Cruise Journey to Jordan: Scenic Road Trip to the Heart of the Middle East

Friday. Welcome to Egypt! Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore independently.

If you arrive early, you can choose to join the optional Backstreets of Cairo tour, which departs from the hotel at 10:00 AM and offers a unique look into local neighborhoods and hidden corners of the city.

For those interested in seeing more of Egypt, there is also an optional day trip to Alexandria available on Thursdays. Arriving a day early will allow you to join this coastal excursion before the main tour begins.

Overnight: Cairo

Begin your unforgettable day with a visit to the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt’s most iconic and awe-inspiring archaeological site. Discover the majestic Great Pyramid, the enigmatic Sphinx, and get up close to the world’s oldest surviving ancient wonder. Ample time is provided to explore and capture stunning photos of these timeless monuments.

Next, journey to the historic Saqqara Necropolis, a vast burial ground filled with ancient tombs. The highlight is the remarkable Step Pyramid of Djoser, designed by the legendary architect Imhotep around 2700 BC. This groundbreaking pyramid marks one of the earliest colossal stone structures in history.

To complete your cultural experience, visit the government-supervised Papyrus Museum, where you’ll learn about the ancient Egyptian art of papyrus making and see exquisite examples of this traditional craft.

Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast

Start your day with a guided tour of the impressive new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. This vast 490,000 square meter complex displays an extraordinary collection of artifacts spanning nearly every era of ancient Egyptian history. Highlights include treasures of King Tutankhamun, with plans to showcase his famous solid gold funerary mask here, along with many items being exhibited for the first time.

Later, visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, home to an extensive collection of statues, jewelry, and sarcophagi. See the remarkably well-preserved mummies of Yuya and Thuyu, high-ranking nobles and great-grandparents of King Tutankhamun. Some mummies are so well preserved that they still have thick locks of hair and visible fingernails.

After the tour, return to the hotel for some free time by the pool before boarding the overnight sleeper train to Aswan.

Overnight: Sleeper Train
Meals: Breakfast

This morning, arrive in Aswan and embark on a short boat trip to Agilika Island to explore the stunning Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Next, make a brief stop at a traditional perfume oil emporium before boarding your Nile cruiser, which will be your floating hotel for the next three nights.

Enjoy free time later to explore the vibrant markets and colourful souks of Aswan or simply relax in this charming riverside town overlooking the Nile.

From Aswan to Kom Ombo, start your day with an optional early morning road trip to the magnificent Abu Simbel Temples, the rock-cut masterpieces built by King Ramses II. In the afternoon, board your Nile cruiser and begin cruising along the majestic River Nile toward Kom Ombo.

Upon arrival, disembark to explore the unique Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to the crocodile-headed god Sobek. After the visit, return to your cruiser to relax and enjoy the scenic river journey.

Overnight: Nile Cruiser
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend a relaxing morning aboard your Nile cruiser with the option to swim in the pool and soak up the sun on deck. Drift peacefully along the legendary River Nile as you make your way to Luxor, the ancient city famous for the Valley of the Kings and the majestic Karnak Temple.

Arriving in Luxor in the afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore this historic city before spending your final night on the Nile cruiser.

Overnight: Luxor – Nile Cruiser
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, disembark from the Nile cruiser and check into your 5-star hotel in Luxor. Enjoy a free day to relax or explore the rich history and vibrant culture of this ancient city at your own pace.

Tonight, an optional visit to the spectacular Temple of Luxor is available for those wishing to experience its stunning illuminated beauty.

Overnight: Luxor
Meals: Breakfast

Today, explore the West Bank of the Nile and visit the legendary Valley of the Kings, the ancient burial ground of Egypt’s pharaohs. See the impressive Colossi of Memnon, the massive stone statues from the temple of Amenophis III, and explore the striking Temple of Queen Hatshepsut along with nearby tombs.

After lunch, visit the magnificent Karnak Temple Complex, an enormous religious site renowned for its towering stone papyrus columns and intricate architecture. Spend the rest of the evening at your leisure in Luxor.

Overnight: Luxor
Meals: Breakfast

On day 9, depart Luxor and travel east to the stunning Red Sea resort town of Hurghada, located along the beautiful Red Sea Riviera. Enjoy the remainder of the day and the next day at leisure to relax or explore this vibrant coastal destination.

On day 10, you can opt for an exciting day trip to Giftun Island, famous for its crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling — this excursion can be booked locally.

Hurghada is one of the most popular resorts on the Red Sea, offering top-notch aquatic activities including sailboarding, yachting, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Its prime location provides access to some of the world’s finest offshore coral reefs. The resort also features a lively selection of restaurants and bars for evening entertainment.

Overnight: Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast (2 days)

Start your day early as you transfer to Hurghada Airport for your flight to Amman, connecting through Cairo. Upon arrival in Amman, enjoy a scenic drive south to the ancient city of Petra, arriving near sunset.

Tonight, you have the option to experience the magical Petra By Night excursion — a romantic candlelight walk through Petra’s Siq, offering a unique preview of this UNESCO World Heritage site (approximate cost USD $45, payable locally).

Please Note: The flight from Hurghada to Amman via Cairo is not included in the tour price and must be booked independently, with an estimated cost of USD $250–350 per person. Assistance with booking these flights can be provided upon request. Details are available in the tour Trip Notes.

Overnight: Petra
Meals: Breakfast

Welcome to Petra, the legendary Rose City! Begin your guided walk through the famous narrow and deep Siq, which opens up to reveal the breathtaking Treasury, one of the world’s most iconic archaeological wonders. Follow the gravel paths as you explore ancient Nabatean tombs and Roman-era rock-carved streets lined with temples, royal tombs, staircases, arched gates, and impressive public buildings.

Discover the enormous amphitheatre, originally built to seat 3,000 spectators and later expanded by the Romans to accommodate up to 7,000.

After the guided tour, enjoy free time to explore more on your own or relax and soak in the atmosphere. For the energetic, take the ancient steps up the hillside to the Monastery for spectacular panoramic views. You can also haggle for a horse or chariot ride to explore the site in style.

For a unique experience, consider joining the Petra Kitchen culinary workshop, where you can learn traditional Jordanian cooking—available as an optional add-on.

Overnight: Petra
Meals: Breakfast

Start your morning with the opportunity to revisit Petra, the stunning Rose Red City, for further exploration at your own pace. Later, drive to the breathtaking Wadi Rum Desert, a vast, tranquil landscape of sandy dunes and striking rock formations known as jebels.

Experience an exciting 4×4 desert safari across this otherworldly terrain, followed by a traditional Bedouin dinner at a desert camp. Spend the night under a spectacular star-filled sky or in comfortable tents, immersing yourself in the magic of the desert.

After breakfast at the desert campsite, travel north along the Desert Highway to visit Shobak Castle, a dramatic hilltop fortress built by Crusader King Baldwin I in 1115. Explore this historic castle before descending approximately 1,300 meters to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth.

The mineral-rich Dead Sea, located over 400 meters below sea level, is renowned as the world’s original natural health and beauty spa. Float effortlessly in its buoyant waters and rejuvenate your skin with the famous black Dead Sea mud.

For departures from April to October, embark on a moderate two-hour trek along the Wadi Mujib Siq Trail—a stunning 500-meter deep canyon stretching 4 kilometers. This dramatic natural wonder features sheer rocky walls and sparkling waterways, ideal for swimming and climbing over rocks and ladders depending on water levels. Wadi Mujib lies within the Mujib Biosphere Reserve, the lowest nature reserve in the world, home to diverse wildlife and plants.

Those not wishing to complete the full hike can explore part of the trail or relax at the Visitor Centre. After the adventure, continue to the Dead Sea for relaxation.

Overnight: Dead Sea
Meals: Breakfast

Spend a full day enjoying the unique natural wonder of the Dead Sea, a must-visit destination for travelers. Take your time floating effortlessly in its mineral-rich, buoyant waters and pamper your skin with a detoxifying mud bath known for its therapeutic benefits.

For those interested, there is an optional visit to the nearby Ma’in Hot Springs and the historic site believed to be where Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist — available to book locally.

Today marks the end of your unforgettable journey. Departure transfers from the Dead Sea to Amman Airport are available at 04:00, 07:00, 09:00, 12:00, 16:00, and 23:00 (evening of day 15). If you require a transfer at a different time or need transport with post-tour accommodation, arrangements can be made for an additional cost.

For those with extra time, consider booking our 2-day Amman extension, a perfect opportunity to explore Jordan’s ancient capital in greater depth before you depart.

Meals: Breakfast