I’m thinking about taking a trip to Egypt and Jordan next winter and I’m completely overwhelmed. ideally I’d like a low key guided tour that encompasses a bit of Cairo (particularly the pyramids), then a Nile Cruise and then maybe an add on for Jordan (maybe 2-3 weeks total). In my very preliminary search I’m seeing some fancy tour operators and fancy cruises that offer this sort of itineray, but that’s definitely not us. I’m ok with a big bus group, but we like history, architecture, culture and sights focused rather than shopping and seeing only mass tourism stuff. I guess what I’m looking for is something akin to Rick’s tours, Is what I’m asking even possible? HELP please!!!!
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
3171 posts
You might consider Odysseys Unlimited
https://www.odysseys-unlimited.com/tours/africa-the-middle-east/egypt-eternal-nile/
I have taken OU tours, and they are quite similar to RS. No shopping stops and similar size group.
Posted by
9721 posts
I lived in the Middle East back in the early 80s and have visited Egypt three times, the last time three years ago.
I strongly recommend that you take a group tour instead of trying to do these countries on your own.
About 25 years ago terrorists attacked a group of Swiss and German tourists killing many. This was in southern Egypt.
Now the government requires that each tour group has an armed security or police guard with the group.
Egypt had a President several years ago that was a radical and terrorist burned many Christian Churches. That regime is no longer in power and the current leadership is excellent in preventing terrorism. Still, security is important and going on your own is not wise.
I haven't been to Jordan, but had a tour booked of Israel and Jordan a few years ago, but was cancelled due to COVID.
Tours are relatively inexpensive for both countries.
On our last trip, we used Gate 1 Travel and they were great. I compared with other companies and they had the best deal, low price with quality tour. Our lodging was at 5 star Marriott hotels in Cairo and on both cruise ships. Our tour included Abu Simbel (in the far south). I recommend a tour that includes Abu Simbel.
OAT is a good company, as is Viking. Still, our tour was 60% of Viking's price.
This tour costs about $4500 pp for BOTH countries:
https://www.gate1travel.com/tour/egypt-tours-16djoeg4dc27.aspx
Also, when dining in Egypt, be sure NOT to eat street food or drink anything unless it is in a bottle opened by you. Dine in nice places.
Don't wander into out of the way places, especially at night. If you take a tour you probably won't want to wander around anyway.
Posted by
Amman, Jordan
228 posts
If you have three weeks, you should have plenty of time to go to both Egypt and Jordan. With only two weeks, it would be pretty tight unless you just concentrated on Egypt and flew into Aqaba and drove to Petra. I don't know about guided tours in either country. Jordan is very easy and safe to do independently, and we only went to Cairo (and hired a guide from there).