Road to Jordan - 16 days

The ultimate! Pyramids, Valley of the Kings, Nile felucca cruising & chill-out time at Dahab on the Red Sea. Topped off with Jordan! Home to the stunning Rose City of Petra (voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World), coastal Aqaba and a 4x4 safari into the desert-scapes of Wadi Rum.

Our Road to Jordan - 16 day tour departs weekly till 01 July 2012. If travelling after 01 July, please see our New Road to Jordan - 17 day tour with similar touring arrangements.

Day 1: Cairo
Saturday. Welcome to Egypt and the start of your holiday! Arrive Cairo, included transfer to your hotel. Overnight - Cairo
Day 2: Pyramids & Saqqara
Cairo - Aswan. Today we take a guided tour of the great pyramids and lion-headed sphinx at Giza and explore the ancient tomb-strewn necropolis at Saqqara. This evening, after we've had time to freshen up and have dinner, we take the overnight seater (1st class recliner seat) train south to Aswan. A sleeper cabin upgrade is available for those interested. Overnight - Train (B)
Road to Jordan - 16 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
The Pyramids at Giza
Day 3: Philae Temple
Arrival and check into our hotel. Today, we visit the Aswan High Dam and travel by boat to Agilika Island to visit the Temple of Philae. Later, free time to hit the bazaars or relax by the swimming pool. Overnight - Aswan (B)
Days 4 - 5: Felucca Cruise
Aswan - Nile felucca cruising. Optional early morning air excursion to famous Abu Simbel. This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2 night cruise upstream toward Kom Ombo. Relax, top up your tan and chat with new friends as the felucca gently plies its route. Stops are made en route at local villages and at the waterside Temple of Kom Ombo. If sailing by felucca is not for you, consider upgrading to a 5 star luxury Nile Cruise with our Nile Cruise Upgrade. Overnight - Felucca Cruise (B:2, L:2, D:2)
The Karnak Temple in Luxor
Day 6: Temple of Horus & Luxor
Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor. Disembarking, at Kom Ombo travel to visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu. Later, time to relax at our hotel and spend the evening your way. Alternatively enjoy an optional visit to the Temple of Luxor by night by traditional horse and carriage and dinner afterward. The excursion cost is minimal and payable locally. Overnight - Luxor (B)
Day 7: Valley of the Kings
Luxor - Dahab. Optional hot air ballooning excursion over Luxor, before an early morning visit to the Valleys of the Kings and the colonnaded Temple of Hatshepsut. After enjoying a little R&R we visit the giant Temple of Karnak. Later this afternoon, we travel by overnight bus to Dahab via Hurghada. Overnight - Bus (B)
Egyptian men riding camels along the coast in Dahab
Days 8 - 10: Dahab
Arrival and hotel check-in. Diving, snorkelling, sun-worshipping, relaxing, shopping - take your pick. Enjoy also an optional excursion to the Blue Hole, where you can snorkel and discover the colourful and renown marine life of the Red Sea. Climbing Mt Sinai and visiting St Katherine’s Monastery (optional activity) may also be available. Overnight - Dahab (B:3)
Head below sea level to swim in the mineral rich waters of the Dead Sea
Day 11: Dead Sea - Jordan
Dahab - Aqaba - Madaba. This morning, we transfer to Taba/Nuweiba to take a private ferry crossing to Aqaba in Jordan. From Aqaba we commence our included excursion to the Dead Sea for lunch and a swim. Onward we explore Mt. Nebo - the single most important biblical site in Jordan. Having led the Israelites for 40 years through the wilderness, Moses finally saw from this panoramic vantage point, the Promised Land. We too can enjoy excellent views of the Jordan River Valley, the northern shore of the Dead Sea, Jericho and on clear days Jerusalem. We travel onto the bustling market town of Madaba. Overnight - Madaba (B, L)
The treasury at Petrain Jordan
Day 12: Explore Petra - your way
Madaba - Petra. Explore Christian Madaba this morning before noon time transfer to Petra. The late afternoon offers free time. Choose to explore the town on foot, stop off at a cafe for a cup of rich dark arabian coffee, browse the village shops, pop into the 'Made in Jordan' store for quality hand made items or simply spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool.

Free evening or why not test your culinary skills in the Petra Kitchen? Consider our Petra Kitchen - something good's cooking bolt-on. Overnight - Petra (B)
On a camel safari through the Wadi Rum Desert
Day 13: The Rose City of Petra
Welcome to the Rose City! Access to the city on our guided exploration is through the famous narrow, deep siq. The rocks then give way to the most amazing site – that of the fantastically impressive Treasury. Walking down the gravel tracks, we’ll explore the ancient Nabatean tombs and the Roman rock-carved streets lined with temples, royal tombs, staircases, arched gates and public buildings. There is also a gigantic amphitheatre originally built to house 3000 spectators, though the Romans increased capacity to a whopping 7000. After the guided tour, you’re free to head off and further explore, haggle for a horse and chariot or just relax and take it all in.

Tonight, it maybe possible to take a candlelit walk through the Siq by attending the 'Petra by Night' excursion. Overnight - Petra (B)
Day 14: 4 x 4 safari Wadi Rum
Petra - Wadi Rum. A free morning in Petra to further explore independently or with your guide. If following in the footsteps of our guide we enter the Nabataean city via the 'secret road' of al-Madras, and visit the High Place of Sacrifice for a panoramic view of the ancient city centre.

Later this afternoon, we depart Petra and drive to Wadi Rum. A vast, silent landscape of ancient riverbeds, pastel coloured stretches of sandy desert and amazing rock formations known as jebels, dating from when time began that rise from the desert floor, Wadi Rum is our base for an exciting 4 x 4 desert safari. We’ll jump aboard open-top 4 x 4s for our sunny, sandy and scenic adventure into Jordan’s wilderness. Tonight, we’ll enjoy an included Bedouin dinner and bed down in our permanent tents surrounded by a galaxy of twinkeling stars and the striking desert landscape. Overnight - Wadi Rum (B, D)
The sea framed by palm trees in Aqaba
Day 15: Crossing the Gulf of Aqaba
Wadi Rum - Aqaba - Cairo. Free time, dependent upon ferry departure time. Later today we drive to Aqaba to cross the Gulf of Aqaba once again by private ferry and travel onward by road to Cairo. The journey will take approximately 7 hours with us arriving to Cairo very late in the evening. Overnight - Cairo (B)
Day 16: Egyptian Museum
Sunday. This morning we enjoy a guided tour of the Egyptian National Museum of Antiquities. The museum boasts an amazing and certainly extensive collection. Opt to visit the Royal Mummy Room, where 9 royal mummies from the New Kingdom is displayed. The museum is home to an extensive collection of some 120 000 ancient Egyptian artifacts. Hotel check out and included onward transfer to airport.

Note: Flights should not be booked any earlier than 05:00am on day 16. If undertaking our Egyptian Museum tour on day 16, it is important that you reserve a flight departing Cairo after 3:00pm, or consider reserving an additional night’s accommodation. Alternatively we also offer guided tours to the Egyptian Museum on day 1. If wishing to take part in this tour on day 1, please ensure that your flight to Cairo arrives prior to 08:00am. (B)

Visit the incredible temples of Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel, possibly the most awe-inspiring temple of all ancient Egypt, with its gigantic rock–cut façade, was created to revere the mighty ruler Ramses II. Guarding the entrance to the temple, the 4 colossal statues of Ramses II sit majestically staring out across the desert, seemingly since time began.

Not to be missed! Bolt on an Abu Simbel excursion.

 

XMAS & NEW YEAR IN EGYPT

Our Festive Road to Jordan tours depart on - 15, 21, 23 & 27 Dec 2012.

Discover ancient Egypt and magical Jordan this festive season. Pyramids, Petra, Red Sea & Dead Sea! Spend Xmas day by the Red Sea or sailing the Nile and New Year's Eve onboard a felucca or celebrating in Dahab!



Tour Details
  • Starts in: Cairo / Ends in: Cairo
  • Departs: Saturdays - year round
  • No local payment required
  • Breakfast:15, Lunch: 3, Dinner: 3
  • Hotel Rating: 4 - 5 star (+ 3 star Jordan hotels & Wadi Rum camp)
  • Tour Guide: Yes
The on the go Theatre
On tour in Egypt. Pyramids, Nile cruising, Abu Simbel & Red Sea!
The Inside Track
Exploring the temple of Abu Simbel, Egypt Trevor from Flight Centre went with us recently on a tour to Egypt and was blown away by the temple ..
Extra time in… Cairo Our very own Andy Henderson lived in Cairo for two years, and these are his top spots to see if got ..
Howard’s Way Guest expert Wendy Gomersall visited Egypt, and the home of world-renowned archaeologist Howard the ..
Photo showcase – enigmatic Egypt Egypt is filled with spectacular ancient monuments and natural wonders too. As a destination, one of ..