tauck river cruises - egyot and jordan

Egypt and Jordan: Timeless Treasures, Ancient times

The mysteries of ancient Egypt and Jordan unfold before you on this 13-day journey of discovery to revered temples, tombs and monuments that tell a story of 5,000 years of civilization. From hotels with incredible views, to a 3-night River Nile cruise, to behind-the-scenes insights by local experts, Tauck’s Egypt and Jordan tour is unlike any other in these historic lands.

Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to Cairo 

Your Egypt and Jordan tour begins at Mena House Oberoi.

A transfer is included from Cairo International Airport to Mena House Oberoi, a sumptuous former royal hunting lodge in the shadow of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza. Since most international flights arrive between 3:00 and 11:00 PM local time, you might want to consider traveling to Egypt a day early and arrange a pre-stay in Cairo to ease the effects of jet lag before the first day of sightseeing on your Egypt and Jordan tour begins.

Meals: A snack in your hotel room upon late arrival

Lodging: Mena House Oberoi, Cairo, Egypt

Day 2 The Sphinx, Great Pyramid, and a camel ride 

Prepare for a day of awe-inspiring wonders at the Pyramids! At Giza, see the Sphinx guarding the plateau, as it has for the same 4,500 years. Marvel at the Great Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu), a crowning architectural achievement, and smile for the camera as you ride a camel* at the Pyramids. Visit the Solar Boat Museum, whose main attraction is an ancient Egyptian cedarwood boat dating back 4,500 years. Attend a welcome reception and dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Mena House Oberoi, Cairo, Egypt

Day 3 Egyptian Museum and the “Boy King’s” treasures 

A lecture by a professor of modern Egyptian history kicks off your day, followed by a visit to the Egyptian Museum to explore its world-renowned collection of antiquities, many 5,000 years old – yet another memorable experience on Tauck’s Egypt & Jordan tour! Behold treasures found in the tomb of the “Boy King,” Tutankhamun, including his golden funeral mask, solid gold coffin, carved throne, and jewelry. “Meet” other ancient rulers, including the might Ramesses II, face-to-face in the Royal Mummy Room. Later, a walking tour of Old Cairo with a local guide visits a local mosque and includes time to wander through a local bazaar. This evening’s elaborate sound and light show at the Pyramids and the Sphinx in Giza is a spectacular way to end this unforgettable day.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Lodging: Mena House Oberoi, Cairo, Egypt

Day 4 Early antiquities at Memphis, Sakkara and Dahshur 

Travel to the site of ancient Egypt’s first capital, Memphis, for a look at some of Egypt’s oldest antiquities; you’ll see the Alabaster Sphinx and an imposing statue of Ramesses II. In Sakkara, visit the Teti Pyramid, and view the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the world’s first monumental structure built of stone. Continue off-the-beaten path to the less-often visited necropolis at Dahshur for a look at the numerous pyramids, temples and royal tombs there.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Mena House Oberoi, Cairo, Egypt

Day 5 Abu Simbel, Aswan and the start of Nile cruising 

Take a private charter flight to Abu Simbel, in what was once the ancient kingdom of Nubia. Marvel at the Great Temple honoring Ramesses II – carved out of a cliff, with four 67-foot-high seated statues of the pharaoh at the entrance – and the adjacent Temple of Hathor, dedicated to his wife, Queen Nefertari. Cross part of the famous Sahara Desert to Aswan to visit the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1971. Embark the Nile Adventurer to start your cruise, then take a boat to the Philae Temple on Agilka Island; dedicated to Isis, it was moved to its present location to save it from the rising waters caused by the building of the new dam. Meet the Nile Adventurer’s officers at the Captain’s welcome dinner tonight aboard ship.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Aboard Nile Adventurer

Day 6 Nile cruising, Kom Ombo and Edfu 

Glimpse river life along the Nile while cruising aboard Nile Adventurer, a highlight of Tauck’s Egypt and Jordan tour. Stop to visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, an unusual double temple, and have tea at a replica of an ancient Nubian village. Then it’s on to the Temple of the Falcon God Horus in Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Return to the ship to attend a cooking demonstration and private galley tour before donning Egyptian garb for a festive Egyptian Night dinner featuring local cuisine and after-dinner music and dancing.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Aboard Nile Adventurer

Day 7 Temples of Karnak & Luxor & a carriage ride 

Your Egypt and Jordan tour continues in Luxor, site of ancient Thebes, starting with an on-board lecture, followed by a visit the vast Temple of Karnak with our Egyptologist; built over a span of 1,300 years, it is one of the world’s largest temple complexes. Then tour the Luxor Museum, displaying rich archaeological finds from the region’s temples and tombs. Ride a horse-drawn carriage this evening to visit the spectacularly illuminated Temple of Luxor, noted for its avenue of sphinxes, grand colonnades, and colossal statues of Ramesses II. Finally, the Captain and crew of Nile Adventurer bid you a fond farewell with cocktails, dinner and a folkloric show aboard ship tonight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Aboard Nile Adventurer

Day 8 Valleys of the Kings and Queens and a felucca ride 

Disembark Nile Adventurer for a major highlight of your Egypt and Jordan tour – a visit to the Valley of the Kings, where at least 62 ornately decorated tombs for the pharaohs were hidden; step into another world as you enter King Tut’s tomb! Our Egyptologist accompanies your exploration of the Valley of the Queens, revealing 80 tombs of royal family members; see Medinet Habu. Later, enjoy a sunset cocktail cruise on the Nile aboard a traditional felucca, followed by dinner at your hotel – where your room overlooks Egypt’s timeless river!

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor, Egypt

Day 9 On to Jordan and Wadi Rum 

Fly via private charter to Aqaba, Jordan, on the Red Sea, where you’ll set off for the next adventure on your Jordan tour – an excursion by four-wheel-drive vehicle through the stunning, lunar-like desert landscapes of Wadi Rum. Then continue through the desert to a two-night stay overlooking the dramatic Petra Valley, home of the amazing archaeological site.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Mövenpick Resort Petra, Jordan

Day 10 Amazing Petra, a city carved from stone 

A short walk from your hotel lies the entrance to one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites – the 2,000-year old city of Petra, which the ancient Nabataeans carved out of colorful sandstone cliffs. Explore this incredible site’s tombs, temples and other structures by foot as well as by horse cart throughout most of the day. Later, meet a Bedouin family on a visit to their private home near Petra, and enjoy dinner and traditional entertainment at a restored 19th-century Bedouin village, now a resort.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Mövenpick Resort Petra, Jordan

Day 11 In history’s footsteps along the King’s Highway and the River Jordan 

Continue your Jordan tour amidst spectacular views of the Jordan Rift Valley as you wind your way along the 5,000-year-old King’s Highway, one of the oldest continuously used roads in the world; visit sites where, thousands of years ago, biblical history was made. Stop at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John the Baptist is purported to have baptized Jesus; pass Mt. Nebo, where Moses looked out on the “Promised Land,” and enjoy a lunch of traditional Jordanian specialties; and check out a 6th-century mosaic map of Biblical sites at St. George’s Church in Madaba. Your final destination today is your spa resort on the shores of the Dead Sea.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea, Jordan

Day 12 Relax by the Dead Sea or explore Roman Jerash 

Take time to enjoy the amenities of your spa resort on the Dead Sea today, or set off to visit the site of Jerash in Jordan. Here you’ll see some of the best-preserved remains of Roman architecture in the Middle East, in what was once the city of Gerasa. Explore its Roman temples, theatres, arches, walls and baths before returning to the resort for tonight’s farewell reception and dinner – a festive conclusion to your unforgettable Egypt and Jordan tour.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea, Jordan

Day 13 Bound for home 

Tour ends: Jordan. A transfer is included from the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea to the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in. Most international flights depart in the early morning hours – you may want to rest and extend your Jordan tour with an extra night’s stay at your Dead Sea spa resort.

Meals: Breakfast

Dates and Pricing

13 Days from $5,475 plus airfare

January – December 14 Land / Cruise
Price
On-Tour Air
(2 flights)
Total
per Person
Nile Deck (Standard Cabins) $5475 $915 $6390
Main Deck (Standard Cabins) $5550 $915 $6465
Bridge Deck (Standard Cabins) $5625 $915 $6540
Promenade Deck (Standard Cabins) $5700 $915 $6615
Main Deck (Deluxe Cabins) $5925 $915 $6840
Promenade Deck (Presidential Suites) $6300 $915 $7215
December 15 – 31
Land / Cruise
Price
On-Tour Air
(2 flights)
Total
per Person
Nile Deck (Standard Cabins) $5680 $1010 $6690
Main Deck (Standard Cabins) $5755 $1010 $6765
Bridge Deck (Standard Cabins) $5830 $1010 $6840
Promenade Deck (Standard Cabins) $5905 $1010 $6915
Main Deck (Deluxe Cabins) $6130 $1010 $7140
Promenade Deck (Presidential Suites) $6505 $1010 $7515

Land / Cruise Price Includes: port charges, cruise fare, shore excursions, wine with dinner aboard Nile Adventurer, gratuities to ship staff, local guides and drivers

All prices are per person in U.S. dollars.

All About the Tauck River Cruise Experience