Best of Egypt and Jordan
Overview
Itinerary
Hello and welcome to Egypt! Tonight, we'll head out for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Get ready for great food, first laughs, and time to get to know your group at the table before the adventure really kicks off.
Today we'll take on Cairo. First things first: a guided tour of the Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Valley Temple. This afternoon, we'll shop for fresh ingredients before jumping into a hands-on falafel cooking class. Think we're done? Nope. We'll visit the Grand Egyptian Museum for one seriously impressive deep dive into ancient history. Tonight, we'll board the overnight train to Aswan — local style.
After a simple dinner onboard, it's all about those group vibes: settle in, swap stories, and watch the real Egypt roll past.
This morning we'll wake up in Aswan, ready for jaw-dropping sights start to end. After a stroll along the Nile, we'll hop aboard a traditional wooden felucca and watch river life drift by.
Later, we'll step things up with a Nile cruise. It's gonna be home for the next three nights on Egypt's most iconic waterway.
Today you'll wake on the River Nile… and with plenty of choices too. Opt to visit the legendary Abu Simbel, explore Aswan at your own pace, or simply relax onboard and soak in the scenery.
In the afternoon, we'll sail onwards toward Edfu. Here in Edfu, you'll have the chance to visit another temple - this time an evening tour of the Kom Ombo. Or if you'd prefer to stay on the boat (which has a pool btw), that's cool too.
This morning we'll cast off in the direction of Luxor. As soon as we step foot on Luxor terrain, we'll start spinning our way into the historical mysteries of this magnificent town. The evening's all yours to do just what you please.
Today we'll go full ancient-Egypt mode, letting the weather guide us. We'll explore the Valley of the Kings, stop by the Colossi of Memnon, and check out the epic Hatshepsut Temple. Then it's time for an included bike tour of Luxor (with local guides) on the West Bank. We'll round it out with an optional guided tour of Karnak and Luxor Temples.
See ya' later, Luxor. This morning, we'll hit the road to Hurghada. Along the way, we'll take stop in a Bedouin settlement for a jeep safari and a traditional lunch. Hurghada is all about beachside summer holiday vibes to rival the Mediterranean. With crystal clear waters as far as the eye can see, umbrella-lined beaches, and golden sunsets, this town will be sure to seal the deal on your love for Egypt.
Lovers of exploring by sea could take a cruise of the Red Sea for all new views, or those who prefer life a little more on land could snorkel, sun bake or just relax in paradise this morning.
Later, we'll attempt an Arabic goodbye to the beautiful beaches of Hurghada as we make our way back to where our Egyptian escapade kicked off just a week ago.
We'll hit the road and leave the Red Sea behind, cruising into desert landscapes on the way to St Anthony Monastery. Along the way, we'll stop by at the historic monastery set within a desert oasis, then stop for delish lunch at a local restaurant before continuing our journey.P. S. If the church is closed for religious holidays, we'll swap it for a wander around town instead. We'll arrive back in Cairo and check in. The evening is free — perfect for our final Egyptian dinner, one last wander, or a relaxed night with your crew.
Egypt? Conquered. Next up: another sandy superstar. This morning, we'll jump on a plane and keep the adventure rolling. Welcome to Amman - Jordan's buzzing capital, packed with bronze age ruins, art galleries and even a restored Roman theatre. AKA the perfect place to begin our Jordanian adventure. Exchange hellos with your crew before heading out for dinner at a local restaurant.
After breakfast, we'll head out on a city tour with a Local Guide to fill you in on Amman's story. Check out the Citadel, the iconic Amphitheatre, and even the Archelogical museum. Then it's off to the Iraq Al-Amir Women Association for a hands-on local activity and lunch. History, culture, and connection all in one day — not bad for a capital city, right?
Catch ya' later, Amman. Today we'll roll out of the city and head north. Cue colonnaded streets and ancient drama — after a quick exploration of Jerash. Worked up an appetite? Good. Cuz for lunch, we'll settle in at Bait Al-Khairat, a popular spot famed for its delish local eats. Back in the capital by afternoon with free time to play it your way. Coffee crawl? Last-minute shopping? Feet up and chill? You choose.
Wakey wakey. Today we'll head south and swap city streets for wide-open landscapes. Time to stretch the legs on the Shaq Al-Reesh Trail, walking through rugged canyons and wide valley views. We'll refuel with a packed lunch — simple, fresh, and very welcome mid-walk. As the sun dips, we'll arrive at Little Petra and settle in at Ammarine Camp.
Tonight's dinner will be served Bedouin-style, shared around the table and full of local flavours. Then it's tents, quiet desert skies, and a night that feels a world away from anywhere else.
After breakfast, we'll set off on the backdoor hike into Petra, following quiet desert paths framed by sandstone cliffs and wide-open views. Think changing colours, natural rock formations, and that slow build-up before the main event. We'll continue exploring the site as it opens up in full, entering through the main gates and soaking it all in.
Tonight, we'll rest up at our hotel in Petra. Legs tired, camera roll full.
After breakfast, we'll say goodbye to Petra and hit the road south. Next stop: wide-open desert. We'll jump into a Bedouin jeep for a two-hour ride through Wadi Rum, stopping at spots like Siq Um Tawaqi, ancient inscriptions, and a few photo-worthy viewpoints along the way. Dinner and the night are spent at a desert camp — tents, stars, and that quiet-hits-different kind of vibe.
After breakfast, we'll leave the desert behind and settle in for the drive north. Dead sea time. We'll stop by at a resort for lunch and a swim in the Dead Sea — yes, floating is mandatory. By evening, we'll be back in Amman, with an optional dinner at a local favourite if you're keen.
And just like that, our wonderful week in Jordan has come to an end.
Trip Inclusions
- Cairo: Visit Egypt's most iconic ancient sites in one stop: the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and the Valley Temple. Your Trip Manager will guide you around the plateau, sharing the stories behind how these monuments were built and what they meant to the people who created them. Think: pharaoh power to afterlife beliefs and the engineering that still impresses today.
- Cairo: The world's largest archaeological museum complex is no joke. You'll find 100,000 artifacts here (including King Tut's ENTIRE treasure collection). You don't wanna miss this one...
- Cairo: Roll up your sleeves and join a seasoned local home cook for a hands-on Egyptian food adventure. You'll kick things off at a buzzing local market, picking out fresh ingredients for a classic lunch. Back in the kitchen, you'll learn to make taamiya (Egypt's take on falafel) from scratch, while getting the lowdown on local cheeses, basterma and tehina from someone who knows it best. Then comes the best bit — sitting down together to enjoy the feast you've created, soaking up that laid-back, family-style Egyptian meal
- Aswan: Spend a few nights aboard a river cruise – with views out over the Nile and a sun deck on board.
- Aswan: Sit back and chill as you drift down the famous river on a traditional felucca sailing boat
- Kom Ombo: Explore this seriously cool double temple with a perfectly symmetrical layout. One side is dedicated to Sobek (the crocodile god), the other to Horus (the falcon god) — two temples in one, and twice the ancient intrigue.
- Luxor: Grab your camera and explore one of the world's most famous archaeological sites. See the tomb of Tutankhamun from the outside (with the option to add on exploring it from the inside!) and many other Egyptian pharaohs.
- Hurghada: Check out these towering Pharaoh statues. They've stood guard since 1350 BC, even surviving natural disasters. And apparently one even ‘sings' in the wind.
- Luxor: Get ready to see Luxor on two wheels. We'll cruise past epic monuments and historic spots with stories that bring the place to life. The best bit? You'll meet local youth communities along the way, so you can swap hellos, hear real stories, and ride away with more than just photos
- Hurghada: Buckle up for a 4x4 ride across open desert terrain, chasing big views and off-road thrills. You'll visit a Bedouin settlement to learn about local life, then refuel with a barbecue lunch served up the traditional way. Sand, stories, and seriously good feeds.
- Cairo: Step into history with a visit to the 4th-century Monastery of St Anthony, set in a desert oasis that feels worlds away from everything. Ancient walls, quiet courtyards, and wide-open desert all around — peaceful, powerful, and seriously atmospheric.
- Amman: Explore Amman with a Local Guide, taking in the Citadel and Archaeological Museum before stepping inside the city's ancient Amphitheatre and Folklore Museum. A solid intro to the layers, stories, and everyday rhythm of Jordan's capital.
- Amman: Visit the TreadRight-supported Iraq Al-Amir Women's Co-operative Society to see the work they are doing to make local women financially independent. Plus, you'll enjoy a delicious lunch of local specialities.
- Jerash: Get your Indiana Jones hat on and tour this ancient city. See the 2nd Century Hadrian's Arch, Corinthian Columns at Temple of Artemis and the Oval Forum Colonnade.
- Jerash: Sit down to a home-style Jordanian meal featuring dishes like maglouba, mansaf, kabsah, and imsakhan made with locally grown sumac, all served family-style. The restored stone house dates back to 1881 and once brought the local community together. Today, it's a women-led social enterprise supporting local women and young people through food and community collaboration. Expect generous flavours, shared stories, and a setting rooted in heritage, empowerment, and connection.
- Dana Nature Reserve: Head out on an easy hike through the Dana Nature Reserve, following the Shaq Al-Reesh Trail for a few relaxed hours. Expect winding paths through rocky canyons, wide valley views, and plenty of chances to slow down and take it all in. Easygoing, scenic, and well worth the steps.
- Petra: Hike from Little Petra into Petra via the quieter backdoor route, following desert paths framed by sandstone cliffs and wide-open views. A slower, more scenic approach that builds the anticipation before stepping into the main site.
- Petra: It's an archaeology treasure trove! Grab your camera and get to know the ‘rose city': one of the seven Wonders of the World.
- Wadi Rum: Settle in for a desert stay with proper comfort at Amber Camp. Think: spacious rooms with aircon, private bathrooms and your very own balcony for those mountain-and-sand views. Plus, there's a sun terrace and garden space.
- Wadi Rum: Explore Wadi Rum by 4x4 on a two-hour Bedouin-led jeep ride, weaving through desert landscapes and stopping at places like Siq Um Tawaqi, ancient rock inscriptions, and iconic viewpoints along the way. Big spaces, deep history, and desert scenes that don't need a filter.
- Dead Sea: We'll stop at the Holiday Inn Dead Sea for lunch and time to float in the salty water. No swimming skills required — just lean back, relax, and enjoy one of the strangest, most relaxing dips out there.
- 8 Dinners (D)
- 16 Breakfasts (B)
- 9 Lunches (L)
- 10 nights in Hotels
- 1 night in Special Stay
- 1 night in Glamping Tent
- 3 nights in Nile Cruise
- 1 night in Overnight Train
- Expert Trip Manager
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
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Contiki Worldwide (2026-27)
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