Petra to the Pyramids & a Nile Yacht Cruise - A Luxury Small Group Journey (2024)

Arrive in Amman, where you are met by an A&K representative and privately transferred to your hotel.

The St. Regis Amman

This morning, explore Amman, visiting its historic downtown, the Citadel and the impressive Roman Theatre. Later, enjoy one of these Design Your Day options.

• Explore Third-Century Jerash, “Pompeii of the Middle East,” with its well-preserved Roman ruins, on foot.
• Explore the Royal Automobile Museum, where King Hussein’s collection mirrors Jordan’s modern history.
• Visit the Ancient town of As-Salt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as a place of tolerance and urban hospitality.

Then, return to your hotel.

The St. Regis Amman | BLD

Journey this morning to Mount Nebo, in the footsteps of Moses, for expansive views of the Holy Land. Proceed to Madaba, known as the “City of Mosaics” for its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad examples of vividly coloured local stone tiles. After lunch, travel to Wadi Rum — the “Valley of the Moon” — which you explore by 4x4, traversing rose-tinted vistas and visiting a place where Lawrence of Arabia once lived. Tonight, embrace Bedouin life with a Chef’s Table dinner beneath twinkling desert skies.

Hyatt Rum Camp | Meals: BLD

Explore stunning Petra, the ancient Nabataean city carved from solid rock. Enter through a narrow gap, the Siq, to view the majestic Treasury, Temple of the Winged Lions and Palace Tomb. Once a stop for camel caravans bearing spices and silk, Petra was lost for 1,000 years until it was rediscovered in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. After lunch, relax on a drive to your hotel along the shore of the Dead Sea.

Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea | Meals: BL

This morning, visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, known as the baptism site of Jesus. Afterwards, enjoy time at leisure, free to float in the restorative waters of the Dead Sea.

Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea | Meals: BD

Fly to Cairo. This afternoon, visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities (or the Grand Egyptian Museum, upon its opening) to view a vast trove of artifacts.

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza | Meals: B

This morning, fly to Luxor and journey to the Temple of Karnak, where generations of pharaohs wished to record their names. Walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall with its expertly aligned columns, a sight to behold. Board ‘Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau,’ embarking on a three-night cruise to discover the Nile’s significant impact on ancient Egyptian civilization. After lunch, visit the striking Temple of Luxor. Along the front of the temple pylons, there were six large statues of Ramses II (of which three remain), while behind the East Tower is the Courtyard of Ramses II. Marvel at the Colonnade of Amenhotep III, which consists of 14 papyrus-headed columns, leading to the Court of Amenhotep III.

'Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau' | Meals: BLD

Discover the Valley of the Kings, the legendary burial ground of the pharaohs, including entrance into the tomb of “the boy king,” Tutankhamun. View the impressive Temple of Hatshepsut before returning to ‘Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau’.

'Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau' | Meals: BLD

Cruise to the Temple of Horus, the falcon-headed god. Built in 230 BC by Ptolemy III and having spent much of the modern era buried in sand and debris, this well-preserved and colourful structure reveals what temple worship in ancient Egypt was like. Sail toward Aswan while enjoying a Scenic Sundowner overlooking the Nile.

'Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau' | Meals: BLD

Disembark in Aswan and ride a motorised boat to Philae Temple on the island of Agilika. Continue to the impressive granite quarries and site of the Unfinished Obelisk, thought to have belonged to Queen Hatshepsut. Arrive at your historic luxury hotel. Dating back to 1899, the property was built by Thomas Cook to house European travellers, among them Sir Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and Agatha Christie, whose novel, Death on the Nile, included this Victorian palace. Board a felucca (traditional sailboat) and sail around Elephantine Island and dine in your hotel’s famed 1902 restaurant.

Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan | Meals: BD

Fly to Abu Simbel and discover the commanding twin temples of Ramses II — Egypt’s longest-ruling pharaoh — and his wife, Queen Nefertari. Located on the banks of Lake Nasser, this site is both an ancient and a modern engineering marvel. Return to the airport and fly to Cairo via Aswan. Check in to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza | Meals: B

This morning, visit the necropolis of Sakkara, site of the storied Step Pyramid of King Djoser and the oldest-known Egyptian pyramid. Then, join your expert A&K Egyptologist and discover the pyramids built for Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus on the Giza Plateau. Take in the panorama of the Giza Plateau, backdropped by the soaring pyramids. Also see the fabled Great Sphinx, a monumental limestone statue. Tonight, toast to your travels with fellow guests at a farewell dinner.

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza | Meals: BLD

Transfer to the airport and board your flight home.

Meals: B

Internal air included: Amman/Cairo/Luxor; Aswan/Abu Simbel/Aswan/Cairo
This journey contains some active elements.
Minimum age is 10 years.
First group event: welcome briefing at 8:45 a.m. on Day 2.
Last group event: farewell dinner at 8:00 p.m. on Day 12.
Departures are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 2 guests.

Included with every Luxury Small Group Journey

• English-Speaking Resident Tour Director and Local Guides
• Hand-Selected Luxury Accommodations
• Airport Meet and Greet with Private Transfers
• Travelling Bell Boy Luggage Handling
• Breakfast in Bed on Select Days
• Full Breakfast Daily; Select Lunches and Dinners
• Your Choice of Activity on Design Your Day
• Traveller’s Valet Laundry Service
• Internet Access
• Entrance Fees, Taxes and All Gratuities Except Resident Tour Director
• 24/7 A&K On-Call Support
• Guaranteed Departures with Just Two Guests

Talk to one of our expert Journey Designers or your travel agent about booking this tour as a private journey for your own small group with family or friends. Or, if you would prefer to travel privately, find out more about creating the perfect bespoke Tailor-Made Journey based on this itinerary.