Explore Egypt, Jordan & Dubai in 15 Unforgettable Days

Begin your Egyptian adventure at the Giza Pyramids, where the monuments of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure rise above the desert plateau. Built thousands of years ago as royal funerary monuments, these extraordinary structures reveal the architectural ambition and religious beliefs of ancient Egypt. With your Egyptologist guide, learn how the pyramids were constructed and how the surrounding complex reflected the pharaohs' beliefs about kingship and the afterlife.

Continue to the Great Sphinx of Giza, the monumental limestone sculpture with a lion's body and a human head. Positioned beside the pyramid complex, the Sphinx remains one of Egypt's most recognizable symbols, offering insight into the relationship between royal power, sacred landscapes, and ancient Egyptian beliefs.

Explore the Valley Temple, an important part of Pharaoh Khafre's funerary complex. Constructed from enormous stone blocks, this remarkably preserved monument offers a glimpse into ancient Egyptian building techniques and the ceremonies associated with royal burial. At the same time, its proximity to the Sphinx reveals how the structures formed part of a carefully planned architectural landscape.

After lunch, visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), located near the Giza Plateau, where extensive archaeological collections connect the monuments you have explored with the artifacts, craftsmanship, and daily life of ancient Egypt. Discover royal objects, sculptures, and treasures spanning different historical periods while gaining a deeper understanding of the civilization behind the pyramids.

Begin with Karnak Temple, one of the largest religious complexes ever built. Dedicated primarily to the god Amun-Re, Karnak was expanded by successive pharaohs over many centuries, leaving behind monumental gateways, sacred precincts, obelisks, and colossal statues. 

Continue to Luxor Temple, an elegant monument that played an important role in royal ceremonies and the annual Opet Festival. Its monumental entrance, statues, columns, and decorated walls reflect the power of the pharaohs who shaped the temple over successive periods. Unlike the expansive Karnak complex, Luxor Temple offers a more concentrated architectural experience in the heart of the modern city, revealing another dimension of ancient Thebes and its religious traditions.

Cross to Luxor's West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings, the royal burial ground where many New Kingdom pharaohs were laid to rest in tombs carved into the desert hills. Unlike the pyramids of earlier dynasties, these tombs were concealed within the landscape and decorated with religious texts and colorful scenes intended to guide the deceased through the afterlife. 

Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, a remarkable monument set against towering limestone cliffs. Its broad terraces, colonnades, and carefully arranged courtyards create a striking contrast with the surrounding desert landscape. 

Pause at the Colossi of Memnon, two enormous seated statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that once stood before his vast mortuary temple. These monumental figures have survived as prominent landmarks on Luxor's West Bank, offering a memorable photo stop and a chance to appreciate the scale of the original temple complex before returning to your cruise ship.

Begin with the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god associated with kingship and protection. Its impressive entrance pylons, enclosed courtyards, and detailed reliefs provide an unusually complete picture of ancient Egyptian temple architecture. 

Later, visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dramatically positioned beside the Nile. Its unusual double design includes two parallel sanctuaries, one associated with Sobek, the crocodile god, and the other with Horus the Elder. 

Visit the Aswan High Dam, one of Egypt’s most significant modern engineering projects. Completed in the 1970s, the dam controls the flow of the Nile, helps protect communities from flooding, and generates hydroelectric power. From the dam area, enjoy views of Lake Nasser and learn how this major project transformed agriculture and water management in Egypt.

Continue to the Unfinished Obelisk, located in Aswan’s ancient granite quarries. Had it been completed, this enormous monument would have been among the largest obelisks ever made in ancient Egypt. Its cracks and unfinished form reveal the techniques ancient Egyptian craftsmen used to cut and shape monumental stone.

Take a boat to Philae Temple, a beautiful complex dedicated primarily to the goddess Isis. Relocated to higher ground on Agilkia Island to protect it from rising waters after the construction of the High Dam, the temple is celebrated for its carved reliefs, elegant columns, and peaceful island setting.

For travelers with a suitable schedule, an optional excursion to the Abu Simbel Temples offers an extraordinary extension to the Egyptian portion of the tour. Located near Lake Nasser in southern Egypt, these rock-cut temples were commissioned by Pharaoh Ramesses II and feature colossal statues carved into the cliff face, while the smaller temple is associated with Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor. Their monumental scale and carefully planned interiors reveal the ambition of Ramesses II's building projects, and their relocation in a major international preservation effort helped protect them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. 

Begin at Jerash, one of the most impressive Roman-era archaeological sites in the Middle East. Often associated with the ancient Decapolis, the city preserves monumental streets, temples, theaters, and public spaces that reveal the scale of urban life during the Roman period. Walk through Hadrian's Arch and explore the Oval Plaza, then continue along the colonnaded streets to discover the remains of temples and public buildings, including the Temple of Artemis, which reflects Jerash's religious life and architectural ambition.

Continue toward the Dead Sea, a remarkable natural destination located at the lowest exposed land elevation on Earth. The surrounding landscape changes as you descend toward the shoreline, revealing rugged hills, mineral-rich terrain, and expansive views across the water. The sea's high salinity makes the water exceptionally buoyant, allowing visitors to float with little effort if access and conditions permit; follow local safety guidance, avoid getting the water in your eyes or mouth, and rinse afterward.

Set out toward Petra, one of Jordan's most famous archaeological treasures and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The journey takes you through landscapes that gradually reveal the rugged terrain of southern Jordan. Petra flourished as a major Nabataean center, benefiting from its strategic position along historic trade routes, and its remarkable architecture, water-management systems, and rock-cut monuments reflect the ingenuity of the people who established a thriving settlement in this challenging environment.

On arrival, begin the approach to Petra through the Siq, a narrow natural gorge that winds between towering sandstone walls. The path builds anticipation as the rock formations change color and shape around you, providing a striking introduction to Petra's landscape and the way its ancient builders worked with the surrounding rock. 

Discover Al-Khazneh, commonly known as the Treasury, whose ornate façade is carved directly into the sandstone cliff. Its elaborate columns and decorative details make it one of Petra's most recognizable monuments. Despite its name, the Treasury is generally understood to have served a funerary purpose, and your guide will explain the monument's place within Nabataean history and why it has become such an enduring symbol of Jordan.

Begin your Dubai city tour in the Al Fahidi Historic Neighbourhood, where narrow lanes, traditional wind-tower architecture, and restored courtyard buildings offer a glimpse of the city's earlier trading history. Before Dubai became internationally known for its skyscrapers and luxury developments, its communities were shaped by maritime trade, fishing, pearl diving, and commerce along the creek, making this historic district an ideal introduction to the city's cultural roots.

Continue to Dubai Creek, the historic waterway that helped establish Dubai as a trading center. Cross the creek aboard a traditional abra, a small wooden boat still used by residents and visitors, and enjoy views of the waterfront as you travel between the city's historic trading neighborhoods. The short ride provides a simple but memorable connection to Dubai's commercial past.

Explore the Gold Souk, known for its jewelry shops and elaborate displays, before continuing to the Spice Souk, where stalls showcase fragrant spices, dried herbs, teas, and traditional ingredients. These markets reflect Dubai's longstanding role as a meeting point for merchants and goods from across the region and beyond, offering time to browse, observe local trading traditions, and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

Continue to Jumeirah Mosque, one of Dubai's best-known examples of Islamic architecture. Its elegant design and pale stone exterior provide a contrast to the surrounding modern city, while its architecture offers an opportunity to learn more about the region's cultural and religious traditions. Interior access, if included, is subject to the mosque's visitor arrangements, dress requirements, and opening schedule.

In the evening, head to Dubai Marina for a dinner cruise aboard the vessel specified in your package. As the boat moves through the waterfront, admire illuminated towers, modern buildings, and marina views while enjoying dinner on board. The cruise offers a relaxed contrast to the day's walking and market visits, creating a memorable evening against Dubai's contemporary skyline before your return to the hotel.

Begin at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of Abu Dhabi's most celebrated landmarks. Its white marble surfaces, elegant domes, decorative columns, and expansive courtyards create an impressive architectural composition. Inside the permitted visitor areas, intricate craftsmanship and carefully arranged design details reveal the attention given to symmetry, materials, and ornamentation. 

Continue along the Abu Dhabi Corniche, where landscaped waterfront spaces and views across the Arabian Gulf provide a glimpse of the capital's coastal character. Depending on the confirmed route, enjoy photo stops near prominent city landmarks, which may include the exterior of Emirates Palace; access to individual buildings is subject to their visitor policies, so interior entry should not be assumed unless included in your arrangements.

Visit Louvre Abu Dhabi, a major cultural landmark on Saadiyat Island. Its distinctive architectural design features a vast dome that filters daylight into the museum's public spaces, creating an effect often described as a rain of light. 

In the afternoon, meet your safari driver and travel beyond the city into the Dubai desert, where the landscape changes from roads and modern buildings to open stretches of sand and rolling dunes. 

Continue to a desert camp for a traditional-style Arabian evening, where you may enjoy refreshments, a short camel ride, and time to experience the atmosphere of a desert gathering. As evening approaches, settle in for a BBQ dinner beneath the open sky.