Treasures of Egypt and the Nile with Hidden Jordan

Today marks the beginning of your Egypt adventure as you arrive in Cairo. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner and meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers. 

This morning, explore the Giza Plateau with your Egyptologist guide and uncover the mysteries of the Great Pyramids. Nearby, the Sphinx stands guard, carved from a single limestone ridge. Learn about the construction and importance of these sites to the Egyptians. Continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum, where ancient artefacts and modern design come together in a striking tribute to Egypt’s dynastic past. Later, return to your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.

This morning, visit part of Cairo’s historic old town. Choose to Enhance Your Journey with a guided tour of the Old Kingdom, exploring Memphis and Saqqara, or delve into Coptic Cairo, including Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church — believed to be built upon a shelter once used by the Holy Family. Later, experience the sights and sounds of the bustling Khan el Khalili bazaar.

Enhance Your Journey – Coptic Cairo

Wander through the historic heart of Old Cairo and uncover Egypt’s rich Christian heritage in the ancient Coptic district.

Enhance Your Journey – Saqqara and Memphis

Step back into Egypt’s Old Kingdom and explore the ancient wonders of Memphis and Saqqara, home to the civilisation’s earliest pyramids and enduring legacy.

This morning, take an included flight from Cairo to Luxor, where your discovery of Upper Egypt begins. On arrival, visit the vast Karnak Temple complex and walk among towering columns and sacred halls that once echoed with ancient rituals. Then, transfer to the Nile River to board your ship, the Travelmarvel Sirius, and settle in with lunch on board. This afternoon, explore the beautiful Luxor Temple, linked to Karnak by the Avenue of the Sphinx and once the centre of Egypt’s most important religious festival. This evening, enjoy a Captain’s Welcome Dinner as your ship sets sail for Dendera.

Since the early steamers visited Egypt in the nineteenth century, Luxor has remained a tourist hotspot. Situated on the east side of the Nile in the centre of The Nile Valley, Luxor is an ideal location for tours and trips to surrounding places of interest.

Early this morning, visit the Dendera Temple complex, one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient sites. With your Egyptologist guide, explore the Temple of Hathor, renowned for its detailed astronomical ceiling and beautifully preserved reliefs. Wander through sacred spaces including the birth house and the Sacred Lake, once used for ritual purification. After your visit, return to your river ship for lunch and enjoy a scenic sail back to Luxor. This afternoon, continue exploring the East Bank, including the Avenue of the Sphinx, before setting sail for Esna this evening.

Insider Experience – Dendera Temple Visit

Enjoy a special visit to Dendera, where the beautifully preserved Temple of Hathor reveals intricate carvings, celestial ceilings and sacred spaces that offer a rare glimpse into ancient Egyptian spirituality.

Edfu is an Egyptian town of The Nile Valley situated halfway between Luxor and Aswan, on the west bank of the Nile. The town is popular with tourists for being home to one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, dedicated to the sky god of the Nile, Horus.

After breakfast on board, step ashore to visit Esna Temple, dedicated to Khnum, the ram-headed god of creation. Admire its towering columns, lotus carvings and astronomical ceiling depicting the twelve signs of the Zodiac.

This afternoon, continue to Edfu to explore the Temple of Horus — one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient monuments. This grand sandstone structure is dedicated to the falcon god Horus and offers a remarkable glimpse into the architectural and religious legacy of the Ptolemaic era. Travel by coach with your Egyptologist guide and uncover stories of ancient festivals once held on this sacred site.

Later, return to your ship and enjoy dinner on board as you sail towards Aswan for an overnight stay.

Insider Experience – Edfu Temple Visit

Admire the impressive Temple of Horus at Edfu, explore its towering pylons, detailed reliefs and sacred halls in honour of the falcon god.

Aswan is Egypt’s southernmost city and remains hot and dry all year round. It is considered the most picturesque setting on the Nile and serves as a base for tourist excursions to many local sites of interest.

In a city as serene and storied as Aswan, there’s always something to uncover. This morning, tour the impressive High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the beautifully preserved Philae Temple. Then, enjoy free time or perhaps choose to Enhance Your Journey with High Tea at the iconic Old Cataract Hotel. This afternoon, a special Insider Experience awaits. Later this evening, you may opt to Enhance your Journey by exploring Aswan’s vibrant Night Market.

Enhance Your Journey – Afternoon High Tea at the Old Cataract Hotel

Step into colonial elegance with a traditional high tea at the legendary Old Cataract Hotel, overlooking the Nile.

Enhance Your Journey – Aswan Night Market Tour

Wander through Aswan’s lively night market, where colourful stalls brim with spices, textiles and local crafts.

Insider Experience – Felucca Sailing on the Nile

Glide along the Nile aboard a traditional felucca and take in the tranquil beauty of Aswan from the water, as the sun begins to set.

Today is sure to be a highlight as you take an included flight to the awe-inspiring temples of Abu Simbel. With your Egyptologist guide, explore this monumental complex, carved into solid rock under the reign of Ramses II. Admire the towering statues of the pharaoh and intricate carvings that celebrate ancient victories and divine worship. Learn how this UNESCO World Heritage site was relocated in a remarkable international effort to save it from rising waters.

After returning to your ship, enjoy lunch on board and spend the afternoon sailing north along the Nile towards Kom Ombo. Relax on deck and take in scenes of daily life along the riverbanks. This evening, dock overnight in Kom Ombo.

Since the early steamers visited Egypt in the nineteenth century, Luxor has remained a tourist hotspot. Situated on the east side of the Nile in the centre of The Nile Valley, Luxor is an ideal location for tours and trips to surrounding places of interest.

This morning, step ashore to explore Kom Ombo Temple, a rare double temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Harwer, the falcon god of kingship. Admire its symmetrical layout and detailed reliefs, including Roman-era carvings that reveal the medical knowledge of ancient Egypt. After your visit, enjoy a relaxing sail back to Luxor.

This evening, choose to Enhance Your Journey with a visit to Karnak Temple for the captivating Sound and Light Show.

Enhance Your Journey – Karnak Sound and Light Show

Witness Karnak Temple in a whole new light during this atmospheric evening experience. As stories of gods and pharaohs echo through the complex, the temple’s towering columns and sacred spaces are illuminated in a dramatic retelling of Egypt’s ancient past.

Since the early steamers visited Egypt in the nineteenth century, Luxor has remained a tourist hotspot. Situated on the east side of the Nile in the centre of The Nile Valley, Luxor is an ideal location for tours and trips to surrounding places of interest.

This morning, visit the monumental Colossi of Memnon before exploring the West Bank of the Nile — the world’s largest open-air museum. Discover the Valley of the Kings and Queens, once the sacred burial ground of pharaohs, queens and priests, and step into the awe-inspiring Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. With its dramatic cliffside setting and grand colonnades, it stands as a tribute to one of Egypt’s most powerful rulers.

This evening, enjoy a special dinner on board as you reflect on your journey through Egypt.

This morning, disembark your river ship in Luxor and take a flight back to Cairo, where your Egyptian journey concludes. From here, connect onwards to Amman, the capital of Jordan. On arrival this evening, meet your Tour Director and enjoy a Welcome Reception.

Amman, the capital of Jordan, is a modern city with numerous ancient ruins. Atop Jabal al-Qala’a hill, the historic Citadel includes the pillars of the Roman Temple of Hercules and the 8th-century Umayyad Palace complex, known for its grand dome. Built into a different downtown hillside, the Roman Theater is a 6,000-capacity, 2nd-century stone amphitheater offering occasional events.

Today begins with a guided tour of Amman, where you’ll uncover the city’s layered history at the Roman Theatre, Nymphaeum and hilltop Citadel. Visit the striking King Abdullah Mosque before strolling through a traditional souk, filled with the scent of spices and the shimmer of gold. Later, travel to the ancient city of Jerash — often called the ‘Pompeii of the Middle East’ — and explore its remarkably preserved Roman ruins. Return to your hotel this evening for time at leisure.

Insider Experience – Souk Visit & Kanafeh Tasting

Wander through a bustling local souk and sample kanafeh, a beloved Jordanian dessert made with sweet cheese and syrup-soaked pastry.

Insider Experience – Jerash

Explore the grand colonnades and temples of Jerash with your guide, then visit a nearby village to gain insight into local life and Jordanian traditions.

Amman, the capital of Jordan, is a modern city with numerous ancient ruins. Atop Jabal al-Qala’a hill, the historic Citadel includes the pillars of the Roman Temple of Hercules and the 8th-century Umayyad Palace complex, known for its grand dome. Built into a different downtown hillside, the Roman Theater is a 6,000-capacity, 2nd-century stone amphitheater offering occasional events.

On the way to Petra, stop in Madaba — the ‘City of Mosaics’ — to see its famed 6th-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, intricately crafted from more than two million coloured stones. Continue to Mount Nebo, where Moses is said to have glimpsed the Promised Land. From the summit, enjoy sweeping views across the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea and the River Jordan.

Before reaching Petra, explore Little Petra — or Siq al-Barid — a captivating archaeological site often described as a smaller, yet equally intriguing, version of its namesake.

Later, arrive in Petra for a fun and interactive Insider Experience.

Insider Experience – Petra Kitchen Cooking Class & Dinner

Join local chefs for a hands-on cooking class and prepare traditional Jordanian dishes before sitting down to enjoy your meal in a warm, communal setting.

Following breakfast at your hotel, spend the day exploring Petra. Famous for its rock-cut architecture, stone colours and formations, otherwise referred to as the Rose City. Wander through a narrow gorge called the Siq and emerge to witness Petra’s most breathtaking and elaborate ruin, Al Khazneh, also known as the Treasury. This evening, perhaps witness Petra by Night as you wander through the lit-up complex of temples.

Enhance Your Journey – Petra by Night

Walk the candlelit path through the Siq to the Treasury and experience Petra’s magic under the stars.

Dramatic red-rock desert setting from "Lawrence of Arabia" with climbing & camping in Bedouin tents.

This morning, journey south into the breathtaking landscapes of Wadi Rum, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site known as the “Valley of the Moon.” Take in sweeping desert views and pass through traditional Bedouin communities en route. On arrival, choose to board an open jeep to explore vast valleys, narrow gorges, and towering sandstone formations etched with ancient carvings. Or, as the sun sets, toast the day with a glass of sparkling wine before enjoying a traditional Bedouin dinner, complete with music and warm desert hospitality. Later, you may wish to join an optional Enhance Your Journey experience.

Enhance Your Journey – Guided Stargazing

Join a guided stargazing session in Wadi Rum and witness the brilliance of the desert night sky, one of the clearest atmospheres on Earth.

Insider Experience – Wadi Rum Jeep Tour

Explore the dramatic desert terrain of Wadi Rum by open-air jeep, discovering towering rock formations, ancient carvings and sweeping valleys.

Insider Experience – Sparkling Wine & Snacks at Sunset in the Desert

Toast the day with a glass of sparkling wine and light snacks as the sun sets over Wadi Rum, casting golden hues across the sandstone landscape.

Start the day with an optional Enhance Your Journey — a spectacular experience from the skies.

After breakfast, travel north to Shobak and visit its hilltop Crusader castle, the earliest of its kind in the region. Built in the 12th century, Shobak Castle offers sweeping views and a glimpse into centuries of history. Continue to the Dead Sea and enjoy a leisurely afternoon floating in its mineral-rich waters at the lowest point on Earth.

This evening, dine at your hotel.

Enhance Your Journey – Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Wadi Rum

Take to the skies at sunrise for a breathtaking hot air balloon ride over Wadi Rum. Drift above sandstone peaks and vast desert plains as the morning light paints the landscape in hues of gold and rose.

Amman, the capital of Jordan, is a modern city with numerous ancient ruins. Atop Jabal al-Qala’a hill, the historic Citadel includes the pillars of the Roman Temple of Hercules and the 8th-century Umayyad Palace complex, known for its grand dome. Built into a different downtown hillside, the Roman Theater is a 6,000-capacity, 2nd-century stone amphitheater offering occasional events.

After the morning at leisure, travel to Bethabara and visit the archaeological site 'Bethany Beyond the Jordan' traditionally recognised as the baptismal site of Jesus Christ.

From here, return to Amman, where this evening enjoy a Farwell Dinner at a local restaurant, sharing stories and reliving the highlights of your Jordanian adventure.

Amman, the capital of Jordan, is a modern city with numerous ancient ruins. Atop Jabal al-Qala’a hill, the historic Citadel includes the pillars of the Roman Temple of Hercules and the 8th-century Umayyad Palace complex, known for its grand dome. Built into a different downtown hillside, the Roman Theater is a 6,000-capacity, 2nd-century stone amphitheater offering occasional events.

Your discovery of Egypt and Jordan comes to an end today with a transfer back to Amman airport.