Ahlan wa sahlan! The grandeur and glory of Egypt await as you arrive at Cairo International Airport and take your transfer to the spectacular Four Seasons Cairo at The First Residence, tucked between lush gardens on the western bank of the Nile.
Steeped in ancient mystery, buzzing with modern vibrancy, cosmopolitan Cairo is a city alive with culture. Fed by the lifeline of the glittering Nile River, Egypt’s capital is known as the ‘City of a Thousand Minarets’ thanks to its spectacular collection of preserved Islamic Caliphate architecture.
Enjoy the day at your leisure to relax and enjoy your timelessly elegant surroundings, before savouring a sumptuous welcome dinner at your luxurious hotel.
After a delicious buffet breakfast, meet with your resident Egyptologist guide and get acquainted. The study of ancient Egyptian language, history and architecture has obsessed archaeologists and linguists for centuries, and Egyptology has become a respected discipline across the world.
Waste no time mining your guide’s expert knowledge as you head to Cairo’s National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation. This landmark institution covers great swathes of the nation’s history from prehistoric times to the present day. The museum’s crown jewel is the fascinating Royal Mummies' Hall, which displays embalmed pharaohs from Egypt’s distant past, including the remains of celebrated figures Hatshepsut, Thutmose III and Seqenenre Taa II.
Enjoy a set menu lunch at Le Pacha 1901, an astounding floating palace moored on the bank of the great Nile, then return to your accommodation for an afternoon of leisure.
Today, experience one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, with a full day dedicated to the extraordinary pyramids.
Begin with the legendary city of Memphis, founded almost 5,000 years ago by the Pharaoh Menes, who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Memphis became the capital of the Old Kingdom and the heart of Egypt's busy import-export activity, with traders from around the world giving it a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Visit the necropolis of Saqqara, where the very first pyramids were built as tombs for kings. Instead of the smooth sides featured on other pyramids, these stepped pyramids represent the pharaoh's stepladder to heaven. Discover the famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest known pyramid in Egypt and the world’s first freestanding stone structure.
Enjoy a lunch of traditional Egyptian cuisine at 9 Pyramids Lounge and relax in Bedouin-style seating overlooking the spectacular pyramids of Giza.
The Great Pyramids of Giza are the only present-day survivors of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, built over 4,500 years ago as giant tombs for Pharaohs Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. Truly monumental in scale, the largest of these ancient structures is estimated to have taken over two million blocks to complete.
Nearby rests the enigmatic Sphinx, watchful guardian of the colossal funerary monuments. Covered by the desert sands, about a thousand years after its construction a young prince had a dream in which the Sphinx promised him the title of Pharaoh if he cleared the sand away. See the story for yourself, carved on the famed Dream Stele placed between the Sphinx's great paws.
Return to your luxurious accommodation in Cairo for another evening spent in Egypt’s vibrant capital.
This morning pay a visit to the Citadel of Cairo, a medieval fortress perched high on limestone hills above Cairo. Built in the 12th century to protect the city from crusaders, today the citadel complex houses various historic sites, including the National Military Museum and the Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali.
Delve further into Cairo’s Islamic history when you stop at the incredible Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan. With its soaring heights and rich decoration, this is one of the finest mosques in Egypt. Next door, discover Refai Mosque, completed in 1912 and housing the tombs of an Islamic saint, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, Egypt's last royal family and the last Shah of Iran.
Enjoy a set lunch overlooking expansive Cairo at Sky Rim, then continue to the Egyptian Museum. Wander through 7,000 years of history as you peruse the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian art. Explore the many priceless antiquities with your private Egyptologist guide and uncover the treasures of Tutankhamun, from his golden mask to his solid gold sarcophagus and regal throne.
Return to your hotel late this afternoon with the rest of the evening at leisure.
Transfer to Cairo International Airport (CAI) for your included flight to Luxor (LXR), where you will be transferred to your luxury vessel for your four-night Nile River cruise.
En route, visit the majestic Temple of Luxor, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient sanctuary often called the world’s greatest open-air museum.
Continue to your vessel and check in to your comfortably furnished room. Elegant interiors, opulent cabins, serene surroundings and lavish, freshly prepared meals – all complemented by daily sightseeing along the river – make a luxury cruise along the Nile an unforgettable experience.
Partake in a filling lunch onboard and enjoy a welcome zaffa – a traditional band procession that pairs wooden-framed bendir drums, horns and a mesmerising dance of flaming swords.
Later, set out to explore the West Bank of Luxor and uncover the fabled Valley of the Kings. Witness the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, then take the chance for an optional visit to one of the ancient tombs of the Valley of the Queens. On your return, pass the famed Colossi of Memnon, built to depict King Amenhotep III in a resting position and known for the mournful sounds they’re said to make at dawn.
Back onboard, enjoy afternoon tea in the lounge and meet your boat manager over canapes and refreshments. Tonight, indulge in a memorable gourmet dinner beneath the stars.
Travel time: Flight – approx. one hour.
Optional activities:
- Luxor city tour by horse carriage (from A$68 per person).
- Karnak Temple sound and light show (from A$89 per person).
After an energising buffet breakfast, set sail for the East Bank and the Karnak Temple Complex. Spend the morning digging into the vast collection of temples, pylons and historic landmarks. Take your lunch onboard your luxury cruiser and glide further along the Nile.
You may wish to enjoy an optional luxury hot air balloon flight over the Luxor skies, catching the breeze that sweeps the Nile taking a new view of the ancient city. Your pilot will guide you as you spot notable landmarks and learn more about the area’s rich history.
Back aboard your vessel, enjoy a refreshing afternoon tea and laze in the Egyptian sun, then savour a mouth-watering dinner and cosy movie night.
Optional activities:
- Hot air balloon ride (from A$279 per person).
After breakfast, spend the morning exploring Egypt’s largest and best-preserved Pharaonic temple – the Temple of Edfu. Built to venerate ancient Horus, god of the Sun – later identified by the Greeks as Apollo – the site is a breathtaking glimpse into Hellenistic Egypt.
Back onboard, get hands-on with an aromatic Egyptian cooking lesson and reap the fruits of your labour over lunch as you cruise onward to the millennia-old agricultural settlement of Kom Ombo, positioned on a bend in the river where sacred crocodiles once basked in the sun. Follow your guide to the unique double temple, dedicated to both Sobek, the crocodile god of fertility, and Haroeris, the falcon god of the sky.
Return to your vessel and continue towards Aswan. In the evening, partake in an ‘Egyptian Night’ party, with the chance to don traditional Egyptian jellabiyas – loose-fitting garments associated with the Nile Valley – and enjoy a lavish buffet of local delicacies.
Following breakfast aboard, visit the island of Agilika and the historic sites it holds. Marvel at the enormity of granite quarries and survey the gargantuan Unfinished Obelisk, then meander through the majestic Philae Temple Complex and study the storied walls of the Temple of Isis.
Enjoy a delectable lunch back onboard before taking to the water in a traditional felucca – a unique wooden boat used along the Nile for centuries. Sweep by Elephantine Island, Aswan Botanical Gardens and the Agha Khan Mausoleum, before taking afternoon tea to the melodious sounds of an oud trio.
Mark your final evening cruising the Nile with an extravagant farewell gala dinner. White-gloved waiters and fine dining service are accompanied by a belly dancing performance and hypnotic whirling dervish show.
Optional activities:
- Aswan city tour by horse carriage (from A$69 per person).
- Nubian village visit (from A$96 per person).
- Philae Temple sound and light show (from A$89 per person).
After one more buffet breakfast out on the waters of the Nile, disembark and transfer to Aswan International Airport (ASW) for your flight to Abu Simbel.
A UNESCO World Heritage-listed complex hewn entirely out of stone, Abu Simbel was constructed under the command of Ramses II – one of Egypt’s longest-ruling Pharaohs – and stands as one of the most enduring symbols of Egypt. Wander through the two mighty temples, including the Great Temple of Ra-Harakhte – flanked by massive statues and dedicated to Queen Nefertari.
These magnificent temples were moved in the 1960s when the creation of Lake Nasser threatened their existence. Organised by UNESCO, the relocation of these structures remains one of the greatest feats of preservation in history.
Later, take a flight back to Cairo, where you will be transferred to your luxury hotel. The rest of the afternoon is yours for the taking, whether you wish to explore Cairo’s vibrant street life or settle in for indulgent comfort at your accommodation.
Travel time: Flight 1 – approx. 45 minutes / Flight 2 – 2.5 hours.
Bid farewell to enchanting Egypt and transfer to Cairo International Airport (CAI) for your onward flight to Amman. Populated by hypnotic desert landscapes and captivating ancient sites, Jordan owes its unique beauty to both the human and the earthly. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your elegant hotel to rest and enjoy a well-earned dinner.
Optional activities:
- Prepaid tipping for Egyptian guides (from A$219 per person).
Enjoy a hearty breakfast and set off for a morning tour of Amman, the capital of Jordan and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Visit the ancient Amman Citadel, with its monumental Temple of Hercules, Umayyad Palace, the fascinating Jordan Archaeological Museum and nearby Folklore Museum. Take in panoramic views from the top of one of Amman’s seven jabals (hills) and wander the rows of the colossal Roman Theatre.
Later, take the three-hour trip to Petra by way of Mount Nebo, where Moses was believed to see the promised land before his death. Take to the road to visit Madaba, the ‘City of Mosaics’, where you’ll dine at picturesque Haret Jdoudna Restaurant, a 20th century house designed to evoke the ancient past. Sample fragrant local mezza dishes and oven-baked specialties.
Admire each delicate fragment of the dazzling Madaba Map at St George’s Greek Orthodox Church, then step into the Church of the Apostles to see expert craftsman Salamanios’ breathtaking masterwork, The Personification of the Sea.
Continue to Petra and check into your hotel for some time to rest before an unforgettable day tomorrow.
Gather your energy over breakfast, then strike out to explore the ‘Rose City' of Petra with your expert guide.
Bear witness to the enormous Djinn Blocks and the remains of the Obelisk Tomb, then step up to the Siq – the entrance to this ancient Nabatean city. Follow your guide as you excavate history on your tour of this incredible collection of tombs and temples, carved into pink sandstone walls dating to 300 BCE. Discover one of the Seven Wonders of the World as you study the intricately carved facade of the Treasury, the grand Roman Theatre, Colonnade Street and the awe-inspiring Grand Temple and Qasr al-Bint, each cut directly from the rock face.
Indulge in lunch at the centrally located Basin Restaurant, then take your time wandering these peaceful avenues, perhaps ascending to the remote monastery for a truly jaw-dropping view. This evening, hear the stories and music of Petra by Night during a candlelit experience at the awe-inspiring Treasury and uncover the unique history of this phenomenal city in the cliffs.
Start your day with a trip to Siq al-Barid or ‘Little Petra’. The ‘cold canyon’ is so named for its position, preventing most sunlight from entering between the cliffs. Discover ancient temples, painted houses and the magnificent Triclinium. Travel two hours to Wadi Rum and watch as the scenery changes from hills to open desert, dotted with rocky outcrops. Wadi Rum’s landscape is truly otherworldly, with endless sands stretching toward a hazy horizon.
Check in at your spectacular luxury camp in the heart of the desert and reenergise with a buffet lunch. Later, set off for your 4WD excursion through the sands. Transport yourself to this alien landscape, seemingly older than time itself, and look out for the black Bedouin tents and flocks of sheep and goats of the Jordanians who still practise this traditional lifestyle. Among the towering dunes, mark an incredible Wadi Rum sunset and toast to the natural beauty with canapes and champagne (one glass per person).
This evening, tuck into an aromatic feast, enjoyed around the campfire under the innumerable stars that paint the heavens above.
Wake to a refreshing breakfast, then leave behind the red sands in pursuit of the striking blue salt water of the Dead Sea.
One of the planet's most spectacular destinations, the Dead Sea is not only the lowest point on Earth – coming in at 400 metres below sea level at the surface – but it's also considered one of the world's most spiritual landscapes, filled with dramatic, natural wonders. Restorative saline waters and mineral-rich mud are certain to leave your skin feeling silky smooth.
Once you’ve arrived after your four-hour journey, enjoy a buffet lunch at your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the extensive resort facilities and otherworldly scenery.
Optional activities:
- Hot air balloon ride over Wadi Rum (from A$379 per person).
Rise for breakfast, then step into the hypersaline waters of the Dead Sea. The day is free for you to experience the therapeutic effects of this natural marvel. Feel the water’s unique buoyancy as you float effortlessly atop the blue surface. Choose to take a restorative Dead Sea mud bath that will leave your skin feeling silky smooth.
Savour one last buffet breakfast, then transfer back to Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman, where your epic adventure concludes.