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Home > Tour > Middle East Dream Escape: Iconic Petra & The Great Pyramids

MIDDLE EAST DREAM ESCAPE: ICONIC PETRA & THE GREAT PYRAMIDS

From €2,099pp | 23 days / 22 nights | Jordan

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OVERVIEW
Middle East Dream Escape: Iconic Petra & The Great Pyramids

Guided Small Group Adventure Tour

23 days / 22 nights | Jordan

Get ready for 23 days of pure adventure through Jordan, Egypt, and the Sinai Peninsula— where ancient history meets epic landscapes. Kick things off with a warm Jordanian welcome at a local family’s home near Amman, then roam the ancient ruins of Jerash before stepping into the legendary city of Petra. Sleep under a sea of stars in Wadi Rum, float effortlessly in the Dead Sea, and take a thrilling 4x4 ride into the vast desert of Wadi Araba. Then, cross the Gulf of Aqaba to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, where you’ll spend free time in Dahab's beach town and hike to the summit of Mount Sinai. The adventure continues with a scenic felucca cruise down the Nile, a visit to the iconic Pyramids, and a home-cooked meal in a Nubian village. Packed with bucket-list experiences and hidden gems, this is the Middle Eastern journey you’ve been waiting for.

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PRICE & INCLUSIONS
Guide Price
€2,099pp

* We negotiate new offers daily, from discounted flights, tours and vehicle hire, to free upgrades, added value and unique inclusions.

What's Included
  • included

    Simple hotels (18 nts, twin-share), Bedouin camp with shared bathroom facilities (2 nts), overnight sleeper-train (2 nts)

  • included

    21 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners

  • excluded

    International Flights

ITINERARY
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Day 1 - Amman
Arrive at any time. After a brief welcome meeting at the hotel connect with new friends on an optional group dinner in Amman, or explore on your own before the adventure begins.

Day 2 - Amman
It’s all about Amman’s culture and food today in an immersive experience of the must-see sites and best food in the city. After breakfast, visit the King Abdullah Mosque, then follow that up with visits to the Citadel and Roman Amphitheater before travelling to the local favorite hillside town of As Salt. Here, embark on a 2-hour food tour where you will experience first-hand typical Jordanian hospitality while sampling, and learning about a smattering of regional dishes earning you a memorable taste of As Salt’s rich culinary traditions. The remainder of the afternoon and evening will be free in Amman to do as you please.

Day 3 - Amman/Petra
Leave Amman in the morning and travel to the remarkably well-preserved Roman archaeological site of Jerash. Enjoy a 3-hour guided tour of the site and learn more about the history of this architectural marvel as you walk through the various public squares and plazas. Continue onwards to Petra where you will have free time to get settled in before dinner on your own.

Day 4 - Petra
Today the group will hike from Little Petra along the ancient backdoor trail to the iconic masterpiece of Petra. The trail comes out near the Monastery where you can enjoy a boxed lunch overlooking the image most people come to Jordan searching for. Drive back to the hotel and have a free rest of the day to explore on your own or relax on the rooftop as the sun goes down past the horizon.

Day 5 - Petra/Wadi Rum
You’re in for an unforgettable experience on a sunrise visit to Petra to witness this famous archaeological site as the morning light crests over the sandstone cliffs. Travel back to the hotel for breakfast and then depart for the ‘Valley of the Moon’ or more commonly known as Wadi Rum. Upon arrival hop on a 4x4 and ride deep into the natural beauty and unique landscape of red sand dunes to reach your private camp amid the dunes. Take some time to get settled here and have a group dinner at camp before a walking tour for some stargazing in a sky with very little light pollution. An epic day for sure!

Day 6 - Wadi Rum/Aqaba
After breakfast leave the solitude of the desert for a more lively time in Aqaba on the Red Sea. Upon arrival, the day is yours to do as you please. Choose to book a boat ride with lunch and snorkelling in the marine-rich waters of the Dead Sea, or stay on land and peruse the Marina Village, or the Aqaba Local Market. Dinner this evening is on your own.

Day 7 - Aqaba
Get out there and fully immerse yourself in the fun experiences Aqaba has to offer its visitors. Choose to purchase a full-day beach club pass which includes lunch and will let you be as relaxed as can be on the sand, the whole day belongs to you. You can also visit the sites in town that you didn’t get a chance to check out yesterday. Dinner is wherever you please, but a nearby restaurant with some live music and a fun local crowd sounds like a good idea!

Day 8 - Aqaba/Mādabā
Leave Aqaba and the Red Sea behind today and travel to Madaba and the salty waters of the Dead Sea. Along the way make a stop for a traditional Jordanian meal at the G Adventures-supported Al Safi Kitchen working to create a sustainable future for community members near the Dead Sea. Then, it’s the moment many have been waiting for, a soak and float in the healing waters of the sea. Search for salt chunks bobbing nearby and rub the medicinal mud on your skin. Visit St George Church next, where you will see some of the finest Byzantine mosaics in the world. Spend a free evening in Madaba before an optional dinner with the group

Day 9 - Mādabā
Relax on this full free day in Madaba. Choose to explore other locations you didn't have the chance to yesterday and perhaps choose to sign up for an optional activity to visit the Ma'in Hot Springs. These mineral-rich, naturally heated waters are the perfect way to soothe your muscles before the next leg of your travels. Think an oasis-like destination, steeped in wellness culture, and a prime spot for waterfall swimming, and warm water soaking.

Day 10 - Madaba to Wadi Araba
Get ready for an adventure into the lesser-known desert landscape of Wadi Araba, lying on the border between Jordan and Israel. Feel the wind whip through your hair on a 4x4 ride deeper into the wadi where you’ll stop for tea before hiking to a nearby pond. Enjoy time to float in the water before driving to an unforgettable area for sunset. Then, settle in at your camping spot for a night spent under the stars.

Day 11 - Wadi Araba to Dahab
Depart the calm and quiet of the desert and travel into Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. The journey will take the group across the Gulf of Aqaba and onward to Dahab. This hip, beach town is known for its vibrant underwater world, amazing windsurfing conditions, and a unique blend of bohemian relaxed atmosphere and adventure. Dahab’s turquoise waters beckon to visitors from the desert shore. Spend a few free hours to explore and enjoy the beachside accommodations along the Red Sea.

Day 12 - Dahab
There’s nothing quite like a day in paradise, especially a beach location that is seldom visited by tourists. Spend your time in Dahab as adventurous or leisurely as you’d like. Choose to visit Ain Khudra Oasis, which is special for its Bedouin culture, historical significance, palm trees, and natural beauty. The water source here has been used for thousands of years amid the dry, harsh desert climate. This excursion will take all day, but other options include a beach day or if you’re feeling extra brave, some windsurfing. The choice is yours, and sometimes that makes it all the more sweeter.

Day 13 - Dahab
Fall further in love with the coastline of the Sinai Peninsula during another free day in paradise. Choose to pull those adventure caps on and book an optional snorkelling excursion to Dahab’s famed Blue Hole. Located in the Abu Galoum Nature Reserve, this submarine sinkhole has a depth of over 300ft and is located just a couple of feet offshore, thus having minimal current. Choose to snorkel amid the stunning biodiversity here and enjoy time in the nature reserve via boat. Your other options for the day include hanging out at the beachfront accommodations or lounging in the sun by the inviting waters of the Red Sea.

Day 14 - Dahab/Saint Catherine
Take one final look at the Red Sea before travelling away from Dahab. The group will head inland to St. Catherine’s Monastery and visit the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery in the world. It is said to have been built near the site of the Burning Bush and where Moses supposedly received the Ten Commandments. Experience this UNESCO World Heritage site and learn about the herbal gardens grown within the valley, and their different uses. Later, interact with Bedouin local women during a handicrafts exhibition. Sunset will be watched from a scenic location this evening, and an early bed time is encouraged to rest up for tomorrow’s hike up Mount Sinai.

Day 15 - Saint Catherine/Cairo
It’s said in the Bible that God made the Earth in six days and rested on the seventh. Today marks a week on your Sinai Peninsula adventure and today’s experience, while rewarding, is certainly not relaxing. Begin the sunrise hike to the stop of Mount Sinai in the very early hours of the morning. Arrive in time to catch a memorial sunrise of Egypt’s most religious landscape and stand on the site that is considered to be the place where God appeared to Moses and revealed the Ten Commandments. Hike back down to St. Catherine and enjoy some food and time to freshen up before your day of travel back to Cairo. The route will cross the Suez Canal. Arrive in Cairo by the afternoon and get settled. Tonight’s activity is a Big Night Out with the group to a favorite local spot.

Day 16 - Cairo
It's a full free day to explore Cairo! Whether you want relax and recharge, partake in the optional Islamic and Coptic Cairo Tour to see the fascinating architectural, cultural, and historical contrasts this city, the choice is yours.

Day 17 - Cairo/Aswān
Enjoy a guided tour of the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Then, take an orientation tour through the narrow alleys of the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, with free time for shopping or people watching from a shisha café. Overnight sleeper train to Aswan.

Day 18 - Aswān
Free morning to explore Aswan. Opt to wander through the souk at your own pace or visit the famous Philae Temple, it's your choice. In the afternoon, board a boat and cruise down the Nile. Visit a Nubian village and enjoy a home-cooked dinner with locals.

Day 19 - Aswān
Spend the day exploring Aswan.

Day 20 - Aswān/Luxor
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Ride on a Felucca to Aswan Bridge, where we will disembark and transfer to Kom Umbo. Later visit Kom Umbo temple before transferring to Luxor. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the local market where you can try some local specialties.

Day 21 - Luxor
Enjoy a full free day to explore Luxor. Opt to set off on a guided visit to the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank of Luxor excursion. Or choose to discover the city at your own pace, by wandering through the local bazaars or visiting a museum—the choice is yours!

Day 22 - Luxor/Cairo
After breakfast the group will sail by ferry to the West Bank to meet our student-guide. Together we will bike through the village and visit the Funtasia Project Center where the group will learn about the Planeterra project at this location over tea with our guide. Afterwards, cycle back to the waterfront and board the ferry to travel back across the Nile. Spend a free afternoon in Luxor at your leisure, or choose to join the East Bank optional excursion. In the evening board an overnight train back to Cairo.

Day 23 - Cairo
Tour ends upon arrival.

FLIGHTS
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Flights

As we can offer you such a flexible choice of flights, we don't include international airfares with our tour prices. The price you pay will be determined by the time of year you travel, your departure airport, airline and availability.

Your Trailfinders Travel Consultant will be able to find the best flights to suit you and your choice of tour.

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What visas (if any) will I need?

We will advise entry requirements for any destination/countries booked through Trailfinders and this will be shown on the ViewTrail app. For information and assistance with entry requirements and travel visas, our team of visa experts offer fast and friendly service. Take a look at our visa pages, email visas-ireland@trailfinders.com or call on 01 881 4949 for more information.
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Where can I get government advice about travelling abroad?

For advice about travelling abroad, including the latest information on safety and security, entry requirements, local laws, travel warnings and more, visit the DFA's Travel Advice page.
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What vaccinations will I need?

This depends on where you are heading. For all the latest information on health risks and vaccinations you require for your trip, visit the DFA's Travel Insurance & Health page.
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What different travel styles do you offer?

  • Travel Pass: Explore at your own pace, with unbeatable flexibility. Our travel passes are a fun and budget-friendly way to explore a destination!
  • Small Group: Travel with a small and sociable group of like-minded travellers, with an expert guide to take care of all the details so you can focus on the fun.
  • Group: Don’t fancy going it alone? Join a sociable group tour for young travellers. Led by knowledgeable local leaders, these tours give you the chance to meet new people, see new places and have exciting new experiences.
  • Local Add on: Bring a destination to life with our selection of exciting local experiences.
  • Hostel Pass: Whether you’re backpacking in Australia or interrailing in Europe, Trailfinders recommends using Hostelworld.com for your accommodation – it’s a fast and easy booking system with over 16,000 hostels in 180 countries to choose from.
  • Working Holiday: Forget ‘living like a local’ and actually become a local! Working abroad is by far the best way to really get to know a place, to make new friends and fund more travelling. We have arrival packs in Australia and New Zealand to get you started.
  • Gap Year: The ultimate post-uni or career break! Spend up to a year travelling, embarking on exciting new experiences, meeting new people, making new memories, and having the time of your life!
  • Mini Gap: Wanting to travel but can’t stretch your time or budget to a full gap year? Our selection of Mini Gap’s are just what you need!
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