Classic Egypt & Jordan

Duration

15 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Comfortable

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

If you’ve been dreaming of exploring the ancient cities of Cairo, Luxor, Petra and Amman – this Egypt and Jordan discovery trip is just the one.

Highlights

Explore an ancient wonder of the world – the Pyramids of Giza, along with the famed Sphinx, Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings, as you learn mythological history from an expert guide.
You’ll never forget your first glimpse of The Treasury in Petra. Spend a day taking in the majesty and mystery of this unforgettable place on a guided tour, then enjoy free time to explore.
Be welcomed into the home of families in Cairo and Petra, where you’ll chat with friendly family hosts over traditional meals and learn what life is like in these diverse locations.
Set sail down the Nile on a four-night riverboat cruise and watch day turn to dusk from the sundeck. Then, experience the world’s most iconic river from a traditional felucca boat.
Experience the unique sensation of floating in the super-salty waters of the Dead Sea, then cover yourself in the mineral-rich mud for a spa treatment like no other.

Trip Details

Duration

15 days

Transportation

Private vehicle,Plane,Nile River Cruise,Overnight sleeper train,4x4 Jeep

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Cairo, Egypt

Finishes

Amman, Egypt

Accommodations

Comfortable

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Cairo

Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Egypt. You'll be met on arrival at Cairo International Airport and transferred to your hotel, before your Egyptian adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6pm this evening. Cairo is one of the great cities of antiquity and its history can be symbolised by two imposing landmarks – the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. If you have some time spare, perhaps get out and explore the busy city streets or visit the Cairo Citadel which dates back to 1176 and is home to multiple museums and mosques.

Included Activities:

Complimentary Arrival Transfer

Optional Activities:

Cairo - The Citadel (entrance fee) (550 EGP)
Cairo - Coptic Museum (entrance fee) (280 EGP)
Cairo - Islamic Art Museum (entrance fee) (340 EGP)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Cairo - Overnight Train

This morning after breakfast you’ll see two of the world’s most iconic sights – the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Explore structures that have stood for over 4500 years and learn the history from a true local. For an additional charge, you may be able to go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (although occasionally it’s closed to visitors). The Pyramids complex can be very hot in the summer months and has little shade to protect you from the sun so prepare accordingly. Your adventure continues to the Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world's greatest collections of ancient artefacts. Recovered from the tomb of Tutankhamun, the gleaming jewellery, golden death mask and gilded sarcophagi are an impressive site to say the least. It’s clear this pharaoh was prepared for a lavish afterlife! Take some time to freshen up back at the hotel before you board an overnight sleeper train to Luxor.

Included Activities:

Cairo - Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
Cairo - Egyptian Museum

Optional Activities:

Cairo - The 3rd Pyramid of Menkawre (entrance fee) (280 EGP)
Cairo - The Great Pyramid of Cheops (entrance fee) (1000 EGP)

Accommodation:

Overnight Train (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Nile River Cruise

It's an early start this morning as you'll pull into Luxor around 6am. Take advantage of the early morning peace by visiting Karnak Temple – a spectacular collection of temples, chapels and pylons that are perhaps the most impressive of all the Pharaoh’s monumental works. Learn the secrets of an ancient Egyptian sanctuary, which developed over 1000 years and was, at its peak, the most important religious complex in Egypt. Your leader will take you through some of the most incredible highlights, such as the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Great Temple of Amun. After exploring Karnak, board your Nile cruise boat and settle into your cabin. This afternoon you'll have the option of heading off on a walking tour of Luxor and its bazaar with your leader.

Included Activities:

Luxor - Karnak Temple

Optional Activities:

Luxor - Mummification Museum (entrance fee) (220 EGP)
Luxor - Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show (minimum 2 people) (entrance, guide & transport) (45 USD)
Luxor - Luxor Museum (entrance fee) (400 EGP)

Accommodation:

Nile River Cruise (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Nile River Cruise

Today you’ll hop in a private minivan and discover ancient Thebes. Your first stop is the Colossi of Memnon – two 17-metre-high statues on Luxor's west bank. Continue on to the Valley of the Kings. Buried under the arid hills are over 60 pharaoh tombs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings. With your leader, explore the place where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (16th to 11th century BC) were secretly interred for all eternity, and where discoveries are still being made. Your group leader will explain the history and legends of these remarkable people, and the significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics, still well preserved in the deepest tombs. Visit three of the royal tombs, including Tutankhamun’s tomb where he is buried, then continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut – a columned building set against high cliffs that create a spectacular natural amphitheatre. The afternoon is yours to explore. Maybe you'd like to shop in the market or visit the world's first Mummification Museum, where you can discover the secrets of pharaonic preservation. This evening, set sail to Edfu.

Included Activities:

Luxor - Colossi of Memnon
Luxor - Valley of the Kings (entrance to 3 tombs)
Luxor - Tomb of Tutankhamun
Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple

Optional Activities:

Luxor - Tomb of Queen Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens (entrance fee) (2500 EGP)
Luxor - Hot Air Balloon over the Valley of the Kings (Per Person) (120 USD)
Luxor - Deir el Madina -Entry Fee (220 EGP)
Luxor - Valley of the Queens (entrance fee) (220 EGP)
Luxor - Medinat Habu Temple (entrance fee) (220 EGP)

Accommodation:

Nile River Cruise (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Nile River Cruise

This morning, enjoy breakfast before setting off towards Kom Ombo. The temple of Kom Ombo, in the town of the same name, is an unusual double temple right on the bank of the Nile. This second century BC complex is unique because it has a mirror-image design, with either side dedicated to a different set of gods. One half is known as the Temple of Sobek (the crocodile-headed god of fertility), and the other half is dedicated to Haroeris (also known as Horus the falcon god). The whole temple is full of fascinating reliefs. You’ll explore Kom Ombo with your leader and absorb the history of the place, before having lunch aboard the ship. Sail onwards to Aswan, the home of beautiful Nile Valley scenery and significant archaeological sites.

Included Activities:

Izbat Al Bayyarah - Kom Ombo Temple

Accommodation:

Nile River Cruise (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Nile River Cruise

You have time this morning to explore or relax as you choose. Your leader can recommend one of the many optional activities that are available to you in this incredible location. Explore the picturesque city centre and its bazaar, opt to visit the High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk or feed your history needs with the Nubian Museum. Maybe you’d like to visit the breathtaking Abu Simbel – built by Ramses II, it was the gateway to Egypt for Southern Africans and its imposing facade clearly delineated the line between what was the Pharaoh's land and what was not. With the four gargantuan statues of Ramses guarding the Great Temple, carved directly out of the mountain on the west bank of the Nile, this is one of Egypt's most memorable sights. Late in the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely sailing trip on a traditional felucca before dinner on the ship.

Included Activities:

Aswan - Felucca Sail

Optional Activities:

Aswan – Abu Simbel excursion by car (includes transfer, guide and entry) (110 USD)
Aswan - Abu Simbel excursion by flight (includes flights, transfers, guide and entry) from price (450 USD)

Accommodation:

Nile River Cruise (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Cairo

After breakfast today, say goodbye to your nights spent on the Nile. Visit Philae Temple this morning, an island-based temple complex built during the reign of Ptolemy II (around 280 BC). These picturesque walls show hieroglyphic scenes from Egyptian mythology – when Isis brought Osiris back to life, gave birth to Horus and was mummified after death. Catch a short flight back to Cairo. On your return to the capital, visit the Islamic parts of the city and the frenetic backstreets of the bazaar with your leader. A labyrinth of narrow streets and passageways, Khan is one of the biggest and oldest markets in the world. The 'Khan', sprawling around an old area known as Al-Azhar, is a quintessentially Cairo experience – a warren of alleys with stalls serving up a succession of intoxicating scenes. To celebrate your time in Egypt, join a local Cairo family for a delicious home-cooked dinner. The food and conversation will surely make for an evening to remember!

Included Activities:

Aswan - Philae Temple
Cairo - Khan al-Khalili bazaar visit
Cairo - Home-Cooked Dinner

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Amman

This morning take a short flight from Cairo to Amman. You will be unescorted on this flight. On arrival at Queen Alia International Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel, ready for your adventure to begin at 6 pm with a welcome meeting for the next stage of your trip. If you arrive early, feel free to head out and explore – highlights include the citadel with its amazing sweeping views of Amman, the Jordan Museum, which is home to the Dead Sea Scrolls, or the Roman Theatre, right in the middle of downtown Amman. After the meeting, you may like to get to know your group over an optional dinner, or explore on your own and pick up a coffee from one of the cafes, partnering it with an ara’yes – a toasted sandwich filled with spicy mincemeat.

Included Activities:

Complimentary Arrival Transfer

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 9: Wadi Rum

After breakfast today, journey down the Desert Highway to Wadi Rum (also known as the Valley of the Moon) – a landscape of rugged sandstone mountains standing tall in an ochre desert. When you arrive, meet your Bedouin hosts then have some free time for lunch. This afternoon, you’ll hop in jeeps operated by the local community to venture into the desert – this is part of an initiative by the Jordanian Government to bring much-needed income into this region. Visit several of Wadi Rum's distinctive rock formations and soak in the vast silence and spectacular desert landscapes. The Bedouins live in scattered camps throughout the area, and tonight, you’ll stay in one of these camps to spend an evening under the stars. If you like, you can take part in an optional Bedouin storytelling experience, which includes tea while a local woman (and her translator) tells a story about Bedouin culture, issues and traditions.

Included Activities:

Wadi Rum - Desert Jeep tour

Accommodation:

Desert Camp (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 10: Aqaba

Watch sunrise at your desert camp this morning, maybe checking out a few more of the local Wadi Rum sites if you have the energy. You’ll then depart mid-morning for the city of Aqaba on the Red Sea. Check into your hotel, then head out for a brief orientation walk of the town with your leader – the small Ottoman Mamluk Fort, dating from the 14th century and from where Lawrence of Arabia rode to Cairo, is worth a look. With great visibility and abundant marine life, this coastline is also an incredible spot for snorkelling, and the warm waters are host to clownfish, angelfish, sea turtles and corals. Speak to your leader if you’d like to arrange snorkelling, or simply head to the beach and soak up the scenery.

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 11: Petra

This morning, enjoy some free time in Aqaba before travelling to the fabled city of Petra. Dating back to the 6th century BC, Petra is considered the crown jewel of Jordan, featuring an impressive series of tombs and dwellings carved directly into the rock. The site remained unknown to the wider world until 1812, when it was visited by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. In 1985, Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site and is one of the world’s most incredible ancient sites (as well as one of the Seven Wonders of the World!). When you arrive, settle into your hotel and check out the village before sitting down to a group dinner at your hotel.

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 12: Petra

Petra is justifiably on most people’s list of ‘must-visit’ places. The iconic Petra view – the Treasury's facade, seen from the narrow cleft known as the Siq – is arguably the single most striking sight of the entire region. The Siq leads through the rock and is sometimes only a few metres wide, with walls soaring up to 180 m on either side. Join your guide and explore the old Roman road, amphitheatre and several old tombs, before enjoying free time to experience Petra at your own pace. Maybe climb up to the Monastery, carved from a mountain summit, where you’ll find magnificent views of the entire site. To cap off a memorable day, you’ll be welcomed into a local home for dinner. On the menu will often be maqluba (a casserole with rice, vegetables and chicken which is cooked, flipped, then served with either yoghurt or an Arab salad with tahina sauce).

Included Activities:

Petra - Guided tour
Petra - Home-cooked meal

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 13: Amman

After breakfast, drive to the ancient Crusader castle at Shobak, where your leader will show you the grounds, a small chapel and the original gatehouse. This ancient castle was originally built to protect the eastern flank of the Latin Kingdom and its trade routes to the sea before it fell to Saladin in 1189. Depart the castle and stop off at the viewpoint overlooking the Dana Nature Reserve before arriving in Madaba where you’ll visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George and see an impressive ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land. Arrive in Amman in the late afternoon, where your leader will recommend some great restaurants to sample the best of the city’s food scene.

Included Activities:

Shobak 'Crusader' Castle
Madaba - St Georges Church

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 14: Amman

Take a short drive north to Jerash – once one of the grandest ancient Roman cities in the world and now home to some of the best Greco-Roman ruins. Jerash has a striking collection of archways, theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets, and is a beautiful place to spend a morning exploring. Then, drive to the shores of the Dead Sea – the lowest point on Earth (420 m below sea level). This isn’t actually a sea, but rather a super-salty lake (dead because of the lack of life in it) where the density of the water means you’ll go for a float, not a swim. The mud here is supposed to have healing properties, so why not cover yourself from head to toe for a nutrient-rich natural mineral mud bath. Spend some time relaxing here before returning to Amman for the evening. Maybe spend tonight at one of the many bars and restaurants in West Amman or ask your leader about the traditional cafes dotted around the city where locals spend their evenings.

Included Activities:

Jerash - Roman ruins
Dead Sea - Visit and float

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 15: Amman

Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around noon and you are free to leave at any time. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $6,895

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 15 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

If you’ve been dreaming of exploring the ancient cities of Cairo, Luxor, Petra and Amman – this Egypt and Jordan discovery trip is just the one.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 17 Feb 2026

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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