Highlights of Egypt & Jordan: Cairo, Luxor, Petra & the Dead Sea - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo (Egypt), Explore Coptic Cairo, Go on a Food Tour

Welcome to the bustling capital of Egypt, Cairo, where ancient history blends with modern life. Meet your driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in and refresh before your guided tour of Coptic Cairo, a historic neighborhood home to several important religious sites. Pass landmarks like Saint Virgin Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church, better known as the "Hanging Church," as it's perched above the remains of a Roman fortress, giving it the illusion of floating above the ground. You'll also see the Church of Saint Sergius and Bacchus, built on the site where the Holy Family rested during their flight into Egypt.

Then, the tour switches to a culinary adventure as you traverse the bustling streets and eat like a local. Sample various traditional Egyptian dishes, from crispy golden falafel and fragrant koshari (a hearty mix of rice, lentils, and pasta topped with a spicy tomato sauce) to aromatic grilled kebabs and tender shawarma. Taste sweet and savory dishes with accompanying drinks at four stops while your guide teaches you about the city's rich history, traditions, and culture. After four hours of savoring the cuisine of Cairo, transfer back to your hotel to rest and fight off jet lag.

Day 2: Visit Memphis, the Saqqara Necropolis & Giza Pyramid Complex

Begin your full-day guided tour 12 miles (20 km) outside of Cairo at the necropolis of Memphis, the capital of Egypt's Old Kingdom. Wander through the archaeological site to see the remnants of colossal limestone statues, ancient Egyptian art, and the Sphinx of Memphis. Just 20 minutes away is the Saqqara Necropolis, a vast burial ground that's home to the Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest stone pyramid in the world. Admire the six-tiered structure, then discover other highlights, like the Serapeum, an underground tomb housing the colossal sarcophagi of sacred Apis bulls.

Transfer 50 minutes to the Giza Plateau, where you'll find three of the most famous pyramids in the world. Start at the Great Pyramid of Giza, the largest of the three and the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Continue to the Pyramid of Khafre, distinguished by its still-intact original limestone casing at the apex, and the smaller Pyramid of Menkaure. Admire the pyramids from the outside or pay an additional fee to discover the sacred chambers and dimly lit passageways within. Then, end the tour at the Great Sphinx, which guards the pyramids, before returning 30 minutes to Cairo.

Day 3: Tour of the Egyptian Museum, Fly to Luxor, Visit Karnak & Luxor Temples

After breakfast, head with your guide to the Egyptian Museum, home to over 120,000 artifacts from the Ptolemaic Period to the Pre-Dynastic Period and the Greco-Roman Era. Spend a few hours perusing the monumental statues, intricate jewelry, and everyday objects illustrating the daily life and religious practices of ancient Egyptians while your guide highlights the history of each. See the extensive collection of papyri and sarcophagi and marvel at the golden mask of King Tutankhamun and the treasure of Tanis, including three solid-silver coffins and gold and silver vases.

Following the museum, transfer to the airport for a one-hour flight to Luxor on the East Bank of the Nile River, where you'll transfer to a Nile cruise ship for two nights. Meet your local guide for a half-day tour of the Karnak Temple, the second-largest religious complex in the world. Explore the temple's vast precincts that are home to towering obelisks and colossal statues. Wander through the forest of columns that have withstood the test of time in the hypostyle hall, each intricately decorated with hieroglyphs and bas-reliefs, narrating tales of gods and pharaohs. 

Then, follow what's left of the Avenue of the Sphinxes to the entrance of Luxor Temple, which dates back to the New Kingdom period when it was used for religious worship and royal ceremonies. Here, you'll be greeted by statues and obelisks of Ramesses II. Admire the imposing facade before entering to see the sanctuaries, chapels, and shrines. Visit the vast courtyard and hypostyle hall adorned with intricately carved columns and detailed reliefs depicting divine and royal scenes, then stop at the inner sanctuary to see the statue of the god of the air, the sun, and creation, Amun-Ra.

Day 4: Hot-Air Balloon Ride, Explore Luxor's West Bank

Rise and shine with an early wake-up call for a scenic hot-air balloon ride over Luxor. Transfer to the launch site and complete a safety briefing, then climb into the basket and ascend slowly into the air. Soar over the arid desert landscape dotted with landmarks like the temples you visited yesterday on the East Bank and the fertile Nile Delta. After 40 minutes in the air, touch down and transfer to the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank. Follow your guide through the royal necropolis, home to some of Egypt's most illustrious pharaohs, including Tutankhamun and Ramesses the Great.

Gain insight into the hieroglyphs, murals, and funerary goods within the tombs that are closed to visitors from your guide. Then, head up to Deir el-Bahari, an impressive mortuary temple dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut. Explore the site to see the meticulously carved bas-reliefs and vibrant frescoes depicting Hatshepsut's divine birth, her trading expeditions, and various offerings to the gods. End the tour at the Colossi of Memnon, twin statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, and the last surviving remnants of his mortuary temple before returning to your Nile River cruise ship.

Day 5: Fly to Amman (Jordan) via Cairo, Transfer to Petra via Madaba & Mount Nebo

Say goodbye to Luxor and Egypt as you transfer to the airport for a one-hour flight to Cairo and then a 1.5-hour flight to Amman, Jordan's vibrant capital. Meet your driver at the airport and transfer three hours south to Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its rock-cut architecture. On the way, stop at Mount Nebo, believed to be the place where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land before his death. Look out at the sweeping vistas of the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and even the distant hills of Jerusalem on a clear day.

Back in the car, continue to Madaba, known as the "City of Mosaics" for the ancient mosaics in many of its churches, public buildings, and even private homes. Head to St. George's Greek Orthodox Church and the Madaba Archaeological Park to see some of these mosaics, including the sixth-century Madaba Map, which depicts detailed geographical and biblical features of the Holy Land. In Petra, check into your hotel and (if it's Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday) end the day with the Petra by Night experience, where the "Rose City" is illuminated by thousands of candles and Bedouin musicians and storytellers perform.

Day 6: Visit Petra, Transfer to the Dead Sea

Spend your morning exploring the ancient Nabataean city of Petra, starting with a walk or horseback ride through the Siq. This narrow, winding gorge takes you to the Al-Khazneh, or the Treasury—a monumental facade intricately carved into the red sandstone cliff face. Wander through the UNESCO site to see more rock-cut structures, like the Royal Tombs, ancient amphitheater, and nymphaeum. If you're up for a bit of a trek, climb 800 steps to the Monastery, one of the city's largest and most impressive structures at 165 feet tall (50 m) and 148 feet wide (45 m).

Explore the expansive structure, enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, and then meet your driver for a four-hour transfer to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. As you leave the ancient city behind, you'll pass through the rugged terrain of the Jordanian highlands, with dramatic vistas of arid mountains and deep valleys. When you arrive, check into your hotel and change into your bathing suit to go for a dip in the salty water. The high salt and mineral content will make floating effortless, and you can even apply a mask of mineral-rich mud found along the shores.

Day 7: Transfer to Amman, Depart

Although you're flying home today, you may have time for one last dip in the Dead Sea. As you float, look out at the turquoise waters contrasting against the stark, rugged backdrop of the Jordan Rift Valley. Dry off on the shores, then meet your driver for a 1-2-hour transfer back to Amman, enjoying one last look at Jordan's sparsely vegetated countryside dotted with authentic, rustic villages. When you arrive, head straight to the airport to catch your flight home. Safe travels!