Egypt & Jordan Discovered By Nile Cruise (5 & 4 Star Hotels)

Welcome to Egypt! At the Cairo terminal keep your eyes peeled for the Travel Talk sign for your transfer to the hotel. Freshen up and meet in the lobby around 6:00pm for an informal meeting with your guide and other tour members. Afterwards you have free time to start exploring vibrant Cairo or board a cruise for an optional group dinner.

Prepare your lenses for the breath-taking, world-famous Pyramids and the Sphinx. Face all their 4,600-year glory and embrace the only remaining Ancient Wonder of the World. After everyone had their dose of awe, we head out to Sakkara for sightseeing. The first capital of ancient Egypt is famous for the step pyramid built in 2700 B.C. Later in the afternoon, board the bus to Luxor and check into our premium hotel by the Nile.

After breakfast, depart for the vast Karnak Temple Complex. It's one of the most important religious centres of ancient Egypt with its marvellous temples. Your Egyptologist guide will enlighten you with the most intriguing stories and mythologies fuelling such creations for millennia. In the afternoon, drive to Aswan and board your Nile Cruiser for overnight.

Time to explore Aswan, famed for its skilled artisans and the Unfinished Obelisk. Take a short motorboat ride to reach the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, divine mother of the pharaohs. The temple is set beautifully on an island in the middle of the Nile. Early in the morning you can join the optional trip to the gorgeous Abu Simbel, an iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a must-do for all keen on history and mythology.

Today is a chill-day sailing down the Nile, watching beautiful scenery and waving to the locals swimming and fishing. Whilst absorbing the stunning temples along the coast, sit back and enjoy the relaxing breeze. Have a dip in the pool on-board and bathe under the sun.

Time to bid farewell to our fancy Nile cruise. Start off the day with a visit to the Kom Ombo Temple dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek. Next stop will be Edfu, home to one of the largest and best-preserved temples in Egypt. Dedicated to the falcon god Horus, the temple was built over 180-years from 237 BC to 57 BC. As you get your dose of marvel, ride to Luxor and check into the hotel. After a refreshing break, brace for the Luxor Temple, dedicated to the great god Amun. The temple was built on top of a smaller structure dating back to 14th century BC!

The West Bank of the Nile awaits with the incredible Valley of the Kings. Also known as “City of the Dead”, it's home to fancy royal tombs carved into desert rocks and filled with treasures for the Pharaoh afterlife. As you’d expect, here lied the famous mummy of Tutankhamun III. Rising out of the desert plain in a series of terraces, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut is the next stop. As you try to break the spell of ancient wonders, drive to Cairo for overnight stay.

The journey continues with one of the most important museums dedicated to the ancient world. Egyptian Museum of Cairo houses around 120,000 ancient Egyptian relics and antiquities. Then roam around Cairo stopping by the Citadel of Saladin, Mosque of Mohammed Ali, the Hanging Church and the world-famous Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Make sure to wear your haggling hats and brace for the mayhem!

Following an early breakfast, head out to the Red Sea paradise of Dahab. Pack your swimsuit close and ready for a dip in the sea. You’ll get plenty of swimming, snorkeling, diving and sunbathing. The perfect way to relax after a week of cultural discovery.

Today our Dahab experience starts with an optional snorkeling trip to the famous Blue Hole. Here you can snorkel off the shore, swim along colourful fish and experience the beauty of the coral reefs. Dahab is renowned for being one of the best diving destinations in the region, offering an unforgettable experience to divers of all levels. Following your return, why not try out camel trekking or water sports.

Time for the second leg of your adventure. Departing early in the morning for Nuweiba or Taba, you will cross by Aqaba, Jordan’s window to the sea. We make for the otherworldly desert of Wadi Rum. Brace for a local feast, we’re having an authentic Jordanian dinner in a magical setting tonight. Naturally to be followed by a camp fire in the desert, singing and sharing stories – scary or not – and bonding with your travel mates. Hope for a clear sky for a stunning starry night at our desert camp.Attention: Ferries from Nuweiba to Aqaba only depart when they are full, which may result in 3 – 4 hour delays on the departure time and itinerary change in Jordan.For passengers not wishing to wait for the ferry, we also offer the option to cross the Arava Israeli Border from Taba and use the motorway to Aqaba Border. (Israel issues a separate pass at the border and doesn’t stamp your passport).

The experience of a lifetime awaits. Have a hefty breakfast, you’re joining a 2-hour Jeep safari in the Wadi Rum desert. The setting to many ‘Mars’ movies, natural rock formations in the middle of the vast desert will amaze you. Next up will be the magnificent world-famous Petra, the greatest attraction in the Middle East and a full day of exploration. Your local guide will provide a brief history of the ancient city and show you the ins and outs. The massive underground city is carved into a huge rose-coloured rock, make sure to have your cameras at hand! You’ll also get a chance to discover the Pharaoh's Castle, the Triumphal arch and the Amphitheatre along the way. We remain in Petra overnight.

A day is never enough for the vastness of Petra. The tour of the ‘Red Rose City’ continues before we drive to the lowest point of dry land on earth. The Dead Sea, also known as ‘Sea of Salt’, is hundreds of metres below sea level, hence the famous incredibly salty water that floats you almost above waist. Enjoy the warm sun, cleansing mud baths and the most original swimming experience ever. Then continue to Amman where we stay overnight.

Time to discover the vibrant Jordanian capital of Amman. Embark on a city tour of beautiful sites and highlights including the Citadel and the Amphitheatre, and discover the impressive history of Jordan. Afterwards you’ll get some free time to explore the city on your own terms and hit the shopping streets.

Have your final breakfast on us and start bidding farewells to your travel mates before checking out of the hotel. Time to start counting days for your next adventure with Travel Talk!