Meals

20 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 13 dinners

Others

Complimentary Arrival Transfer Cairo - Welcome Dinner Cairo - Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx Cairo - Egyptian Museum Alexandria - Wadi El Natron monasteries Alexandria - Anba Bishoy Monastery Alexandria - Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa Alexandria - Bibliotheca Alexandrina Alexandria - Fort Qaitbay El Alamein - War cemeteries and museum Luxor - Karnak Temple Luxor - Valley of the Kings (entrance to 3 tombs) Luxor - Tomb of Tutankhamun Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple Luxor - Colossi of Memnon Izbat Al Bayyarah - Kom Ombo Temple Aswan - Philae Temple Aswan - Sharia el Souk Abu Simbel - Abu Simbel temples Abu Simbel - Abu Simbel Sound and Light Show (entrance fee) Aswan - Afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan - Sunset drinks on a felucca Aswan - Elephantine Island Aswan - Unfinished Obelisk and High Dam Aswan - Nubian Village Visit and Dinner Cairo - Home-Cooked Dinner Cairo - Coffee/tea in a local cafe Cairo - Khan al-Khalili Bazaar Cairo - Ibn Tulun Mosque Cairo - Gayer-Anderson Museum (entrance fee) Cairo - Fayoum Day Trip with Valley of the Whales and the Climate Change Museum Amman - Welcome Dinner Jerash - Roman ruins Amman - cooking class and dinner Madaba - St Georges Church Mt Nebo - Site visit Shobak - Shobak Castle Petra - Petra second day visit (unguided) Wadi Rum - Desert Jeep tour Wadi Rum - Zarb Local Dinner Petra - Leader-led tour of Petra Wadi Rum - Desert and dunes walk

Flights

Internal flight included. *** All other flights are not included.

Accommodation

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation. Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available. Comfortable hotel (16 nights), Feature Stay (5 nights)

Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Premium leaders are Intrepid’s most experienced, with in-depth knowledge and extensive local networks to make it a trip of a lifetime. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. When not already included in your trip, your leader will be able to recommend a local guide service who can share more detailed or specialised information at specific sites should you be interested in delving deeper.

Transport

SECURITY WHILE TRAVELLING: Occasionally you may experience a Tourist Police Escort in your vehicle and whilst not common convoys between select towns or regions are possible. This practice has been implemented by local authorities to monitor the safety and security of visitors to Egypt. NILE RIVERBOAT: You will be staying on a riverboat for the Nile River section of this itinerary. The company we work with has a large fleet of boats and the actual boat can’t be confirmed until 30 days before departure. However you can expect the following facilities; restaurant, bar & sundeck. Most boats will also have a small swimming pool and in that instance, swimming towels will be available for use. All cabins have ensuites, air conditioning, and windows to enjoy the views of the Nile. Accommodation during the cruise is on a full board basis, often in the form of a buffet. Drinks can be purchased from the bar or restaurant. Bottled drinking water and tea and coffee are available but are not included so please ensure you check prices on board. Internet is mostly charged at an additional fee. We recommend purchasing a local sim card for your data requirements, please refer to the Communications section of this Essential Trip Information document. You will have the opportunity to disembark the boat each day as we explore some of the ancient sites included on the itinerary. The boat will also be anchored at port each evening. Only on the odd occasion would it sail at night depending on the water traffic at Esna Lock. Most often when in port there can be many boats and you may be berthed side by side with another ship. Riverboats have anywhere from 50-70 cabins and you will be sharing the facilities with other travellers not on your tour. Private vehicle , Plane , Riverboat , Felucca , Jeep

Not included:

Optional

Cairo - Islamic Art Museum (entrance fee) - EGP270 Urban Adventures - Islamic Cairo in Depth Tour - USD86 Urban Adventures - Saqqara and Memphis - USD82 Cairo - Urban Adventures Downtown Cairo Tour - USD40 Cairo - The Great Pyramid of Cheops (entrance fee) - EGP900 Luxor - Luxor Museum (entrance fee) - EGP300 Luxor - Luxor Temple (entrance fee) - EGP400 Luxor - Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show (minimum 2 persons) (entrance, guide & transport) - USD45 Luxor - Valley of the Queens (entrance fee) - EGP180 Luxor - Tomb of Queen Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens (entrance fee) - EGP2000 Luxor - Medinat Habu Temple (entrance fee) - EGP200 Luxor - Hot Air Balloon over the Valley of the Kings - USD130 Aswan - Philae Temple Sound and Light Show (entrance fee) - USD40 Aswan - Nubian Museum (entrance fee) - EGP300 Petra - Petra By Night - JOD17

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Cairo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Cairo

Mrhbaan! Welcome to Egypt. Your adventure begins in Cairo – a city just as captivating as it is chaotic. You’ll be met at Cairo International Airport and transferred to your hotel where you can explore the extensive hotel bar and pool area. You’re free until your welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. After, get your first taste of Egyptian cuisine with a welcome dinner at a fantastic local restaurant where you can try out some classic dishes like fatta (a dish made with rice, bread and meat in a garlic and vinegar sauce), and kushari (a delicious mix of pasta, rice, lentils and fried onions).
Day 2 Day 2: Cairo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Cairo

This morning after breakfast, travel to arguably the most recognisable structures in the world – the Great Pyramids of Giza (one of the Seven Wonders of the World) and the Sphinx. Your leader is a trained Egyptologist and will share the fascinating history of these incredible feats of engineering. For an additional charge, you may be able to step inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (or Cheops). After spending some time here, your adventure continues to the Egyptian Museum – home to one of the world’s greatest collections of ancient artefacts. Wander the treasure-filled halls for a close encounter with some of the country’s most important queens and pharaohs. The masses of gleaming artefacts recovered from the tomb of Tutankhamun are an impressive sight – from jewellery to the famous golden death mask and his gilded sarcophagi, this pharaoh was certainly prepared for the afterlife. Gain a special insight by touring with a guide and enjoy time to explore independently. Tonight you might like to take a taxi into town to explore Cairo further or book in for a dinner cruise on the Nile.
Day 3 Day 3: Alexandria
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Alexandria

Take to the road this morning for a journey to Alexandria, stopping in Wadi El Natron along the way. Your leader will explain how this area became a sanctuary for Christians after Saint Macarius the Great retreated here in AD360. There were once some 60-odd monasteries in the Wadi, though now only four remain. One of these is Anba Bishoy Monastery, named for Saint Bishoi who came to the site to live in solitude. Wander around the gardens and observe the resident monks as they go about their daily lives, then visit the church for expansive views over the desert. Continue to the city of Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great and often referred to as the Pearl of the Mediterranean.
Day 4 Day 4: Alexandria
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Alexandria

Enjoy a full day uncovering Alexandria’s secrets with your knowledgeable leader’s guidance. Visit Pompey’s Pillar and the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa – a Roman burial site dating back to the second century that wasn’t discovered until 1900. The fascinating tombs were created during a transitional period in Alexandria’s history and interestingly feature Greek, Egyptian and Roman elements. Continue to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (once the Great Library of Alexandra), where the Library of Ptolemies once stood some 1700 years ago. Finish up with a stop at Fort Qaitbay – a 14th-century complex designed to defend Alexandria from the Ottoman empire, built on the site of the former Alexandria Lighthouse. Spend the evening wandering along the corniche by the water or maybe relax at your hotel.
Day 5 Day 5: Cairo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Cairo

Today, travel south of Alexandria for a more sombre experience at the historic battle site of El Alamein. Here, British and Commonwealth soldiers fought a decisive Allied victory against the German Afrika Korps that defined the North African campaign. Both sides suffered heavy losses, and the memorial commemorates nearly 12,000 Commonwealth servicemen who died in the Western Desert campaigns during the Second World War. Stop to enjoy your late lunch, brought with you from Alexandria – a delicious feteer meshaltet. This layered pastry is an iconic Egyptian dish and can be filled with a range of sweet or savoury ingredients. Return to Cairo in the afternoon and enjoy an evening at leisure.
Day 6 Day 6: Nile Cruise - Luxor
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Nile Cruise - Luxor

Transfer to Cairo Airport after breakfast this morning and board a short flight to Luxor. Luxor was the pharaohs’ capital during the height of their power and is now known as the world’s greatest open-air museum. When you arrive, transfer to your Feature Stay Nile riverboat where you’ll unpack and settle in for the next four nights. There’s no better way to soak in the ancient history of the Nile and the incredible sights along its banks! Enjoy all the comforts of a world-class hotel, including a swimming pool, sundeck, restaurant and cabins with panoramic windows to watch riverside life stream by. This afternoon, visit Karnak – one of the world’s most celebrated temple complexes built over approximately 200 years. Some parts date back to 2055 BC and your guided tour will take you to its finest sections. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to relax, take a shopping trip through the bazaar or kick back in a local teahouse.
Day 7 Day 7: Nile Cruise - Edfu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Nile Cruise - Edfu

Rise early this morning to journey into the Valley of the Kings. There are over 60 pharaoh tombs buried under the hills here, many of which are richly decorated, and your guide will take you through this spectacular place where discoveries are still being made. Learn about the funerary rites of the ancient Egyptians and the significance of the paintings and hieroglyphics and visit the final resting place of Tutankhamun. The discovery of the young Pharaoh’s tomb is undoubtedly one of the greatest archaeological finds of all time, and here you will have the opportunity to enter it yourself, exploring the painted chamber and admiring his famous sarcophagus. Visit another three royal tombs and continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, set in a spectacular natural amphitheatre. Your final stop is the Colossi of Memnon – giant statues that once formed part of an impressive colonnade – before returning to the boat for a leisurely lunch. Enjoy some time relaxing either on deck or in your cabin before setting sail upstream to Edfu, where you’ll arrive in the evening.
Day 8 Day 8: Nile Cruise - Aswan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Nile Cruise - Aswan

This morning, you’ll be moored near Edfu and may have the option to venture independently into town to see the nearby temple. Continue along the river, relaxing in the sun on deck and taking in the desert hills that form a backdrop over the lush riverbanks. Arrive at Kom Ombo Temple, which sits spectacularly on the river’s edge. Learn from your leader how this temple was built in approximately 181 BC and is dedicated to two gods – Horus (god of protection) and Sobek (god of fertility, linked to the Nile’s water). Each god has a dedicated section – north or south – and there have been recent discoveries of mummified crocodiles in Sobek. After, board your boat and continue to Aswan, arriving in the late evening.
Day 9 Day 9: Nile Cruise - Aswan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Nile Cruise - Aswan

Spend the morning visiting the temple complex of Philae, including the stunning Temple of Isis, located on Agilkia Island. The temple was reassembled in this location after being saved from rising waters and is a true architectural gem featuring some of Egypt’s finest carvings. Some Egyptologists believe that Philae was the last active site of the ancient Egyptian religion and where the last Egyptian hieroglyph was written. After, get to know the city of Aswan on foot during a walking tour with your leader. Explore the Sharia el Souk – a sprawling and bustling marketplace. Your leader will guide you through a colourful array of stalls selling everything from baked goods to Nubian crafts. Return to the boat for another evening, being rocked to sleep by the calm Nile waters.
Day 10 Day 10: Abu Simbel
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Abu Simbel

Travel by road this morning to Abu Simbel. Your accommodation is located right by Lake Nasser and features lush grounds, two swimming pools and fantastic views over the lake. Spending the night here allows the group a chance to visit the Abu Simbel temples at a more leisurely pace as opposed to a jam-packed half-day trip. Built during the reign of Ramesses II, these mammoth temples took 20 years to complete and feature rock-cut statues of the pharaoh and the queen, some of which are 20 metres tall. Tour the complex with your leader, who will provide historical context on these grand structures. Head back to the temples this evening for an impressive sound and light show.
Day 11 Day 11: Aswan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Aswan

Return to Aswan, arriving in time for lunch. Enjoy some downtime to relax at your hotel or explore more of the city, then regroup with your fellow travellers later in the afternoon. Take a step back in time during a visit to the Old Cataract Hotel for afternoon tea. Built in 1899 by Thomas Cook, the hotel has played host to an illustrious roster of guests, including Princess Diana, Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie, who lived here while writing her novel Death on the Nile. Soak up old-world glamour while enjoying tiered trays of finger food and a delightful selection of tea. The setting is up there with the best of them, with gorgeous grounds overlooking the Nile. Make the most of a free evening to find a local gem for dinner – your leader can help with recommendations.
Day 12 Day 12: Aswan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Aswan

This morning, visit the Aswan High Dam, a modern example of Egyptian engineering. Located 13 km south, its controversial history required the relocation of many ancient temples and statues, which has, in the end, had a mostly positive impact on the region. After, head to the Unfinished Obelisk – an abandoned structure that would’ve been the largest obelisk ever erected in ancient Egypt had it been finished. Return to Aswan for some time to relax, then meet your leader in the late afternoon to board a traditional felucca and sail to the settlement of Elephantine Island. This island was once thought to be the home of Khnum – the god who guarded and controlled the Nile’s waters. This evening, enjoy stunning sunset drinks on the river on board your Felucca sailing boat. Disembark at a village and join a local family for a traditional Nubian feast. Here you will have the chance to see a different side of Egyptian life, try out some excellent Nubian dishes and swap stories with your welcoming hosts.
Day 13 Day 13: Cairo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Cairo

This morning, fly back to Cairo. Settle into your downtown hotel, then spend the day discovering yet another layer of Egyptian history – Islamic Cairo. Explore the Khan al-Khalili Bazaar – a labyrinthine area with sprawling alleyways packed with shops and cafes. This is a quintessential Cairo experience, home to the gold market, perfume street and spice market. Stop off for an Arabic coffee or mint tea at El Fishawy, Cairo’s oldest café. Run by the same family for seven generations and a favourite with Cairo’s residents, there’s no better snapshot of local life in the city. Stop for lunch at Koshary and then continue to the Mosque of Ibn Tulun and the Gayer-Anderson Museum, home to all curious objects, from antique furniture to Islamic artefacts. Share an authentic Egyptian meal with a local family. Be welcomed into their home and chat with the family about life in Egypt and Egyptian cuisine while enjoying a delicious feast of traditional dishes.
Day 14 Day 14: Cairo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Cairo

Early this morning, you’ll drive to Fayoum and visit Wadi El Rayan – a natural park home to two lakes that connect Egypt’s only waterfall. Now this is a great photo op! After, hop in a 4WD to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site Wadi Al-Hitan (or Whales Valley) – a desert home to invaluable fossil remains of the earliest (now extinct) ancestors of whales. Spend a few hours here, learning about one of the most extraordinary evolutionary journeys. Visit the onsite Fossil and Climate Change Museum to see a collection of fossils found nowhere else in the world, including the largest intact Basilosaurus isis whale fossil. Jump in a jeep for a tour of the desert and then enjoy a desert lunch with your group. After, you’ll head back to Cairo for your final night.
Day 15 Day 15: Amman
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: Amman

Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome to Jordan. You’ll be met by an Intrepid representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel, where there will be a welcome meeting with your group and local leader at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe visit a local cafe and pick up a coffee and ara’yes (pita filled with spiced meats). Maybe head to the Old Town’s Roman Amphitheatre or the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts. After your meeting, head to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner with your group and leader. Sharing food is a huge part of Jordanian culture, and eating out is always a social affair. Tonight, your leader will introduce you to some of the country’s most beloved dishes, like mansaf (a dish made with lamb, yoghurt and rice) and kunafa (a dessert made with pastry and cheese).
Day 16 Day 16: Amman
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 16: Amman

This morning, leave Amman for a short drive north to Jerash where you’ll find some of the world’s best Greco-Roman ruins. Reaching its peak as a favourite of the emperor Hadrian, Jerash is home to a collection of archways, theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets. Your leader will share the incredible history of the ruins and help you imagine what life once looked like in this glorious Roman city. Grand columns encircle the city’s centrepiece of the Oval Plaza – a great place to linger after exploring Jerash’s riches. After, return to Amman and head to a cooking school for a look behind the scenes of Jordanian cuisine. During this hands-on activity, you will learn how to make some classic dishes like Maqlubeh, Mutabbal and Baba Ghanouj before sitting down as a group to enjoy the fruits of your labour.
Day 17 Day 17: Dead Sea
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 17: Dead Sea

Today, you’ll make the journey from Amman to the Dead Sea. Named for the lack of life in its waters, this lake is so intensely salty that the water density makes swimming very difficult, but bobbing on the water’s surface is a fun experience. On the way, stop off at Mount Nebo and hear the story of how Moses saw the Promised Land before he died from what is believed to be this very spot, and St Georges Church, best known for its Byzantine mosaic depicting a map of the Holy Land. When you arrive, enjoy some time to float in the waters of the Dead Sea, relax on your hotel’s beachfront or take a dip in one of three swimming pools or jacuzzi.
Day 18 Day 18: Petra
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 18: Petra

Depart the Dead Sea and drive to the ancient Crusader castle at Shobak – your leader will explain how 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. Enjoy superb scenery and stop off at the viewpoint overlooking the Dana Nature Reserve before arriving in the late afternoon to your Petra accommodation. Petra dates back to the sixth century BC and is considered the crown jewel of Jordan, featuring an impressive series of tombs and dwellings carved directly into the rock. When you arrive, there will be time to check out the town that has grown around the site and to relax, ready for a big day of exploring Petra tomorrow.
Day 19 Day 19: Petra
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 19: Petra

Today will be spent uncovering the secrets of Petra with the knowledgeable guidance of your leader. The iconic view of the Treasury’s glorious facade, glimpsed from a narrow cleft known as the Siq, is perhaps the single-most striking sight of the entire region. The Siq leads through the rock and is at points only a few metres wide, with walls soaring up to 180 m on either side. Explore the old Roman road, amphitheatre and several ancient tombs. You’ll also have time to climb to the Monastery if you wish, providing a magnificent view of the entire site. There is a cafeteria on the site, where you can enjoy your own light lunch. The rest of the day is free. Tonight, maybe take the chance to witness Petra by night – seeing the Treasury Plaza lit up by candlelight while Bedouin music plays is a truly memorable experience.
Day 20 Day 20: Wadi Rum
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 20: Wadi Rum

For another glimpse at Petra, you can rise very early for an unguided morning visit. Then, drive to Wadi Rum – a protected area of desert that impresses with sandstone mountains, canyons and arches. Enjoy some lunch in the small village of Rum and browse the informative visitor’s centre. After, jump into a local jeep and journey into Wadi Rum with your Bedouin hosts. Visit several of the area’s distinctive rock formations and appreciate the silent desert landscapes, home to hardy Bedouin communities that live in scattered camps. Gain a deeper understanding of their way of life as you join them for a zarb (underground oven) dinner at one of their camps, set deep in the desert. Tonight’s Feature Stay accommodation is a camp that offers a base among remote and wild surroundings. Spacious tents are fitted out with creature comforts like king-sized beds, air conditioning and en suite bathrooms, and all furniture is made by hand with decor inspired by Bedouin culture. Fall asleep in your tent after witnessing a magnificent canopy of stars outside, and wake up to a sunrise over the red-hued landscape.
Day 21 Day 21: Amman
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 21: Amman

After waking up in the unique surrounds of your Bedouin camp this morning, take a walk around the area before scaling one of the large dunes for panoramic views of your surroundings. After, return to Amman for the evening. Tonight, you might like to join your group for a final dinner to round off your adventure – speak to your leader about the best restaurants in the city that are popular with the locals.
Day 22 Day 22: Amman
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 22: Amman

Your trip will come to an end today after breakfast. If you have arranged a private airport transfer, you will be advised of the pick-up time. If you would like to spend more time in Amman, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

+19

22 days tour

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This tour includes:

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Itinerary of your trip Premium Egypt & Jordan In Depth

Day 1: Cairo

Day 2: Cairo

Day 3: Alexandria

Day 4: Alexandria

Day 5: Cairo

Day 6: Nile Cruise - Luxor

Day 7: Nile Cruise - Edfu

Day 8: Nile Cruise - Aswan

Day 9: Nile Cruise - Aswan

Day 10: Abu Simbel

Day 11: Aswan

Day 12: Aswan

Day 13: Cairo

Day 14: Cairo

Day 15: Amman

Day 16: Amman

Day 17: Dead Sea

Day 18: Petra

Day 19: Petra

Day 20: Wadi Rum

Day 21: Amman

Day 22: Amman

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