Tour overview

This 23-day small-group trip is an in-depth journey through Jordan and Egypt, from the rock-cut city of Petra and the Red Sea to the Nile, the Mediterranean coast and the sites of the Second World War desert campaign. Groups have up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with local leaders in each country. You stay twenty-two nights, mostly in clean, simple twin-share hotels, plus a desert camp in Wadi Rum, an overnight sleeper train, a Nubian homestay near Aswan and a night aboard a Nile felucca. Breakfast is included most days, with a Bedouin zarb dinner, meals with your Nubian hosts and on the felucca, and a day on a motor yacht in the Red Sea.

From Amman you travel to Mount Nebo, where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land, and on to Petra for a full day exploring the lost city of the Nabataeans. A night in Wadi Rum's desert of red sand and sandstone mountains leads to Aqaba and across into Egypt's Sinai, with two days in Dahab for snorkelling at the Blue Hole and a visit to St Catherine's Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai, built over 1,500 years ago.

Read more

In Cairo you have a free day and visit the Pyramids of Giza before an overnight sleeper train to Aswan, with time for an optional trip to Abu Simbel. A felucca sail brings you to a Nubian homestay, then a full day and night on the river shows rural life along the Nile. In Luxor you visit Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings, where more than 60 tombs lie beneath the desert hills.

Crossing the Eastern Desert to Hurghada, you spend a day aboard a motor yacht in the Red Sea Marine Park, swimming and snorkelling. Back in Cairo you explore the Islamic quarter, then follow the desert road to Alexandria for the war museum and cemetery at El Alamein and the Roman catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa.

The physical rating is medium, with early starts and simple accommodation. This trip suits travellers with time to explore both countries thoroughly, including places shorter tours miss.

Trip highlights

  • A full day in Petra (Day 3)
  • A Wadi Rum desert camp (Day 4)
  • St Catherine's Monastery (Day 8)
  • A Nubian homestay and felucca night (Days 13–14)
  • A Red Sea motor yacht day (Day 18)
  • Alexandria and El Alamein (Days 20–21)

Your route

22 stops from Amman to Cairo

23-day route: Amman – Petra – Wadi Rum – Dahab – St Catherine – Cairo – Aswan – Luxor – Hurghada – Alexandria – Cairo
  1. Amman Day 1
  2. Mt Nebo Day 2
  3. Dead Sea Day 2
  4. Kerak Castle Day 2
  5. Petra Days 2–3
  6. Wadi Rum Day 4
  7. Aqaba Day 5
  8. Taba Day 5
  9. Dahab Days 5–6
  10. St Catherine Day 7
  11. Cairo Days 8–10
  12. Pyramids of Giza Day 10
  13. Aswan Days 11–13
  14. Abu Simbel Day 12
  15. Kom Ombo Temple Day 14
  16. Edfu Day 15
  17. Luxor Days 15–16
  18. Hurghada Days 17–18
  19. Cairo Day 19
  20. Alexandria Days 20–21
  21. El Alamein Day 21
  22. Cairo Days 22–23

Why choose this tour

An in-depth trip through both countries, including Alexandria and the Red Sea. A Nubian homestay, a felucca night and a desert camp.

Best suited to

  • Travellers with time for a long trip
  • History lovers, including Second World War history
  • Return visitors to Egypt
  • Solo travellers looking for a group
A painted Nubian house near Aswan

Day-by-day itinerary

23 days from Amman, Jordan to Cairo, Egypt

  1. Day 1 · Amman Arrive in Amman

    A welcome meeting at 6pm.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Mount Nebo, Petra Petra

    Visit Mount Nebo on the way to Petra.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Petra Petra

    Explore the lost city of the Nabataeans.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Wadi Rum Wadi Rum

    A night in the desert with a zarb dinner.

    Hotel
    Desert camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Aqaba, Dahab Dahab

    Cross into Egypt's Sinai.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Blue Hole Dahab

    A free day, perhaps snorkelling.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · St Catherine St Catherine

    Drive into the Sinai mountains.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · St Catherine's Monastery, Cairo Cairo

    Visit the monastery, then drive to Cairo.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Cairo Cairo

    A free day in the capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Giza, Pyramids Giza

    The Pyramids, then the night train south.

    Hotel
    Overnight sleeper train
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  11. Day 11 · Aswan Aswan

    Arrive in Egypt's southernmost city.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Aswan, Abu Simbel Aswan

    A free day, perhaps for Abu Simbel.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Aswan Nubian homestay

    A felucca sail to a Nubian home.

    Hotel
    Nubian homestay
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  14. Day 14 · Nile Nile felucca

    A day and night on the river.

    Hotel
    Felucca
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  15. Day 15 · Karnak Temple Luxor

    Travel to Luxor and visit Karnak.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  16. Day 16 · Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings

    An early start for the royal tombs.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  17. Day 17 · Hurghada Hurghada

    Cross the desert to the Red Sea.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  18. Day 18 · Red Sea Marine Park Red Sea

    A day aboard a motor yacht.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  19. Day 19 · Cairo Cairo

    Return to Cairo and the Islamic quarter.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  20. Day 20 · Alexandria Alexandria

    The desert road to the Mediterranean.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  21. Day 21 · El Alamein El Alamein

    The war museum and cemetery.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  22. Day 22 · Kom el Shoqafa, Cairo Cairo

    Roman catacombs, then back to Cairo.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  23. Day 23 · Cairo Trip ends

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Boats in Alexandria harbour

Where you stay

  • Amman (1 night) Hotel
  • Petra (2 nights) Hotel
  • Wadi Rum (1 night) Desert camp
  • Dahab (2 nights) Hotel
  • St Catherine (1 night) Hotel
  • Cairo (2 nights) Hotel
  • Cairo to Aswan (1 night) Overnight sleeper train
  • Aswan (2 nights) Hotel
  • Aswan (1 night) Nubian homestay
  • Nile (1 night) Felucca
  • Luxor (2 nights) Hotel
  • Hurghada (2 nights) Hotel
  • Cairo (1 night) Hotel
  • Alexandria (2 nights) Hotel
  • Cairo (1 night) Hotel

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

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 18 nights in hotels, and 1 each at a desert camp, on a sleeper train, in a homestay and on a felucca
  • Meals 22 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 6 dinners
  • Private transport, overnight sleeper train and felucca
  • Mount Nebo, Petra and Wadi Rum
  • St Catherine's Monastery and the Pyramids
  • Nubian homestay, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings
  • Red Sea motor yacht trip
  • El Alamein and Kom el Shoqafa catacombs
  • Local leaders throughout

Not included

  • Meals not included 17 lunches and 16 dinners
  • International flights
  • Visas for Jordan and Egypt
  • Optional activities such as Abu Simbel and Blue Hole snorkelling
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
The red rock walls of the Siq at Petra

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want comfort — hotels are simple and some nights are basic
  • You want a Nile cruise ship — this trip uses a felucca
  • You want many meals included — most are free to choose
  • You want international flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–23 · Lunch: Days 13–14, 18 and 21 · Dinner: Days 4, 10, 13–14 and 17–18
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Egypt · UK FCDO travel advice for Jordan
Boats moored over Red Sea reefs off Hurghada

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,230 per person, twin share, tour only. 56 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.

What is the Nubian homestay like?

A night with a Nubian family near Aswan, with home-cooked meals and simple facilities.

What is a night on a felucca like?

A traditional sailing boat with mattresses on deck and all meals included.

Is Abu Simbel included?

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

Do I need visas?

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

Does the leader change?

Yes, a Jordanian leader hands over to an Egyptian leader at the border.

How many people travel together?

Up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over.

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

Similar routes

15 days · 7 departure dates

Jordan & Egypt: Petra to the Pyramids – 15 Days

From £2,750
9 days · 64 departure dates

Jordan & Egypt Express: Petra, Wadi Rum & Sinai – 9 Days

From £1,036
18 days · 24 departure dates

Egypt & Jordan with Flights: Nile Cruise, Petra & Wadi Rum – 18 Days

Flights included From £7,090 incl. flights
15 days · 162 departure dates

Discover Egypt & Jordan: Cairo to Petra – 15 Days

From £1,880

More tours in Egypt

22 days · 99 departure dates

Egypt & Jordan in Depth: Nile Cruise, Abu Simbel & Petra – 22 Days

From £7,794
16 days · 131 departure dates

Egypt & Jordan Small Group: Nile Cruise, Petra & Wadi Rum – 16 Days

From £5,018
16 days · 16 departure dates

Egypt & Jordan Family Holiday: Petra, Pyramids & Red Sea – 16 Days

From £3,055
15 days · 148 departure dates

Classic Egypt & Jordan: Nile Cruise, Wadi Rum & Petra – 15 Days

From £3,790
15 days · 64 departure dates

Egypt & Jordan for 18–35s: Cairo to Petra – 15 Days

From £1,382
13 days · 39 departure dates

Classic Egypt: Nile Cruise & Red Sea Stay – 13 Days

From £1,785

Combine with

Tours in neighbouring countries.

14 days · 5 departure dates

Budapest to Istanbul: Hungary, Romania & Bulgaria – 14 Days

On offer · save up to 20% From £2,787
9 days · 32 departure dates

Luxury Jordan: Stars & Desert Sands – 9 Days

On offer · save up to 20% From £4,050
8 days · 27 departure dates

North Cyprus on Foot: Kyrenia & Crusader Castles – 8 Days

On offer · save up to 20% From £956
8 days · 17 departure dates

Hike Morocco’s Anti-Atlas: Jebel Aklim Trek & Wild Camping – 8 Days

On offer · save up to 20% From £704

Explore more

From £2,230
See dates & prices