12 Days Egypt, Nile Cruise, and Petra Vacation

Unwind at the hotel, then begin your first evening in Egypt with a Nile dinner cruise. Savor a special meal on the water as your professional tour guide shares insights about Egypt’s history and culture. Enjoy live entertainment, including folkloric performances and belly dancing, in a perfectly atmospheric setting.

Return to your hotel for the night.

Raised by the 4th Dynasty around 2600 B.C., the Giza Plateau embodies the Egyptians’ quest for eternity. Here you’ll encounter colossal achievements that have inspired the world for millennia:

Commissioned by Pharaoh Khufu (2609–2584 B.C.) and completed around 2570 B.C., the Great Pyramid is an architectural masterpiece that is aligned to the four cardinal points and reigned as the tallest human-made structure for over 3,800 years. Built from roughly 2.3 million limestone blocks (averaging 2.6 tons each), it rises to 138.5 m (454 ft) today and remains the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. Its court and intricate interior passages continue to captivate researchers and visitors alike.

Attributed to Khafre (2558–2532 B.C.), the Great Sphinx fuses a lion’s body with a royal visage to symbolize power and guardianship over the plateau. Nestled between its paws stands the Dream Stela of Thutmose IV (1401–1391 B.C.). Measuring ~73 m (240 ft) long and ~19 m (66 ft) high, it was carved from a single limestone outcrop.

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) on the Giza Plateau is a modern showcase of pure wonder made to reflect the 5,000 years of Egyptian history, combining panoramic pyramid views with conservation labs and climate-controlled galleries. It is aligned with the stellar pyramids of Giza, and covers an area of 490,000 square meters. It illuminates the artistry, spirituality, and enduring legacy of ancient Egypt for generations to come by exploring epic highlights, including the Hanging Obelisk, the Grand Staircase of royal masterpieces, Senusret statues, Merneptah’s Victory Column, the 11-meter colossus of Ramses II, and the complete collection of over 5,000 artifacts from Tutankhamun. 

Pause for a delicious lunch at a quality Egyptian restaurant before continuing to:

This Old Kingdom mortuary complex served as the setting for purification and mummification rites, including the famed “Opening of the Mouth” ceremony, offering priceless insight into ancient funerary religion and practice.

Saqqara step pyramid was designed by the genius Imhotep for Pharaoh Djoser (c. 2670–2650 B.C.). This six-tier monument revolutionized pyramid construction. Its vast ceremonial courts and innovative stone architecture paved the way for the great pyramids at Giza.

Catch your flight to Luxor, then enjoy a private A/C vehicle to begin your Nile cruise by checking-in and relaxing by spending the overnight. 

The most selected of places, the epic Karnak temple is one of the biggest construction projects in the history of humanity that took place in the Middle Kingdom (2000–1700 BCE) and continued in the Ptolemaic age (305–30 BCE). It is the beating heart of the golden city of Thebes, which is known to be the second most visited place in Egypt, and is filled with some of the finest examples of ancient architecture. It was dedicated to the ancient Theban triad that consisted of Amun-Ra, Mut, and Montu.

You will enjoy lunch on board and relax. In the evening, you’ll be escorted to witness:

Known as “Ipet-resyt” (the Southern Sanctuary), Luxor Temple (1400 BC) comes alive after dusk. Built mainly by Amenhotep III and expanded by Ramesses II, with later additions by Alexander the Great, the temple was central to royal rejuvenation rites and the Opet Festival, when processional statues traveled along the Avenue of Sphinxes between Karnak and Luxor.

Return to the cruise for dinner and an overnight stay.

The divine Mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut is a blessed attraction made of three massive terraces that are found on top of the desert floor and found on the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari that is able to showcase the blessed heritage of Queen Hatshepsut that became The Holy and Holies which became of the most complete masterpieces of ancient architecture that was built in the 15th century BC by her overseer of works Senenmut.

The divine and precious Valley of the Kings was created on the verge of 500 years from the 18th  to the 20th  Dynasties of Ancient Egypt in the New Kingdom (1570 – 1050 BC). The golden valley is found on the central beating heart of the Theban Necropolis. The incredible 63 tombs are full of countless scenes and decorations that showcase Egyptian mythology, plus many of the amazing beliefs and funerary practices of the New Kingdom.

Have your lunch at a restaurant in Luxor.

The eternal Colossi of Memnon are able to display a great deal about the majestic legacy of Amenhotep III, which was built in 1350 BC and was very famous among the ancient Greeks and Romans. The two seated quartzite sandstone Statues are 18 m (60 ft), which is able to showcase a lot of facts about this time period.

Enjoy a delicious dinner on board as your cruise begins sailing.

The remarkable and outstanding Temple of Kom Ombo was created in the magical Ptolemaic dynasty between 180 and 47 BC to honor the gifts to two created gods in this double-design temple; the crocodile god Sobek, god of fertility in the south, and the falcon god Haroeris, "Horus the Elder" on the north.

The precious Temple of Edfu is the golden center for triumph and divine protection that was created in the reign of Ptolemy III in 237 BC and totally finished during the rule of Ptolemy XII in 57 BC, located on the western bank of the Nile. Many believe that it was constructed on the same ground that held the grand battle where the fate of Egypt was decided between Horus and Set. 

You will have your lunch and dinner onboard the nile cruise, plus spend the overnight. 

An engineering milestone of the 1960s–70s, the Aswan High Dam tamed the Nile’s floods, created Lake Nasser, and powered Egypt’s modernization with hydroelectricity.

Commissioned for Queen Hatshepsut (508–1458 BC) and abandoned after a quarry crack, this colossal monolith reveals ancient stone-working techniques; had it been completed, Unfinished Obelisk would have been the largest obelisk ever raised.

A jewel of the Ptolemaic age (primarily 380–362 BC), Philae temple honors Isis, goddess of magic and motherhood. Its tranquil courts and narrative reliefs recount the Isis–Osiris–Horus cycle. The entire complex was relocated to Agilkia Island during the dam era and remains beautifully preserved.

You will have your lunch and dinner onboard the nile cruise, plus spend the overnight. 

The Abu Simbel Temples are the final frontier of the southern border, which has acted as the pinnacle of art and architecture. It proudly showcases the celestial legacy of Pharaoh Ramses the Great (1279-1213 BC), which was completed in 1264 BC. It honors the gods of Amun, Ptah, and Ra Horakhty, plus it immortalizes Ozymandias' legacy, and commemorates the historic signing of the first documented peace treaty in 1247 BC after his victory in the battle of Kadesh.

Return to Aswan for lunch at a local restaurant. Fly to Cairo. On arrival, transfer to your 5* hotel for check-in and overnight.

The Egyptian Museum is one of the country’s earliest purpose-built museums that opened in 1901 in the heart of Cairo. Its galleries house an extraordinary array of artifacts that illuminate ancient Egypt’s history, religion, daily life, and art—offering visitors a compelling journey through millennia of civilization.

Also known as the Church of Saint Virgin Mary, the “Hanging Church” is among Egypt’s oldest Coptic churches, traditionally dated to the 3rd century AD. Perched above the gatehouse of the Roman Babylon Fortress, it appears to float—hence its name. Inside, graceful Coptic architecture frames icons, relics, and motifs associated with the Holy Family’s journey through Egypt.

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) opened in 2020 in historic Fustat on the Nile and presents a panoramic narrative of Egypt from antiquity to the modern era. More than 50,000 artifacts, spanning Pharaonic, Coptic, Islamic, and contemporary periods, are complemented by the celebrated Royal Mummies Hall, providing a rich, cross-era view of Egypt’s cultural evolution.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing with your guide to explore:

Al-Muizz Street is one of Cairo’s oldest thoroughfares and a living showcase of medieval Islamic architecture that dates to the Fatimid period (970 AD). Its mosques, mausoleums, palaces, and restored merchant houses reveal the craftsmanship, urban life, and spiritual heritage of Islamic Cairo.

Khan El-Khalili bazaar is Cairo’s iconic marketplace, which was founded between 1382 and 1389 AD an atmospheric maze of lanes lined with workshops and stalls. Browse traditional crafts, textiles, spices, jewelry, and keepsakes as you soak up centuries of trading culture.

Return to your hotel to unwind and spend the night.

This 19th-century Greek Orthodox church safeguards the famed 6th-century Mosaic Map of the Holy Land, the oldest surviving depiction of Palestine, complete with 157 Greek inscriptions. Though portions have been lost over time, the masterpiece remains a priceless window into biblical geography and the early Christian era.

Mount Nebo is a haven of spiritual significance that offers a portal to the beauty of the heavens and the sight of the most legendary attractions with include the majestic Jordan Valley, the remarkable Dead Sea, and the revered city of Jerusalem. The mountain towers at 700 meters (2,300 feet) above sea level that embracing the ruins of a 4th-century AD Byzantine church and monastery that was constructed to pay homage to the belief that it was the place of Moses' final journey to the afterlife. 

You will then head to:

Often described as a natural marvel, the Dead Sea is among the saltiest bodies of water on Earth. Its shoreline marks the lowest land elevation in the world, and its depth makes it the deepest hypersaline lake. Celebrated since antiquity, it ranks among the oldest health resorts in history; its mineral riches were once used in Egyptian mummification and early fertilizers.

Enjoy a delightful lunch before continuing your international journey.

Transfer to your hotel in Petra for check-in and a restful evening.

Carved into glowing rose-red sandstone in southern Jordan, Petra was founded by the Nabataeans and stands today as a masterpiece of human ingenuity. Known as the “Rose City,” its history stretches back nearly 7,000 years, making it both an archaeological treasure and a timeless icon.

This iconic colossal work of nature, hewn into the cliffs during the reign of King Aretas IV in the 1st century AD, appears dramatically at the end of the Siq gorge. Once a symbol of Petra’s great wealth, it has gained global fame through films such as Indiana Jones and Transformers.

Carved directly into the eastern cliffs mainly in the 1st century AD, these grand monuments, including the Urn, Silk, Corinthian, and Palace Tombs, reflect the height of Nabataean craftsmanship and are believed to have served as resting places for kings and elite nobles.

Originally constructed by the Nabataeans in the early 1st century AD and enlarged after the Roman annexation in 106 AD, this impressive venue could seat up to 7,000 spectators and remains one of Petra’s largest architectural achievements.

Dating from 30 BC to 40 AD, this remarkable freestanding temple, rare in Petra’s landscape of rock-cut monuments, was dedicated to Nabataean deities. Despite centuries of erosion and earthquakes, it stands as a testament to Nabataean devotion and resilience.

Savor a tasty dinner upon arrival in the ethereal Wadi Rum.

Known as the “Valley of the Moon,” this 720 sq. km UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Jordan is famed for crimson sands, towering cliffs, ancient inscriptions, and Nabataean remains. A celebrated film location (Lawrence of Arabia, The Martian), it offers jeep safaris, camel rides, hiking, and authentic Bedouin hospitality with stargazing and desert camps, where natural beauty meets living culture.

You will devour the night in a mesmerizing traditional Bedouin camp, encircled by the desert’s serenity and the brilliance of the star-filled skies, creating an outstanding travel experience.

Dating to the 1st century AD, when Wadi Rum flourished along caravan trade routes, this temple’s surviving walls and inscriptions attest to the Nabataeans’ presence and reflect Petra’s cultural and architectural influence across the region.

Named for T. E. Lawrence, who passed through during the Arab Revolt (1917–1918), this historic spring, framed by fig trees and marked with ancient Thamudic inscriptions, has sustained desert travelers for centuries and remains a living symbol of resilience in the heart of Wadi Rum.

A narrow, atmospheric gorge famed for Thamudic and Nabataean inscriptions etched into its rock walls. Petroglyphs of humans, animals, and ancient scripts underscore Wadi Rum’s role as a cultural crossroads over the ages.

Enjoy a final, memorable dinner to conclude your international journey through Egypt and Jordan.

At the end of your adventure, return to Wadi Rum Village for a private transfer back to Amman or Queen Alia International Airport for your departure, bringing your unforgettable 12-day Egypt and Jordan tour to a perfect close.