Walking Egypt & Jordan

Day 1

FRIDAY, OCT 22 ● Arrive Cairo (D)

Travelers arrive into Cairo today and enjoy their first exposure to this largest city in Africa during a fascinating drive from the airport to our hotel on the west side of the Nile. No group activities are planned until our Get Acquainted dinner this evening. 

Day 2

SATURDAY, OCT 23 ● Activities in Cairo (BLD)
Pyramids of Giza Walk – 10 km, rated 2+

We begin today at the beginning – the Old Kingdom pyramids of Giza and Saqqara. The Great Pyramid of Cheops, sole survivor of the 7 Wonders of the World club, is a fitting starting point for today’s walk, and the brave among us may enter the pharaoh’s burial chamber to see what old really feels like (Optional). After going nose to missing nose with the legendary Sphinx, we continue to Saqqara to examine the earliest pyramids, and finish our day with a stroll through Memphis, ancient capital of the Old Kingdom. After exploring some of the planet’s oldest manmade structures, we’ll have an extra bounce in our step as we head to dinner feeling just a bit younger!

Day 3

SUNDAY, OCT 24 ● Cairo – Luxor (BLD)

The star attraction of our spellbinding visit to the Egyptian Museum is a stupefying cornucopia of gold and jewels sparkling from the exhibit of Tutankhamen’s tomb. Following lunch, we fly south to Luxor to start our Nile River experience. Join us after dinner for an Optional Excursion to the Karnak Temple Sound & Light Show, the high tech version of the ultimate old tech story of the New Kingdom, told as we stroll through the temple complex.

Day 4

MONDAY, OCT 25 ● Activities from Luxor (BLD)
Valley of the Kings Walk – 10 km, rated 3+

New Kingdom pharaohs hoped to evade tomb robbers who treated the supremely conspicuous pyramids like massive treasure chests. Our Valley of the Kings visit evokes a twinge of sympathy for these deified rulers who could neither take it with them nor keep “it” a secret. We continue with a challenging trail offering 360° views of the Valley, and finish at the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the woman who would be king. After stops at the Ramesseum and the Colossi of Memnon, we check into our floating home for the next four nights, the lovely MS Tower. Later, a stroll along the Nile promenade takes us between Karnak Temple and spectacular Luxor Temple.

Day 5

TUESDAY, OCT 26 ● Cruising the Nile from Luxor (BLD)

We cruise upstream on the storied Nile River today, with time to relax and enjoy timeless scenes of white-sailed feluccas, observe agricultural pursuits fed from time immemorial by the life-giving floods of the Nile, and share the company of fellow passengers on the Sun deck.

Day 6

WEDNESDAY, OCT 27 ● Cruising the Nile: Edfu – Kom Ombo (BLD)

Today’s first port of call in Edfu offers the superbly preserved Temple of Horus, dedicated to the Falcon God. Further upstream, the Temples of Kom Ombo were dedicated to two deities: the crocodile-headed “Sobek” and the “Haroeris”, a double-headed sparrow/hawk. Gaining understanding of the myriad manifestations of the Egyptian pantheon and the cryptic symbols of hieroglyphics requires a good teacher – an Egyptologist who will be with us throughout the Adventure.

Day 7

THURSDAY, OCT 28 ● Activities in Aswan (BLD)
Aswan Nubian Village Walk – 10 km, rated 2

Today’s walk is interspersed with numerous colorful stops including: the Unfinished Obelisk, a massive granite column too large to free from its quarry; Elephantine Island, ancient trading center with the land of Nubia; a felucca cruise to a Nubian village, where you’ll have a chance to ride a camel (Optional), visit a local school, and enjoy lunch in a local home; the Nile promenade Corniche; and the large, colorful souq (market) near our ship.

Day 8

FRIDAY, OCT 29 ● Aswan – Cairo (BLD)

More than 32 centuries ago, Ramses II built two temples into the rock face of a promontory in Nubia, the larger dedicated to the God of Sun – Harakhti – the lesser dedicated to the Goddess Hathor in the name of Ramses’ favorite wife – beautiful Queen Nefertari. An Optional Excursion to these temples, considered by many to be the apex of Egyptian temple architecture, involves an early morning flight to Abu Simbel. Back in Aswan, we return by plane to Cairo in time for a special dinner in the home of a host family, a wonderful opportunity to enjoy authentic Egyptian hospitality.

Day 9

SATURDAY, OCT 30 ● Activities in Cairo (BLD)
Cairo of the Caliphs Walk – 10 km, rated 1+/2

We start our final walk at Cairo’s Citadel, where we explore the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, then wander through the gardens that overlook Cairo in Al Azhar Park. Following lunch, we thread our way through the Islamic Quarter, passing lively market scenes en route to the bazaar of Khalili, where you’ll have time to shop, or just enjoy the maze of colorful shops. This evening, we gather for our Farewell Dinner and some reminiscing about our Adventure together in this ancient land of pyramids and pharaohs!

Day 10

SUNDAY, OCT 31 ● Depart for home/Continue on to Amman, Jordan (B)

Travelers returning home today will be transferred to the airport for their flight from ancient Africa to 21st century North America. Those continuing for the Jordan portion will fly to Amman (flight included) to continue our Adventures there in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
NOTE: Egypt Only travelers who purchased the WAI Airfare Package have one more day free in Cairo to relax or explore before returning home tomorrow morning, Day 11.

Day 1

SUNDAY, OCT 31 ● Arrive Jordan – continue to Madaba (D)

Upon arrival at the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, you’ll be transferred to our hotel in the center of the ancient town of Madaba. Known for the beautiful mosaics that adorn the floors of its Byzantine-era churches, charming Madaba will be our home for the next three nights. No group activities are planned until this evening’s Get Acquainted dinner.

Day 2

MONDAY, NOV 1 ● Activities from Amman (BLD)
Amman and Jerash Roman City Walk – 10 km, rated 2

Our visit to Amman offers opportunity to explore the Citadel, with ruins from the Roman period and a museum boasting exhibits claiming to be some of the world’s oldest. After an intriguing stroll through old town markets, we continue to Jerash, one of the ancient world’s best preserved Roman cities. The walk continues here down stone-flagged streets; one can almost hear the sandaled footfalls of toga-clad merchants and feel the swagger of “peace-keeping” Roman soldiers.

Day 3

TUESDAY, NOV 2 ● Amman - Dead Sea (BLD)
Madaba, City of Byzantine Mosaics Walk – 10 km, rated 2

Among this morning’s several interesting stops is Mount Nebo, final resting place of Hebrew leader Moses that overlooks the “Promised Land”. Later, we descend to the Jordan River to the place where Jesus began his ministry after baptism by John, the Baptist. Following an unsinkable dip in the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea (lowest point on Earth), we return to Madaba to walk past shops and busy street scenes where Christian and Muslim have been living peacefully together for generations.

Day 4

WEDNESDAY, NOV 3 ● Dead Sea – Petra (BLD)
Dana Nature Reserve Trail & Petra Candlelight Walk – 10 km, rated 2+

The King’s Highway takes us down an ancient route once used by caravans, Roman legions, and Hebrews fleeing from Egypt, to the ancient city of Karak. After wandering through the evocative crusader fortress there, we continue to Dana Nature Reserve for a nature walk that snakes along the rim of the canyon offering stunning views of dramatic rock formations and the canyon floor below. In Petra, an unforgettable after-dinner stroll takes us through the candle-lit, mile-long siq (canyon) to the Treasury, the signature stone façade of an ancient hidden world.

Day 5

THURSDAY, NOV 4 ● Activities in Petra (BD)
Rose Red City of Petra Walk – 10 km, rated 2

A full day is allotted to roaming the Rose Red City of Petra. This breathtaking collection of sandstone formations with hues of red, yellow, gray, and orange was carved into magnificent facades by Nabatean tribes 2000 years ago to serve as tombs for their nobles. Add-on routes offer energetic walkers additional sites and views of the valley that will long linger in our memories.

Day 6

FRIDAY, NOV 5 ● Petra – Aqaba (BLD)
Wadi Rum Desert Lawrence of Arabia Walk – 10 km, rated 3

Leaving Petra, we enter the stark beauty of a desert world once used by Lawrence of Arabia to rally Arabs against the fading power of the Turks. The expedition begins with an optional camel ride, followed by a combination of walking and jeep rides with local Bedouin guides. Stunning panoramas of multi-colored monoliths against grain-colored waves of sand and bright blue desert sky are no less impressive than the timeless scenes of Petra! A memorable Bedouin feast in a desert camp precedes our return to “civilization” in Aqaba.

Day 7

SATURDAY, NOV 6 ● Activities in Aqaba (BD)

After many busy days, enjoy a day off to stroll and window-shop, or join us for an Optional Excursion into the Red Sea to Pharaoh’s Island to see yet another face of this corner of the Middle East. Home to a well-preserved crusader castle captured by the able Muslim general Saladin, Pharaoh’s Island also offers a chance to snorkel amongst the Red Sea’s famed underwater coral and sea life. Back in Aqaba this evening, we celebrate our Adventure in Jordan at the Farewell Dinner.

Day 8

SUNDAY, NOV 7 ● Depart for Home (B)

The Adventure comes to a close today as we make our way north towards Amman along the Dead Sea. We part ways with fond memories of this surprisingly diverse country, amazing visits to places we’ve heard about all our lives, and the joy of sharing the trail with walking friends.
NOTE: Travelers who purchased the WAI Air Package will return to Cairo and have one more night at an airport hotel before departing for home on the early morning of Day 9.