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 Jordan. Kickstart the day with a morning spent exploring the Jabal Amman district, one of the city’s most fascinating neighbourhoods.
Alongside a knowledgeable guide, admire local craftsmanship, stroll along picturesque streets and appreciate the vibrant street art before stopping to indulge in a coffee and knafeh (a spun pastry layered with melted cheese and soaked in sweet syrup).
The rest of the day is yours for the taking, whether you’d rather wander the city streets independently or soak up views from some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. If you’re after a bit of history, we can also arrange a tour of Jerash, an archaeological site that was once ancient Gerasa, a Greek city that reached its peak under Roman occupation.
After another delicious breakfast, a private driver will collect you from your hotel and hit the road south to Petra. If you take the direct route, the drive takes about three hours, but there are plenty of interesting places to stop along the way.
First up: Mount Nebo, a 2,300ft viewpoint offering panoramic views across the Dead Sea and beyond. Next, the Madaba Archaeological Park and imposing fortress of Kerak provide glimpses into the region’s history. Finally, stop at Wadi Dana for views over the dramatic canyon and surrounding Dana Biosphere Reserve before continuing to Petra.
Once you’ve checked in, the rest of today is yours to spend enjoying your new desert surroundings and the hotel’s facilities. Our team could also arrange for you to experience the ancient wonder of Petra at night when it’s lit by flickering candles – 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 famous monument known around the world for its exquisite craftsmanship. At its peak, however, the city was four times the size of Manhattan and housed a thriving civilisation, so there is plenty more to see beyond this.
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.
When you arrive, settle in for one night in a luxurious seafront 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 due to its high salt and mineral content. Simply lie back and float on the sparkling waters – it doesn’t come much more relaxing than this.
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 leave your hire car behind and meet your private driver who will take you to the airport, where you’ll catch a one-and-a-half-hour flight to Cairo.
When you touch down, you’ll be transferred to your next hotel: an illustrious property overlooking the Pyramids of Giza. Once you’ve checked in, it’s time to head out and explore these ancient marvels.
Alongside a private guide, spend the afternoon discovering the iconic Pyramids. Built around the third millennium BC, the pyramids are a testimony to the power of the Pharaohs during the fourth dynasty and the golden age of Ancient Egypt. This tour is also a great opportunity to discover lesser-known sites, including the Sphinx, guardian of the Giza necropolis, and the megalithic Valley Temple of Khafre.
Rise bright and early this morning to catch the speedy flight to Luxor, located just one hour south of Cairo. When you touch down, you’ll be privately transferred to the Nile for the next part of your journey: a luxury cruise on the Steam Ship Sudan, the vessel that inspired Agatha Christie’s 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 pilgrimage site 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 – preferably with an ice-cold drink in hand.
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. Finally, visit Luxor Temple, which boasts awe-inspiring column sanctuaries and is connected to Karnak by a two-mile-long path lined with imposing sphinx statues.
After a busy day of sightseeing, kick back and relax onboard the Steam Ship Sudan 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, toasting to your holiday highlights.
Wave goodbye to the luxurious Steam Ship Sudan, as this morning, 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.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
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 checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
