100% customisable travel idea
Jordan and Egypt Two Myths of the Near East
Jordan - Amman - Petra - Dead Sea - Wadi Rum - Egypt - Cairo - Luxor - Aswan
100% customisable travel idea
Jordan - Amman - Petra - Dead Sea - Wadi Rum - Egypt - Cairo - Luxor - Aswan
100% customisable for you
Upon arrival, you will be personally welcomed by our local representative, who will help with your luggage and entry formalities. Then, take a private transfer to your first hotel, located close to lively Rainbow Street and within walking distance of the historic centre. A two-night stay in what appears, from the outside, to be a large, modern Middle Eastern-style building. Inside, the gleaming floors and traditional international design in cream, grey and white tones lend the whole space an elegant comfort. The well-equipped rooms offer pleasant views of Amman. As for the common areas, they are spacious. In spring and summer, the outdoor pool and the terraces on the upper levels of the hotel are the preferred spots for visitors.
According to legend, Amman was first built on seven hills. It then reportedly spread across nineteen. This reflects the potential and ambition of Jordan's largest city. The citadel and the amphitheatre are reminders that its history goes back a long way. Ancient Philadelphia, however, has much more to offer. A quick glance at Greater Amman shows that the capital has made room for modernity. Spread out beneath contemporary buildings, fragrant souks and art galleries bring the city to life. On the agenda: Amman in the footsteps of a local. Hanan, a Jordanian who is passionate about her country, is eager to show you her city. Freed from the sometimes stifling constraints of a set itinerary, you can explore the streets of the capital with her, following your instincts, your companion’s curated addresses, and the city’s impulses. Driven by contagious energy and dynamism, the latter has seen a plethora of art galleries and cultural venues spring up. A demonstration through the Jabal Amman neighbourhood. An introduction to local arts and crafts, a first taste of street art, wandering through the streets and cafes - these are just some of the possibilities. Not to mention a few tastings! Coffee is elevated to an art form here, as is the preparation of shawarma and falafel. And what about knafeh? This star dessert features melted cheese covered in kadaif pastry (crispy angel hair) drizzled with rose sugar syrup and sprinkled with pistachios. Delicious!
Optional: The archaeological site of Jerash with a private driver.
Collect your rental vehicle and drive south. From the capital to the most famous of the Nabataean cities, it is 300 kilometres, or a 3-hour drive if you don’t stop. However, there are plenty of places of interest along the way, so you'll need at least a day to see everything. Very soon, you will see Mount Nebo. From its high vantage point, the view over the Dead Sea and the Judean hills is impressive. Soon after, Madaba comes intoview. Mentioned in the Bible, the city is renowned for its impressive collection of mosaics, the most famous of which, the Madaba Map, is no less than the oldest known cartographic representation of the Holy Land (6th century). The road continues south, leading to the imposing fortress of Kerak, built bythe Crusaders in the 12th century. There’s real pleasure in exploring every corner, even venturing into its most cavernous underground passages. Finally, the last stop on this journey: DanaValley. The reserve, crisscrossed by trails, is home to an amazing biodiversity and peaceful rolling landscapes. A two-night stay just a stone’s throw from the entrance to the Petra site. With its bay windows set against an otherwise white façade, the entrance is impossible to miss. It invites you to step into a spacious lobby before being escorted to your room - a modern retreat decorated in earthy tones that echo the surrounding environment. It can be seen through the window or, even more clearly, from the roof terrace. Most of the space is taken up by a large swimming pool, perfect for cooling off after long hours spent at the
archaeological site. Optional: Petra by night, lit by candlelight.
On the agenda - Petra with a local guide. Carved out of the sandstone of Edom, the caravan city - one of the seven new wonders of the world - is a multilayered structure. Superimposed on it is the history of architecture and urban planning, irrigation, international trade, the biblical world, the Arab world (the famous Nabataeans, to whom most of the site's architecture can be attributed), Roman, Byzantine, exploration and archaeology (Jean Louis Burckhardt, 1784-1817), tourism... To say the least! This troglodyte city and its necropolises live up to all the promises conjured up by the imagination and dreams of travellers. The main trail - the most popular - starts at the visitor centre and passes the Djinn Blocks, the Obelisk Tomb, the ancient dam, the Siq, the Treasury, the Roman Theatre, the Royal Tombs, the Colonnaded Street, the Great Temple, and ends at the Pharaoh’s Daughter’s Castle (Qasr Al Bint Temple). It then continues northwards along a second path that passes by the lion fountain and the Garden Triclinium, a series of tombs carved into the rock and decorated with numerous sculpted crosses, before reaching the monastery, which offers a fantastic view over Petra. Your guide will show you the way. Images of colours come to mind, then sounds, voices. Standing beneath these magnificent ruins, you set the stage for your mind's own little theatre.
Set off for Wadi Rum in your vehicle, taking the Aqaba desert road. Between mountains and sandy valleys, this stunning red desert, with its striking beauty and tranquillity, needs no introduction: the most beautiful scenes from Lawrence of Arabia (David Lean, 1962) were filmed here, as well as, more recently, The Martian (Ridley Scott, 2015), Star Wars IX (J. J. Abrams, 2019) and Dune (Denis Villeneuve, 2021).
On the agenda - Wadi Rum by pick-up truck. It is best to avoid venturing into the desert alone. A Bedouin will pick you up and expertly guide you through this authentic wadi, which has been gradually carved out of the sandstone and granite by water. Erosion has worked hard here to create caves, cliffs, natural arches, and spirals. The rock has often taken on strange shapes, like pillars or clouds. An inspired Lawrence of Arabia described these formations as “vast, echoing, godlike”. Along with this, there is the imposing tranquillity of rock formations stretching as far as the eye can see, canyons, and gueltas, where water flows and whose walls have been embellished by humans. The large number of petroglyphs document ten thousand years of human presence.
Spend the night in the heart of nature, under the starry sky, having taken in the sight of the ground bathed in a thousand warm hues at sunset. Many travellers are willing to trade a little comfort for this extraordinary experience. With only about fifteen tents, your camp is intimate. Cooked in the traditional way in a zarb, improvised ovens dug into the ground, the meal is enjoyed in the main tent in a friendly atmosphere. When it's time to retire to your tent for the night, let yourself be lulled by the silence and tranquility of the surroundings.
Optional: Hot air balloon ride over Wadi Rum.
Heading north towards the shores of the legendary Dead Sea. With a salinity level ten times higher than any other ocean or sea, located more than 400 metres below sea level, impossible for any normal human being to dive into and impossible for any fish to live in, the Dead Sea is one of the most curious natural phenomena. It's impossible to resist the urge to go down to the shore and swim in this water, which supports and heals. Settle in
for the night at a large establishment with a private beach stretching along the shoreline. It features immaculate buildings with a minimalist style tempered by stylish Middle Eastern motifs. The branches of palm trees gently sway above squares, rather than gardens. The swimming pools - both indoor and outdoor - are generously proportioned and angular in design. Inside, you'll find transparency, lots of white, and a predominantly international style. The rooms are comfortable and well equipped, with some featuring open-plan bathrooms. The seven restaurants and bars offer a variety of pleasures and locations. It is perhaps from the terraces that guests can best enjoy the setting. The motto here seems to be: live in the sun unashamedly.
Leave your hire car at the hotel: someone will come and collect it. A private driver will escort you to Amman Airport. The runways are not far from the Dead Sea - about an hour away. The plane takes off for Cairo in the morning. Upon arrival, another private transfer will take you to a legendary palace hotel for the night, where the balconies offer an unexpected view not only of the pyramids but also of the gardens, recognised as some of the most beautiful in the capital. Opened at the end of the 19th century, the main building has welcomed its share of intellectuals, explorers, archaeologists, royalty and political elites. Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, George V, Winston Churchill and even Charlie Chaplin have all visited it. A later addition, the wing in which you are staying is more focused on relaxation, with a spa, swimming pool and fountains.
On the agenda: the Pyramids of Giza with a private guide. The oldest tourist attraction on the planet, the pyramids are the remains of a vast funerary complex built around the middle of the third millennium BC. They bear witness to the power of the pharaohs during the Old Kingdom, particularly the Fourth Dynasty. The Great Pyramid of King Khufu is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World to have survived to the present day. It is the tallest (150m/492ft) and the oldest of the three. This guided tour invites you to explore the entire site, starting with the Sphinx, guardian of the Giza necropolis, then the megalithic temple of the valley and a visit to the three pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure.
Private transfer to the airport and a short flight to Luxor, where a new vehicle with a driver takes you to the gangway of the Steam Ship Sudan. This steamer has sailed the Nile for over a century. A true floating monument, aboard which Agatha Christie set the plot of one of her most famous novels. A hundred years after its launch, the ship continues its journey through Egypt and time, unperturbed. Inside, the boat boasts an interior reminiscent of the Orient Express: lacquered wood, copper, sumptuous fabrics, Oriental rugs and “enough champagne to fill the Nile”. Unlike the giant cruise ships that navigate the river, the Steam Ship Sudan has just twenty cabins and a handful of suites. You will be escorted to your cabin before enjoying lunch on board.
The afternoon will be spent on the east bank of Luxor, including a visit to Karnak, one of the largest religious complexes in the world. Among its many wonders, it houses the temple of the supreme god Amun. Its construction spanned nearly two thousand years, from the Middle Kingdom to the Ptolemaic period. Return to the boat and begin sailing towards Qena,north of Luxor. This part of the Nile is rarely visited by cruise ships, which makes it even more appealing. The icing on the cake: it’s almost time for your first sunset on the Nile. This is followed by a delicious dinner on board.
The Steam Ship Sudan continues to chug slowly along, propelled by its paddle wheels, on its journey towards Upper Egypt's most spectacular sites. Wake up early and head to Abydos, a holy city—that of Osiris, ruler of the realm of the dead and god of resurrection—and, since the Old Kingdom, an exceptional place of pilgrimage. The temple, which dates back to Seti I, is enchanting with its richly pigmented bas-reliefs, whose fine craftsmanship marks the birth of Ramesside art. On the way back, visit the site of Dendera,the spectacular temple of Hathor, goddess of joy and love, protector of women and nurturer of the pharaohs. Set apart on the edge of farmland and desert, the only remaining vestige of the ancient city is one of the country's best-preserved monuments, with its lavishly decorated chapels (one of which featured the famous Dendera zodiac), columns with capitals in the shape of cows' heads, dark corridors and staircases, terraces and a roof offering a splendid panoramic view of Upper Egypt. Return on board for lunch, then departure for a wonderful afternoon sailing to Luxor. Dinner on board.
During the morning, you will visit the unforgettable Theban necropolis, domain of the god Osiris under the New Kingdom. First, the Valley of the Kings, with its majestically decorated tombs that tell the story of the deceased's journey to the afterlife. Ramses VI's tomb is a must-see. Next, the Valley of theNobles - the necropolis of officials, high dignitaries, and the court in general, who were not of royal descent. Finally, the valley of artisans, created to accommodate sculptors, painters and stonemasons, the skilled craftsmen who made the aforementioned buildings possible. The day comes to an end at the Temple of Luxor, the most elegant of the Pharaonic buildings constructed under Menophis III and expanded by another great builder, Ramses II. Afterwards, head back to the boat to resume your cruise, passing through the Esna lock to reach Edfu. Dinner on board.
In the morning, visit theTemple of Edfu, built in the 3rd century BC and dedicated to Horus, the hawk-headed god, his wife Hathor, goddess of beauty and love, and their son Harsomtous. This temple stands out as one of the best preserved in Egypt. Lunch on board and onwards to Kom Ombo, where the boat will dock just in time for sunset. In the evening, visit the temple of Kom Ombo, which is unique in both architectural and religious terms. Unique in Egypt, it is dedicated to not one but two deities. This means that two temples share the same site: the southern part is dedicated to the falcon god Horus the Elder (Haroeris), while the northern part is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek. Dinner on board.
Sailing towards Aswan,the gateway to Nubia. Beyond the banks planted with crops lie long stretches of sandy shore. It was once the edge of the civilised world. As early as the third millennium BC, a trade centre had been established on the island of Elephantine. Nubia (“gold” in Nubian) was a rich land; it supplied Egypt, not only with gold, but also with soldiers, prized woods and precious ivory. In Aswan, visitors can admire the Temple of Philae, which was movedin 1974 to the island of Agilkia, Philae having been submerged by the waters of the dam’s reservoir. This sanctuary was dedicated to Isis, universal mother and magician, reigning over life, death and resurrection. The cult of the goddess remained there for a long time, until it was converted into a Coptic church by the Byzantine emperor Justinian in the 6th century.
Back on board, on this last evening, you pay one last visit to the lounge bar. The woodwork, brass fittings and furniture are all period pieces. The walls are adorned with old photographs depicting visitors who have left their mark on the place and on Egypt as a whole, such as King Farouk. As Oum Kalsoum's enchanting voice fills the air, sit down to enjoy fine Egyptian cuisine accompanied by a glass of Jardin du Nil wine, already nostalgic for the time spent aboard this exceptional steamer.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer by felucca, stopping at Flower Island. Overnight accommodation in the Nile Wing, the modern wing of the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract. Originally, this annex was built to house Russian and Egyptian engineers during the construction of the Aswan Dam. Thanks to its renovation and the new decor by French designer Sybille de Margerie, it now offers rooms and suites with a more contemporary, luxurious elegance. All open onto the river and feature colours inspired by Ancient Egypt - shades of sea green, turquoise and sand that echo the aquatic hues of the landscape.
Private transfer to the airport, flight to Cairo, then international return flight.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your trip
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
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