Egypt's Pharaonic legacy meets Jordan's Nabataean rose-red city in the Middle East's most spectacular two-country journey. Pyramids, Nile temples, then Petra by candlelight and the still waters of the Dead Sea.
Your Journey Route
This fifteen-day circuit pairs the Pharaonic world with the Nabataean kingdom for the Middle East's most ambitious and rewarding tour. Egypt delivers the Giza Plateau, Memphis, Saqqara, and a five-star Nile cruise through Aswan to Luxor, before a short flight carries you across to Jordan. Jordan adds Petra, the rose-red rock city carved by the Nabataeans 2,000 years ago, and Wadi Rum, the vast desert that served as Lawrence of Arabia's battleground and more recently as the backdrop for The Martian. Two countries, two ancient civilisations, two kinds of desert, fourteen nights.
Met at Cairo International Airport, you are transferred privately to your five-star hotel. The evening is free to rest before a journey that spans two ancient civilisations.
A grand introduction to Pharaonic Egypt: the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, then the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Valley Temple, with lunch and time to take in the plateau.
A morning flight to Luxor, where you board your five-star cruise ship. In the afternoon you explore the vast temple complex of Karnak and the graceful Luxor Temple as the light softens.
An optional dawn balloon over the Theban hills, then the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, before the ship sails south through the afternoon.
The Temple of Horus at Edfu, reached by horse-drawn carriage, and the riverside dual temple of Kom Ombo, explored as the ship continues its way toward Aswan.
The island Temple of Philae, the Aswan High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk in its ancient quarry, followed by a sunset felucca sail around Elephantine and Kitchener Islands.
An optional early excursion to the colossal temples of Abu Simbel, then you disembark and fly back to Cairo for the final Egyptian night.
Coptic and Islamic Cairo, a leading museum and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar round off the Egyptian half of the journey.
A short flight crosses from Egypt into Jordan. On arrival in Amman you are met and transferred to your hotel, with the evening free to settle into the Jordanian capital.
You tour the Amman Citadel and Roman Theatre, then drive south along the King's Highway to Mount Nebo, where Moses looked over the Promised Land, arriving at Petra by evening.
A full day in Petra. You walk the narrow Siq to the great facade of the Treasury, then explore the Street of Facades, the royal tombs and, for the energetic, the long climb to the Monastery.
A short drive brings you to Wadi Rum, the Valley of the Moon. A 4x4 safari winds among towering sandstone formations and Nabataean inscriptions before a Bedouin dinner and a night under the desert stars.
After a desert sunrise you travel north to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, to float effortlessly on its mineral-rich waters and try the famous therapeutic mud before relaxing at your resort.
A relaxed morning by the Dead Sea before returning to Amman, with time to explore the old city or its markets, and a farewell to Jordan in the evening.
After breakfast you are transferred to Queen Alia International Airport for your onward flight home, two civilisations richer.
Sunrise over the Valley of the Kings from a hot air balloon. Temples, the Nile and the Eastern Desert spread below in the early light. The iconic Egypt photograph.
1,800 candles line the Siq to the Treasury on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Visitors walk through the canyon in silence. An extraordinary experience.
Float in the Dead Sea, one hour south of Amman, before your international departure. The lowest point on earth and one of its most unusual swimming experiences.
Cross from Amman to Jerusalem for a 2–3 night Holy Land addition. The Old City, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Western Wall and the Mount of Olives.
Upgrade the Abu Simbel excursion from road convoy (3 hours each way) to a private chartered microplane (45 minutes each way). Arrive at sunrise before the coaches.
A private sunset felucca sail around Elephantine Island in Aswan. The pink granite rocks, the Aga Khan Mausoleum and the golden cliffs at dusk are unmissable.
Yes. Egypt tourist visa is available on arrival at Cairo airport (US$25) or as an e-visa online. Jordan visa is available on arrival at Amman (Queen Alia) airport, or via the Jordan Pass. Both are straightforward and our team provides detailed guidance before travel.
By air. A short scheduled flight takes you from Cairo to Amman on Day 9, the quickest and most comfortable way to travel between the two countries. Our team handles the airport transfers on both sides so the crossing is seamless.
Absolutely. Ramesses II's four 20-metre statues cut into the mountain are one of the most extraordinary sights on earth. The interior is remarkably preserved with original painted reliefs. We strongly recommend adding the Abu Simbel excursion or upgrading to the chartered aircraft option.
On Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, the Siq and the Treasury are lit by 1,800 candles. Visitors walk through the canyon in silence to reach the Treasury, then sit for traditional music. It is an extraordinary experience but requires overnight in Petra to attend. Your Day 13 hotel in Petra makes this accessible.
Wadi Rum is a vast sandstone and granite desert valley in southern Jordan. Lawrence of Arabia operated here in 1917 and its landscape (vast red rock formations, sand dunes) is immediately recognisable from dozens of films. The Bedouin camp provides a full desert experience, dinner under stars and a genuinely dark sky.
Yes, with age-appropriate expectations. Jordan is very family-friendly. In Egypt, the Nile cruise is particularly good for children. The Petra monastery hike (800 steps) is optional, not compulsory. Children aged 8+ typically love both countries. For younger children, we can adjust the itinerary.
October through April. Both Egypt and Jordan are best visited in the cooler months. Jordan's Petra can be very hot in July and August. Wadi Rum is cold at night in December–January but comfortable at midday.
Yes. The Jordan itinerary can be extended to include the Dead Sea, Jerash (Roman city), or Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Contact us with your requirements for a custom combined quote.
Two ancient civilisations. One seamless journey. The Middle East's greatest double act.
Petra by candlelight. The Nile at sunset. Bedouin camp under stars. Deeply romantic.
Pharaonic Egypt and Nabataean Jordan: 5,000 years of extraordinary human achievement.
Reef snorkelling, Wadi Rum jeep safari, desert camp, Red Sea and sand dunes.
Every journey we build is private, guided and crafted around you. Tell us your travel dates and group size and we'll send you a personalised itinerary within 24 hours.
