15 Days Egypt & Jordan Tours, Cairo, Nile Cruise, Dahab

After breakfast, your private Egyptologist guide leads you onto the Giza Plateau, where the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, and the enigmatic Great Sphinx rise from the desert. You will have time to photograph the panorama and, if you wish, step inside a pyramid or ride a camel across the sands. Next, explore the magnificent Grand Egyptian Museum beside the plateau, home to the complete Tutankhamun collection and thousands of artifacts spanning Egypt's dynasties. In the afternoon, wander through Coptic Cairo to see the Hanging Church and the ancient lanes of Old Cairo, then lose yourself in the bustling stalls of the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, where spice merchants and artisans have traded for centuries. Your guide shares the stories behind every site on this private guided tour before you return to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.

• Pyramids of Giza — The Great Pyramid of Khufu and the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure on the Giza Plateau.
• Great Sphinx — The colossal limestone guardian with the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh.
• Grand Egyptian Museum — Home to the full Tutankhamun collection and thousands of artifacts across Egypt's history.
• Coptic Cairo — Old Cairo's Christian quarter, including the celebrated Hanging Church.
• Khan el-Khalili Bazaar — A centuries-old warren of spice, craft and souvenir stalls in the historic heart of the city.

This morning you transfer to the airport for the short flight south to Aswan, Egypt's serene Nubian gateway on the Nile. On arrival you embark your elegant Nile cruise ship — your floating hotel for the next three nights. After settling into your cabin and enjoying lunch on board, your guide takes you to the towering Aswan High Dam, an engineering marvel that tamed the great river, and to the graceful Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis and painstakingly rescued from the rising waters. You may also visit the Unfinished Obelisk, still lying in its ancient granite quarry and revealing the secrets of pharaonic stonework. Return to the ship as the sun sets over feluccas drifting across the water, and enjoy dinner on board while Aswan glows softly along the banks. Overnight aboard your Nile cruise.

• Aswan High Dam — The vast 20th-century dam that created Lake Nasser and controlled the Nile's annual flood.
• Temple of Philae — The romantic island temple of Isis, relocated stone by stone to Agilkia Island.
• Unfinished Obelisk — A colossal abandoned obelisk still attached to the bedrock in Aswan's ancient granite quarry.

Wake to breakfast on deck as your Nile cruise glides north through timeless riverside scenery of palm groves and farming villages. You disembark at Kom Ombo to explore its unusual double temple, dedicated jointly to Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the Elder — don't miss the mummified crocodiles displayed in the adjoining museum. Sailing onward, you reach Edfu, where a horse-drawn carriage carries you to the Temple of Horus, the best-preserved temple in all of Egypt, its towering pylons and carved walls still vividly recounting the myth of Horus and Seth. Between visits, relax on the sun deck with a cool drink, watch the green banks slip past, and savour the full-board dining on board. In the evening the ship continues toward Esna, passing through its historic lock as the light softens over the water. Overnight aboard your Nile cruise.

• Kom Ombo Temple — A rare symmetrical double temple honouring Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the Elder.
• Temple of Horus at Edfu — The remarkably intact Ptolemaic temple, reached by traditional horse-drawn carriage.
• Esna — A riverside town whose historic lock the cruise passes through en route to Luxor.

Today your Nile cruise reaches Luxor, ancient Thebes and the world's greatest open-air museum. On the East Bank your private guide leads you through the vast Karnak Temple complex, with its forest of colossal columns, and the elegant Luxor Temple at the city's heart. Crossing to the West Bank, you descend into the painted royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings, including that of the boy-king Tutankhamun, and marvel at the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut rising dramatically against the cliffs. You will also pause before the Colossi of Memnon, two towering statues that have guarded the plain for more than three thousand years. Every carving and hieroglyph comes alive through your Egyptologist's storytelling on this private guided tour. Return to your ship for a final evening on the Nile, with dinner served as Luxor's temples glow under the night sky. Overnight aboard your Nile cruise.

• Karnak Temple — The immense temple complex of Amun, famed for its Great Hypostyle Hall of giant columns.
• Luxor Temple — The graceful riverside temple linked to Karnak by the ancient Avenue of Sphinxes.
• Valley of the Kings — The royal necropolis of the New Kingdom pharaohs, including the tomb of Tutankhamun.
• Temple of Hatshepsut — The striking terraced mortuary temple of Egypt's most powerful female pharaoh.
• Colossi of Memnon — Two 18-metre statues of Amenhotep III standing sentinel over the Theban plain.

After a final breakfast on board, you disembark your Nile cruise in Luxor with time to spare before your onward flight. If your schedule allows, your guide may suggest a last optional visit — perhaps a daytime return to Karnak or a gentle stroll along the corniche beside the Nile — before you transfer to Luxor airport for the flight back to Cairo. On arrival you are met and driven to your hotel, where the rest of the day is yours to relax. You might revisit a favourite Cairo café, shop for last-minute souvenirs, or simply rest ahead of the Jordan leg of your journey. Your tour manager confirms tomorrow's early flight and travel details so everything runs smoothly, and answers any questions about the days to come across the Red Sea in the Hashemite Kingdom. Overnight in Cairo.

This morning you check out and transfer to Cairo International Airport for your flight across Sinai and the Red Sea to Amman, the warm and hospitable capital of Jordan. On arrival, a local representative welcomes you, assists with formalities, and drives you into the city of white limestone hills. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a first orientation drive past the Roman Theatre and the hilltop Amman Citadel, with its Temple of Hercules and sweeping views over the downtown. Settle into your hotel and enjoy an evening of Jordanian hospitality — perhaps sampling mansaf, the national dish of lamb and yoghurt, or a spread of mezze at a local restaurant. Your guide outlines the extraordinary days ahead, from Roman ruins and the shores of the Dead Sea to the rose-red city of Petra and the deserts of Wadi Rum. Overnight in Amman.

• Amman Citadel — A hilltop archaeological site with the Temple of Hercules and panoramic city views (time permitting).
• Roman Theatre — A restored 2nd-century amphitheatre carved into the hillside of downtown Amman (time permitting).

After breakfast you head north to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world. Walk beneath Hadrian's Arch, along the colonnaded Cardo, and into the great oval forum and theatres, where your guide brings the ancient Decapolis vividly to life. In the afternoon you descend to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the face of the Earth at over 400 metres below sea level. Here you can float effortlessly on the mineral-rich waters — a sensation quite unlike anything else — and coat your skin in the famous black mud prized for centuries for its therapeutic qualities. Relax on the shore as the sun sinks over the distant hills of the West Bank, painting the water gold. This unforgettable day pairs Roman grandeur with one of nature's true wonders before you return to your hotel in Amman. Overnight in Amman.

• Jerash — An exceptionally preserved Roman provincial city of colonnaded streets, temples and theatres.
• Dead Sea — The salt-laden lake at the lowest point on Earth, where bathers float and coat themselves in mineral mud.

Today you travel south to Petra, the breathtaking Nabataean capital carved from rose-coloured sandstone — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Your guide leads you on foot through the Siq, a narrow winding gorge more than a kilometre long, which opens dramatically onto Al-Khazneh, the majestic Treasury famous the world over. Continue past royal tombs, a Roman-style theatre and colonnaded streets, and — if you have the energy — climb the 800 rock-cut steps to Ad-Deir, the immense Monastery, for one of Jordan's most rewarding views. Petra reveals its wonders slowly, each turn uncovering another façade hewn by hand two thousand years ago along the ancient incense routes. Take your time to absorb the scale and artistry of this remarkable trading city on your private guided tour. Overnight in Petra, in the town of Wadi Musa.

• Petra — The ancient Nabataean city carved into rose-red rock, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Siq — The dramatic kilometre-long gorge that forms the natural entrance to Petra.
• The Treasury (Al-Khazneh) — Petra's iconic temple façade, revealed at the end of the Siq.
• The Monastery (Ad-Deir) — A vast rock-cut monument reached by a climb of some 800 stone steps.

This morning you journey to Wadi Rum, the Valley of the Moon, a vast desert wilderness of towering sandstone mountains, red dunes and natural rock arches that has stood in for Mars on the big screen. Climb aboard a 4x4 jeep for a Bedouin-guided safari across the sands, stopping at ancient petroglyphs, natural springs and dramatic viewpoints where the cliffs blaze orange at sunset. You will learn about the traditions of the Bedouin who still call this landscape home, sip sweet tea in the shade of a canyon, and take in the profound silence of the open desert. As night falls, you settle into a traditional desert camp for a hearty dinner slow-cooked in the earth beneath the stars, followed by one of the clearest, most star-filled night skies you will ever witness. Overnight in a Wadi Rum desert camp.

• Wadi Rum — A protected desert of red sand and sandstone massifs explored by 4x4 with Bedouin guides.

After breakfast and a last look across the desert, you transfer to the Red Sea port city of Aqaba, Jordan's coastal gateway. Here you board the ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba, sailing from Jordan back to Egypt with fine views of the point where four countries meet at the water's edge. Landing at Nuweiba on the Sinai coast, you are met and driven along the scenic shoreline to Dahab, a laid-back Red Sea town beloved for its bohemian charm, palm-lined promenade and turquoise bay framed by rugged mountains. Check into your hotel and spend the evening strolling the waterfront, where seafood restaurants and cafés spill out onto the sand. After the temples, ruins and deserts of the past days, Dahab offers a welcome change of pace beside some of the finest coral reefs in the world. Overnight in Dahab.

• Aqaba — Jordan's Red Sea port, departure point for the ferry crossing to Sinai.
• Nuweiba — The Egyptian Sinai coastal town where the ferry lands before the drive to Dahab.

Today is yours to enjoy the underwater wonders of the Red Sea. A short drive north of Dahab brings you to the legendary Blue Hole, one of the most famous snorkelling and diving sites on the planet, where a vibrant coral wall drops away into crystal-clear depths teeming with butterflyfish, angelfish and shimmering shoals of reef life. Whether you snorkel just off the shore or simply relax on a sun lounger with the bare mountains of Sinai at your back, the setting is unforgettable. Keen divers can arrange a guided dive with a certified local centre. Later you return to Dahab to unwind — perhaps with a fresh mango juice at a beachfront café, or a little browsing for handmade jewellery and Bedouin crafts along the promenade. The gentle rhythm of Dahab makes it easy to slow down and savour the Red Sea. Overnight in Dahab.

• Blue Hole — A world-renowned Red Sea snorkelling and diving site with a spectacular coral wall.

Today offers a chance to explore Sinai's spiritual heart. Those seeking adventure can rise long before dawn to climb Mount Sinai, where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments, reaching the summit for a sunrise that sets the surrounding peaks aglow. At its foot lies St Catherine's Monastery, one of the oldest continuously working Christian monasteries in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to priceless icons and the reputed site of the Burning Bush. Prefer something gentler? You might instead explore the dramatic Coloured Canyon near Nuweiba, with its swirling sandstone walls, or spend another restful day beside the reef in Dahab. Whichever you choose, your guide helps you make the most of it. Return to Dahab in time to relax, dine on fresh Red Sea cuisine, and reflect on an extraordinary journey through Egypt and Jordan. Overnight in Dahab.

• Mount Sinai — The sacred peak traditionally associated with Moses, often climbed for its sunrise summit.
• St Catherine's Monastery — A UNESCO-listed 6th-century monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai, home to the reputed Burning Bush.

Enjoy a final leisurely morning in Dahab — a last swim in the bay, a slow breakfast beside the sea, or a stroll along the waterfront before you say goodbye to the Red Sea. In good time you transfer south along the coast to Sharm el-Sheikh, from where you board a short domestic flight back to Cairo. On arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel for your final night in Egypt. If time allows, you might enjoy a farewell dinner overlooking the Nile, toasting the pyramids, temples, deserts and reefs that have filled your 15-day adventure across two remarkable countries. Your tour manager confirms your onward departure details so tomorrow's journey home is completely seamless. Take the evening to rest, repack, and savour your last hours in the Egyptian capital. Overnight in Cairo.

• Sharm el-Sheikh — South Sinai's resort city, the departure point for the domestic flight back to Cairo.

Your 15-day Egypt and Jordan tour comes to a close today. After breakfast, you enjoy any remaining free time before a Travel Joy Egypt representative escorts you to Cairo International Airport in a private vehicle, assisting with check-in for your international flight home. As you depart, you carry with you memories of the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, unforgettable days aboard your Nile cruise past Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor, the Roman ruins of Jerash, the rose-red city of Petra, the timeless deserts of Wadi Rum and the coral reefs of Dahab. We hope this journey has shown you the very best of Egypt and Jordan, and we look forward to welcoming you back one day to explore even more of this extraordinary region. Safe travels, and thank you for touring with us.