Desert Trails & Ancient Tales of Egypt and Jordan

Day 1 - Saturday 7 November 2026

Melbourne - Cairo (in-flight meals)

Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel!  

Meet your Sisterhood Tour Hostess and your fellow travel sisters at Melbourne Airport as your great adventure begins. With anticipation in the air, we farewell home and set our sights on the land of pharaohs and pyramids.

Settle in, relax, and enjoy the in-flight entertainment as we journey towards the magic and mystery of Egypt.

Day 2 - Sunday 8 November 2026

Cairo (D)

Upon arrival in Cairo, we will be met by a representative who will provide assistance with airport and visa formalities.  

We'll then transfer to our hotel to check in and meet our tour Leader for a briefing on the Egypt portion of our tour.

The remainder of our day is at leisure.

Our welcome dinner tonight is at our hotel.

Overnight - Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile Hotel (or similar)

Day 3 - Monday 9 November 2026

Cairo - Luxor (B, L, D)

Early this morning, we fly to the timeless city of Luxor, where our local representative takes us straight into the heart of ancient Egypt. Our day begins with a guided visit to the awe-inspiring Karnak Temple Complex — the largest religious structure ever built and over 3,500 years old — dedicated to the mighty ram-headed god Amun. We wander among towering columns, sacred courtyards, and ancient hieroglyphs that whisper stories of pharaohs and forgotten rituals.

Following our tour, we transfer to our beautiful Nile cruise ship and settle in for a relaxing four-night journey on the world’s most famous river. All meals from lunch today through to breakfast on the final day are included and served onboard.

This evening, we enjoy a guided visit to the stunning Luxor Temple, dramatically illuminated after dark. This sacred site was dedicated to the holy triad of Amun, his wife Mut, and their son Khons, and played a central role in the legendary Opet Festival held during the ancient flood season.

Tonight, our ship remains moored in Luxor as the city glows softly around us.

Overnight - Sonesta Sun Goddess Cruise (or similar)

Day 4 - Tuesday 10 November 2026

Cruising the Nile (B, L, D)

Early this morning, after breakfast, we set out to explore the legendary West Bank of Luxor. Our first stop is the world-famous Valley of the Kings, where we descend into some of the remarkable tombs of the New Kingdom pharaohs, their vivid wall paintings and hieroglyphs still glowing after thousands of years. From here, we continue to the majestic Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, an architectural masterpiece dramatically built into the cliffs.

We then visit the breathtaking Tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens. Known as Nefertari Meritmut, she was the first and most beloved Great Royal Wife of Ramesses the Great and is regarded as one of Egypt’s most celebrated queens alongside Cleopatra, Nefertiti, and Hatshepsut. Highly educated and able to read and write hieroglyphs — a rare skill at the time — she played an active diplomatic role through correspondence with other royal courts. Her lavishly decorated tomb, QV66, is considered one of the largest and most spectacular in the Valley of the Queens. Ramses later honoured her by constructing a magnificent temple for her beside his colossal monument at Abu Simbel.

We finish our touring with a stop at the mighty Colossi of Memnon, standing guard over the ancient Theban necropolis. We also visit a local Alabaster Factory for a short demonstration showing how this beautiful stone is handcrafted into household items.

Returning to the ship for lunch, we then set sail toward Esna, passing through its famous lock before continuing onward to Edfu, where we enjoy our overnight stay on board.

Optional Hot Air Balloon Experience – $335 per person
Before dawn, we transfer from our cruise vessel by air-conditioned minibus to a motor launch and cross the Nile to the West Bank balloon launch site. After a full safety briefing and final inflation, we gently rise into the sky for a magical one-hour balloon flight over Luxor. From above, we enjoy breathtaking views of temples, tombs, and farmland stretching across the Nile Valley, watching as farmers begin their day in the fields below. After landing, we are transferred back to the launch site and return to our cruise ship.

Overnight - Sonesta Sun Goddess Cruise (or similar)

Day 5 - Wednesday 11 November 2026

Cruising the Nile (B, L, D)

Early this morning, we visit Edfu.  The city of Edfu is home to the famous Temple of Horus. The 2,000-year-old Temple was dedicated to the Son of Osiris, Horus the Falcon-Headed God, and is the best preserved and most complete temple in Egypt.

We then return to our ship and sail up the Nile to Kom Ombo.  

In the afternoon, we visit the Temple of Kom Ombo.  This is a Dual Greco-Roman Egyptian Temple dedicated to the Evil Crocodile god Sobek and the Good Falcon God Haroeris, which stands overlooking the Nile and had sacred crocodiles kept as pets.  

This evening, we sail to Aswan, where our ship will be moored for the night.

Overnight - Sonesta Sun Goddess Cruise (or similar)

Day 6 - Thursday 12 November 2026

Cruising the Nile (B, L, D)

This morning, we visit the Temple of Philae, a majestic Greco-Roman Egyptian temple dedicated to the goddess Isis, the goddess of love.

Enjoying lunch on board before an afternoon felucca ride around Elephantine Island, followed by High Tea at the Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel, a historic British colonial era 5-star luxury resort hotel located on the banks of the River Nile in Aswan.  

Return to our ship for dinner and overnight on board.

Overnight - Sonesta Sun Goddess Cruise (or similar)

Day 7 - Friday 13 November 2026

Nile Cruise - Aswan - Abu Simbel - Cairo (B, L, D)

This morning, we disembark the ship, transfer to the airport and fly from Aswan to Abu Simbel.

Upon arrival in Abu Simbel, we will be taken on a tour.  Explore the famous temples at Abu Simbel, in southern Nubia, built by the pharaoh Ramses II in about 1260 B.C. to celebrate the 13th year of his reign.  Of all the pharaohs, Ramses II was the most prolific builder of monuments and temples.  Two of his most remarkable temples, the Great Temple of Abu Simbel and its smaller cousin, the Temple of Hathor, are at Abu Simbel.  Both temples originally sat some sixty metres below where you find them today. They were part of a massive UNESCO operation to save Egypt's Great Temples from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.  Embedded into the mountain itself, the temples had to be cut free from the rock and painstakingly dismantled and rebuilt.

Later, we transfer to the airport and fly to Cairo.

Upon arrival, we will be met and transferred to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Overnight - Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile Hotel (or similar)

Day 8 -Saturday 14 November 2026

Day at Leisure in Cairo (B, D)

Today is a full day at leisure in Cairo, giving us the freedom to explore at our own pace or relax.  We may choose to wander through bustling bazaars, enjoy a leisurely coffee along the Nile, visit a local museum, or indulge in some shopping. For those who prefer a slower pace, today is perfect for resting, reflecting, and soaking up the atmosphere of this vibrant city before our onward journey.

Our Sisterhood Hostess remains on hand to assist with any ideas, directions, or optional experiences.

Dinner tonight at our hotel.

Overnight - Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile Hotel (or similar)

Day 9 - Sunday 15 November 2026

Cairo - Bahariya Oasis - White Desert (B, L, D)

This morning, we depart for the stunning Bahariya Oasis, a scenic journey of approximately five hours through Egypt’s ever-changing desert landscapes. Upon arrival, we transfer into rugged 4WD jeeps and set off on an exhilarating desert safari toward the breathtaking White Desert (approximately three hours including sightseeing stops). Along the way, we explore the dramatic volcanic terrain of the Black Desert and the surreal limestone formations of the White Desert, enjoying a picnic safari lunch surrounded by otherworldly scenery.

Arriving in the White Desert before sunset, we witness the shifting colours of the sky as the remarkable chalk formations glow in soft gold and blush hues. A traditional BBQ dinner is prepared for us under the open sky before we settle into our desert camp for the night. Clean sleeping bags and tents are provided as we drift off beneath a blanket of stars in absolute silence. It is, quite simply, a once-in-a-lifetime desert experience. On past tours, many of our sisters have enjoyed sleeping directly under the stars, weather permitting!

Overnight - Desert Camp

Day 10 - Monday 16 November 2026

White Desert - Bayariya Oasis (B, L, D)

Early morning, we enjoy a breakfast picnic in the Sahara. 

We then return to Bahariya Oasis and, along the way, explore Crystal Mountain, the area of the wonders with the desert roses, and the Black Desert.  Also visit Akabat Mountain (Mountain of Miracles).

Upon arrival, check in to our hotel for lunch and overnight accommodation

Dinner tonight will be at our hotel.

Overnight - International Hot Spring Hotel, Bahariya Oasis (or similar)

Day 11 - Tuesday 17 November 2026

Bahariya Oasis - Cairo (B, D)

After breakfast, we enjoy a tour of the Golden Mummies Museum and some well-preserved 26th Dynasty tombs.  We check out of our hotel and travel by coach to Cairo (approximately 5 hours). 

Arrive in Cairo in the evening and transfer to the hotel.

Early this evening, a fun experience - a 1-hour Belly Dancing course.  The name “belly dance” or “raks sharki” has a long and colourful history.  Belly dancing does not mean moving only the belly.  When women belly dance, they use their entire body, including their head, hair, shoulders, arms, hands, chest, belly, hips, bottom, legs and feet.  It is magic!  Belly dancing is popular not only in Egypt but also in many other Oriental countries.  Egypt, however, is the first country to come to mind when one thinks of belly dancing.

Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant.

Overnight - Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile Hotel (or similar)

Day 12 - Wednesday 18 November 2026

Cairo (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we've all been excited to see the awe-inspiring Sphinx and Giza Pyramids.

The Pyramids are the only surviving wonders of the ancient world. The Great Pyramid of Cheops will take about a 45-minute stop, then the other two Pyramids of Chephren and Mykerinos (entry into one of the Pyramids is available at an approximate additional cost of USD30, depending on which are open).

Free time for (optional) camel ride - be sure to settle on a price before participating!

The Sphinx is a limestone statue carved into a one-block monument for King Cheops, depicting him as a sitting lion with a human head.  Just next to the Sphinx, see the valley temple of King Cheops.  A small temple built of red granite from Aswan. Egyptologists believe that this temple was the site of the royal mummification.

The solar boat museum (optional visit at an additional cost of USD20) is located just behind the Cheops Pyramid, it is a small boat-shaped museum in which you will see a large wooden boat belonging to King Cheops himself. It’s one of five boats that were buried around his Pyramid for the afterlife.

Proceed to Sakkara, a large open-air desert area (a lot of walking), about a half-hour drive from the Giza Pyramids through the countryside.  This rich archaeological necropolis houses the funeral complex of King Zoser, including his step pyramid, the oldest pyramid in Egypt.  See one or more of the Nobles’ tombs.  They show the beauty and excellence of ancient Egyptian art and give an insight into daily life in ancient Egypt, as depicted in the walls of these tombs in beautiful, coloured scenes.

See the Pyramid of King Teti (if it is open). It’s a small limestone pyramid in poor condition. Still, when you go inside, you will be surprised by its marvellous decorations and the famous religious texts written in beautiful hieroglyphic vertical columns.  

Lunch will be at a local restaurant.

We then head to Memphis, an open-air museum built on the ruins of the oldest capital city in ancient Egypt, housing a collection of antiques, mainly the colossal statue of King Ramses II, carved of one block of limestone weighing 80 tons and measuring 12 metres high.  You may also see the famous alabaster Sphinx of Memphis, along with many other monuments.

Make a stop at a papyrus institute to attend a demonstration on how ancient Egyptians made papyrus and have a chance to buy some souvenirs.

This evening, we will enjoy a one-hour Sound & Light show near the pyramids and the Sphinx. The Sphinx retells the history, revealing the world's most ancient secrets.  In the 21st century, travel back thousands of years to see how they were built and how they survived!

Return to our hotel for dinner.

Overnight - Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile Hotel (or similar)

Day 13 - Thursday 19 November 2026

Cairo - Khan El Khalily Bazaar and Free Afternoon (B, D)

This morning we'll visit Khan El Khalily Souk (old market).  Step into the heart of Cairo’s vibrant culture at Khan El Khalily, one of the oldest and most famous bazaars in the Middle East.  Wander through a maze of narrow alleys lined with stalls overflowing with colourful spices, glittering lanterns, handcrafted jewellery and traditional textiles.  The souk is a feast for the senses—aromas of exotic perfumes and freshly brewed coffee mingle with the sounds of merchants calling out their wares.  Take time to sip mint tea at a historic café, soak in the lively atmosphere and perhaps bargain for a unique souvenir to remember the journey.  This is more than a market; it’s a living piece of Cairo’s history and an unmissable cultural experience.

This afternoon is at leisure. 

Dinner tonight will be at the hotel.

Overnight - Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile Hotel (or similar)

Day 14 - Friday 20 November 2026

Cairo (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we'll enjoy a guided tour of Cairo.  Visit the Citadel and Mohamed Aly Mosque.  It is one of Cairo’s most popular tourist attractions.  The Citadel is an old fortress originally built by Salah El-Din (Saladin) in 1176 to fortify the city against the crusaders.  It is a complex which houses a number of museums, mosques and other sites, located on a spur of limestone that had been detached from its parent Mokattam Hills by quarrying.  The most famous mosque in the Citadel is the alabaster mosque of Mohamed Ali the Great, built in 1850.

Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant at El Azhar Park.

Next, we visit the Egyptian Museum (GEM).  The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), also known as the Giza Museum, is a planned museum of artefacts of ancient Egypt.  Described as the largest archaeological museum in the world, exhibiting the full Tutankhamun collection with many pieces to be displayed for the first time.  The museum is situated on 50 hectares of land, approximately two kilometres from the Giza pyramids, and is part of a new master plan for the plateau.

Old Museum Description:  The Egyptian government established the ‘Service des Antiques de l’Egypte’ in 1835 mainly to halt the plundering of archaeological sites and to arrange the exhibition of the collected artefacts owned by the government.  The Azbakiah garden in Cairo was first used as a storage place for these artefacts.  The collection was later transferred to another building in the Citadel of Saladin. In 1858, a museum was prepared at Boulaq, its contents collected by the French archaeologist August Mariette. In 1880, the contents of the Boulaq museum were transferred to an annex of the Guiza palace of Ismail Pasha, the ruler of Egypt.  The present museum was built in 1900, in the neo-classical style by the French architect Marcel Dourgnon.

The museum contains 107 halls.  On the ground floor are the huge statues, and the upper floor houses small statues, jewels, and the golden treasures of the boy-king Tutankhamun.  It also houses the Royal Mummies Room (optional admission: USD23 approx.).

Dinner tonight will be at our hotel.

Overnight - Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile Hotel (or similar)

Day 15 - Saturday 21 November 2026

Cairo - Amman, Jordan (B,D)

This morning we will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Amman, Jordan.

Upon arrival at Queen Alia Airport, you will be met and assisted through customs and immigration.  Then we will be transferred to our hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure.

Dinner tonight will be at the hotel.

Overnight - Sulaf Hotel, Amman (or similar)

Day 16 - Sunday 22 November 2026

Amman - Jerash - Amman (B,D)

After breakfast this morning, we take a city tour of Amman, Jordan’s capital. 

Amman, already mentioned in the Bible as Rabbath Ammon, is a bustling modern city.  Historical places are located downtown, where we visit the Citadel, with remains from the Roman period to the very Islamic period.  Then visit the Archaeological Museum.  Stroll via the Souq, for an idea of everyday life, to the 6000-seat Roman Theatre from the 2nd Century. Visit the Jordan Museum, considered the largest and holds the most important archaeological findings, including the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Drive north to Jerash, the best-preserved Roman provincial city in the Middle East.  Visit the spectacular Forum, Roman colonnaded Street, the Nymphaeum and the Temple of Artemis.

Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Amman.

Overnight - Sulaf Hotel, Amman (or similar)

Day 17 - Monday 23 November 2026

Amman - Mt Nebo - Madaba - Kerak - Petra (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we depart for Mt Nebo, the place where Moses gazed at the Promised Land before he died.  We visit the old monastery and overlook the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, Jericho, and Jerusalem, and then proceed to Madaba to see the famous 6th-century mosaic map of Palestine in St George's Church. 

Afterwards, we drive to Kerak along the famous ancient biblical caravan route, the King’s Way, and make a short stop in Wadi Al-Mujib, a broad valley with breathtaking geological formations.  In Kerak, the ancient biblical capital of the Moabites, see the famous Crusader castle built in 1132/34 by King Baldwin I of Jerusalem. 

We continue to Petra, arrive and check into our hotel.

Dinner tonight will be at Al Qantarah Restaurant.

Overnight:  The Old Village Hotel & Resort, Petra (or similar)

Day 18 - Tuesday 24 November 2026

Petra (B,D)

After breakfast, enjoy a full-day tour of the Red Rose City, Petra, Jordan's biggest attraction.  Petra was first established around the 6th century BC by the Nabataean Arabs, a nomadic tribe who settled in the area and laid the foundations of a commercial empire that extended to Syria.  After the conquest by the Romans in 106AD, Petra declined in importance.  The city was rediscovered in the 19th century by the Swiss explorer, Johann Burchardt. 

Upon arrival, we will begin an unforgettable horseback trip to the canyon (you can choose to walk), the so-called Siq, and then continue on foot to the most beautiful monument – the treasury.  The local guide will give a brief history of the city.  Among other monuments we will see are the Pharaoh’s Castle, the Street of Facades and the Royal Tombs. 

This evening, we will enjoy a cookery course on traditional Jordanian food.  In a relaxed atmosphere, gather to prepare an evening meal, working alongside local women under the supervision of a chef.  Each evening meal includes soup, cold and hot mezza, salads, and a main course.  Get an inside glimpse of the secrets behind the famous regional cuisine of the Levant.  Includes the cuisine course, non-alcoholic beverage, and take-home recipes for all dishes prepared that evening. 

Overnight:  The Old Village Hotel & Resort, Petra (or similar)

Day 19 - Wednesday 25 November 2026

Petra - Hike to Monastery - Little Petra (B,D)

After breakfast, another day to visit Petra.  You may hike the 800 steps to the Monastery or also known as the Ad Deir though the main trail.  Then visit the bizarre landscape of Little Petra, visit Siq el-Barid, a miniature Petra with its modest gorge (Siq) that leads into an area of carved tombs and monuments. 

Tonight, we enjoy dinner at a local Bedouin camp in Little Petra before transferring back to the hotel. 

Overnight:  The Old Village Hotel & Resort, Petra (or similar)

Day 20 - Thursday 26 November 2026

Petra - Wadi Rum - Dead Sea (B,D)

After breakfast, we travel southwards for 4 hours via the Desert Highway to Wadi Rum, the wild desert landscape which fascinated the British liaison officer, Lawrence of Arabia. 

We embark on a 3-hour Bedouin Jeep Tour to the dunes in Wadi Rum Ishrin, where we can find Nabatean rock inscriptions.  If time permits, we will make a short stop at the Hejaz Railway in Wadi Rum, which was constructed by the Ottomans between 1900 and 1908, primarily to facilitate pilgrimages to the Muslim Holy places in Arabia.

Drive 3½ hours to the Dead Sea and check in to our accommodation, followed by dinner.

Overnight:  Dead Sea Spa Resort, Dead Sea (or similar)

Day 21 - Friday 27 November 2026

Dead Sea (B,D)

Today, enjoy a day at leisure at the Dead Sea for exploring or enjoying the facilities of our resort.

With 400 metres below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth and the largest natural spa in the world.  Ever since the days of Herod the Great, people have flocked to it in search of its curative secrets.  The area is characterised by high annual temperatures, low humidity and high atmospheric pressure; the air is extremely oxygen-rich.  With the highest mineral and salt content in the world, the Dead Sea's water possesses anti-inflammatory properties, and the dark mud found on its shores has been used for therapeutic purposes for over 2000 years.  The beach is within walking distance of the resort, so we have the 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to float in the Dead Sea to experience the feeling of not sinking in the water. 

Tonight, let's celebrate our last night at our farewell dinner. 

Overnight:  Dead Sea Spa Resort, Dead Sea (or similar)

Day 22 - Saturday 28 November 2026

Dead Sea - Amman - Dubai (B, in-flight meals)

After breakfast, we have time at leisure until check-out and transfer to the airport for our return flight to Australia.

Please sit back, relax and enjoy the in-flight hospitality of our airline as we head towards home.

Day 23 - Sunday 29 November 2026

Dubai - Melbourne (in-flight meals)

Welcome Home! 

We arrive back into Melbourne in the evening and thank you for joining us for your latest adventure and look forward to welcoming you back.