A Grand 12-day Tour of these Two Gems of the Near East
Egypt and Jordan, including Abu Simbel Temples
and Wadi Rum Camping
Cairo · Luxor · Aswan · Abu Simbel ·
Amman · Petra · Wadi Rum Camping
Abu Simbel. By GT1976 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Indiana Jones himself couldn’t squeeze more adventure into this journey: Cairo and the Pyramids, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Luxor: the mighty ancient capital of the Ancient Egyptian Pharaonic Empire, the fabled temples and tombs of Luxor and Thebes, Ramses The Great Mighty Temples in Abu Simbel, Aswan, Wadi Rum camping and a trek to the mysterious ruins of Petra in Jordan. For the Nile Cruise Version, please click here, or add a tour of Queen Nefertiti’s Capital in Egypt: Tel El-Amarna / El Minya.
DAY 1: Cairo – Choose Your Arrival Day
This is a private tour, daily arrival. Cairo Airport: upon arrival, our local representative will greet you at the airport and whisk you to your hotel. Visa may be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport.
VIP Meet & Greet Upon arrival at Cairo Airport
Visa issued locally in Cairo (for a limited number of nationalities) no photos required. Our representative greets you at the airport and whisks you to your hotel. Visa will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number of citizens such as: American, Australian, NZ, EU, Canadian, EU Singaporean and Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo. Our local rep. will meet you with a sign that carries your name, and will be waiting for you with the prepaid visa stamps to proceed to the passports control to stamp your passports and then you claim your luggage. After you clear the passport and customs formalities and exit the terminal, our local representative will escort you by private vehicle to the hotel. Welcome fruit basket & Egyptian pastry awaits you in your room with our compliments.
DAY 2: CAIRO – Giza – Dahshour (BLD)
After breakfast we drive to Giza and the mysteries of the Pyramids and Sphinx, for interested guests: enjoy the usual photo opportunity riding a camel with the Pyramids and the Sphinx in the background with our compliments, and then we will tour the Museum of the Royal Barge of Cheops. The museum is built over the rectangular pit that housed the Royal Barge for thousands of years, the wooden boat was readied for the king’s daily journey with the sun god, Ra. Discovered in 1954, in a completely dismantled state, the 43-metre (140-foot) cedar boat is a rare window on the Royal boats used by the kings of Ancient Egypt.
The first boat of Khufu, Khufu Boat Museum, Giza. Photo by Olaf Tausch, Wikimedia Commons.
We are glad to include as well the entrance fee to get inside the Great Pyramid, with our compliments, if interested, please read this first:
Getting to it is challenging, and once you enter, it is very difficult to turn back. The stone passage is only wide enough for one person. You must be in good physical condition, able to climb several flights of stairs, bend double, crouch and duck-walk for short distances. The King’s Chamber itself is the world’s most claustrophobic place, with dim light and heavy, hot, oxygen-poor air. There is no ventilation. If you are at all sensitive to claustrophobia or confinement, or if you have any sort of respiratory condition, for your own safety and the safety of others, you must not enter the pyramid because it is impossible to remove a person or to bring aid to them quickly, lunch is included at the Mena House.
Depending on the traffic, your guide may start the day with Dahshour then on the Pyramids after lunch. The time capsule treasure of Dahshour is the pyramid field south of Cairo:
DAHSOUR
We’ll motor to the edge of Cairo, to Dahshour, the newly-opened pyramid field south of Cairo. We will visit the great pyramid of Senfru, father of Cheops, and other structures.
The “Discovery” of Dahshour
For almost half a century, the great field of huge pyramids near the desert village of Dahshour, 25 miles south of Cairo, has been off limits to the public. Confined within the perimeter of a military base were many pyramids, including the great 4500-year-old pyramid built by Senfru, father of Cheops. Senfru’s pyramid, the largest in Egypt until his son built Giza’s Great Pyramid, is rhomboidal in shape: it tapers more distinctly on its upper half. All the pyramids were coated in thick plaster at one time. Most have lost these protective, decorative sheaths, but Senfru’s–miraculously–is still in place.
We stop at El-Haraniya before we head back to your hotel. Dinner is included at La Bodega restaurant or similar.
DAY 3: CAIRO (BLD)
Your exploration of the ancient world begins today! First stop is the Egyptian Museum, with its treasures of the ancient pharaohs: mummies, statuary, precious stones and metals. After lunch a charming local restaurant, we’ll also stop at the Citadel of Saladin and the Alabaster Mosque. Followed by a walking tour of Khan El Khalili and Muezzledeenallah ancient bazaar districts. Dinner is included at Abu-El Sid restaurant or similar.
DAY 4: Cairo – Abu Simbel – ASWAN (BLD)
After an early breakfast, we board a short flight heading for Abu Simbel (via Aswan).
Land at Abu Simbel Airport where your PRIVATE air-conditioned vehicle, private Egyptologist and private chauffeur await you in. Tour Ramses the Great larger temple, colossal figures of Ramses are seated with the gods and attended by his queen and daughters.
In the Queen’s smaller temple dedicated to Her Majesty Queen Nefertari (The Beautiful One), who appears as Hathor, the goddess of love, joy and fertility, symbolized by the benevolent cow. We explore this fine temple by ourselves in the quiet of the morning, admiring their ancient aura and artistry, after which we fly back to Aswan, arriving in time for lunch at your hotel. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Dinner is included at the hotel. Evening Sound and Light show at Philae Temple transfers are of course included.
Jacquie Kennedy and Abu Simbel:
All Americans alive during the 1960s remember President John F Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. Most Americans from that time also remember Abu Simbel, the dramatic, ancient Pharaonic temple threatened by the rising waters blocked by the new Aswan High Dam. It’s worth remembering that it was Jacquie Kennedy who provided crucial support for the mammoth rescue project. Without her help, Abu Simbel might have been lost. Read More
DAY 5: Aswan (BLD)
After breakfast at your hotel, we tour the Nubian Museum, the Botanical Garden Island, then head out to tour the enormous dams at Aswan, and then board a felucca on the Nile to visit the Temples of Philae, rescued from rising waters. Lunch is included at a local restaurant before we head out for a tour of Kalabsha Temple dedicated to the ancient god Mandulis, and the goddess Isis. Built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus, the small rock-cut temple of Beit El Wali, built by Ramses the Great, and the small yet charming Kiosk of Qertassi, as well as the Nubia Museum. Dinner is included at your hotel.
DAY 6: Aswan – Kom Ombo – Edfu – Luxor (BLD)
After an early breakfast at your hotel, board your private air-conditioned vehicle and head north towards Luxor. Lunch box will be provided by your hotel in Aswan before you leave. Arrive at Kom Ombo, where we explore the twin Temples of Haroeris and Sobek.
We continue on to Edfu and the Temple of Horus, best-preserved in all of Egypt. Then we’ll continue beside the Nile to take in an array of ancient splendors reaching Luxor early evening and your hotel where dinner awaits you.
DAY 7: Luxor – Valley of The Kings – Deir El Medinah & More (BL)
Today we tour the Valley of the Kings, including King Tut’s Tomb, Seti I ( subject to change for any closure due to repairs and maintenance), we will tour as well Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple of El Deir El Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon. Break for lunch: Lunch box prepared by your hotel or served at a local restaurant, on to Deir El Medinah, the first known “Workers Village” these were the true creative heroes who built the temples & tombs for the mighty Pharaohs of the Nile Kingdom.
Deir El Medinah is on Luxor’s west bank where you get a totally different perspective on ancient Egyptian life at the ancient workers’ settlement of Deir el-Medinah. While most of the imposing stone monuments and sites of Egypt honor the lives and after-lives of royalty, Deir el-Medinah gives us unique and surprising insights into the ordinary citizens who constructed and decorated the tombs.
Here we’ll see the excavated homes shared by laborers with their domestic animals. These quarters were surprisingly large, with three good-sized rooms, courtyard, kitchen, and even storage cellars. While ancient Egypt might not have been a workers’ paradise, we’ll see that artisans and builders were highly regarded in their community. We are proud to be the only operator to offer regular visits to this singular ancient settlement in its tour and cruise programs.
DAY 8: Luxor (BL)
Today we devote the morning to the grand mighty Karnak: the largest dedicated religious site ever built, full of sacred lakes, complex of temples, obelisks, grand statues and holy of hollies. Lunch is included and will be served at one of the nearby five stars hotels or a local restaurant, in the afternoon we will cover the charming Luxor Temple dedicated to Amon, then head back to your hotel.
DAY 9: Luxor – Amman (BL)
Now that you’ve seen the best of the Egypt of the Pharaohs, our guides escort you to the airport. You’ll fly over to Amman via Cairo. Air fare is included, Cairo/Amman with tax included. Upon arrival in Amman, our Jordan-based representative waits to greet you. You’ll drive south under a towering ridge of mountains, and arrive at your hotel in Petra for the night. Please secure your Jordanian visa prior to your arrival or pay the visa fee locally at the airport in Amman, the Jordanian visa may be issued at the airport in Amman for a limited number of nationalities such as: American, Canadian, Australian, NZ, EU & Japanese citizens and others, feel free to check with the Jordanian Consulate nearest you for any question you may have. Passports must be valid for at least 6 month upon arrival). Lunch or snacks/lunch box is included enroute.
The Amphitheatre of Petra. Photo by Bpavacic at the English language Wikipedia [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
DAY 10: PETRA – Wadi Rum Camping (BD)
We’ll spend the entire day at Petra, the stunning desert city hewn by the Nabateans from solid cliffs of pink and violet sandstone. Petra was known in the bible as Sela, and rediscovered only in 1812. You’ll feel like Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark as you penetrate into the city through a narrow sandstone gorge, the Siq, and wander among the Temple of the Winged Lion, tombs, Roman theater, and the imposing Treasury.
In the evening we will call on you for a unique experience:
Dine as a local: The Petra Kitchen is a delightful way to round out your Jordan travel experiences. Like any home kitchen, The Petra Kitchen is a relaxed, informal atmosphere where you’ll gather to prepare an evening meal, working alongside local women under the supervision of our chef.
Each evening meal includes soup, cold and hot mezza (appetizers) and salads, and a main course—all typical Jordanian dishes. You will have get an inside glimpse of the secrets behind the famous regional cuisine of the Levant.
The Petra Kitchen offers an evening of learning, fun and a very special dining experience, with each dish gaining the special flavor of a reward well-earned. Great care has been taken to make The Petra Kitchen a truly Jordanian experience—right down to the furnishings, all crafted in Jordan, the tableware, all produced by the Iraq al Amir Women’s Co-operative, and the aprons and table linens, all hand-embroidered by the Jordan River Foundation. Tour experience tonight includes the cuisine course, meal and all non-alcoholic beverages as well as take-home recipes for all dishes prepared that evening.
After our dinner we head to one of the local camp sites. It is essential to take several layers of clothes, including warm layers, this is desert weather, so there is a great drop and / or increase in temperatures with sunrise / sunset. Sample camp site: Sun City, or the RSCN Rummana Campsite at the Dana Nature Reserve. This is an exotic and memorable experience.
For guests who prefer to spend this night at Dana Nature Reserve rather than Wadi Rum, please click here. At Dana Nature Reserve, you will be staying at Feynan EcoLodge. Escape the beaten path. A sensory experience awaits.
DAY 11: PETRA – Wadi Rum – Amman (BL)
Breakfast is always included. Today we board four-wheel-drive vehicles for an expedition to Wadi Rum, the “Valley of the Moon” where T. E. Lawrence (“Lawrence of Arabia”) organized Arab resistance to Ottoman rule during World War I, drive back to Amman and your hotel. Lunch is included enroute.
DAY 12: DEPARTURE FOR HOME (B)
Our local rep. escorts you to the airport of Amman. End of our service. Bon Voyage.
| RATES per person in USD Flying Economy Class Within Egypt and Cairo Amman |
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| Deluxe Hotels | Modest First Class | |
| Hilton, Sheraton Level Hotels | Four Stars Hotels | |
| Triple | US$ 4700.00 | US$ 3900.00 |
| Double | US$ 5050.00 | US$ 4250.00 |
| Single | US$ 6050.00 | US$ 5150.00 |
| Cairo, Aswan, & Luxor Hotels | Sheraton, Hilton, Meridien, Sonesta, Steinberger or similar | Novotel El Borg Oases Hotel or similar |
| Amman | Hyatt Amman, Marriott Amman, Landmark Hotel Amman or similar | Imperial Hotel Amman. International Hotel Amman or similar |
| Petra | Movenpick Petra, Marriott Petra, Taybet Zaman Hotel Petra | Golden Tulip Petra |
| Ultra Deluxe Version (RATES per person in USD) | ||
| Deluxe | Flying Business Class Within Egypt and Cairo Amman | |
| Triple | US$ 6040.00 | Nile View room at the Sofitel Old Winter Palace Luxor and Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel Aswan. |
| Double | US$ 6470.00 | Suite at the Semiramis InterContinental. Or Superior Room at Four Seasons Cairo or the Ritz Cairo and superior room at Four Seasons Hotel Amman. |
| Single | US$ 8850.00 | Suite at the Movenpick or Marriott Petra |
| For Easter, Christmas, New Year’s (Dec 20 – Jan 3): 15 % supplement will apply. Children Discount: 30 % on the adult double rate, child must be younger than 12 years of age, must be traveling with a minimum of 2 adults. |
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Inclusions:
- All transfers in Egypt and Jordan always on a private basis.
- All domestic flights within Egypt, and Cairo Amman flight in economy class or choose Ultra Deluxe Category and fly business class, tax included.
- Air-conditioned hotel accommodations with tax and service charges as listed or similar
- Sightseeing with professional guide and entrance fees as indicated
- Meals as indicated, with pre-set menu (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- Small bottle of water (per person) with each meal included/listed in the program.
- Tea or coffee with each meal while you are on board the Nile cruise
- VIP Meet & Greet At Cairo Airport
Our representative greets you at the airport and whisks you to your hotel. Visa will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport (photos are not required). - Egyptian Visa will be issued for a limited number of citizens such as: American, Australian, NZ, EU, Canadian, EU Singaporean and Japanese citizens.You are responsible for having your passport in order valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo. Our local rep. will meet you with a sign that carries your name, and will be waiting for you with the prepaid visa stamps to proceed to the passports control to stamp your passports, then you claim your luggage. After you clear the passport and customs formalities and exit the terminal, our local representative will escort you (private vehicle) to the hotel. Welcome fruit basket & Egyptian pastry awaits you in your room in Cairo upon arrival with our compliments.
- Visa for Jordan issued as well upon arrival. Limited to specific nationalities such as: Australian, NZ, USA, Canada, EU, Japan and others (please check with us if needed at the time of booking).
- For your convenience: Wi-Fi internet access and mineral water with soft drinks are available in Jordan on board of all the vehicle for our VIP guests
Not included:
- Tips.
- Personal expenses and beverages.
- Additional meals and services
- International air fare between your home country and Egypt / Jordan
- Trip interruption and cancellation insurance
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