Egypt and Jordan Travel Itinerary

Wings Over the Nile by Private Plane

Days 1 & 2
U.S. / Cairo
Fly to Cairo, Egypt, and check in to the Mena House Oberoi Hotel in nearby Giza. (Meals Aloft)

Day 3
Pyramids / Great Sphinx
The Giza Pyramids — the last remaining of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — are the only vestiges from their time to survive in their original form. You have the option of entering one Pyramid and venturing through the narrow passageways to the burial chamber. Our day in Giza also includes a visit to the Sphinx and Solar Boat, a well-preserved funeral boat. If you choose, you can even ride a camel. Tonight, we gather for a welcome reception and dinner at the Mena House Oberoi’s Rubayyat Restaurant. (B,D)

Day 4
Sakkara / Memphis 
We visit Egypt’s ancient capital of Memphis, site of the limestone colossus of a young Pharaoh Ramses II, and of the Alabaster Sphinx. We continue to Sakkara to see the Step Pyramid Complex of King Djoser. Enjoy a barbecue lunch and relaxing afternoon. (B,L)

Day 5
Abu Simbel / Aswan / Embark Oberoi Philae 
Our chartered private plane whisks us to the magnificent Temple of Abu Simbel, where we’ll also visit a smaller temple, dedicated to Ramses II’s favorite wife Nefertari. Next, we continue by private plane to Aswan, site of the High Dam built to harness the power of the Nile. We transfer to the Oberoi Philae for our four-night cruise. Later, we enjoy a short jaunt aboard an Egyptian “felucca” (traditional sailboat). (B,L,D)

Day 6
Aswan / Cruising the Nile / Kom Ombo
This morning, we see the High Dam and visit the Temple of Isis at Philae. We then cruise to Kom Ombo, whose lovely Greco-Roman temple’s aesthetic proportions are beautiful. We enjoy an Egyptian dinner and costumed “galabeya” (a long, loose Egyptian garment) party on board this evening. (B,L,D)

Day 7
Edfu / Cruising the Nile / Luxor
The ancient Greeks called the site of Edfu “Apollonopolis,” after the god Apollo. The nearly intact Temple of Horus is one of Egypt’s finest examples of Ptolemaic art. Next, we cruise a bit farther downstream to Luxor, on the Nile’s East bank at the site of ancient Thebes, where our ship will dock for the night. (B,L,D)

Day 8
Luxor 
A morning visit to Luxor’s West Bank brings us to the remote Valley of the Kings. Sixty-four of the Egypt’s rulers were buried here in ornate subterranean chambers, and we visit some of the tombs. We also marvel at the Colossi of Memnon. This afternoon, we explore the massive temples of Karnak and Luxor, including the immense Hypostyle Hall. (B,L,D)

Day 9
St. Catherine’s Monastery / Cairo
We disembark the Oberoi Philae and fly by chartered private plane to remote St. Catherine’s Monastery, in the Sinai Desert. Built in the 6th century in a dramatic setting at the foot of Mt. Moses, around what tradition holds to be the burning bush, the monastery holds priceless icons, illuminated manuscripts, paintings and hanging lamps. We then fly back to Cairo, where you’ll enjoy a Nile-view room at the elegant and well-located Grand Hyatt Hotel. In the early evening we’ll attend a special talk by a guest speaker. (B,L)

Day 10
Cairo
We tour Islamic Cairo, seeing the Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, then continue to the colorful Khan el-Khalily bazaar and enjoy a lunch of local specialties at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant. Later, we have a guided visit to the Egyptian Antiquities Museum and see the treasures from the tomb of boy-king Tutankhamon and the Royal Mummies Room. (B,L)

Day 11
Cairo / Petra, Jordan
There’s free time this morning to explore more of the city on your own, perhaps visiting Coptic Cairo. Rather than take a scheduled flight, we take a chartered private plane to Aqaba, Jordan, and drive to Petra — the fabled city that lay hidden to the world until its 1812 discovery. You’ll enjoy a two-night stay at the Petra Mövenpick Hotel. (B,D)

Day 12
Petra
Today we follow the Siq, a narrow, winding gorge, on a walking exploration that includes Petra’s impressive Treasury, royal tombs, colonnaded street, and amphitheater. The architecture itself is astonishing, yet the colors — deep rust, banded with grays, yellows, and every hue in between — are spectacular in their own right. Tonight, join in the fun with an interactive meal at Petra Kitchen. (B,D)

Day 13
Dead Sea
We drive through rolling countryside to Madaba, where there are remarkable Byzantine mosaics, and visit Mount Nebo — the site where Moses is said to have gazed on the Promised Land. We continue to the Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa, located on the Dead Sea’s eastern shore. Enjoy the afternoon and evening to relax. You can float in the waters of the Dead Sea, use the swimming pool or try out the resort’s extensive spa services. Tonight, there is a festive farewell dinner to toast the journey. (B,L,D)

Day 14
Dead Sea / Jerash
We explore the well-preserved walls, colonnaded streets, temples, public baths, plazas, and theaters of ancient Greco-Roman Jerash. We then spend the rest of the afternoon at our Dead Sea resort. (B,L)

Day 15
Amman, Jordan / U.S.
We drive to Amman airport for our flight back to the U.S. (B)