Compare Jordan & Egypt: Petra to the Pyramids 2021 by Tauck vs Jordan & Egypt in 15 days - Hashemite Kingdom, Pyramids & Nile Cruise - Superior by Exoticca

Day 1 Arrive Amman, Jordan

Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea. A transfer is included from Amman airport to the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, a luxurious beachfront resort nestled on the shores of the ancient salt lake at the lowest point on Earth. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner tonight.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Kempinksi Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea

Day 2 Roman Antiquities in Jerash

Set off on an excursion to Jerash, site of one of the best-preserved ancient Roman cities in the Middle East and a window to its past glory as an important imperial city. Your local guide shares expert insights about the sites you will see, including Roman temples, squares, arches, baths and theatres, often colonnaded and always astounding. See Hadrian’s Arch, built in 129 AD, the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, the South Theatre, built to accommodate some 5,000 spectators, and the meticulously restored North Theatre. Drive through Amman en route back to your resort hotel after lunch. Tonight, a lecture by Ms. Muna Haddad precedes dinner at a choice of restaurants at the hotel.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Kempinksi Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea

Day 3 Mt. Nebo, Madaba & Petra

Thousands of years of biblical history reveal themselves today on a visit to Mt. Nebo where you will see what Moses saw when he looked out over the Promised Land. Continue to Madaba for a visit to St. George Greek Orthodox Church where the remains of the oldest known map of the Holy Land, painstakingly assembled from more than a million pieces of colored stone, cover the church floor. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and drive to the ancient Nabataean city of Petra, carved out of sandstone cliffs around 6 BC, where your hotel is just steps away from the archaeological site. Dinner is at your leisure tonight.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Movenpick Resort Petra

PORTOFCALL : Petra, Jordan

Day 4 A Camel Ride in Petra

Imagine riding aboard a camel cart through a hidden desert canyon that opens up to a magnificent red rose city dating back to the 1st century BC. Ancient master builders carved palaces, temples, tombs and more into the stone cliffs you will see here today. Picture yourself standing in awe at the 130-foot-high Khazneh, (The Treasury), intricately decorated with Corinthian capitals, friezes, statues and more, like Indiana Jones did in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Discover Royal Tombs, celebrating the achievements of the dead long gone and built high on the mountain side, and marvel at the ancient amphitheatre capable of seating more than 8,000 spectators, along with numerous temples sculpted in sandstone. Have lunch at a local restaurant, before returning to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Join us tonight for a private tented dinner in the desert (weather-permitting), enjoying a fruit-infused hubbly-bubbly smoke, music and dancing by a local troupe of sword dancers.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Movenpick Resort Petra

PORTOFCALL : Petra, Jordan

Day 5 Desert Adventures in Wadi Rum

Take a morning excursion to the otherworldly landscapes of Wadi Rum, known as the Valley of the Moon for the lunar-like dunes and towering sandstone cliffs found here. Exploring by 4x4 vehicle* with an option to ride a camel makes your visit unforgettable. It’s off to Egypt this afternoon aboard a flight to Aswan that touches down for a guided visit to the Aswan High Dam, built across the River Nile. Drive to your hotel, where your suites overlook the cataracts on the Nile, and have dinner at your leisure. 

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Sofitel Legend Old Cataract

PORTOFCALL : Aswan, Egypt

Day 6 Fly to Abu Simbel

A morning flight brings you to the Nubian village of Abu Simbel for a locally guided visit to its massive temples cut into a solid rock cliff and created during the reign of Ramesses II in the 1200s BC. The Great Temple stands 98 feet high with four seated colossi flanking the entrance and smaller statues depicting Ramessess’ conquered enemies lining up below. The smaller temple, some 40 feet high, is adorned by four colossi depicting Ramesses and two of his queen Nefertari at a height of 32 feet. Fly back to Aswan and have dinner at a restaurant made famous by Agatha Christie. 

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Sofitel Legend Old Cataract

PORTOFCALL : Aswan, Egypt

Day 7 A Village Life & Island Temples

A full day of Egyptian exploration includes a boat ride to Agilkia Island to see the sacred Temple of Isis at Philae, one of the last of the ancient temples constructed in the “classic” Egyptian style, and a visit to a Nubian village for an opportunity to discover an authentic taste of daily life – and local tea. Visit the ruins of Saint Simeon Monastery, once housing some 300 monks when it was completed in the 10th century. End your day with a felucca cruise as the sun sets on the Nile and have dinner at leisure onboard your ship.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Oberoi Zahra

Day 8 Temples of Kom Ombo & Edfu

Cruise to Kom Ombo, where its unusual twin temples are just a walk away from your ship. Temple reliefs here feature a unique engraving thought to depict the first representation of medical and surgical instruments. After lunch aboard ship, ride aboard a horse cart to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, considered to be the most beautiful and best-preserved temples in Egypt, with its roof still intact. It took 180 years for the temple to be built and during your guided visit you’ll discover why. Massive statues of Horus as a falcon guard entrances and the reliefs on its interior walls relate the story of the birth of Horus and depict Ptolemaic rulers making offerings to the gods and destroying their enemies. Return to your ship by horse cart for an evening at leisure.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Oberoi Zahra

Day 9 Luxor & The Valley of Kings & Queens

Buried under the sand for more than 1,000 years, Luxor’s Temple of Karnak is the largest complex of its time ever built, developed over a thousand years. Explore the site with an expert guide who shares insights about its history and construction, including the 134-columned Great Hypostyle Hall. A locally guided visit to Luxor Temple, connected to Karnak by an avenue of sphinxes, and dating back to the 1300s BC, follows. Return to your Nile cruiser for lunch and an afternoon excursion to the Valley of the Queens with a visit to the beautiful tomb of Nefertari, the great wife of Pharaoh Ramesses II, where the hieroglyphics amaze. Continue to the Valley of the Kings for an after-hours private visit that includes entry to King Tutankhamun’s tomb, renowned for the wealth of valuable antiquities it contained when it was discovered unopened in 1922. Return to your ship for dinner at leisure.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Oberoi Zahra

Day 10 The Egyptian Museum in Cairo

Disembark ship for an early flight to Cairo this morning, touching down late morning. Following an early lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Egyptian Museum, housing the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts including many of the treasures found in King Tutankhamun's tomb! Check into your room at Marriott Mena House in Cairo, inviting with views of the Great Pyramids of Giza, where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Marriott Mena House

PORTOFCALL : Giza, Egypt

Day 11 Pyramids of Giza

Drive to nearby Giza this morning for a guided tour of its storied pyramids, including the Great Pyramid of Giza, the last of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World, that have stood as defining symbols of Egypt for millennia. Here, you'll have an opportunity to ride a camel,* before seeing the most instantly recognizable statue in the world, crafted in limestone with the body of a lion and the head of a king – the Great Sphinx has been mysteriously reclining atop its Giza plateau for more than 3,000 years, guarding still the unanswered secret of who built it and why. After lunch, visit the pyramids at Saqqara, site of the necropolis (burial ground) for the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis. The pyramid you will see here is the Step Pyramid, a magnificent reminder of the early architecture of the pharaohs of the Old Kingdom. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Marriott Mena House

PORTOFCALL : Giza, Egypt

Day 12 Treasures of Old Cairo

Located on the right bank of the River Nile, the historic district of Old Coptic Cairo predates its modern-day processor with sites that date back to the 6th century BC, including ones allegedly visited by the holy family of Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus. A guided tour includes Roman ruins, ancient Coptic churches and the Al Rifai Mosque or the Sultan Hassan Mosque a short drive away. Have lunch at a local restaurant in the Khan El Khalili Market, a bustling souk in the city’s historic center, and enjoy free time to experience the labyrinthine lanes of this colorful bazaar. Join our local guide for a visit to the Old Egyptian Museum this afternoon, housing the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including many of the treasures found in King Tutankhamun’s tomb. Join us for a farewell reception and dinner at your hotel tonight.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Marriott Mena House

PORTOFCALL : Giza, Egypt

Day 13 Journey Home

Tour ends: Cairo. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Marriott Mena House to Cairo Airport. Allow three hours for flight check-in at the airport. 

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Giza, Egypt

Day 1: US - Night on board

Ready to discover the cultural treasures of Jordan? Arrive at your US departure airport to board a flight to Amman.* Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Amman

Touch down in Amman and transfer to your hotel.* Amman is the modern capital of Jordan but possesses dozens of ancient historical sites, set into the hillside in northern Jordan. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. Alternatively, if you arrive early in the day, why not take an optional city tour to get to know the most emblematic sights in the city? ** Dinner and overnight stay in Amman.*** * Possibility of booking early check-in in the next step of the booking process.** Optional Amman City Tour with Dinner: Explore Amman this afternoon, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom founded 7000 years ago. See the city's most emblematic sights including Amman Citadel, Hercules Temple, the Byzantine Church and the Ummayad Palace and pay a visit to the fascinating Amman Archaeological Museum. Head downtown to see the incredible Roman Amphitheatre and the old markets before exploring the newer part of the city. End the tour with an authentic Jordanian dinner at a local restaurant. *** Please note: If you arrive at the hotel after 9:00 p.m, dinner will not be included. Instead, you will have the option to reserve a cold packed dinner for an additional charge in the next step of the booking process.

Day 3: Amman - Jerash - Ajloun Castle - Amman

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a brief city tour of Amman. See both the new and old parts of the city on a panoramic bus ride. Afterwards, continue to Jerash, known as the 'Pompeii of the East'. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, this amazing Greco-Roman city is the best-preserved example of Roman-era ruins in Jordan. See the impressive Hadrian's Arch, the Hippodrome, the Temple of Artemis and the Roman Theatre, among other highlights, as you explore this amazing archaeological site. Next, continue to Ajloun Castle, built by Saladin in the 12th-century. One of the most amazing castles in the Middle East, here you can soak up the fabulous views of the Dead Sea from its hilltop vantage point. Return to Amman and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Amman.

Day 4: Amman - Desert Castles - Dead Sea - Amman

Breakfast at the hotel. Head east today to discover the Desert Castles of Azraq, Kharanah and Amra. Dating from the early Islamic era, the castles were built as retreats for the Caliphs of the time. Explore these historic fortresses and learn more about the history of 7th-century Jordan. Afterwards, continue to the eternal Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth at an amazing 400-meters below sea level! Take in the spectacular views before enjoying some free time to relax, swim and float in the salty waters! The mineral-rich mud is said to be therapeutic so be sure to treat your skin to a little indulgence! Return to Amman after an action-packed day. Dinner and overnight stay in Amman.

Day 5: Amman - Madaba - Mount Nebo - Shobak Castle - Petra

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for Madaba this morning to see the oldest mosaic map in the world, housed within the historic St. George Church. Continue to Mount Nebo, overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Believed to be the place where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land and later buried, take in the spectacular views of this sacred place. Next, drive to the fascinating Shobak Castle, a Crusader Castle dating back to 1115. At the end of the visit, head to Petra and check in at the hotel. Spend the evening at your leisure, ready to discover the ancient city in the morning! If you can't wait, we recommend an optional Petra by Night excursion!* Dinner and overnight stay in Petra. *Optional Petra By Night Excursion: Savour the opportunity to discover the legendary sights of Petra by night! Walk along the Siq Gorge before arriving at the iconic Treasury to admire its legendary candlelit facade. A spectacular sight!

Day 6: Petra

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend today exploring the famed Nabatean capital with an excursion to Petra! During the visit, discover the most important and representative monuments, sculpted into the rock by this ancient civilization. Admire the Treasury, the famous and most internationally recognised monument, as seen in one of the Indiana Jones films and other highlights, such as the Colored Tombs and the Royal Tombs. Let your imagination run wild as you learn about life here in ancient times. Petra is one of those places in the world that you must visit at least once in your life! A true wonder of the world, enjoy an unforgettable day exploring this bucket-list site. At the end of the visit, return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Petra.

Day 7: Petra - Little Petra - Wadi Rum

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, head to a lesser-known site named Little Petra, located north of Petra. A narrow gorge of 2 meters wide, this rocky landscape is adorned with typical Nabatean architecture, making this one of the most unique sites in the country. Originally, Little Petra was inhabited by the Nabateans and is home to a number of tombs, water tanks and riverbeds. Next, continue to beautiful Wadi Rum, the desert made famous by Lawrence of Arabia. Take a 4x4 excursion across the lunar-like landscape for an unforgettable experience. We recommend an optional Stargazing Excursion to discover the secrets of the night's sky!* Dinner under the stars and overnight at the camp in Wadi Rum. *Optional Wadi Rum Stargazing Experience: Discover the secrets of the night's sky! Head to an area without light pollution and enjoy a 20-minute presentation before viewing the incredible star constellations with the help of telescopes. This excursion is weather dependent.

Day 8: Wadi Rum - Amman

Breakfast at the camp. At the indicated time, return to Amman and spend the rest of the day at your leisure, soaking up the culture and atmosphere of the Jordanian capital. Dinner and overnight stay in Amman.

Day 9: Amman - Cairo

Breakfast at the hotel. Continue your adventure today as you head to Egypt! At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo. Touch down in Cairo and transfer to the hotel. Once you've settled in the remainder of the day is free at your leisure to get to know the sights and sounds of Cairo, in the shadow of the Great Pyramids! Go shopping at the local souk or sample the national cuisine. Overnight stay in Cairo.

Day 10: Cairo

Breakfast at the hotel. Get to know the Egyptian capital today with a tour of Cairo's most emblematic sights. Begin at the Giza plateau, home of the three Great Pyramids, built over 4,500 years ago and one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Explore the pyramids and learn about their fascinating history as you walk in the footsteps of the pharaohs. Continue to the Great Sphinx to unearth more secrets of Ancient Egypt. The remainder of the day is free to explore Cairo at your leisure. We recommend an optional Pyramids Sound and Light Show.* Overnight stay in Cairo. * Optional Pyramids Sound and Light Show: Experience the iconic Great Pyramids at night, as they are lit with dancing lasers and visuals, accompanied by atmospheric music. The perfect way to kick-start your Egyptian adventure! Important: The order of the optional excursions may vary depending on your departure day. Alternatively, for a full experience of Egypt, you can choose one of our optional excursion packages to add 3/4 optional excursions to your trip!

Day 11: Cairo - Luxor

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight to Luxor. On arrival, transfer to the port to board your Full-Board Nile Cruise Boat, your home for the next four nights. Get settled in your cabin and enjoy lunch and the views of the river Nile. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Karnak, a huge complex of decayed temples, columns and other buildings. On the way back to the ship, stop at the impressive Temple of Luxor, dedicated to Amun-Ra, Mut and Khonu and built by Amenophis III and Ramses II. Back on the ship, enjoy the remainder of the evening at your leisure. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 12: Luxor - Edfu

Full-board on board. Begin the day with a visit to the legendary Valley of the Kings, the burial site of the pharaohs between the 18th and 20th ancient Egyptian dynasties and the famous site of the tomb of Tutankhamun. After exploring the valley, head to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, set on large terraces beneath the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari. Continue to the Colossi of Memnon, two imposing stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, before returning to the ship as it navigates towards Edfu. Overnight on board. Please note: The excursion to the Valley of the Kings includes visits to three tombs. Entrance to the tomb of Tutankhamun is not included but, if you are interested in visiting, you can buy a ticket to see this tomb at the site during your visit.

Day 13: Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan

Full-board on board. Disembark the ship in Edfu and take a buggy ride to the magnificent Temple of Horus, the famous, falcon-headed Egyptian god. Explore the atmospheric temple ruins as you trace the footsteps of the pharaohs. Return to the ship and continue sailing south to Kom Ombo. Upon arrival explore the twin Temples of Haroeris and Sobek and see the amazing Nilometer, used to measure the rising and falling levels of the Nile, an important life source in Egypt. Return to the ship and relax onboard as you continue towards Aswan. Overnight on board.

Day 14: Aswan

Full-board on board. This morning, we recommend an optional visit to the amazing temples of Abu Simbel.* Today, enjoy a tour of Aswan to uncover the sights of this fascinating city. Explore the famous granite quarry, where the building blocks of many of ancient Egypt's monuments were produced and visit both the old and new Aswan Dams, monumental engineering works built in the 19th and 20th centuries respectively to control the flooding on the banks of the Nile. End the day with a peaceful ride in a felucca, a typical fishing boat, on the river Nile. Overnight on board. * Optional Excursion to Abu Simbel: Visit these amazing temples, carved on the western cliff of the desert by Ramses II in the Xl century BC. See the iconic 20-metre high statues, dedicated to the god Amon Ra, and the Temple of Nefertari, dedicated to the goddess Hathor. Please note: If you take the optional excursion to Abu Simbel, you will depart from the ship at approximately 3 a.m. to make the most of the coolest and quietest part of the day. This way, you can fully experience Abu Simbel without the crowds and avoid sightseeing in high temperatures. Important: The order of the optional excursions may vary depending on your departure day. Alternatively, for a full experience of Egypt, you can choose one of our optional excursion packages to add 3/4 optional excursions to your trip!

Day 15: Aswan - Cairo

Breakfast on board. At the indicated time, disembark the ship and transfer to the airport for a short flight to Cairo. Arrive in the capital and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure to get to know Cairo. While away the day visiting the amazing Egyptian Museum, where it's worth spending some time to really get the most out of its unbeatable exhibitions or go shopping in the busy city souks to bag a bargain. We recommend an optional excursion to the Saladin Citadel.* Overnight stay in Cairo. * Optional Excursion to Saladin Citadel: Visit the Alabaster Mosque and medieval fortification of Saladin Citadel, perched atop a hill in central Cairo and dating back to the 12th-century. Learn about the importance of the site to Egypt's Islamic heritage before walking through the Coptic Neighborhood, home to various churches. Important: The order of the optional excursions may vary depending on your departure day. Alternatively, for a full experience of Egypt, you can choose one of our optional excursion packages to add 3/4 optional excursions to your trip!

Day 16: Cairo - US

Breakfast at the hotel. * At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. ** * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day. ** Depending on the choice of flight, you may arrive back in the US the following day.