Cairo to Amman

Arrive into Cairo and included transfer to your hotel. The remainder of today is at your leisure to relax and enjoy your hotel facilities, or explore Cairo your way. Consider heading out for dinner at one of the restaurants offering views over the Nile River and city, or head to the sound and light show at the pyramids this evening.

Today pay a visit to the only remaining ancient wonder of the world, the impressive Pyramids at Giza Plateau. Gaze in awe at Cheops (Khufu) - the largest of the three great pyramids. Constructed from over 2.5 million limestone blocks, it is thought to have taken more than 20 years to construct. The other two - Chephren and Mycerinus are equally breathtaking, and all three Pyramids are truly a sight that can only be fully appreciated in person. Continue on to Memphis, where you’ll see the colossal statue of Ramses II before visiting the tomb-strewn necropolis of Saqqara, featuring King Zhoser’s Step Pyramid - constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh’s chief architect in 2700 BC and the template for all future pyramid construction.

This morning we join our guided tour of the incredible new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. This vast 490,000 sq.m complex showcases an astonishing collection of artefacts from nearly every period of ancient Egyptian history. Among the highlights are treasures of King Tutankhamun, with plans for his famous solid gold funerary mask to eventually be showcased here, alongside many items being exhibited for the first time.

Later, we make our way to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which remains home to a vast collection of statues, jewellery, and sarcophagi. Here, we’ll see the well-preserved mummies of Yuya and Thuyu, high-ranking nobles and the great-grandparents of King Tutankhamun. Some mummies are so well preserved they still have thick locks of hair and visible fingernails.

This afternoon visit the world famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar, with trinkets and delights to be found amongst the many shops and stalls located here. Then continue to The Citadel, this monumental Islamic-era fortification, in the heart of Cairo, was once the seat of government from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Here, you'll visit the beautiful Mosque of Muhammed Ali, built in the 1830's this impressive structure is made from alabaster stone and is a smaller version of the Blue Mosque found in Istanbul.

Cairo - Aswan. After breakfast, take a short flight south to Aswan and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon visit Philae Temple and Aswan High Dam. Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, was rescued in an enormous UNESCO effort in the 1970s. Due to high water levels in the reservoir created by the Old Aswan Dam and further aquatic drama due to the creation of the mighty High Dam, Philae Temple was relocated stone by stone to higher ground on nearby Agilika Island.

Aswan - Abu Simbel - Aswan. It's an early start today for your short flight down south to explore the temples of Abu Simbel, created to revere the mighty pharaonic ruler King Ramses II. Guarding the entrance to the temple (built between 1290 and 1224 BC) hewn into the side of a mountain are four famous colossal statues of the pharaoh himself. In a fit of architectural wisdom, Ramses II had the entire temple carefully angled and oriented in order that the sun’s rays would align twice a year on his date of ascension to the throne (in February) and on his birthday (in October) and illuminate the inner sanctum of the temple. The other rock cut temple at Abu Simbel is the Temple of Hathor, which is fronted by six massive standing statues. Four of them represent King Ramses II, the other two are of his beloved wife - Queen Nefertari. Famously, both temples were re-located in a multi-million dollar operation in 1972, further up from the shoreline of Lake Nasser.

Returning to Aswan, free time is offered to perhaps do some shopping in the colourful souqs and markets or simply relax in this attractive town which straddles the Nile River. This afternoon board your luxury Nile cruiser for a three night cruise on the River Nile.

Nile Cruising. Spend the next two days relaxing aboard your luxury Nile cruiser, taking in the riverside village views from the deck, and exploring some of the exciting historical sites located along this stretch of the Nile. On day 6 moor up at the riverside and enjoy a visit to the waterside Temple of Kom Ombo. Consisting of two temples, one dedicated to the Crocodile-headed god Sobek and the other dedicated to the falcon god Horus.

On Day 7, you will reach the west bank of Luxor and explore the best of ancient Thebes, the tomb strewn Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.

After a leisurely breakfast disembark your cruiser this morning to visit Karnak Temple. Karnak is a spectacular myriad of sanctuaries, pylons, chapels, halls and obelisks, all dedicated to the Theban gods and to the greater glory of Egypt’s Middle and New Kingdom rulers. Later, we'll visit Luxor Temple, dedicated to Amun, construction work on the temple began during the reign of Amenhotep III in the 14th century BC. Check into your Luxor hotel later today, where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Luxor - Dead Sea. This morning a transfer will take you to the airport to board your flight to Amman via Cairo (the flight from Cairo to Amman is not included, please see the Trip Notes for further details). Upon arrival transfer to the lowest point on earth - the Dead Sea, a natural phenomenon, where you float like a cork in the intensely salt rich waters. The high concentration of mineral salts in the sea also gives your skin a fabulous detox!

Dead Sea - Kerak Castle - Petra. Time for a bit of pampering - perhaps a day at a Dead Sea spa where you can indulge yourself in a variety of luxurious well-being treatments? Or simply relax in the sun by the Dead Sea, the choice is yours. In the afternoon of day 11 drive south, visiting Kerak Crusader Castle en-route to Petra.

Petra - Madaba - Amman. The jewel in Jordan’s archaeological crown is the Rose City of Petra, here you’ll spend a full day sightseeing. Catching your first glimpse of the Treasury through the corridors of the siq, will be a memory sure to remain with you forever. Wander down the ancient Roman rock carved streets, exploring the Nabataean tombs, amphitheatre and other hidden treasures this once-lost city has to offer. If you’re feeling daring, why not climb the hundreds of steps to Ad-Deir? Ad-Deir is better known as the Monastery and with its impressive facade and the spectacular views, it is definitely worth the physical exertion!

On day 13, there's the opportunity to revisit Petra before driving onward to St George’s Church in Madaba to view the fascinating 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land, before continuing to Amman later this afternoon.

Amman - Jerash - Ajlun - Amman. Today take in the magnificent Roman provincial city of Jerash. With its colonnaded street, theatre, nymphaeum and Temples of Artemis and Zeus. Then drive onward to Ajlun for a tour of the crusader era Saracen Castle, built by the armies of Salah ad din.

Today marks the end of your incredible journey through Egypt and Jordan. A transfer will be provided to take you to airport to meet your onward flight. Should you wish to book additional nights to further explore more of Jordan, please enquire.

For information about visas, top travel tips and much more, take a look through our: Egypt travel guide and Jordan travel guide.