Excellent
Festive Road to Jordan
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR TOUR: Uncover the wonders of Egypt and Jordan on this 16 day adventure. Pyramids, temples, vibrant markets, Nile felucca cruising, remarkable tombs at the Valley of the Kings, Nile felucca cruising and Red Sea relaxation. Topped off with Jordan’s stunning Rose City of Petra - voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, the red desert of Wadi Rum and the buoyant Dead Sea.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Accommodation Standard
Tour with felucca
Tour Overview
Duration
16 daysStarts
CairoEnds
AmmanRange
SignatureTour Guide
Yes, escorted by a tour guideGroup Size
Min 2 / Max 24Minimum age
18 yrsDeparts
15, 22, 29 Dec 2023Hotel Rating
4 - 5 starCountries
Egypt, JordanArrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
At set times - 23:00 (day 15), 04:00, 07:00, 09:00, 12:00 & 16:00Meals included
Breakfast: 15, Lunch: 2, Dinner: 3Excellent
4.4 out of 5 based on
275 reviews
Accommodation Standard
Tour with felucca
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Accommodation Standard
Tour with felucca
Itinerary
Day 1 - Hello Cairo
Day 1 - Hello Cairo
Welcome to Cairo, Egypt's bustling capital. You will be met at Cairo Airport and transferred to our start hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, or those arriving early may wish to book our Backstreets of Cairo tour which visits lesser known highlights of the capital including Tahrir Square, the hub of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution.
You may also extend your stay in Cairo with our pre or post tour accommodation or tour add-ons like our Alexandria Day Trip.
Day 2 - Pyramids & Saqqara
Day 2 - Pyramids & Saqqara
Our first day of touring starts with a visit to Egypt's most iconic site - the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx. With plenty of time on hand to take the opportunity to explore and get up close to the world's sole surviving and oldest ancient wonder. We then have a short stop at a government supervised papyrus emporium before travelling to the ancient tomb-strewn necropolis, at Saqqara. Saqqara is a myriad of tombs and the highlight is Zhoser's Step Pyramid - constructed by Imhotep (the pharaoh's chief architect) in 2700 BC.
Day 3 - The Grand Egyptian Museum
Day 3 - The Grand Egyptian Museum
Cairo - Aswan. 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. After our excursion, we return to the hotel to enjoy some free time by the pool before boarding our overnight sleeper train to Aswan.
Day 4 - Philae Temple
Day 4 - Philae Temple
Aswan. We arrive into Aswan and check into our hotel before heading off on a boat trip to Agilika Island where we’ll visit the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Then, back in Aswan we’ll visit a perfume oil emporium. Spending the remainder of the evening at our own leisure, shopping in the colourful souqs or simply kicking back and relaxing.
Day 5 - Optional excursion to Abu Simbel
Day 5 - Optional excursion to Abu Simbel
Aswan - Nile felucca sailing. Optional early morning excursion to the magnificent rock-cut Temples of Abu Simbel, built by mighty King Ramses II. This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2 night voyage downstream on the River Nile. Relax and chat with new friends as the felucca gently plies its route. Stops are made en route for swimming and visiting local villages.
If sailing by felucca is not your style, consider upgrading to a 5 star luxury Nile Cruise, please see 'Cruise Upgrade Prices & Dates' tab above for details.
Day 6 - Felucca sailing & Kom Ombo
Day 6 - Felucca sailing & Kom Ombo
Nile felucca sailing - Kom Ombo. Relax, go for a swim or just chill out in the sun on deck. Let your troubles melt away as the felucca plies its route. In the afternoon we dock near Kom Ombo and take a motorboat to visit the temple, which is dedicated to the crocodile headed god Sobek, before returning to our felucca for the night.
Day 7 - Optional visit to the Temple of Luxor
Day 7 - Optional visit to the Temple of Luxor
Kom Ombo - Luxor. This morning we disembark and drive to Luxor - Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at its best. Enjoy some rest and relaxation and tonight, an optional visit to the Temple of Luxor is available or enjoy the facilities of our hotel.
Day 8 - Valley of the Kings
Day 8 - Valley of the Kings
Today we discover the West Bank of the Nile and the legendary Valley of the Kings. Marvel at Colossi of Memnon, the massive stone remains of the temple of Amenophis III, and then we’ll explore the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and surrounding tombs.
After lunch we visit the Temple of Karnak, a spectacular religious complex built on a gigantic scale, where you get lost wandering around the stone papyrus columns. The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Days 9-10 - Red Sea watersports & R&R
Days 9-10 - Red Sea watersports & R&R
Luxor - Hurghada. Departing Luxor on day 9, we drive east to Hurghada which is part of the beautiful Red Sea Riviera! The remainder of today and tomorrow offers free time for you to explore or simply relax. On day 10 there's an optional day trip to Giftun Island for swimming and snorkelling, which can be booked locally.
Hurghada is one of the Red Sea's most popular resorts and it is easy to see why. Hotels and expanded infrastructure provide holidaymakers with excellent aquatic facilities for sail boarding, yachting, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling. Hurghada’s central location provides a gateway to prime offshore reefs, which are some of the finest in the world. The Red Sea resort also has plenty of restaurants and bars for evening entertainment.
Day 11 - Fly to Jordan
Day 11 - Fly to Jordan
Hurghada - Cairo - Amman - Petra. Today we say goodbye to Egypt and fly to Amman via Cairo. On arrival we’ll drive to Petra for an evening at leisure.
PLEASE NOTE: The flight from Hurghada to Amman via Cairo is not included in the cost of this tour. Travellers need to independently book these flights at a personal cost (total flight cost approximately USD$250 - $350pp) however, we can assist in booking these flights should you require. The flights to be booked are detailed in the tour Trip Notes.
Day 12 - The Rose City of Petra
Day 12 - The Rose City of Petra
Welcome to the Rose City! To access Petra on our guided walk today, we travel through the famous narrow and deep siq. The rocks give way to reveal the most amazing sight – the beautiful Treasury. Walking down the gravel tracks, we explore the ancient Nabatean tombs and the Roman rock-carved streets lined with temples, royal tombs, staircases, arched gates and public buildings. There is also a gigantic amphitheatre originally built to house 3000 spectators, though the Romans increased capacity to a whopping 7000.
After the guided tour, you’re free to head off and further explore or relax and take it all in. If you are feeling energetic, why not continue up the hillside along the ancient steps that take you to the Monastery to take in the stunning views – worth the effort. With a free evening ahead, why not test your culinary skills in the Petra Kitchen with our Petra Kitchen add-on – which afterwards you can enjoy the meal made.
Day 13 - Petra & Wadi Rum Desert
Day 13 - Petra & Wadi Rum Desert
Petra - Wadi Rum. This morning we can revisit the Rose Red city entering via 'secret road' of Al Madras for further exploration. After, we drive to Wadi Rum - a vast, silent landscape of pastel coloured sketches of sandy desert punctuated by amazing rock formations known as jebels. Here, we undertake a 4x4 desert safari, before tucking into a Bedouin dinner at our desert camp. Bed tonight is under a galaxy of stars or in tents.
Day 14 - Crusader Castles, Wadi Mujib canyoning & the Dead Sea
Day 14 - Crusader Castles, Wadi Mujib canyoning & the Dead Sea
Wadi Rum - Shobak - Wadi Mujib - Dead Sea. After breakfast at the campsite, we head north along the Desert Highway to visit Shobak Castle, which is perched dramatically on a hill top and was built by the Crusader King Baldwin I, in 1115. After exploring the castle we descend some 1300 meters to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the earth’s surface. More than 400 meters below sea level, the mineral-rich Dead Sea is the world’s original health and beauty spa. Drift out and bob in the waters and slap on some of the famous black Dead Sea mud to give your skin an invigorating boost.
For departures between April and October, we head up the King’s Highway to Wadi Mujib. We embark on a moderate–paced two hour trek along the Siq Trail. Measuring 500 metres in depth and spanning 4kms across, the impressive Wadi Mujib is one of Jordan’s most remarkable natural features. This dramatic canyon features sheer rocky walls and sparkling waterways that range from puddle height to depths that are perfect for swimming (chest height or deeper) depending on the rainfall. When the water level is high you should be prepared for having to climb up ladders, clamber across boulders and be happy to wade through water. The canyon is just one feature of the Mujib Biosphere Reserve, the lowest nature reserve in the world, home to a surprising diversity of wildlife and plant species. For those not interested in taking the full hike, you can walk part of it or wait by the Visitor Centre until the group returns. After our trek, we make our way to the Dead Sea.
Day 15 - Dead Sea free time
Day 15 - Dead Sea free time
The Dead Sea is a natural phenomenon and high on most travellers’ bucket lists. Lucky for us we have a whole day to spend here, whiling away the time bobbing in its mineral-rich buoyant waters and lathering up with a detoxifying mud bath. There is an optional visit to the Ma’in Hot Springs available. This is the site where it is thought Jesus Christ was baptised by John (book locally).
Day 16 - Dead Sea - Amman Airport
Day 16 - Dead Sea - Amman Airport
Dead Sea - Amman. Today our holiday together comes to an end. We offer a departure transfer to Amman Airport at 23:00 (evening of day 15) and today at 04:00, 07:00, 09:00, 12:00 & 16:00. If you would like a departure transfer at any other time or a transfer with post tour accommodation this can be arranged at an additional cost.
If you have extra time and wish to head back to Amman, why not book our 2 day end in Amman add on? Perfect for those who wish to spend more time in Jordan's ancient capital, Amman.
For information about visas, top travel tips and much more, take a look through our Egypt travel guide or Joran travel guide.
Accommodation Standard
Tour with felucca
Tour Reviews
Accommodation Standard
Tour with felucca
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Pre Tour Accommodation - Cairo (from price)
Double
Twin
Single
Post Tour Accommodation - Dead Sea
Double
Twin
Single
Additional Excursions
Enhance your tour with these optional extras, helping you to get the most from your adventure.
Carry on your Egyptian affair before or after your tour, with a day trip (including lunch) to amazing Alexandria on the Mediterranean Coast. Founded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria boasts wonderful beaches and an impressive seafront corniche, along which are dotted cafes and restaurants, as well as catacombs, a fortress, souks and relics from a bygone age.
$255
per passengerPossibly the most awe-inspiring temple of all ancient Egypt, with its gargantuan rock-cut facade is the magnificent Abu Simbel. Guarding the entrance to the temple are 4 colossal seated statues of the pharaoh himself, staring out across Lake Nasser.
$285
per passengerDiscover some of Cairo’s most fascinating neighbourhoods and get off the beaten track on this Backstreets of Cairo tour. Stroll through the bustling Downtown and explore the beautiful mosques and monuments of Islamic Cairo’s spectacular El Moez Street, before bartering for goods at Khan el Khalili Bazaar. Then learn about the life of the Zabbaleen waste pickers before visiting the famous Cave Church of St Simon.
$195
per passengerTour Extensions
Extend your trip with our multi-day tour extensions, including accommodation, sightseeing and free time.
This 4-day Alexandria & El Alamein add-on can be booked in conjunction with any of our Egypt group tours, city breaks or private tours.
Double
Twin
Single
Accommodation Standard
Tour with felucca
Hotels
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Accommodation Standard
Tour with felucca
Prices & Dates
All dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 2 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room.
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