Egypt and Jordan Trip: 7-Day Cairo to Petra Tour

I traveled alone and was a little unsure about doing Egypt by myself, but this itinerary worked really well for me. Having the transfers, hotels, d...

I traveled alone and was a little unsure about doing Egypt by myself, but this itinerary worked really well for me. Having the transfers, hotels, domestic flights and guides already arranged took away most of the stress. Cairo and Luxor felt like two completely different sides of Egypt. The Pyramids were obviously a highlight, but I actually enjoyed the Valley of the Kings and Karnak even more than I expected. Five days went quickly, but I never felt like I had wasted a day getting from place to place.

My husband and I chose this because we wanted Cairo but also wanted to experience the Nile rather than spend the whole holiday moving between hotel...

My husband and I chose this because we wanted Cairo but also wanted to experience the Nile rather than spend the whole holiday moving between hotels. Great choice. We loved Philae Temple in Aswan and the cruise itself was probably our favorite part of the week. Waking up and seeing the Nile outside instead of another city hotel was something special. Edfu and Kom Ombo were also much more interesting with a guide explaining what we were looking at. Luxor at the end was the perfect finish.

Abu Simbel was the main reason I picked this particular tour and it was absolutely worth the journey. The scale of the temples is difficult to appr...

Abu Simbel was the main reason I picked this particular tour and it was absolutely worth the journey. The scale of the temples is difficult to appreciate until you're standing there. We also had three nights on the Nile cruise, which gave the trip a nice change of pace after Cairo and Aswan. My only advice would be to bring comfortable shoes because you see a lot in eight days! Very well organized overall and I appreciated not having to think about flights and transfers once we arrived.

We were already flying such a long way from Australia, so combining Egypt and Jordan made much more sense than visiting only one country. Seeing th...

We were already flying such a long way from Australia, so combining Egypt and Jordan made much more sense than visiting only one country. Seeing the Pyramids at the beginning and Petra near the end made this one of the most memorable weeks we've had travelling. I also really liked the day visiting Mount Nebo, Madaba and the Dead Sea because it was quite different from the archaeological sites. Petra was spectacular and the walk through the Siq before the Treasury appeared is something I'll remember for a long time.

Twelve days sounded long when we booked, but by the end I was glad we hadn't chosen a shorter trip. There is a lot to see in Egypt. We had Cairo, t...

Twelve days sounded long when we booked, but by the end I was glad we hadn't chosen a shorter trip. There is a lot to see in Egypt. We had Cairo, the train south, the Nile cruise and Luxor, and then Hurghada gave us a few days where we could finally slow down. That balance made a huge difference. After temples, museums and early starts, spending the last part of the holiday by the Red Sea was exactly what we needed. I would choose this itinerary again over a shorter sightseeing-only tour.

We did this trip as a family of four and our kids still talk about sleeping on the train and then getting on the Nile cruise. For them those were a...

We did this trip as a family of four and our kids still talk about sleeping on the train and then getting on the Nile cruise. For them those were adventures in themselves! For us, having everything organized made travelling around Egypt much easier. The Pyramids were the big moment everyone was waiting for, but we were surprised by how much we enjoyed Aswan. The cruise days were comfortable and gave us a bit of downtime between the temple visits. Our guide also did a great job keeping the history understandable for the children rather than overwhelming them with dates.

I booked primarily for the archaeological sites, so my expectations were quite specific. The itinerary delivered. Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, ...

I booked primarily for the archaeological sites, so my expectations were quite specific. The itinerary delivered. Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Philae, Abu Simbel, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings give you an impressive overview of different periods of Egyptian history. Having an Egyptologist guide was particularly valuable at the temple complexes where it is easy to miss important details if visiting independently. Abu Simbel and Karnak were the two outstanding sites for me. The Nile cruise also provided a welcome slower rhythm between visits.

We added Egypt to our honeymoon and honestly didn't know what to expect. It ended up being one of the best parts of the whole trip. Seeing the Pyra...

We added Egypt to our honeymoon and honestly didn't know what to expect. It ended up being one of the best parts of the whole trip. Seeing the Pyramids together was surreal, but the quieter moments on the Nile cruise were what made it feel really special for us. We would sit and watch the scenery from the ship after the excursions and it felt completely different from Cairo. Luxor was incredible too, especially the Valley of the Kings. Seven days was a good amount of time for us and the itinerary covered much more than we could have planned ourselves.

Overall this was an excellent holiday and we saw much more of Egypt than I expected. Cairo was intense but fascinating, the Nile cruise was fantast...

Overall this was an excellent holiday and we saw much more of Egypt than I expected. Cairo was intense but fascinating, the Nile cruise was fantastic and Luxor deserves every bit of its reputation. Some sightseeing days are quite full, so this is not a holiday where you sleep late every morning. For us that was fine because we came to see Egypt properly. Hurghada at the end was a smart addition because we had time to rest after all the touring. I gave four rather than five stars only because I personally found the overnight train tiring, but the itinerary itself was very good.

I had wanted to see a total solar eclipse for years, and the idea of combining it with Egypt immediately caught my attention. What makes this itine...

I had wanted to see a total solar eclipse for years, and the idea of combining it with Egypt immediately caught my attention. What makes this itinerary exciting for me is that the eclipse isn't treated as the entire holiday. Cairo, the Pyramids, Saqqara, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Nile cruise make it a proper Egypt journey before reaching Luxor for the main event. Having the eclipse viewing built into a wider itinerary is exactly what I was looking for rather than trying to arrange transport and accommodation independently around such a major date.

This was my first visit to Egypt and five days worked perfectly with the time I had available. Giza was everything I hoped for, but Luxor surprised...

This was my first visit to Egypt and five days worked perfectly with the time I had available. Giza was everything I hoped for, but Luxor surprised me the most. The Valley of the Kings and Karnak were the highlights for me. Using domestic flights between Cairo and Luxor also meant we spent more time sightseeing instead of losing a day traveling between the two cities.

I booked this trip alone and appreciated having the main transportation and sightseeing already organized. I never felt like I had to work out what...

I booked this trip alone and appreciated having the main transportation and sightseeing already organized. I never felt like I had to work out what came next. The sleeper train was a new experience for me, and then spending several nights aboard the Nile cruise gave the trip a completely different pace. Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings were easily my favorite visits.

We didn't want to fly all the way to Egypt and only see Cairo, so the longer itinerary was a good fit for our family. We had the Pyramids and museu...

We didn't want to fly all the way to Egypt and only see Cairo, so the longer itinerary was a good fit for our family. We had the Pyramids and museums, then Aswan and the Nile cruise, followed by Luxor. Finishing with several nights in Hurghada was a great decision because everyone had time to relax by the Red Sea after the sightseeing portion of the trip.

Combining Egypt and Jordan was exactly what we were looking for. Seeing the Pyramids at the beginning of the trip and walking through the Siq towar...

Combining Egypt and Jordan was exactly what we were looking for. Seeing the Pyramids at the beginning of the trip and walking through the Siq toward Petra later in the week gave us two completely different experiences. I also really enjoyed the day covering Mount Nebo, Madaba and the Dead Sea. It was a very good choice for travelers who don't want to limit their holiday to one country.

I have been interested in ancient Egypt for years, so choosing an itinerary that included Abu Simbel was important to me. Seeing the temples in per...

I have been interested in ancient Egypt for years, so choosing an itinerary that included Abu Simbel was important to me. Seeing the temples in person justified the longer route immediately. I also enjoyed how the journey connected Cairo with Aswan and then continued along the Nile toward Luxor. Having a guide at the archaeological sites added a lot to the experience because there were details I would never have noticed on my own.

We traveled with our two children and they loved how different each part of the week felt. One day we were standing beside the Pyramids and a few d...

We traveled with our two children and they loved how different each part of the week felt. One day we were standing beside the Pyramids and a few days later we were sailing on the Nile. The temple visits were interesting without making the entire holiday feel like one long history lesson. For our family, seven days was a very manageable length for seeing Cairo and Upper Egypt together.

Cairo was full of surprises. The pyramids were the main reason we visited, but we also loved the museums, historic streets, and lively atmosphere o...

Cairo was full of surprises. The pyramids were the main reason we visited, but we also loved the museums, historic streets, and lively atmosphere of Khan El Khalili. There was always something interesting to see.

We started our day early, but arriving at Abu Simbel made it completely worthwhile. The enormous statues and the details inside the temples were ex...

We started our day early, but arriving at Abu Simbel made it completely worthwhile. The enormous statues and the details inside the temples were extraordinary. It was easily one of the highlights of our trip.

From Cairo to Aswan, each stop offered a completely different experience. We especially enjoyed exploring the local markets and learning more about...

From Cairo to Aswan, each stop offered a completely different experience. We especially enjoyed exploring the local markets and learning more about Egyptian culture along the way.

We spent the first part of our holiday exploring Cairo before heading to Hurghada. It was a great combination. The historical sites were impressive...

We spent the first part of our holiday exploring Cairo before heading to Hurghada. It was a great combination. The historical sites were impressive, and the beach was exactly what we needed afterward.

Egypt had been on my bucket list for years. Seeing the pyramids in person was incredible, and exploring the temples in Luxor made the experience ev...

Egypt had been on my bucket list for years. Seeing the pyramids in person was incredible, and exploring the temples in Luxor made the experience even better. Every destination had something special.

I've always been interested in ancient Egyptian history, so visiting these places in person was a dream come true. The tombs, temples, and museums ...

I've always been interested in ancient Egyptian history, so visiting these places in person was a dream come true. The tombs, temples, and museums were even more impressive than I expected.

We wanted our honeymoon to include both adventure and relaxation, and Egypt was a wonderful choice. Exploring ancient temples together and enjoying...

We wanted our honeymoon to include both adventure and relaxation, and Egypt was a wonderful choice. Exploring ancient temples together and enjoying peaceful evenings by the Nile made the trip feel truly memorable.

This was our first time in Egypt, and we wanted to see as much as possible. From the Pyramids of Giza to the temples in Luxor, every destination of...

This was our first time in Egypt, and we wanted to see as much as possible. From the Pyramids of Giza to the temples in Luxor, every destination offered something different. We came home with so many wonderful memories.

After spending several days exploring historical sites, Hurghada was a lovely change of pace. We enjoyed the beach, the clear water, and having tim...

After spending several days exploring historical sites, Hurghada was a lovely change of pace. We enjoyed the beach, the clear water, and having time to relax together.

I had seen photos of Abu Simbel many times, but nothing compares to standing in front of those enormous statues. The details inside the temple were...

I had seen photos of Abu Simbel many times, but nothing compares to standing in front of those enormous statues. The details inside the temple were fascinating, and the entire visit felt special.

I didn't know much about Aswan before visiting, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of our holiday. Philae Temple was beautiful, and the ...

I didn't know much about Aswan before visiting, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of our holiday. Philae Temple was beautiful, and the views across the Nile were absolutely lovely.

The combination of Cairo and the Nile cruise worked really well for us. We enjoyed the busy atmosphere of the capital before slowing down and spend...

The combination of Cairo and the Nile cruise worked really well for us. We enjoyed the busy atmosphere of the capital before slowing down and spending a few peaceful days on the river.

Luxor completely surprised me. Karnak Temple was enormous, and walking through the Valley of the Kings was an experience I'll never forget. I could...

Luxor completely surprised me. Karnak Temple was enormous, and walking through the Valley of the Kings was an experience I'll never forget. I could have easily spent another day exploring.

We really enjoyed our time on the Nile. The scenery changed throughout the journey, and stopping to explore ancient temples made each day interesti...

We really enjoyed our time on the Nile. The scenery changed throughout the journey, and stopping to explore ancient temples made each day interesting. Sitting on the deck in the evening was probably my favorite part.

Egypt had been on our travel list for years, and it was wonderful to finally experience it. Seeing the pyramids up close was unforgettable, but we ...

Egypt had been on our travel list for years, and it was wonderful to finally experience it. Seeing the pyramids up close was unforgettable, but we also loved the quieter moments exploring the streets of Cairo.

I had wanted to visit Egypt for years, and the experience was everything I hoped for. From the pyramids to the temples of Luxor, each destination o...

I had wanted to visit Egypt for years, and the experience was everything I hoped for. From the pyramids to the temples of Luxor, each destination offered something special.

Starting our trip in Cairo and continuing with a Nile cruise was a great combination. We discovered remarkable historical sites while also enjoying...

Starting our trip in Cairo and continuing with a Nile cruise was a great combination. We discovered remarkable historical sites while also enjoying peaceful moments on the river.

Our family enjoyed discovering Egypt together. The historical sites were fascinating for everyone, and the combination of activities kept the trip ...

Our family enjoyed discovering Egypt together. The historical sites were fascinating for everyone, and the combination of activities kept the trip interesting from beginning to end.

Visiting Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings was an amazing experience. The ancient monuments were breathtaking, and we enjoyed discovering t...

Visiting Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings was an amazing experience. The ancient monuments were breathtaking, and we enjoyed discovering the stories behind them.

The Nile cruise was the highlight of our vacation. Waking up to views of the river and visiting ancient temples along the way made every day memora...

The Nile cruise was the highlight of our vacation. Waking up to views of the river and visiting ancient temples along the way made every day memorable.

We had a wonderful time exploring Egypt. The pyramids were even more impressive in person, and Luxor was full of fascinating history. The itinerary...

We had a wonderful time exploring Egypt. The pyramids were even more impressive in person, and Luxor was full of fascinating history. The itinerary offered a lovely balance of sightseeing and free time.

Cairo was full of surprises. We loved visiting the Pyramids of Giza and exploring the city's historic streets. There was so much to see and learn t...

Cairo was full of surprises. We loved visiting the Pyramids of Giza and exploring the city's historic streets. There was so much to see and learn throughout the day.

Aswan quickly became one of my favorite places in Egypt. The Nile views were beautiful, and visiting Philae Temple was a wonderful experience.

Aswan quickly became one of my favorite places in Egypt. The Nile views were beautiful, and visiting Philae Temple was a wonderful experience.

Seeing the enormous statues at Abu Simbel was unforgettable. The scale and detail of the temples were incredible, and the visit was one of the high...

Seeing the enormous statues at Abu Simbel was unforgettable. The scale and detail of the temples were incredible, and the visit was one of the highlights of our journey.

Hurghada was a beautiful addition to our Egypt holiday. The clear water and relaxing coastal atmosphere made it a lovely place to unwind after expl...

Hurghada was a beautiful addition to our Egypt holiday. The clear water and relaxing coastal atmosphere made it a lovely place to unwind after exploring the ancient sites.

Alexandria was such a lovely surprise. We enjoyed walking along the Corniche, visiting the famous library, and discovering the city's history. It w...

Alexandria was such a lovely surprise. We enjoyed walking along the Corniche, visiting the famous library, and discovering the city's history. It was a refreshing change from the busy streets of Cairo.

I loved waking up to the views of the Nile every morning. The temples were fascinating, but my favorite moments were simply relaxing on deck and wa...

I loved waking up to the views of the Nile every morning. The temples were fascinating, but my favorite moments were simply relaxing on deck and watching the scenery pass by.

I've always been fascinated by ancient Egypt, so visiting Karnak and the Valley of the Kings was a dream come true. The scale of the temples is som...

I've always been fascinated by ancient Egypt, so visiting Karnak and the Valley of the Kings was a dream come true. The scale of the temples is something photographs really can't capture.

Aswan quickly became one of my favorite places in Egypt. The Nile views were beautiful, Philae Temple was impressive, and the whole city had a calm...

Aswan quickly became one of my favorite places in Egypt. The Nile views were beautiful, Philae Temple was impressive, and the whole city had a calm atmosphere that made our stay really enjoyable.

We wanted something different for our honeymoon, and Egypt gave us exactly that. Exploring ancient sites together and spending relaxing evenings be...

We wanted something different for our honeymoon, and Egypt gave us exactly that. Exploring ancient sites together and spending relaxing evenings beside the Nile created memories we'll treasure for years.

This was my first time in Egypt and I only had a few days available. Seeing both Cairo and Luxor made the trip feel much more complete. The Pyramid...

This was my first time in Egypt and I only had a few days available. Seeing both Cairo and Luxor made the trip feel much more complete. The Pyramids were unforgettable, but I think the Valley of the Kings was the place that surprised me most.

I had always wanted to explore ancient Egypt beyond Cairo, and this trip gave me exactly that opportunity. Philae, Edfu, Karnak and the Valley of t...

I had always wanted to explore ancient Egypt beyond Cairo, and this trip gave me exactly that opportunity. Philae, Edfu, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings were all very different. Having the Nile cruise between visits made the journey itself part of the experience.

We expected the Pyramids to be the highlight, but the days along the Nile became some of our favorite memories. Aswan was beautiful, and visiting t...

We expected the Pyramids to be the highlight, but the days along the Nile became some of our favorite memories. Aswan was beautiful, and visiting the temples while traveling toward Luxor made the journey feel special. Karnak was incredible in person, and I would happily do the cruise again.