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Map of Real Egypt & Jordan including Egypt and Jordan

Sail the nile, see the Sphinx and be awed by pretty in pink Petra.

From the Land of the Pharos to the land of the nomads, take a trip you'll never forget through Egypt and Jordan. Lawrence of Arabia, Indiana Jones, Tutankhamen. These destinations attract the big names, and deservedly so. Cruise the Nile, haggle the Nubian Bazaar, see the Valley of the Kings, get lost in Petra and eat your weight in tabbouleh.

This trip is for 18 to 29-year-olds

Some of our under-30 travellers prefer to get around with people their own age. If that’s you, you’re in the right place!

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Cairo, Egypt
Finish
Madaba, Jordan
Destinations
Egypt, Jordan
Style
Basix
Theme
18 to 29s
Code
XEYJC
Physical rating
Ages
Min 18, Max 29
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Travel solo, together

You're never alone when travelling solo with Intrepid

Why you'll love this trip

  • Cities like Cairo can be dizzying, but your local leader and guides are there for a reason – they'll have you heading straight for the best local spots.

  • Yep, the pyramids and Sphinx are awe-inspiring. But the smaller moments are special too – like kayaking on the Nile, dancing with Nubian locals and learning to spell your name in hieroglyphs.

  • Sleep under the stars (or in a comfortable tent) at a Bedouin-style camp in Wadi Rum.

  • Only Petra’s Treasury is stunning enough to be the temple of the Holy Grail (well, according to Indiana Jones at least), and you’ll be blown away on a full day exploring the majesty and mystery of this world wonder.

  • Set sail on a felucca cruise along the Nile. Back in the day, these wooden boats had zero facilities, but our new pimped-out boat has western-style toilets on board.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Just one of the great things about this trip is that it gives you the power. There’s free time to do whatever you want, or optional tours to show you the way. Maybe budget a little extra cash for activities that aren’t included.

  • Egypt can get hot in the summer months of July and August. The good news is it's mostly dry heat, and easier to handle than humidity. Wherever possible, you'll be seeing the sights in the morning before it gets too intense.

  • Travelling on a felucca is awesome, but it's not for everyone. You will be sharing a sleeping area with your fellow group members for the night and a shared bathroom facility on board

  • The thing about ancient ruins and other super old sites in the Middle East is that they usually involve walking on rocky and/or steep hillsides. But if you don’t feel up for it on a hot day then you can just sit it out, or wander along at your own pace.

  • Egypt nights can get chillier than you think, particularly from December to February. Remember to pack at least some warm clothes.

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
Bedouin camp under the stars of the night sky in Wadi Rum, Jordan
Jordan amman traveller city view
Jordan Petra traveller behind
Jordan wadi rum orange jeep rocks

Itinerary
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Welcome to Cairo! You will meet with your trip leader and the rest of your group at 6 pm this evening. If you arrive with time to spare before your tour begins, maybe go immerse yourself in the madness: grab a pair of authentic Roy Bunds sunnies from the bazaar, embrace the kitsch world of Dr Ragab's Pharaonic Village, or wash down the dust with a sahlab (sweet, hot custard drink with nuts).

Be ready tonight to put your tastebuds into overload as you head out with your new travel buddies for some koshari where all the locals go, downtown of course. Koshari? Think vegetarian Egyptian chilli, you may want a fresh lemon juice with that.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Cairo - Saqqara and Memphis Afternoon Tour - USD82
  • Cairo - Sufi Dance Khan al-Khalili (entrance fee) - EGP125
  • Cairo - Coptic Museum (entrance fee) - EGP150
  • Cairo - Islamic Art Museum (entrance fee) - EGP180
  • Cairo - The Citadel (entrance fee) - EGP300
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

We have listed the total price including transportation and local guides (where applicable) for these optional activities wherever possible. This is to help you budget for any additional excursions you might like to do on your trip. Some activities require minimum numbers to operate. If you prefer to do your own thing, taxis are available and your leader can assist in organising.

Drive out to the edge of the desert and explore the Pyramids and the nearby Sphinx (nobody's quite sure how it lost its nose). A guy called Khufu was responsible for building the Great Pyramid. It’s 4500 years old, 146 metres tall and made from 2.3 million blocks weighing around 2.5 tons each. And how did they honour him? With a 9 cm tall statue. Bummer. Later there are plenty of options, like visiting the Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world's great collections of ancient artefacts or the Valley Temple of King Khafre (Chephren). Just remember these will cost you extra. In the evening, it's time for your sleeper train to Aswan (Sleeper Train to Aswan sounds a bit like the title of an adventure novel, doesn't it? Just you wait).
Accommodation
  • Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cairo - Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
Optional Activities
  • Cairo - The 2nd Pyramid of Khafre (entrance fee) - EGP100
  • Cairo - The Great Pyramid of Cheops (entrance fee) - EGP600
  • Cairo - The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization & The Royal Mummy Room (entrance fee) - EGP200
  • Cairo - The Egyptian Museum - USD35
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
The two-berth cabins on the overnight train are comfortable and air-conditioned. All bedding is provided on board by the porter. Western-style toilets are located in each carriage, but we recommend bringing additional toilet paper. Keep in mind general train cleanliness may not be to the same standards you are accustomed to. An included dinner and breakfast are served on board. You may want to purchase something extra beforehand to supplement your meal, particularly if you're a vegetarian as a meat-based meal is served for dinner. In rare circumstances you may be paired in your cabin with a group member of the opposite gender, depending on the group configuration. On other occasions, you might be sharing with another traveller of the same gender who may not be part of our group, again determined by the group configuration.

Hit the bazaar this morning on a tour with your leader. Be prepared for friendly shouts of ‘welcome’ and ‘where are you from’ coming from the vendors. Visit an oil and perfume merchant to learn about how aromatic botanicals have been used in Egypt throughout the ages. From mummification to smelling pretty for a date, you’ll discover their myriad uses. Later, choose whether to join an optional tour to the Philae Temple Complex. A standout here is the Temple of Isis (the Goddess of health, marriage and wisdom) that was rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated in the 1960s. In the afternoon, pop on a lifejacket and grab a paddle for the kayaking adventure of a lifetime as you navigate the Nile. For dinner, you’ve got the chance to head to a Nubian village and enjoy an optional dinner with a local family.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Aswan - Kayaking
  • Aswan - Orientation walk & bazaar visit
Optional Activities
  • Aswan - Philae Temple (entrance fee) - EGP300
  • Aswan - Unfinished Obelisk (entrance fee) - EGP120
  • Aswan - Nubian Village Visit and Dinner - USD15
  • Aswan - Philae Temple Sound & Light Show Tour (minimum 2 persons) (entrance, guide & transport) - USD40
  • Aswan - Philae Temple Tour - USD30
  • Aswan - Philae Temple, High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk Tour - USD60
  • Aswan - Philae Temple Sound and Light Show (entrance fee) - USD40
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning is yours to spend as you please in Aswan. If you can manage a (very) early start, the optional drive to Abu Simbel is well worth it. Cut out of a solid rock cliff, this temple’s a real winner as far as sightseeing in Egypt goes (and that is obviously saying a lot). Renting a minivan with your fellow travellers is the cheapest option. Remember, it takes 3 hours to drive there and 3 hours to drive back, plus you’ll want at least 2 hours to explore when you’re there. Back in Aswan the evening is free to check out the town.

Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Aswan - Abu Simbel Tour - USD110
  • Aswan - Nubian Museum (entrance fee) - EGP200
  • Aswan - Abu Simbel by Air - subject to availability - from - USD380
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Chill this morning before boarding your overnight felucca. A bit like a floating tent, a felucca is a traditional Egyptian vessel and the perfect way to explore the Nile. Later, take a stroll through a colourful Nubian village and discover what life is like for people living along the Nile.

Depending on the group vibe, tonight might include a little beach party.

Accommodation
  • Overnight Felucca (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Nile - Felucca overnight sailing trip
  • Nile - Dinner and Music Felucca
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
A felucca sailing excursion is one the best ways to experience the relaxed lifestyle of the Nubian and Egyptian culture. Part of this immersive experience in sharing a sleeping space with your fellow travellers. You’ll be sharing a massive mattress like a happy can of sardines. Blankets are provided, but we recommend travelling with a sleep sheet. There is a toilet on board and mosquito net coverage, though it never hurts to have insect repellent on hand.

Disembark your fine felucca this morning. While your body might be crying out for a shower, there’s one more temple to see before heading to the hotel. Check out the Temple of Edfu, where inscriptions give insight into life during the Hellenistic period when the temple was built. Continue to Luxor, where you’re free to explore this open-air, museum-city on your own. Can we suggest Karnak as the first stop? Wandering through this ancient village is a cool way to get a sense of life here more than 3000 years ago (hint: religion was a big deal). Legend has it that if you walk around the granite scarab that is west of the Sacred Lake seven times, you’ll meet your soulmate.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple (entrance fee) - EGP300
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show (minimum 2 persons) (entrance, guide & transport) - USD35
  • Aswan - Kom Ombo Temple (entrance fee) - EGP240
  • Edfu - Edfu Temple (entrance fee) - EGP300
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple Sound & Light Show Tour - USD35
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple - USD25
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Optional Activities mentioned today are for entry only OR for organised tour programmes facilitated by your Group Leader. In the past we have found that this suits most of our travellers. If you prefer to do your own thing, transport to sites are available and your leader can assist with organising this.

This morning travel the short distance to discover the West Bank. Check out three burial tombs in Valley of the Kings, with the option to pay for an exploration of the formerly lost tomb of Tutankhamun. Continue to the Colossi of Memnon, where two huge statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III will have you pondering whether posting selfies to Instagram twice a day is really the height of narcissism. If your fellow travellers are up for it, you can choose to finish your West Bank adventure with an optional visit to the tomb of Hatshepsut. She became pharaoh when she married her half-brother, which wasn’t all that uncommon at the time.   If you’ve got any energy left, there will also be time to squeeze in a visit to Luxor Temple before your overnight train to Cairo.
Accommodation
  • Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Luxor - Valley of the Kings (entrance to 3 tombs)
Optional Activities
  • Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple - EGP160
  • Luxor - Tomb of Tutankhamun (entrance fee) - EGP300
  • Luxor - Luxor Temple (entrance fee) - EGP260
  • Luxor - Luxor Museum (entrance fee) - EGP200
  • Luxor - Dinner with a local family - USD15
  • Luxor - Hot Air Balloon over the Valley of the Kings - USD130
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
You are able to purchase a photo ticket that will entitle you to take photos in any of the three tombs that you visit as part of your tour. The cost of the camera ticket is around EGP 300.

It is possible to do a hot air balloon over the Valley of the Kings and the Temples of antiquities on the West Bank. Your Leader can reserve this service for you. We use Dream Balloons in Luxor. Pick up will be from your hotel between 0430 and 0500; balloon capacity is 16-25; Cameras are prohibited in the basket but cell phones are allowed. Activity is subject to weather conditions. Payment by card is possible and will attract a 3% bank service fee.

Head back to the hotel on arrival to Cairo and jump on the Metro with your Leader , head south from Bab al-Futuh (one of three remaining gates from the Old City), walking past the old Islamic monuments that stand watch over the bazaars. Join in some good nature haggling at the Kahan-el Khalili bazaar, then head to El Fishawy. This ramshackle 240-year-old cafe is the perfect place for a cup of tea or a glass of cold water with lemon and mint. While there is nothing scheduled for tonight, we recommend heading into town as a group for one last bowl of koshari.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cairo - Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar
Optional Activities
  • Cairo - Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids (entrance fee) - EGP500
  • Cairo - Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids Tour - USD50
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Farewell Pharaohs with a flight from Egypt to Jordan. Touch down in main town – Amman. When you get here you'll meet your brand new leader and any fellow travellers joining the trip here in Jordan at a 6 pm welcome meeting tonight. Make sure you’ve got all your important docs and deets on you. You've got some time to wander around - you don’t know the meaning of ‘bustling labyrinth’ until you walk around the Jordanian capital. If it all gets too cray, duck into a cafe for a sweet mint tea. Make a beeline for Rainbow Street for a falafel and a sheesha. It's what the locals would want. Something more substantial? Maybe head to the Old Town’s Roman Amphitheatre, have a cultured afternoon at the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, snap some pics of the city from the hilltop Temple of Hercules, or sweat it out in a Turkish bath house. Afterwards, rendezvous with your new Intrepid group for a team catch-up. It may or may not be at the local pub.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Amman - King Abdullah I Mosque (entrance fee) - JOD2
  • Amman - Jordan Archaeological Museum (entrance fee) - JOD3
  • Madaba - Al-Maghtas Bethany Baptism site (entrance fee) - JOD12
  • Amman - Roman Theatre - JOD2
  • Amman - Citadel (entrance fee) - JOD3
  • Jerash - Roman ruins - JOD10
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group will change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and meet your new fellow travellers

This morning, take a tour with your leader around Amman, beginning at the hilltop Citadel, then following the edge of the walls down into town past the Roman Theatre, the Nymphaeum ruins and the Al Husseiny Mosque. Be sure to stop in at some nut shops or a souq for some snacks along the way. After lunch, drive 4 hours to Wadi Rum. Once arrived, you'll meet your Bedouin hosts, who'll show you around camp and offer you many rounds of ‘Bedouin whisky’ (mint tea), so settle in for a night of traditional hospitality. This evening you'll be dining on traditional Bedouin cuisine, sleeping in Bedouin-style tents and gazing up at some traditional Bedouin skies. Did we mention Bedouin?
Accommodation
  • Desert camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Amman -Guided Walking Tour
  • Wadi Rum - Bedouin Desert Camp
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
The tents tonight are simple but comfortable. Expect single beds with all bedding including a nice thick blanket for those cool desert nights. During the colder months (October to March), temperatures can get as low as 5°C at night so you may want to bring along a sleeping bag too.
The camp has flushing toilets and showers and is powered by solar panels, so it's not as 'rough' as you may think!

You won’t want to miss this – Wadi Rum rarely looks as fine as she does early morning. Wake up early to take in a magical sunrise, and once you're breakfast-ed, it’s time to head on safari. Jump in one of the jeeps and begin driving around the curious landscapes, passing by Lawrence Spring – a rocky landscape contrasted by a freshwater spring, with panoramic views over the valley. You’ll also stop at Lawrence House, supposedly the house where Lawrence of Arabia lived and stored his equipment. Continue on to one of the largest sand dunes in Wadi Rum and check out some of the famous rock bridges. The deserts around Wadi Rum have got a real otherworldly feel to them, and many Hollywood blockbusters have been shot in and around where you’ll tour today. Later in the afternoon, return to your camp and enjoy a second night of Bedouin hospitality.
Accommodation
  • Desert camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Wadi Rum - 4WD jeep safari
  • Wadi Rum - Guided hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Today, farewell your Bedouin mates and journey on to Petra (about a 2-hour drive). You’ll have two full days exploring Petra and its surrounds, so be sure to take your time in seeing the spectacular archaeological site. Once you’ve arrived, take a guided tour of the site, where you’ll learn about its thousands of years of history, and the many films that have used this as a backdrop. You'll get to follow in Indiana Jones’s footsteps on a guided tour that'll take you through the site's narrow siq (a narrow crack in the mountain) to Petra's tombs, temples and rock-hewn amphitheatre. For those wanting to admire the 'rose-red city' from a different angle, there's also the option of continuing up a cliff-top path past the Monastery for elevated views over the site. After a long day of exploration, you’ll probably be feeling quite weary, so the cave bar is a good place to relieve your parched throat and put your feet up for a while.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Petra - leader-led tour of Petra
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
A two-day entrance fee to Petra is included with this trip. Please note that when entering Petra as a group, a complimentary horse ride is included in the ticket price from the entrance point down to the Siq. Intrepid doesn't recommend that passengers take this option due to the safety and insurance liability involved.

You’ve got another day to explore the majestic Petra, and the best thing is you’re free to do as you please. Perhaps walk the road to Al Khanzneh (the Treasury) – one of the most stunning temples of the whole site. Or, if you didn’t make it yesterday, head up the stairs to El Dier (the Monastery). Other great options today are to hike to the royal tombs or visit the incredible Byzantine mosaics. Your leader will know all the good things to do, so ask them for help with arranging these.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Petra - Little Petra - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning after breakfast, head away from Petra and drive down the King’s Highway towards Madaba. You’ll stop to check out the famous Dead Sea and have the chance to swim in its salty waters. If you’re feeling a bit sore and weary after your Petra expedition, do not fear, as the Dead Sea’s mud has known healing properties and will be sure to bring back your youthful good looks. Afterwards, swing past Mt Nebo where you will have the opportunity to view the Promised Land, just like Moses did. Arrive in Madaba – the city of mosaics – and take a leader-led walking tour to get your bearings of the city. Included this afternoon is a visit to St Georges Church where you’ll see the intricate mosaic map, containing the oldest surviving cartographic depiction of the Holy Land and Jerusalem. Later on, perhaps head out with the gang for dinner – there are some awesome places to eat in this city; your leader knows where to go.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Madaba - St Georges Church
Optional Activities
  • Mt Nebo - Mt Nebo Entrance - JOD1
  • Dead Sea - Visit - JOD40
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Mount Nebo and Dead Sea Entry is not included.

Your Jordan exploration ends in Madaba after breakfast. Because there’s loads to see in Madaba and Amman, we recommend that you spend an extra day or two to check out what you missed. If you would like to spend more time here, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Madaba is a satellite city of Amman and transfers to the airport are really easy from here and often quicker due to traffic. You can reserve a private transfer with Intrepid, grab a taxi or check with your leader how to catch the local bus.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

14 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners

Transport

Private Bus, Overnight Train, Felucca, Jeep, Plane

Accommodation

Overnight train (2 nights), Hotel (9 nights), Felucca (1 night), Desert Camp (2 night)

Included activities

  • Cairo - Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
  • Aswan - Kayaking
  • Aswan - Orientation walk & bazaar visit
  • Nile - Felucca overnight sailing trip
  • Nile - Dinner and Music Felucca
  • Luxor - Valley of the Kings (entrance to 3 tombs)
  • Cairo - Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar
  • Amman -Guided Walking Tour
  • Wadi Rum - Bedouin Desert Camp
  • Wadi Rum - 4WD jeep safari
  • Wadi Rum - Guided hike
  • Petra - leader-led tour of Petra
  • Madaba - St Georges Church

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Real Egypt & Jordan trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude Day 2,7 (Sleeper Train) Day 5 (Felucca) Day 10,11 (Desert Camp) where you will be in shared accommodation, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Some entrance fees are not included. If you wish to take part in these activities, you pay these fees as you go along.
3. The international connection from Cairo to Amman is unaccompanied. Luggage restrictions of 23kg checked and 7kg cabin apply on this flight.
4. Following recent safety incidents we recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Egypt before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/travel-alerts

Essential trip information

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