Tour overview

This 15-day small-group journey links the great sights of ancient Egypt with the desert and Nabataean wonders of Jordan. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with local leaders in each country. You travel by overnight sleeper train, Nile cruise boat, private vehicle and a flight from Cairo to Amman, and stay mainly in simple three- and four-star hotels, with four nights on a Nile cruise, a night on the sleeper train and a night in a desert camp in Wadi Rum. Many meals are included, among them home-cooked dinners in Cairo and Petra, and an arrival transfer.

In Cairo you stand before the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx and explore the new Grand Egyptian Museum, home to Tutankhamun's treasures, before an overnight train south to Luxor. Here you board your Nile cruise boat and visit the vast Karnak Temple. On the west bank you see the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Kings, with entry to three tombs and the tomb of Tutankhamun, and the terraced temple of Hatshepsut.

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Cruising upriver, you visit the double temple of Kom Ombo, sail on a traditional felucca at Aswan and visit the island temple of Philae, before returning to Cairo for the Khan al-Khalili bazaar and a home-cooked dinner. A short flight takes you to Amman, where your Jordan leader meets you.

In Jordan you drive down the Desert Highway to Wadi Rum, the Valley of the Moon, for a jeep tour among its red sandstone mountains and a night in a desert camp beneath the stars. After a stop in Aqaba on the Red Sea, you spend two days at Petra, the rose-red city of the Nabataeans, with a guided tour through the Siq to the Treasury and a home-cooked meal. The trip finishes with the Crusader castle at Shobak, the mosaics of Madaba, the Roman city of Jerash and a float in the Dead Sea.

The physical rating is medium, with heat and plenty of walking at the sites. This trip suits travellers who want to see the highlights of both countries in one affordable journey.

Trip highlights

  • The Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum (Day 2)
  • Karnak and the Valley of the Kings (Days 3–4)
  • A felucca sail and Philae Temple at Aswan (Days 6–7)
  • A jeep tour and a night in a Wadi Rum desert camp (Day 9)
  • Two days in Petra (Days 11–12)
  • Jerash and the Dead Sea (Day 14)

Your route

15 stops from Cairo to Jerash

15-day route: Cairo – Luxor – Aswan – Cairo – Amman – Wadi Rum – Petra – Amman
  1. Cairo Days 1–2
  2. Luxor Day 3
  3. Edfu Day 4
  4. Kom Ombo Day 5
  5. Aswan Days 5–6
  6. Abu Simbel Day 6
  7. Cairo Day 7
  8. Amman Day 8
  9. Wadi Rum Day 9
  10. Aqaba Day 10
  11. Petra Days 11–12
  12. Shobak Castle Day 13
  13. Madaba Day 13
  14. Amman Days 13–15
  15. Jerash Day 14

Why choose this tour

Egypt and Jordan's greatest sights in two weeks, with a Nile cruise and a desert night. Small groups, local leaders and home-cooked meals with families.

Best suited to

  • History lovers
  • First-time visitors to the Middle East
  • Solo travellers looking for a small group
  • Travellers on a mid-range budget
The Treasury carved into the rock at Petra, Jordan

Day-by-day itinerary

15 days from Cairo, Egypt to Amman, Jordan

  1. Day 1 · Cairo Arrive in Cairo

    Transfer from the airport to your hotel and meet your Egyptian leader.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum Pyramids and museum

    See the Pyramids and Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum, then board the sleeper train.

    Hotel
    Overnight sleeper train
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Luxor, Karnak Temple Luxor and Karnak

    Arrive in Luxor, board your cruise boat and visit Karnak Temple.

    Hotel
    Nile cruise boat
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Colossi of Memnon, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple Valley of the Kings

    Explore ancient Thebes, including three tombs and Tutankhamun's tomb.

    Hotel
    Nile cruise boat
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Kom Ombo, Aswan Kom Ombo

    Visit the double temple of Kom Ombo and cruise on to Aswan.

    Hotel
    Nile cruise boat
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Aswan Aswan

    A free morning and a felucca sail on the Nile.

    Hotel
    Nile cruise boat
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  7. Day 7 · Philae Temple, Cairo Philae to Cairo

    Visit Philae Temple, return to Cairo and share a home-cooked dinner.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Amman Fly to Amman

    Fly to Amman and meet your Jordan leader.

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

    A jeep tour among the sandstone mountains and a night in a desert camp.

    Hotel
    Desert camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  10. Day 10 · Aqaba Aqaba

    Sunrise in the desert, then on to Aqaba on the Red Sea.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Petra To Petra

    Free time in Aqaba, then travel to Petra for a home-cooked meal.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  12. Day 12 · The Siq, The Treasury Petra

    A guided tour through the Siq to the Treasury and beyond.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  13. Day 13 · Shobak Castle, Madaba, Amman Shobak to Amman

    Visit Shobak castle and the mosaics of Madaba on the way to Amman.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · Jerash, Dead Sea Jerash and the Dead Sea

    Explore Roman Jerash and float in the Dead Sea.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  15. Day 15 · Amman Trip ends in Amman

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Carved columns at the Temple of Karnak

Where you stay

  • Cairo (1 night) Hotel
  • Cairo to Luxor (1 night) Overnight sleeper train
  • Nile (4 nights) Nile cruise boat
  • Cairo (1 night) Hotel
  • Amman (1 night) Hotel
  • Wadi Rum (1 night) Desert camp
  • Aqaba (1 night) Hotel
  • Petra (2 nights) Hotel
  • Amman (2 nights) Hotel

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

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation hotels, 4 nights on a Nile cruise, a sleeper train and a desert camp
  • Many meals, including home-cooked dinners in Cairo and Petra
  • Flight from Cairo to Amman
  • Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum
  • Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Tutankhamun's tomb, Hatshepsut Temple, Kom Ombo and Philae
  • A felucca sail in Aswan
  • Wadi Rum jeep tour, Petra guided tour, Shobak, Madaba, Jerash and the Dead Sea
  • Arrival transfer and local leaders

Not included

  • International flights
  • Egypt and Jordan visas
  • Meals not listed
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
A natural rock arch in Wadi Rum

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want luxury hotels — accommodation is simple to mid-range
  • You want a private cabin on the train — the sleeper is shared
  • You dislike heat — Egypt can be very hot
  • You want international flights included — they are not

Good to know

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Egypt · UK FCDO travel advice for Jordan
Feluccas on the Nile at Aswan, Egypt

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £3,395 per person, twin share, tour only. 156 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 Nile cruise boat like?

A comfortable cruise boat with en-suite cabins, a dining room and a sundeck, for four nights between Luxor and Aswan.

What is the desert camp like?

A permanent camp in Wadi Rum with simple tents or huts and shared facilities, under the stars.

Is the flight to Amman included?

Yes. You travel unescorted on the flight and are met on arrival.

Do I need visas?

UK visitors need visas for Egypt and Jordan. The Jordan Pass covers the visa and Petra entry.

When is the best time to go?

October to April, when temperatures are more comfortable.

How many people travel together?

Up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with local leaders.

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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