20 Day 5 Star Egypt & Jordan with Nile & Lake Nasser Cruising

Salaam Alaikum! Welcome to Egypt. On arrival into Cairo International Airport (CAI) you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.The remainder of the day is at leisure.A buzzing metropolis, home to at least 19 million people, Cairo gives you a great feel for Egyptian streetlife. It's busy – almost frantic – and among the hustle and bustle, it's an exciting blend of old world and new. Arabs call this city Umm al-Dunya (the mother of the world). There are many beautiful mosques to visit, like the Mohammed Ali Mosque in the Citadel. Or head to the oldest part of Cairo, the Babylon Fortress, to see ancient ruins. For stunning panoramic views of the capital, go up the 187-metre-high Cairo Tower. Special Information Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed. If you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.

This morning, meet your guide for your visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Rising beside the Giza Pyramids, the breathtaking Grand Egyptian Museum is a monumental tribute to ancient Egypt. This ultra-modern masterpiece unveils over 100,000 treasures, including Tutankhamun's full collection, in dazzling galleries filled with light, glass, and history. It's the world's largest museum of a single civilisation. Afterwards we depart Cairo and drive to the port city of Alexandria along what is known as the ‘desert road'. Alexandria is a historic Mediterranean city founded by Alexander the Great, blending ancient wonders, Greco-Roman heritage, and seaside charm, renowned for its library, catacombs, and elegant coastal atmosphere. This evening enjoy an included dinner at a local restaurant. Inspiring Highlights Grand Egyptian Museum Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2 ½ hours.

After breakfast, embark on a fascinating tour of Alexandria. Marvel at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern tribute to the ancient library, housing millions of books and cultural exhibits. Next we descend into the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a vast underground necropolis adorned with intricate carvings blending Egyptian, Greek, and Roman styles. Finally, explore the Greco-Roman Museum, showcasing statues, mosaics, and artifacts that reveal the city's rich multicultural heritage along the Mediterranean coast. Following your tour, the remainder of the day is at leisure. Inspiring Highlights Bibliotheca Alexandrina Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa Greco-Roman Museum

This morning we depart Alexandria and drive towards the town of El Alamein where we will visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery and Memorial. It is here where two extended battles were fought during World War II. The first began on the 1st July 1942 and lasted for 27 days, ending as a stalemate. After 3 months of holding back the enemy, the allies launched a second attack which lasted for 13 days. The importance of El Alamein was highlighted by Winston Churchill, who said “Before Alamein we never had a victory.” Following our visit here, we will drive back to Cairo. Inspiring Highlights El Alamein War Cemeteries Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Today will be full of excitement as we head out to see some of the world's most iconic sights – the magnificent Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Instantly familiar yet full of mystique, these incredible pharaonic tombs are an incredible sight and will fill you with awe. Here we'll explore these powerful structures that have stood tall and proud for 4,500 years. Afterwards, we'll head to the ancient site of Saqqara, the oldest complete stone complex known in history. Saqqara also served as the burial ground for Kings and High officials that lived in the ancient Egyptian Capital, Memphis. Here we'll view the legendary pyramids of Saqqara, including the famous Step Pyramid. As our tour here concludes, we'll head back to our hotel for an evening of leisure. Inspiring Highlights Pyramids of Giza The Great Sphinx Memphis & Saqqara

Today we leave Cairo and fly to Abu Simbel (via Aswan) where we will board our Lake Nasser cruise. After settling in and a delicious lunch you will have a tour of Abu Simbel. Often referred to as the Temples of Ramses II, the two enormous sandstone structures at Abu Simbel were built in 1255 BC by Ramses II to commemorate himself and his favorite wife Nefertari. The larger temple, dedicated to three major Egyptian deities, features four large statues of Ramses II on its facade, while the smaller temple is dedicated to the love goddess Hathor, with statues designed to embody Nefertari. Set on the banks of the artificial Lake Nasser, the structures were once in danger of being flooded with the construction of the Aswan High Dam but were saved via an extensive project to cut the temples into pieces and move them to higher ground, where they are seen today. Following our tour of Abu Simbel we return to our cruise boat for some time to relax. This evening there is an optional visit to the Abus Simbel Sound & Light Show (booked directly on board) Inspiring Highlights Abu Simbel Special information Your included flight allows one checked bag up to 23kg (51lbs), and one 7kg (15 lbs) carry-on. Your internal flight for this day is arranged by our local partner. Specific flight details will be provided by your Tour Leader upon arrival and cannot be provided in advance. Please note that these group flights cannot be upgraded, amended, or checked in online. Your Tour Leader will manage the check-in process for the group.

Our extraordinary Nile Cruise begins on beautiful Lake Nasser, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. Today we will sail to Qasr Ibrim, originally a major city perched on a cliff above the Nile. After the flooding of Lake Nasser during the construction of the Aswan High Dam, Qasr Ibrim was transformed into an island with its outskirts underwater. Now an important archaeological site closed to the public, we will sail just close enough to view the fascinating ruins from the ship's sundeck and take some photographs. After this we will continue on to see the Temple of Amada, the oldest Egyptian temple in the region, constructed by Pharaoh Thutmose III of the 18th dynasty. Here we will also see the temple's sole tomb, the Tomb of Pennut. The rock-cut Temple of Derr can be seen here as well, built during the 19th Dynasty by Pharaoh Ramesses II. Next we sail on to Wadi El Seboua, where our day today will end and our tour will begin tomorrow. The evening will be spent on board relaxing and mingling with fellow travellers, discussing the incredible sights we've encountered so far. Inspiring Highlights Amada Temples Derr Temple Tomb of Pennut

This morning we begin with a tour of Wadi El Seboua, where several important sites were relocated during the Aswan High Dam construction to save them from flooding. The government and groups involved in the relocation of the country's national treasures found it easier to relocate multiple sites together to a few carefully chosen spots. Wadi El Seboua was one of these chosen spots and as a result there are numerous magnificent things to see here. After touring the temples of Wadi El Seboua, we will sail back towards Aswan. Inspiring Highlights Wadi El Seboua

Early this morning we will be heading out for a visit to the Temple of Kalabsha. This Roman Period temple to the sun god Mandulis was entirely relocated in 1970 to protect it from Lake Nasser. It was built by Emperor Augustus and was the largest free-standing temple of Egyptian Nubia. During relocation, the temple was cut into 13,000 blocks. Later this morning we will disembark our cruise. Before embarking our second cruise, we will make a stop at the fascinating Nubian Museum. The museum is considered to be a gateway to the history of Nubia that enables visitors to understand the complex history of this unique area. The stunning architecture of the museum itself is enough of a reason to visit. Later we'll check in to our Nile cruise, home for the next three nights as we sail to Luxor. Inspiring Highlights Temple of Kalabsha Nubian Museum Special Information Please note that as the sailing distance between Aswan and Luxor is approximately 200km, that it is typical for all cruises operated along the Nile to be docked for majority of the time to conduct sightseeing, with the sailing to occur in the evening. The vessel will be docked either in Aswan or Luxor. Depending on the time of year and number of vessels operating at the same time, you will also find that all vessels are docked beside one another, which is beyond our control. To ensure that our customers have appropriate expectations prior to their journey, it is important not to compare this experience to that of a European River Cruise, which tends to cover a greater distance and on larger vessels. Instead, you will experience a deluxe stay onboard your vessel, offering a great chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the banks of the Nile while you sit back and relax. Your cruise schedule will be provided once onboard.

Today our journey ashore is to visit the Kom Ombo Temple. Set dramatically on the bank of the Nile, 168 kilometres south of Luxor, the soaring, chunky columns of the Great Temple of Kom Ombo are a magnificent sight as you arrive from the river. Dedicated to the gods Sobek and Haroeris, the temple's finely carved reliefs give a sense of this area's prominence as capital over the surrounding region during the Ptolemaic era. Today, Kom Ombo may be a sleepy agricultural backwater surrounded by sugar cane fields, but its prime position along the Nile once made it one of Upper Egypt's most important centres. Wander through the temple's colonnades, gazing up at scenes of kingly propaganda, and you'll capture a feel of this glorious history for yourself. We'll then return to the cruise boat where we'll continue travelling upriver, with free time relaxing on the sundeck and taking in the surrounding sights – desert hills forming a backdrop to lush riverbanks, fishermen casting their nets and farmers working their land. The remainder of the day, relax onboard as you continue sailing towards Edfu Inspiring Highlights Kom Ombo Temple

This morning we will moor near Edfu – home to ancient settlements and temples, as well as a bustling town centre and a bazaar. We will continue cruising toward Luxor, passing through the historic lock at Esna as you continue along the Nile's tranquil waters. After lunch onboard, we'll explore the magnificent Karnak Temple, which is perhaps the most impressive of all the ancient pharaohs' monumental works. One of the world's most celebrated temple complexes, Karnak was built over some 200 years and was once known as the 'Chosen of Places'. Your guided tour of this vast temple of impressive pylons, obelisks and chapels will reveal its finest sections, such as the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Great Temple of Amun. Following your temple tour, return to the ship and enjoy dinner onboard and an evening Egyptian Belly Dancer Show. Inspiring Highlights Karnak Temple Special Information Please note: the only mode of transport available to visit the Temple of Edfu is by locally managed horse and carriages. As a responsible travel-focused business, animal welfare is extremely important to us and we want to ensure that we are not promoting any activities where the working animals are not properly cared for. Unfortunately, some operators of the horse and carriages have been found to be in breach of our animal welfare guidelines and it is, for this reason, we will no longer include the visit to the Temple of Edfu. In addition to the animal welfare concerns, we have had a substantial amount of feedback suggesting that the experience itself is quite uncomfortable due to the pushy nature of the vendors and local suppliers outside the site. While we recommend that you do not use the horse and carriage to visit the Temple, the decision is ultimately up to you. Edfu is an included port stop on the Nile River cruise schedule.

After breakfast we disembark our Nile cruise. Today explore the open air museum of Luxor and the “Valley of the Kings”. Luxor is full of wonderfully preserved reminders of the Pharaohs. Our first stop is the spectacular royal burial site of the Valley of the Kings. Buried under the arid hills here are over 60 tombs of pharaohs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings. We'll explore this sprawling and spectacular place, where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (16th to 11th century BC) were secretly interred for all eternity, and where discoveries are still being made. Our guide will explain the history and legends of these remarkable people, their funerary rites, and the significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics, still well preserved in the deepest tombs. We'll visit three of the most interesting royal tombs, then continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a stunning colonnaded building set against high cliffs that create a spectacular natural amphitheatre. One of Egypt's greatest Queens, she built this temple to prove her importance among the ancestors. Finally a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two 17 metre-high statues on Luxor's west bank. Carved from granite blocks, they represent the Pharaoh Amenhotep III and were once part of an impressive colonnade. This evening is at your leisure to further explore the town of Luxor or relax in your hotel located on the banks of the Nile. Inspiring Highlights Valley of the Kings Temple of Queen Hatshepsut Colossi of Memnon

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Cairo. On arrival check into your hotel before an afternoon visit to Khan El-Khalili Bazaar. Khan El Khalili is Cairo's vibrant, centuries-old bazaar, brimming with colorful stalls, traditional crafts, spices, jewelry, and souvenirs. Its winding alleys bustle with merchants, cafés, and historic architecture, offering an authentic taste of Egyptian culture, lively atmosphere, and a timeless shopping experience steeped in history. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner in a traditional home to experience locally made cuisine. Special information Your included flight allows one checked bag up to 23kg (51lbs), and one 7kg (15 lbs) carry-on. Your internal flight for this day is arranged by our local partner. Specific flight details will be provided by your Tour Leader upon arrival and cannot be provided in advance. Please note that these group flights cannot be upgraded, amended, or checked in online. Your Tour Leader will manage the check-in process for the group.

Today, say goodbye to your Egyptian tour leader and get ready for the next leg of your journey as you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Amman, Jordan. Welcome to Jordan, cosmopolitan and contemporary, yet steeped in biblical history. On arrival at Amman's Queen Alia International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. You will meet your Jordanian tour leader today. Special Information Your flight time will be approximately 1.5 hours Your included flight allows one checked bag up to 23kg (50 lbs), and one 7kg (15 lbs) carry-on. Your flight will be unescorted, however your tour guide will assist you on either end to ensure that your journey is trouble free.If you are eligible for a Jordanian visa on arrival, this will be included in your tour package. You will be met and assisted through immigration.

After breakfast, enjoy a tour of this capital city. Cosmopolitan and contemporary, yet steeped in ancient biblical history, Amman is a bit of a chameleon. Most of the city's historical sites are located downtown. Here we'll visit the Citadel, with remains from the Roman to the early Islamic period; the Jordan Archaeological Museum, which houses the oldest Neolithic statues dating from 8000 to 5000 NC, as well as other valuable artifacts; the souq, where we'll get an idea of everyday life; as well as the beautifully restored 2nd-century Roman Theatre. Next we'll take a short drive (approximately one-hour) north to Jerash. Once one of the grandest ancient Roman cities in the world, Jerash now boasts some of the best Greco-Roman ruins around. Admire this site's striking collection of crumbling archways, theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets. Grand columns encircle the city's centrepiece, the Oval Plaza, a wonderfully atmospheric place to linger after exploring this ruined city's lasting riches. Inspiring Highlights Citadel Jordan Archaeological Museum Roman Theatre Jerash Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Today marks the beginning of our journey towards the fabled site of Petra. En route we'll visit Madaba, an ancient market town that's home to a number of fine Byzantine mosaics, the most outstanding of which lies within Saint George's Greek Orthodox Church. Here, a map of the Holy Land once carpeted the whole floor, said to contain more than two million pieces. Crafted around 560 CE, a large swathe of this mosaic map can still be viewed, providing the oldest map of Palestine in existence. Next we'll continue to the ancient village at Dana, on the edge of the Dana Biosphere Reserve, where local artisans sell silver jewellery. Later, we'll drive along the King's Highway, up to Shobak Castle, sometimes known as Montreal. Perched at the top of a hill in the desert, this ancient Crusader castle was originally built to protect the eastern flank of the Latin Kingdom and its trade routes to the sea before it fell to Muslim sultan Saladin in 1189. Stroll the site and discover a small chapel, original gatehouse, and find out where a long, dark secret passage leads. Inspiring Highlights Madaba Dana Biosphere Reserve Shobak Castle Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Get ready for Petra! A firm fixture on most bucket lists for good reason – the jewel of Jordan is an arresting sight. The so-called Rose City boasts an impressive series of tombs, caves and temples hidden behind ornate façades carved directly into the rock. No one knows the exact date of this desert kingdom's creation, but the lost city of the Nabateans is believed to date as far back as the 2nd century CE. The city has lain empty and unknown for centuries, only rediscovered in 1812 by a Swiss explorer. You'll feel just like Indiana Jones, as you meander through the narrow canyon known as the Siq; at times the path measures only a few metres wide, with walls soaring up to 180 metres on either side of you. It's easy to imagine the armies and merchants who made their way here many years ago, and the sense of awe they too must have felt upon reaching this ancient rock-hewn kingdom, surrounded by such a stark landscape. The Siq is the main entranceway to The Treasury – perhaps Petra's most iconic sight, and one of its most elaborate temples. Petra's greatest surprise, however, is its size. With our guide we'll explore the old Roman road, the amphitheatre and several tombs. We'll also climb up to the beautiful façade of the Monastery, from where you will have a magnificent view of the entire site. Exploring this truly extraordinary destination is sure to be a highlight of your trip. Inspiring Highlights Petra

We continue to Wadi Rum and browse around the excellent and informative visitor's centre. We'll visit several of Wadi Rum's distinctive rock formations and soak in the vast silence, towering sandstone mountains and spectacular desert landscapes of this surreal 'Valley of the Moon', where the wind-sculpted rock formations change in hue throughout the day. We'll also meet with local Bedouins, who live in scattered camps throughout the area. We'll enjoy an evening with them at one of their camps,savouring the hospitality of these nomadic peoples and the uninterrupted desert panoramas. Wadi Rum is probably best known for its connection with the enigmatic British army officer TE Lawrence, who was based here during the Great Arab Revolt of 1917-18. Much of David Lean's movie on his exploits, Lawrence of Arabia, was actually filmed in this very region. Inspiring Highlights Wadi Rum Valley of the Moon Bedouin Camp Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours. Please note - While we are sure that this experience will inspire you, please be aware that your stay will differ from that of a traditional hotel. There are no hotels in or near Wadi Rum: the only places to sleep are the numerousbedouin-run camps dotted around the desert. The camps that we use are quoted as being 'luxury' because their locations differ from other styles of camps and your tent will have its own ensuite. Even at the best and more 'luxurious' camps, bathroom facilities within the tents are somewhat rudimentary and the bedding can also be quite basic, however still offering you a comfortable nights' accommodation. All of your meals are included and will be served in a common social area. While we may not make it sound glamorous, it will be a unique and memorable experience. For those who prefer not to ride a camel, there is the option of travelling into the desert by 4WD.

After waking up in the unique environment of the luxury camp this morning, we'll enjoy a walk around the area before scaling one of the large dunes to enjoy sensational views of the surrounding area; keen photographers will be delighted. We'll then ride camels back across the Wadi Rum desert. (For those who prefer not to ride a camel, there is the option of travelling by 4WD) Later, we'll drive for approximately two hours to reach a radically different landscape – the Dead Sea. We'll spend the afternoon on the shores of this famous body of water, named for the dearth of life in its waters. The saline water has a high density that keeps bathers buoyant and makes getting underneath the surface very difficult. Floating on the surface without any sort of lilo makes for a once in a lifetime experience. Afterwards we'll return to Amman for the evening. Inspiring Highlights Wadi Rum desert camel ride The Dead Sea Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours

Unfortunately, today marks the end of your incredible tour through Jordan. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Special Information Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight. If you choose to extend your stay (e.g., departing after the final tour date) and have booked your additional accommodation independently, this included service will be forfeited and no refund will be issued. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.