Tour overview

This 15-day small-group trip travels the length of Egypt's Nile and on to the deserts and ancient cities of Jordan, combining iconic sights with a night on a felucca and two nights at a Wadi Rum desert camp. Groups have up to 14 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout. You stay fourteen nights: eight in simple twin-share hotels, two on overnight sleeper trains, one on a traditional felucca on the Nile and two at a desert camp. Fourteen breakfasts, three lunches and six dinners are included, among them a dinner hosted by a Nubian family in Aswan, all meals on the felucca and in camp, and a home-cooked lunch with a family in Luxor. A flight from Egypt to Jordan is included.

From Cairo you head to Giza to see the Pyramids and the Sphinx, then take an overnight sleeper train south to Aswan, Egypt's southernmost city, where the Nile flows past Elephantine Island and white-sailed feluccas glide by. Free time allows an optional early trip to the rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel, before you board a felucca and spend the night sleeping on deck under the stars.

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In Luxor, the open-air museum of ancient Thebes, you visit the Colossi of Memnon and the Valley of the Kings, with tombs carved deep into the desert hills, and the great temples of the East Bank. An overnight train returns you to Cairo for your flight to Amman, Jordan's modern capital, steeped in history.

From Amman you head south via Aqaba into Wadi Rum, a landscape of red sand and towering sandstone mountains, for two nights at a desert camp with a hike and a break for tea with the Bedouin. Leaving camp by 4WD, you reach Petra, the rose-red city of the Nabataeans, with a guided introduction and a full day to explore on your own. The King's Highway takes you to the crusader castle of Kerak and to Madaba, and a final day visits Jerash, one of the grandest Roman cities in the world.

The physical rating is medium, with walking, early starts and simple accommodation. This trip suits curious travellers who want both countries' highlights at a good pace and price.

Trip highlights

  • The Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza (Day 2)
  • A Nubian family dinner in Aswan (Day 3)
  • A night on a Nile felucca (Day 5)
  • The Valley of the Kings (Day 7)
  • Two nights in Wadi Rum (Days 9–10)
  • Two days in Petra (Days 11–12)

Your route

17 stops from Cairo to Jerash

15-day route: Cairo – Aswan – Nile felucca – Luxor – Cairo – Amman – Wadi Rum – Petra – Madaba
  1. Cairo Days 1–2
  2. Pyramids of Giza Day 2
  3. Aswan Days 3–5
  4. Abu Simbel Day 4
  5. Temple of Kom Ombo Day 6
  6. Temple of Edfu Day 6
  7. Luxor Days 6–7
  8. Cairo Day 8
  9. Amman Day 8
  10. Aqaba Day 9
  11. Wadi Rum Days 9–10
  12. Petra Days 11–12
  13. Kerak Castle Day 13
  14. Dead Sea Day 13
  15. Mount Nebo Day 13
  16. Madaba Days 13–15
  17. Jerash Day 14

Why choose this tour

The Nile and Jordan's desert in one trip, with the flight between them included. Nights on a felucca and in a desert camp, with many meals included.

Best suited to

  • First-time visitors to Egypt and Jordan
  • History lovers
  • Solo travellers looking for a group
  • Travellers who enjoy simple, authentic stays
Camels before the Pyramids of Giza

Day-by-day itinerary

15 days from Cairo, Egypt to Madaba, Jordan

  1. Day 1 · Cairo Arrive in Cairo

    A welcome meeting at 4pm.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Giza, Pyramids Giza

    The Pyramids, then the night train south.

    Hotel
    Overnight sleeper train
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Aswan Aswan

    Arrive by the Nile for a Nubian dinner.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Aswan, Abu Simbel Aswan

    A free day, perhaps for Abu Simbel.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Nile Nile felucca

    Sail the Nile and sleep on deck.

    Hotel
    Felucca
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Luxor Luxor

    Travel by van to Luxor.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Colossi of Memnon, Valley of the Kings West Bank

    Ancient Thebes, then the night train north.

    Hotel
    Overnight sleeper train
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Amman Amman

    Fly to Jordan's capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Aqaba, Wadi Rum Wadi Rum

    Travel south to the desert.

    Hotel
    Desert camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  10. Day 10 · Wadi Rum Wadi Rum

    A desert hike with tea and lunch.

    Hotel
    Desert camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  11. Day 11 · Petra Petra

    A 4WD drive and an introduction to Petra.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Petra Petra

    A full day to explore at your own pace.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Kerak, Madaba Madaba

    The King's Highway and Kerak castle.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · Jerash Jerash

    Visit the Roman city of Jerash.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  15. Day 15 · Madaba Trip ends

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
A painted tomb in the Valley of the Kings

Where you stay

  • Cairo (1 night) Hotel
  • Cairo to Aswan (1 night) Overnight sleeper train
  • Aswan (2 nights) Hotel
  • Nile (1 night) Felucca
  • Luxor (1 night) Hotel
  • Luxor to Cairo (1 night) Overnight sleeper train
  • Amman (1 night) Hotel
  • Wadi Rum (2 nights) Desert camp
  • Petra (2 nights) Hotel
  • Madaba (2 nights) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 8 nights in hotels, 2 on sleeper trains, 1 on a felucca and 2 at a desert camp
  • Meals 14 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 6 dinners
  • Two overnight sleeper trains and a flight from Egypt to Jordan
  • Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza
  • Felucca sail and Nubian family dinner
  • Valley of the Kings and Luxor temples
  • Wadi Rum desert hike and 4WD
  • Petra, Kerak and Jerash
  • Leader throughout

Not included

  • Meals not included 9 lunches and 8 dinners
  • International flights to Cairo and from Jordan
  • Visas for Egypt and Jordan
  • Optional activities such as Abu Simbel
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
A Bedouin-style camp in Wadi Rum

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want comfort — hotels are simple and some nights are on trains and a felucca
  • You want a Nile cruise ship — this trip uses a traditional felucca
  • You dislike early starts
  • You want international flights to and from the tour included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–15 · Lunch: Days 2, 5, 7 and 10 · Dinner: Days 2–3, 5, 7 and 9–10
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Egypt · UK FCDO travel advice for Jordan
The Monastery at Petra

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £1,880 per person, twin share, tour only. 162 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Is the flight from Egypt to Jordan included?

Yes, a one-way flight with a 23kg checked bag and 7kg cabin bag.

What is a night on a felucca like?

A traditional sailing boat with mattresses on deck, all meals included and simple shared facilities.

Is Abu Simbel included?

No, it is an optional early-morning trip from Aswan.

Do I need visas?

UK visitors need visas for Egypt and Jordan. Check the latest requirements before you travel.

What is the accommodation like?

Simple twin-share hotels, two sleeper trains, a felucca and a desert camp.

How many people travel together?

Up to 14 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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