Itinerary
- Day 1
Introduction
Your journey into the ancient worlds of Jordan and Egypt starts today. This is an introductory day focused on arriving and settling in.
- Day 2
Amman
You'll arrive in Amman, Jordan's capital, and meet your Jordanian Tour Manager. Since arrival times vary, there are no scheduled activities today. Settle in at your own pace and adjust to the local time zone.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 3
Amman to Petra
Start the morning touring Amman, the city built on seven hills with nearly 10,000 years of history. You'll have lunch with meze, traditional Middle Eastern small sharing plates. Then head four hours through Jordan's rocky landscape to Petra, the fabled Rose Red City. Meet fellow travelers at a welcome dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Meze - a large variety of small sharing plates showcasing the exotic flavors of the Levant), Dinner (Welcome dinner)
Included Activities
- Tour Amman city
- Visit Petra archaeological site
- Welcome dinner
Landmarks/POIs Petra - Day 4
Petra
Check out Petra's archaeological site at daybreak, walking along sandstone carvings that served as a crossroads between the Red Sea and Dead Sea. The afternoon is yours to relax or trek the 850 steps to the Monastery if you'd like. Later, join an Arabic cooking class in a local home to learn about Bedouin traditions and Jordanian society while preparing a family-style dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Family-style dinner following Arabic cooking class in a local home)
Included Activities
- Tour Petra archaeological site
- Arabic cooking class with dinner
Optional Activities
- Trek to the Monastery at Petra (850 steps)
Landmarks/POIs Petra Monastery - Day 5
Petra to Dead Sea
A full-morning transfer takes you to the Jordan Valley. In Madaba, you'll see the famous 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land and share a home-hosted lunch with locals. Then visit Mount Nebo to look out at the Promised Land before heading down to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, for a two-night hotel stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Home-hosted traditional meal in Madaba with local hosts), Dinner
Included Activities
- View 6th-century mosaic map in Madaba
- Home-hosted lunch in Madaba
- Visit Mount Nebo
Landmarks/POIs Mount Nebo - Day 6
Dead Sea
Your morning gives you a choice: travel to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the UNESCO-recognized site where St. John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ, or enjoy a leisurely morning with private beach access to experience the Dead Sea's natural buoyancy. Spend the afternoon however you'd like, then gather for dinner at your hotel with a scenic sunset view.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic sunset overlooking the Dead Sea
- Dinner at hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan
- Dead Sea beach access and swimming
Landmarks/POIs Bethany Beyond the Jordan - Day 7
Dead Sea to Cairo
Say goodbye to your Jordanian Tour Manager early this morning before boarding a 90-minute flight to Cairo, Egypt's capital. You'll meet your Egyptian Tour Manager upon arrival and head to your hotel for a two-night stay in this energetic city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 8
Cairo
Head to Giza this morning, navigating Cairo's legendary traffic. You'll stand before the iconic Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and see the Great Sphinx. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Pyramids of Giza
- View Great Sphinx
Landmarks/POIs Pyramids of Giza Great Sphinx - Day 9
Cairo to Luxor
A pre-dawn transfer takes you to Cairo airport for a 75-minute flight to Luxor. You'll visit the expansive ruins of Karnak Temple, a 4,000-year-old complex of pylons and obelisks. Then board your cruise ship for four nights, settle in, and have lunch on board. The afternoon is yours. Later, catch Nile views from the sundeck before dinner with fellow travelers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on board cruise ship), Dinner (Dinner on board cruise ship)
Included Activities
- Visit Karnak Temple
- Board Nile River cruise ship
Landmarks/POIs Karnak Temple - Day 10
Luxor West Bank
As dawn breaks, head to Luxor's West Bank to trek through elaborate tombs of the Valley of the Kings. You'll see King Tutankhamun's tomb and Ramses VI's tomb, plus visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Return to the ship for late lunch, then sail toward Edfu. You'll see small farms and local farmers along the Nile's banks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Late lunch on board cruise ship), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek Valley of the Kings
- View tombs of King Tutankhamun and Ramses VI
- Visit Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Visit Colossi of Memnon
Landmarks/POIs Valley of the Kings Temple of Queen Hatshepsut Colossi of Memnon - Day 11
Edfu to Aswan
Your morning gives you two options: start at daybreak for a guided visit to the Temple of Horus and return for late breakfast, or rise at leisure for a relaxed breakfast with views of a place where daily life has changed little over centuries. This afternoon, sail to Kom Ombo to visit a rare double temple, then continue to Aswan. Later, wear a traditional Egyptian gown and join a galabeya party on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Temple of Horus (guided)
- Visit Kom Ombo double temple
- Galabeya party on board
Optional Activities
- Early morning departure for Temple of Horus visit
Landmarks/POIs Temple of Horus Kom Ombo Temple - Day 12
Aswan
You'll open your morning in Aswan, the Nubian city. Discover Philae Temple, located on a small island and accessible only by motorboat. This architectural wonder was rescued from the rising waters of the Nile during High Dam construction. The afternoon is yours to explore more of Aswan, perhaps visiting the Nubian Archeological Museum. Evening brings a felucca ride to see tall sand dunes on the Nile's western shore before dining on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner on felucca)
Included Activities
- Visit Philae Temple
- Felucca (wooden sailboat) evening sail
Optional Activities
- Visit Nubian Archeological Museum
Landmarks/POIs Philae Temple Nubian Archeological Museum - Day 13
Aswan to Cairo
Return to Cairo early this morning. Head towards the old town and spend free time shopping in Khan el-Khalili bazaar, a maze of color, scent, and sound where you can browse colorful trinkets, hand-painted crafts, and polished pendants. Check into your hotel in the late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Shop at Khan el-Khalili bazaar
Landmarks/POIs Khan el-Khalili Bazaar - Day 14
Cairo
Spend the day at the Grand Egyptian Museum getting a look at ancient Egypt's pharaohs, power struggles, and dynasties. The recently opened museum has over 100,000 ancient artifacts, including the colossal statue of Ramses II in the soaring Grand Hall. Some galleries may still be opening, but the experience gives you a strong introduction to Egypt's heritage. Return to the hotel mid-afternoon and celebrate your Middle Eastern journey at a farewell dinner this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Grand Egyptian Museum
Landmarks/POIs Grand Egyptian Museum - Day 15
Departure
Your adventure comes to a close today. You'll head home with a new understanding of these mystical lands and ancient histories.
