Immerse yourself in the storied history that makes Egypt such a fascinating destination. Begin with a visit to The Great Pyramids of Giza—the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World—and continue on to St. Catherine's, Mount Sinai and Cairo. Then travel to Jordan where you’ll discover the archaeological wonder of Petra and the mystifying power of the Dead Sea. Sure to make a lasting impression, the combination of our Egypt and Jordan tour is not to be missed.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Cairo

Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled overnight flight to Cairo aboard an internationally recognized airline.

Day 2 - Cairo

Welcome to Egypt! A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel in Cairo. The rest of the day is free. At a Welcome Dinner this evening, meet your fellow travelers.

Day 3 - Giza & the Pyramids

Your tour director, also a professional Egyptologist, is an expert in the history and anthropology of the regions on tour. Today, your tour director leads a fascinating tour of ancient Egypt. The Pyramids of Giza are the only remaining “Wonder of the Ancient World” and your guided tour introduces you to the three pyramids here, including the Great Pyramid of Cheops. Then visit the enigmatic Sphinx. This afternoon, return to Cairo, where your Tour Director leads a sight-seeing tour . The city’s mosques, of which there are more than 500, display some of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in the world. Visit the Citadel and Mohammed Ali Mosque, also known as the Alabaster Mosque. Built in the 12th century by mighty Salah el-Din, the Citadel was originally used as a fortress and was the residence of the Sultans until 1850. Also visit the Egyptian Antiquities Museum, which houses the famous masks of Tutankhamen. Later, roam through the winding streets and alleyways of the Khan-el Khalili Bazaar. This evening, opt to enjoy an Egyptian Folklore Dinner.

$75 USD

Egyptian Folklore Evening From atop Nile riverboat, you'll enjoy this evening's dinner and live performance where you'll savor a menu of local specialties.

Day 4 - Cairo

Take a guided tour through Old Cairo this morning, including a visit to the Coptic Museum. After free time for lunch, board your bus for Saint Catherine. Arrive in Saint Catherine this evening.

Day 5 - St. Catherine

Discover the beauty of Saint Catherine, a city located at the foot of the Sinai High Mountains, during this morning’s guided tour. A UNESCO World Heritage Area, Saint Catherine is a relatively new city, created when Bedouin tribes decided to cluster around the monastery. Then embark on a guided tour of Saint Catherine Monastery, the oldest continuously inhabited monastery in the world, which was built on the site where Moses talked to God at the Burning Bush. You’ll also see the monastery’s library, which has the largest religious collection after the Vatican. Enjoy an early dinner with your group and take some time to rest before departing for your late-night hike up Mount Sinai—also known as Moses Mountain—where Moses received the Ten Commandments.

Day 6 - Mount Sinai

Begin the day by watching the sunrise from atop Mount Sinai, followed by breakfast at your hotel.  Next, travel to Port Nuweiba, where you’ll take an hour-long catamaran ride to Aqaba. Settle into your hotel and enjoy an included dinner.

Day 7 - Wadi Rum Desert

Travel to Wadi Rum this morning, a protected area of desert wilderness in the south of Jordan where  Lawrence of Arabia was filmed. Huge sandstone and granite mountains tower over wide sandy valleys. Narrow canyons and fissures cut deep into the mountains and many conceal ancient rock drawings etched by the people of the desert. Bedouin tribes still live in these mountains, and their large tents can often be seen. Later today, you’ll travel to Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Day 8 - Petra

Discover Petra during a full-day guided tour of this ancient city. Traveling through a narrow gorge, you’ll visit a city lost to the outside world for centuries. Investigate its freestanding temples, tombs, dwellings and altars.

Day 9 - Madaba

Explore Madaba, the city of Mosaics, and St. George’s Church. Next, head to Mount Nebo, Moses’ burial place. Arrive later today at your resort on the Dead Sea.

Day 10 - Dead Sea

Enjoy a free day at your Dead Sea resort. Or opt to travel to the Greco-Roman city of Jerash, one of the largest and best preserved sites of Roman architecture in the world. Tonight enjoy an included dinner with your group.

$79 USD

Jerash Spend the day exploring the Greco-Roman city of Jerash, considered one of the largest and best preserved sites of Roman architecture in the world, outside of Italy.

Day 11 - Amman

If you are continuing on the extension, depart for Jerusalem. Otherwise, relax at the Dead Sea before boarding your flight home.

Day 12 - In Flight

Arrive home.

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter Israel and Jordan, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States or Canada. An onward or return ticket is also required for entry.

A visa is not required for Israel. In Jordan Go Ahead Tours will be obtaining a group visa for our travelers.

If you are not a citizen of the U.S. or Canada, you must contact the relevant embassies as soon as possible for your specific entry requirements.

Health

Take precautions for sun exposure and heat trouble. Sunscreen, a sunhat, sunglasses and bottled water are all highly recommended. See “Cuisine” for information on water quality. No other major health risks exist in Egypt and Jordan, but it’s a good idea to check with your doctor or health-care provider at least 8 weeks prior to departure for recommendations and travel health updates.

In order for you to stay healthy throughout your Egyptian tour, we recommend the following:

•     Drink bottled water. Refrain from drinking
tap water, including when brushing teeth.
•     Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or washed in clean water
and peeled.
•     Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids,
anti-diarrhea medication and any prescription medications.
•     Bring insect repellent to ward off mosquitos.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in Cairo and depart from Amman. All other transportation is via private motorcoach. In your free time, you may wish to explore Cairo on your own. Cairo is best accessed by metro, which is clean, efficient and fast. Buses and minibuses are also available. Taxis are cheap by Western standards, especially for short distances.
Egypt, like Jordan, lends itself to walking. Travelers should be in reasonable health and prepared for uneven, sometimes rocky terrain, although most difficult transfers and long sightseeing tours are conducted by private motorcoach. Take care when exploring ruins and pace yourself with breaks during free time.

Clothing & Packing Tips

The countries on this itinerary tend to be cool and often damp at certain times of year. Loose-fitting, layered clothing that can accommodate varying temperatures will probably be most comfortable. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something formal to wear. Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Currency

The units of currency you will be using on your tour is the Egyptian pound and the Joardanian dinar (and the Israeli shekl on the extension). Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks, as needed. You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges. Please note: With the conversion to the euro, it has been increasingly difficult to exchange travelers checks outside of Europe’s major cities—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the end of your tour, it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We suggest $2 per person per day for your driver and $4 to $6 per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend $1 per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash.