Nabateans & Nubians

Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport, assist you with obtaining your visa and luggage, and then transfer you to your hotel for the start of your trip. They will help you settle in, introduce you to the local area, and explain tomorrow's arrangements. The rest of the day is free. If you arrive early you may like to take an evening dinner cruise on the Nile, or enjoy a spectacular sound and light show at the pyramids (both available to book locally on arrival). ...more ...less

Our Nubian Adventure begins with a visit to the renowned Egyptian Museum in the heart of Cairo's Tahrir Square. Immerse yourself in the wonders of ancient Egypt as you explore the Tutankhamun exhibit and countless other fascinating artifacts. Our expert Egyptologist guide will accompany you throughout your visit, sharing their wealth of knowledge and passion for Egyptian history and culture.

Next, prepare to be awestruck by the iconic pyramids of Giza. Marvel at the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), a monumental structure standing tall at 500 feet and spanning 750 feet at its base. Constructed with massive stone blocks and adorned with a hard limestone casing, this architectural masterpiece will leave you speachless. Alongside the Great Pyramid, admire the smaller yet equally impressive pyramids of Khafre (Chephren) and Menkaure (Mycerinus). You'll even have the chance to venture inside the pyramids (limited tickets available for the Great Pyramid) for an unforgettable experience.

Between these captivating visits, savour a delicious Koshary lunch. This traditional Egyptian dish is a culinary delight, featuring a medley of rice, lentils, macaroni, chickpeas, and a tangy tomato sauce, topped with crispy fried onions. It's a true feast for the senses and a perfect representation of Egypt's rich culinary heritage.

As the day draws to a close, we'll transfer to the station for an overnight sleeper train to Aswan. The journey takes around 12 hours and you'll be accommodated in a twin birth cabin, where an airline style dinner and breakfast will also be served.

After our night onboard the sleeper train, we arrive in Aswan, a city steeped in ancient Nubian history. The Nubian people have inhabited this region for millennia, their culture intertwined with the Nile. We'll be spending the night immersed in this vibrant culture, staying in a Nubian style hotel within a Nubian village. Get ready to be charmed by the brightly painted houses, adorned with symbolic patterns and vibrant colours, and explore the bustling local markets where you can find handcrafted souvenirs and spices.

Before heading to the Nubian villages, we'll embark on a boat trip to the breathtaking Philae Temple. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, this temple complex was once threatened by the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Thankfully, it was carefully dismantled and relocated to its current island location, preserving its beauty for generations to come.

Following our visit to Philae Temple, we delve deeper into Nubian culture. We'll journey south of Aswan to a traditional Nubian village, where we'll have the unique opportunity to experience the local way of life firsthand. We'll wander through the village, visit the homes of Nubian families, and learn about their customs and traditions. In the evening, we'll share a delicious home-cooked dinner with a Nubian family, savouring traditional dishes and enjoying their warm hospitality. We'll then spend the night in a Nubian-style hotel, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the peaceful rhythm of village life.

Those seeking an awe-inspiring adventure can rise early for an optional excursion to Abu Simbel. This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts two magnificent temples carved into the mountainside by Ramses II. These monumental structures, adorned with colossal statues and intricate reliefs, are a testament to the grandeur of ancient Egypt and a definite highlight of any trip.

At lunchtime, we embark on a quintessential Egyptian adventure: a felucca sailing trip down the Nile. These traditional wooden sailboats offer a unique perspective of the river, allowing you to witness the beauty of the Nile and observe rural Egyptian life unfold along its banks. Our Nubian crew will expertly navigate the felucca, ensuring a relaxing and enjoyable journey. They'll also entertain you with their local knowledge and prepare meals onboard.

For your comfort and convenience, a separate facilities boat will accompany us, providing essential amenities such as toilets, showers, and a hygienic kitchen. In the evening, we'll moor along the riverbank and enjoy a dinner prepared by our crew. As the stars twinkle overhead, we'll settle down for a magical night's sleep on deck, under the vast expanse of the Egyptian sky (mattresses, blankets, and mosquito nets are provided).

Should you prefer a more conventional overnight stay, you have the option to upgrade your felucca experience and spend the night in a comfortable hotel in Aswan. You'll then rejoin the group the following morning when the felucca reaches Kom Ombo. This upgrade won't affect the rest of your itinerary.

After breakfast onboard our felucca, we bid farewell to our Nubian crew and continue our journey north by road. Our first stop is Edfu, home to the impressive Temple of Horus. Dedicated to the falcon-headed god, this remarkably well-preserved temple is one of the largest and most complete in Egypt. We'll have time to explore its towering pylons, hypostyle halls, and intricate reliefs, immersing ourselves in the mythology and grandeur of ancient Egyptian religion.

From Edfu, we continue northwards to the legendary city of Luxor. Built upon the ancient site of Thebes, Luxor boasts an unparalleled concentration of historical wonders. Often referred to as the world's greatest open-air museum, it's divided by the Nile into two distinct areas: the East Bank, with its vibrant city life and magnificent temples, and the West Bank, a necropolis of royal tombs and mortuary temples.

This evening, we have a special treat in store: a guided tour of Luxor Temple at night. Situated in the heart of the modern city, this beautifully illuminated temple offers a magical experience after dark. Our guide will bring the temple's history to life, revealing its secrets and explaining its significance as a centre of worship for centuries.

This morning, we embark on a journey to the West Bank of Luxor, a realm steeped in ancient history and shrouded in the mystique of pharaohs and their eternal resting places. Our exploration begins with a visit to the Valley of the Kings, a vast necropolis where generations of pharaohs were laid to rest in elaborately decorated tombs. We'll venture into several of these tombs, marvelling at the vibrant hieroglyphs and intricate paintings that adorn their walls. These ancient chambers continue to reveal their secrets to archaeologists, making the Valley of the Kings one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world.

Our West Bank adventure continues with a visit to Deir el-Medina, a fascinating village that was once home to the skilled artisans who constructed and decorated the royal tombs. We'll explore the remains of this ancient community, gaining insights into the lives of the workers and their families.

Next, we'll be captivated by the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a unique mortuary temple built into the cliffs. Its elegant colonnades and terraces offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. And no visit to the West Bank would be complete without encountering the Colossi of Memnon, two colossal statues that have stood guard over the Theban necropolis for millennia.

In the afternoon, we cross back to the East Bank to explore the sprawling complex of Karnak Temple. Dedicated to the Theban Triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, Karnak is a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian architecture. We'll wander through its vast courtyards, admire its towering columns, and decipher the intricate carvings that adorn its walls. Our guide will unravel the temple's complex history, revealing its secrets and explaining its significance as a religious and cultural centre for over 2,000 years.

For those seeking an unforgettable experience, an optional hot air balloon flight over the West Bank is available this morning. Imagine soaring above the Valley of the Kings, the temples, and the Nile as the sun rises, painting the landscape in golden hues. It's a truly magical way to witness the grandeur of Luxor from a unique perspective (expect an early start to catch the sunrise).

Later this evening we transfer to the station for the overnight sleeper train back to Cairo (approx. 9 hours).

We arrive back into Cairo this morning and transfer to our hotel. Most of the day is then free to explore Cairo as you choose or you may take an optional tour. These include a city tour in Cairo which visits Coptic Cairo, the Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, or a half day tour to Saqqara, Dashour and Memphis to learn more about the history and evolution of pyramid building. Another full day option further afield includes a trip into the desert outside Cairo to see the World Heritage Site of the Valley of the Whales at Wadi Rayan.

In the late afternoon we take a guided walk through the back streets and bazaars in central Cairo. We'll walk through the huge Bab al-Futuh gateway and explore streets dedicated to metalwork, spices, pottery, fabric, jewelery and anything else you can imagine as we gradually enter the more touristy Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. We'll have time for a break to try some tea and a shisha pipe and perhaps enjoy an early dinner of Egypt's unofficial national dish, Kushari before returning to our hotel.

This morning we'll depart Cairo for our drive to Dahab, the journey will take us under the Suez Canal and through the Sinai region. If you prefer to fly, we also offer an optional Cairo to Sharm el Sheikh flight upgrade. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax by the hotel pool or beach, or head into Assalah to enjoy the unique feel of this friendly village.

The word Dahab in Arabic means gold and refers to the fine yellow sand that colours the beaches either side of the main bay. The nearby Bedouin village of Assalah lies along the shore of Ghazala Bay and is a collection of campsites, hotels, restaurants, shops, dive-centres and bars, dotted with palm trees. It is here that you’ll experience the Bohemian feel that makes Dahab so special (most hotels provide shuttle buses and taxis to and fro are cheap as well). The evenings provide a perfect opportunity to try out some of the many restaurants and excellent local seafood.

Today is free to explore the many delights that Dahab, and its surroundings have to offer. You can do more snorkelling or try an introductory scuba-dive. Alternatively you can relax at one of the numerous beachside restaurants or do a spot of sunbathing on the beach. If you'd like to see more of what this area has to offer day trips are available to the protected area of Ras Abu Galum where you'll be have the opportunity to get up close with the marine life which this area has become famous for. Other options are available to the Blue Hole, Coloured and White Canyons, Mount Sinai & St Catherines Monastery and even a Bedouin evening in the desert.

You have another free day in Dahab today, to relax or explore the local area further on another of our optional tours.

This morning we'll travel from Dahab to Taba Heights (approx. 2 hours drive) for the ferry to Aqaba (approx. 1 hour). After arriving in Jordan and passing through passport control we drive into the spectacular desert scenery of Wadi Rum where friendly Bedouin hosts are ready to greet us at a comfortable camp beneath the towering rocks and cliffs. We spend the evening and night relaxing at the camp and enjoying a delicious traditional Jordanian meal which normally includes the option of 'Zarb' a Jordanish dish normally comprising of Lamb and Chicken that is cooked underground in Bedouin style. Options this evening include a sunset camel ride or star gazing with telescopes.

After breakfast in the camp, we take a jeep safari through the sands and beneath the towering 'jebels' of Wadi Rum, stopping to climb sand dunes and to see some of the strange rock formations, including a spectacular rock bridge.

We'll also do some local activities inspired from the Bedouin traditions, walking with a local shepherd with his sheep and goats to a Bedouin tent.

We can also join in and learn about other traditional Bedouin activities such as shearing the sheep & goats' hair, milking, grinding grains, making bread and roasting coffee until our lunch is ready. Finally, after really getting a feel for nomadic Bedouin life, we return by jeep to our camp and then drive to Petra.

You have the option for a spectacular and atmospheric introduction to Petra tonight, with the Petra by Night tour. Here you walk through the Siq to the Treasury, the whole way being atmospherically lit up by hundreds of candles.

Today is all about exploring the Nabatean site of Petra. It was once the ancient capital of the Nabataean commercial empire until the Romans finally took over in 106AD. For a long period of time, Petra was forgotten - except by the local Bedouins - before it was rediscovered in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. Petra can be found at the edge of the Wadi Aruba desert, where canyon walls and towering hills make it virtually impossible to reach, except via a narrow cleft in the rock, known as the Siq. There are very few free-standing buildings in Petra, as the Nabateans chose to carve their dwellings into the multi coloured sandstone cliffs. Petra has become one of Jordan's main tourist attractions and the Jordanian Government is well aware of this. The tourism infrastructure in the adjoining village of Wadi Musa is booming, though, thankfully, once you enter through the Siq, the site is protected, there aren't that many touts or souvenir sellers, and all the building feels miles away.

We have most of the day available today to explore this ancient city, though as an added bonus, we'll be exploring Petra via the back-route which starts at Little Petra. Before embarking on our hike into Petra, we'll explore the small but equally interesting site of Little Petra, or Siq al-Barid. From here we'll take a short jeep ride to the start of the mountail trail which links Little Petra to the Monastery and main site of Petra.

The back-route into Petra makes for an interesting and much less crowded way of visiting, and what's more, you'll be rewarded with incredible mountain views towards the Holy Land. Whilst hiking the back-route you'll still have the opportunity to see all of the same monuments visited on the normal route, with the addition of Little Petra and the Monastery. The route starts with the ascent of a number of rock hewn steps and paths which straddle the mountain edge. After reaching a plateau, there is an opportunity to stop for refreshments at a small cafe from where you'll have some fantastic photo opportunities. From here the path continues until you'll have a glimpse of 'Ad-Deir' (or the Monastery) where you can have a well deserved rest before descending down into the main site of Petra.

Once in Petra the valley opens out, and you'll see tombs carved into the rock on both sides. You'll get a glimpse of the ruined Roman amphitheatre and colonnaded streets. As we continue through the ancient city of Petra, we'll eventually reach The Khazneh (Treasury) which is probably the most familiar monument of Petra.

Whilst the back-route hike into Petra isn't particularly difficult, as a number of ascents/descents and a significant number of steps are required, this route is only suitable for those who have no issue in hiking in this type of terrain for a minimum of 2-3 hours as far as the Monastery and then a further few hours walking on sandy terrain, whilst exploring the main site of Petra.

For those with less mobility or who are worried about the distance, horse carriages are available for around 20JD (USD 28) for an agreed period of time (only available within the main site of Petra, not on the hiking route). We do not recommend riding the horses that are available.

After enjoying breakfast in Petra, we'll head north along the Dead Sea road to Wadi Mujib, where we'll hike along the exciting Siq Trail. Along the way we'll be rewarded with great views of the Salt Flats at the southern end of the Dead Sea. As we continue along the shores of the Dead Sea we eventually reach the visitor centre of Wadi Mujib. You'll have time to have lunch here (not included) before entering the water and embarking on the hike.

Descending down into the gorge we enter the Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve where between months of April and October (see note below for periods outside of this) it's possible to take an exciting hike through the shallow waters that fill the gorge. Along the way you'll climb up small waterfalls where steps have being installed to make it easier, until eventually you'll reach the end of the gorge where you can relax beneath a large waterfall. The entire hike generally takes 2 to 3 hours roundtrip.

We highly recommend bringing along a dry-bag (so your camera or mobile phone don't get wet) and water shoes. It is possible to hire a dry bag at the visitors centre for around US$7.00 and purchase water shoes for US$7.00).

Note: In the months from November to March, when it isn't possible to hike along the Siq Trail, we'll include a visit to the Baptism site in Bethany. This is a relatively recently excavated site believed to be the biblical 'Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan' where John baptised Jesus Christ. Several churches, caves and pools dating from Roman and Byzantine periods have been discovered here. Both Pope John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI have visited. An electric minibus takes you from the visitor centre to the three sites: Tell Mar Elias, the Baptism Pools and John the Baptist's Church.

After a day of activities, we'll make our way down to our resort right on the banks of the Dead Sea, where you have some free time to swim - or rather float - in its incredibly salty waters and to relax by the hotel pool. Don't forget a newspaper or magazine for your iconic Dead Sea photo!

After a restful night we head to nearby Madaba, where we'll marvel at the Byzantine mosaics and the 'Madaba Map' - which is the oldest preserved map of the Holy Land. From Madaba, we'll make our way to Mount Nebo, the place where the prophet Moses looked across the Promised Land and is also his burial place. On a clear day, which is most of the time, you get great views towards Jericho and beyond from here.

Our final visit of the day is to the ancient city of Jerash - known for being one of the largest and well-preserved Greco-Roman cities outside of Europe. Once we arrive in Jerash, we'll visit the Forum, explore its Roman colonnaded streets, the Nymphaeum and the Temple of Artemis - built on one of the highest points in the city.

We end our day with a return drive to Amman, where we'll spend our final night in Jordan.

Your time is free in Amman today until we pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure. Further sightseeing tours are available today if you have a late afternoon or evening flight, including a trip to the Baptism Site at Bethany on the Jordan River. This tour also connects well with several of our Egypt and Israel tours; please contact us for ideas and help with connections.