Egypt and Jordan Family Holiday - 16 Days

Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome to Jordan. If you have booked a transfer, you’ll be met at Queen Alia International Airport and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm in Amman – the ancient capital of Jordan known for its 1994 excavation uncovering homes and towers believed to have been built during the Stone Age. If you arrive early, maybe visit the Roman Theatre, learn about the Dead Sea Scrolls at The Jordan Museum or explore the excavated ruins of the Umayyad Palace. After your meeting, you'll be able to get to know your fellow travellers better over a group dinner.

This morning, set off on a short walk along the Soap House Trail. As you hike through the Ajloun Forest Reserve, take in the surrounding landscape of woodlands, filled with oak, pistachio and oriental strawberry trees. When you arrive at the soap house, meet some of the local women who are keeping the traditional process of making pure Orjan olive soap alive. After your hike, travel to Jerash to explore the ruins, which were re-discovered in 1806. Wander along the Colonnaded Street and see the grooves in the paving stones where chariot wheels once rolled. Later, return to Amman. In your free time tonight, maybe visit the Citadel or find a local restaurant for dinner - your leader will have the best recommendations!

Take the Desert Highway to Petra this morning. Along the way, stop at Madaba – a historical town known for its Ottoman-style houses and beautiful Byzantine-era mosaics. Slightly out of town, you might see the black beit ash shar tents of the hardy Bedouin who still wander throughout the Middle East as they have for centuries. After, travel to Dana Village, built on a nature reserve, and join your local leader on a walk. Meet some locals and learn about their culture as you make your way through the terraced gardens. After checking into your hotel in Petra the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy.

This morning, squeeze through the long stretch of stonewalls to Petra – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. When you arrive, explore the old Roman road, temples, old tombs and the rock-hewn amphitheatre. After, maybe walk up the clifftop path to the Monastery for panoramic views overlooking the Treasury. Later today, join a Jordanian cooking class at a local Al Qantara kitchen. Prepare appetisers like baba ghanoush and hummus, typical Jordanian mains like kabsah (mixed rice) or mjadra (lentils and rice) and learn the secrets behind these delicious Arabic flavours.

After breakfast, travel to Wadi Rum – a valley known for its desert scenery, which has been the backedrop to many films. Along the way, stop for a tea with a local Bedouin family in Little Petra. When you arrive in Wadi Rum, jump in one of the jeeps and drive through the Mars-like landscapes, passing by Lawrence Spring – a rocky landscape contrasted by a freshwater spring with panoramic views over the valley. You’ll also stop at Lawrence House – supposedly the house where Lawrence of Arabia lived and stored his equipment. Continue to one of the largest sand dunes in Wadi Rum and check out some of the famous rock bridges. After, set up camp in Bedouinstyle tents. If you choose, you can even sleep in the open air, surrounded by the Mars-like mountains in the background. Fall asleep under a desert blanket of an undisturbed night sky, rich with stars.

Today you’ll drive from the desert to the coast for some sun and relaxation. Aqaba is landlocked Jordan’s only town on the sea, and this Red Sea beach resort is yours to explore for the rest of the day. Just south of town, the warm and shallow waters of the Red Sea is home to a series of untouched coral reefs. Maybe grab a mask and some flippers and explore the underwater world, take a walk along the shoreline or simply kick back by the pool. Later, maybe visit the 14th century Ottoman Fort. This is where the T.E Lawrence (of ‘of Arabia’ fame) rode to Cairo with big news about a revolt.

This morning, travel along the King's Highway – a winding road that follows the contours of the rocky hills, occasionally passing nomadic shepherds as they tend their flocks in the few areas where there’s water. Descend lower and lower until you eventually arrive on the shores of the Dead Sea. When you arrive, put your swimwear on and take a dip in the salty lake. While you’re here, maybe grab a handful of the shoreline’s mud and slop it over your body – it’s full of nutrient-rich natural minerals that are meant to have healing properties and will leave your skin feeling great. This evening, maybe find a nearby restaurant and head out for dinner with your fellow travellers.

Say goodbye to the Dead Sea after breakfast and travel to Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport where you’ll board a flight to Cairo. On arrival to Cairo you'll be transferred to your hotel and have some free time to relax before joining a second welcome meeting at 5pm this afternoon where you'll meet your local leader for the next part of your trip. After your meeting, you'll be able to head out for a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant.

This morning, head to Giza – home to some of the world’s most iconic sights and one of the Ancient Seven Wonders of the World. Explore the structures that have stood tall for 4500 years and uncover the mysteries surrounding them with your leader. Head to a spot where you'll have a panoramic view of the three pyramids, before checking out the Great Sphinx of Giza. For lunch, follow your leader to a local restaurant to try a koshary plate (a tasty and filling Egyptian take on pasta). After, make your way to the Egyptian Museum, which houses one of the world's greatest collections of antiquities. Wander through the treasure-filled halls while your leader highlights the true gems of the exhibits. Later, meet your leader and travel to the nearby train station, where you’ll board an overnight sleeper train bound for Aswan.

This morning, wake up in Aswan – a city on the Nile River, known for its archaeological sites and ruins. After dropping your bags at the hotel and freshening up, you'll head off to explore Philae Temple. Also known as the Temple of Isis, Philae Temple is an ancient Egyptian temple complex located on Agilkia Island. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, the temple dates back to the Ptolemaic and Roman eras and is famous for its well-preserved hieroglyphic reliefs and soaring columns. This afternoon is free for you to rest and relax. Tonight visit a Nubian village for dinner with a local family. This is a great way to immerse your family in a different culture and learn about another way of life.

Today is free for you to explore Aswan or the surrounding area at your family’s preferred pace. Maybe visit the Abu Simbel – these two temples, one for Ramses II and another he dedicated to his wife Queen Nefertari, were cut into the cliff face in the 13th century and remain impressive in their scope and detail. If you would prefer to stay in Aswan and get a taste of contemporary Egypt, there’s plenty to do. The relaxed atmosphere makes Aswan a great city to wander and watch the boats cruise the Nile, plus there’s always the hotel pool nearby where you and the kids can cool off. In the afternoon, regroup for a sail on the Nile in a traditional felucca before finishing the day with an included dinner in a nearby local restaurant.

This morning, say goodbye to Aswan as you drive to Luxor. When you arrive, visit the Temple of Karnak – the largest religious building in the world, built over 4000 years ago. Set off on a guided tour of this vast system of pylons, obelisks and chapels including the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Great Temple of Amun and hear about the stories and legends that shape this area. Also on this day you'll visit a local NGO, Animal Care in Egypt (ACE), one of our Intrepid Foundation partners, to learn about the work they do to care for wounded working animals in the region.

Today, visit the Valley of the Kings. With a tour guide, you’ll spend a few hours exploring some of the beautifully decorated tombs of the 63 pharaohs who were buried here as part of their journey to the afterlife. It is here that the burial site of the boy-king, Tutankhamun, was re-discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922. If you'd like to organise a visit to King Tut's tomb today, this can be arranged with advance notice – ask your leader for details at the beginning of your trip. Get to know more about the Egyptian way of life today with a visit to local Egyptian home for a delicious home cooked lunch. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you like.

This morning, drive to Hurghada – a beach town stretching almost 40 km along Egypt’s Red Sea where you'll spend the next 2 nights in a beachfront, all-inclusive resort. After checking-in the rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe wander through the Hurghada Museum or simply relax on the beautiful beaches or by the resort swimming pool.

Today is a free day for you to relax, explore or take part in one of the many optional activities on offer. You might like to join the Red Sea snorkelling boat trip, which is a favourite activity for most kids! Underneath the water are vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life like gentle turtles and playful stingrays. Tonight, regroup with your fellow travellers for a final dinner together and toast to a magical Egyptian adventure!

As there are no further activities, your trip comes to an end today. There is plenty more to see and do in Hurghada so you may like to stay longer, otherwise an International airport is located nearby and transfers can be arranged at an additional cost. For those wanting to return to Cairo a group transfer by private vehicle is offered departing around 9 am and returning to Cairo by approximately 3 pm. This can be booked as an optional extra just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.