“Echoes of Rome in the Heart of Jordan”

This morning, after your first Jordanian breakfast — perhaps a warm flatbread served with labneh, olives, and sweet tea — your expert Anteros Travel guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to begin a remarkable day that spans millennia.

We drive north through the gentle rolling hills of Gilead to the ancient Roman city of Jerash, one of the best-preserved classical cities outside of Italy. As you pass through the monumental Hadrian’s Arch, you step into another time. This once-thriving city of the Decapolis was a jewel of the Roman Empire. Today, it whispers tales of chariot races and imperial grandeur.

Your guide will lead you through the Oval Plaza, an elegant forum encircled by Ionic columns, and into the South Theatre, where the acoustics are so perfect that a whisper on stage carries to the back row. You’ll walk along the Cardo Maximus, Jerash’s main street lined with ancient shops and strewn with the wheel marks of Roman carts. Explore ornate temples devoted to Artemis and Zeus, fountains once fed by aqueducts, and shadowed corners where the daily lives of 2nd-century citizens played out. Despite being over 2,000 years old, the city feels startlingly alive beneath your feet.

From ancient stones, we return to the present — back to the buzzing streets of modern Amman. Here, you’ll enjoy a street food tasting with your guide. Bite into crispy falafel fresh from the fryer, creamy hummus with a drizzle of olive oil, and the beloved Jordanian dessert knafeh, a syrup-soaked pastry layered with cheese or cream and bright orange semolina.

In the afternoon, we climb to the city’s highest point, Jabal al-Qal’a, better known as the Amman Citadel. The view is breathtaking — white houses spill down the hillsides, and minarets pierce the skyline. The Citadel itself is a palimpsest of civilizations. You’ll see the imposing ruins of the Temple of Hercules, two surviving columns that hint at what was once a vast Roman sanctuary. Nearby are the ruins of a Byzantine Church, the Umayyad Palace, and a fascinating archaeological museum that houses treasures unearthed from across Jordan.

We end the day in downtown Amman, where you may choose to sip Arabic coffee in a centuries-old café or shop for hand-painted ceramics and Bedouin weavings in the gold and spice markets.

Overnight in Amman

Anteros Travel can tailor your hotel experience — from luxury suites overlooking the Citadel to stylish urban boutiques nestled in the cultural heart of the city.

Meals included: Breakfast

“A Journey Through Mosaics, Miracles, and Mountain Fortresses”

After a leisurely breakfast, we set out on a road that has been travelled for thousands of years — the King’s Highway, a route once tread by traders, pilgrims, and prophets. Today, it leads us to three unforgettable encounters: sacred art, salt-laden waters, and stone-walled legends.

Our first stop is Madaba, known as the “City of Mosaics.” This quiet Christian town hides a remarkable secret within the floor of its humble St. George’s Church — a dazzling 6th-century mosaic map, the oldest known cartographic depiction of the Holy Land. With over two million colored stones, the map includes depictions of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Dead Sea, and the Nile Delta, offering an ancient window into the sacred geography of this region. As your Anteros Travel guide brings the map to life, you’ll see not just geography, but faith, craftsmanship, and the worldview of a Byzantine empire.

From Madaba, we descend through barren hills and copper-colored cliffs until we reach the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. The air grows denser, the light more golden. Here, time slows. You’ll float effortlessly on water ten times saltier than the ocean — a sensation both surreal and meditative. Slather yourself in the legendary black mud, rich in minerals and said to be Cleopatra’s own beauty secret. Then rinse off in the warm, buoyant waters and soak up the desert sun.

After lunch, we continue south to one of the Middle East’s most imposing medieval relics — the Crusader fortress of Kerak. Rising defiantly atop a rocky spur, Kerak is not just a castle; it is a monument to centuries of struggle between Crusaders and Muslims. As we explore its vaulted chambers, underground passageways, and arrow-slit windows, your guide will recount tales of siege, betrayal, and the larger-than-life figures who ruled here — including the notorious Reynald de Châtillon, whose actions ignited the wrath of Saladin himself.

As the sun dips behind the hills, we wind through the rugged canyons and silent plateaus of southern Jordan until we reach the ancient city of Petra, where we’ll stay for the next two nights. The air feels different here, like a secret waiting to be revealed.

Overnight in Petra

Your stay can be arranged at a serene, boutique-style hotel nestled near the entrance to the archaeological site — the perfect sanctuary before tomorrow’s unforgettable adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast

“Where Sandstone Whispers the Secrets of Civilizations”

There are few places on Earth where the silence of a canyon speaks louder than words — and today, you’ll understand why Petra is one of them.

Rising early, we begin our walk toward the hidden entrance of the lost city. A sense of mystery builds with every step along the Siq, a narrow, winding gorge that stretches for over a kilometer. Its soaring walls, carved by time and water, close in around you — sunlight flickers through the crevices, painting the sandstone in shifting tones of gold, crimson, and rose. You’ll feel a hush settle over the group as the canyon suddenly opens up to reveal a sight that has stunned travelers for centuries: Al-Khazneh, the Treasury.

Carved directly into the cliff face more than 2,000 years ago by the Nabataeans, the Treasury is both temple and tomb, its intricate façade standing 40 meters tall in silent grandeur. Was it a royal mausoleum? A repository for sacred scrolls? Or, as legend holds, the hiding place of pharaohs’ gold? Your Egyptologist guide from Anteros Travel will share the latest archaeological theories — and some myths, too.

Beyond the Treasury, Petra unfolds in layers. We follow ancient colonnaded streets, visit the Royal Tombs carved high into the cliffs, and admire the Theatre, once echoing with the voices of 8,500 spectators. You’ll learn about the Nabataeans — skilled merchants and ingenious engineers who mastered the desert with their rock-cut architecture, water channels, and spiritual artistry.

This afternoon, your time is your own. For those with adventurous spirit and sturdy shoes, we highly recommend climbing the 850 rock-hewn steps to the Monastery (Ad Deir). Larger than the Treasury, and arguably even more majestic, this isolated monument offers sweeping views over the Araba Valley and into the dusky cliffs of the Edom Mountains. The climb is a rite of passage — and the reward at the summit is sublime.

Alternatively, you might choose to ascend the High Place of Sacrifice, where weathered altars offer insights into Nabataean rituals and panoramic views look down upon the silent ruins.

As dusk approaches, consider returning to Petra for an optional experience: Petra by Night. The Siq is lit by over 1,500 candles, guiding you back to the Treasury beneath a blanket of stars. As you sit cross-legged in the stillness of the night, listening to traditional Bedouin music, Petra reveals a different side — spiritual, serene, and deeply moving.

Overnight in Petra

Our handpicked accommodation ensures a peaceful rest with views of the sandstone cliffs that cradle this ancient marvel.

Meals included: Breakfast

“Desert Dreams and Bedouin Nights”

Today, we trade the intricate stonework of Petra for the vast, echoing silence of Wadi Rum — a place so hauntingly beautiful that T.E. Lawrence called it “vast, echoing and God-like.” It’s not just a desert; it’s a canvas of wind-carved mountains, crimson sand dunes, and ancient rock inscriptions — a place where the Earth feels ancient and the sky endless.

After breakfast, we travel south through ever-changing terrain, arriving at the edge of the protected Wadi Rum Reserve. Here, the paved road ends and the journey takes a thrilling turn: we switch into 4WD vehicles driven by local Bedouin — the descendants of the nomads who have navigated these dunes for centuries.

As we drive deeper into the wilderness, the outside world slips away. Colossal rock formations — like Jebel Khazali, Jebel Umm Ishrin, and the majestic Seven Pillars of Wisdom — rise from the desert floor like fossilized gods. Along the way, we’ll stop to read Thamudic and Nabataean inscriptions etched into stone, evidence of long-lost caravans and ancient pilgrims. Your guide will share stories of how this region once formed part of the trade route between Arabia and the Mediterranean.

We pause for tea beneath a natural rock bridge, its weathered arch suspended against a sapphire sky. There’s time to scramble up the dunes, capture surreal photographs, or simply breathe in the silence — a silence so profound it has a sound all its own.

By late afternoon, we reach our Bedouin-style desert camp, set against a backdrop of rose-tinted cliffs. Here, time slows. As the sun dips below the horizon, the sky ignites in flame: shades of orange, rose, and purple drape the sands. This is a moment you’ll never forget — a sunset so perfect it could have been painted.

As stars begin to pierce the twilight, dinner is served. You’ll feast on Zarb, a traditional Bedouin barbecue slow-cooked underground, accompanied by warm flatbreads, mezze, and spiced rice. We dine by lantern-light, gathered around the fire under a sky overflowing with constellations.

Later, retreat to your private tent — simple, comfortable, and woven with tradition. The night air is cool, the quiet infinite, and if you stay up just a little longer, you may see a shooting star blaze across the firmament.

Overnight in Wadi Rum Desert Camp

Private Bedouin-style tent with communal bathrooms, starry skies included.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

“From Bedouin Sands to Red Sea Shores”

We rise with the desert sun, as the golden light spills over the sandstone cliffs — the silence still wrapped around us like a soft veil. After a warm Bedouin breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to Wadi Rum, taking one last look at the dreamlike dunes before we head back toward the coast.

Our route winds south to Aqaba, Jordan’s only port city, nestled between red mountains and turquoise waters. This vibrant city has been a key trading post for millennia, and the gateway to a new chapter in our journey. Here, we say a heartfelt goodbye to our Jordanian guide — who has shared the soul of his homeland with us — and board the ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba, leaving behind the Arabian Peninsula for the storied sands of Egypt.

Upon arrival in Taba, we’re met by our Anteros Travel representative on the Egyptian side. After immigration formalities (and assistance with visa-on-arrival if needed), we begin the scenic drive south along the Sinai coast toward the laid-back resort town of Dahab, the jewel of the Red Sea.

Where other Red Sea cities rush to dazzle, Dahab whispers. Once a sleepy Bedouin fishing village, it still retains its relaxed, bohemian charm — where camels walk the shoreline and divers sip hibiscus tea by moonlight. As the mountains loom to our west and the sea sparkles to our east, we check in to a seafront resort that promises peace, palms, and playful breezes.

Spend the afternoon unwinding. Stroll the promenade, feel the warm sand between your toes, or simply rest by the water with a fresh mango juice in hand.

Dinner is served at the hotel, and the evening is yours to enjoy the serenity of this peaceful enclave, where the sky glows pink and the only sound is the whisper of the waves.

Overnight in Dahab – Beachfront Red Sea Resort

Private rooms, pool, spa access, and views to soothe the soul.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

“Reefs, Rays, and Red Sea Magic”

Wake up to the salty breeze of the Red Sea and the slow rhythm of Dahab life. After breakfast, we head just a few kilometers north to one of the planet’s most famous dive sites: the Blue Hole.

This natural underwater sinkhole, plunging to a depth of 120 meters, is renowned not just for its dramatic depth but for the coral gardens that ring its rim. Whether you’re snorkeling for the first time or are a seasoned marine explorer, this vibrant aquatic playground never fails to astound. Watch as parrotfish, angelfish, rays, and perhaps even a curious sea turtle glide past you, weaving through corals of electric blue and purple.

Afterwards, return to Dahab for a free afternoon. You may choose to:

• Relax on the beach under a canopy of palms
• Wander the local bazaar, filled with woven scarves, handmade jewelry, and sea glass trinkets
• Try a seaside café for grilled seafood and Bedouin coffee
• Or book an optional introductory scuba dive if you’re feeling adventurous

Come evening, enjoy another relaxed dinner by the sea. The calm of Dahab is a kind of magic that settles deep in your bones.

Overnight in Dahab – Red Sea Resort

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

“From the Sea to the Sacred”

The morning is yours. Take a final walk along the shoreline, shop for handmade Bedouin jewelry, or simply breathe in the sea breeze one last time.

After lunch at a local restaurant in Dahab, we ascend into the Sinai Mountains, a rugged and dramatic range steeped in religious and historical significance. As we climb to 1,600 meters, the temperature cools and the desert transforms.

By late afternoon, we reach the base of Mount Sinai, home to the sacred St. Catherine’s Monastery, one of the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monasteries in the world. Nestled beneath the mountain where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments, the monastery houses priceless manuscripts, icons, and the fabled Burning Bush.

After a brief orientation walk (the full visit comes tomorrow), we check into our modest guesthouse near the monastery for an early dinner and rest — tomorrow’s sunrise promises magic.

Overnight in St. Catherine village guesthouse

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

“Steps of the Prophet, Lights of the Nile”

Today begins long before the sun rises.

At around 2:00 AM, those who choose to do so will begin the pilgrimage up Mount Sinai, known as Jebel Musa — the mountain where, according to Abrahamic tradition, Moses received the Ten Commandments. This sacred peak has been revered for centuries, and its summit is still a place of quiet awe.

You ascend under a canopy of stars, accompanied by a local Bedouin guide, the rocky trail lit by lanterns and headlamps. Camels may be hired for part of the way, but the final 750 steps — the Steps of Repentance, carved by monks — must be climbed on foot. At the summit, 2,285 meters high, dawn begins to stretch over the desert. The view is breathtaking, with layered hills unfurling like waves across the horizon. A moment for silence, prayer, or reflection.

After descending, we return to our guesthouse for a well-earned breakfast. Later, we take a short walk to St. Catherine’s Monastery, founded in the 6th century and one of the oldest functioning Christian monasteries on Earth. Here lies a chapel built over the Burning Bush, ancient manuscripts in Greek, Arabic, and Syriac, and towering walls that have survived countless invasions.

With hearts full, we drive northward across the Sinai Peninsula, tracing the path of ancient caravans and crossing the Suez Canal, the watery boundary between Africa and Asia. As evening falls, the vast, electric city of Cairo welcomes us back.

You check into a comfortable four-star hotel in the heart of the city. The Nile shimmers beneath your balcony. Tomorrow, you’ll meet the pyramids face to face.

Overnight in Cairo – Four-star hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

“Legacy of the Pharaohs”

Today we turn the pages of history back nearly 5,000 years.

After breakfast, we journey to Giza, the legendary plateau where the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World still stands — the Great Pyramid of Khufu. Towering at 146 meters in its original form, it remains a marvel of engineering. Alongside it rise the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, together forming a timeless skyline against the desert.

Your expert Anteros Egyptologist guide walks you through the Valley Temple and introduces you to the enigmatic Sphinx — the half-lion, half-man guardian that has stood watch for millennia.

After this unforgettable encounter, we visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), Egypt’s newest and most spectacular museum near the pyramids. Inside await over 100,000 artefacts, including treasures of Tutankhamun, colossal statues of Ramses II, intricately painted sarcophagi, and royal mummies. The storytelling here is immersive, and your guide will bring it all vividly to life.

Return to your hotel by late afternoon. In the evening, you might explore the famous Khan el-Khalili bazaar, or relax on a rooftop overlooking the river.

Overnight in Cairo – Four-star hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

“From Golden Masks to Medieval Minarets”

We begin the day with a visit to the original Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, home to the iconic gold death mask of King Tutankhamun. Though many exhibits have now moved to the new GEM, the charm and legacy of this classic museum remains, with its marble staircases and dusty cabinets evoking a golden age of discovery.

The rest of the day is yours to shape. You may wish to:

• Visit Saqqara, home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the prototype of all pyramids.
• Explore Islamic Cairo, including the Citadel of Saladin, the Alabaster Mosque, and ornate medieval madrassas.
• Stroll the shaded courtyards and hidden alleys of Coptic Cairo, where ancient churches tell stories from the early days of Christianity.

This evening, you’ll board your sleeper train to Luxor, traveling in private cabins with fold-down beds, meals served by carriage attendants, and the rhythmic lull of the rails transporting you through the Nile Valley.

Overnight Sleeper Train to Luxor

Private sleeper cabins with dinner and breakfast service.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

“Where Gods Walked Among Men”

As the sun rises, your train pulls into Luxor, once the ancient city of Thebes, capital of the New Kingdom and revered as the world’s greatest open-air museum. After dropping bags at your hotel and freshening up, we begin our exploration with a visit to the majestic Temple of Karnak.

Stretching over 200 acres, Karnak is a vast complex of temples, pylons, and chapels built over 2,000 years. You’ll stand beneath the immense Hypostyle Hall, where 134 soaring columns, each over 10 meters tall, seem to hold up the heavens. Your Egyptologist guide deciphers the stories etched into their surfaces — tales of gods like Amun-Ra and triumphs of kings like Seti I and Ramses II. It’s a place that humbles, overwhelms, and inspires.

In the afternoon, we take a serene felucca sail on the Nile. These traditional wooden sailboats drift quietly across the water, powered only by wind and steered by the wisdom of generations. Watch the sun dance on the river’s surface, palm trees swaying on the banks, and local life playing out along the shore.

Back at your hotel, you’ll have the evening at leisure. Consider dinner overlooking the Nile or an optional visit to Luxor Temple illuminated at night — a magical sight.

Overnight in Luxor – Four-star hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

“Whispers from the Afterlife”

Rise early for a journey to the West Bank of Luxor, where the land of the living gives way to the realm of the dead. The Valley of the Kings, hidden between craggy cliffs, cradles over 60 royal tombs, including that of Tutankhamun. You’ll enter three elaborately decorated tombs — their walls still vibrant with scenes of the afterlife, gods, and the king’s rebirth.

Next, we visit the striking Temple of Hatshepsut, a masterpiece of symmetry and elegance carved directly into the cliffs. Hatshepsut, one of Egypt’s few female pharaohs, defied tradition to rule with wisdom and strength. Her temple honors her divine birth, expeditions to Punt, and her unprecedented legacy.

We continue to the Temple of Medinet Habu, a lesser-known gem built by Ramses III. It’s a warrior’s temple, its walls alive with battle scenes, divine rituals, and inscriptions that have survived the centuries. Your guide will decode its hidden meanings, offering one of the most complete narratives of pharaonic warfare and ceremony.

Return to the hotel by mid-afternoon for some rest, a dip in the pool, or an optional visit to the Luxor Museum, home to a finely curated collection of royal statues and funerary objects.

Overnight in Luxor – Four-star hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

“The Sky Over the Ancients”

For those craving a breathtaking finale, rise before dawn for an optional hot air balloon ride over Luxor. Drift silently above the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple, and the lush ribbon of green tracing the Nile — all glowing in the golden light of sunrise. Few experiences match this one.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. You might explore the colorful tombs of Deir el-Medina, the village of the workers who built the Valley of the Kings. Or venture out to Dendera Temple, dedicated to the goddess Hathor, with its celestial ceiling and secret underground crypts.

Prefer to take it slow? Linger by the pool, pick up last-minute souvenirs in the bazaars, or enjoy a quiet moment with the Nile.

Overnight in Luxor – Four-star hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

“The Journey Lives On”

After breakfast, our extraordinary journey comes to an end. Some may stay longer, others return home with hearts full of memories — the whisper of the desert, the gaze of the Sphinx, the golden mask of a boy king.

Anteros Travel offers complimentary airport transfers to Luxor International Airport for all departing guests.

As you fly away from this land of wonders, may the stories of ancient kings and desert stars stay with you always.

Meals included: Breakfast