The Best of Egypt and Jordan

Enter a world of ancient artefacts and incredible finds in one of the world’s most famous museums, The Egyptian Museum. Also known as the Cairo Museum, you’ll witness the largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities in the world within its walls, including the iconic pure gold death mask of Tutankhamun, among countless other treasures.

Savour the true essence of Egypt through an authentic culinary experience: ‘Eat like an Egyptian!’  Prepare to indulge in the national dish of Egypt, Koshary; discover the Egyptian twist on falafel; and immerse yourself in a tantalising assortment of traditional dips and starters, known as meze.

Explore the iconic Cairo Citadel, a historic fortress initially built in 1183 CE by Salah El Din, the esteemed Arab conqueror and leader.  Discover the captivating history of the Arab, Mamluk, and Ottoman periods, delving into the rise of Mohammed Ali and the final dynasties of Egypt. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking Byzantine Ottoman architecture as you visit the remarkable Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali, a true highlight of the tour. If you have a particular interest in Islamic architecture, please inform your guide, and if time permits, we will endeavour to include a visit to the nearby awe-inspiring Sultan Hassan Mosque as well.

Of the seven wonders of the ancient world, only one remains today: The Great Pyramid of Giza. These massive structures served as a way for kings to journey to the next world and emerge as gods. Despite their age, the pyramids still overwhelm and impress visitors. You will visit all three of the pyramids at Giza, and also get to see their collective grandeur from a panoramic view point before proceeding to the Great Sphinx, with its head of a man and body of a lion, together with your guide.

Prepare to be enthralled by a treasure trove of Egyptian, Roman, and African artefacts housed within this captivating museum. An architectural marvel in its own right. it sits harmoniously in the hillside,  sprawled across an expansive 50,000 square metres of meticulously landscaped gardens and thoughtfully designed structures.

The Nubians, an ethnic group hailing from Northern Sudan and Southern Egypt, have been an integral part of the Nile region for centuries, renowned for their expertise in trading precious goods such as gold and spices. This tour offers an authentic glimpse into the lives of the Nubian people. We take you off the well-trodden path and guide you to the unexplored side of a genuine Nubian village,  accompanied by the villagers themselves.

Set sail on a traditional felucca boat and slowly float down the spectacular river Nile. These small vessels, with their shining wood and billowing sails, allow you to sit back and relax as the river scenery passes you by, much of it unchanged for thousands of years.

Midway between Luxor and Aswan, this magnificent temple traces its origins back to the Ptolemaic dynasty around 200 BCE and holds a captivating tale of dual deities. Dedicated to Horus, the Falcon God symbolising keen vision and the love of the people, and Sobek, the crocodile god representing earthly instincts and revered out of fear, this unique double temple embodies the profound notion that within each of us reside both good and bad. See preserved crocodile mummies at the adjacent museum – a small but truly captivating treasure trove.

Explore the towering temple of Edfu, also known as the temple of Horus. Extremely well preserved and dedicated to the falcon god, Horus, this huge structure lies on the west bank of the river Nile.

Symbolically positioned where the sun bids its farewell, and once the renowned necropolis of Thebes, this ethereal city of the departed embodies the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Journey through intricately painted tombs, admire the miraculously preserved burial chamber of Queen Nefertari, visit the meticulously restored tomb of Queen Hatshepsut and delve into legend in the tomb of Tutankhamun, adorned with treasures and provisions for his celestial transition.

The temple of Luxor dates to 1400 BCE and was intended for priests rather than the general public. This is also the site where kings were crowned. Alexander the Great claimed to have been crowned at Luxor, but in fact it is unlikely he travelled this far south. Explore the temple and Luxor today and be mystified as you try to comprehend how the enormous statues and granite obelisk at the entrance could possibly have been created without the use of modern machinery.

The relaxed city of Aswan definitely deserves its reputation as Egypt’s most beautiful city. Much of what you will see here is in some way connected with the momentous damming of the Nile here during the 1960s. The scale of the engineering works is impressive and standing at the top of the dam you will enjoy sweeping views of the lake and the surrounding arid desert scenery. Continue to the temple of Philae and visit the unfinished obelisk, ordered by Pharaoh Hatshepsut.

Explore the ancient city of Jerash. A truly incredible site with remains from Neolithic times, as well as Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Umayyad and others.

As one of the best preserved cities of the Roman Empire, visited by Emperor Hadrian 129 AD, it’s possible to walk within the tracks of chariot wheels that are still visible in the paving stones. During your tour today you will be able to walk beneath the imposing south gate and then make your way up the ‘Street of Columns’ – the Roman road running north from the Oval Plaza.

Read a map like no other today when you visit the ‘City of Mosaics’ and St George’s Church, famous for its ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land. The real name of this city is Madaba, which sits just south of Amman and is in fact a 4000 year old archaeological site. The quantity of the mosaics here is astounding, particularly the creation within the Church of the Apostles which depicts the sea and her creatures.

Visit Mount Nebo today and gaze across to Jerusalem, just 60 kilometres away. The Prophet Moses is said to have stood on Mount Nebo and looking over into the Promised Land, understood that he would not be permitted to enter it. Today Mount Nebo is a memorial site, and the Church of Moses was built by early Christians in honour of the site and has attracted pilgrims since the earliest days of Christianity.