Egypt & Jordan Temple Trail Adventure

Day 1 – Hello Cairo

As soon as you touch down in Cairo, one of our team’s smiley faces will be waiting to whisk you through the madness and straight to the hotel. After that long journey, you’ll be grateful that someone else is here to deal with the logistics.

Step outside the airport and it all hits at once: the call to prayer ringing out over honking traffic, the faint outline of the pyramids hovering in the distance and entire families somehow balanced on a single motorbike. Cairo is loud, fast and doesn’t apologise for a thing, and that’s exactly why we love it!

After a chance to freshen up, you’ll kick things off properly with a welcome dinner. Meeting a group of strangers might feel a bit awkward at first, but give it an hour – by dessert, you’ll be swapping your wildest travel stories and laughing at things that already feel like inside jokes!

Accommodation: Novotel Cairo El Borg (or similar), Cairo, Egypt
Included: Dinner

Day 2 – The Pyramids

Your first full day in Egypt starts strong: it’s pyramid time! At around 5,000 years old, these epic structures are still some of the most-visited landmarks on Earth, and once you’re standing beneath them, you’ll understand why. After having some time to explore, it’s over to the Sphinx. Sure, he might be missing a nose, but he still makes for one seriously impressive photo-op.

After you’ve checked out these sites from top to bottom, it’s time to dig into the details at the Egyptian Museum. With over 120,000 artefacts crammed inside, it’s a lot to take in, but we’ve arranged for a local guide to cut through the chaos and take you straight to the good stuff like Tutankhamun’s treasure, bazillions of jewels and, of course, a mummy or two.

By the end of the day, you’ll have a newfound appreciation for just how much history Egypt’s packing – and you’ve only scratched the surface.

Accommodation: Novotel Cairo El Borg (or similar), Cairo, Egypt
Included: Breakfast

Day 3 – Coptic Cairo

Time to peel back another layer of Cairo. This morning, you’re taking a break from pharaohs and mummies to explore Coptic Cairo, a corner of the city where church bells swap places with the call to prayer. It’s a completely different vibe, and one most travellers don’t even know exists. Here, you’ll explore some of the oldest Christian sites in Egypt, including the Hanging Church and the Cavern Church, which, rumour has it, is where Mary and baby Jesus hid from King Herod. Impressive stuff!

Fast-forward a few thousand years this afternoon as you hit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, where you’ll come face-to-face with more mummies and get a proper overview of how Egypt evolved beyond its pyramid days into the city you see today.

All that sightseeing is hungry work, so of course we’ve arranged a slap-up Egyptian dinner at a local spot that you’re going to love. Bring your appetite (and maybe your stretchy pants)!

Accommodation: Novotel Cairo El Borg (or similar), Cairo, Egypt
Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 – Fayoum

After a few jam-packed days in Cairo, you’ve earned a breather. So today, we’re swapping the honking horns for something a little more… tranquil. Welcome to Wadi Rayan, where you’ll find two freshwater lakes smack in the middle of the desert, joined together by Egypt’s only waterfall. Not exactly what you picture when you think “Sahara” right?

The real curveball here, though, is that this place is crawling with whales. Fossilised ones, that is. Millions of years ago, this whole area was underwater, and now it’s home to one of the most bizarre and fascinating sights you’ll ever lay eyes on: tonnes of ancient whale skeletons, scattered across the sand like it’s the most normal thing in the world.

Accommodation: Tzila Lodge – Fayoum (or similar), Fayoum, Egypt
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 – Tunis Village

After days of temples, tombs and total sensory overload, we’re back with another chilled-out day. This morning, you’ll roll into the low-key village of Tunis, where the streets are dotted with pottery studios, and you’ll get the chance to wander through a few, meet the makers, and maybe even pick up a one-of-a-kind handmade souvenir. 

After lunch, it’s back on the road to Cairo. Tonight’s yours to do as you please, whether that’s flopping on the hotel bed or heading out for another round of crispy falafel and fluffy flatbreads. Just ask your guide if you need food tips – they’ve always got a few go-to spots to share.

Accommodation: Novotel Cairo El Borg (or similar), Cairo, Egypt
Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 – Alexandria

Today you’ll swap Cairo’s chaos for Mediterranean breezes as you hit the road to Egypt’s iconic seaside city. It’s a three-hour drive, so don’t be shy about sneaking in a nap – you’ll want to be fresh for what’s coming.

On arrival, you’ll dive straight into one of the city’s most unexpected highlights: the Kom ash-Shuqqafa catacombs. From the outside, it doesn’t look like much… but head underground and it’s a whole different story. This is basically ancient Egypt’s answer to a haunted house! From the street, it looks like nothing more than a quiet corner of the city… but underground, it’s a maze of tombs, carvings and staircases that spiral into the shadows. A bit spooky! 

Afterwards, blink back into the daylight and follow the locals to the seafront promenade for a slow wander and some much-needed fresh air. After being underground, it feels magical!

Accommodation: Romance Alexandria Hotel (or similar), Alexandria, Egypt
Included: Breakfast

Day 7 – El Alamein

Today you’ll hug the coast on your way to El Alamein, the site of two major battles that helped turn the tide of WWII. Over 13,000 Allied troops were killed or injured here, and walking through the area brings a sobering sense of just how high the stakes were. After walking the battlefields, you’ll head to the El Alamein War Museum to piece together the full story, including the battle strategies, the chaos and the human cost. It’s an eye-opening day, that’s for sure, but a super important one. 

From there, it’s back to Cairo for another night in the city. By now, your hotel here will feel almost familiar, but your flight tomorrow will be whisking you far away from here!

Accommodation: Novotel El Borg (or similar), Cairo, Egypt
Included: Breakfast

Day 8 – Aswan

After an early flight, you’ll land in Aswan and hit the ground running with a visit to the spectacular Philae Temple. Compared to the pyramids, this place is practically a baby – only 2,600 years old. Still, it’s been through a lot. In fact, it used to sit on a completely different island until the Nile’s rising waters forced archaeologists to relocate the entire thing stone by stone in the 1970s.

Once you’ve checked into your hotel and had some downtime, you’ll regroup for a boat ride across the river to a Nubian village, where tonight’s dinner will be one to remember. You’ll be welcomed into a family home, get to sit down to a feast of traditional Nubian dishes, and sample a real taste of life in this part of Egypt. It’s a far cry from the craziness of Cairo!

Accommodation: Basma Hotel Aswan (or similar), Aswan, Egypt
Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 – Abu Simbel

Rise and shine – and we do mean early. Today kicks off with a 4:00am departure, but it’s for a very good reason. You’re off to Abu Simbel, home to two jaw-dropping temples carved right into the rock face. Built by Rameses II (to show off and, adorably, to honour his favourite wife), these temples are ancient Egypt at its most extra. We admit, it’s a bit of a drive (four hours each way) and yes, you’ll be sharing the moment with a few busloads of other travellers, but this place is 100 percent worth it. Standing in front of these giant statues, all bleary-eyed and awestruck, is a rite of passage.

Once you’re back in Aswan, it’s time to unwind with a slow sail on a traditional wooden felucca boat. Let the Nile breeze do its thing while you soak it all in. And later, let’s just say the day’s not done surprising you yet…

Accommodation: Basma Hotel Aswan (or similar), Aswan, Egypt
Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 – Edfu Temple

You’re on the road to Luxor today, but you’ll be making a stop along the way that might just steal the show. Say hello to Edfu Temple, the best-preserved temple in all of Egypt. And yep, it might just be our favourite. (Don’t tell the others!)

So why does Edfu look so suspiciously fresh for something built over 2,000 years ago? Turns out, being buried under 12 metres of sand for centuries is the ultimate anti-aging trick. Locals literally built homes on top of it, completely unaware of what was beneath their feet. It wasn’t until the 1800s that explorers dug it up – and you’ll be very glad that they did.

Accommodation: Aracan Eatabe Luxor Hotel (or similar), Luxor, Egypt
Included: Breakfast

Day 11 – Luxor

Luxor isn’t called the world’s greatest open-air museum for nothing. Step outside and bam: ancient history is everywhere. But you’re not here to tick off every single stone and statue. Instead, you’re heading straight to the heaviest hitter: Karnak Temple.

This place is absurdly big, packed full of towering columns, hieroglyphs for days, and so many ancient artefacts you’ll struggle to lift your jaw off the floor. It took over 2,000 years to build this, with generations of pharaohs all adding their unique designs to it, making it look different to the other temples you’ve seen so far. Keep an eye out for Hatshepsut’s obelisk – it’s the tallest one in Egypt and hard to miss.

In the afternoon, we’re keeping things vague on purpose (sorry, not sorry), but let’s just say it might be the most “Egypt” moment of the trip so far.

Accommodation: Aracan Eatabe Luxor Hotel (or similar), Luxor, Egypt
Included: Breakfast

Day 12 – Valley of the Kings

Sunrise balloon ride, anyone? If you’re up for it (and willing to drag yourself out of bed before dawn), you can hop in a hot air balloon for a seriously wow-worthy view of Luxor as the sun creeps over the horizon. It’s an optional extra which you can choose to do once you’re there, but for $110 USD it’s the kind of once-in-a-lifetime moment that sticks with you.

No stress if you’re not a morning person – feel free to catch some extra sleep and meet up with the group a little later. Either way, you’ll all be reunited this afternoon for a visit to the Valley of the Kings. You’ll head underground into not one, not two, but three ancient tombs full of crazy hieroglyphs and surprisingly well-preserved passageways. Turns out, when you’re planning for the afterlife, you don’t cut corners.

Accommodation: Aracan Eatabe Luxor Hotel (or similar), Luxor, Egypt
Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13 – Cairo

You’ll skip a long, bumpy drive this morning in favour of a quick flight back to Cairo. The good news is, you’re not done here just yet. First stop of the day is the Khan El Khalili bazaar, where you’ll find ancient archways packed with spices, silks, jewellery and god only knows what else. Don’t be surprised if you’re one of the only visitors around – this place is still a regular shopping spot for locals going about their everyday lives.

Tonight, the Egyptian leg of this adventure comes to an end, so how better to mark the occasion than with a home-cooked meal, shared with a local family? Expect to dig into hearty molokhia (a garlicky green stew), stuffed vine leaves and fragrant plates of koshari –  Egypt’s national dish made with lentils, pasta, rice and spicy tomato sauce. If you’re lucky, there might even be a plate of basbousa (sweet semolina cake) passed around for dessert. We’ll miss you, Egypt!

Accommodation: Novotel Cairo El Borg (or similar), Cairo, Egypt
Included: Breakfast, Lunch Koshary, Dinner

Day 14 – Jordan

Today’s not glamorous, but it is a big one – you’re swapping the pyramids for Petra and heading off to Jordan. Say your goodbyes to Cairo and your Egyptian guide and get ready to touch down in country number two. Your new Jordanian guide will be waiting for your arrival, ready to whisk you straight to Amman.

After the buzz of Cairo, Amman feels refreshingly chill. You’ve got three nights here to soak it all in, but first: dinner, when you’ll be officially welcomed to Jordan with a steaming plate of mansaf: tender lamb cooked in fermented yoghurt, served with rice, pine nuts and flatbread. Yum! This dish is very Jordan, and it’s bound to make a strong first impression on you.

Accommodation: Amman Corp Hotel (or similar), Amman, Jordan
Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 15 – Jerash & Ajloun

It’s time to see what Northern Jordan’s been hiding, and spoiler alert: it’s impressive! First up is Jerash, where the ancient Roman Empire really left its mark with massive amphitheatres and chariot-ready streets that’ll have you wondering if you accidentally ended up in Italy. Turns out, the Romans were everywhere, and here, they really outdid themselves.

After wandering through 2,000 years of history, you’ll fast-forward to the present for a cosy evening in one of Amman’s prettiest old neighbourhoods. Tonight’s dinner is on you. Well, kind of. In a relaxed cooking class, you’ll learn how to whip up a few Jordanian favourites like stuffed vine leaves, herby rice and tangy yoghurt sauces. Not a master chef? No worries – you’re in good hands here. Plus, anything made with this much laughter tends to taste pretty great anyway!

Accommodation: Amman Corp Hotel (or similar), Amman, Jordan
Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 16 – Amman

Today’s all about getting to know Amman properly – the real city, not the postcard version.

With your expert guide leading the way, you’ll head up to the Citadel for sky-high views and some local stories that’ll change the way you look at this city. Then, it’s time to weave through the downtown streets, scoffing falafel fresh out of the fryer, dodging taxis on Rainbow Street and sipping cardamom-laced coffee at cafés that haven’t changed since the ‘70s.

Lunch today is another banger (don’t say we don’t spoil you). You’ll head to the Iraq Al Amir Women’s Association, where local women are keeping traditional crafts alive and dishing up one of the best meals of the trip. Expect piles of fluffy rice, handmade flatbreads still warm from the oven and enough mezze to feed a small army. The food’s incredible, but it’s the stories, laughs and big Jordanian welcome that’ll really stick with you.

Accommodation: Amman Corp Hotel (or similar), Amman, Jordan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 17 – Madaba & Shobak

We know, we know – Petra’s the main event, but good things come to those who wait, so before we take you there, there’s still a whole lot more of Jordan to see. Start the day in Madaba, where the floor art’s so good you’ll want to ditch your shoes and lie down for a closer look. Then it’s up to Mount Nebo, where Moses is said to have glimpsed the Promised Land before, well… never actually making it there. This is a big landmark in biblical history, and it doesn’t hurt that the views are pretty epic too.

Still not done? Good. Shobak Castle is next. Built by the Crusaders in the 12th century, this hilltop fortress was their first stronghold in Jordan, so it’s safe to say it’s seen its fair share of battles, sieges and power struggles. 

By the end of today, you’ll be well-fed, slightly dusty and absolutely buzzing. Tomorrow is the big kahuna – Petra!

Accommodation: Petra Elite Hotel (or similar), Wadi Musa, Jordan
Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 18 – Petra

Today’s the day. The one you’ve been dreaming about, Googling obsessively, and mentally adding to your bucket list for years. And let’s just say… it lives up to the hype.

You’ll kick things off with the classic entrance: winding your way through the narrow Siq until, boom. There it is! The Treasury. No matter how many times you’ve seen the photos, nothing compares to seeing it in person, carved straight into the rose-red cliffs. But here’s the thing about Petra: it doesn’t stop at the Treasury. This place is massive. From temples to tombs to hidden hiking trails, you could spend days here and still be stumbling across new corners, so you’ll clock up the steps today without even noticing. There’s just too much to take in!

Accommodation: Petra Elite Hotel (or similar), Wadi Musa, Jordan
Included: Breakfast

Day 19 – Wadi Rum

Next stop: Wadi Rum. And yes, we know following Petra is a tough gig, but this place more than holds its own.

The landscape here is something else, with massive sandstone mountains rising straight out of the sand and the colours shifting from gold to rust to soft pink as the light moves. It’s no wonder this place has starred in more than a few Hollywood blockbusters – being here feels like landing on another planet! You’ll rumble across the sand in a 4×4, bouncing over dunes and ducking through canyons as your local driver shows off their off-road skills. It’ll get your heart racing, that’s for sure!

Tonight, you’re bedding down in a desert camp, with nothing but a bazillion stars overhead. Don’t be surprised if you end up lying awake just to soak it all in.

Accommodation: Wadi Rum Oasis Luxury Camp (or similar), Wadi Rum, Jordan
Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 20 – Dead Sea

Rise and shine – it’s sunrise time! If you’re up for it, join the crew for one last desert moment as the sun creeps over Wadi Rum’s otherworldly horizon. With the sky streaked in pinks, oranges and reds, it’s the kind of view that’ll have you torn between snapping photos and just standing still in awe. 

Once the desert heat kicks in, it’s time to hit the road again and head to the Dead Sea. Here, there’s nothing to do but float (yep, literally float) in the saltiest body of water on Earth. It’s a weird and wobbly sensation at first, but it’s a whole lot of fun. Just don’t splash around too much… the salt stings like mad if it gets in your eyes! Slather yourself in mineral-rich mud, the same stuff Cleopatra supposedly swore by, and let it work its ancient spa magic. Aaahhh

Accommodation: Dead Sea Holiday Inn (or similar), Dead Sea Road, Jordan
Included: Breakfast

Day 21 – As-Salt

It might be your last full day, but we’re not wrapping things up just yet. Today you’ll head out to As-Salt, just 35 kilometres from Amman but a world away in feel. This Ottoman-era town has caramel-coloured houses stacked on steep hills, crumbling old doorways and a close-knit vibe that instantly makes you feel welcome.

You’ll explore it via the As-Salt Harmony Trail – a mellow wander through a town where mosques and churches sit shoulder to shoulder. With over 30 percent of locals identifying as Christian, this place is one of the most diverse areas of Jordan. The trail itself isn’t tough at all, offering plenty of stops for stories, snacks and your last batch of group selfies (don’t pretend you’re not sentimental). 

Then tonight, it’s your final dinner together. There’ll be laughs. There’ll be hugs. And possibly someone trying to book the next trip before dessert hits the table!

Accommodation: Amman Corp Hotel (or similar), Amman, Jordan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner

Day 22 – Farewell Friends

All good things must come to an end, but let’s not get too emotional at the breakfast table okay?

Today’s your departure day, and while we’d love to keep you forever, it’s time to say goodbye to Jordan (and the gang that now feels like family). Your airport transfer is all sorted, so you can just sit back, soak up the last views and maybe scroll through your camera roll one more time.

See you on the next one!

Included: Breakfast