Tour overview
Rock-hewn amphitheatres, desert dunes and coral reefs – this trip may be quick, but it packs in a lot of action! Take a nine-day adventure through the best of Jordan and Egypt to discover layered histories and striking landscapes. Wander the ancient city of Petra (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), camp in the desert and finish up among the souqs and pyramids of Cairo. As you travel this land of mighty pharaohs and biblical prophets, you’ll be greeted by the legendary hospitality of local Bedouin people in Wadi Rum and discover the underwater worlds that lie beneath the azure waters of the Red Sea.
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
| Day 1 | Arrive in Amman (Jordan) | Amman |
| Day 2 | Mt Nebo – Dead Sea | Petra |
| Day 3 | Petra | Petra |
| Day 4 | Wadi Rum | Wadi Rum |
| Day 5 | Aqaba – Transfer to Nuweiba | Nuweiba |
| Day 6 | Dahab | Dahab |
| Day 7 | Blue Hole – Return to Dahab | Dahab |
| Day 8 | Cairo | Cairo |
| Day 9 | Cairo – Departure |
Highlights
- Join Bedouin locals at a desert camp in Wadi Rum for a night of traditional hospitality, good food, and starry skies. You’ll learn about the Bedouin way of life and fall asleep to the eerie silence of the desert.
- Spend a whole day uncovering the majesty and mystery of Petra—one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Follow your local leader down the narrow path of the Siq for your first unforgettable glimpse of the hand-carved Treasury.
- Lay back and take an effortless float in the super salty waters of the Dead Sea after visiting Moses’ Promised Land at Mt Nebo. Everywhere you visit in Jordan has a story to tell.
- Explore the incredible underwater world that lies just offshore at the Red Sea by snorkel and get into the laidback vibe of Dahab, full of seaside cafes and sheesha.
- End it all in Cairo, home to the Great Pyramid of Giza (another Wonder of the World), and enjoy some free time to wander at your own pace. Consider staying a few extra nights to tick the Pyramids off your list and discover all this city has to offer.
Activities
- Petra: guided tour (One day pass included)
- Wadi Rum: 4WD jeep safari
- Wadi Rum: Bedouin Desert Camp
- Wadi Rum: Zarb Local Dinner
Day 1: Arrive in Amman (Jordan)
Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome to Jordan – cosmopolitan, contemporary and teeming with biblical history. Your trip begins with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm today, where you’ll meet your local leader and travel crew. If you do happen to arrive early, be sure to take in the sweeping views of Amman from the citadel, explore the Jordan Museum that’s home to the Dead Sea Scrolls, or take a trip out to the ruins of Jerash – an ancient walled town that remarkably recalls life 2000 years ago. After meeting up for your briefing, head out on the town, perhaps feasting on ara’yes – Jordan’s answer to a toasted sandwich, packed full of spiced meat.
Day 2 : Mt Nebo - Dead Sea (B)
his morning, travel by minibus to Mt Nebo (approximately 1.5 hours). Mt Nebo is the place where the prophet Moses is supposedly buried and is said to have seen the 'Promised Land'. Explore this sanctuary, checking out the remarkable mosaics inside its fourth-century church. On a clear day, the views over the Dead Sea to Israel and the Palestinian Territories are spectacular. Afterwards, take a 30-minute drive to the super salty Dead Sea. Technically sitting below sea level, it’s perfect for swimming and floating in, and the mud on the sea floor is said to have healing properties – so lather up! Continue on to the crusader castle of Kerak, sitting in a commanding position on top of a cliff overlooking Kerak town and the valley below. Spend time exploring the seven-level fortress and learn the legends of 12th-century battles between Crusaders and Muslim armies. Continue on to Petra for the night (approximately 4.5 hours).
Day 3 : Petra (B)
The jewel of Jordan, the lost city of the biblical Nabateans, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World – Petra is a magical hand-carved wonder. Today, you’ll have the chance to discover this sixth century BC masterpiece with your small group. Be dwarfed by the towering rock formations as you squeeze through a narrow path called the Siq until you reach the grand entrance of the iconic Treasury. Gaze up at the intricate carvings and details, and spend the afternoon exploring the site at your own pace. There’s the old Roman road, other temples and old tombs, as well as the rock-hewn amphitheatre to explore. For those feeling more adventurous, take a challenging hike up a set of stairs to the smaller but no less impressive monastery, taking approximately one hour. After arriving back at your accommodation, why not find a traditional bathhouse to rejuvenate after a day of incredible sightseeing.
Day 4 : Wadi Rum (B/D)
Follow in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia with a short drive to the extraordinary desert scenery of Wadi Rum – a rugged lunar-like landscape framed by huge sandstone mountains (approximately 2 hours). Head on a half-day jeep safari, taking you through some sublime scenery and uncovering traces of ancient civilisations seen in the many carved inscriptions found throughout the area, from pictographs to Thamudic, Nabataean and Arabic texts. The most enduring monuments in Wadi Rum are those carved by nature – natural rock bridges, towering rose-coloured sand dunes and scattered rocky peaks. Spend the night sleeping in a simple desert camp under a camel hair tent. Enjoy a delicious dinner cooked in an earthen oven by your desert dwelling Bedouin hosts, and soak in your truly unforgettable surroundings.
Day 5 : Aqaba - Transfer to Nuweiba (B)
This morning, leave Wadi Rum and make tracks for Aqaba (approximately 1 hour). You’ll have some free time in Aqaba today, and have the option of day-use rooms to freshen up and store your luggage. Early in the evening, bid your Jordan local leader farewell and transfer to Aqaba port to board a comfortable air-conditioned ferry bound for Nuweiba. Depending on timing, weather conditions and delays, this journey over the Gulf of Aqaba can take between 2.5 and 5 hours, so be sure to have a good book or device with you to kill the time. On arrival, meet your Egyptian group leader and transfer to your accommodation for a well-earned rest.
Day 6 : Dahab (B/L/D)
It's a short drive to the laidback resort area of Dahab – your base for the next two nights. Dahab, meaning 'gold' in Arabic, has gone from a Bedouin fishing village to a popular tourist town, thanks to the excellent conditions for activities like diving, windsurfing and rock climbing. However, the town hasn't lost its authenticity and lowkey appeal that’s attracted visitors since the 1970s. The rest of the day is free for you to take in the many treats this spot has to offer – cafes, seafood or some snorkelling in the Red Sea. Dahab is well known for its drop-offs – spectacular coral reef shelves that plunge into the vast blue depths of the ocean below. There are also plenty of relaxed bars and restaurants to sit back and enjoy good local food and some sheesha.
Day 7 : Blue Hole - Return to Dahab (B/L/D)
In the morning, why not strap on a mask and head to the Blue Hole for some snorkelling at one of the best diving spots in the world. The area gets its name from a submarine sinkhole about 94 metres deep, with an arch in the coral reef down at 54 metres – a challenge that’s only open to highly experienced technical divers. Snorkellers can enjoy one of the greatest spots in the Red Sea here. Float on the surface and look down into an endless world of blue, then make your way around to ‘the Bridge’, where the visibility is always great and the untouched coral swarms with all different types of colourful fish and marine life. After you’ve had your fill of snorkelling, return to Dahab for an evening feast at a waterside restaurant, or perhaps head inland to Assalah, where local joints serve up plates of roast chicken and falafel with some cold regional beer.
Day 8 : Cairo (B)
Today you’ll be able to experience the contrast between seaside Dahab and the wonderfully chaotic, always colourful capital city of Cairo. Transfer to Sharm El Sheikh Airport and take the short flight to Cairo (approximately 1 hour). On arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. Cairo is one of the great cities of antiquity and its history can be embodied by two of its imposing landmarks – the Pyramids of Giza and the Mosque of Mohammed Ali. Tonight, why not join your new travel mates for a celebratory dinner in the city – your local leader will know of some delicious places to eat.
Day 9 : Cairo - Departure (B)
There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time following check-out. While this trip doesn't include time to explore the sights of Cairo, it’s strongly recommended that you spend a few extra days to see more of what the city has to offer. If you would like to spend more time here, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability). You’ll see donkey carts alongside expensive cars, medieval slums and modern shopping malls, and the incredible Pyramids sit just outside of town. What’s not to like?
