Egypt and Jordan in 12 Days: A Realistic Itinerary

Spend seven days in Egypt (Cairo and Giza, a 3-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor) and five in Jordan (Amman and Jerash or the Dead Sea, two days at Petra, a night at Wadi Rum), connected by the short Cairo-Amman flight. Fly into one country and out of the other to avoid backtracking. A 12-day trip is a workable span for both countries; 14 days is comfortable.

Egypt and Jordan pair naturally. The two countries are a short flight apart, both reward travelers who love ancient history, and the contrast between the Nile Valley's temples and Petra's rock-cut city makes each feel fresher. The challenge is time: both countries have more than enough to fill 12 days on their own, so a combined trip depends on smart sequencing and honest trade-offs.

The itinerary below is realistic rather than rushed. It assumes private or small-group touring, one internal flight in Egypt and one flight between the countries, with road travel inside Jordan. It works in either direction, and we explain the adjustments for a 14-day version at the end.

The 12-day itinerary at a glance

Days 1 to 7: Egypt

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo

Arrive, meet your representative and transfer to your hotel. If you land early, a gentle walk or dinner by the Nile is enough; the next two days are full.

Day 2: Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum

Start at the Giza plateau soon after opening for the pyramids and the Great Sphinx, then spend the afternoon at the Grand Egyptian Museum, where Tutankhamun's treasures are displayed. This pairing of exposed plateau and indoor museum works well in any season.

Day 3: Saqqara and historic Cairo, evening flight to Aswan

Visit Saqqara for the Step Pyramid of Djoser and its decorated tombs, then choose Islamic Cairo or Coptic Cairo for the afternoon. Take an evening flight to Aswan.

Day 4: Philae, a felucca and boarding the cruise

Visit the Temple of Philae by motorboat and the High Dam, board your ship and finish with a felucca sail around the islands at sunset. You begin a 3-night cruise from Aswan to Luxor.

Day 5: Optional Abu Simbel, then sail

An optional very early excursion to Abu Simbel, by road or a short flight, returns before the ship sails north. In the afternoon, the ship sails to Kom Ombo and you visit its double temple.

Day 6: Edfu and Luxor's East Bank

Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, then sail to Luxor and visit Karnak and Luxor Temple, ideally the latter after dark.

Day 7: Luxor's West Bank, fly toward Amman

Disembark after an early morning on the West Bank: the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. Fly from Luxor to Cairo and connect to Amman, or stay overnight in Cairo and fly in the morning if connections are awkward.

Days 8 to 12: Jordan

Day 8: Amman and Jerash, or the Dead Sea

See Amman's Citadel and Roman Theatre, then drive to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the Middle East. If you prefer to rest after a demanding Egypt section, spend the day at the Dead Sea instead and float in its very salty water.

Day 9: Madaba, Mount Nebo and the drive to Petra

Drive south via Madaba, known for its Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land, and Mount Nebo, with views over the Jordan Valley. The drive to Petra takes about 3 to 4 hours plus stops. If Petra by Night runs that evening, it is a memorable first look at the Treasury by candlelight; it operates only on certain evenings, so check the current schedule.

Day 10: Petra

Give Petra a full day. Walk the Siq to the Treasury, continue along the Street of Facades to the Royal Tombs, and climb to the Monastery if your legs allow; the trail has hundreds of steps. Two days in Petra, counting the evening before, is the minimum to see more than the main path.

Day 11: Wadi Rum

Drive to Wadi Rum for a jeep tour among sandstone mountains, rock bridges and inscriptions, then spend the night in a desert camp. Clear nights are excellent for stargazing.

Day 12: Departure

Drive to Aqaba (about 1 hour) or Amman's airport (about 4 hours) for your flight home. Choose the airport based on your international connection.

Which country first?

Egypt first is usual because Nile cruise dates are the fixed element and the Jordan section is more flexible. Starting with the cruise lets you lock in the ship's departure day and build everything else around it.

Jordan first works equally well if flights are cheaper into Amman or your preferred cruise sails on a day that suits the reverse order. If you start in Jordan, consider a 4-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan instead, then fly home from Cairo after a final night there.

Flights and getting between the countries

Cairo and Amman are connected by direct flights of roughly 90 minutes, operated by the countries' national airlines among others; check current schedules when you plan. Aqaba has more limited connections with Cairo. An open-jaw international ticket, arriving in Cairo and leaving from Amman, is often only slightly more expensive than a round trip and saves a full day of backtracking.

An overland route via Taba and Aqaba, crossing from Sinai, exists but is slow and involves a border crossing and a ferry or long drives, so it rarely suits a 12-day trip.

Entry requirements

Both countries have their own entry rules for different nationalities, and these change. Check the current official guidance for Egypt and for Jordan for your passport before you book. In Jordan, ask about the Jordan Pass, which can combine visa and site entry for many nationalities.

The trade-offs of 12 days

A combined trip in 12 days works, but it involves choices:

• A 3-night cruise rather than 4.
• One major museum in Cairo rather than three.
• One night in Wadi Rum rather than two.
• The Dead Sea as a day visit rather than an overnight stay.

With 14 days, restore the 4-night cruise (or add a night in Aswan), add a Dead Sea night and give Cairo an extra day. You can browse Egypt tours and Nile cruises to see how the Egypt section can expand.

Best seasons

Spring and fall are comfortable seasons for both countries. Winter is excellent in Egypt but can be cold in Petra and Wadi Rum, especially at night. Summer is very hot in Upper Egypt and in the Jordanian desert.

Frequently asked questions

Is 12 days enough for Egypt and Jordan?

Yes, with a 3-night cruise and two Petra days. You will see the highlights of both countries, but the pace is steady. 14 days is more relaxed and lets you add the Dead Sea overnight and a longer cruise.

Which country should I visit first?

Egypt first usually works best, because cruise dates fix the schedule. Either order is possible, and Jordan first can make sense when flights into Amman are better. Build the plan around the cruise either way.

How do you get from Egypt to Jordan?

The easiest option is a direct flight of about 90 minutes from Cairo to Amman. Overland via Taba and Aqaba is possible but slow and rarely worth it on a short trip. Check current flight schedules when you book.

Do I need a visa for both countries?

Entry rules depend on your passport and can change, so please check the official source before you travel. In Jordan, the Jordan Pass may simplify entry for eligible visitors.

Is one day enough for Petra?

One day shows you the main route from the Siq to the Treasury and the Royal Tombs, but it is tiring. Two days, or an evening plus a full day, lets you add the Monastery and a less rushed pace. Good walking shoes are essential.

Plan it with Nourbelle

A Nourbelle specialist can match your cruise date to flights into and out of both countries. Share your dates on the plan your trip page.