Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Meals

14 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 9 dinners

Others

Complimentary Arrival Transfer Cairo - Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx Cairo - Egyptian Museum Luxor - Karnak Temple Luxor - Colossi of Memnon Luxor - Valley of the Kings (entrance to 3 tombs) Luxor - Tomb of Tutankhamun Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple Izbat Al Bayyarah - Kom Ombo Temple Aswan - Felucca Sail Aswan - Philae Temple Cairo - Khan al-Khalili bazaar visit Cairo - Home-Cooked Dinner Wadi Rum - Desert Jeep tour Petra - Guided tour Petra - Home-cooked meal Shobak - Shobak Castle Madaba - St Georges Church Jerash - Roman ruins Dead Sea - Visit and float

Accommodation

OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION: The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances. ACCOMMODATION STYLE: Some of the accommodation along the way is basic or simple, three and four-star accommodation in the Middle East (with the exception of Israel) is often not equal to same-star facilities in some western destinations. Rooms are clean and comfortable, however, you may note some small maintenance issues that have been overlooked, please assist us by bringing these to the attention of your group leader or local representative so that we can follow up with our hosts. Many restaurants and hotels do not serve alcohol for religious reasons or due to local laws. Breakfast is included in 95% or our hotels, pleaser refer to our daily itinerary for meal inclusions. TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS: Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multi-share basis. CHECK-IN TIME: Throughout the trip, we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination. Standard check-in time is 1400 hours. PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION: If you’ve purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (subject to availability), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights. SHOWERS: Showers at some hotels only have hot water at peak times (usually morning and evening). Outside of these times, you may need to speak to reception to obtain hot water. HEATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING: As a desert region, this part of the world has extremes of weather. Winter months (approx December to March) can be very cold. All of our hotel accommodation contains suitable bedding, and simple light bedding is provided during camping activities such as an overnight felucca, desert camps or at the Red Sea Beach camp stay. Most of our travellers find the bedding provided here adequate, but for your own comfort and if you are particularly sensitive to the cold, consider bringing your own sleeping bag, thermals, scarf, gloves and a warm jacket. Some of our guesthouses/hotels don’t supply heating. In many cases, this would be a major financial and environmental strain on our hotels and the local towns. Summer (approx June to August) can be very hot everywhere we travel, which means that it can be quite uncomfortable for those not used to the heat. Not all our hotels have air-conditioning, and in those that do, it’s not always functioning. ROOM ISSUES: If you have any issues with your room, please speak to the hotel and your group leader or local representative right away so that the problem can be addressed without delay. Hotel (8 nights), Cruise boat (4 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night), Desert camp (1 night)

Transport

SECURITY WHILE TRAVELLING: Occasionally you may experience a Tourist Police Escort in your vehicle and whilst not common convoys between select towns or regions are possible. This practice has been implemented by local authorities to monitor the safety and security of visitors to Egypt. OVERNIGHT TRAIN: On this itinerary, you will be travelling by overnight sleeper train. The sleeper cabins are about 2x1.5 meters and are 2 berths. There are 2 beds on top of each other. Pillows, sheets and blankets are provided. There is also a compartment next to the upper bed for luggage storage and a small sink. Toilets are located at the end of the carriage. Each carriage has 10 cabins which are all lockable from the inside. If you have booked a single supplement you will be assigned to your own berth. During your journey dinner and breakfast are provided however the meals are very basic and you may wish to bring along your own fresh fruit, snacks and water to supplement these. NILE RIVERBOAT: You will be staying on a riverboat for the Nile River section of this itinerary. The company we work with has a large fleet of boats and the actual boat can’t be confirmed until 30 days before departure. However you can expect the following facilities; restaurant, bar & sundeck. Most boats will also have a small swimming pool and in that instance, swimming towels will be available for use. All cabins have ensuites, air conditioning, and windows to enjoy the views of the Nile. Accommodation during the cruise is on a full board basis, often in the form of a buffet. Drinks can be purchased from the bar or restaurant. Bottled drinking water and tea and coffee are available but are not included so please ensure you check prices on board. Internet is mostly charged at an additional fee. We recommend purchasing a local sim card for your data requirements, please refer to the Communications section of this Essential Trip Information document. You will have the opportunity to disembark the boat each day as we explore some of the ancient sites included on the itinerary. The boat will also be anchored at port each evening. Only on the odd occasion would it sail at night depending on the water traffic at Esna Lock. Most often when in port there can be many boats and you may be berthed side by side with another ship. Riverboats have anywhere from 50-70 cabins and you will be sharing the facilities with other travellers not on your tour. Private vehicle , Plane , Cruise boat , Felucca , Overnight sleeper train , 4x4 Jeep

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Cairo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Cairo

Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Egypt. You’ll be met on arrival at Cairo International Airport and transferred to your hotel, before your Egyptian adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6pm this evening. Cairo is one of the great cities of antiquity and its history can be symbolised by two imposing landmarks – the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. If you have some time spare, perhaps get out and explore the busy city streets or visit the Cairo Citadel which dates back to 1176 and is home to multiple museums and mosques.
Day 2 Day 2: Cairo - Overnight Train
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Cairo - Overnight Train

This morning after breakfast you’ll see two of the world’s most iconic sights – the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Explore structures that have stood for over 4500 years and learn the history from a true local. For an additional charge, you may be able to go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (although occasionally it’s closed to visitors). The Pyramids complex can be very hot in the summer months and has little shade to protect you from the sun so prepare accordingly. Your adventure continues to the Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world’s greatest collections of ancient artefacts. Recovered from the tomb of Tutankhamun, the gleaming jewellery, golden death mask and gilded sarcophagi are an impressive site to say the least. It’s clear this pharaoh was prepared for a lavish afterlife! Take some time to freshen up back at the hotel before you board an overnight sleeper train to Luxor.
Day 3 Day 3: Nile River Cruise
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Nile River Cruise

It’s an early start this morning as you’ll pull into Luxor around 6am. Take advantage of the early morning peace by visiting Karnak Temple – a spectacular collection of temples, chapels and pylons that are perhaps the most impressive of all the Pharaoh’s monumental works. Learn the secrets of an ancient Egyptian sanctuary, which developed over 1000 years and was, at its peak, the most important religious complex in Egypt. Your leader will take you through some of the most incredible highlights, such as the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Great Temple of Amun. After exploring Karnak, board your Nile cruise boat and settle into your cabin. This afternoon you’ll have the option of heading off on a walking tour of Luxor and its bazaar with your leader.
Day 4 Day 4: Nile River Cruise
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Nile River Cruise

Today you’ll hop in a private minivan and discover ancient Thebes. Your first stop is the Colossi of Memnon – two 17-metre-high statues on Luxor’s west bank. Continue on to the Valley of the Kings. Buried under the arid hills are over 60 pharaoh tombs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings. With your leader, explore the place where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (16th to 11th century BC) were secretly interred for all eternity, and where discoveries are still being made. Your group leader will explain the history and legends of these remarkable people, and the significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics, still well preserved in the deepest tombs. Visit three of the royal tombs, including Tutankhamun’s tomb where he is buried, then continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut – a columned building set against high cliffs that create a spectacular natural amphitheatre. The afternoon is yours to explore. Maybe you’d like to shop in the market or visit the world’s first Mummification Museum, where you can discover the secrets of pharaonic preservation. This evening, set sail to Edfu.
Day 5 Day 5: Nile River Cruise
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Nile River Cruise

This morning, enjoy breakfast before setting off towards Kom Ombo. The temple of Kom Ombo, in the town of the same name, is an unusual double temple right on the bank of the Nile. This second century BC complex is unique because it has a mirror-image design, with either side dedicated to a different set of gods. One half is known as the Temple of Sobek (the crocodile-headed god of fertility), and the other half is dedicated to Haroeris (also known as Horus the falcon god). The whole temple is full of fascinating reliefs. You’ll explore Kom Ombo with your leader and absorb the history of the place, before having lunch aboard the ship. Sail onwards to Aswan, the home of beautiful Nile Valley scenery and significant archaeological sites.
Day 6 Day 6: Nile River Cruise
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Nile River Cruise

You have time this morning to explore or relax as you choose. Your leader can recommend one of the many optional activities that are available to you in this incredible location. Explore the picturesque city centre and its bazaar, opt to visit the High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk or feed your history needs with the Nubian Museum. Maybe you’d like to visit the breathtaking Abu Simbel – built by Ramses II, it was the gateway to Egypt for Southern Africans and its imposing facade clearly delineated the line between what was the Pharaoh’s land and what was not. With the four gargantuan statues of Ramses guarding the Great Temple, carved directly out of the mountain on the west bank of the Nile, this is one of Egypt’s most memorable sights. Late in the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely sailing trip on a traditional felucca before dinner on the ship.
Day 7 Day 7: Cairo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Cairo

After breakfast today, say goodbye to your nights spent on the Nile. Visit Philae Temple this morning, an island-based temple complex built during the reign of Ptolemy II (around 280 BC). These picturesque walls show hieroglyphic scenes from Egyptian mythology – when Isis brought Osiris back to life, gave birth to Horus and was mummified after death. Catch a short flight back to Cairo. On your return to the capital, visit the Islamic parts of the city and the frenetic backstreets of the bazaar with your leader. A labyrinth of narrow streets and passageways, Khan is one of the biggest and oldest markets in the world. The ’Khan’, sprawling around an old area known as Al-Azhar, is a quintessentially Cairo experience – a warren of alleys with stalls serving up a succession of intoxicating scenes. To celebrate your time in Egypt, join a local Cairo family for a delicious home-cooked dinner. The food and conversation will surely make for an evening to remember!
Day 8 Day 8: Amman
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Amman

This morning take a short flight from Cairo to Amman. You will be unescorted on this flight. On arrival at Queen Alia International Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel, ready for your adventure to begin at 6 pm with a welcome meeting for the next stage of your trip. If you arrive early, feel free to head out and explore – highlights include the citadel with its amazing sweeping views of Amman, the Jordan Museum, which is home to the Dead Sea Scrolls, or the Roman Theatre, right in the middle of downtown Amman. After the meeting, you may like to get to know your group over an optional dinner, or explore on your own and pick up a coffee from one of the cafes, partnering it with an ara’yes – a toasted sandwich filled with spicy mincemeat.
Day 9 Day 9: Wadi Rum
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Wadi Rum

After breakfast today, journey down the Desert Highway to Wadi Rum (also known as the Valley of the Moon) – a landscape of rugged sandstone mountains standing tall in an ochre desert. When you arrive, meet your Bedouin hosts then have some free time for lunch. This afternoon, you’ll hop in jeeps operated by the local community to venture into the desert – this is part of an initiative by the Jordanian Government to bring much-needed income into this region. Visit several of Wadi Rum’s distinctive rock formations and soak in the vast silence and spectacular desert landscapes. The Bedouins live in scattered camps throughout the area, and tonight, you’ll stay in one of these camps to spend an evening under the stars. If you like, you can take part in an optional Bedouin storytelling experience, which includes tea while a local woman (and her translator) tells a story about Bedouin culture, issues and traditions.
Day 10 Day 10: Aqaba
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Aqaba

Watch sunrise at your desert camp this morning, maybe checking out a few more of the local Wadi Rum sites if you have the energy. You’ll then depart mid-morning for the city of Aqaba on the Red Sea. Check into your hotel, then head out for a brief orientation walk of the town with your leader – the small Ottoman Mamluk Fort, dating from the 14th century and from where Lawrence of Arabia rode to Cairo, is worth a look. With great visibility and abundant marine life, this coastline is also an incredible spot for snorkelling, and the warm waters are host to clownfish, angelfish, sea turtles and corals. Speak to your leader if you’d like to arrange snorkelling, or simply head to the beach and soak up the scenery.
Day 11 Day 11: Petra
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Petra

This morning, enjoy some free time in Aqaba before travelling to the fabled city of Petra. Dating back to the 6th century BC, Petra is considered the crown jewel of Jordan, featuring an impressive series of tombs and dwellings carved directly into the rock. The site remained unknown to the wider world until 1812, when it was visited by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. In 1985, Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site and is one of the world’s most incredible ancient sites (as well as one of the Seven Wonders of the World!). When you arrive, settle into your hotel and check out the village before sitting down to a group dinner at your hotel.
Day 12 Day 12: Petra
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Petra

Petra is justifiably on most people’s list of ‘must-visit’ places. The iconic Petra view – the Treasury’s facade, seen from the narrow cleft known as the Siq – is arguably the single most striking sight of the entire region. The Siq leads through the rock and is sometimes only a few metres wide, with walls soaring up to 180 m on either side. Join your guide and explore the old Roman road, amphitheatre and several old tombs, before enjoying free time to experience Petra at your own pace. Maybe climb up to the Monastery, carved from a mountain summit, where you’ll find magnificent views of the entire site. To cap off a memorable day, you’ll be welcomed into a local home for dinner. On the menu will often be maqluba (a casserole with rice, vegetables and chicken which is cooked, flipped, then served with either yoghurt or an Arab salad with tahina sauce).
Day 13 Day 13: Amman
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Amman

After breakfast, drive to the ancient Crusader castle at Shobak, where your leader will show you the grounds, a small chapel and the original gatehouse. This ancient castle was originally built to protect the eastern flank of the Latin Kingdom and its trade routes to the sea before it fell to Saladin in 1189. Depart the castle and stop off at the viewpoint overlooking the Dana Nature Reserve before arriving in Madaba where you’ll visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George and see an impressive ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land. Arrive in Amman in the late afternoon, where your leader will recommend some great restaurants to sample the best of the city’s food scene.
Day 14 Day 14: Amman
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Amman

Take a short drive north to Jerash – once one of the grandest ancient Roman cities in the world and now home to some of the best Greco-Roman ruins. Jerash has a striking collection of archways, theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets, and is a beautiful place to spend a morning exploring. Then, drive to the shores of the Dead Sea – the lowest point on Earth (420 m below sea level). This isn’t actually a sea, but rather a super-salty lake (dead because of the lack of life in it) where the density of the water means you’ll go for a float, not a swim. The mud here is supposed to have healing properties, so why not cover yourself from head to toe for a nutrient-rich natural mineral mud bath. Spend some time relaxing here before returning to Amman for the evening. Maybe spend tonight at one of the many bars and restaurants in West Amman or ask your leader about the traditional cafes dotted around the city where locals spend their evenings.
Day 15 Day 15: Amman
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: Amman

Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around noon and you are free to leave at any time. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

+12

15 days tour

Classic Egypt & Jordan

This tour includes:

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Itinerary of your trip Classic Egypt & Jordan

Day 1: Cairo

Day 2: Cairo - Overnight Train

Day 3: Nile River Cruise

Day 4: Nile River Cruise

Day 5: Nile River Cruise

Day 6: Nile River Cruise

Day 7: Cairo

Day 8: Amman

Day 9: Wadi Rum

Day 10: Aqaba

Day 11: Petra

Day 12: Petra

Day 13: Amman

Day 14: Amman

Day 15: Amman

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