Self-Launched: Egypt & Jordan's Ancient Wonders

Fly into Cairo International Airport. Take the Airport Bus (Line 356) or a metered taxi (~£8–12) to central Cairo. Check into a well-rated budget hotel or boutique guesthouse near Tahrir Square or Downtown Cairo. Spend the evening wandering the area, grabbing a koshari or falafel wrap from a street stall, and soaking in the city's electric atmosphere.

🚌Airport Bus Line 356 (~£0.50) or metered taxi (~£8–12) from Cairo International Airport

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse near Downtown Cairo — e.g. Cairo Gate Hostel or Dahab Hostel (~£15–20/night)

• →Arrive at Cairo International Airport
• →Take public bus or taxi to central Cairo (~£8–12)
• →Check in to budget hotel or guesthouse near Tahrir Square
• →Evening stroll around Downtown Cairo and Tahrir Square
• →Try local street food — koshari, falafel, or ful medames

Head south to Saqqara, the ancient burial ground home to the iconic Step Pyramid of Djoser and the beautifully preserved Mereruka Tomb. Book a local guided tour via GetYourGuide or directly with a licensed Egyptologist for more depth. Combine with a stop at Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt. Return to Cairo in the evening.

🚌Shared minibus or local taxi to Saqqara (~£5–8 return)

🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel, Downtown Cairo (~£15–20/night)

• →Visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara (entry ~£10)
• →Explore the 6th-Dynasty Mereruka Tomb
• →Stop at the open-air ruins of ancient Memphis
• →Book a licensed local guide via GetYourGuide (~£20–35)
• →Return to Cairo for dinner in Khan el-Khalili bazaar area

Catch a morning domestic flight from Cairo to Aswan (~£50–80 booked in advance on EgyptAir or Nile Air). Check into your Aswan guesthouse, then head to the island of Philae by motorboat to visit the stunning temple complex — relocated stone by stone to save it from Nile floodwaters. The Sound & Light Show in the evening is optional and atmospheric.

🚌Domestic flight Cairo–Aswan (~£50–80); motorboat to Philae (~£3 return)

🛏Budget guesthouse or hotel in Aswan — e.g. Memnon Hotel or Nuba Nile Guesthouse (~£18–25/night)

• →Morning domestic flight Cairo to Aswan (~£50–80)
• →Check in to Aswan budget hotel or guesthouse
• →Take a short motorboat to Philae Island (~£3 return)
• →Visit Philae Temple complex (entry ~£12)
• →Optional: Philae Sound & Light Show at sunset (~£8)

Spend the day exploring Aswan at your own pace. Hire a felucca sailboat to drift past Elephantine Island, the Aga Khan Mausoleum, and Kitchener's Island Botanical Garden. Arrange a visit to a Nubian village through your guesthouse or a local guide — share tea with a family and learn about Nubian culture. Try a home-cooked traditional dinner.

🚌Local felucca hire; walking and tuk-tuks around Aswan

🛏Budget guesthouse or hotel, Aswan (~£18–25/night)

• →Hire a felucca for a Nile sailing session (~£8–12 per person for 2–3 hours)
• →Visit Kitchener's Island Botanical Garden (entry ~£3)
• →Nubian village visit arranged via local guide (~£10–15 including a home-cooked meal)
• →Explore Aswan souk for spices and handicrafts
• →Visit the High Dam viewpoint (free or ~£2 entry)

Rise early for a shared minibus convoy to Abu Simbel (~3.5 hrs each way), home to Ramses II's colossal rock-cut temples. Arrive at sunrise for the most dramatic light and fewest crowds. Return to Aswan in the afternoon and board your budget Nile cruise vessel, which departs southward toward Edfu and Kom Ombo. These budget cruise options are widely available for ~£80–120 for 3 nights full-board.

🚌Shared convoy minibus to Abu Simbel and back; Nile cruise vessel

🛏Budget Nile cruise vessel (full-board included) — e.g. booked via Klook or direct with local operators (~£80–120 for 3 nights)

• →Early shared minibus convoy to Abu Simbel (~£15–20 per person return)
• →Visit Abu Simbel temples at sunrise (entry ~£20)
• →Return to Aswan by early afternoon
• →Embark on a 3-night budget Nile cruise vessel (~£80–120 total, full-board)
• →Sunset from the cruise deck as you sail north

Sail north along the Nile, docking at Kom Ombo to visit the unique double temple dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god and Haroeris. Continue to Edfu, home to one of Egypt's best-preserved temples dedicated to Horus. Arrive early morning to beat the crowds — while you won't have the private pre-opening access of the premium tour, early arrival gives a similarly serene experience. Evenings are spent on board.

🚌Nile cruise vessel sailing between Kom Ombo and Edfu

🛏Nile cruise vessel (full-board)

• →Visit Kom Ombo Temple (entry included or ~£8)
• →See the Crocodile Museum adjacent to Kom Ombo Temple
• →Sail to Edfu and visit the Temple of Horus (entry ~£10)
• →Arrive early morning at Edfu to experience it before the crowds
• →Relax on the cruise deck and watch Nile scenery pass by

Arrive in Luxor, the world's greatest open-air museum. Disembark from your Nile cruise and check into a Luxor guesthouse. Visit the vast Karnak Temple Complex — the largest religious structure ever built — then cross the Nile to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings, where Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered. Rent a bicycle or take a local minibus to get between sites.

🚌Local public ferry across the Nile (~£0.50); bicycle hire or local minibus on West Bank

🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel, Luxor — e.g. Bob's Guesthouse or Nour El Balad (~£15–20/night)

• →Disembark Nile cruise, check into Luxor budget guesthouse
• →Visit Karnak Temple Complex (entry ~£12)
• →Cross the Nile by local ferry to the West Bank (~£0.50)
• →Visit Valley of the Kings — entry includes 3 tombs (~£12, Tutankhamun extra ~£12)
• →Visit Temple of Hatshepsut (entry ~£8)
• →Rent a bicycle to explore the West Bank (~£3/day)

Explore the East Bank of Luxor at leisure. Visit Luxor Temple, spectacularly lit at night and free to wander around the exterior. Browse the Luxor Souk for spices, papyrus, and alabaster souvenirs. Consider a local cooking class or felucca ride at sunset. This is a slower day to absorb Luxor before returning to Cairo.

🚌Walking, local tuk-tuks, and horse-drawn calèche (~£3–5)

🛏Budget guesthouse, Luxor (~£15–20/night)

• →Visit Luxor Temple (entry ~£10, stunning at night too)
• →Walk the Corniche along the Nile at sunrise
• →Explore Luxor Souk and practice bargaining
• →Optional: sunset felucca ride on the Nile (~£5–8)
• →Optional: local Luxor cooking class via Airbnb Experiences (~£20–30)

Fly back to Cairo (EgyptAir domestic, ~£40–60). Check into your central Cairo accommodation and spend the afternoon at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza — one of the world's largest archaeological museums, home to Tutankhamun's treasures. Round off the evening with a walk through Khan el-Khalili, Cairo's famous medieval bazaar, for tea at El-Fishawy café.

🚌Domestic flight Luxor–Cairo (~£40–60); local metro or taxi (~£2–5)

🛏Budget hotel or hostel near Downtown Cairo or Giza (~£15–20/night)

• →Morning flight Luxor to Cairo (~£40–60 on EgyptAir)
• →Check in to budget hotel near Giza or Downtown Cairo
• →Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza (entry ~£15–20)
• →Evening exploration of Khan el-Khalili bazaar
• →Tea at historic El-Fishawy café in the bazaar

The unmissable highlight of any Egypt trip. Head to the Giza Plateau for the Great Pyramids and Sphinx. Arrive early (gates open at 8am) to beat the crowds and the heat. Book a licensed guide directly on-site or via GetYourGuide for context and history. Optionally enter the Great Pyramid interior (tickets sell out fast — pre-book online). Spend the afternoon at your leisure — the Solar Boat Museum is a hidden gem.

🚌Local taxi or Uber to Giza (~£5–8 each way)

🛏Budget hotel or hostel, Cairo/Giza (~£15–20/night)

• →Visit the Giza Pyramid Complex at opening time (entry ~£12)
• →Book a licensed local guide on-site or via GetYourGuide (~£20–30)
• →Optional: enter the Great Pyramid interior (~£18 — book in advance)
• →Visit the Solar Boat Museum at Giza (~£5)
• →See the Great Sphinx up close
• →Camel ride at the plateau (negotiate firmly, ~£8–12)

Fly from Cairo to Amman, Jordan (Air Arabia, Fly Dubai, or Royal Jordanian, ~£60–100). Clear immigration and head straight to Jerash (~45 mins north of Amman by shared taxi or bus). One of the best-preserved Roman cities outside Italy, Jerash's colonnaded streets, theatres, and temples are breathtaking. Return to Amman in the evening and check into a hostel in the lively Rainbow Street area.

🚌Flight Cairo–Amman (~£60–100); shared service taxi to Jerash (~£3–5)

🛏Hostel in Rainbow Street area, Amman — e.g. Jordan Tower Hotel or Cliff Hostel (~£15–22/night)

• →Morning flight Cairo to Amman (~£60–100 return on budget carriers)
• →Take a shared taxi or JETT bus to Jerash (~£3–5 each way)
• →Explore Jerash ruins — Oval Plaza, South Theatre, Cardo Maximus (entry ~£8)
• →Optional: hire a local guide at the gate (~£12–15)
• →Return to Amman and check into Rainbow Street hostel
• →Dinner on Rainbow Street — try mansaf or shawarma

Explore Amman's ancient Citadel hill with the Temple of Hercules and the Umayyad Palace, then descend into the bustling Downtown (Balad) area with its Roman amphitheatre, gold souk, and spice markets. Visit the Jordan Museum for superb historical context including the Dead Sea Scrolls. While the private royal stable visit of the premium tour isn't replicable, the Royal Stables at Hummar occasionally allow public visits — ask your hostel to enquire.

🚌Walking and local yellow cabs around Amman (~£2–4 per ride)

🛏Hostel, Amman (~£15–22/night)

• →Visit the Amman Citadel and Temple of Hercules (entry ~£3)
• →See the Roman Nymphaeum and Downtown Amphitheatre (entry ~£1)
• →Visit the Jordan Museum (entry ~£5)
• →Walk through Balad's gold souk and spice markets
• →Eat at Hashem Restaurant — legendary Downtown falafel spot (~£3)
• →Enquire at hostel about visiting the Royal Stables at Hummar

Take a JETT bus or shared minibus from Amman to Wadi Musa (the village next to Petra), a scenic 3–4 hour journey south (~£8–12). Check into your budget guesthouse. Spend the afternoon at Siq al-Barid (Little Petra) — a free, uncrowded sister site of Petra with carved Nabataean facades. Bring a picnic and settle in at dusk for a memorable experience. While the private cave dinner of the premium tour isn't easily replicated, the atmosphere at Little Petra at golden hour is magical.

🚌JETT bus or shared minibus, Amman to Wadi Musa (~£8–12)

🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel, Wadi Musa — e.g. Petra Gate Hotel or Rocky Mountain Hotel (~£18–25/night)

• →JETT bus or shared minibus Amman to Wadi Musa (~£8–12)
• →Check into budget guesthouse in Wadi Musa
• →Visit Siq al-Barid (Little Petra) — free entry
• →Picnic at Little Petra at sunset
• →Dinner at a local Wadi Musa restaurant — try zarb (Bedouin BBQ)

Dedicate a full day to the wonder of Petra. Enter through the dramatic Siq gorge to reach the iconic Treasury (Al-Khazneh). Push on beyond the tourist crowds to the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs, the Colonnaded Street, and if energy allows, climb the 800 steps to the Monastery (Al-Deir) for panoramic views. Start early and stay late — a 2-day Petra pass gives better value if you want to return.

🚌Walking throughout Petra; donkey or horse hire inside Petra if needed (~£5–10)

🛏Budget guesthouse, Wadi Musa (~£18–25/night)

• →Full-day Petra entry (1-day pass ~£45, 2-day pass ~£55 — better value)
• →Walk the Siq gorge to the Treasury
• →Visit the Royal Tombs, Colonnaded Street, and Petra Church
• →Hike to the Monastery (Al-Deir) — 800 steps but spectacular views
• →Optional: 'Petra by Night' candlelit experience Monday/Wednesday/Thursday (~£12)
• →Return to Wadi Musa for dinner

Transfer from Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum village (~1.5 hrs by shared taxi or private transfer, ~£10–15). Join a half-day or full-day 4WD jeep tour through the dramatic red desert landscape — sandstone arches, ancient rock inscriptions, Lawrence of Arabia film locations. Spend the night in a Bedouin desert camp under an extraordinary sky of stars. This is one of the most memorable nights of the entire trip.

🚌Shared taxi Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum (~£10–15); 4WD jeep tour within Wadi Rum

🛏Bedouin desert camp, Wadi Rum — e.g. Rum Stars Camp or Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp (~£35–50/night, dinner and breakfast included)

• →Shared taxi or minibus from Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum (~£10–15)
• →Half or full-day 4WD jeep tour of Wadi Rum (~£25–40 per person, bookable at the visitor centre or via GetYourGuide)
• →Explore sandstone arches, rock inscriptions, and desert dunes
• →Sunset camel ride (~£10–15)
• →Overnight in a Bedouin desert camp with dinner and breakfast included (~£35–50)

From Wadi Rum, take a shared or private transfer north to the Dead Sea (~3–3.5 hrs). The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth and famously so salty you float effortlessly on the surface. Public beach access is available at Amman Beach Resort (~£18 day pass including facilities) or seek out one of the free public spots near the shore. Coat yourself in the mineral-rich mud from the shore — said to have therapeutic properties. Overnight in a budget guesthouse near the Dead Sea or return to Amman.

🚌Private or shared transfer, Wadi Rum to Dead Sea (~£15–25 per person depending on group size)

🛏Budget guesthouse near the Dead Sea or return to Amman hostel (~£15–25/night)

• →Transfer from Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea (~3 hrs, arrange via guesthouse ~£15–25 shared)
• →Float on the Dead Sea at Amman Beach Resort (day pass ~£18 including changing rooms and showers)
• →Apply Dead Sea mud from the shoreline
• →Observe the otherworldly salt formations on the surface
• →Sunset views over the Dead Sea toward the West Bank hills
• →Optional: return to Amman or overnight near the Dead Sea

Head back to Amman (if not already there) and spend any remaining time exploring the city — pick up souvenirs, enjoy a final Arabic coffee and knafeh pastry, and reflect on 17 extraordinary days. Head to Queen Alia International Airport for your flight home. Allow at least 3 hours before departure for Jordan's airport formalities.

🚌Taxi or airport bus from central Amman to Queen Alia International Airport (~£15–20 or £2 by JETT bus)

🛏None (departure day)

• →Transfer back to Amman if needed (~£10–15 taxi or bus)
• →Final exploration — Jabal Amman, Rainbow Street shops, or local café
• →Try knafeh at Habibah Sweets on Downtown
• →Transfer to Queen Alia Airport (~45 mins from city, ~£15–20 taxi)
• →Depart Amman