15-Day Egypt And Jordan Tour With Petra

After breakfast, you travel to the Giza Plateau for your first major sightseeing day. Your guide explains the purpose and construction of the Great Pyramid, the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure before you walk to viewpoints across the plateau. You also see the Great Sphinx, carved from the rock and positioned beside the monumental temple complex. Time is allowed for photographs and for exploring at a steady pace.

After lunch, the day continues with a visit to another historic part of the capital, depending on the sightseeing schedule and opening arrangements. Your guide puts the monuments into context, linking royal burial customs with the development of the ancient state. Transfers between sites are by road, and the order may be adjusted to manage traffic and site conditions. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon or evening for a relaxed night.

You leave the capital by road for Bahariya Oasis, travelling through the changing landscape of the Western Desert. The journey takes several hours, with a break arranged along the way. On arrival, you meet the local desert team and continue by four-wheel-drive vehicle towards the White Desert. Wind-shaped chalk formations rise from the pale ground, creating an open landscape that looks very different from the Nile Valley.

The drive continues through the Black Desert and past areas of dry, volcanic-looking hills before reaching the white limestone formations. Your driver stops at suitable viewpoints so you can walk short distances and take photographs. This is a remote environment, so shade, water and sun protection matter. A desert camp or simple overnight arrangement provides the base for the evening, when the absence of city lights makes the landscape especially quiet.

After breakfast, you have time for a final walk among the White Desert formations before beginning the return journey. Morning light changes the colour and shadows on the chalk rocks, making this a good time for photographs. Your desert driver then takes you back towards Bahariya Oasis, where you can pause for refreshments and a more comfortable break before the long road transfer.

The drive back to the capital occupies much of the day. Roads in the Western Desert can make the journey tiring, so we keep the schedule practical and allow stops when needed. On arrival, you return to the hotel for the night. An evening flight or late onward transfer is avoided where possible, leaving you ready for the next day’s journey south rather than combining two demanding travel stages.

After breakfast, you transfer to the airport for the flight south to Luxor. A representative assists with the airport transfer and the arrangements on arrival. Once you have checked in or stored your luggage, your guide begins the sightseeing on the East Bank, where the temples of Karnak and Luxor show how religious and royal power developed over many centuries.

At Karnak, you walk through courtyards, pylons and the Great Hypostyle Hall, where rows of massive columns carry hieroglyphic decoration. Later, Luxor Temple is especially atmospheric as the route moves through its entrance, courts and colonnades. The two sites were once connected by an avenue of sphinxes, and your guide explains their relationship without rushing the visit. You then return to your accommodation for an evening at your own pace.

Your West Bank excursion begins after breakfast with a crossing of the Nile by road. The first visits focus on the Valley of the Kings, where tombs were cut into the desert cliffs for New Kingdom rulers. Your guide explains how the painted corridors lead towards the burial chambers, and you enter the tombs included in the day’s arrangements. Conditions inside can be warm and uneven, so take water and wear shoes with a firm sole.

The route continues to the funerary temple of Hatshepsut, set against the limestone cliffs, followed by the Colossi of Memnon. These large seated figures are a brief stop but help explain the scale of the ancient temple complex that once stood behind them. The timing is arranged to avoid an unnecessarily rushed visit. After lunch or a rest stop, you return across the river and spend the evening preparing for the journey to Aswan.

You travel south to Aswan after breakfast, either by train or by another prearranged domestic transfer depending on the final schedule. The route follows the Nile Valley, passing farmland, villages and stretches of desert. On arrival, our team transfers you to your accommodation and allows time to settle in. Aswan moves at a slower pace than the larger cities, and the river is close to many of the main viewpoints.

Later, you board a traditional sailing boat for a Felucca Cruise on the Nile. The boat moves with the wind when conditions permit, while the crew manages the sail and the route around the islands. You can sit on the raised deck, watch the riverbank and enjoy the change of pace after several road and site visits. The cruise is generally a calm afternoon activity, though the exact sailing duration depends on wind and river conditions.

An early start takes you to Abu Simbel by road. The journey crosses the desert south of Aswan and is arranged around the site’s visiting hours. At the temples, your guide explains the great rock-cut façades of Ramesses II and the smaller temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari. Inside, carved halls and reliefs show the political and religious messages behind the monuments. Photography rules can differ between areas, so follow the instructions given on site.

After the visit, you return towards Aswan or continue by a planned road transfer towards Hurghada, depending on the transport arrangements for the group. This is a long travel day, with comfort stops included where practical. The landscape changes gradually from desert and Nile scenery to the Red Sea coast. On arrival, you check in and have time to rest rather than adding another major sightseeing stop.

Today is set aside for the Red Sea and a slower morning. You can relax at the hotel, walk along the waterfront or join an optional boat or snorkelling activity if one has been arranged separately. The sea excursion route and schedule depend on local conditions, and the crew provides the equipment briefing before anyone enters the water. Travellers who prefer to stay on land can keep the day entirely free.

Hurghada is also a useful place to reset after the intensive temple and desert visits. Drink water regularly, use sun protection and follow your guide’s advice around boats, piers and swimming areas. In the afternoon, you can spend time at leisure or prepare for the next stage towards Sinai. Our team confirms the following day’s road transfer and departure arrangements so that the early start is clear.

You leave Hurghada for Sharm El Sheikh by road, crossing the desert landscape towards the Sinai Peninsula. The transfer is lengthy and includes comfort stops; the exact duration depends on traffic, checkpoints and road conditions. On arrival, you check in and take time to rest before the night’s mountain visit. Your guide explains the walking route, what to carry and where to wait during the climb.

The Sharm Mount Sinai excursion begins late at night or in the early hours, depending on the planned sunrise schedule. The ascent is on a rough mountain path and includes steps in places, so sturdy shoes, warm layers and a small amount of water are important. Travellers who do not wish to climb can discuss alternatives with our team in advance. After the descent, you return to Sharm El Sheikh for breakfast and recovery time.

After breakfast and a suitable rest period, you transfer to the airport for your journey from Sharm El Sheikh to Amman, usually with a connection if required by the available routing. Our team helps coordinate the airport transfers and explains the border or arrival procedures in advance. Once you reach Jordan and complete immigration, you continue to the hotel in Amman for check-in.

Depending on arrival time, your guide takes you on a gentle introduction to the Jordanian capital. You may visit the Citadel viewpoints, where the city spreads across a series of hills, and continue towards the Roman Theatre in the old centre. The pace remains flexible after the overnight mountain visit and flight. Any sightseeing not completed today can be adjusted without turning the arrival day into a rushed tour.

You leave Amman after breakfast for Madaba, a short drive south through the Jordanian highlands. The town is known for its Byzantine and early Islamic mosaics, including the famous map mosaic in St George’s Church. Your guide points out the surviving sections and explains how the map represents the region’s towns, rivers and religious sites. The visit is indoors and usually manageable at a relaxed pace.

The route then descends towards the Dead Sea, where the landscape changes quickly as the road drops below sea level. At the shore, you have time to experience the mineral-rich water and use the designated bathing facilities. Floating is different from ordinary swimming, so follow the local instructions and avoid getting water in your eyes. Bring sandals, a towel and sun protection. Later, you return to your accommodation or continue to the next overnight base.

After breakfast, you travel south to Petra, allowing time for the road journey and a short break before entering the archaeological area. The walk begins through the Siq, a narrow natural gorge with high sandstone walls. As the passage opens, the Treasury appears ahead. Your guide explains how Petra developed as a Nabataean trading centre and how water management made settlement possible in this dry landscape.

You continue on foot along the main route past tomb façades, the Street of Colonnaded buildings and the Great Temple area. The ground is uneven, and the full site involves considerable walking, so comfortable footwear and a steady pace are essential. Travellers can choose how far to continue according to energy and time. After the visit, you return to the hotel for an evening to rest, with the following day’s desert transfer kept separate from the main archaeological sightseeing.

You leave Petra after breakfast for Wadi Rum, travelling through the open southern Jordanian landscape. At the visitor area, you change to a local four-wheel-drive vehicle for a desert outing among sandstone mountains, red dunes and broad gravel plains. The route includes stops at viewpoints and natural rock formations, with time to walk short distances and take photographs. Your driver remains with the vehicle and explains the practical arrangements for each stop.

The desert camp provides a chance to experience the landscape after the road journey. Facilities are simple but designed for travellers, and the evening meal is generally served in a communal setting. Temperatures can fall after sunset, even when the daytime is warm, so pack a light jacket. Mobile coverage and electricity may be limited in parts of the desert. Keep essential medication and valuables with you during the transfer and overnight stay.

After breakfast, you leave Wadi Rum for the final transfer to Amman and your departure airport. The drive takes several hours, so our team confirms the collection arrangements around your flight time and allows room for traffic. If your departure is later in the day, there may be time for a final coffee, a short walk or a simple meal before heading to the airport.

At the airport, we help you review the next steps for check-in, luggage and departure formalities. Keep your passport, travel documents and any items purchased during the tour in your hand luggage where permitted. The programme ends with your airport drop-off, while travellers with later onward plans can arrange additional time in the capital separately with our team.