Luxury Highlights of Jordan & Egypt - 10 Days

Highlights

• Float effortlessly in the waters of the Dead Sea and enjoy mud treatments
• Tour the ancient city of Petra and fly over Wadi Rum in a hot-air balloon
• Spend a night in "The Valley of the Moon" at a luxury desert camp
• Marvel at the Great Pyramid and get up close to the Sphinx on an insider's tour
• Cruise down the Nile River, stopping at ancient temples, obelisks, and more

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Amman (Jordan), Transfer to the Dead Sea

Welcome to Jordan! Officially known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, this country's central location in the Middle East has made it a melting pot of diversity and culture dating back thousands of years. The country has been settled since the Paleolithic period, and inhabited by various civilizations, from the ancient Nabateans and Romans to the Persian Empire and Arab caliphates. Christianity even spread through Jordan during the Byzantine period. This has all resulted in a country with its own unique identity—and plenty of awe-inspiring historical landmarks.

You'll arrive in the capital of Amman, and a driver will meet you at the terminal for the hour's drive southwest to the Dead Sea. Located on the border with Israel and the West Bank, this body of water is the lowest point on earth at 1,423 feet (434 m). One of the Dead Sea's most famous characteristics is its extreme salinity, nearly 10 times higher than the world's oceans. This high salt concentration allows visitors to effortlessly float on the water's surface, creating a sensation of weightlessness, both relaxing and exhilarating.

When you arrive, you'll check into the Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea Resort. Located on the shores of this famous salt lake, this 5-star hotel features a private sandy beach and a luxury spa offering rejuvenating experiences infused with Dead Sea-rich minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium. After checking in, you can indulge in a famous mud treatment, a time-tested method to exfoliate and nourish the skin. The hotel also features gorgeous rooms with king beds and a massive swimming pool, but you may want to save that for later—right now, a long, buoyant float in the Dead Sea awaits. 

Day 2: Transfer to Petra, Ancient City Tour

Rise and shine! You'll meet your driver early this morning for the three-hour ride south to the ancient city of Petra. The long drive and early start are well worth it, as today you'll embark on a full-day discovery tour of a place that is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Upon arrival, you'll check into your accommodation for the night. The Movenpick Petra Resort is an opulent 5-star hotel just steps from Petra's famous archaeological site. Besides the impeccable service, international restaurant, and deluxe rooms/suites with modern conveniences, guests can expect jaw-dropping views of the resort's well-manicured gardens out to the Petra Mountains and the entrance to the ancient city. Enjoy these views right from your room or the rooftop patio. After checking in, you'll transfer to the archaeological site for a private tour.

Petra has been dubbed the "Lost City," as it was only "rediscovered" by the Western world in the 19th century. You'll see the origins of its actual history in the impressive sandstone palaces, temples, and tombs carved into the cliffs by the ancient Nabataeans in the third century BCE. After crossing a narrow gorge called the Siq (The Shaft), you'll marvel at Al Khazneh (popularly known as "The Treasury"). You'll also explore the Street of Facades, a row of monumental Nabataean tombs, as well as the amphitheater and caves. Return to the resort in time to enjoy its most popular feature: the sunset views over Petra.

Day 3: Secret Petra Hike, Transfer to Wadi Rum

Meet your private guide this morning for a very special tour of Petra. On this backdoor trail hike, you'll enter the archaeological site via an entrance that's off the tourist trail. From there, trek through the mountains and alongside cliffs on your way to Ed-Deir (The Monastery), one of the most famous monuments in Petra, dating to around the first century CE. It's a two-hour hike that is generally considered moderate, and once at Ed-Deir, you'll have plenty of time to relax, snap photos, and sip some mint tea at the adjacent café.

After lunch, meet your driver for the two-hour ride south of Petra to Wadi Rum. This desert valley is known as "The Valley of the Moon" due to its almost otherworldly landscapes dotted with towering sandstone cliffs and interesting rock formations. The region has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with many cultures, including the Nabateans, leaving their mark in the form of rock paintings and temples. It's also renowned for its connection with British officer T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), who passed through several times during the Arab Revolt of 1917–1918.

Upon arrival, you'll meet your Bedouin hosts and hop in a 4WD vehicle. Then, set off on a grand desert adventure as you explore valleys, rock canyons, dunes, and deserts, stopping to check out rock inscriptions and petroglyphs as you admire the sweeping views. Your overnight accommodation will be at Sun City Camp, a captivating desert retreat nestled in the untouched desert expanse. With the camp's comfy domes and traditional Bedouin tents blending seamlessly into the surrounding sandstone mountains, you'll feel like you're overnighting on another planet.

Day 4: Wadi Rum Balloon Ride, Fly to Cairo (Egypt), Dinner Cruise

Day 5: Giza Pyramids & Insider's Sphinx Tour

Rise and shine! This morning, you'll meet your private guide and set off to visit some of Egypt's most iconic sites, starting with the ancient pyramids of Dahshour, constructed during Egypt's fourth dynasty around 4,600 years ago. Then, continue to the famed Giza Plateau. First up is the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the oldest of the three pyramids and the only one to remain largely intact. Built as a tomb in 2600 BCE, its shape was intended to help the dead pharaoh's spirit rise to heaven.

Nearby, you'll find Khafre, the best-preserved of the main pyramids, and Menkaure, the smallest of the three. Of course, with millions of tourists visiting the pyramids each year, the site can sometimes feel crowded. Lucky for you, the next activity involves special insider access to the Great Sphinx, the iconic limestone statue depicting a creature with a man's head and a lion's body. This exclusive tour will take you right up to the statue's paws, between which is an epigraphic stele commissioned by the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose IV in the 14th century BCE.

Finally, you'll head to the ancient ruins of Memphis, the first unified capital of the ancient world. Here, you'll visit the necropolis of Saqqara, an ancient burial ground, to explore the Step Pyramid of Djoser and 4,350-year-old tombs with ancient hieroglyphics engraved on the walls.

Day 6: Fly to Luxor, Board Nile Cruise, East Bank Tour 

Return to the airport this morning for the one-hour flight to Luxor. This small city in the Nile Valley was once the capital of ancient Thebes and is a veritable open-air museum due to its many historical landmarks. Upon arrival, your driver will transfer you to the riverbanks, where you'll board your accommodation for the next few days: the Farah Nile Cruise, a luxury cruising vessel purpose-built to deliver memorable river adventures in Egypt. This stylish ship offers just 60 airy and light-filled deluxe staterooms, with panoramic windows and spacious balconies that make the most of the passing Nile scenery. 

After dropping your bags, you'll step back ashore for a private walking tour of Luxor's East Bank area. Start at Karnak Temple, the second-largest ancient religious site in the world. Founded in the Middle Kingdom era (2040 to 1782 BCE), this massive complex took almost 2,000 years to finish. Continue to the famed Luxor Temple, built during the New Kingdom around 1400 BCE and dedicated to Amun Ra. Walk down the Avenue of the Sphinxes, which once connected Luxor with Karnak, guarded by the giant statues of Ramesses II. Afterward, return to the ship, where you'll spend the night moored in Luxor.

Day 7: Luxor West Bank Tour, Cruise to Esna

This morning, you'll hop over to Luxor's West Bank area for another private tour. First, your local guide will lead you to the famed Valley of the Kings. The rock-cut tombs here were built for kings and pharaohs, buried between the 16th and 11th centuries BCE. Visit the Tomb of Tutankhamun and the beautiful Temple of Deir el-Bahari, a complex of mortuary temples and tombs, including the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

You'll also stop at the Colossi of Memnon to see the imposing statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that guard the entrance of his memorial temple. Return to the ship in time for dinner, after which the boat will begin the journey south to the city of Esna, located on the Nile's west bank. After an elegant dinner of contemporary Egyptian cuisine, savor a cocktail on deck as you watch the sunset, then retire to your plush suite for your second evening on the water.

Day 8: Cruise to Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples 

From Esna, the ship will continue south to Edfu. During this part of the journey, you'll enjoy a leisurely breakfast on deck and watch as the beautiful riverine scenery passes you by. Then, head up to the sundeck to lounge around the pool or book a massage at the ship's onboard spa. Eventually, you'll reach Edfu, a city on the west bank of the Nile that's home to iconic landmarks. Perhaps the most famous is the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved shrines in Egypt. Constructed between 237 BCE and 57 BCE, it features many intricate inscriptions, which you'll get to see on a private tour.

Afterward, return to the boat and continue cruising to the Temple of Kom Ombo, built during the Ptolemaic Dynasty from 180-47 BCE. Dedicated to both Sobek, the crocodile-headed god of fertility, and the falcon-god Horus, the temple features duplicate halls and sanctuaries for each deity, creating a harmonious layout. During a private tour, you can admire the intricately carved reliefs and hieroglyphics that narrate stories of ancient rituals and medical practices. The ship will dock for the evening at a river island near Kom Ombo.

Day 9: Cruise to Aswan, Tour Aswan's Highlights 

This morning, you'll cruise to the final stop on this river adventure: Aswan, a city rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Located on the Nile, Aswan is renowned for its idyllic setting, with palm-fringed islands, granite outcrops, and shimmering waters creating a picture-postcard backdrop.

Later, you'll meet a local guide for a private sightseeing tour. Highlights include the Temple of Philae, an island temple complex that dates to the fourth century BCE and is dedicated to the goddess Isis. Then, continue to Egypt's engineering achievement of the modern era, the Aswan High Dam, to admire the sweeping views. You'll also stop at the Unfinished Obelisk. This massive granite monolith measures 138 feet (42 m), making it the world's largest known ancient obelisk. Afterward, you'll return to the ship, where you'll spend one more night lulled to sleep by the rhythms of the Nile.

Day 10: Fly to Cairo, Museum Tour & Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, Depart

Alas, it's time to begin the journey home. In the morning, you'll disembark and transfer to Aswan's airport for the 1.5-hour flight north to Cairo. Hopefully, there's enough time left before your connecting flight to enjoy one last tour. If there is, meet a guide and head over to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Old Cairo, which showcases 50,000 artifacts that tell the story of Egyptian heritage and culture.

Next, learn about Islamic Cairo at the Citadel of Saladin, a shining example of military architecture from the Middle Ages, and the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan, a monumental mosque dating to the 1300s. Continue to the mosque of Mohamed Ali, known as the Alabaster Mosque. The domed ceilings, suspended lights, and city views from this former stronghold against the Crusaders are unparalleled.

Finally, follow your guide through the teeming streets of Khan el-Khalili. Cairo's oldest bazaar dates to the 14th century and is packed with legendary shops that sell everything from fine brassware to perfumes to antiques. Hunt for treasures at this historic souk (market), where you'll find lamps, rugs, jewelry, and more, and learn the art of bargaining as you pick up one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Afterward, you'll transfer to Cairo's airport in time to catch your flight home. Safe travels!