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Mysteries, histories, Red Sea and Bedouin country

Travel with Intrepid and Lonely Planet on a 22-day odyssey into Egypt and Jordan. Wander the rock-carved city of Petra, relax on the Gulf of Aqaba, cruise along the Nile in a traditional felucca and explore Luxor. As you travel these lands of courageous adventurers, mighty pharaohs and biblical prophets, be greeted by the hospitality of Bedouin and Nubian hosts. Combining bucket-list highlights like the Pyramids of Giza with world-class relaxation by the Red Sea, this trip will introduce you to the diversity of these two nations.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Amman, Jordan
Finish
Cairo, Egypt
Destinations
Egypt, Jordan
Style
Basix
Theme
Lonely Planet Experience
Code
EERCC
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

A powerful partnership

Lonely Planet and Intrepid Travel share the same philosophy: we help curious people explore the world.

Why you'll love this trip

  • Spend a whole day uncovering the majesty and mystery of Petra. Follow your local leader down the narrow path of the Siq for your first unforgettable glimpse of the hand-carved Treasury.

  • Spend the night at a Bedouin desert camp in Wadi Rum an enjoy a traditional meal, cooked underground and served al fresco beneath a starry sky.

  • Set sail on one of the world’s most iconic rivers with an included felucca trip down the Nile. Relax and soak up the landscapes as scenes of everyday Egyptian life pass you by.

  • Unwind in the vibrant beach resort of Hurghada and take a day trip to explore the extraordinary ecosystem and coral reefs off Giftun Island.

  • Uncover one of the greatest cities in antiquity, Alexandria, reborn as Egypt’s alternative capital, and pay your respects at El Alamein – an important WWII battle site.

Is this trip right for you?

  • The desert camp in Wadi Rum and the Nile felucca cruise both feature basic accommodation in incredibly memorable settings. Accommodation aboard the overnight train is in two-berth cabins which convert to bunk beds. Please see the itinerary for more details on accommodation styles and facilities. 

  • The walkways around ruins can be uneven, dusty and rocky, so be sure to bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes. At major sites such as the Pyramids of Giza, you can expect to be exposed to the elements at length, so be prepared with a hat, sunscreen and plenty of fluids.

  • Some hotels in Egypt may not have lifts, so on occasion you may need to climb stairs with your luggage to reach your room.

  • The temperatures in Egypt and Jordan can reach all extremes. Please familiarise yourself with the weather norms in the season you wish to travel. 

Map of Jordan & Egypt Uncovered including Egypt and Jordan
Aswan in Egypt
The temples of Luxor in Egypt
See beautiful religious architecture in Amman, Jordan
The pyramids of Egypt in Cairo
Experience the hustle and bustle of Egypt's capital, Cairo
Cairo in Egypt
Beautiful Wadi Rum in Jordan
Visit Petra with your Intrepid group
The pyramids of Egypt in Cairo
Enjoy the colourful markets of Aswan in Egypt
Aswan market streets in Egypt

Itinerary
Expand All Collapse All

Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome to Jordan – cosmopolitan, contemporary and teeming with biblical history. Your Lonely Planet Experience begins with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm today, where you’ll meet your local leader and travel crew. If you do happen to arrive early, be sure to take in the sweeping views of Amman from the citadel, explore the Jordan Museum that’s home to the Dead Sea Scrolls, or take a trip out to the ruins of Jerash – an ancient walled town that remarkably recalls life 2000 years ago. After meeting up for your briefing, head out on the town, perhaps feasting on ara’yes – Jordan’s answer to a toasted sandwich, packed full of spiced meat.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Amman - Citadel -Entry Fee - JOD3
  • Amman - Roman Theatre Entrance - JOD2
  • Madaba - Bethany Baptism site (Al-Maghtas) -Entry Fee - JOD12
  • Jerash - Roman ruins - Entry Fee - JOD10
  • Amman - Jordan Archaeological Museum -Entry Fee - JOD3
  • Amman - King Abullah Mosque -Entry Fee - JOD2
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Please note that the prices listed for Optional Activities are for entry only.

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. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. If you’d like to spend more time in Amman, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation (subject to availability).

This morning, travel by minibus to Mt Nebo (approximately 1.5 hours). Mt Nebo is the place where the prophet Moses is supposedly buried and is said to have seen the 'Promised Land'. Explore this sanctuary, checking out the remarkable mosaics inside its fourth-century church. On a clear day, the views over the Dead Sea to Israel and the Palestinian Territories are spectacular. Afterwards, take a 30-minute drive to the super salty Dead Sea. Technically sitting below sea level, it’s perfect for swimming and floating in, and the mud on the sea floor is said to have healing properties – so lather up! Continue on to the crusader castle of Kerak, sitting in a commanding position on top of a cliff overlooking Kerak town and the valley below. Spend time exploring the seven-level fortress and learn the legends of 12th-century battles between Crusaders and Muslim armies. Continue on to Petra for the night (approximately 4.5 hours).
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Mt Nebo - Mt Nebo visit - JOD2
  • Dead Sea - Dead Sea visit - JOD8
  • Kerak - Kerak Castle -Entry Fee - JOD2
  • Petra - Petra By Night tour - JOD17
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Your tour today includes stops at the Dead Sea, Mount Nebo and Kerak Castle, but keep in mind that entry fees are not included. When swimming at the Dead Sea, towels are available for hire.

Many travellers like to experience Petra by night; however, this is only available on certain days of the week. Feel free to ask your group leader for more information, and if this optional activity is available to you on your dates.

The jewel of Jordan, the lost city of the biblical Nabateans, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World – Petra is a magical hand-carved wonder. Today, you’ll have the chance to discover this sixth century BC masterpiece with your small group. Be dwarfed by the towering rock formations as you squeeze through a narrow path called the Siq until you reach the grand entrance of the iconic Treasury. Gaze up at the intricate carvings and details, 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 to explore. For those feeling more adventurous, take a challenging hike up a set of stairs to the smaller but no less impressive monastery, taking approximately one hour. After arriving back at your accommodation, why not find a traditional bathhouse to rejuvenate after a day of incredible sightseeing.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Petra guided tour - One day pass
Optional Activities
  • Petra - Additional Petra day pass - JOD5
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
One day's entrance fee to Petra is included in your Lonely Planet Experience. 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 Travel doesn't recommend that you take this option due to the safety and insurance liability involved.

Follow in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia with a short drive to the extraordinary desert scenery of Wadi Rum – a rugged lunar-like landscape framed by huge sandstone mountains (approximately 2 hours). Head on a half-day jeep safari, taking you through some sublime scenery and uncovering traces of ancient civilisations seen in the many carved inscriptions found 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 rose-coloured sand dunes and scattered rocky peaks. Spend the night sleeping in a simple desert camp, with the choice of sleeping under a camel hair tent or out under the starry night sky. Enjoy a delicious dinner cooked in an earthen oven by your desert dwelling Bedouin hosts, and soak in your truly unforgettable surroundings.
Accommodation
  • Desert camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Wadi Rum - 4WD jeep safari and desert camp
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Conditions are basic at the desert camp, but the hospitality of your hosts is legendary, and you'll treasure the memory of sleeping beneath the twinkling desert night sky.

Tonight, a mattress and blankets are provided. Please be aware that while the desert may be very hot during the day, it will still be cool at night and warm clothes and a sleeping bag are highly recommended when travelling outside of the summer months. Western-style toilet facilities are available.

This morning, leave Wadi Rum and make tracks for Aqaba (approximately 1 hour). You’ll have some free time in Aqaba today, and have the option of day-use rooms to freshen up and store your luggage. Early in the evening, bid your Jordan local leader farewell and transfer to Aqaba port to board a comfortable air-conditioned ferry bound for Nuweiba. Depending on timing, weather conditions and delays, this journey over the Gulf of Aqaba can take between 2.5 and 5 hours, so be sure to have a good book or device with you to kill the time. On arrival, meet your Egyptian group leader and transfer to your accommodation for a well-earned rest.
The ferry can be rough at times and those who suffer from sea sickness may want to prepare themselves. The journey can take from 2.5 hours to in excess of 5 hours which means that arrival into Nuweiba can often be after midnight. Your Egyptian Tour Leader will be waiting for you regardless of delays. In rough weather, there's a chance the ferry might be cancelled altogether, in which case we'll travel overland through Israel.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that the Aqaba–Nuweiba ferry can be rough, so take precautions if you experience sea sickness. The ferry can be delayed, which means that arrival into Nuweiba can often be after midnight, but your Egypt group leader will meet you on arrival regardless of delays. In the event of adverse weather conditions, the ferry may be cancelled altogether, in which case overland travel through Israel and The Palestinian Territories will be arranged.

At the Aqaba ferry terminal, you will pass security and pay a JOD 10 departure tax, keeping the receipt to get stamped. On board, take your passport to the counter in the middle of the ferry where it will stay for the journey. Once arrived, an escort will take you and your passport to the arrival terminal, where you will pass immigration and then meet up with your Egypt group leader. Know your Egypt visa requirements by visiting the ‘Visa’ section of the Essential Trip Information.

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 take in the many treats this spot has to offer – cafes, seafood or 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 below. There are also plenty of relaxed bars and restaurants to sit back and enjoy good local food and some sheesha.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

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 metres deep, with an arch in the coral reef down at 54 metres – 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 perhaps head inland to Assalah, where local joints serve up plates of roast chicken and falafel with some cold regional beer.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Dahab - Blue Hole snorkeling - EGP70
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Transfer to Sharm El Sheikh Airport and take a 1-hour flight to Cairo. Transfer to your accommodation and enjoy free time for the rest of the day. Cairo is one of the great cities of antiquity and its history can be symbolised by two imposing landmarks – the Pyramids of Giza and the Mosque of Mohammed Ali. 
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Cairo - Sufi Dance Khan al-Khalili -Entry Fee - EGP85
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

After breakfast, set out to see some of Egypt’s most renowned sights. Visit Giza’s pyramids and Sphinx – instantly familiar yet retaining a mystique and power. Explore these structures that have stood tall for 4500 years, and you may even be able to go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu for an additional charge. Afterwards, perhaps make your way to the Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world's great collections of antiquities. Wander the treasure-filled halls of the museum, and check out the optional Mummies Hall for a close encounter with some of the country’s most important queens and pharaohs. Later in the evening, meet your leader and travel to Giza train station, where you will board a sleeper train to Aswan (approximately 13 hours).
Accommodation
  • Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cairo - Pyramids and Sphinx
Optional Activities
  • Cairo - The Great Pyramid of Cheops - Entry Fee - EGP400
  • Cairo - The 2nd Pyramid of Khafre - Entry Fee - EGP100
  • Cairo -The Royal Mummy Room- Entry Fee - EGP180
  • Cairo - Solar Boat Museum - Entry Fee - EGP100
  • Cairo - The Egyptian Museum (Min 2 customers)-Transfers/Entry/Guiding -p/p - EGP400
  • Cairo- Saqqara and Memphis Afternoon Tour (Min 2 customers) - Transfers/Entry/Guiding-p/p - EGP1100
  • Cairo - Egyptian Museum - Entry Fee - EGP120
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
The Great Pyramid of Khufu is occasionally closed to visitors. The complex can be very hot in the summer months, so be prepared for little available shade and pack appropriate clothing, sun protection and water, and be ready to walk. There is an additional 50 EGP fee to take photos in the Egyptian Museum.

Charges for the optional activities listed are for entry only. Your leader may suggest group activities to visit some of the local sights, which include transport and guiding. If you prefer to do your own thing, taxis are available and your leader can assist in organising.

The overnight train is air-conditioned and bedding is provided. There are toilets are in each carriage but consider bringing additional toilet paper. General cleanliness of the train may vary. An included dinner and breakfast are served on board; however, you may want to stock up beforehand, particularly if you have dietary requirements. In rare circumstances you may be paired with a traveller of another gender, depending on the con

The Nile, Elephantine Island and white-sailed feluccas: welcome to Aswan, Egypt's southernmost city. Today is a free day so take the opportunity to see such Aswan sites as the unfinished obelisk or the High Dam. The Nubian Bazaar is a must, while the excellent Nubian Museum is top of many visitors’ lists. Highly recommended is the beautiful Temple of Isis (goddess of health, marriage and wisdom), which was rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated to Philae Island. It's a marvel of decorative pylons featuring some of Egypt's finest carvings – definitely one of the real gems of Upper Egypt. The waterfront promenade, or corniche, runs alongside one of the Nile's most appealing stretches and is the perfect place to stop for a mint tea. Watch the waterfront come alive at dusk, with families out strolling, socialising and relaxing along the corniche.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Aswan - Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple -Entry Fee - EGP300
  • Aswan - Nubian Museum -Entry Fee - EGP140
  • Aswan - Tomb of the Nobles -Entry Fee - EGP60
  • Aswan - Philae Temple -Entry Fee - EGP180
  • Aswan - Monastery of St. Simeon -Entry Fee - EGP60
  • Aswan - Philae Temple Tour (Min 2 customers) -Transfers/Entry/Guiding-p/p - EGP600
  • Aswan - High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk Tour (Min 2 customers) Transfers/Entry/Guiding-p/p - EGP700
  • Aswan - Philae Temple Sound & Light Show (Entry) - EGP150
  • Aswan -Philae Temple, High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk Tour (Min 2 customers) Transfers/Entry/Guiding-p/p - EGP1000
  • Aswan - Camel Ride (Min 4 customers) -p/p - EGP220
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Charges for the optional activities listed are for entry only. Your leader may suggest group activities to visit some of the local sights, which include transport and guiding. If you prefer to do your own thing, taxis are available and your leader can assist in organising.

This morning is your best chance to head out of Aswan and visit stunning Abu Simbel, if you choose to. With the four gargantuan statues of Ramses guarding the Great Temple, this is one of Egypt's most memorable sights. Otherwise, the day is free for you to make your own discoveries. A popular afternoon option in Aswan is a sailboat ride around the islands in a traditional felucca, stopping off at the botanical gardens on Kitchener's Island. Alternatively, you could take a camel ride to the Monastery of St Simeon, an abandoned seventh-century fortress located in the desert on the Nile's west bank. Your local leader will be on hand to help you get the most out of your day. You may prefer to just relax and take in the beauty of the Nile, or do some shopping in the vibrant bazaar.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Aswan - Abu Simbel Tour -Transfers/Entrance/Guiding( Min 4 customers) -price p/p from - USD110
  • Aswan - Nubian Village Visit and Dinner (Min 4 customers) - p/p - EGP225
  • Aswan - Abu Simbel by Air -subject to availability -price p/p from - USD320
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Your group leader will offer to organise the optional excursion to Abu Simbel for your group. This excursion will be limited to your group members only. If you would like to fly to Abu Simbel or join another excursion, please discuss options with your leader.

Please note the Abu Simbel optional activity has a very early start – departure will be between 5 am and 6 am. You can get there by flying, or by the cheaper option of renting a minivan with a group and leaving very early (flights do not operate daily). The journey by land is 3 hours each way. It's best to visit at sunrise to avoid the heat. Speak to your group leader earlier in the trip for more information.

This morning, jump on a traditional Egyptian sailboat – or felucca – for a morning sail until lunch. After lunch on board the felucca, arrive at a Nubian homestay on the west bank of the Nile. Here, you’ll learn about the local way of life with a walk through the surrounding countryside and agriculture fields to reach the homestay. The house is in traditional Nubian style, with a sandy courtyard in the middle where the family gathers for meals, and bedrooms to the side – this is where you’ll be staying for the night. Get into the swing of Egyptian life by lending a hand in the kitchen to help cook dinner, or maybe kick around a football in the courtyard with the kids. There are few better ways to understand a country and its people than with a local homestay, and you’ll have the chance tonight to soak it all up.
Accommodation
  • Homestay (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Board another felucca today and enjoy a day out on the river, seeing rural Egyptian daily life play out on the banks before spending a night under the stars. Your sailing crew will provide all of your onboard meals, which are hearty and delicious. The felucca is a traditional wooden boat with broad canvas sails, offering some shade and protection from the elements, but there is no cabin or enclosed section – watching the sun setting over the Nile in the evening from an open deck is an experience you won't forget.
Accommodation
  • Nile Felucca (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Aswan - Kom Ombo Temple -Entry Fee - EGP140
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

After farewelling the felucca crew, take a private van to Luxor (approximately 3.5 hours). Today you will explore the magnificent Karnak Temple, which is perhaps the most impressive of all the ancient pharoahs' monumental works. One of the world's most celebrated temple complexes, Karnak is a house of the gods built over a period of some 200 years. Your guided tour of this vast temple of impressive pylons, obelisks and chapels will reveal its finest sections, such as the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Great Temple of Amun. The rest of the day will be free to relax, shop in the bazaar (open until quite late) or perhaps experience the atmosphere of a local teahouse.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple
Optional Activities
  • Luxor - Luxor Temple -Entry Fee - EGP160
  • Luxor - Luxor Museum -Entry Fee - EGP140
  • Luxor - Sound and Light Show Karnak Tour (Min 2 customers)-Transfers/Entry/Guiding-p/p - EGP800
  • Luxor - Mummification Museum -Entry Fee - EGP100
  • Luxor - Sound and Light Show at Karnak -Entry Fee - EGP300
  • Edfu - Edfu Temple -Entry Fee - EGP180
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Charges for the optional activities listed are for entry only. Your leader may suggest group activities to visit some of the local sights, which include transport and guiding. If you prefer to do your own thing, taxis are available and your leader can assist in organising.

Rise early this morning and head into the Valley of the Kings. Buried under the arid hills here are over 60 tombs of pharaohs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings. With your leader, explore this sprawling and spectacular place, where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (16th to 11th century BC) were secretly interred for all eternity, and where discoveries are still being made. Your group leader will explain the history and legends of these remarkable people, their funerary rites, and the significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics, still well-preserved in the deepest tombs. Visit three of the most interesting royal tombs and then continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut – a stunning colonnaded building set against high cliffs that create a spectacular natural amphitheatre. The legendary Hatshepsut had this mortuary temple built to signify her importance and honour her ancestors.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Luxor - Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)
  • Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple -Entry Fee
Optional Activities
  • Luxor - Tomb of Tutankhamun -Entry Fee - EGP300
  • Luxor - Dinner Local Family (Min 4 customers)-p/p - EGP225
  • Hot Air Balloon - Valley of the Kings - USD120
  • Luxor - Medinat Habu Temple -Entry Fee - EGP100
  • Luxor - Valley of the Queens -Tomb of Queen Nefertari -Entry Fee - EGP1200
  • Luxor - Valley of the Queens -Entry Fee - EGP100
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
You can purchase a camera 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 ticket is around EGP 300.

Charges for the 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 is available and your leader can assist with organising this.

It’s possible to take a hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings and the temples on the west bank, subject to weather conditions. There is an additional charge for this activity and your leader will be able to help book this for you. Pick-up will be from your hotel between 4.30 and 5 am. Balloon capacity is 16–25, and cameras are prohibited in the basket (cellphones are allowed).

This morning, farewell the Nile to drive east to the beachside town of Hurghada (approximately 5 hours). The green Nile valley is soon left behind as you head out into the Eastern Desert. As you pass by rocky hills, the glittering waters of the Red Sea come into view and the rugged bulk of the Sinai Peninsula looms through the haze on the opposite shore. A vibrant beach resort, Hurghada is by no means a typical adventure destination. After checking in to your hotel, take a leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings and to scope out some of the local restaurants.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Transfer to the Hurghada Marina and climb aboard your boat for a trip out to Giftun Island – part of the Red Sea Marine Parks – where you’ll spend a relaxing day on the stunning white beach of Mahmya. While here, you have the opportunity to take a snorkelling excursion by boat to one of the most magnificent reefs in the Red Sea – fine reef walls, lovely fan corals and colourful fish all await. Your snorkelling gear is provided. After a buffet lunch in one of Mahmya’s open-air restaurants overlooking the ocean, there are plenty of activities to choose from, such as volleyball, soccer, or simply lazing on the beach. Head back to Hurghada in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hurghada - Mahmya Beach Cruise ( Day trip )
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Check out of your hotel this morning and make the 6-hour journey back to Cairo by private vehicle. On your return, visit the Islamic parts of the city and the frenetic backstreets of the local Khan el-Khalili bazaar with your group leader. The ‘Khan’ is one of the biggest and oldest markets in the world, sprawling around an old area known as Al-Azhar, a warren of alleys with stalls serving up a succession of intoxicating scenes and a quintessentially Cairo experience. You might explore the gold market, ‘Perfume Street’ and the spice market, where heady aromas hang in the air like a thick blanket of Damascene cloth (which can be purchased next door in the cloth market!).
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cairo - Khan al-Khalili bazaar visit
Optional Activities
  • Cairo - Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids Tour (Min 2 customers)-Transfers/Entry-p/p - EGP700
  • Cairo - Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids -Entry Fee - EGP300
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Jump in a private van today and follow the ‘desert road’ to the Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria (approximately 3 hours). Egypt's second largest city and main port, locals call this vibrant city the Bride of the Mediterranean Sea. On arrival, take an orientation walking tour with your leader. The Greek architect Dinocrates built Alexandria in 331 BC under the orders of Alexander the Great. The city, immortalising Alexander's name, quickly flourished into a prominent cultural, intellectual, political and economic metropolis. Take some time to stroll along the corniche and take in some fresh Mediterranean air. Alexandria at night is not to be missed, with the whole city lighting up.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Alexandria - Qaitbay fortress -Entry Fee - EGP60
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today, head back to a more recent period in Egyptian history with a visit to El Alamein and the war museum located there. El Alamein sits on the Mediterranean Sea, 106 kilometres west of Alexandria, and it played an important role in significant World War II battles. The area was a turning point in the North African campaign, where the Allies held out against, and eventually pushed back and defeated, the Afrika Korps of Rommel. The area contains a number of memorials from the countries who lost soldiers here – Greece, South Africa, Australia, Italy – as well as a war cemetery that’s home to the graves and names of the thousands who lost their lives. In the museum, discover the story of the events that unfolded here, and then return to Alexandria. Alexandria is well known for its seafood, so don't forget to feast on some fresh fish while you're in town.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • El Alamein - War Museum
Optional Activities
  • Alexandria - Commonwealth cemetery - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

This morning, head underground and delve into the mysteries of the Kom Ash Shuqqafa catacombs. This Roman burial site is the largest of its kind in Egypt and was discovered, quite accidentally, by a hapless donkey. The crypts are 20 metres below street level, and what probably began as a small family tomb grew into a labyrinth of chambers that could accommodate more than 300 bodies. Stop by the strikingly modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, inspired by the original great library of Alexandria and built to hold over 8 million books. Afterwards, head to El Morsi Abu El Abbas Mosque, the largest in the city. During your free time, perhaps take the opportunity to see the Citadel of Qaitbay, a fortress overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, where the famous lighthouse once stood. You’ll then leave Alexandria and return to Cairo (approximately 5 hours), arriving around 4 pm. The afternoon is yours to spend as you please, and at night, why not gather together your travel crew for a celebratory kebab, kofta, or sheesha.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Alexandria - Catacombs of Kom Ash-Suqqafa
  • Alexandria - Bibliotheca Alexandrina
  • Alexandria - Morsi Abu El Abbas Mosque
Optional Activities
  • Alexandria - Alexandria National Museum-Entry Fee - EGP100
  • Alexandria - Roman Amphitheatre- Entry Fee - EGP80
  • Alexandria - Al Montazah Palace & Gardens -Entry Fee - EGP50
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Your Lonely Planet Experience finishes today after breakfast. There are no activities planned for the final day, and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time following check-out.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
This trip is a Lonely Planet Experience
Our Lonely Planet Experiences include plenty of free time so you can do the things that suit your budget and interests. Between your Intrepid Travel leader’s local knowledge and Lonely Planet’s trusted travel tips and recommendations, your trip will be more epic than ever.

Meals

20 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners

Transport

Plane, Ferry, Minibus, Jeep, Overnight sleeper train, Felucca, Bus

Accommodation

Hotel (17 nights), Desert Camp (1 nights), Beach Hut (1 night), Homestay (1 night)Overnight sleeper train (1 night), Felucca (1 night)

Included activities

  • Petra guided tour - One day pass
  • Wadi Rum - 4WD jeep safari and desert camp
  • Cairo - Pyramids and Sphinx
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple
  • Luxor - Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)
  • Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple -Entry Fee
  • Hurghada - Mahmya Beach Cruise ( Day trip )
  • Cairo - Khan al-Khalili bazaar visit
  • El Alamein - War Museum
  • Alexandria - Catacombs of Kom Ash-Suqqafa
  • Alexandria - Bibliotheca Alexandrina
  • Alexandria - Morsi Abu El Abbas Mosque

Lonely Planet extras

  • Free access to the Lonely Planet mobile app for one year
  • 25% discount on all items in the Lonely Planet Shop

Dates & availability

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Important notes

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 4 (Wadi Rum) and Day 13 (Nile felucca) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to an Intrepid booking agent for further information.

INTERNAL FLIGHT
On Day 8 there is an included internal flight from Sharm El Sheihk to Cairo. The maximum check-in baggage allowance is 23 kilogramss per person plus seven kilograms in hand luggage.

FERRY
Please note that the Aqaba–Nuweiba ferry can be rough, so take precautions if you experience sea sickness. The ferry can be delayed, which means that arrival into Nuweiba can often be after midnight, but your Egypt group leader will meet you on arrival regardless of delays. In the event of adverse weather conditions, the ferry may be cancelled altogether, in which case overland travel through Israel and The Palestinian Territories will be arranged.

At the Aqaba ferry terminal, you will pass security and pay a JOD 10 departure tax, keeping the receipt to get stamped. On board, take your passport to the counter in the middle of the ferry where it will stay for the journey. Once arrived, an escort will take you and your passport to the arrival terminal, where you will pass immigration and then meet up with your Egypt group leader. Know your Egypt visa requirements by visiting the ‘Passport and visa’ section of the Essential Trip Information.

SAFETY 
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 at intrepidtravel.com/au/travel-alerts.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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