Egypt & Jordan Discovered By Land (5 & 4 Star Hotels)

Welcome to Egypt! At the Cairo terminal keep your eyes peeled for the Travel Talk sign for your transfer to the hotel. Freshen up and meet in the lobby around 6:00pm for an informal meeting with your guide and other tour members. Afterwards you have free time to start exploring vibrant Cairo or board a cruise for an optional group dinner.

Set your alarms for 7.30am and fill up on plenty of breakfast before a big day exploring Egypt's iconic Ancient Wonder of the World – the Pyramids and Sphinx! Follow your guide for a tour across the ancient site to learn about the 4,600-year-old wonders. After everyone has had their dose of awe, we'll head out to Sakkara to see the iconic step pyramid built in 2700 B.C. Later in the afternoon, board an overnight sleeper train to Aswan. AccommodationOvernight Sleeper Train Meals IncludedBreakfast, Dinner Included ActivitiesSightseeing of Giza PyramidsSightseeing of SphinxSightseeing of Sakkara Pyramid Entrance FeesGiza Pyramids/Sphinx - 700 EGPSakkara Pyramid - 600 EGP

Wake up in Aswan, ready to explore on a city tour with your local guide. Visit the Unfinished Obelisk for a look into the incredible building methods used to create the four-sided, hallmark monuments that are placed at the entrances of Egyptian temples. Take some time to walk along the 42-metre long lying bed of granite and learn about its significance from your guide. Visit the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, divine mother of the pharaohs. The temple is set beautifully on an island in the middle of the Nile. We will then arrive at the hotel for check in at 5.30pm with the option to join a traditional Nubian dinner in the evening. AccommodationTolip Hotel - 5 Star Meals IncludedBreakfast Included ActivitiesAswan City tourSightseeing of Philae TempleSightseeing of Unfinished Obeliks of Aswan Optional ActivitiesNubian Dinner - 32 USD Entrance FeesPhilae Temple - 550 EGP

Time to explore Aswan, famed for its skilled artisans and the Unfinished Obelisk. Take a short motorboat ride to reach the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, the divine mother of the pharaohs. The temple is set beautifully on an island in the middle of the Nile. Early in the morning you can join the optional trip to the gorgeous Abu Simbel, an iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a must-do for all keen on history and mythology.

Time to relax and enjoy the cool breeze of the Nile. Jump on-board a traditional Felucca sailboat, bound for the Elephantine and Kitchener Islands on the Nile. After our river excursion, the rest of the day is yours to wander around Aswan as you wish.

As we hop back onboard the coach and drive north towards Kom Ombo. Visit the  Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek. Next stop will be Edfu, home to one of the largest and best-preserved temples in Egypt. Dedicated to the falcon god Horus, the temple was built over 180-years from 237 BC to 57 BC. We'll arrive in Luxor in the late afternoon, before checking out the Luxor Temple in the evening. Explore the dim-light temple after dark and learn from your guide of the temple complexes ancient history, dating back to the 14th century B.C. AccommodationSteigenberger Nile palace Hotel – 5 Star Meals IncludedBreakfast Included ActivitiesSightseeing of Edfu TempleSightseeing of Komombo TempleSightseeing of Luxor Temple Entrance FeesEdfu Temple - 550 EGPKomombo Temple - 450 EGPLuxor Temple - 500 EGP

The West bank of the Nile River awaits you! Follow your guide to the Valley of the Kings, also known as the ‘City of the Dead', home to fancy royal tombs carved into desert rocks and filled with treasures for the Pharaoh afterlife. Next up, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon. Not to forget, a visit to the vast Karnak Temple Complex, one of the most important religious centres of ancient Egypt with its marvellous temples. Your Egyptologist guide will enlighten you with the most intriguing stories and mythologies from the temple complex. Feeling adventurous? Take to the skies on an optional hot air balloon ride over Luxor. In the evening, board an overnight sleeper train to Cairo. AccommodationOvernight Sleeper Train Meals IncludedBreakfast, Dinner Included ActivitiesSightseeing of Valley Of The KingsSightseeing of Temple of Queen Hatshepsut Optional ActivitiesHot Air Balloon - 124 USD Entrance FeesValley Of The Kings - 750 EGPQueen Hatshepsut - 440 EGPKarnak Temple - 600 EGP

The journey continues with one of the most important museums dedicated to the ancient world. Egyptian Museum of Cairo houses around 120,000 ancient Egyptian relics and antiquities. Then roam around Cairo stopping by the Citadel of Saladin, Mosque of Mohammed Ali, the Hanging Church and the world-famous Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Make sure to wear your haggling hats and brace for the mayhem! AccommodationSonesta Hotel Tower & Casino – 5 Star Meals IncludedBreakfast Included ActivitiesSightseeing of CairoSightseeing of Egyptian MuseumSightseeing of Citadel of SaladinSightseeing of Mohammed Ali MosqueSightseeing of Hanging ChurchSightseeing of Bazaar Khan El- Khalili Entrance FeesEgyptian Museum - 550 EGPCitadel of Saladin - 550 EGP

Following an early breakfast, head out to the Red Sea paradise of Dahab. Pack your swimsuit close and ready for a dip in the sea. You’ll get plenty of swimming, snorkeling, diving and sunbathing. The perfect way to relax after a week of cultural discovery.

Today our Dahab experience starts with an optional snorkeling trip to the famous Blue Hole. Here you can snorkel off the shore, swim along colourful fish and experience the beauty of the coral reefs. Dahab is renowned for being one of the best diving destinations in the region, offering an unforgettable experience to divers of all levels. Following your return, why not try out camel trekking or water sports. AccommodationDahab Paradise Hotel - 3 Star Meals IncludedBreakfast Included Activities Sightseeing of Dahab Optional Activities Snorkelling at Blue Hole - 42 USDScuba Diving - EUR 45

Time for the second leg of your adventure. Departing early in the morning for Nuweiba or Taba, you will cross by Aqaba, Jordan’s window to the sea. We make for the otherworldly desert of Wadi Rum. Brace for a local feast, we’re having an authentic Jordanian dinner in a magical setting tonight. Naturally to be followed by a camp fire in the desert, singing and sharing stories – scary or not – and bonding with your travel mates. Hope for a clear sky for a stunning starry night at our desert camp.Attention: Ferries from Nuweiba to Aqaba only depart when they are full, which may result in 3 – 4 hour delays on the departure time and itinerary change in Jordan.For passengers not wishing to wait for the ferry, we also offer the option to cross the Arava Israeli Border from Taba and use the motorway to Aqaba Border. (Israel issues a separate pass at the border and doesn’t stamp your passport).

The experience of a lifetime awaits. Have a hefty breakfast, you’re joining a 2-hour Jeep safari in the Wadi Rum desert. The setting to many ‘Mars’ movies, natural rock formations in the middle of the vast desert will amaze you. Next up will be the magnificent world-famous Petra, the greatest attraction in the Middle East and a full day of exploration. Your local guide will provide a brief history of the ancient city and show you the ins and outs. The massive underground city is carved into a huge rose-coloured rock, make sure to have your cameras at hand! You’ll also get a chance to discover the Pharaoh's Castle, the Triumphal arch and the Amphitheatre along the way. We remain in Petra overnight.

A day is never enough for the vastness of Petra. The tour of the ‘Red Rose City’ continues before we drive to the lowest point of dry land on earth. The Dead Sea, also known as ‘Sea of Salt’, is hundreds of metres below sea level, hence the famous incredibly salty water that floats you almost above waist. Enjoy the warm sun, cleansing mud baths and the most original swimming experience ever. Then continue to Amman where we stay overnight.

Time to discover the vibrant Jordanian capital of Amman. Embark on a city tour of beautiful sites and highlights including the Citadel and the Amphitheatre, and discover the impressive history of Jordan. Afterwards you’ll get some free time to explore the city on your own terms and hit the shopping streets.

Have your final breakfast on us and start bidding farewells to your travel mates before checking out of the hotel. Time to start counting days for your next adventure with Travel Talk!