A Journey to the Wonders of the World

Egypt & Jordan adventure holiday

The Seven Wonders of the World have always appealed to the imagination of travellers. Places like the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu and.... Petra, are unique experiences of a lifetime. During our 15-day Egypt and Jordan adventure holiday, you'll avoid the crowds and combine two Wonders of the World with delightful moments of relaxation and visits to less well-known, yet interesting attractions. Your two week Egypt and Jordan adventure holiday begins with a visit to the majestic pyramids of Giza, then you'll travel to one of the newest wonders of the world, Petra, and end up in the historic capital of Jordan, Amman. Along the way you'll cross the Sinai Desert, pass the translucent waters and the coral reefs of the Red Sea, visit Roman excavations and float in the saltiest lake in the world. Two countries, two wonders of the world, two deserts and a thousand and one new experiences.... that's a Journey to the Wonders of the World!

Duration	15 days/ 14 nights Departs daily (except on Saturdays)	Accommodation	Small, comfortable hotels. Comfort level 3. Three nights camping in the Sinai and Wadi Rum. Comfort level 1 (see accommodation).
Price	Please see our Contact Us page for more details	Includes	Airport transfers, accommodation with breakfast, excursions as described below.
Transport	Private transport by minibus and 4x4	Excludes	International and domestic flights.Tips and other meals, harbour or airport transfer and departure charge for Aqaba harbour if applicable, ENTRANCE FEES and GUIDE for Petra (55JD/£48) for 2 day pass.

Day 1: Arrival in Cairo

Your trip starts in Cairo after a 4.5 hour flight from the UK. On your arrival at the airport our local representative will be there to greet you. He/ she will arrange a visa for your passport and will assist with the customs formalities. Once your suitcase has rolled off the conveyor belt you'll head for your small, characteristic hotel in the heart of Cairo. If you would like some advice on where to go for great meals and which neighbourhoods you should visit to catch a glimpse of local atmosphere, don't hesitate to ask our representative. If you would like him or her to guide you through the city on your first evening so that you can find things more easily the second evening, just ask and he/ she will join you. It's customary to tip the representative at the end of the evening if they do show you around.

Egypt Jordan adventure holiday - Pyramids of Giza

Day 2: The Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and Saqqara

Early in the morning our driver will pick you up at your hotel and drive you towards Giza. After about 20 minutes of city traffic you'll start to see two of the three pyramids appear, seemingly out of nowhere. Your first encounter with mystical ancient Egypt.

You could bring along a guide book about the pyramids and ancient Egyptian history, however, we recommend having a guide show you around. That's why we've arranged for an English-speaking guide to join you. He/she will tell you the interesting stories behind the pyramids and take care of the entrance fees (all included in the price). If you leave your hotel early in the morning, you can also enter the Cheops pyramid for an additional fee (approximately £9). After lunch you'll continue on to Saqqara. Relatively few tourists come to this site, but it is the largest archaeological site in Egypt with many hidden treasures still buried beneath the sand. After you return to your hotel, you'll have the rest of the evening to do your own thing.

Day 3: Cairo - The Sinai

A spectacularly beautiful ride is planned for Day 3 of your Egypt and Jordan adventure holiday. You'll be collected from your hotel in Cairo this morning by your driver and guide. Together you'll drive east into the Sinai desert in a minibus. It should take you about 5 hours to reach the mountain range at the southernmost part of the Sinai Peninsula. During the ride into the Sinai you'll pass by one amazing sight after another. You'll drive through an enormous canyon, drifting sand dunes and naturally you'll make a pit stop at a desert oasis, a natural water source.

At the end of the afternoon you'll reach the valley near Saint Catherine's Monastery where camp will be set up for the night. Your guide will set up your tent, arrange your sleeping area and prepare dinner. We suggest bringing your own sleeping bag liner with you. As the day comes to an end you'll fall asleep beneath a starry heaven as you dream about the Sinai wadis beneath Moses Mountain.

Egypt Jordan adventure holiday - The Sinai

Egypt Jordan adventure holiday - St. Catherine's Monastery

Day 4: Mount Sinai - Saint Catherine's Monastery

This morning you'll awaken at your own pace in a tent in the valley after a peaceful night of slumber. After a tasty camp breakfast you'll visit Saint Catherine's Monastery. This grand monastery was built on the same location where, according to the Bible, Moses received the Ten commandments from God and where he spoke to him through a burning bush. To this day, this area is considered a holy place by Greek Orthodox monks and pilgrims. You'll still find a part of the holy bush within the granite walls of the monastery.

During the afternoon you'll travel further towards the coast with your guide via the colourful Wadi Gebel el Maktoub. During your visit to Nawamis and Wadi El Roum you'll see remnants of the prehistoric era. The final destination for today is the small oasis at Ain Khudra, where your camp will be set up beneath the palm trees. After a campfire dinner you'll retreat to your tent for a good night's rest beneath another spectacular starry sky.

Day 5: Mount Sinai - Dahab

After camp is broken down, your Egypt and Jordan adventure holiday continues towards Dahab. After a stop at Gazelle Canyon, where you might actually get to see these long-legged creatures, you'll reach Coloured Canyon. During the ages wind and water have worked there way through the rocks creating a spectacular muddle of gorges in various colours.

We've selected the most memorable accommodation options in and right outside of Dahab. In the evening, you can visit the boulevard where the scent of grilled jumbo shrimp will certainly stir up an appetite. Try a fruit cocktail and a pasty at one of the enchanting Bedouin restaurants. If you have some space left for desert, check out Shark Restaurant. The thick floor cushions on the ground offer a great place to lounge as you watch the moon rise above the Saudi mountains on the other side of the sea and listen to the surf softly hit the shore.

Egypt Jordan adventure holiday - Snorkelling in Dahab

Day 6: Snorkelling in Dahab

After breakfast you'll snorkel your way through Dahab's Red Sea underwater paradise. A jeep will take you where you need to be and you'll be able to walk right into the water. Depending on the current and how many people join you, you'll visit the famous diving spot 'The Blue Hole' (more than 100m deep). When the water is clear you can look all the way down to a depth of 35m. You won't believe all the incredible colour combinations at the reef, not to mention the brilliantly coloured fish. Once you've spent enough time in the water, you can settle into one of the thick cushions beneath the palm trees on the beach. Spending a day in the water will probably give you a hearty appetite. You can order whatever you like on the beach, from shish kebab and grilled chicken to omelettes or falafel.

After you've returned to the hotel you can try a sunset camel trip or horseback ride in the desert. If you would rather take it easy this afternoon, you can relax by the water's edge.

Day 7: Dahab

If you can't get enough of Dahab's coral gardens and colourful Red Sea fish, there are plenty of diving and snorkelling spots in the area that you can explore. Each spot is unique and interesting to visit. The reef in front of your accommodation is also an excellent place to go snorkelling.

At the end of the day as the sun sinks into the sea, thousands of brilliant stars will appear in the heavens. Time for candlelight and fresh fish on the bbq. Before dining, relax on one of the large floor cushions in the Bedouin tent... with or without a water pipe.

Egypt Jordan adventure holiday - Camel on the beach

Egypt Jordan adventure holiday - Kids in the desert

Day 8: Dahab - Aqaba, Jordan

This morning, you'll say goodbye to your quaint coastal accommodation and your Egypt and Jordan adventure holiday will continue towards Jordan. Our local representative will collect you from your hotel and take you on the 1-hour drive to the harbour town of Nuweiba. Here, you'll board a fast ferry to the Jordan harbour town of Aqaba. While onboard the large catamaran you can enjoy lunch or a cup of coffee at one of the many restaurants while enjoying the view. After an hour of sailing you'll reach the harbour at Aqaba. You may have to wait a while before you can leave the ship since the Jordanian customs need some time to check all entry documents. Once you leave the boat you'll go through customs and you'll purchase your visa for Jordan.

Just outside of the arrival hall our local Jordan representative will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Aqaba (a 20 minute drive). After you've checked in and freshened up, you could go for a walk past the stores and bazaars of Aqaba or simply enjoy the beach. If you have enough time today, explore the wondrous submarine world of the Red Sea. The most exquisite coral can be found just beyond the surf. As the evening nears the sky will turn red and as you look out in the distance you'll the lights go on in Egypt and Israel in the mountains surrounding the sea. Find a bunch of comfortable lounge cushions at one of the local restaurants and watch the evening's red sky turn into a velvety black night sky while enjoying a fruit cocktail and fresh seafood.

Day 9: Aqaba - Wadi Rum

You'll start the morning with a lengthy breakfast or another snorkelling trip. After lunch, you'll be collected from your hotel for your desert adventure. As you leave Aqaba, you'll drive through dusty sand plains, but soon the scenery will become rockier. After about an hour, the towering rock walls of Wadi Rum will start to appear. The bizarre rock formations, high sand dunes and small oases make Wadi Rum one of the most spectacular desert areas in the Middle East. The Wadi has been inhabited since prehistoric times and is mentioned in the Koran and described at length by Lawrence of Arabia. There's quite a bit to explore at Wadi Rum and you'll spend this afternoon doing just that in a rugged 4x4 vehicle. Your driver knows all the ins and outs of the Wadi and will take you on a journey across natural rock bridges and deep gorges. As you ride along in the back of the open 4x4, with the warm desert wind blowing through your hair, you'll experience the vast desert in an unforgettable way. Early in the evening you'll arrive at tonight's camp - in the beautiful village of Disi. After you've arranged your things in your tent for the night, a tasty Bedouin meal will be prepared for you. Tired, yet satisfied and filled with excitement from your desert escapades and delicious foods, you'll head for your tent.

Egypt Jordan adventure holiday - Wadi Rum

Egypt Jordan adventure holiday - meet the locals

Day 10: Wadi Rum - Siq Al-Barid (Small Petra)

If you wake up early this morning, you're likely to catch a stunning sunrise. The mountain bordering your camp will give you a beautiful view of the sun slowly rising above the horizon. Back at camp a hearty breakfast will be prepared for you. Afterwards, a guide will collect you for a hike through part of Wadi Rum, during which he'll share his knowledge of the Wadi's natural with you. It's surprising to see how many plants and animals live in the harsh conditions of the desert. After two hours of hiking, you'll say goodbye to your guide and you'll prepare to leave Wadi Rum and continue towards Siq Al-Barid. This place is also known as Small Petra, as it was once a suburb of nearby Petra. With a guide, you'll go rambling past the rock-cut temples and halls with lively frescos. Siq Al-Barid is far less touristy than Petra, so you'll feel like an explorer discovering this place for the first time. Your guide will share stories about that area, making it all just come to life even more. In the evening you'll be dropped off at your hotel in Wadi Musa - a tourist town on Petra's access road.

Day 11: Petra

On Day 11 of your Egypt and Jordan adventure holiday, you'll have the entire day to explore Petra at your own pace. The vast secluded city has countless must-see attractions. We recommend pulling on your walking shoes early in the morning so that you have plenty of time to roam Petra and have the city to yourself before the crowds arrive. The entrance to Petra, the Siq, lies near your hotel.

Petra is an unbelievably large treasure chamber. If you alternate between the well-known with lesser-known attractions, instead of rushing past the most popular sights, you'll get the best out of Petra. In the afternoon you can find a shady spot and sit down for lunch. A picnic between ancient monuments is once in a lifetime experience. As sun begins to sink behind the rocks, it's time to head back to Wadi Musa. After a long day of walking through Petra, you'll enjoy resting up at your hotel or at one of the terraces in town. If you'd like some pampering and relaxation, visit one of the hammams or steam baths in town.

Egypt Jordan adventure holiday - Dead Sea

Day 12: Kerak - Dead Sea

After breakfast our driver will come to collect you from your hotel. As you leave Wadi Musa you'll travel through a dry area of hills. At the foot of the highest peak lies the small town of Kerak. Far above the townhouses you'll see the medieval crusader's fortress. The striking castle ruins offer an incredible view of the entire area. Your driver will drop you off at the entrance of Kerak. You'll have plenty of time to visit the castle and learn more about the legends of the fortress.

Next, you'll continue along King's Road to the Dead Sea, the lowest lying lake in the world. Your driver will drop you off on the shores of the Dead Sea. The water in this lake is nine times as salty as the waters in the North Sea. The water's salts and minerals are a natural health spa for your body and it's great to float feeling totally weightless. Just be careful not to get the water in your mouth or eyes! Afterwards, you'll head for Madaba where you'll spend the night in a small hotel.

Day 13: Madaba - Amman

This morning you'll check out of your hotel after breakfast. You can leave your luggage behind at the reception area and spend the morning exploring the town of Madaba, an important spiritual epicentre in biblical times. The Byzantines built elegant churches with intriguing mosaics in this city. Over the centuries, these works of art disappeared under layers of dust and it wasn't until the 19th century that they were rediscovered. Their brightly coloured stones and intricate patterns make it hard to believe they date back several centuries.

We recommend continuing on to the Madaba Archaeological Park, a place that many travellers miss. Here, you can see more historic mosaics. Their shining terra and ochre colours give them a magical appeal. Late in the afternoon you'll collect your luggage from your hotel and one of our local representatives will drive you to the capital of Jordan, Amman. It's only a short drive away from Madaba. During your first night in town, you can take a walk to see the view across the many white buildings in the city.

Egypt Jordan adventure holiday - Byzantine church

Day 14: Amman - Jerash

On Day 14 of your Egypt and Jordan adventure holiday, your guide will be waiting to take you on an excursion to Jerash. In Roman times, this city was known as Gerasa and it was one of the most important trading posts in the empire. The city has been exceptionally well preserved and as you walk through the rows of columns and triumphal arches you'll feel as if you've stepped back in time to the days of Ben Hur. Your guide will take you to the most interesting spots, such as the well preserved city gates. You'll also visit the main street where the ingenuity and the precision of the Roman architecture will amaze you. You'll also have time to stroll past the historical sights on your own. After visiting Jerash, your guide will take you back to Amman and you'll part ways. It's customary to tip your guide at the end of the excursion.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to do your own thing in Amman. Although it isn't really known as a beautiful city, there are many interesting places to visit, such as the historic citadel. Another famous attraction in the city is the striking Roman amphitheatre. The theatre was built in the 2nd century and can hold 6000 people. Performances are still held here in the summer months. The highest parts of the theatre look out over the thousands of lights that come on in the city after dark. As a cool breeze cools down the city streets, you'll have your last meal in the city before heading back to your hotel for the night.

Day 15: Departure from Amman - End of itinerary

Your Egypt and Jordan adventure holiday ends today, and a transfer will collect you from your hotel and take you to the airport in Amman. Filled with memories and lifelong impressions you'll return to the UK.

Egypt Jordan adventure holiday - taking the road home...