Egypt, Jordan, and Israel Discovery

After breakfast at your hotel, your guide and the driver will accompany you to the Giza Pyramids, built in the 26th century BCE as spiritual stairways to the afterlife for Egyptian pharaohs. Marvel at the most iconic Pyramid of Khufu, the sole survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This largest structure took roughly 20 years to complete, using massive 2.5-ton stones extracted and hauled from distant quarries - how, without modern machinery, remains unknown. Nearby sit the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure, built for Khufu’s son and grandson. Their layout mirrors Orion’s pattern, which the ancient Egyptians viewed as the gods’ residence, symbolizing that the pharaoh’s soul could ascend there to join the immortals in eternal life. Also, cast your eyes on the world-famous Great Sphinx, weather-worn and nose-less, yet still a powerful emblem of the kingship and the sun god.

Then, let’s head to the Sakkara Complex in the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis to witness Egypt’s first pyramid, the Step Pyramid of Djoser. This six-tiered mastaba tomb was built with stone rather than traditional mudbrick, establishing the classic pyramid form that would later be reserved exclusively for royalty.

Wrap up the day at the Grand Egyptian Museum, where nearly 7,000 years of ancient Egypt’s history come alive through treasures like Ramses II’s colossal statue, Tutankhamun’s priceless golden mask, the Khufu Solar Boat - a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian shipbuilding - and even crocodile mummies. At last, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo (5 stars) or similar

Begin today with your guide and the driver at the Salah El Din Citadel, a 12th-century Islamic military masterpiece built by the legendary leader Saladin. From the viewpoint, take in a sweeping panorama of Cairo, with the Giza Pyramids visible on clear days. Also, wander around its stunning Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque and behold soaring minarets, grand domes, and a richly painted, chandelier-lit interior.
► Note: To respect local religious beliefs, please wear modest attire covering your shoulders and legs to enter the mosque. Shoe covers are also required, and you can either bring your own or get them at the entrance for around EGP 10 (USD 0.2) at your own expense.

Next, we’ll dive into the Coptic area, the center of Coptic Christianity, Egypt’s second-largest religion after Islam. Visit the iconic Hanging Church, built atop the ancient Babylon Fortress, giving it a suspended appearance, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, an 11th-12th century Jewish hub famed for its cache of medieval Hebrew manuscripts.

Continue our exploration to the lively Khan El Khalili Market, once a caravanserai for traders from Europe, Asia, and Africa, and now Cairo’s oldest and most famous bazaar. Browse its array of products like spices, copperware, handicrafts, and papyrus paintings of powerful pharaohs and the vibrant Nile River, and even bargain with vendors just like locals do.

★ Romantic Nile Felucca Ride at Sunset

In the late afternoon, board a traditional felucca we specially included for you to cruise along the picturesque Nile River. Unwind on this millennium-old, engine-less wooden sailboat - feel the breeze, watch the orange sun gently sink into the river, take in the city’s skyline softening in the dusk, and let the distant sea birds carry your worries away.

At last, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo (5 stars) or similar

After a hearty breakfast, your driver will escort you to Cairo’s airport for your flight to Aswan, Egypt’s southernmost desert oasis on the upper Nile. Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you at the airport and drive you downtown.

★ Discover Ancient Egypt on a 4-Day, 3-Night Full-board Nile Cruise

We’ll invite you to board the cruise around 12:00 to enjoy a classic Nile River tour from Aswan to Luxor. Over the following four days, immerse yourself in slow-paced river life and explore the ancient cultural relics along the banks.

Once on board, enjoy lunch while taking in the scenic Aswan riverbanks, where ancient temples, feluccas, and colorful Nubian villages create a peaceful atmosphere.

The impressive Aswan High Dam is our first stop ashore. This modern engineering marvel ended the Nile’s annual flooding but also led to the relocation of many ancient temples, including our next stop, the Temple of Philae, which is dedicated to Isis, the goddess of love. With your guide, step into the temple to discover the Temple of Isis, an obelisk, and Trajan’s Kiosk built by Emperor Trajan when he worshipped the goddess here in the 1st century AD. We’ll also visit the Unfinished Obelisk, a giant monolith nearly 3,500 years old, offering you a rare glimpse into the ancient Egyptians’ masterful stone-cutting techniques.

Finally, your guide will escort you back to your cruise. Tonight, enjoy your stay on board.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: M/S Concerto Nile Cruise (5 stars) or similar

This morning, we’ll disembark the cruise and drive 3 hours to Abu Simbel, home to one of Egypt’s most awe-inspiring monuments. Here, wonder at Ramses II’s Temple of Abu Simbel, a masterwork designed to chart his rise from mighty pharaoh to living god: At the entrance, his four 20-meter (65.6-foot) seated colossi proclaim him Egypt’s mightiest ruler; inside, eight standing figures and intricate reliefs celebrate his military triumphs; deep in the sanctuary, his statue sits alongside three gods, marking his equal status with the divine. Beside it, the Temple of Nefertari, built to honor his beloved queen, beckons you to admire his love inscriptions engraved on the walls.

Afterward, reboard the cruise and sail downstream to the Kom Ombo Temple, a rare double sanctuary with symmetrical shrines and colonnades: one side dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god of the sky and kingship, and the other to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god of the Nile River and fertility. Remarkably, carvings also show it once served as one of the world’s earliest hospitals, with depictions of surgical tools and childbirth scenes.

Finally, back on board, continue sailing and moor overnight at Edfu, an ancient city on the west bank of the Nile River.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: M/S Concerto Nile Cruise (5 stars) or similar

After breakfast, let’s go ashore to visit the Temple of Horus, aka the Temple of Edfu. Buried under sand for centuries, it emerged as Egypt’s best-preserved ancient temple, with towering pylons, massive columns, and exquisite reliefs remaining almost intact.

Afterward, sail to Luxor’s east bank and disembark to tour Karnak Temple, Egypt’s oldest and grandest temple complex, dedicated to the sun god Amun. Here, walk the Avenue of the Sphinxes lined with ram-headed lion statues, step into the breathtaking Hypostyle Hall to see 134 towering columns that rise 23 m (75.5 ft) high, and admire the female pharaoh Hatshepsut’s obelisk. Deep inside stands a scarab statue, believed to be an ancient wishing spot; you may find visitors walk counterclockwise around it for good luck. Then, let's drive to tour Luxor Temple, where the coronation ceremony of the new pharaoh was often held. Follow your guide to appreciate its ancient Egyptian sanctuary, Roman chapel, and 13th-century mosque still in use. As the sun sets, warm lights illuminate the columns and carvings, enhancing the temple’s grandeur.

After the visit, return to the cruise to rest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: M/S Concerto Nile Cruise (5 stars) or similar

After breakfast around 8:00, we’ll check out from the cruise and board the Luxor West Bank. Accompanied by your local guide, venture into the Valley of the Kings, the necropolis for pharaohs and nobles from the 16th to 11th centuries BC, where 63 tombs have been uncovered. In addition to three regular tombs, we’ll also visit KV9, the royal tomb of Ramesses V & VI, to glimpse 3,000-year-old vividly colored murals like the sun god Ra’s journey through the underworld and the sky goddess Nut and a star chart on the ceiling, and KV62, the tomb of Tutankhamun, whose undisturbed burial thrilled the world, for the young pharaoh’s mummy.

Then, let’s move to the Temple of Hatshepsut, a unique 3-tiered structure with terraced colonnades carved into the cliffside, standing out from traditional Egyptian temples. Inside, appreciate the murals and reliefs depicting the queen Hatshepsut’s expeditionary fleet that brought back gold, spices, and exotic animals. Afterward, proceed to the Temple of Medinat Habu to admire its original colorful pigments that have miraculously survived the ages. Our final stop today is the Colossi of Memnon, the last remnants of Amenhotep III’s temple. The cracked one of the two statues was said to emit a wailing sound in the morning wind, believed to be the cry of the heroic Memnon who fell at dawn.

Afterward, enjoy a private transfer to Luxor’s airport for your flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival, your local driver will pick you up and escort you to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo (5 stars) or similar

Today, your driver will escort you to the airport for your morning flight to Amman, Jordan. Upon arrival, your English-speaking Amman driver guide will meet you outside customs and convoy you to the Roman Ruins in Jerash, widely known as “a Rome away from Rome.” Jerash entered its golden age after the Romans arrived in 63 BCE, but a massive earthquake 600 years later buried it under sand, remarkably preserving its architectural details. Stroll the Oval Plaza, ringed with Greek-style Ionic columns, and walk the Cardo Maximus, an 800-meter (2625-foot) thoroughfare that once supported an elevated aqueduct from the northern hills. Continue to the Temple of Artemis, built for Jerash’s patron goddess on the city’s highest point, once Jerash’s crowning landmark. At the Roman theaters, be struck by acoustically perfect seating that could carry a whisper to the back rows.
► Note: the site is sparsely shaded, so it’s better to wear sunglasses and a sun hat.

At last, your driver will escort you to your downtown Amman hotel and assist with check-in.

► Warm Tip:
The Jordanian Dinar (USD 1≈JOD 0.7) is the local currency. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets, though cash is useful for small purchases at street stores, restrooms in the scenic areas, and tipping.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Golden Tulip Amman, Jordan (4 stars) or similar

This morning, your driver guide will escort you to Petra, an ancient city carved from the ochre-red sandstone in a desolate desert, with several sightseeing stops en route. As we arrive in Madaba, the “City of Mosaics,” delve into its unrivaled collection of Byzantine mosaic art. At St. George’s Church, admire the 6th-century mosaic map on the floor, the world’s oldest surviving map of the Holy Land, marking biblical sites like Mount Sinai, Jerusalem, and the Jordan River. Be aware that the old town’s cobblestone streets call for comfy walking shoes.

The next stop is Mount Nebo, where the prophet Moses once looked out over the Promised Land. On a clear day, you can overlook the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea stretching out below. Then, let’s make our way to Karak Castle, a hilltop Crusader stronghold and the Middle East’s second-largest fortress. Despite the ruins of most upper levels, the underground complex is well preserved. Set foot in vast vaulted halls, which once served as battle rooms, kitchens, and sleeping quarters, and examine artefacts ranging from the Dead Sea Scrolls to the Crusader objects on display.

When we finally reached Petra, check in at your hotel and rest.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: RN Hotel, Petra (4 stars) or similar

This morning, your expert local guide will accompany you on an exploration of the UNESCO-listed Petra Ancient City, romantically dubbed the “Rose City.” Over 2,500 years ago, Arab nomadic Nabataeans constructed dwellings, royal tombs, and even an advanced water system into the vertical rose-red cliffs here. However, centuries later, it lay abandoned until the nomadic Bedouins, who resemble pirate captains with their kohl-rimmed eyes, desert robes, and high boots, settled there. Walk through the narrow, winding Siq Canyon, whose red walls show red-toned color changes under the sunlight. The end of the canyon gives way to a dramatic reveal: the stunning Treasury Temple (Al-Khazneh), whose 40-meter (131-foot) high facade is chiseled into the glowing orange-red rock. Bedouin lore calls it a king’s treasure hoard, but it was most likely a royal tomb.

The whole afternoon is yours to wander Petra at your own pace. You can hike up the 800-step trail to the Monastery (ed-Deir), a simpler, higher-perched structure, and enjoy sweeping desert views. Or opt for a one-way donkey ride up; Agree on a price in advance. The round-trip hike from the Treasury takes about 4 hours, so plan accordingly. Finally, meet your guide at the entrance at the agreed time for your return to your hotel.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: RN Hotel, Petra (4 stars) or similar

In the morning, your driver will escort you on a 3.5-hour drive to the Allenby Bridge, where you’ll cross the border into Jerusalem of Israel on your own. Your local driver-guide will meet you on the Israeli side and escort you to your hotel in Jerusalem. The rest of the day is free for you. You can head to the nearby vibrant Mahane Yehuda Market to experience the lively local life. Colorful spice stalls, handcrafted copperware, glassware, and freshly baked local pita with hummus await.

► Insider Tips:
1. All visa-free travelers, including EU, US, and UK citizens, must obtain an ETA-IL permit online at least 72 hours before departure. It costs ILS 25 (USD 8.8) per person.
2. The local currency is the New Israeli Shekel (ILS 1≈USD 2.8). Credit cards are widely accepted, but cash remains handy in small markets and street vendors. Prices in the Old City vary: the Arab quarter is relatively affordable, while the Jewish quarter is notably more expensive.
3. On Shabbat, from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, West Jerusalem’s Jewish quarter virtually shuts down, with no public transport, few eateries, and limited attractions; while East Jerusalem’s Arab quarter carries on as usual. Plan ahead and stock up on supplies.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Grand Court Hotel, Jerusalem (4 stars) or similar

This morning, dress modestly with shoulders and legs covered at your hotel, and set off with your driver-guide for Jerusalem Old City, the spiritual heart of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Kick off at the Mount of Olives, offering sweeping views over the city and the vast cemetery on its western slope, believed to be the holiest resting place in Jewish tradition where the Messiah will first raise the dead on Judgment Day. Descend to the foot of the mount and lose yourself in Gethsemane, the olive grove where Jesus prayed on the night before his arrest.

Next, let’s pay homage to the Wailing Wall, aka the Western Wall, the most sacred place in Judaism, at 50 m (164 ft) long and 18 m (59 ft) high. Since Israel’s rebirth in the 20th century, it has stood as a symbol of national revival. Here, you may notice the praying men donning a small round cap called “kippah,” a sign of reverence for God, who is believed to be above the wall. Also, discover countless notes wedged between the stones, ranging from children’s drawings and elderly prescriptions to soldiers’ messages home.

Then, go on a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Christianity’s holiest site, where Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected. Pilgrims often kneel to touch the Stone of Anointing, believed to be where his body was laid. Nearby stands the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site after Mecca and Medina, revered as the place where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven during his Night Journey. Round off today at King David’s Tomb, traditionally the burial site of the United Kingdom of Israel’s second king (c. 1050-970 BCE), though most scholars regard it as a cenotaph. Finally, your driver-guide will escort you back to your hotel.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Grand Court Hotel, Jerusalem (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, your driver-guide will accompany you south to the 5,000-year-old city of Bethlehem to explore Jesus’ birthplace. Our visit begins at the UNESCO-listed Church of the Nativity, one of the world’s oldest Christian churches. In its underground grotto, catch a glimpse of the 14-point silver star that marks the nativity spot and symbolizes the “Star of Bethlehem”. We won’t let you miss the Manger Square, where Mary gave birth to Jesus and placed him in a manger. Then, head to the outskirts to visit Shepherds’ Field, where angels announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds.

After that, return to Jerusalem New City for the Israel Museum, the country’s largest archaeological and cultural institution. Feast your eyes on the world’s oldest biblical manuscripts, a scale model of the Second Temple Jerusalem, and a rich collection of artifacts and ceremonial objects from Jewish communities worldwide. We'll also pay our tributes at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial honoring the six million Jews who perished during WWII (1939-1945 AD).

In the end, your driver-guide will escort you back to your hotel.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Grand Court Hotel, Jerusalem (4 stars) or similar

Today, your driver will see you off to Tel Aviv’s airport and help you with the check-in procedures. We hope you’ve had a wonderful time with us!

► Note: To ensure a seamless trip, please arrive at least 4 hours before departure, as security checks at Israeli airports are stringent and may take 3-4 hours.

Meal: Breakfast