Egypt & Jordan Cultural Tour: Cairo, Amman, & Petra - 7 days

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo

Welcome to Egypt! After arriving in Cairo — one of the largest cities in Africa and in the Middle East — you'll head to your hotel. You'll be free to relax and rest, or you could also start exploring the city, venturing out to try some local cuisine in one of Cairo's many excellent restaurants.

Day 2: See the Pyramids of Giza & Visit Memphis

After breakfast, you will meet your guide and travel to Giza, located outside of Cairo, where you will see the three major pyramids at its necropolis complex. Your guide will explain the history of the construction of the Pyramids of Giza: the Great Pyramid of Giza, Cheops, and the smaller Chephren and Mykerinos. Next, you'll head to Memphis, an ancient Egyptian capital, to see the Pyramid of Saqqara and the Pyramid of Djoser.

Day 3: Tour the Egyptian Museum & Islamic Cairo

Today's activities include the Egyptian Museum, which has a substantial collection of ancient treasures, including the tomb of King Tut. Then learn about Islamic Cairo at the Citadel of Saladin See, an important example of military architecture from the Middle Ages, and the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan, a monumental mosque that was built during the Mamluk period of the 1300s. Finally, hunt for treasures in Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, a souk in the historical center of Islamic Cairo, where you can shop for lamps, rugs, jewelry, and more.

Day 4: Cross the Border to Jordan

Today you'll catch a flight to Amman. Welcome to Jordan! You'll have some time this afternoon to explore this bustling capital city. Walk around in Jabal Weibdeh, the oldest neighborhood in Amman. There are lots of small side streets, shops offering local goods and produce to be explored, as well as many cafés and restaurants. Stop into the King Abdullah II Mosque and explore the Citadel with the Temple of Hercules, which offers a 360-degree view over Amman. It's best to be there during prayer time, as you'll hear the calls to prayers from the various mosques, creating a surreal echo. 

Continue to the Roman Theater, and then browse through the downtown souks. Head to Rainbow Street in Jabal Amman, filled with shops, restaurants, and shisha cafés. Finally, visit the Jordan Museum, where some of the Dead Sea Scrolls are on display.

Day 5: Experience the Ancient City of Petra

Today's the day you'll get the chance to experience the wonder of Petra, a historic city and archeological site famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. A nickname for Petra is "Rose City," due to the color of the stone out of which it is carved. Known as the capital city of the Nabateans, it's an iconic symbol of Jordan. UNESCO described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage." 

You'll walk through the mystic Siq ("the shaft"), a natural geological feature formed from a deep split in the sandstone rocks and serving as a waterway flowing into Wadi Musa. Then you'll reach the famous Treasury (also known as Al-Khazneh). Opposite the treasury is a viewpoint you can climb for incredible views from above. Then, you can visit the Street of Facades and walk through the Roman area, where you can climb up to the High Place of Sacrifice and follow the path to the Garden Temple Complex. If you have the energy, climb the 800 steps up to the Monastery, Petra’s largest temple. The view from the top is worth it!

Day 6: Go on a Safari in Wadi Rum 

On the last full day of the trip, you'll continue to Wadi Rum, also known as "The Valley of the Moon" due to its sandstone and granite rock surfaces. Inhabited by human cultures since prehistoric times, it's full of ancient rock paintings and majestic temples. You'll explore the area on a safari in a 4x4 vehicle driven by a local guide. Starting from Rum Village, you'll visit the best places of the Wadi Rum Protected Area, including red sand dunes, canyons, Nabatean inscriptions, bizarre rock formations, and huge rock bridges. Then you'll head back to Amman to enjoy one last night in Jordan before the trip ends. 

Day 7: Depart 

Depending on the time of your flight, you might squeeze in some last-minute sightseeing in Amman. Then transfer to the airport in Amman in time for your international flight. Safe travels!