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 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 arayes (pita bread 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 4th-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 water’s high concentration of salt. 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.

Spend today exploring Petra – 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. You might like to visit the old Roman road, other temples and old tombs or the rock-hewn amphitheatre. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you could 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. Embark on a half-day jeep safari, taking you through desert scenery to uncover traces of ancient civilisations in the many carved inscriptions scattered 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. Tuck into a dinner cooked in an earthen oven by your Bedouin hosts and soak in the unforgettable surroundings as a sky full of stars stretches out above you.

This morning, leave Wadi Rum and make the journey to Dahab. You’ll drive to Aqaba, then bid your Jordan local leader farewell and board 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 transformed 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 the 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 do 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.

This 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. 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 a variety of colourful fish and other marine life. Later today, return to Dahab, where you might like to seek out a waterside restaurant for an evening feast 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 lunch before driving to St Catherine in the late afternoon. Check into your hotel before heading out for dinner to get your first glimpse of the area. There’s the option to hike up Mt Sinai tonight – starting the hike after midnight, you’ll watch the sunrise before descending the mountain. Ask your leader for more details if you’re interested.

This morning, you’ll have the option 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. The monastery is named after Catherine of Alexandria, who is buried here – it has since become an important pilgrimage site. It’s now also a UNESCO World Heritage site, holding incredible significance in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Later today, you’ll hit the road to Cairo, arriving in the late afternoon. Settle into your hotel before you head out for an optional farewell dinner to celebrate this incredible 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 (at an additional charge). After, maybe make your way to the Grand Egyptian Museum – home to one of the world's great collections of antiquities. Here, you can see artefacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb, including jewellery and the famous golden death mask. 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 – this is 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. Maybe stop at the waterfront promenade for a mint tea and watch the waterfront come alive at dusk, with families out strolling, socialising and relaxing along the corniche.