Overview:
Embark on an unforgettable 13-day journey through the wonders of the ancient world, combining the timeless treasures of Egypt with the rugged beauty of Jordan. Your adventure begins with pickup from your hotel in Toronto and a transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo, where pharaonic history awaits. Marvel at the legendary Pyramids of Giza, the enigmatic Great Sphinx, and the priceless artifacts of the Egyptian Museum, before flying south to Luxor to board your luxury Nile cruise. Glide along the eternal river as your guide leads the group through the towering columns of Karnak Temple, the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and the riverside sanctuaries of Edfu and Kom Ombo. In Aswan, experience a traditional felucca ride and visit the breathtaking Philae Temple before returning to Cairo and continuing on to Jordan.
Cross into the Hashemite Kingdom to discover the rose-red city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage wonder carved into desert cliffs. Sleep beneath the stars after a thrilling 4×4 safari through the Martian landscapes of Wadi Rum, then explore the Roman ruins of Jerash, the Crusader castle of Ajloun, and the panoramic vistas of Umm Qais. With expert guides, comfortable 4-star and 5-star accommodations, internal flights, and seamless transfers throughout, this is the ultimate Middle Eastern odyssey.
Highlights:
- Marvel at the Pyramids of Giza and Great Sphinx
- Discover treasures inside the Egyptian Museum in Cairo
- Cruise the legendary Nile River in luxury
- Explore Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings
- Visit the riverside Temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo
- Sail aboard a traditional felucca in Aswan
- Experience the rose-red ancient city of Petra
- Enjoy a thrilling 4x4 jeep safari through Wadi Rum
- Explore the Roman ruins of Jerash and Ajloun Castle
- Travel with included flights, hotels, and expert guides
Route: Nile Cruise (5 nights) → Aswan → Cairo (3 nights) → Nile Cruise → Cairo → Petra (2 nights) → Amman (2 nights) · Day trips: Luxor, Wadi Rum, Jerash
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Your journey to the ancient wonders of Egypt and Jordan begins today. Make your way to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) for your overnight international flight to Cairo. Depending on your routing, you may transit through a European or Middle Eastern hub before continuing to Cairo International Airport.
Settle in for your long-haul journey across the Atlantic, with in-flight meals and entertainment provided by your airline. Use the flight time to rest, as an exciting adventure across two of the world’s most historically rich countries awaits you upon arrival. Overnight in flight.
Welcome to Egypt! Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, our representative will meet you after customs and immigration to assist with your transfer to the hotel. The drive into the city offers your first glimpses of bustling Cairo, a metropolis where ancient history meets modern Egyptian life.
After hotel check-in, the remainder of the day is at leisure to recover from your flight and adjust to local time. If you feel up to it, you may wish to take a short walk near your hotel or enjoy a traditional Egyptian meal at a nearby restaurant. Your guide will share details about the exciting program ahead. Overnight in Cairo.
Accommodation in the Hotels Below (or Similar, Depending on Availability at the Time of Booking):
In Cairo: Pyramisa Suites Hotel, or Ramses Hilton, or Steigenberger Pyramids, or Le Meridien Pyramids.
The quoted price for this tour includes accommodations in the hotels mentioned above or similar quality hotels.
If you prefer a higher quality hotel, we offer two options:
- Option 1: We can upgrade your hotel at an additional cost, which will be added to the total price of the standard package tour.
- Option 2: You can arrange your own accommodation during the tour. We will provide a new package tour price excluding the hotel accommodation cost. In this case, all other services included in the package tour will still be provided, except for hotel accommodation.
Please let us know your preferred option when making the tour request so we can adjust the price accordingly. If no change in hotels is needed and you wish to proceed with the hotels included in our package tour at the quoted price, you may book the tour directly online.
After breakfast at your hotel, around 8:30 AM meet your guide for a full day exploring Cairo’s most iconic treasures. Begin at the legendary Pyramids of Giza, the only surviving wonder of the ancient world. Marvel at the massive Great Pyramid of Cheops, the Pyramid of Chephren, and the smaller Pyramid of Menkaure. Continue to the enigmatic Great Sphinx, guardian of the Giza Plateau for over 4,500 years.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to the Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world’s most extensive collections of pharaonic antiquities, including treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun. Around 5:00 PM, return to your hotel with the evening at leisure. Overnight in Cairo.
Accommodation in the Hotels Below (or Similar, Depending on Availability at the Time of Booking):
In Cairo: Pyramisa Suites Hotel, or Ramses Hilton, or Steigenberger Pyramids, or Le Meridien Pyramids.
The quoted price for this tour includes accommodations in the hotels mentioned above or similar quality hotels.
If you prefer a higher quality hotel, we offer two options:
- Option 1: We can upgrade your hotel at an additional cost, which will be added to the total price of the standard package tour.
- Option 2: You can arrange your own accommodation during the tour. We will provide a new package tour price excluding the hotel accommodation cost. In this case, all other services included in the package tour will still be provided, except for hotel accommodation.
Please let us know your preferred option when making the tour request so we can adjust the price accordingly. If no change in hotels is needed and you wish to proceed with the hotels included in our package tour at the quoted price, you may book the tour directly online.
Early morning transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, meet your guide and begin exploring the ancient city of Thebes. Visit the magnificent Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex ever built, featuring the awe-inspiring Great Hypostyle Hall with its 134 massive columns.
Enjoy lunch before boarding your Nile cruise ship in the afternoon. After check-in, continue your tour with a visit to Luxor Temple, particularly stunning when illuminated at sunset. Connected to Karnak by the Avenue of Sphinxes, this temple was dedicated to the rejuvenation of kingship. Return to the ship for dinner onboard and spend the evening relaxing on deck as the Nile flows by. Overnight on the Nile Cruise in Luxor.
After breakfast onboard, cross to Luxor’s West Bank for a morning of exploration with your guide. Begin at the Valley of the Kings, the burial ground of pharaohs including Tutankhamun, Ramses II, and Seti I. Enter several beautifully decorated tombs cut deep into the limestone hills.
Continue to the dramatic Temple of Hatshepsut, the mortuary temple of Egypt’s most famous female pharaoh, rising in three terraced colonnades against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. Stop to photograph the towering Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues that have stood for 3,400 years.
Return to the ship for lunch as it begins to sail south toward Edfu. Enjoy afternoon tea on deck, watching village life unfold along the riverbanks. Dinner onboard. Overnight on the Nile Cruise.
After breakfast onboard, disembark for a guided visit to the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the falcon god Horus. This is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, offering a remarkable glimpse into Ptolemaic religious architecture and ritual.
Reboard the ship and enjoy lunch as you continue sailing south. In the late afternoon, arrive at Kom Ombo to visit the unique Temple of Kom Ombo, an unusual double temple dedicated to two gods: Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the elder. Don’t miss the small Crocodile Museum housing mummified crocodiles found nearby.
Return to the ship and continue sailing toward Aswan. Enjoy dinner onboard and a Nubian-themed evening entertainment program. Overnight on the Nile Cruise.
After breakfast onboard, meet your guide for a tour of Aswan’s highlights. Visit the Aswan High Dam, an engineering marvel completed in 1970 that controls the annual flooding of the Nile and created the vast Lake Nasser.
Continue by motorboat to the island temple complex of Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis. This beautiful temple was painstakingly relocated stone by stone to Agilkia Island to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.
Return to the ship for lunch. In the late afternoon, enjoy a relaxing felucca ride on the Nile, sailing past Elephantine Island, Kitchener’s Island, and the Aga Khan Mausoleum aboard a traditional wooden sailboat. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight on the Nile Cruise in Aswan.
Enjoy a final breakfast onboard before disembarking your Nile cruise ship. Transfer to Aswan Airport for your domestic flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.
The remainder of the day is at leisure. You may choose to relax at the hotel after your busy days of touring, or venture out to explore the lively Khan El Khalili Bazaar for last-minute shopping and to soak up the atmosphere of Cairo’s most famous market. The maze of narrow alleys is filled with shops selling spices, perfumes, jewelry, and traditional crafts. Overnight in Cairo.
Accommodation in the Hotels Below (or Similar, Depending on Availability at the Time of Booking):
In Cairo: Pyramisa Suites Hotel, or Ramses Hilton, or Steigenberger Pyramids, or Le Meridien Pyramids.
The quoted price for this tour includes accommodations in the hotels mentioned above or similar quality hotels.
If you prefer a higher quality hotel, we offer two options:
- Option 1: We can upgrade your hotel at an additional cost, which will be added to the total price of the standard package tour.
- Option 2: You can arrange your own accommodation during the tour. We will provide a new package tour price excluding the hotel accommodation cost. In this case, all other services included in the package tour will still be provided, except for hotel accommodation.
Please let us know your preferred option when making the tour request so we can adjust the price accordingly. If no change in hotels is needed and you wish to proceed with the hotels included in our package tour at the quoted price, you may book the tour directly online.
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and transfer to Cairo Airport for your regional flight to Amman, Jordan. Upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport, meet your English-speaking driver who will assist with your luggage and begin the scenic drive south to Petra (approximately 3 hours).
The journey along the Desert Highway offers views of Jordan’s varied landscapes, from rolling hills to arid plateaus. Stop along the way for lunch and a chance to stretch your legs. Arrive in Petra in the late afternoon and check into your hotel near the entrance to the archaeological site. The evening is at leisure to relax and prepare for tomorrow’s exploration of one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Overnight in Petra.
Accommodation in the Hotels Below (or Similar, Depending on Availability at the Time of Booking):
In Petra: Petra Moon Hotel, Movenpick Resort Petra, or Petra Guest House.
The quoted price for this tour includes accommodations in the hotels mentioned above or similar quality hotels.
If you prefer a higher quality hotel, we offer two options:
- Option 1: We can upgrade your hotel at an additional cost, which will be added to the total price of the standard package tour.
- Option 2: You can arrange your own accommodation during the tour. We will provide a new package tour price excluding the hotel accommodation cost. In this case, all other services included in the package tour will still be provided, except for hotel accommodation.
Please let us know your preferred option when making the tour request so we can adjust the price accordingly. If no change in hotels is needed and you wish to proceed with the hotels included in our package tour at the quoted price, you may book the tour directly online.
After breakfast, around 8:30 AM meet your professional local guide for a 3-hour guided tour of Petra, the legendary rose-red city carved into sandstone cliffs by the Nabataeans over 2,000 years ago. Begin your walk through the dramatic Siq, a narrow gorge with towering walls that suddenly opens to reveal the iconic Treasury (Al-Khazneh).
Continue exploring the ancient city with your guide, visiting the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs, the Roman Theatre, and the Colonnaded Street. Learn about the ingenious water management systems and trading wealth that made Petra one of the great cities of the ancient world.
After your guided tour concludes, the rest of the day is at leisure to explore further at your own pace. Adventurous travelers can climb the 800 steps to the Monastery (Ad-Deir) for spectacular views, or hike to the High Place of Sacrifice. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Overnight in Petra.
Accommodation in the Hotels Below (or Similar, Depending on Availability at the Time of Booking):
In Petra: Petra Moon Hotel, Movenpick Resort Petra, or Petra Guest House.
The quoted price for this tour includes accommodations in the hotels mentioned above or similar quality hotels.
If you prefer a higher quality hotel, we offer two options:
- Option 1: We can upgrade your hotel at an additional cost, which will be added to the total price of the standard package tour.
- Option 2: You can arrange your own accommodation during the tour. We will provide a new package tour price excluding the hotel accommodation cost. In this case, all other services included in the package tour will still be provided, except for hotel accommodation.
Please let us know your preferred option when making the tour request so we can adjust the price accordingly. If no change in hotels is needed and you wish to proceed with the hotels included in our package tour at the quoted price, you may book the tour directly online.
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and drive south to Wadi Rum (approximately 1.5 hours), the dramatic desert landscape made famous by Lawrence of Arabia. Upon arrival at the visitor center, meet your local Bedouin guides for a 2-hour 4×4 jeep safari through the Valley of the Moon.
Bounce across red sand dunes, marvel at towering sandstone mountains, and discover ancient rock inscriptions and natural arches. Stop at scenic viewpoints to capture the otherworldly scenery that has served as the backdrop for many Hollywood films. Enjoy traditional Bedouin tea at a desert camp.
After your desert adventure, continue north to Amman (approximately 4 hours) along the King’s Highway or Desert Highway. Arrive in the Jordanian capital in the evening and check into your hotel. Overnight in Amman.
Accommodation in the Hotels Below (or Similar, Depending on Availability at the Time of Booking):
In Amman: Amman Rotana, Corp Amman Hotel, or Toledo Hotel.
The quoted price for this tour includes accommodations in the hotels mentioned above or similar quality hotels.
If you prefer a higher quality hotel, we offer two options:
- Option 1: We can upgrade your hotel at an additional cost, which will be added to the total price of the standard package tour.
- Option 2: You can arrange your own accommodation during the tour. We will provide a new package tour price excluding the hotel accommodation cost. In this case, all other services included in the package tour will still be provided, except for hotel accommodation.
Please let us know your preferred option when making the tour request so we can adjust the price accordingly. If no change in hotels is needed and you wish to proceed with the hotels included in our package tour at the quoted price, you may book the tour directly online.
After breakfast, around 8:30 AM depart with your English-speaking driver for a full day exploring the highlights of northern Jordan. First stop is Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the world. Walk through Hadrian’s Arch, the Hippodrome, the oval Forum surrounded by columns, and the impressive South Theatre.
Continue to Ajloun Castle, a 12th-century Muslim fortress built by Saladin’s nephew to protect the region against Crusader attacks. Enjoy panoramic views over the Jordan Valley from its strategic hilltop location. After lunch at a local restaurant, drive to Umm Qais, the ancient Greco-Roman city of Gadara, perched on a hilltop with sweeping views of the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights, and the Yarmouk River valley.
Return to Amman in the late afternoon with the evening at leisure to enjoy a final Jordanian dinner. Overnight in Amman.
Accommodation in the Hotels Below (or Similar, Depending on Availability at the Time of Booking):
In Amman: Amman Rotana, Corp Amman Hotel, or Toledo Hotel.
The quoted price for this tour includes accommodations in the hotels mentioned above or similar quality hotels.
If you prefer a higher quality hotel, we offer two options:
- Option 1: We can upgrade your hotel at an additional cost, which will be added to the total price of the standard package tour.
- Option 2: You can arrange your own accommodation during the tour. We will provide a new package tour price excluding the hotel accommodation cost. In this case, all other services included in the package tour will still be provided, except for hotel accommodation.
Please let us know your preferred option when making the tour request so we can adjust the price accordingly. If no change in hotels is needed and you wish to proceed with the hotels included in our package tour at the quoted price, you may book the tour directly online.
After breakfast, check out from your hotel. Depending on your flight time, you may have time for some last-minute shopping or relaxation. Your driver will collect you from the hotel and transfer you to Queen Alia International Airport for your international flight back to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
Reflect on your incredible journey through the lands of pharaohs and Nabataeans, taking with you memories of pyramids, temples, the Nile, the rose-red city of Petra, and the vast deserts of Wadi Rum. End of tour services.
Inclusions:
- Round-trip international flights from Toronto (YYZ)
- 7 nights accommodation in 4-star hotels (twin/double sharing)
- 4 nights Nile Cruise with full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Daily breakfast at hotels
- 3 lunches during touring days in Egypt
- Domestic flights: Cairo-Luxor and Aswan-Cairo
- Regional flight: Cairo to Amman
- All airport and intercity transfers
- Professional English-speaking Egyptologist guides in Egypt
- English-speaking drivers with private vehicles in Jordan
- Petra visit with 3-hour professional local guide
- Wadi Rum 2-hour 4x4 jeep safari
- Felucca ride on the Nile in Aswan
- All entrance fees as per itinerary
- All applicable taxes and service charges
Exclusions:
- Egypt entry visa fee
- Jordan entry visa fee (or Jordan Pass)
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Optional tours and activities
- Lunches and dinners outside the Nile cruise (except specified)
- Drinks during meals
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Gratuities for guides, drivers, and cruise staff
- Early check-in or late check-out fees
- Anything not mentioned in inclusions
FAQs:
This tour includes international flights departing from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Travelers from other Canadian cities will need to arrange their own connecting flights to Toronto to join the tour.
You will stay in carefully selected 4-star hotels in Cairo, Petra, and Amman based on twin/double sharing. The 4-night Nile cruise is aboard a deluxe cruise ship with full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner included). All accommodations feature en-suite bathrooms and air-conditioning.
The tour involves moderate walking on uneven terrain, particularly at Petra (which requires significant walking through the Siq and beyond), the Pyramids, and ancient temple sites. While the pace is manageable for most travelers in good health, those with mobility concerns should consult with us before booking. Horse carriages are available at Petra at additional cost.
The most comfortable months to visit Egypt and Jordan are October through April, when temperatures are pleasant for sightseeing. Summer months (June-August) can be extremely hot, especially in Luxor, Aswan, and Wadi Rum, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C (104°F).
No special vaccinations are required for entry to Egypt or Jordan from Canada, but routine vaccinations should be up to date. We recommend consulting your doctor or a travel health clinic 4-6 weeks before your trip for personalized advice.
It is not recommended to drink tap water in either Egypt or Jordan. Stick to bottled water, which is widely available and inexpensive. Bottled water is typically provided on the touring vehicle and Nile cruise.
Egypt uses the Egyptian Pound (EGP) and Jordan uses the Jordanian Dinar (JOD). US dollars and USD are widely accepted in tourist areas, but it is useful to have local currency for small purchases and tips. ATMs are available in major cities.
Yes, single travelers are welcome. A single supplement applies for solo occupancy of a room. Please contact us for the current single supplement rate when booking.
Featured Hotels
Hotel options associated with this itinerary; the selected tour page and written confirmation control the included hotel and category.
View Featured Hotels (10)- Option 1: We can upgrade your hotel for an additional cost, which is added to the total price of the standard package tour.
- Option 2: You may request to arrange your own accommodation. We will prepare a revised written quote; each non-hotel service remains included only if expressly listed in the revised confirmation, and availability or price may change.
Hotels are subject to availability; alternatives of an equal standard may be provided.
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