Journey Through Egypt & Jordan: Cairo, Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo, Visit Khan El Khalili Bazaar

Welcome to Egypt! Upon arrival at Cairo's airport, you'll be met by your guide who will assist you through customs and arrange a transfer to your hotel. Get settled in and rest up for a full day of sightseeing tomorrow.

 

If you feel like heading out and exploring, spend the evening hunting for treasures in the Khan El Khalili Bazaar, a bustling souk in the historic center where you can find lamps, rugs, jewelry, and more.  

Day 2: Great Pyramid Tour: Memphis & Giza

This morning you'll hit the ground running, meeting your Egyptologist guide and setting off for a tour of some of Egypt's most iconic sites. Start in Memphis, the first unified capital of the ancient world. Here you can visit the stepped pyramid of Saqqara, explore its 4,350-year-old tombs, and see the ancient hieroglyphics engraved on its walls.

Next, it's on to the Great Pyramids of Giza, starting with the pyramid of Cheops, the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Built as a tomb, its shape was intended to help the spirit of the dead pharaoh rise to heaven. Continue to Chephren to see the best preserved of the main Giza pyramids, and to Mykerinos, the smallest of the three. After seeing the magnificent Sphinx up close, it's time to head back to the city, where you can enjoy the rest of the evening in Cairo at your leisure.

Day 3: Cairo City Tour: Museums & Mosques

This morning starts with a tour of the Egyptian Museum. The finest collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world, it contains pharaohs' treasures dating back more than 5,000 years. The building is rectangular with a large rotunda on the ground floor containing massive exhibits, including colossal statues of Ramses II—get the best views by looking down from the upper galleries. The gold and alabaster trappings from the tomb of Tutankhamun (Tut) always draw crowds, too. Many of the Tutankhamun tomb treasures have been on display in museums around the world—including the golden mask—yet this one exhibit has always remained in Cairo. 

 

After stopping for lunch at a local restaurant, continue to another city landmark, the magnificent Mohamed Ali Mosque. Built between 1830 and 1848 by the architect Yousef Bushnak, the mosque's towering dome and minarets crown the Citadel of Salah el-Din. Wander the peaceful interiors and marvel at the creamy sheen of alabaster that coats its floors and walls. After a visit to Coptic Cairo to visit the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue, your guide will drive you back to your hotel for the evening. 

Day 4: Fly to Amman, Capital of Jordan

Bid Cairo farewell this morning, as a transfer takes you to the airport to catch a quick flight to the Jordanian capital of Amman. Upon arrival at the Queen Alia International Airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. The nation's largest city, Amman has been inhabited since the Bronze Age and is full of cultural and historic highlights.

Day 5: Tour Jerash, Aljoun & Amman

Start today's tour with a transfer north to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the Middle East. Spend time wandering the extensive site and be sure to check out the well-preserved remains of two amphitheaters, the north-south Colonnaded Street, and the Hippodrome (the site of ancient chariot races).
 
Continue to Ajloun, in the highlands, where you can explore the 12th-century Ajloun Castle, a fortress built to ward off the Crusader armies at the vital trade and pilgrimage intersection between Jerusalem, Cairo, Damascus, and Mecca. Roam the ramparts and enjoy the sweeping views over the Levant.
 
Returning to Amman, you'll discover the magnificent Amman Citadel (Jabal al Qal'a) and the 2nd-century Roman Theater, two of the most famous archaeological sites in the capital. Take some time in the afternoon to stroll amid colorful wares and aromatic spices in Amman's old souks (markets), before returning to your hotel for the evening.

As night falls, you have the option of heading to dinner at a local restaurant to sample Jordanian specialties like mansaf (rice topped with lamb and pine nuts), Arabic sweets, and mint tea. 

Day 6: Transfer to Petra via Mount Nebo, Madaba, Kerak & Shobak

After breakfast at your hotel, check out and meet your driver for today's journey south. Along the way, you'll stop at Mount Nebo, an elevated ridge of the Abarim range said to be where Moses took in the view of the Promised Land. Follow in his footsteps and look out at the Dead Sea and beyond, before making your way to the Memorial Church of Moses, a modern structure that now houses excavated relics from the region.

Back on the road, you'll continue to Madaba to check out its intricate Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, including the spectacular Madaba Map, the oldest preserved mosaic map of the Holy Land. Nearby, the Madaba Archaeological Park preserves the mosaic-rich Church of the Virgin Mary and artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic eras.

Carry on south along the King's Highway to Kerak to visit the impressive Crusader castle of the same name. Exploring the fortress-like structure provides an opportunity to experience the vaulted halls and passageways typical of the era, a remarkable insight into the architectural and military prowess of the Crusaders.

Then it's on to the ruins of Shobak Castle. Built by 12th-century crusaders, this fortress withstood attacks by Saladin until he finally overtook it. You can even see what is purported to be Saladin's simple throne in the catacombs, along with Islamic tablets and Christian carvings.

As evening falls, you'll reach your final destination for the night: the lost city of Petra. Get checked into your hotel, and rest up for tomorrow's excursion into this ancient wonder.

Day 7: Explore Petra, Evening Candlelight Stroll

Today you'll explore Jordan's beloved archeological treasure: the lost city of Petra. Known as the "Rose City" for the area's distinctive red sandstone, it's easy to see why Petra was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Its intricate architectural design is hundreds of years old, and remarkably well maintained. 

Enter through the Siq, a dramatically narrow gorge flanked by towering cliffs, and spend your day wandering at your leisure through Petra's seemingly endless temples, tombs, and colonnaded streets. Navigate the impressive water conduit system of the historic Nabataean city, paying a visit to Qasr al-Bint, a grand temple that was once the population's primary place of worship. After a two-hour guided tour, you'll have free time to explore the canyons and temples at your own pace. 

If you're feeling adventurous, climb your way up the 800 steps to the Monastery, Petra's largest and lesser-visited monument. For a stunning view overlooking the Treasury and jagged mountains beyond, hike your way up the steep stone-carved staircase to the top of Jabal al-Khubtha.

After a full day of exploring, return to your hotel to rest up and cool down before dinner. If your visit falls on a Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday, you can head out again after dark to experience an unforgettable Petra by Night tour. Stroll through canyons lined with thousands of candles to reach the illuminated Treasury, where live Arabic music sets the scene and a welcoming cup of tea awaits. 

Day 8: Free Morning in Petra, Transfer to Wadi Rum

After breakfast, your morning is free to discover more of Petra at your own pace, visiting any hidden corners and highlights that you may have missed. You can opt for another tour or even arrange for a guided hike along the back trail to Petra, starting from Beida and ending with dramatic views over the Monastery.

In the afternoon, your driver will take you south into the wilderness of the Wadi Rum, an expanse of desert dubbed the "Valley of the Moon" by Lawrence of Arabia. Along the two-hour drive, you'll pass through red valleys, rock canyons, and dunes to reach a Bedouin-style camp, where you'll enjoy a traditional meal and spend the night sleeping under the stars.

Day 9: Wadi Rum Jeep Excursion, Transfer to the Dead Sea

Early risers can start this morning with a breathtaking hot air balloon ride over the desert. After breakfast, you'll set out in a sturdy Jeep for an off-road excursion that takes you deeper into the UNESCO-protected Wadi Rum. Travel through valleys, rock canyons, dunes, and deserts, stopping to check out rock inscriptions and petroglyphs as well as majestic views. Spend a little time at each stop to hike and scramble and explore at your own pace. Along the way, you'll visit desert oases, see 2,000-year-old Kufic rock art, and learn about the history of the area and the local Bedouin culture. 

Other activities like camel and horse rides, hiking trips, and ATV excursions are also available.

In the afternoon, your driver will pick you up for the 4.5-hour drive north to reach the shores of the Dead Sea, one of the most spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes in the world. This landlocked lake is the lowest point on earth and the world's richest source of natural salts, hiding wonderful treasures that accumulated throughout thousands of years. 

After a scenic drive through a landscape of otherworldly, arid hills, you'll reach your hotel, where you can spend your final day in Jordan at your leisure—floating in the salty waters, enjoying a full-body mud treatment, or relaxing in the sun.

Day 10: Transfer to Amman & Departure

Take advantage of your last morning in Jordan with one more dip in the Dead Sea. When the time comes, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to the Queen Alia International Airport for your departing flight. Safe travels!

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