Egypt and Jordan Tours with Nile Cruise – 13 Days

Welcome to Egypt! When you land at Cairo International Airport, your tour manager will be waiting to meet you, help with your entry visa and guide you smoothly through arrivals. From there, you'll settle into a private air-conditioned vehicle for the drive through Cairo's lively streets to your hotel. Once you've checked in, your tour manager will run through the itinerary with you and confirm all your pick-up times, so you know exactly what's ahead. The rest of the day is yours to relax and shake off the flight.

• Stay: Your hotel in Cairo
• Meals: None
• Important Notes: Entry visa fees are payable locally; your tour manager will assist with the process on arrival.

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll head straight into the sight most travellers dream about. Your private Egyptologist guide takes you to the Giza Plateau, home to the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinus — the last of the ancient world's seven wonders still standing. Nearby you'll also see the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple. After lunch at a local restaurant, you'll continue to Saqqara, the vast burial ground of ancient Memphis and site of the Step Pyramid of King Djoser, thought to be the world's oldest major stone building.

• Stay: Your hotel in Cairo
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Included Visits: Great Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx, Valley Temple, Saqqara
• Important Notes: Expect warm weather and walking on uneven, sandy ground with little shade. Comfortable shoes, a hat and sunscreen are recommended.

Enjoy breakfast before visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest museum in the world devoted to a single civilisation. You'll wander through its huge halls filled with treasures from across ancient Egypt, including the complete collection from King Tutankhamun's tomb and the towering statue of Ramses II. The modern building itself is a sight, with views towards the Pyramids of Giza. After lunch at a local restaurant, you'll head to the Khan El Khalili Bazaar, Cairo's oldest and liveliest market — take your time wandering the narrow, colourful lanes packed with handicrafts, spices, jewellery and souvenirs.

• Stay: Your hotel in Cairo
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Included Visits: Grand Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar
• Important Notes: The museum involves a good amount of walking; comfortable shoes are a good idea.

After breakfast, you'll transfer to Cairo Airport for your short flight to Aswan. On arrival you'll be met and taken to visit the beautiful Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis and set on its own island, reached by a short motorboat ride. From there, you'll board your Nile cruise and settle in, with lunch served on board. The rest of the day is yours to relax on deck and take in the calm, timeless scenery as the Nile drifts by.

• Stay: 5-star Superior Nile cruise
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Included Visits: Philae Temple
• Important Notes: Philae is reached by motorboat. Expect warm weather along the river.

After breakfast on board, you'll have the chance to join an optional early excursion to Abu Simbel, home to the magnificent temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari — famously moved to higher ground during a huge UNESCO rescue project. Back on board, you'll begin sailing towards Kom Ombo, enjoying lunch as the scenery slips past. On arrival, you'll visit the unusual Temple of Kom Ombo, shared between Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the falcon-headed god, before returning to the cruise to continue gently along the Nile.

• Stay: 5-star Superior Nile cruise
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Included Visits: Kom Ombo Temple
• Optional Experiences: Full-day trip to Abu Simbel by road (private or small group)
• Important Notes: The Abu Simbel excursion starts very early and involves a long road journey each way.

Enjoy breakfast on board as you sail to Edfu. Here you'll visit the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt and a standout from the Greco-Roman period. You'll then continue sailing towards Luxor, with lunch served along the way. Once you arrive, you'll explore Luxor's East Bank, starting with the vast Karnak Temple Complex dedicated to the god Amun, followed by the elegant Luxor Temple — once linked to Karnak by the ancient Avenue of Sphinxes. It's a wonderful introduction to the city often called the world's greatest open-air museum.

• Stay: 5-star Superior Nile cruise
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Included Visits: Temple of Horus (Edfu), Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple
• Important Notes: Temple grounds are large with plenty of walking, often in warm sun.

After breakfast, you'll disembark from your cruise and cross to Luxor's West Bank. Your first stop is the legendary Valley of the Kings, where the tombs of Egypt's greatest pharaohs were cut deep into the desert hills. From there you'll visit the striking Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, rising in terraces against the cliffs at Deir El Bahari, and the giant Colossi of Memnon standing guard over the plain. Afterwards, you'll check into your Luxor hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace.

• Stay: Your hotel in Luxor
• Meals: Breakfast
• Included Visits: Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon
• Important Notes: The West Bank is hot and open, with uneven ground and steps into some tombs. Light clothing, a hat and sturdy shoes are recommended.

Enjoy breakfast before transferring to Luxor Airport for your flight to Amman, via Cairo. When you land in Jordan, you'll be met and assisted at the airport, then driven to your hotel in Amman to check in. The evening is free, so you can rest after the day's travel or head out to get a first feel for Jordan's friendly capital.

• Stay: Your hotel in Amman
• Meals: Breakfast
• Important Notes: This is a travel day with a connecting flight via Cairo.

After breakfast, you'll set off south through Jordan. Your first stop is Madaba, known for its beautiful Byzantine mosaics — including the famous mosaic map of the Holy Land inside St George's Church. You'll then continue to Mount Nebo, the peaceful hilltop where Moses is said to have looked out over the Promised Land. On a clear day the views stretch across the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea. From here, you'll drive on to Petra and check into your hotel, ready for tomorrow's highlight.

• Stay: Your hotel in Petra
• Meals: Breakfast
• Included Visits: Madaba, Mount Nebo
• Important Notes: A scenic day with some driving between sites.

After breakfast, you'll spend the day exploring Petra, Jordan's most famous site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. You'll walk in through the Siq, a narrow, winding canyon that suddenly opens onto the breathtaking Treasury carved into the rose-coloured rock. Beyond it, you'll discover royal tombs, temples, ancient streets and countless carvings left by the Nabataeans. Take your time to wander and soak up the atmosphere before returning to your hotel.

• Stay: Your hotel in Petra
• Meals: Breakfast
• Included Visits: Petra
• Important Notes: Petra involves considerable walking over uneven, rocky ground with some inclines. A moderate level of fitness, sturdy shoes, water, a hat and sunscreen are recommended. Horses are available near the entrance, but numbers are limited.

After breakfast, you'll leave Petra and drive to Wadi Rum, the dramatic desert often called the Valley of the Moon. Here you'll climb aboard a 4x4 for an exciting jeep safari, crossing red sand dunes past towering rock formations and ancient Bedouin trails. As the afternoon light softens, you'll arrive at your desert camp to relax and enjoy the stillness. After a traditional dinner, look up — the star-filled skies over Wadi Rum are unforgettable.

• Stay: Desert camp in Wadi Rum
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Visits: Wadi Rum 4x4 jeep safari (approx. 1.5 hours)
• Important Notes: Desert days are hot and nights can be cool, so pack layers. Camp facilities are simple by nature.

After breakfast at camp, you'll drive to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth and one of the world's true natural wonders. Once you've checked into your resort, the day is yours to unwind. Float effortlessly on the mineral-rich water — famous for its therapeutic qualities — or simply relax by the shore and enjoy the calm. It's the perfect, easy finish to a big adventure.

• Stay: Your Dead Sea resort
• Meals: Breakfast
• Included Visits: Dead Sea
• Important Notes: Avoid shaving beforehand and keep the salty water away from your eyes. Water shoes are handy, as the shoreline can be rocky.

After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home. Our representative will help you with the departure formalities and wave you off after an unforgettable journey through the wonders of Egypt and Jordan.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Important Notes: Please allow enough time for airport check-in and departure procedures.