Jordan & Egypt Express

Trip Type: Explorer
Jordan | 9 Days | 1 - 16 People
Starts From:

NZD 2,087.00 /Person

* Sale Price Available

Rock-hewn amphitheatres, desert dunes and coral reefs – this trip may be quick, but it packs in a lot of action! Take a nine-day adventure through ...

Jordan & Egypt Express

Rock-hewn amphitheatres, desert dunes and coral reefs – this trip may be quick, but it packs in a lot of action! Take a nine-day adventure through the best of Jordan and Egypt to discover layered histories and striking landscapes. Wander the ancient city of Petra (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), camp in the desert and finish up among the souqs and pyramids of Cairo. As you travel this land of mighty pharaohs and biblical prophets, you’ll be greeted by the legendary hospitality of local Bedouin people in Wadi Rum and discover the underwater worlds that lie beneath the azure waters of the Red Sea.

Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome to Jordan. Your trip begins in Amman with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe take in the sweeping views of Amman from the citadel, explore the Jordan Museum (home to the Dead Sea Scrolls), or take a trip out to the ruins of Jerash – an ancient walled town from 2000 years ago. After your meeting, maybe head out on the town in search of ara’yes (Jordan’s toasted sandwich, packed full of spiced meats).

This morning, travel by minibus to Mt Nebo – the place where the prophet Moses is said to be buried and where he saw the 'Promised Land'. Check out the mosaics inside its fourth-century church. On a clear day, the views over the Dead Sea to Israel and the Palestinian Territories are spectacular. After, drive to the super salty Dead Sea – sitting well below sea level, this is the lowest point on earth, and you’ll float rather than swim due to the high salt count. The mud on the sea floor is said to have healing properties, so maybe lather up and enjoy Mother Nature’s spa. Continue to the crusader castle of Kerak, sitting on top of a cliff overlooking the town and valley below. Explore the seven-level fortress and learn the legends of 12th-century battles between Crusaders and Muslim armies, then continue to Petra for the night.

You’ll explore Petra today – the jewel of Jordan, the lost city of the Nabateans and one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Squeeze through a narrow path called the Siq until you reach the grand entrance of the Treasury. Gaze up at the intricate carvings and spend the afternoon exploring the site at your own pace. There’s the old Roman road, other temples and old tombs, as well as the rock-hewn amphitheatre. For those feeling more adventurous, take a challenging hike up a set of stairs to the smaller but no less impressive monastery, which takes about an hour. After arriving back at your accommodation, why not find a traditional bathhouse to rejuvenate after a day of incredible sightseeing.

This morning you’ll drive to Wadi Rum – a rugged, lunar-like landscape framed by huge sandstone mountains. Head on a half-day jeep safari, taking you through some unique desert scenery and uncover traces of ancient civilisations in the many carved inscriptions throughout the area, from pictographs to Thamudic, Nabataean and Arabic texts. The most enduring monuments in Wadi Rum are those carved by nature – natural rock bridges, towering sand dunes and scattered rocky peaks. Spend the night sleeping in a simple desert camp under a camel hair tent. Enjoy dinner cooked in an earthen oven by your Bedouin hosts and soak in the unforgettable surroundings.

This morning, leave Wadi Rum and make tracks for Nuweiba. You’ll drive to Aqaba, then bid your Jordan local leader farewell and transfer on a ferry bound for Taba. When you arrive, you’ll be met by your Egypt local leader and make your way to your accommodation in Nuweiba. Then enjoy a free afternoon to rest, relax or explore at your own pace.

It's a short drive to the laidback resort area of Dahab – your base for the next two nights. Dahab, meaning 'gold' in Arabic, has gone from a Bedouin fishing village to a popular tourist town, thanks to the excellent conditions for activities like diving, windsurfing and rock climbing. However, the town hasn't lost its authenticity and lowkey appeal that’s attracted visitors since the 1970s. The rest of the day is free for you to wander through the cafes, find some fresh seafood or take on some snorkelling in the Red Sea. Dahab is well known for its drop-offs – spectacular coral reef shelves that plunge into the vast blue depths of the ocean. There are also plenty of bars and restaurants to sit back and enjoy good local food and some sheesha.

In the morning, why not strap on a mask and head to the Blue Hole for some snorkelling at one of the best diving spots in the world. The area gets its name from a submarine sinkhole about 94 m deep, with an arch in the coral reef down at 54 m – a challenge that’s only open to highly experienced technical divers. Snorkellers can enjoy one of the greatest spots in the Red Sea here. Float on the surface and look down into an endless world of blue, then make your way around to ‘the Bridge’, where the visibility is always great and the untouched coral swarms with all different types of colourful fish and marine life. After you’ve had your fill of snorkelling, return to Dahab for an evening feast at a waterside restaurant, or maybe head inland to Assalah, where local joints serve up plates of roast chicken and falafel with regional beer.

Today, you’ll experience the contrast between seaside Dahab and the wonderfully chaotic capital city of Cairo. Transfer to Sharm El Sheikh Airport and take the short flight to Cairo. Cairo is one of the great cities of antiquity and its history can be embodied by two of its imposing landmarks – the Pyramids of Giza and the Mosque of Mohammed Ali. Tonight, why not join your new travel mates for a celebratory dinner in the city – your local leader will know of some delicious places to eat.

There are no activities planned for the final day, and you can depart the accommodation at any time following check-out. While this trip doesn't include time to explore the sights of Cairo, it’s strongly recommended that you spend a few extra days to see more of what the city offers (one of the Seven Wonders of the World, anyone?). If you want to spend more time here, just speak to your booking agent beforehand.

Meals
7 Breakfast(s), , 1 Dinner(s)

Transport
Plane , Ferry , Minibus , Jeep

Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights), Desert camp (1 night)

Included Activities
  • Petra - Guided tour (One day pass included)
  • Wadi Rum - 4WD jeep safari
  • Wadi Rum - Bedouin Desert Camp
  • Wadi Rum - Zarb Local Dinner
  • Join Bedouin locals at a desert camp in Wadi Rum for a night of traditional hospitality, good food and starry skies. You’ll learn about the Bedouin way of life and fall asleep to the eerie silence of the desert.
  • Spend a whole day uncovering the majesty and mystery of Petra – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Follow your local leader down the narrow path of the Siq for your first unforgettable glimpse of the hand-carved Treasury.
  • Lay back and take an effortless float in the super salty waters of the Dead Sea after visiting Moses’ Promised Land at Mt Nebo. Everywhere you visit in Jordan has a story to tell.
  • Explore the incredible underwater world that lies just offshore at the Red Sea by snorkel and get into the laidback vibe of Dahab, full of seaside cafes and sheesha.
  • End it all in Cairo, home to the Great Pyramid of Giza (another Wonder of the World) and enjoy some free time to wander at your own pace. Consider staying a few extra nights to tick the Pyramids off your list and discover all this city has to offer.
  • There is quite a bit of walking involved in visiting Jordan's historic sites, especially in Petra and Wadi Rum, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. Often there is little to no shade, so remember to bring sun protection and comfortable walking shoes. Your desert camp stay in Wadi Rum may be simple, but it is an incredible experience. There are tents and shared western bathroom facilities. Please be aware that while the desert may be very hot during the day, it will still be cool at night, so warm clothes and a sleeping bag are highly recommended – especially when travelling outside of the summer months. Winters can get quite cool in this region, so if you're visiting at this time, don't forget to pack some warmer layers too. The Aqaba to Taba ferry travels across the Gulf of Aqaba. It is a long travel day, but is the easiest way to travel between the two destinations. Your leader in Jordan will assist you until you reach the Aqaba port and you will be greeted by your new leader once you've crossed the border in Egypt. If you do experience sea sickness, please take appropriate precautions for the journey. This journey can often be held up due to scheduling or weather conditions.

Departing

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Availability

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Price: NZD 2,390.00

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Provided by
Intrepid Travel
Reference Code:
EERJ
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Amman, Jordan
Trip Finishes:
Cairo, Egypt
Countries Visited:
Egypt
Jordan
map

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Destination Details
Jordan | 9 Days | 1 - 16 People

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