Contrasts of Egypt & Jordan

Your journey into wonder begins in Cairo. Indulge and relax during your overnight stay.

Board the air-conditioned express train at Ramses Station in Cairo and journey to Alexandria. This legendary Mediterranean city was home to Egypt’s last pharaoh, Queen Cleopatra. Visit the Catacomb, the world’s largest Roman Cemetery consisting of three levels cut in the rock.

Continue to the Royal Jewelry Museum showcasing rare and exquisite pieces of the Muhammad Ali Dynasty who ruled Egypt for nearly 150 years until 1952. Visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a major library and cultural centre that is a tribute to the Library of Alexandria, which was torched and lost in antiquity. Check in to your hotel for a luxurious two-night stay. Join your Tour Director for a welcome dinner. (B/D)

Rosetta’s strategic location in the Nile Delta made it the target of many invaders throughout its history. Visit the Citadel of Qaitbay where the famous Rosetta Stone was discovered 1799, the granodiorite stone had inscriptions that were the first clue to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs. (B/L)

In the morning, explore the site of one of World War II’s defining battles, El Alamein before returning to Giza (Cairo) for a two-night Special Stay.

Sunset Drinks Enjoy drinks and canapés as the sun sets over the magnificent pyramids. (B/L/D)

Be awed by the sheer magnitude of the pyramids before marvelling at the 20-metre limestone monolith of the Sphinx. Prepare for an afternoon of historical discoveries at the Grand Egyptian Museum including the artefacts recovered from Tutankhamun’s tomb. Gaze in wonder at the Solar Boat, a restored cedar wood barge dating back to 2500BC found buried near the Great Pyramid of Khufu. (B/L)

Fly to Luxor and relax in the beautiful gardens of your Special Stay hotel for two nights. This afternoon, enjoy some time at leisure to bask in an atmosphere steeped in history, romance and adventure. (B/D)

Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight - Choose to add an optional hot air balloon flight for a fascinating bird’s-eye view of the ancient sites (additional cost, please book on tour).

Afternoon visit to the Valley of the Nobles hosting hundreds of tombs all embedded in the rock face, and very often richly decorated with frescoes depicting the working lives of their inhabitants. (B/L)

Embark on your luxurious private charter on board the boutique Sanctuary Sun Boat III as you settle into your elegantly appointed cabin. Discover the vast open-air temple complex of Karnak and be awed by the enormity of the pillars as you walk through the impressive Hypostyle Hall. Cross to the West Bank of the Nile and be astounded by the well-preserved, colourful hieroglyphics adorning the tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Later, see the impressive monument to Queen Hatshepsut. (B/L/D)

Relax on the Sun Deck and catch a glimpse of daily life along the banks of the Nile as you cruise to Dendera and Hathor’s temple before returning to Luxor and visiting the impressive Luxor Temple. (B/L/D)

Follow the course of the ancient pharaohs’ processions along the Nile as you cruise south where villages and majestic temples line the banks of the river against the backdrop of the desert. Visit Esna Temple held as a special place among the holiest temples of ancient Egypt. This afternoon, sail to Kom Ombo Temple, perched high on the east bank, dedicated to Sobek, the Crocodile God. A fun night awaits on board with a lively and colourful Galabeyya party with Egyptian delicacies, music and dancing. (B/L/D)

Cruise south to charming Aswan, the home of the Nubian people. Discover the Osiris temple complex of Philae. A leisurely afternoon awaits as you enjoy a felucca cruise on the Nile. This evening’s entertainment will delight with the colours of the whirling dervishes and a Nubian Dance performance. Tonight, join the Captain and crew for a farewell Gala Dinner. (B/L/D)

Freechoice: Visit a Nubian village or the beautiful but often-overlooked Kalabsha Temple on the shores of Lake Nasser. Alternatively, explore the Nubian Museum home to more than 3,000 objects. Be ensconced in luxury during your Special Stay and admire the sweeping views over the Nile from the comfort of your balcony. Discover the history of the hotel and follow in the footsteps of icons like Princess Diana, Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie as you enjoy pre dinner drinks at The Terrace, before dining at restaurant 1902. (B/D)

Fly to Abu Simbel and visit one of Egypt’s most magnificent monuments, the enormous World Heritage-listed temples of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari, rescued from the rising waters of the Aswan Dam. (B/L)

Fly to bustling Cairo for your two night stay. Discover the priceless antiquities in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization including the crown jewel of the museum, the Royal Mummies’ Hall. (B)

Freechoice: Discover Historic Cairo and the famed Museum of Islamic Art and learn about Islamic Calligraphy or explore Coptic Cairo and the Hanging Temple of Babylon. Alternatively, on Roda Island await one of the last Nilometers and the Menial Palace Museum. This evening, join your Tour Director for a farewell dinner. (B/D)

Fly to Amman, where you’ll travel to the Dead Sea and enjoy a two night Special Stay.

Sunset Drinks Enjoy drinks and canapés as the sun sets over the magnificent Dead Sea. (B/D)

Enjoy the facilities of your resort including direct access to the sea. Spoil yourself and allow the staff to lather you in therapeutic mud, or float in the hypersaline waters of the Dead Sea, while reading a book or newspaper. (B)

Travel to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, see where Jesus was baptised. View the memorial to Moses at Mount Nebo then visit Madaba, discover the famous mosaic map of the Holy Land and the Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art and Restoration. Later, we travel to the Rose Red City of Petra for your two night stay. (B/L)

Discover this magnificent World Heritage-listed city, the legacy of the Nabataeans who settled in southern Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. The impressive eastern entrance leads through a brilliantly coloured narrow gorge to the imposing Treasury, more than 40 metres high. Designed to impress, the rock-cut facade will take your breath away. (B/D)

Travel in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia as you discover the dramatic desert landscapes of Wadi Rum where you will feel like you have stepped onto the moon during your Special Stay in the luxurious Bubble tents of the Wadi Rum UFO Luxotel.

Sunset Drinks Witness the dramatic colours of the desert at sunset over a refreshing drink. (B/L/D)

Travel to the capital of the Kingdom of Jordan, Amman, where you’ll enjoy a two night stay. Join your Tour Director for a walk through the food and produce markets and stop to taste some traditional Jordanian sweets.

Freechoice: This afternoon, choose from a tour of Citadel Hill & the Roman Theatre or visit the Royal Automobile Museum and its vast collection. Alternatively, experience Jordan’s wine heritage with a wine and food tasting in the Abdali walking district.

Enrich: Tonight, enjoy a truly local encounter and be welcomed into a traditional Jordanian home for a home-hosted dinner experience. Learn about the Jordanian culture first-hand and experience the genuine warmth and hospitality your host bestows on you. (B/D)

Visit the Roman city of Jerash, inhabited since the Bronze Age, explore the impressive ruins. This evening, join your Tour Director and fellow travel companions for your farewell dinner. (B/L/D)

Say farewell as you transfer to Amman airport taking a lifetime of wonderful memories with you.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the journey will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions. (B)