Jordan and Egypt: Ancient Ruins, Desert Dunes & Iconic Wonders

Get ready for an epic 16-day journey through the cultural and historical wonders of Jordan and Egypt, perfect for budget-savvy travellers....

Jordan, Egypt

Jordan and Egypt: Ancient Ruins, Desert Dunes & Iconic Wonders

DAY 1 Amman

Arrive at any time. After a brief welcome meeting at the hotel connect with new friends on an optional group dinner in Amman, or explore on your own before the adventure begins.

Administrative

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Administrative

Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends

Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.

Accommodation

Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

Nomads Hotel Amman

Hotel
DAY 2 Amman

It’s all about Amman’s culture and food today in an immersive experience of the must-see sites and best food in the city. After breakfast, visit the King Abdullah Mosque, then follow that up with visits to the Citadel and Roman Amphitheater before travelling to the local favorite hillside town of As Salt. Here, embark on a 2-hour food tour where you will experience first-hand typical Jordanian hospitality while sampling, and learning about a smattering of regional dishes earning you a memorable taste of As Salt’s rich culinary traditions. The remainder of the afternoon and evening will be free in Amman to do as you please.

Visit King Abdullah Mosque, Amman Citadel, & the outside of the Roman Amphitheater

Amman2h

The first stop on today's journey is the Visit King Abdullah Mosque, capped by a blue mosaic dome. Then, head to the Citadel, an archaeological site best known for the Roman Temple of Hercules and used by numerous civilizations since the Bronze Age. Then jump in a private vehicle for a ten minute drive to the Roman Amphitheatre to view the grounds from the outside. The theatre could once seat up to 6,000 people in its steep stairs.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Amman- As Salţ1h-1.25h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Cuisine

Your Foodie Moment: As-Salt Food Tour

As Salţ2h

Enjoy a 2-hour food tour in As-Salt, Jordan for an immersive culinary experience. Begin at a local eatery and sample some traditional Jordanian appetizers like hummus, falafel, and labneh. Then, head somewhere else for the country's national dish, Mansaf. There will also be an exploration of the local markets and spice shops. Finish the tour up with dessert before a refreshing cup of Arabic coffee or mint tea. The experience provides the perfect overview of As-Salt's rich culinary traditions.

Bus

Private Vehicle

As Salţ- Amman1h-1.25h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free Time

Amman

Travel back to Amman for free time in the city.

Accommodation

Nomads Hotel Amman

Hotel
DAY 3 Amman/Petra

Leave Amman in the morning and travel to the remarkably well-preserved Roman archaeological site of Jerash. Enjoy a 3-hour guided tour of the site and learn more about the history of this architectural marvel as you walk through the various public squares and plazas. Continue onwards to Petra where you will have free time to get settled in before dinner on your own.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Amman- Wādī Mūsá3h-4h240km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Landmark

Jerash Guided Visit

Jerash Governorate3h-4h

Take a step back in time visiting Jerash, one of the most well-preserved Roman sites outside of Italy. Wander amid its paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theatres, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains, and city walls pierced by towers and gates – all in exceptional condition.

Free Time

Wādī Mūsá

Wadi Musa is the closest town to Petra. Enjoy free time here on your own to get settled and explore a bit.

Accommodation

Nomads Petra hotel

Hotel
DAY 4 Petra

Today the group will hike from Little Petra along the ancient backdoor trail to the iconic masterpiece of Petra. The trail comes out near the Monastery where you can enjoy a boxed lunch overlooking the image most people come to Jordan searching for. Drive back to the hotel and have a free rest of the day to explore on your own or relax on the rooftop as the sun goes down past the horizon.

Landmark

Siq al-Barid (Little Petra) Visit

Wādī Mūsá3h

Explore the narrow alleyway with tall cliff walls and carved rock of Little Petra, which is similar to its larger namesake. Just 9km (5.6 mi) from Wadi Musa, it's worth the visit.

Little Petra Hike & Guided Visit to Petra

Petra5h-7h13km

Start today's hike along the back door trail to Petra. You'll visit the often overlooked, but unique and charming Little Petra and then embark along the ancient trail that leads to the back entry into Petra via the Monastery. Sit down for a picnic lunch overlooking the splendor before exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wind through the Siq, a narrow, 1km-long gorge flanked by these soaring sandstone walls standing 80m-high and catch a glimpse of this magnificent creation, the famed treasury of Petra. Explore in depth with your CEO and get a brief history of the city, one of the greatest attractions in the Middle East. The Nabateans carved this capital from the living rock of the surrounding mountains in Petra. Visit monuments that include the Pharaoh's Castle, the triumphal arch, the amphitheatre, and the monastery.

Free Time

Wādī MūsáEVENING

After a full day of exploring Petra and the surroundings, you will have free time back in Wadi Musa at the hotel. Choose to grab a few drinks at a nearby rooftop and find a local spot for dinner.

Accommodation

Nomads Petra hotel

Hotel
DAY 5 Petra/Wadi Rum

You’re in for an unforgettable experience on a sunrise visit to Petra to witness this famous archaeological site as the morning light crests over the sandstone cliffs. Travel back to the hotel for breakfast and then depart for the ‘Valley of the Moon’ or more commonly known as Wadi Rum. Upon arrival hop on a 4x4 and ride deep into the natural beauty and unique landscape of red sand dunes to reach your private camp amid the dunes. Take some time to get settled here and have a group dinner at camp before a walking tour for some stargazing in a sky with very little light pollution. An epic day for sure!

Landmark

Petra Sunrise

Petra1.5h-2h

Visit Petra one last time for an impressive sight of sunrise above The Treasury. Truly the best time to see Petra in all its glory, you will experience far fewer visitors at this early hour. Sit down, take it all in, and feel how the string of time pulls thinner while the sun lights up the sandstone cliffs in an ethereal glow.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Petra- Wadi Rum2h-2.5h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Nature

4x4 Desert Trip

Wadi Rum

Head deep into the desert by 4x4 and enjoy the amazing natural beauty and unique landscape on this unforgettable drive. Along the way drive up red sand dunes, view stunning rock formations, and visit ancient sites to view rock art and inscriptions.

Night Walk - Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum2h3km

Walk out into the desert from Wadi Rum and search for stars as the sun goes down and full darkness reveals just how many were there all along.

Accommodation

Harb Eco Camp

Hotel
DAY 6 Wadi Rum/Aqaba

After breakfast leave the solitude of the desert for a more lively time in Aqaba on the Red Sea. Upon arrival, the day is yours to do as you please. Choose to book a boat ride with lunch and snorkelling in the marine-rich waters of the Dead Sea, or stay on land and peruse the Marina Village, or the Aqaba Local Market. Dinner this evening is on your own.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Wadi Rum- Aqaba1h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free Time

AqabaHALF_DAY

Upon arrival to Aqaba there will be free time to enjoy all that the Red Sea has to offer. Choose to book a 4-hour boat ride including lunch and snorkelling gear. Or you could visit the local market for some local specialty snacks, and the Marina Village with all of its boutique shops. No matter what, the choice is yours.

1

Optional Activities - Day 6Show

Accommodation

My Luxury Hotel Aqaba

Hotel
DAY 7 Aqaba

Get out there and fully immerse yourself in the fun experiences Aqaba has to offer its visitors. Choose to purchase a full-day beach club pass which includes lunch and will let you be as relaxed as can be on the sand, the whole day belongs to you. You can also visit the sites in town that you didn’t get a chance to check out yesterday. Dinner is wherever you please, but a nearby restaurant with some live music and a fun local crowd sounds like a good idea!

Free Time

AqabaFULL_DAY

The full day is free to do as you choose in the gorgeous seaside town of Aqaba. Options include hanging out by the hotel pool, visiting the market or Marina Village, or you can book the full--day Beach Club Pass with inclusive lunch and really go all out for your final free day in Aqaba.

Your Big Night Out Moment: Big Night Out

Aqaba

Whether it’s a a local place with live music or a bonfire on the beach, celebrate late into the night with your new best friends.

1

Optional Activities - Day 7Show

Accommodation

My Luxury Hotel Aqaba

Hotel
DAY 8 Aqaba/Mādabā

Leave Aqaba and the Red Sea behind today and travel to Madaba and the salty waters of the Dead Sea. Along the way make a stop for a traditional Jordanian meal at the G Adventures-supported Al Safi Kitchen working to create a sustainable future for community members near the Dead Sea. Then, it’s the moment many have been waiting for, a soak and float in the healing waters of the sea. Search for salt chunks bobbing nearby and rub the medicinal mud on your skin. Visit St George Church next, where you will see some of the finest Byzantine mosaics in the world. Spend a free evening in Madaba before an optional dinner with the group

Bus

Private Vehicle

Aqaba- Mādabā3h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle. There will be a stop along the way for lunch at a G Adventures-supported initiative.

People

Your G for Good Moment: Al Safi Community Lunch

Jordan Valley

Stop for lunch at Al Safi Kitchen to enjoy a traditional Jordanian meal. Take a tour of the grounds, taste a delicious meal with the freshest ingredients from Safi’s farms, and learn about how this nonprofit is working to create a sustainable future for community members near the Dead Sea. The mission of the company is to raise awareness about the importance of cultural heritage and natural resources of the area. They also offer equal job opportunities for all members of the local community.

Nature

Dead Sea Visit

Dead Sea

Discover the legendary healing qualities of the Dead Sea, famous for its unique mineral makeup and salinity. Spot salt chunks drifting by like icebergs on the water’s surface. Take a dip yourself and float like a buoy or cover yourself in the mud along the shore, believed to have medicinal and therapeutic benefits. There are showers nearby to wash off after.

Land Tour

Madaba Mosaics Guided Tour

Mādabā

Explore Madaba’s long history on this guided tour, including its role as the centre of early Christianity. See some of the finest Byzantine mosaics in the world, including the famous sixth-century mosaic map of the Middle East. Tour churches, the Archaeological Park, and the local museum that's housed in several old Madaba residences.

Accommodation

Rumman Hotel Madaba

Hotel
DAY 9 Mādabā/Cairo

Transfer from Madaba to Amman in the morning and catch a flight to Cairo for the next leg of this epic adventure. Spend a free evening in the city and attend an optional group dinner.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Mādabā- Amman1h

Sit back and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private transport back to Amman from Madaba.

Air

Plane

Amman- Cairo1.5h

Sit back and enjoy your flight from Amman to Cairo for the next leg of your adventure.

Free Time

Cairo

Enjoy some free time in Cairo to explore on your own before an optional group dinner in the evening.

Accommodation

Pharaohs Hotel Cairo

Hotel
DAY 10 Cairo/Aswān

Enjoy a guided tour of the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Then, take an orientation tour through the narrow alleys of the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, with free time for shopping or people watching from a shisha café. Overnight sleeper train to Aswan. For lunch, why not go local with a couple of falafel sandwiches, or take the chance to find out what kushari tastes like? In the evening, board an overnight train to Aswan. The overnight train is a modern air-conditioned sleeper, with twin-berth beds. There is no shower in the cabin, but each cabin does have a sink. The shared toilet is at the end of each carriage. A basic airline-style tray meal for dinner and breakfast is included. Attendants can serve drinks in your compartment at extra cost or there is a bar car for socializing.

Land Tour

Great Pyramid of Giza and Sphinx Tour

Cairo

Enjoy a tour of the magnificent great pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx. No matter how many photos or documentaries you have seen, the first glimpse of these marvels of the ancient world will take your breath away. As a qualified Egyptologist, your CEO has all the facts about these massive structures.

Land Tour

Khan el-Khalili Bazaar Orientation Walk

Cairo3h-4h

Head to the Khan el-Khalili bazaar in downtown Cairo for an orientation walk with the CEO. Learn the best places to buy various things, and opt to enjoy a hookah and a cup of tea in a cafe. Enjoy free time to stroll and shop the narrow pathways.

Rail

Overnight Train (beds)

Cairo- Aswān12h

Stretch out and get some well-earned rest en route to the next stop.

2

Optional Activities - Day 10Show

DAY 11 Aswān

Free morning to explore Aswan. Opt to wander through the souk at your own pace or visit the famous Philae Temple, it's your choice. In the afternoon, board a boat and cruise down the Nile. Visit a Nubian village and enjoy a home-cooked dinner with locals. Our train is due to arrive in Aswan early in the morning, but, trains can often be delayed.

Free Time

AswānMORNING

Head out and explore this sleepy town.

People

Your Local Living Moment: Boat ride to Nubian Village with Traditional Meal

Aswān1h-3h

Board a local boat, to take a trip along the magnificent Nile, with views of the Aga Khan Mausoleum and Kitchener Island. Stop on one of the inhabited Nile islands in this area, to tour a local Nubian village. Walk through the village and fields and learn more about the life of the Nubian people before enjoying a delicious traditional dinner at a local home.

1

Optional Activities - Day 11Show

Accommodation

Obelisk Hotel Aswan

Hotel
DAY 12 Aswān

Spend the day exploring Aswan. Spend another day exploring Aswan. Opt to visit one of the most fascinating sights in the area, the Temple of Abu Simbel. Or continue exploring the city to learn more about Aswan's local people. In the evening choose to book the Philae Temple Sound and Light Show.

Free Time

AswānFULL_DAY

Explore Aswan or go further afield.

2

Optional Activities - Day 12Show

Accommodation

Obelisk Hotel Aswan

Hotel
DAY 13 Aswān/Luxor

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Ride on a Felucca to Aswan Bridge, where we will disembark and transfer to Kom Umbo. Later visit Kom Umbo temple before transferring to Luxor. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the local market where you can try some local specialties. Feluccas are very basic traditional Nile sailboats and make for an extremely relaxing and enjoyable way to travel down the river.

Landmark

Kom Ombo Temple Visit

Kom Ombo1h-2h

Enjoy a visit to this temple located in a scenic spot, right on the banks of the Nile. It was dedicated to the crocodile god, and you can still see the remains of an ancient mummified crocodile that was worshipped here thousands of years ago.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Kom Ombo- Luxor3h205km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Aswān- Kom Ombo0.75h-1h37km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Water Tour

Felucca Ride to Aswan Bridge

Aswān4h

Board a felucca (local boat), to take a trip along the magnificent Nile, with views of the city. Journey 4 hours on the water to Aswan Bridge. Lunch will be served on board.

Accommodation

Susanna Hotel Luxor

Hotel
DAY 14 Luxor

Enjoy a full free day to explore Luxor. Opt to set off on a guided visit to the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank of Luxor excursion. Or choose to discover the city at your own pace, by wandering through the local bazaars or visiting a museum—the choice is yours!

Free Time

LuxorAFTERNOON

Start exploring Luxor.

2

Optional Activities - Day 14Show

Accommodation

Susanna Hotel Luxor

Hotel
DAY 15 Luxor/Cairo

After breakfast the group will sail by ferry to the West Bank to meet our student-guide. Together we will bike through the village and visit the Funtasia Project Center where the group will learn about the Planeterra project at this location over tea with our guide. Afterwards, cycle back to the waterfront and board the ferry to travel back across the Nile. Spend a free afternoon in Luxor at your leisure, or choose to join the East Bank optional excursion. In the evening board an overnight train back to Cairo. In the evening, board an overnight train back to Cairo. The overnight train is a modern air-conditioned sleeper, with twin-berth beds. There is no shower in the cabin, but each cabin does have a sink. The shared toilet is at the end of each carriage. A basic airline-style tray meal for dinner and breakfast is included. Attendants can serve drinks in your compartment at extra cost or there is a bar car for socializing.

People

Your G for Good Moment: Funtasia Project Visit

Luxor1h-1.5h

Funtasia is a local nonprofit that works with young people in the West Bank of Luxor to develop life skills and social consciousness. They work with youth in an after school programs that teaches art, communication, and social skills. After breakfast the group will sail by ferry to the West Bank to meet our student-guide. Together we will bike through the village and visit the Funtasia Project Center where the group will learn about the Planeterra project at this location over tea with our guide. Afterward cycle back to the waterfront to board the ferry back to the East Bank.

Free Time

LuxorHALF_DAY

Enjoy a free day to explore Luxor and beyond.

Rail

Overnight Train (beds)

Luxor- Cairo9.5h

Stretch out and get some well-earned rest en route to the next stop.

3

Optional Activities - Day 15Show

DAY 16 Cairo

Tour ends upon arrival.

Administrative

Departure Day

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.

1

Optional Activities - Day 16Show

Day
chat