Treasures of Egypt & Jordan by Nile Cruise

Welcome to Egypt! At the Cairo terminal keep your eyes peeled for the Travel Talk sign for your transfer to the hotel. Freshen up and meet in the lobby around 6:00pm for an informal meeting with your guide and other tour members. Afterwards you have free time to start exploring vibrant Cairo or board a cruise for an optional group dinner.

Set your alarms for 7.30am and fill up on plenty of breakfast before a big day exploring Egypt’s iconic Ancient Wonder of the World – the Pyramids and Sphinx! Follow your guide for a tour across the ancient site to learn about the 4,600-year-old wonders. The journey continues with one of the most important museums dedicated to the ancient world – The Grand Egyptian Museum of Cairo. Home to over 120,000 ancient Egyptian relics and antiquities, this place will leave you in awe! After everyone has had their dose of awe, we’ll head back to our hotel for overnight stay.

Enjoy an early breakfast before catching a morning transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor. Arriving in the world’s premier open-air museum, we head straight to our luxury 5-star Nile Cruiser for embarkation and a refreshing welcome lunch on board. In the afternoon, we explore the spectacular East Bank of the Nile, stepping back in time at the monumental Karnak Temple Complex and the beautifully preserved Luxor Temple.

At 04:45 in the morning, we depart for the optional trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Abu Simbel. It is a must-do for all keen historians! At the end of our visit, we hop back onboard the coach and drive back to the Nile Cruise for the overnight stay.

Step off the ship after breakfast to discover Edfu Temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus and celebrated as the most complete and best-preserved temple in all of Egypt. Return to the cruiser to watch the scenic, palm-lined banks of the Nile slide by as we share lunch on deck. Relax into the rhythm of the river as we sail further south toward Kom Ombo, continuing onward to Aswan for a peaceful evening.

Today is dedicated to the treasures of romantic Aswan. Take a scenic boat ride to Agilkia Island to visit the enchanting Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and beautifully rescued from rising waters by UNESCO. Next, marvel at the ancient stonemasonry techniques at the Unfinished Obelisk, which would have been the heaviest stone ever carved had it been completed. Return to the ship for a relaxed afternoon on the water.

Opt for a thrilling early morning excursion across the desert to the awe-inspiring Abu Simbel Temples, carved deep into the mountainside by Ramesses II. Alternatively, spend a slow morning enjoying Aswan at your own pace. In the afternoon, wander the vibrant scents and sights of a local market or take an optional trip to a traditional Nubian Village. Before dinner, our luxury ship turns around and begins its majestic journey back north.

Spend a luxurious morning on the sundeck enjoying afternoon tea and panoramic views of the Nile Valley. Today we explore the unusual Temple of Kom Ombo, a unique double-temple structure symmetrically divided between the crocodile god Sobek and Haroeris, the winged god of the sky. After touring the ruins and the accompanying Crocodile Museum, return to your ship as we sail towards the Edfu and Luxor regions.

A dedicated day to absorb the culture of Luxor at your own pace. Enjoy a peaceful breakfast on board, then choose to join optional excursions to the colorful local markets, hunt for antique treasures, or expand your historical journey with additional temple visits. Tonight, celebrate the final evening of your cruise with a vibrant, traditional Galabeya party and a celebratory farewell dinner with your group.

Before final check-out, opt for a fascinating morning excursion to the Valley of the Artisans (Deir el-Medina) and the grand temple of Medinat Habu. Following breakfast on board, disembark your cruise ship and transfer smoothly to Luxor Airport for your flight back to Cairo. Upon landing, check back into your city hotel for your final evening in Egypt.

In the morning, we cross borders into the Kingdom of Jordan! After your flight to Amman, we head straight south into the spectacular desert wilderness of Wadi Rum. Also known as the Valley of the Moon, this Martian-like landscape of red sand and towering cliffs will take your breath away. We’ll settle into our desert camp, enjoy a traditional Bedouin dinner cooked under the sand and sleep under a canopy of stars.

Kick off the day with an included Jeep safari through the incredibly vast and rocky landscapes of the desert. In the afternoon, farewell Wadi Rum as we head towards the Lost City of Petra! Recognised as one of the amazing 7 Wonders of the World, the city of Petra is a serious sight to behold, carved from rose-coloured rock. Enjoy free time on arrival in Petra to relax and unpack before an optional Petra by Night tour in the evening for a magical first glimpse of the ancient city lit by over 1,5000 glimmering candles.

Get your cameras ready for a full day exploring all the sights of Petra. Be sure to pack comfortable shoes as there will be plenty of walking today. Follow your guide as they lead you towards the inner city to the Paraoh’s Castle, Triumphal Arch, Amphitheatre, Siq, Treasury and plenty more. Learn fascinating stories about the rediscovery of this ancient city lost in time.

Fill up on breakfast before a jam-packed day! First up we’ll visit the Shobak Castle, the first Crusader fortress in the territory of East Jordan (Oultrejourdain). Learn from your guide about the history of these ruins built in 1115. Then, hop back on board the coach as we head towards the lowest point of dry land on Earth – the Dead Sea! Also known as ‘Sea of Salt’, the Dead Sea is hundreds of metres below sea level and holds incredibly salty water that keeps you a float! Throw on your swimsuit, cover yourself in a cleansing mud bath and jump into the salty sea to bath in the natural minerals! Tonight, we’ll return to Amman.

Have your final breakfast on us and start bidding farewells to your travel mates before checking out of the hotel in Amman. Time to start counting days for your next adventure with Travel Talk!