Meals

14 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners

Others

Cairo - Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx Aswan - Kayaking Aswan - Orientation walk & bazaar visit Nile - Felucca overnight sailing trip Nile - Dinner and Music Felucca Luxor - Valley of the Kings (entrance to 3 tombs) Cairo - Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar Amman -Guided Walking Tour Wadi Rum - Bedouin Desert Camp Wadi Rum - 4WD jeep safari Wadi Rum - Guided hike Petra - Leader-led tour of Petra Petra - Two-Day Pass Dead Sea - Visit and Swim Madaba - St Georges Church

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. This trip is made of two smaller trips connected by an international flight. You will be travelling with different Leaders on each trip who are local to their destination. You will not have an accompanying Leader during your flight.

Transport

There are some long travel days and some rough travelling in areas away from main tourist routes. Windy roads, rough surfaces and cramped conditions make for some challenging travel experiences. On some long travel days we depart early in the morning to ensure we optimise our time at our next destination. If you experience travel sickness we recommend you consider medication to help ease the discomfort. 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. 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. Private bus , Overnight train , Felucca , Jeep , Plane

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. Overnight train (2 nights), Hotel (9 nights), Felucca (1 night), Desert Camp (2 nights)

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

Day 1: Cairo

Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome to Egypt. If you arrive in Cairo with time to spare, maybe immerse yourself in the madness of the bazaars, embrace the kitsch world of Dr Ragab’s Pharaonic Village or wash down the dust with a sahlab (sweet, hot custard drink with nuts). Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. After, put your tastebuds into overdrive as you head out with your new travel buddies for some koshari (vegetarian Egyptian chilli often with fresh lemon juice). Later tonight, maybe explore Cairo’s nightlife – your trip leader will know all the best spots!
Day 2 Day 2: Cairo/Pyramids/Sphinx
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Cairo/Pyramids/Sphinx

After breakfast this morning, it’s time to tick something huge off your bucket list. Drive out to the edge of the desert and explore the Great Pyramids of Giza – one of the famed ancient Wonders of the World – and the nearby Sphinx (nobody’s quite sure how it lost its nose). A guy called Khufu was responsible for building the Great Pyramid – it’s 4500 years old, 146 m tall, and made from 2.3 million blocks weighing around 2.5 tonnes each. He even got a 9 cm statue to commemorate him – lucky him! You can marvel at their size up close or take an epic pic from a distance, with Cairo in the background. Later, you’ll have free time to continue exploring how you’d like – maybe visit the Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world’s greatest collections of ancient artefacts, or head to the Valley Temple of King Khafre (Chephren). In the evening, it’s time for your sleeper train to Aswan where you’ll spend the night.
Day 3 Day 3: Aswan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Aswan

Hit the bazaar this morning on a tour with your leader. Among the friendly shouts of ‘welcome’ and ‘where are you from’ coming from the vendors, you’ll visit an oil and perfume merchant to learn how aromatic botanicals have been used in Egypt throughout the ages. Later, choose whether to join an optional tour to the Philae Temple Complex, where you can see the Temple of Isis (the goddess of health, marriage and wisdom) that was rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated in the 1960s. In the afternoon, grab a paddle for a kayaking adventure as you navigate the Nile. Float along the historic waters as you see the sights from a new perspective. For dinner, you can head to a Nubian village for an optional dinner with a local family.
Day 4 Day 4: Aswan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Aswan

This morning is yours to spend as you please in Aswan. If you can manage a (very) early start, the optional drive to the epic Abu Simbel is well worth the sleepy eyes – cut out of a solid rock cliff, this temple is a historic site built as a place of worship to Pharaoh Ramses II after his death. Renting a minivan with your fellow travellers is the cheapest option and it takes about 3 hours to drive there. You’ll want at least 2 hours to explore, before heading back to Aswan for a free evening to hit the best dinner and drink spots. Maybe try some ful wa ta’ameya (Egyptian falafel) with a warm pita and salad, followed by another cup of mint tea.
Day 5 Day 5: Nile Felucca
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Nile Felucca

This morning is yours to relax and recharge. Then you’ll board an overnight felucca – a bit like a floating tent, this traditional Egyptian vessel is the perfect way to explore the Nile. Spend the late afternoon amid tranquil scenery, either tucking into a good book or playing cards with your group. Stop at a colourful Nubian village nearby for a stroll and discover what life is like for people living along the Nile. Depending on your group’s vibe tonight, you might like to have a little beach party under the starry night sky. Tonight, fall asleep to the gentle rocking of the boat, the warm breeze on your cheeks and the blanket of constellations above (there are no walls on a felucca, so your view will be totally undisturbed!).
Day 6 Day 6: Luxor
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Luxor

Disembark your felucca this morning and head for the sweet release of a hotel shower. If you like, you can check out the Temple of Edfu along the way, where inscriptions give insight into life during the Hellenistic period when the temple was built. Continue to Luxor, where you’re free to explore this open-air museum at your own pace. Karnak Temple is a good first stop – wandering through this ancient village is a cool way to get a sense of what life was like here more than 3000 years ago. Legend has it that if you walk around the granite scarab west of the Sacred Lake seven times, you’ll meet your soulmate. Tonight, maybe kick back with some fiteer baladi (Egyptian pizza) or shawarma.
Day 7 Day 7: Luxor / Valley Of The Kings
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Luxor / Valley Of The Kings

This morning, travel the short distance to the West Bank. Check out three burial tombs in the Valley of the Kings, with the option to explore the formerly lost tomb of Tutankhamun. Continue to the Colossi of Memnon, where two huge statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III will have you pondering whether posting selfies twice a day is really the height of narcissism. If your fellow travellers are up for it, you can choose to finish your West Bank adventure with an optional visit to the tomb of Hatshepsut – she became pharaoh when she married her half-brother (not all that uncommon at the time). If you’ve got any energy left, there will also be time to squeeze in a visit to Luxor Temple before your overnight train to Cairo.
Day 8 Day 8: Cairo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Cairo

When you arrive in Cairo, you’ll head to your hotel to freshen up and drop your bags. Then, jump on the Metro with your leader to Bab al-Futuh – one of three remaining gates from the Old City. Walking past the old Islamic monuments that stand watch over the bazaars, you can join in on some good-natured haggling at the Kahan-el Khalili bazaar, then head to El Fishawy. This ramshackle 240-year-old cafe is perfect for a cup of tea or a glass of cold water with lemon and mint. Tonight, you’re free to find the perfect spot for a farewell dinner with your group or to hit the nightlife and celebrate a trip well-travelled.
Day 9 Day 9: Amman
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Amman

Say goodbye to Egypt and fly to Jordan’s capital city – Amman. You’ll have another meeting at 6 pm tonight, but until then, you’re free to hit the streets. Why not make a beeline for Rainbow Street for a falafel and a shisha – it’s what the locals do! After something more substantial? Maybe have a cultured afternoon at the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, snap some pics of the city from the hilltop Temple of Hercules, or sweat it out in a hammam. After your meeting, why not get a group together and head out for the night on Rainbow Street – your trip leader will know all the best little bars. 
Day 10 Day 10: Wadi Rum
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Wadi Rum

This morning, take a walking tour with your leader around Amman, beginning at the hilltop Citadel, then following the edge of the walls down into town past the Roman Theatre, the Nymphaeum ruins and the Al Husseiny Mosque. Be sure to stop in at some nut shops or a souq for some snacks along the way. After lunch, drive to Wadi Rum. When you arrive, you’ll meet your Bedouin hosts, who’ll show you around camp and offer you many rounds of ‘Bedouin whisky’ (mint tea), so settle in for a night of traditional hospitality. This evening you’ll be dining on traditional Bedouin cuisine and sleeping in Bedouin-style tents. If you choose, you can even sleep in the open air, surrounded by the Mars-like mountains in the background. Fall asleep under a desert blanket of an undisturbed night sky, rich with stars.
Day 11 Day 11: Wadi Rum
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Wadi Rum

You won’t want to miss this – Wadi Rum rarely looks as fine as she does in the early morning. Wake up early to take in the sunrise, then it’s time to head on a 4WD safari. Jump in one of the jeeps and begin driving around the curious landscapes, passing by Lawrence Spring – a rocky landscape contrasted by a freshwater spring with panoramic views over the valley. You’ll also stop at Lawrence House – supposedly the house where Lawrence of Arabia lived and stored his equipment. Continue to one of the largest sand dunes in Wadi Rum and check out some of the famous rock bridges. The deserts around Wadi Rum have got a real otherworldly feel to them, and many Hollywood blockbusters have been shot in and around where you’ll tour today. Later in the afternoon, return to your camp and enjoy a second night of Bedouin hospitality.
Day 12 Day 12: Petra
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Petra

Today, farewell your Bedouin mates and journey to Petra – one of the famed Seven Wonders of the World. You’ll have two full days exploring Petra and its surroundings, so be sure to take your time exploring this archaeological site. Take a guided tour where you’ll learn about its thousands of years of history and the many films that have used this as a backdrop. You’ll get to follow in the footsteps of movie stars as you head through the site’s narrow siq (a narrow crack in the mountain) to Petra’s tombs, temples and rock-hewn amphitheatre. For those wanting to admire the ’rose-red city’ from a different angle, there’s also the option of hiking the Alkhobatha Trail (approximately 2.5 hours) where locals sell cold drinks in exchange for the best view over the Treasury – this is the best place to get your photos! After a day of exploration, the cave bar is a good place to relieve your parched throat and put your feet up.
Day 13 Day 13: Petra
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Petra

Today, you’ve got another day to explore Petra at your own pace. Maybe walk the road to Al Khanzneh (the Treasury) – one of the most impressive structures in the whole site. Or, if you didn’t make it yesterday, head up the stairs to El Dier (the Monastery) – this is a decent climb, but well worth it for the views. Other great options today are to hike to the royal tombs or visit the incredible Byzantine mosaics. Your leader will know all the good things to do, so feel free to ask them for help.
Day 14 Day 14: Madaba
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Madaba

This morning after breakfast, drive down the King’s Highway towards Madaba. You’ll stop along the way to check out the famous Dead Sea – the lowest point on Earth – where you’ll go for a swim (or float) in its salty waters. If you’re feeling a bit sore after your Petra expedition, the Dead Sea’s mud has known healing properties and will be sure to bring back your youthful good looks! After, swing past Mt Nebo, where you’ll have the opportunity to view the Promised Land, just like Moses did. Arrive in Madaba – the city of mosaics – and take a leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings. This afternoon, visit St Georges Church, where you’ll see the intricate mosaic map containing the oldest surviving cartographic depiction of the Holy Land and Jerusalem. Later, maybe head out with the gang for dinner – there are some awesome places to eat in this city and your leader knows all the best spots.
Day 15 Day 15: Madaba
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: Madaba

Your Jordan exploration ends in Madaba after breakfast today. Because there’s so much to see in Madaba and Amman, it’s recommended that you spend an extra day or two to check out what you missed. If you would like to spend more time here, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

+12

15 days tour

Real Egypt & Jordan

This tour includes:

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Itinerary of your trip Real Egypt & Jordan

Day 1: Cairo

Day 2: Cairo/Pyramids/Sphinx

Day 3: Aswan

Day 4: Aswan

Day 5: Nile Felucca

Day 6: Luxor

Day 7: Luxor / Valley Of The Kings

Day 8: Cairo

Day 9: Amman

Day 10: Wadi Rum

Day 11: Wadi Rum

Day 12: Petra

Day 13: Petra

Day 14: Madaba

Day 15: Madaba

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