey home. After a delicious breakfast at your hotel this morning you’ll be collected and privately transferred to the airport, where you’ll be guided through check-in and security before boarding your flight home via Cairo.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
