Hidden Jordan with Treasures of Egypt and the Nile

Make your way to London Heathrow for your flight to mark the beginning of your incredible Jordan and Egypt adventure as you arrive in Amman. On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Meet your Jordanian Tour Director and fellow travellers at a special Welcome Reception this evening.

Today starts with a guided tour of Amman. Discover the historic legacy of the city at the Roman Theatre and Nymphaeum, before taking in the enchanting Citadel. You’ll then stroll via a traditional souk, where the sights and smells of spices and gold are sure to delight. Afterwards, drive to the ruined city of Jerash. A once-great Roman city, it is here you will be transported some 6,500 years back in time to the ‘Pompeii of the Middle East’. Continue to the Dead Sea this afternoon where you will check into your hotel.

Spend the morning at leisure, perhaps floating on the salty waters of the Dead Sea. Later travel to Bethabara, the Baptismal Site of Jesus Christ. Arrive in Aqaba this afternoon, a picturesque port set on the Red Sea. This evening is yours to enjoy as you wish.

This morning, perhaps take advantage of the hotel facilities, go for a dip in the Red Sea or enjoy a glass-bottom boat tour. Then travel to Wadi Rum this afternoon where you’ll join an Insider Experience. Continue on to your desert camp and savour a unique Bedouin dinner this evening. After dinner, perhaps enhance your experience and explore the uninterrupted desert night skies with some stargazing. A presentation and giant telescopes bring these star-studded skies to life.

Today, a short drive brings you to Little Petra, an archaeological site where magnificent buildings have been carved into sandstone canyons. Continue on to your hotel before your included dinner.

Following breakfast at your hotel, spend the morning exploring Petra. Famous for its rock-cut architecture, stone colours and formations, Petra is otherwise referred to as the Rose City. Wander through a narrow gorge called the Siq and emerge to witness Petra’s most breathtaking and elaborate ruin, Al Khazneh, also known as the Treasury. Among the numerous temples, caves and tombs in this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Ad-Deir Monastery, worth the 900-step ascent for those who wish to explore more. This evening, perhaps witness Petra by Night as you wander through the lit-up complex of temples.

After breakfast, travel to Shobak and see the earliest crusader castle in the region. Set within the walls of the old city, the fortified castle dominates the town and has been the setting for a number of battles. Continue to Madaba, best known as the ‘City of Mosaics’, for its beautiful Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics. Madaba is most famous for the sixth-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Covering the floor of the Greek Orthodox St. George’s Church, over two million pieces of coloured stone depict the region’s hills, valleys, villages and towns. Afterwards, head to the mountaintop Memorial of Moses at Mount Nebo. It is here that, the Bible states, Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land that he could never enter. Atop the mountain, enjoy captivating views of the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea and River Jordan.

After a leisurely breakfast, take your included flight from Amman to Cairo. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.

This morning will be spent exploring Giza, including the three pyramids and the Sphinx. With the head of a human and the body of a lion, the mythical Sphinx is the most recognisable statue associated with ancient Egypt. Later, walk through the emerald-green gardens of Al Azhar Park before enjoying lunch overlooking Cairo. This afternoon, the choice is yours, with a range of select experiences on offer. Perhaps join a tour of Coptic Cairo, including the Church of St Sergius – believed to be built upon a shelter the Holy Family used during their time in Egypt. Or choose to dine like a local at a traditional restaurant, from falafel to mahshi (vegetables stuffed with rice) and shawarma.

Today, perhaps choose to Enhance Your Journey by exploring Memphis and Saqqara. Memphis was the first capital of Ancient Egypt, with over 100 pyramids built in this city. This was probably the most important city in Egypt and the world. Visit Egypt’s richest archaeological site, Saqqara, where the oldest surviving pyramids remain. Later, set off on a Cairo city tour with admission to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Home to the world’s most extensive collection of pharaonic artefacts, with more than 160,000 pieces on display, come face-to-face with genuine Tutankhamun treasures and antiquities. Later, stroll through the colourful Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, where you might find some memorable keepsakes.

After breakfast this morning, we’ll transfer you to the airport for an included flight from Cairo to Luxor. Once in Luxor, head for the water where you will board your privately chartered cruise along the Nile on the premium ship, MS Moon Goddess. After settling in and enjoying lunch, this afternoon you will discover Karnak Temple, the largest religious building ever constructed. You’ll also explore the impressive Luxor Temple. Constructed in approximately 1400BC and once the capital of Egypt, Luxor Temple was dedicated to the veneration of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu and held Egypt’s most important religious festival – the annual Opet Festival. Delight in a belly dancing demonstration before dinner and afterwards, perhaps choose to revisit Karnak Temple for its sound and light show.

Today, enjoy the chance to visit the monumental Colossi of Memnon twin statues before taking in the West Bank of the Nile, the world’s largest open-air museum. Here, you’ll journey to the Valley of the Kings and Queens, and the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Also known as the ‘Gateway to the Afterlife’, the Valley of the Kings and Queens was once a royal burial ground for pharaohs, queens, priests, and chosen elects. Relax in comfort, with afternoon tea, as you sail to Edfu via Esna. Tonight, indulge in a Captain’s Welcome Reception on board.

On the banks of the Nile this morning, visit Edfu temple. A sandstone temple dedicated to the falcon god Horus, this temple is fabled to be the site of historic festivals and celebrations. Then cruise onwards to Kom Ombo, with lunch on board. Afterwards, visit the Kom Ombo Temple, an unusual double temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god and Horus, the falcon god. Back on board, enjoy afternoon tea en route to Aswan.

Today is sure to be a highlight as you fly to Abu Simbel and visit the imposing temples. Once buried under centuries of sand, lost to the world until 1813, marvel at the two awe-inspiring temples considered masterpieces of ancient Egypt. Later, board a traditional wooden sailing boat and drift alongside this island home, turned botanical garden. Keep an eye out for plants native to Aswan. This evening, enjoy dinner followed by a Nubian folkloric show. Popular in Egypt, Nubian music is performed in Arabic and relies on drumbeats, clapping, fiddles, lutes and various other percussion instruments.

Today in Aswan, bid farewell to the MS Moon Goddess. You’ll cruise down the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam, taking in the sites of the island-based Philae Temple dedicated to the gods Isis, Osiris, and Horus. Take in this ancient beauty, which was built nearly 2,000 years ago and absorb its history told through stunning architecture and hieroglyphics. Encounter the Aswan High Dam, which holds the distinction of being Egypt’s largest dam, and one of the planet’s most substantial embankment dams. Its construction aimed to contribute to flood regulation, irrigation, and the generation of hydroelectric power. Later, board your flight back to Cairo.

This morning after breakfast your Jordan and Egypt adventure comes to an end with your flight back to London.