Treasures of the Nabataeans & Nubians: Self-Launched Jordan & Egypt Adventure

Fly into Queen Alia International Airport. Take the Airport Express bus (Line 703) into central Amman for around £1.50 — far cheaper than a private taxi (£25+). Check into your hostel in the lively Jabal Al-Weibdeh or Rainbow Street area, get your bearings and explore the neighbourhood at leisure. Grab a falafel wrap from a street stall for dinner.

🚌Airport Express Bus 703 to central Amman, ~£1.50

🛏Nomads Hotel & Hostel or similar (dorm ~£12/private ~£28) — central location, rooftop terrace

• →Take Airport Express bus 703 to central Amman (~£1.50)
• →Check in and explore Rainbow Street area at leisure
• →Street food dinner — falafel, hummus and fresh bread from local stalls

Book a shared minibus day trip to the Eastern Desert Castles (Qasr al-Kharana, Qasr Amra and Azraq Castle) via GetYourGuide or direct with a local operator — prices start around £20pp. In the afternoon, walk downtown Amman's Hashemite Plaza: the Roman Amphitheatre (entry ~£1.50), the Citadel and Jordan Folklore Museum are all within easy walking distance. Dive into the souks before a lunch of falafel and hummus at a local eatery.

🚌Shared minibus tour to desert castles (included in tour price); walking in downtown

🛏Nomads Hotel & Hostel or similar

• →Shared day trip to desert castles: Qasr al-Kharana, Qasr Amra (UNESCO) & Azraq — book via GetYourGuide (~£20pp)
• →Walking tour of downtown Amman: Roman Amphitheatre (~£1.50 entry), Citadel (included with Amman Pass), Jordan Folklore Museum
• →Browse the Amman souks and traditional craft galleries

Catch a JETT bus or shared service taxi from Amman's North Bus Station to Jerash (~£1.50, 1 hr). Spend the morning exploring one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world — Forum, colonnaded streets, Nymphaeum and Temple of Artemis (entry ~£8). Then take a local taxi to Ajloun Castle (~£5 entry). Overnight in an eco-cabin or guesthouse in the Ajloun Forest Reserve area — the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) runs bookable cabins with modern amenities at Ajloun Lodge.

🚌JETT/service taxi Amman–Jerash (~£1.50); local taxi Jerash–Ajloun (~£5)

🛏Ajloun Lodge (RSCN eco-cabins, ~£35pp) or local guesthouse in Rasoun

• →JETT bus or service taxi Amman → Jerash (~£1.50)
• →Explore Jerash ruins: Forum, colonnaded streets, Nymphaeum, Temple of Artemis (entry ~£8)
• →Visit Ajloun (Aljoun) Castle (~£5 entry)
• →Optional: hike trails in Ajloun Forest Reserve (RSCN day permit ~£4)
• →Trek to Bronze Age Dolmens in surrounding hills

Take a service taxi south from Ajloun toward Madaba via Amman (~£4 total). In Madaba, visit the stunning 6th-century Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land inside St George's Church (entry ~£1.50). Continue by taxi or shared bus to nearby Mount Nebo for sweeping views over the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Finish the day floating effortlessly in the hypersaline waters of the Dead Sea — use a public beach area such as Amman Beach (~£15 entry, includes fresh water showers). Stay at a guesthouse near the Dead Sea or back in Amman.

🚌Service taxis throughout the day (~£8 total)

🛏Mariam Hotel Madaba or Dead Sea area guesthouse (~£25–35pp)

• →Service taxi Ajloun → Madaba via Amman (~£4 total)
• →Visit St George's Church and the Madaba Map mosaic (~£1.50 entry)
• →Taxi to Mount Nebo — panoramic views over the Jordan Valley (~£3 entry)
• →Shared taxi or bus to Dead Sea public beach (Amman Beach entry ~£15)
• →Float in the Dead Sea and relax

Head south by local bus or shared taxi to the Dana Biosphere Reserve — a stunning landscape of sandstone cliffs, wadis and juniper forests. Walk the accessible trails around Dana Village (free entry to village; guided trail permits from ~£5 via RSCN). Continue south to Wadi Musa (the town for Petra) by minibus or taxi. Check in early and consider the Petra by Night experience — candles line the Siq to the Treasury (tickets ~£12, booked direct at the Petra Visitor Centre).

🚌Shared taxis/minibuses Dana–Wadi Musa (~£11 total for the day)

🛏Rocky Mountain Hotel or Petra Moon Hotel, Wadi Musa (~£18–25pp)

• →Local bus/shared taxi south along Dead Sea coastline toward Dana (~£6)
• →Walk trails around Dana Village and viewpoints (RSCN trail permit ~£5)
• →Continue by minibus/taxi to Wadi Musa / Petra (~£5)
• →Optional: Petra by Night — candlelit walk through the Siq to the Treasury (~£12, book at Visitor Centre)

Spend a full morning in Petra — a 1-day entry ticket costs ~£50 (consider the Jordan Pass if you haven't already, which bundles the visa and major sites). Walk the Siq to the iconic Treasury, explore the Roman Amphitheatre, colonnaded streets, and climb to the Monastery (850 steps but worth every one). The Jordan Pass also covers most entry fees. In the afternoon, arrange a shared 4WD transfer to Wadi Rum (~£10pp with other travellers from your hostel, or via the Wadi Rum Visitor Centre). Overnight at a Bedouin camp — dozens of authentic camps offer dinner, stargazing and a desert sunrise for around £30–40pp all-in.

🚌Shared 4WD transfer Petra–Wadi Rum (~£10pp)

🛏Wadi Rum Bedouin camp (e.g. Rahayeb Desert Camp or similar, ~£35pp full board)

• →Enter Petra — walk the Siq to the Khazneh (Treasury), Roman Amphitheatre, colonnaded streets (~£50 day ticket or included in Jordan Pass)
• →Hike to the Monastery (Ad-Deir) and High Place of Sacrifice during free exploration time
• →Shared 4WD transfer Wadi Musa → Wadi Rum Village (~£10pp)
• →Evening at Bedouin camp: traditional Zarb dinner, stargazing, music around the fire

Rise early for a half-day Jeep safari through the rose-red desert — climb sand dunes, photograph dramatic rock formations and the natural rock bridge, and walk with a local Bedouin shepherd. Lunch is often prepared at a Bedouin tent. Book a 3-hour shared Jeep safari directly at the Wadi Rum Visitor Centre (~£20pp). In the afternoon, take a JETT bus or shared taxi from Wadi Rum back to Amman (~£8–10). Rest at your Amman hostel before your early morning transfer to the airport.

🚌JETT bus or shared service taxi Wadi Rum–Amman (~£9)

🛏Nomads Hotel & Hostel or similar, Amman (~£12–28pp)

• →Half-day Jeep safari: sand dunes, rock formations, natural rock bridge (~£20pp, book at Visitor Centre)
• →Walk with local Bedouin shepherd and his herd
• →Traditional bread-making and coffee-roasting experience with Bedouin hosts
• →JETT bus or shared taxi Wadi Rum → Amman (~£8–10)

Fly from Amman (AMM) to Cairo (CAI). Budget airlines like Air Arabia, flydubai or Royal Jordanian regularly offer this route from around £50–80 one-way (book in advance). Alternatively, Royal Jordanian flies direct in under 2 hours. Arrive in Cairo, take the CTA Airport Bus (Line 356) or the new Cairo Metro extension to your accommodation in central Cairo (~£1–2). Check in near Tahrir Square or Islamic Cairo for great access to sights.

🚌Flight Amman–Cairo (~£65 avg); airport bus to city centre (~£2)

🛏Cairo House Hostel or Dar El Mona Hotel, central Cairo (~£12–25pp)

• →Morning: free time to explore Amman or Rainbow Street before airport transfer
• →Fly Amman (AMM) → Cairo (CAI) (~£50–80, book in advance on Royal Jordanian or Air Arabia)
• →Airport bus Line 356 or taxi to central Cairo accommodation (~£2–15)

Start at the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square (entry ~£12) — hire a private Egyptologist guide here for 2–3 hours (~£15–20 booked via GetYourGuide) to properly understand the Tutankhamun collection and ancient artefacts. Take the metro or a taxi to Giza Plateau (entry ~£12; Great Pyramid interior ticket ~£18 extra, very limited numbers so buy online in advance at egypt.travel). This evening, board the overnight sleeper train from Ramses Station to Aswan — private twin berths bookable at the station or via Egyptian National Railways website (~£35–45pp, highly recommended to book ahead).

🚌Metro/taxi to Giza (~£2–4); overnight sleeper train Cairo–Aswan (~£40pp avg)

🛏Overnight sleeper train (private twin-berth cabin included in ticket)

• →Egyptian Museum: Tutankhamun exhibit and ancient artefacts (entry ~£12)
• →Self-booked Egyptologist guide at the museum (~£15–20 via GetYourGuide)
• →Giza Plateau: Sphinx, Great Pyramid of Khufu, Pyramid of Khafre & Menkaure (entry ~£12)
• →Optional: climb inside a pyramid — buy limited interior tickets online in advance (~£18)
• →Board overnight sleeper train Cairo (Ramses Station) → Aswan (~£35–45pp, private twin berth)

Arrive in Aswan by mid-morning. Drop bags at your guesthouse — try the Olad Nubian Guest House or similar (as used by the original tour) for an authentic experience. Explore Aswan's colourful spice markets and Nubian bazaar along the Corniche. Take a local motorboat to a nearby Nubian village (~£3–5 per boat) for a traditional lunch of ful medames and kofta. In the afternoon, take the public ferry to Agilkia Island and tour the magnificent Temple of Philae complex (entry ~£9). Optional: camel ride across to St Simeon's Monastery on the west bank.

🚌Local taxis and motorboats around Aswan (~£10 total)

🛏Olad Nubian Guest House or similar, Aswan (~£15–20pp)

• →Arrive Aswan, check in — Olad Nubian Guest House or similar (~£15–20pp)
• →Explore Aswan's spice, fabric and general markets
• →Local motorboat to Nubian village — colourful houses, traditional lunch (~£3–5 boat + lunch ~£5)
• →Public ferry + tuk-tuk to Temple of Philae (entry ~£9)
• →Stroll along the Corniche on the Nile banks at sunset
• →Optional: camel ride to St Simeon's Monastery (~£8)

Rise at 3am for the optional but highly recommended convoy to Abu Simbel (UNESCO World Heritage temples of Ramesses II) — shared minibuses depart in convoy from Aswan at around 4am, returning by early afternoon (~£20pp transport + £12 entry, book through your guesthouse or GetYourGuide). Back in Aswan, visit the Nubian Museum (entry ~£5) before joining a traditional Nile felucca for an overnight sail toward Edfu. Felucca overnight experiences including crew meals are bookable directly at Aswan harbour — expect to pay around £20–25pp per night all-in. The crew sails and cooks on board; sleep under the stars on deck.

🚌Shared minibus Abu Simbel convoy (~£20); felucca sailing

🛏Overnight on Nile felucca deck (sleeping bags/mats provided by crew)

• →Early morning shared minibus convoy to Abu Simbel temples (~£20 transport + £12 entry — book via guesthouse/GetYourGuide)
• →Visit the Nubian Museum, Aswan (entry ~£5)
• →Explore Aswan markets and Corniche
• →Board traditional Nile felucca for overnight sail to Edfu (~£20–25pp incl. meals, book at harbour)

Disembark the felucca near Edfu or Kom Ombo. Visit the magnificently preserved Temple of Edfu — dedicated to Horus — via a short calèche (horse carriage) or tuk-tuk from the dock (entry ~£9). Catch a local bus or minibus north to Luxor (~£3, 2.5 hrs). Check into a Luxor guesthouse on the East Bank near Luxor Temple. Visit the stunning Luxor Temple complex at dusk (entry ~£9) when it's beautifully illuminated — one of Egypt's most atmospheric evening experiences.

🚌Calèche from felucca dock to Edfu Temple (~£2); local bus Edfu–Luxor (~£3)

🛏Nefertiti Hotel or Bob Marley Peace Hotel, Luxor (~£12–18pp)

• →Disembark felucca near Edfu; calèche/tuk-tuk to Temple of Edfu (~£9 entry)
• →Local bus Edfu → Luxor (~£3, 2.5 hrs)
• →Check into East Bank guesthouse in Luxor
• →Walking tour of Luxor Temple complex at sunset — beautifully lit at night (~£9 entry)

Cross the Nile by local ferry (£0.50) to the West Bank and hire a local driver for the day (~£15–20pp for a shared group taxi). Visit the Valley of the Kings (entry ~£12 for 3 tombs, top picks: KV62 Tutankhamun, KV11 Ramesses III, KV9 Ramesses VI), the magnificent Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari (~£9), Medinat Habu Temple (~£5) and the colossal Colossi of Memnon (free). Optional: hot air balloon flight at sunrise — book through a local operator in Luxor for ~£75–90pp (cheaper than through a tour operator).

🚌Local ferry to West Bank (~£0.50); shared driver for the day (~£15–20pp)

🛏Nefertiti Hotel or similar, Luxor (~£12–18pp)

• →Local ferry to West Bank (~£0.50)
• →Valley of the Kings — 3 tombs included in entry (~£12; Tutankhamun tomb extra ~£15)
• →Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari (~£9 entry)
• →Medinat Habu Temple of Ramesses III (~£5 entry)
• →Colossi of Memnon (free)
• →Optional: hot air balloon at sunrise over the West Bank (~£75–90pp, book locally)

Spend the morning at the awe-inspiring Karnak Temple Complex (entry ~£12) — give yourself at least 2–3 hours to explore the massive pylon entrance, the Great Hypostyle Hall and the Sacred Lake. Explore Luxor's markets in the afternoon before heading to Luxor Station for the overnight sleeper train to Cairo (~£35–45pp in a private twin-berth, book in advance). Dinner is available on board.

🚌Overnight sleeper train Luxor–Cairo (~£40pp avg)

🛏Overnight sleeper train (private twin-berth cabin included in ticket)

• →Karnak Temple Complex: pylon entrance, Hypostyle Hall, Sacred Lake (~£12 entry)
• →Browse Luxor markets and old souk
• →Board overnight sleeper train Luxor → Cairo (~£35–45pp private twin-berth, book ahead)

Arrive Cairo Ramses Station in the morning. Drop bags at your hotel and head straight into Islamic Cairo for a self-guided walking tour — entirely free and endlessly rewarding. Walk through the medieval Bab al-Futuh gateway, explore the streets of metalwork (Coppersmiths' Bazaar), spices, pottery, fabric and jewellery, and end at the famous Khan el-Khalili bazaar for tea and shisha. Optional guided half-day tours of Coptic Cairo, the Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque are bookable via GetYourGuide (~£15–20pp). For dinner, try Egypt's national dish Kushari at a local restaurant (~£1.50 a bowl).

🚌Metro/taxi from Ramses Station to accommodation (~£2); walking throughout the day

🛏Cairo House Hostel or similar, central Cairo (~£12–25pp)

• →Self-guided walking tour of Islamic Cairo: Bab al-Futuh gateway, metalwork souks, spice market, pottery and fabric streets
• →Visit Khan el-Khalili bazaar — tea and shisha at a traditional café
• →Optional: guided Coptic Cairo, Citadel & Mohamed Ali Mosque tour (~£15–20pp via GetYourGuide)
• →Optional: half-day tour to Saqqara, Dahshur & Memphis (~£20–25pp via GetYourGuide)
• →Dinner of Egyptian Kushari at a local eatery (~£1.50)

Enjoy a final Egyptian breakfast before checking out. If time allows, squeeze in a last visit to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (highly recommended by fellow travellers — entry ~£9) to see the Royal Mummies Hall. Take the airport bus or taxi to Cairo International Airport (CAI) for your departure flight. Safe travels!

🚌Airport bus Line 356 or taxi to Cairo airport (~£2–15)

• →Optional: visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization — Royal Mummies Hall (~£9 entry)
• →Last-minute shopping at nearby markets
• →Airport bus or taxi to Cairo International Airport (~£2–15)