Compare Jordan & Egypt: Petra to the Pyramids 2021 by Tauck vs Classic Egypt and Jordan by Odynovo

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: Arrival - Cairo

Overnight: Cairo

Welcome to Egypt, once the mighty land of pharaohs!

Upon touchdown, you will be met by our airport representative and then transferred to your hotel with a private vehicle. Check-in and have the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 2: Cairo

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight: Cairo

Begin your exploration from Memphis, the ancient Egyptian capital of the Old Kingdom. It is now an open-air museum sheltering the 10-meter-long statue of Rameses II. Your next stop, the Step Pyramid of Djoser in the Saqqara Necropoleis, is widely regarded as the oldest pyramid in the world. Finally, visit the most iconic pyramids complex at Giza and the Great Sphinx.

Day 3: Cairo

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight: Cairo

Step into the Egyptian Museum for a comprehensive understanding of Egyptian history from

the Predynastic Period to the Greco-Roman Era. Later, proceed to the medieval Citadel of Saladin in Old Cairo. The inside Mohammed Ali Mosque, which dominates the eastern skyline of Cairo, is the symbol of the citadel. Afterward, spend some time browsing and shopping in the vibrant Khan El Khalili Bazaar before returning to the hotel.

Day 4: Cairo - Aswan - Nile River Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: On Board

Take a morning flight to Aswan.

Upon arrival, go straight to your Nile cruise ship to check in. Your shore excursion in Aswan includes the High Dam and the Temple of Philae. Late in the afternoon, take the chance to sail on the Nile with a traditional Egyptian Felucca and explore the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener Island.

Day 5: Nile River Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: On Board

Cruise on, and when the ship arrives in Kom Ombo, go ashore to see the unusual double Temple of Kom Ombo with one side dedicated to the god Haroesis and the other to Sobek. Return to the ship and continue your journey to Edfu for the Temple of Horus. Also known as the Temple of Edfu, it is the second-largest temple in Egypt after Karnak Temple.

Day 6: Nile River Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: On Board

Once the ship arrives in Luxor in the morning, disembark to explore the west bank of Luxor. Step into three tombs of the ancient Pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings to learn about ancient Egyptian beliefs and burial practices. Following it is the renovated Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, an impressive terraced sandstone complex built into mountain cliffs. During the tour, you can also take pictures with the massive Colossi of Memnon, who guard the ruined Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III for thousands of years.

Day 7: Luxor - Cairo

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight: Cairo

Disembark the cruise and continue to explore the east bank of Luxor. You will find two of Egypt's most important sites, the Temple of Karnak and the Luxor Temple. They were linked by a long avenue of Sphinxes, part of which is still visible today. You will gain more about Egyptian history through the massive columns with intricate carvings, great statues of quite impressive sizes, obelisks, and so on.

After the tour, transfer to the airport to catch your flight back to Cairo. On arrival, be picked up and transferred to your hotel.

Day 8: Cairo - Amman - Jerash - Amman

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight: Amman

Private transfer to the airport for your flight to Amman, the beating heart of Jordan. On arrival, our representative will welcome you and introduce you to your English-speaking

chauffeur for a private tour of the Roman ruins of Jerash. With a knowledgeable local guide, you will visit the spectacular forum, street, temple, and theater in this ancient Roman city. Afterward, return to Amman for quick sightseeing in the capital city with your chauffeur to see the citadel on its highest hill, the Roman theater, and the Archeological & Folklore Museums.

Day 9: Amman - Petra

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight: Petra

Leave Amman behind and move forward to Petra hidden in a basin surrounded by mountains in southern Jordan. There are three stops on the way, with the first at Mt. Nebo for a view of the Promised Land and the beautiful mosaics in the Moses Memorial Church. The second is the Greek Orthodox St. George's Church in Madaba for you to marvel at the mosaic map that depicts the holy land – Palestine of the 6th century, and the last is the crusader castle of Kerak sitting strikingly 900 meters above sea level.

Day 10: Petra

Meal: Breakfast

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: On Board

Take your time to explore Petra. In the first two hours, with a professional tour guide, you will click off the must-sees in the lost city and learn about the history and exotic life of ancient Nabataean, a branch of nomadic Arabs who built Petra into a prosperous trading hub in its time. The rest of the day is yours to discover more in the rosy city at your pace.

Day 11: Petra - Amman

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight: Amman

After breakfast and a relaxing morning, you will begin your journey back north to Amman, which will take about 3.5 hours on the way. For the rest time, you may explore the leafy residential districts, modern malls, and art galleries in the western part of the city.

Day 12: Amman - Departure

Meal: Breakfast

Free time until being transferred to Queen Alia Airport via a private vehicle for your departure flight to your next destination.