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Tour Details
| Duration |
12 Days / 11 Nights |
|---|---|
| Tour Location |
Cairo / Luxor / Aswan / Abu Simbel / Amman / Madaba / Petra |
| Tour Type |
Daily Tour |
| Pickup |
Cairo Airport or Amman Airport |
Iconic 12 day Egypt and Jordan tour with Petra and Nile Cruise
This 12 day journey is one of the most comprehensive itineraries in our Egypt and Beyond Tours collection, combining the highlights of two ancient civilizations in a single seamless adventure. The tour covers Cairo, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan, and Abu Simbel in Egypt before continuing to Amman, Madaba, Mount Nebo, the Dead Sea, and Petra in Jordan. It is the only 12-day Egypt & Jordan tour that includes Abu Simbel's iconic rock-cut temples alongside a complete Nile cruise, delivering maximum Egypt exploration with an unforgettable Petra finale.
Day 1 brings a Cairo airport arrival and a Nile dinner cruise. Day 2 covers the Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx, Valley Temple, and Grand Egyptian Museum. Day 3 opens with a flight to Luxor, a visit to Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, and then boarding the Nile cruise. Day 4 crosses to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon. Day 5 sails to Edfu Temple and Kom Ombo Temple. Day 6 docks in Aswan for the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple. Day 7 is the Abu Simbel excursion, the two rock-cut temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari at the Sudanese border. Day 8 returns to Cairo for the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, the Hanging Church, Al Muizz Street, and Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Day 9 is the flight from Cairo to Amman, marking the transition to Jordan. Day 10 visits the Madaba mosaic map at St. George's Church, Mount Nebo, and the Dead Sea. Day 11 is a full day in Petra: the Siq approach, Al Khazneh, Royal Tombs, Great Theatre, Qasr al-Bint, and a short horseback ride. Day 12 departs from Amman.
Why Book This Tour
- Abu Simbel Included — Not an Optional Upgrade
- Full Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan
- Egypt & Jordan's Most Famous Sites in One Journey
- Private Egyptologist & Jordanian Guides Throughout
- Domestic Egypt Flights Included
- All Major Egypt & Jordan Entrance Fees Included
- Petra Horseback Ride Included
- Meals Included Across Both Countries
- Flexible Departure Dates & Customization Available
- 24/7 Support Throughout Egypt & Jordan
Included
- Meet and assist with the Tripidays representative at the airports
- 4 Nights of accommodations in Cairo hotel
- 4 Nights of accommodations on a Cruise
- 3 Nights accommodation in Amman hotel
- Private Egyptologist Guide in Egypt
- Private Licensed Guide in Jordan
- All transfers are by modern private A/C vehicles
- Domestic Flights Cairo → Luxor, Aswan → Cairo
- Entrance fees to all attractions mentioned in the Itinerary
- Free bottle of water during the tours.
- Meals are provided as mentioned in the itinerary
- Short Horseback Rides in Petra
- Our assistance during your stay
- All Taxes and Charges
Excluded
- International Flights to Egypt
- Cairo to Amman Flight
- Egypt Entry Visa
- Jordan Entry Visa
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Expenses & Drinks
- Tips for Guides & Drivers
- Accommodation or Vehicle Upgrades
- Petra by Night Experience
Highlights
Giza Attractions
- The Giza Pyramids
- The Great Sphinx
- The Valley Temple
- Grand Egyptian Museum
Luxor Attractions
- Karnak Temple
- Luxor Temple
- Valley of the Kings
- Hatshepsut Temple
- Colossi of Memnon
Aswan Attractions
- Edfu Temple
- Kom Ombo Temple
- Aswan High Dam
- Unfinished Obelisk
- Philae Temple
- Abu Simbel Temples
Cairo Attractions
- Egyptian Civilization Museum
- Hanging Church
- Al Muizz Street
- Khan El Khalili Bazaar
Madaba Attractions
- St. George’s Church
- Mount Nebo
- Dead Sea
Petra Attractions
- Al Khazneh
- Royal Tombs
- Great Theatre
- Qasr al-Bint
Itinerary
Your Tripidays guide meets you at Cairo International Airport and transfers you directly to your hotel in the city centre. After check-in, the evening begins aboard a Nile cruise boat for a dinner cruise with live music and traditional performance, a useful orientation to Cairo's scale and energy before the sites begin tomorrow.
Nile Dinner Cruise
Your table sits on the water as the lit cityscape of Cairo passes on both banks. The river is 2.5 km wide at this point in the city, and the contrast between the dark water and the illuminated skyline is stark. This cruise runs approximately two hours; the performance typically includes Tanoura spinning and a short belly dance set, both traditional in Egyptian ceremonial culture.
Meals
Dinner
Your guide collects you from the hotel after breakfast for a full day on the Giza plateau and at the Grand Egyptian Museum, the two sites that define Cairo's claim as Egypt's entry point for international travellers on a 12 day Egypt & Jordan itinerary.
The Great Pyramids of Giza
Stand in awe before the iconic Giza Pyramids Complex, home to the Great Pyramid of Khufu, alongside Khafre and Menkaure, timeless symbols of Egypt and a highlight of every Cairo, Nile Cruise, Abu Simbel & Petra Vacation.
The Great Sphinx
Meet the legendary Great Sphinx of Giza, guarding the plateau with mystery and majesty.
The Valley Temple
Step inside the granite lined hall of Khafre's Valley Temple, built from massive 100-tonne limestone blocks and used for the ritual embalming of the pharaoh. The hall is silent and cool; the columns are monolithic pink granite, undecorated, which makes the engineering more or less apparent.
Grand Egyptian Museum
Your guide leads you through the Tutankhamun galleries on the museum's upper floor, where over 5,000 objects from the boy pharaoh's tomb are displayed together for the first time; previously, they were split across multiple floors at the old Cairo Museum. The royal mummies hall and the solar boat pavilion anchor two hours of unhurried time here.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
A morning flight from Cairo to Luxor opens the Nile cruise leg of this 12 day Egypt and Jordan tour. Your guide meets the group at Luxor Airport and moves directly to the East Bank temples before boarding in the afternoon, sailing south on the first night toward the West Bank landing point. Dinner and overnight aboard. Families seeking a similar route with a child-friendly pace may also consider our 11 Day Family Egypt Jordan Nile Cruise & Petra, which combines the Nile cruise experience with Petra and Jordan highlights in a schedule designed specifically for parents and children.
Karnak Temple
Explore the majestic Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex ever built. Walk beneath towering columns in the legendary Hypostyle Hall, where ancient devotion still echoes.
Luxor Temple
As night falls, visit the enchanting Luxor Temple, glowing beautifully under the stars, a magical moment on your Cairo Nile Cruise & Abu Simbel itinerary.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The cruise docks on the West Bank opposite Luxor before dawn. Your guide transfers the group by road into the Theban hills for the Valley of the Kings, then south along the agricultural fringe to Hatshepsut's temple and the two colossi standing in the open fields.
Valley of the Kings
Enter the legendary Valley of the Kings, final resting place of Tutankhamun, Ramses II, and Seti I.
Hatshepsut Temple
Marvel at the stunning Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, carved into towering limestone cliffs.
Colossi of Memnon
Pause before the monumental Colossi of Memnon, standing tall for over 3,000 years.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The cruise sails south through the night from Luxor, docking at Edfu in the morning. After Edfu, the boat continues to Kom Ombo, two temples in one day, both on the riverbank and both accessible directly from the cruise gangway.
Edfu Temple
Travel by horse-drawn carriage to Edfu Temple, one of Egypt’s best-preserved sanctuaries, dedicated to Horus.
Kom Ombo Temple
Visit the unique double Kom Ombo Temple, honoring Sobek and Horus the Elder, overlooking the Nile.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The cruise docks in Aswan by morning. This is the southernmost city on the itinerary, and the three sites here, the dam, the obelisk, and Philae, show three completely different chapters of Egyptian history running from ancient to mid-20th century.
Aswan High Dam
Discover the impressive Aswan High Dam, a modern engineering masterpiece that reshaped Egypt’s economy by controlling the Nile’s annual floods and generating vital hydroelectric power, while offering panoramic views over Lake Nasser.
Unfinished Obelisk
The obelisk lies directly in the granite quarry where it was cut, abandoned after a crack appeared before it could be moved. It would have stood 41.75 metres and weighed 1,200 tonnes, the largest obelisk ever attempted in ancient Egypt. The tool marks left by the workers are still visible on the rock face around it.
Philae Temple
Sail by boat to the enchanting Philae Temple, beautifully set on Agilkia Island and dedicated to the goddess Isis. Rescued by UNESCO, this legendary complex blends mythology, romance, and breathtaking island scenery.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An early departure from Aswan by road through the desert brings you to Abu Simbel, the site that defines this 12 day Egypt and Jordan tour and the reason this itinerary carries a longer Egypt leg than any comparable 12 day package. Abu Simbel lies 280 kilometres south of Aswan at the Sudanese border, which is why most shorter tours skip it.
Abu Simbel Temples
Explore the breathtaking Abu Simbel Temples, carved by Ramses II and relocated by UNESCO, a masterpiece of ancient engineering and one of Egypt’s most iconic landmarks. Travellers who prefer a slower pace and additional sightseeing time may also be interested in our 13 Day Egypt Jordan Multi-City Cairo and Nile Cruise, which expands the Egypt and Jordan experience with additional touring days while retaining the full Nile cruise and Petra highlights.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Back in Cairo after the Abu Simbel excursion, the day covers the Islamic and Coptic quarters of the city, a different register of Egyptian history after seven days of pharaonic sites.
National Egyptian Civilization Museum
Step into the National Egyptian Civilization Museum, where Egypt’s rich history unfolds from prehistoric times to modern eras. Marvel at ancient treasures, royal mummies, and immersive exhibits that make your journey truly unforgettable.
Hanging Church
Your guide leads you through the narrow entrance passage into the nave of the Hanging Church, suspended above two Roman-era towers of the Babylon Fortress. It is one of the oldest churches in Egypt, with wooden screens and pulpits dating to the 11th century CE. The church takes its name from its position over the fortress gate, not from any structural feature.
Al Muizz Street
The street runs north through the historic Fatimid city and was once the main ceremonial route of medieval Cairo. Your guide pauses at the Madrassa of Al-Nasir Muhammad and the two medieval gates, Bab Zuweila to the south, Bab al-Futuh to the north, still standing above street level.
Khan El Khalili Bazaar
Dive into the bustling energy of Khan El Khalili Bazaar, Cairo’s most famous market. Wander through narrow alleys brimming with colorful lanterns, aromatic spices, handcrafted souvenirs, and traditional crafts, experiencing the sights, sounds, and flavors that have enchanted visitors for generations.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
A morning flight from Cairo Airport to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman marks the move from Egypt to Jordan. Your Jordanian guide meets you at the arrivals hall and transfers you to your hotel in Amman. The afternoon is free to acclimatise to a city built across seven hills at 800 metres elevation, noticeably cooler than the Nile Valley.
Meals
Breakfast
St. George’s Church
Your guide takes you directly to the floor of the church, where a 6th-century Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land covers approximately 25 square metres of the original 94-square-metre work. The map was used as a pilgrimage navigation tool and shows Jerusalem at its centre, oriented east rather than north in the Byzantine tradition. Your guide traces the road from the Nile Delta to the Jordan River across the surviving tiles.
Mount Nebo
The ridge where Moses is said to have viewed the Promised Land before his death gives an unobstructed panorama across the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem on a clear day, a distance of approximately 46 kilometres. The modern memorial church here contains additional 5th and 6th-century mosaics showing hunting and pastoral scenes, which your guide contrasts with the Madaba map in terms of function and audience.
Dead Sea
Your vehicle descends the escarpment road to the Dead Sea shoreline. The water's salinity is approximately 34%, ten times that of the Mediterranean, which makes floating automatic and swimming in any conventional sense physically impossible. Your guide advises 15–20 minutes maximum immersion and warns against getting the water near your eyes; the mineral-rich black mud on the shoreline is optional but widely used.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
A two-and-a-half-hour drive south from Amman brings you to the Petra visitor centre. Your guide leads the full circuit from the Siq entrance through the main valley, covering Petra's five principal monuments on a full day, which is the primary reason most travellers choose this 12-day Egypt and Jordan tour.
The Siq
You enter the kilometre-long canyon passage at its narrowest, 2 metres wide between walls 80 metres high — on foot, with your guide pointing out the Nabataean water channels cut into the rock face that supplied the city of 30,000 residents. The Siq ends without warning at the first view of Al Khazneh.
Al Khazneh
The façade appears in a gap between the canyon walls and is 39 metres wide by 43 metres tall, carved directly from the sandstone cliff face in the 1st century BCE as the tomb of a Nabataean king. Your guide stands you at the point where the proportions are exactly as they appear in photographs, roughly 80 metres from the façade, then walks you up to the entrance to show the bare unfinished interior behind the elaborate exterior.
Royal Tombs
Four monumental facades cut into the cliff face northeast of the main valley, used as royal burial chambers in the 1st and 2nd centuries CE and later as a Byzantine church. Your guide shows you the painted plaster still adhering to the interior walls of the largest, the Urn Tomb. The coloured sandstone banding in the rock face at this point produces a natural pattern of orange, pink, and white that no quarried stone can replicate.
Great Theatre
The Nabataean theatre was later expanded by Rome to seat 8,500 people, cut directly from the cliff and partly destroying earlier tombs in the process. Your guide explains that the acoustic geometry of a person speaking quietly on the stage is audible without amplification at the rear of the upper tier.
Qasr al-Bint
The only freestanding stone-built structure remaining in Petra, this was the main Nabataean temple and one of the few buildings in the city constructed from cut blocks rather than carved from the cliff. The triple-niche interior is clearly adapted to pre-Islamic Semitic religious practice, and your guide connects it to the water management system visible in the surrounding precinct.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Your guide transfers you from the hotel to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman for onward flights. The 12 day Egypt and Jordan tour ends at the departure terminal. Travellers looking for additional relaxation alongside cultural discovery may wish to explore our 14 Day Luxury Egypt Jordan Cairo, Hurghada, and Petra, which combines Egypt's ancient landmarks with a luxury Red Sea stay before continuing to Jordan's most iconic sites.
Meals
Breakfast
Notes:
* You can let us know if you'd like to customize your tour itinerary to meet your needs. We value your input and aim to accommodate your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
This tour includes 4 nights in a Cairo hotel, 4 nights on a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, 3 nights in an Amman hotel, two domestic Egypt flights, private licensed guides in both countries, all entrance fees for Egyptian and Jordanian sites, and a short horseback ride inside Petra. Abu Simbel and the Dead Sea are guaranteed itinerary days, not optional additions.
This is the only 12 day Egypt & Jordan tour that includes Abu Simbel's iconic rock temples alongside a complete Nile cruise through maximum Egypt with a Petra finale. No other 12 day package in this silo also incorporates Madaba's 6th century mosaic map and the Dead Sea as standard Jordan inclusions alongside the Petra circuit.
Travelers will explore:
- Cairo: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum
- Luxor East Bank: Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple
- Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon
- Aswan: High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Philae Temple, Abu Simbel Temple
- Nile Cruise: All meals and scenic sailing between Luxor and Aswan
In Jordan, the tour covers:
- Amman: City highlights and cultural experiences
- Madaba & Mount Nebo: Famous mosaics and biblical views
- Dead Sea: Float in the world’s lowest point
- Petra: Explore the Siq, Treasury, and Nabataean architecture
Abu Simbel is a pair of rock-cut temples built by Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE, located 280 kilometres south of Aswan at the Sudanese border. Their distance from Aswan is the reason most 12 day or shorter Egypt itineraries omit them. The temples were dismantled and relocated 65 metres uphill between 1964 and 1968 in one of UNESCO's largest engineering operations, carried out to save them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser after the Aswan High Dam was built.
What to Pack
Hat
Backpack
Comfy Shoes
Powerbank
Medical Kit
Comfy Clothes
Sunglasses & Sunscreen
Personal Hygiene Products
Valid Passport For 6 Months
