Jordan/Egypt
Wonders of the Middle East: An Exploration of Egypt & Jordan
Program No. 24423RJ
Experience the ancient and modern wonders of Jordan and Egypt on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that leads to the Great Pyramid of Giza, Petra and the Wadi Rum desert.
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15 days
14 nights
37 meals
13B 11L 13D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
3
Jerash, Amman Citadel
Amman
4
Amman, Madaba, Mt. Nebo, Dead Sea
The Dead Sea
6
Wadi Rum, Petra
Petra
7
Petra
Petra
8
Fly to Cairo
Giza
At a Glance
For more than 5,000 years, adventurers and scholars have journeyed to the Middle East to experience the vast wonders of Egypt and Jordan. Now, it’s your turn to embark on the educational adventure of a lifetime as you join local experts for an in-depth immersion into the ancient history, cultures and modern life of these two fascinating countries. Explore the city of Amman and be amazed by the vast beauty of the Dead Sea before spending a night under the stars in the Wadi Rum desert. Marvel in the ancient complexity of the “Red Rose City” of Petra and be astounded by the sight of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Board a riverboat for a three-night journey along the Nile River, stopping to discover ancient temples and the Valley of the Kings. Your journey concludes in Cairo, where you’ll experience Egyptian life as you explore citadels, synagogues and bustling marketplaces — the true hubs of local culture.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Walking up to 3 miles a day over uneven terrain with no shade.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Discover one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, Petra, as you explore this stunning city cut from rose-red rock in Jordan.
- Delight in a night of “glamping” under the stars in Jordan’s Wadi Rum desert.
- Spend three nights on the Nile River in a luxury riverboat with an Egyptologist who will show you ancient temples, the Valley of the Kings and more important historical sites.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Raed Saleem
Raed Saleem is a licensed group leader with over two decades of experience working in Jordan. Originally from Kuwait, Raed received his degree in English literature from Kuwait University in 1987 and later chose to pursue a certification in group leading in Jordan in 1995. During his time in the travel industry, Raed has worked passionately in eco and agro tourism, wishing to assure that tourism is developed in an environmentally sustainable way. In his free time, Raed enjoys spending time with his spouse and four children.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Raed Saleem
View biography
Raed Saleem is a licensed group leader with over two decades of experience working in Jordan. Originally from Kuwait, Raed received his degree in English literature from Kuwait University in 1987 and later chose to pursue a certification in group leading in Jordan in 1995. During his time in the travel industry, Raed has worked passionately in eco and agro tourism, wishing to assure that tourism is developed in an environmentally sustainable way. In his free time, Raed enjoys spending time with his spouse and four children.
Bassem Samir
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Bassem Samir lives in Cairo and graduated from the University of Tourism and Hotels in 1995. Since 1997, he has been leading American groups. He is fluent in Arabic and English, and possesses some conversational skills in Italian. His passion for history, rooted in it being his favorite university subject, led him to become a group leader. He loves bringing the stories of ancient Egyptian pharaohs to life.
Hesham Haddad
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Hesham has been an English-speaking guide since 1997. He has toured all around Egypt with groups from the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, and other English-speaking countries. He studied English Literature and discovered his passion for Ancient Egypt, which led him to study Egyptology & history as well, which gained him his license as tourist guide. In addition, he studied health & safety from “Osha Academy, USA”, to guarantee the wellbeing of his groups.
Oria Shabsough
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Oria Omar Shabsough is a Jordanian group leader with nearly two decades of experience leading English-speaking travelers through Jordan’s rich history and landscapes. She holds both B.A. and M.A. degrees in archeology from the University of Jordan and has participated in excavation projects. As one of only 50 female group leaders in Jordan, she is dedicated to sharing the country’s heritage. Before guiding, she worked in marketing. Outside of travel, she enjoys cultural exploration and historical research.
Suggested Reading List
(20 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Wonders of the Middle East: An Exploration of Egypt & Jordan
Program Number: 24423
The Rough Guide To Jordan
An in depth expert and comprehensive guide to Jordan. The Rough Guide to Jordan will help readers discover the best places to explore, sleep, eat, drink and shop.
Northeast Africa and Arabia Map
A folded map of the Northeast region of the continent at a scale of 1:4,000,000.
Luxor Illustrated, With Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Nile
The ideal companion to a Nile cruise, Michael Haag introduces all the famous monuments and temples of the Upper Egypt from Luxor, Karnak, Valley of the Kings and the tomb of Tutankhamun to the marvels of Aswan and Abu Simbel in full color.
Eyewitness Guide Jerusalem: Israel, Petra & Sinai
This compact, illustrated guide provides a thorough overview of Israel and western Jordan, including Petra, Wadi Rum and Amman.
How Petra was Built
An analysis of the construction techniques of the Nabataean freestanding buildings and rock-cut monuments in Petra, Jordan
When Woman Ruled the World, 6 Queens of Egypt
Celebrated Egyptologist Kara Conney’s narrative explores the lives of six remarkable female pharaohs, from Hatshepsut to Cleopatra, and shines a light on female power, exploring the connections between Woman’s roles as public figures then, and now.
Islam, A Short History
Armstrong brings authority and experience to this vivid, clear-headed survey of the history and impact of Islam from the birth of Muhammad to present-day challenges. The best short introduction to the subject.
In a Desert Land, Photographs of Israel, Egypt and Jordan
A stunning collection of photographs of the desert Middle East, including the Sinai, Petra and Jerusalem.
Israel & The West Bank: With Petra
A guide to Jerusalem that includes color photos and helpful planning maps with descriptions.
The Nile: A Journey Downriver through Egypt’s Past and Present
Wilkinson takes readers on both a historical and contemporary journey down the Nile, highlighting the small details that intertwine river landmarks with and Egypt’s ancient civilization.
Eyewitness Guide Egypt
A visually rich guide to the history, culture and monuments of Egypt.
Apeirogon: A Novel
McCann writes a complex and uplifting story of a Palestinian father and an Israeli Father who form an unexpected bond by the grief of losing a daughter.
Petra: The History of Jordan's Rose City
Amman: Gulf Capital, Identity, and Contemporary Megaprojects
Landscapes of Survival: The Archaeology and Epigraphy of Jordan's North-Eastern Desert and Beyond
Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths
A popular history by the author of A History of God. Armstrong tackles big subjects -- and this book is no exception. It's a comprehensive, concise portrait of the city over the last 5,000 years.
The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt
Toby Wilkinson, a world rewound Egyptologist, tells the story of Egypt’s great civilization, from its birth as the first nation-state to its absorption into the Roman Empire. Drawing upon forty years of archaeological research, award-winning scholar Toby Wilkinson takes readers inside Egypt’s history once ruled by divine kings who led with all-too-recognizable human emotions.
Petra, The Rose-Red City
Jam-packed with color illustrations, archival material, maps and site plans, this shirt-pocket encyclopedia is our best-selling book on Petra.
The Archaeology and History of Jerash: 110 Years of Excavations
The Jordan Valley and Petra