Jordan & Egypt Uncovered

Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome to Jordan. Your trip begins in Amman with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe take in the sweeping views of Amman from the citadel, explore the Jordan Museum (home to the Dead Sea Scrolls), or take a trip out to the ruins of Jerash – an ancient walled town from 2000 years ago. After your meeting, maybe head out on the town in search of ara’yes (Jordan’s toasted sandwich, packed full of spiced meats).

This morning, travel by minibus to Mt Nebo – the place where the prophet Moses is said to be buried and where he saw the 'Promised Land'. Check out the mosaics inside its fourth-century church. On a clear day, the views over the Dead Sea to Israel and the Palestinian Territories are spectacular. After, drive to the super salty Dead Sea – sitting well below sea level, this is the lowest point on earth, and you’ll float rather than swim due to the high salt count. The mud on the sea floor is said to have healing properties, so maybe lather up and enjoy Mother Nature’s spa. Continue to the crusader castle of Kerak, sitting on top of a cliff overlooking the town and valley below. Explore the seven-level fortress and learn the legends of 12th-century battles between Crusaders and Muslim armies, then continue to Petra for the night.

You’ll explore Petra today – the jewel of Jordan, the lost city of the Nabateans and one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Squeeze through a narrow path called the Siq until you reach the grand entrance of the Treasury. Gaze up at the intricate carvings and spend the afternoon exploring the site at your own pace. There’re the old Roman road, other temples and old tombs, as well as the rock-hewn amphitheatre. For those feeling more adventurous, take a challenging hike up a set of stairs to the smaller but no less impressive monastery, which takes about an hour. After arriving back at your accommodation, why not find a traditional bathhouse to rejuvenate after a day of incredible sightseeing.

This morning you’ll drive to Wadi Rum – a rugged, lunar-like landscape framed by huge sandstone mountains. Head on a half-day jeep safari, taking you through some unique desert scenery and uncover traces of ancient civilisations in the many carved inscriptions throughout the area, from pictographs to Thamudic, Nabataean and Arabic texts. The most enduring monuments in Wadi Rum are those carved by nature – natural rock bridges, towering sand dunes and scattered rocky peaks. Spend the night sleeping in a simple desert camp under a camel hair tent. Enjoy dinner cooked in an earthen oven by your Bedouin hosts and soak in the unforgettable surroundings.

This morning, leave Wadi Rum and make tracks to Dahab. You’ll drive to Aqaba, then bid your Jordan local leader farewell and transfer on a ferry bound for Taba. When you arrive, you’ll be met by your Egypt local leader and drive to the laidback resort area of Dahab – your base for the next two nights. Dahab, meaning 'gold' in Arabic, has gone from a Bedouin fishing village to a popular tourist town, thanks to the excellent conditions for activities like diving, windsurfing and rock climbing. However, the town hasn't lost its authenticity and lowkey appeal that’s attracted visitors since the 1970s. The rest of the day is free for you to wander through the cafes, find some fresh seafood or take on some snorkelling in the Red Sea. Dahab is well known for its drop-offs – spectacular coral reef shelves that plunge into the vast blue depths of the ocean. There are also plenty of bars and restaurants to sit back and enjoy good local food and some sheesha.

In the morning, why not strap on a mask and head to the Blue Hole for some snorkelling at one of the best diving spots in the world. The area gets its name from a submarine sinkhole about 94 m deep, with an arch in the coral reef down at 54 m – a challenge that’s only open to highly experienced technical divers. Snorkellers can enjoy one of the greatest spots in the Red Sea here. Float on the surface and look down into an endless world of blue, then make your way around to ‘the Bridge’, where the visibility is always great and the untouched coral swarms with all different types of colourful fish and marine life. After you’ve had your fill of snorkelling, return to Dahab for an evening feast at a waterside restaurant, or maybe head inland to Assalah, where local joints serve up plates of roast chicken and falafel with regional beer.

Check out of your hotel in Dahab, then have a proper lunch before driving late afternoon to St Catherine. Check in at your hotel before heading out for dinner to get your first glimpse of the area. For those who want to hike up Mount Sinai, gather again after midnight around 01:00 am for the hike, and watch the sunrise on the top before your descent. If you have any questions, your leader is there to help!

This morning, head out to visit St Catherine's Monastery. Located at the foot of Mt Sinai and built over 1500 years ago, this is the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery. Legend has it that the monastery encloses what's claimed to be the burning bush seen by Moses and was eventually named after Catherine of Alexandria, whose relics turned it into an important pilgrimage site. It is now a UNESCO listed site, holding incredible importance to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. After your visit, head back to your hotel to grab your luggage and then hit the road to Cairo. Arrive in Cairo in late afternoon, settle into your hotel before you head out for an optional final dinner to celebrate this great journey.

Enjoy a free day in Cairo. Maybe explore the Mosque of Mohammed Ali at your own pace or head out to explore the local markets. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle, the Christian Coptic sector is well worth a visit. You’ll have a second meeting at 6 pm tonight to get to know your new group. Tonight, why not get dinner with your group and celebrate the next stage of an epic journey.

After breakfast, set out to see some of Egypt’s most renowned sights. Visit Giza’s pyramids – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – and the Sphinx. Explore these structures that have stood tall for 4500 years. You may even be able to go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu for an additional charge. After, maybe make your way to the Egyptian Museum – home to one of the world's great collections of antiquities. Perhaps wander the treasure-filled halls of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Later, meet your leader and travel to Giza train station, where you’ll board a sleeper train to Aswan.

The Nile, Elephantine Island and white-sailed feluccas – welcome to Aswan, Egypt's southernmost city. Today is a free day so take the opportunity to see the sites, like the unfinished obelisk or the High Dam. The Nubian Bazaar is a must, and the Nubian Museum is at the top of many visitors’ lists. Maybe visit the Temple of Isis (goddess of health, marriage and wisdom), which was rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated to Philae Island. It's a marvel of decorative pylons featuring some of Egypt's finest carvings. Stop at the waterfront promenade for a mint tea and maybe watch the waterfront come alive at dusk, with families out strolling, socialising and relaxing along the corniche.

This morning is your best chance to head out of Aswan and visit Abu Simbel, if that’s on your list. With the four gargantuan statues of Ramses guarding the Great Temple, this is one of Egypt's most memorable sights. Otherwise, the day is free for you to make your own discoveries. A popular afternoon option is a sailboat ride around the islands in a traditional felucca, stopping off at the botanical gardens on Kitchener's Island. Your local leader will be on hand to help you get the most out of your day. You may prefer to just relax and take in the beauty of the Nile or do some shopping in the vibrant bazaar.

This morning, jump on a traditional Egyptian sailboat (or felucca) for a morning sail. After lunch on board the felucca, arrive at a Nubian homestay on the west bank of the Nile. Here, you’ll learn about the local way of life with a walk through the surrounding countryside and agriculture fields to reach the homestay. The house is in traditional Nubian style, with a sandy courtyard in the middle where the family gathers for meals. Get into the swing of Egyptian life by lending a hand in the kitchen to help cook dinner, or maybe kick around a football in the courtyard with the kids. There are few better ways to understand a country and its people than with a local homestay, and you’ll have the chance tonight to soak it all up.

Board another felucca today and enjoy a day out on the river, seeing rural Egyptian daily life play out on the banks before spending a night under the stars. Your sailing crew will provide all your onboard meals. The felucca is a traditional wooden boat with broad canvas sails, offering some shade and protection from the elements, but there is no cabin or enclosed section – watching the sun setting over the Nile in the evening from an open deck is an experience you won't forget.

After farewelling the felucca crew, take a private van to Luxor. Today, you’ll explore Karnak Temple, maybe the most impressive of all the ancient pharoahs' monumental works. One of the world's most celebrated temple complexes, Karnak is a house of the gods built over a period of some 200 years. Your guided tour of this vast temple of pylons, obelisks and chapels will reveal its finest sections, such as the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Great Temple of Amun. Then, head over to our Intrepid Foundation partner, Animal Care in Egypt (ACE), a local NGO dedicated to providing free veterinary care for wounded working animals in the region. The rest of the day will be free to relax, shop in the bazaar (open until quite late) or soak up the atmosphere of a local teahouse.

Rise early this morning and head into the Valley of the Kings. Buried under the arid hills are over 60 tombs of pharaohs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings. With your leader, explore 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 leader will explain the history and legends of these remarkable people, their funerary rites and the significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics, still well-preserved in the deepest tombs. Visit three of the most interesting royal tombs and then continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut – a colonnaded building set against high cliffs that create a natural amphitheatre.

This morning, farewell the Nile to drive east to the beachside town of Hurghada. The green Nile valley is soon left behind as you head out into the Eastern Desert. As you pass by rocky hills, the glittering waters of the Red Sea come into view and the rugged bulk of the Sinai Peninsula looms on the opposite shore. A vibrant beach resort, Hurghada is by no means a typical adventure destination. After checking in to your hotel, take a leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings and to scope out some of the local restaurants.

Transfer to the Hurghada Marina and climb aboard your motor yacht for a trip around the Red Sea Marine Park, where you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel one of the most magnificent reefs in the Red Sea. Your captain will select three separate locations to maximise your experience and snorkelling gear is provided. Lunch will consist of a delicious feast of kofta, salads, fish and rice and soft drinks, tea and coffee will be provided throughout the day. Head back to Hurghada mid to late afternoon and transfer back to the hotel.

Make the journey back to Cairo by private vehicle. When you arrive, visit the Islamic parts of the city and the frenetic backstreets of the local Khan el-Khalili bazaar with your leader. The ‘Khan’ is one of the biggest and oldest markets in the world, sprawling around an old area known as Al-Azhar. You might explore the gold market, ‘Perfume Street’ and the spice market, where heady aromas hang in the air like a thick blanket of Damascene cloth (which can be purchased next door in the cloth market!).

Jump in a private van today and follow the ‘desert road’ to the Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria. Egypt's second largest city and main port, locals call this vibrant city the Bride of the Mediterranean Sea. When you arrive, take an orientation walk with your leader. The Greek architect Dinocrates built Alexandria in 331 BC under the orders of Alexander the Great. The city, immortalising Alexander's name, quickly flourished into a prominent cultural, intellectual, political and economic metropolis. Take some time to stroll along the corniche and take in some fresh Mediterranean air.

Today, head back to a more recent period in Egyptian history with a visit to El Alamein and the war museum. The area was a turning point in the North African campaign, where the Allies held out against, and eventually pushed back and defeated, the Afrika Korps of Rommel. The area contains several memorials from the countries who lost soldiers here – Greece, South Africa, Australia, Italy – as well as a war cemetery that’s home to the graves and names of the thousands who lost their lives. In the museum, discover the story of the events that unfolded here, and then return to Alexandria. Alexandria is well known for its seafood, so don't forget to feast on some fresh fish while you're in town.

This morning, head underground and delve into the mysteries of the Kom Ash Shuqqafa catacombs. This Roman burial site is the largest of its kind in Egypt and was discovered, quite accidentally, by a donkey! The crypts are 20 m below street level and what probably began as a small family tomb grew into a labyrinth of chambers that could accommodate more than 300 bodies. Stop by the strikingly modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, inspired by the original great library of Alexandria and built to hold over 8 million books. After, head to El Morsi Abu El Abbas Mosque – the largest in the city. During your free time, maybe visit the Citadel of Qaitbay – a fortress overlooking the Mediterranean Sea where the famous lighthouse once stood. You’ll then leave Alexandria and return to Cairo. Tonight, why not gather your travel crew for a celebratory kebab, kofta or sheesha.

Your trip finishes today after breakfast. There are no activities planned and you can depart the accommodation at any time following check-out. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.