Road to Jordan with Nile Cruise — Self-Launched 16-Day Egypt & Jordan Adventure

Arrive into Cairo International Airport and transfer to your guesthouse in the Zamalek or Downtown area. Spend the afternoon getting oriented — grab a kushari from a local restaurant and stroll along the Corniche. If you arrive early enough, book the optional Backstreets of Cairo walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£20) for a brilliant introduction to the city.

🚌Airport Bus 356 to central Cairo (~£1) or metered taxi (~£5-8)

🛏Cairo budget hotel/guesthouse e.g. Steigenberger Pyramids area hostel or Downtown Cairo Hotel (~£18-25/night)

• →Arrive Cairo International Airport — take the Airport Bus 356 or a metered taxi (~£5-8) to central Cairo
• →Check in to budget hotel/guesthouse in Zamalek or Downtown Cairo
• →Optional: Backstreets of Cairo walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£20)
• →Evening stroll along the Nile Corniche and dinner at a local kushari restaurant

An unmissable day visiting the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. Head to Giza early to beat the crowds and heat. Hire a local guide at the gate or pre-book via GetYourGuide. Afterwards, take a taxi to Saqqara to see Djoser's Step Pyramid and the sprawling necropolis. Stop at a government-supervised Papyrus Museum en route back.

🚌Taxi from central Cairo to Giza (~£5), taxi to Saqqara (~£8), return taxi (~£5)

🛏Cairo budget hotel/guesthouse (~£18-25/night)

• →Visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx (entry ~£12)
• →Hire a licensed guide at the gate or book via GetYourGuide (~£15-20)
• →Explore Saqqara necropolis and Djoser's Step Pyramid (entry ~£8)
• →Visit a government-supervised Papyrus Museum (free entry, no obligation to buy)
• →Optional: camel ride around the pyramid plateau (~£8-10, negotiate price in advance)

Start the morning with a visit to the spectacular Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza plateau — home to Tutankhamun's golden funerary mask, his regal chariot, ornate jewellery, and thousands of ancient treasures. Pre-book timed tickets online (~£18). Then head to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Aswan. Budget airlines like Air Cairo and EgyptAir operate this route.

🚌Taxi to Cairo Airport (~£8), domestic flight Cairo–Aswan (~£45-65), tuk-tuk/taxi from Aswan airport (~£3)

🛏Aswan budget guesthouse e.g. Nuba Nile Guesthouse or Hathor Hotel (~£15-20/night)

• →Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum — pre-book timed entry tickets online (~£18)
• →View Tutankhamun's complete collection including golden funerary mask and chariot
• →Taxi to Cairo Airport for domestic flight to Aswan (~£45-65 booked in advance)
• →Arrive Aswan — transfer to guesthouse by tuk-tuk or taxi (~£3)

Take a motorboat across to Agilika Island to visit the stunning Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and rescued from rising Nile waters in a massive UNESCO relocation project. In the afternoon, explore Aswan's vibrant souks — one of Egypt's best markets — and browse spices, perfumes, and Nubian handicrafts. Consider a sunset felucca ride on the Nile.

🚌Local tuk-tuk or walk to the boat landing (~£1-2)

🛏Aswan budget guesthouse (~£15-20/night)

• →Motorboat to Agilika Island and visit Philae Temple (entry + boat ~£10-12)
• →Stop at a perfume oil shop in Aswan town
• →Explore Aswan's souks and markets — great for spices, textiles, and Nubian crafts
• →Optional: sunset felucca ride on the Nile (~£8-10 per person, negotiate at the dock)

Rise early for the optional but highly recommended excursion to Abu Simbel, Ramesses II's jaw-dropping rock-cut temple. Join a shared minibus convoy from Aswan (~£20-25 return including entry). Back in Aswan, board a shared service taxi north to Kom Ombo to visit the extraordinary dual temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god. Stay overnight in Kom Ombo or continue to Edfu.

🚌Shared minibus convoy to Abu Simbel (~£20-25 return), shared service taxi Aswan–Kom Ombo (~£2-3)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Kom Ombo or continue to Edfu (~£12-18/night)

• →Optional early morning shared minibus excursion to Abu Simbel (~£20-25 including entry, book via your guesthouse)
• →Visit Kom Ombo Temple (entry ~£8) — stunning Nile-side temple dedicated to Sobek
• →See the ancient mummified crocodiles on display at the Crocodile Museum (included with temple entry)

Today you make your way north along the Nile towards Luxor. The classic budget alternative to a commercial Nile cruise is a 2-night felucca sailing from Aswan to Edfu (~£25-35/person including basic meals and mattress on deck), or you can book a budget Nile cruise cabin independently. Alternatively, take the train from Aswan to Luxor (~£5-8, ~3.5 hours) — a scenic journey through sugarcane fields and palm-lined banks.

🚌Train Kom Ombo/Aswan to Luxor (~£5-8) or Nile cruise boat

🛏Luxor budget hotel e.g. Nefertiti Hotel or Boomerang Hotel (~£15-22/night)

• →Option A: Take the train from Aswan/Kom Ombo to Luxor (~£5-8, book at the station or via Egypt Railways)
• →Option B: Book a budget Nile cruise cabin (dahabiya or small boat) for a 2-night sail — ask guesthouses for current operators (~£60-80 for 2 nights including meals)
• →Arrive Luxor and check in — take an evening stroll along the Nile Corniche to the illuminated Luxor Temple (free to view from outside)

Spend the day exploring Luxor's East Bank. Visit the magnificent Luxor Temple — especially impressive in the early morning or at night when illuminated. In the afternoon, walk or take a calèche (horse carriage) to the vast Karnak Temple complex, one of the largest religious buildings ever constructed. This evening, consider booking a hot air balloon over the Valley of the Kings for tomorrow morning via GetYourGuide (~£80-100).

🚌Walk or calèche between Luxor Temple and Karnak (~£3-5)

🛏Luxor budget hotel (~£15-22/night)

• →Visit Luxor Temple — entry ~£12, stunning at sunrise or under evening lights
• →Explore Karnak Temple complex — entry ~£12, allow 2-3 hours
• →Walk or calèche ride between sites (~£3-5)
• →Optional: pre-book hot air balloon over Valley of the Kings for tomorrow via GetYourGuide (~£80-100)

Cross the Nile by local ferry (£0.50) to explore the legendary West Bank. Visit the Colossi of Memnon, the imposing Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and the Valley of the Kings — where you can enter three royal tombs on a standard ticket, with Tutankhamun's tomb as a paid extra. Hire a local guide here or book a West Bank tour via GetYourGuide for context.

🚌Local Nile ferry (~£0.50), shared minibus or bicycle hire on West Bank (~£5-8)

🛏Luxor budget hotel (~£15-22/night)

• →Local ferry across the Nile (~£0.50)
• →Visit Colossi of Memnon (free, roadside stop)
• →Explore Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari (entry ~£10)
• →Valley of the Kings — standard ticket covers 3 tombs (~£12), Tutankhamun's tomb extra (~£15)
• →Optional: hire a local licensed guide (~£20-25) or book via GetYourGuide

Take the shared minibus or public bus from Luxor to Hurghada on the Red Sea coast — a scenic 3-4 hour journey through the Eastern Desert. Check in to your beachside budget hotel and spend the afternoon relaxing by the Red Sea. Hurghada's free public beaches are great for a swim. Book a snorkelling day trip to Giftun Island for tomorrow via GetYourGuide or at your hotel.

🚌Go Bus or shared minibus Luxor–Hurghada (~£6-10)

🛏Hurghada budget hotel e.g. Sea Star Beau Rivage area guesthouses (~£18-25/night)

• →Shared minibus or Go Bus service from Luxor to Hurghada (~£6-10, book at bus station)
• →Check in to budget hotel near Hurghada town centre or Dahar district
• →Afternoon: relax on the Red Sea — use the public beach or your hotel's beach
• →Book Giftun Island snorkelling trip for tomorrow at your hotel or via GetYourGuide (~£20-25)

Spend the day on a boat trip to Giftun Island National Park for world-class snorkelling and swimming in the Red Sea. Coral reefs teeming with tropical fish await. Most day trips include snorkel gear, lunch on the boat, and stops at two reef sites. Book directly at the marina or via GetYourGuide. In the evening, explore Hurghada's Old Town (Dahar) for local food and shisha cafés.

🚌Taxi or tuk-tuk to the marina (~£2-3)

🛏Hurghada budget hotel (~£18-25/night)

• →Day trip to Giftun Island — snorkelling, swimming, reef exploration (~£20-28 including equipment and lunch, book at marina or GetYourGuide)
• →Evening: explore Hurghada's Dahar Old Town for street food and local atmosphere
• →Optional: glass-bottom boat trip for non-swimmers (~£15)

A big travel day crossing from Egypt to Jordan. Take the high-speed ferry from Hurghada to Aqaba (~£45-55, book at the port or online), then a shared taxi or local bus from Aqaba to Wadi Musa (the village at Petra's entrance), approximately 2 hours north. Arrive in time for the optional Petra By Night experience — a magical candlelit walk through the Siq (~£12 local price).

🚌Taxi to Hurghada port (~£3-5), ferry Hurghada–Aqaba (~£45-55), shared taxi/bus Aqaba–Wadi Musa (~£8-12)

🛏Wadi Musa budget hotel e.g. Rocky Mountain Hotel or Cleopetra Hotel (~£18-25/night)

• →Early morning taxi to Hurghada ferry port (~£3-5)
• →High-speed ferry Hurghada to Aqaba, Jordan (~£45-55, book in advance or at port)
• →Jordanian visa on arrival or e-visa (~£20 — free with Jordan Pass)
• →Shared taxi or JETT bus from Aqaba to Wadi Musa/Petra (~£8-12)
• →Optional: Petra By Night candlelit Siq walk (~£12, Mon/Wed/Thu evenings)

A full day to explore one of the world's most extraordinary archaeological sites. Enter through the Siq — a narrow 1.2km gorge — to emerge at the iconic Treasury (Al-Khazneh). Continue past the Street of Facades, the Roman Theatre, and the Colonnaded Street. Climb to the High Place of Sacrifice for panoramic views, or tackle the 800 rock-cut steps up to the Monastery (Ad Deir) for a quieter crowd and equally stunning views. The Jordan Pass (~£65) covers visa and Petra entry for up to 3 days.

🚌Walk from Wadi Musa to Petra gate (~10 mins)

🛏Wadi Musa budget hotel (~£18-25/night)

• →Full day in Petra — entry included with Jordan Pass (~£65) or day ticket (~£38 for 1 day)
• →Walk through the Siq to the Treasury
• →Explore the Street of Facades, Roman Theatre, and Colonnaded Street
• →Climb to the High Place of Sacrifice for panoramic views
• →Optional: hike up to the Monastery (Ad Deir) — 800 steps, worth every one (~1.5 hrs each way)
• →Optional: Petra Kitchen cooking experience in the evening (~£35, book directly at petrakitchen.com)

Take a shared taxi or local bus from Wadi Musa south to Wadi Rum village (~2 hours). From the visitor centre, join a 4x4 desert safari with a Bedouin operator — easily arranged at the visitor centre or pre-booked online. The afternoon safari covers Lawrence's Spring, the red sand dunes, ancient inscriptions, and canyon walks. Spend the night in a Bedouin desert camp under a jaw-dropping starlit sky, with a traditional dinner included.

🚌Shared taxi Wadi Musa–Wadi Rum (~£8-12)

🛏Wadi Rum Bedouin desert camp (included in camp package, ~£25-35 including dinner)

• →Shared taxi from Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum (~£8-12)
• →4x4 Jeep desert safari with local Bedouin operator — 2-3 hour tour (~£20-30, book at visitor centre)
• →Sunset over the red desert landscape
• →Overnight Bedouin camp stay including traditional dinner (~£25-35/person)

After breakfast in the desert camp, transfer north. Stop en route at Shobak Castle, a dramatic 12th-century Crusader fortress set on a rocky hill — free or very low entry. Continue to Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve on the Dead Sea shore for an exhilarating canyon trek through the Siq Trail (April–October only, ~£12 entry including life jacket). Then float in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea and slather on the famous black mud.

🚌Shared taxi or hired car Wadi Rum–Shobak–Dead Sea (~£25-35, consider splitting with other travellers)

🛏Budget guesthouse near Dead Sea / Sweimeh area (~£25-35/night)

• →Depart Wadi Rum camp after breakfast
• →Stop at Shobak Crusader Castle en route (entry ~£3-5)
• →Wadi Mujib Siq Trail canyon hike — RSCN entry fee ~£12 including life jacket (April–Oct only; alternative Dead Sea walk available year-round)
• →Float in the Dead Sea and apply mineral mud treatment
• →Check in to budget Dead Sea guesthouse

A leisurely day to soak up the Dead Sea's unique therapeutic waters. Float effortlessly in the saltiest sea on Earth, coat yourself in mineral-rich black mud, and rinse off in the warm waters. For free access, head to Amman Beach public resort (~£15 entry including facilities). Optionally visit the nearby Ma'in Hot Springs — a dramatic cascade of thermal waterfalls set in a gorge (~£15-20 entry). In the late afternoon, visit the baptism site of Jesus at Bethany Beyond the Jordan (~£6 entry).

🚌Shared taxi or local bus along Dead Sea Highway (~£3-8)

🛏Budget guesthouse near Dead Sea (~£25-35/night)

• →Float and mud bath at Amman Beach public resort (~£15 entry including facilities and shower)
• →Optional: Ma'in Hot Springs thermal waterfall spa (~£15-20 entry, shared taxi ~£10 return)
• →Optional: Visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan — the baptism site of Jesus Christ (~£6)

Take a shared taxi or local bus from the Dead Sea up to Amman — about 1 hour. If you have time before your flight, explore Amman's compact downtown (Al-Balad): the Roman Citadel with its Temple of Hercules, the Roman amphitheatre, and the excellent Jordan Museum (free). Grab a final falafel sandwich in downtown Amman and toast an incredible 16-day adventure. Transfer to Queen Alia International Airport for your onward flight.

🚌Shared taxi/JETT bus Dead Sea–Amman (~£5-8), taxi to airport (~£12-15)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Shared taxi or JETT bus from Dead Sea to Amman (~£5-8)
• →Visit the Roman Citadel and Temple of Hercules (entry ~£3)
• →Explore the Roman amphitheatre in downtown Amman (entry ~£3)
• →Browse Al-Balad downtown market and enjoy a final street food lunch
• →Transfer to Queen Alia International Airport (Uber or taxi ~£12-15)