Ultimate Jordan

About the Experience

EXPERIENCE JORDAN

Jordan is tightly-wrapped in mystical mystery, isn’t it? The enormous and ancient ruins are overwhelming. Everything is deeply-dug in yesteryear from the fragrant za’atar and sumac spices to the Bedouin camps and goat herds that pepper the dramatic landscape.

This trip delivers everything from the warm embrace of the Red Sea to the saline Dead Sea to the iconic Wadi Rum. You’ll jump from Jeeps to camels to boats in this itinerary that spoils at every turn with unmatched opportunities to completely submerge yourself in the Jordanian culture.

Participate in lively cooking workshops at the Beit Khayrat Souf, a unique women-owned and managed cafe. At Iraq al-Amir Cooperative, you’ll be able to participate in a paper-making or weaving project with local women of all ages who are gaining confidence through financial independence by creating and selling their handmade artisan projects.

You’ll sleep soundly knowing that you are supporting socially and environmentally responsible, low-impact stays in Jordan like the solar-powered Fenyan Ecolodge and the Red Valley domes (that are akin to sleeping on Mars) at the Memories Aicha Luxury Camp in Wadi Rum.

This trip was designed to integrate the intimacy of community integration, Petra’s iconic sites and all the tempting flavours of Jordan. This trip is truly all-encompassing from mesmerizing sunrise camel rides to Dead Sea salt scrubs to Red Sea snorkeling. You can also have breakfast with Arabian horses at the Royal Stables!

Get your fill of falafels, biospheres bursting with biodiversity, old Roman roads, henna art and a little natural Kohl eyeliner for good measure.

Shall we reserve a camel and a candlelit room for you?

Click here to see the full itinerary!
Ultimate Jordan

About the Experience

EXPERIENCE JORDAN

Jordan is tightly-wrapped in mystical mystery, isn’t it? The enormous and ancient ruins are overwhelming. Everything is deeply-dug in yesteryear from the fragrant za’atar and sumac spices to the Bedouin camps and goat herds that pepper the dramatic landscape.

This trip delivers everything from the warm embrace of the Red Sea to the saline Dead Sea to the iconic Wadi Rum. You’ll jump from Jeeps to camels to boats in this itinerary that spoils at every turn with unmatched opportunities to completely submerge yourself in the Jordanian culture.

Participate in lively cooking workshops at the Beit Khayrat Souf, a unique women-owned and managed cafe. At Iraq al-Amir Cooperative, you’ll be able to participate in a paper-making or weaving project with local women of all ages who are gaining confidence through financial independence by creating and selling their handmade artisan projects.

You’ll sleep soundly knowing that you are supporting socially and environmentally responsible, low-impact stays in Jordan like the solar-powered Fenyan Ecolodge and the Red Valley domes (that are akin to sleeping on Mars) at the Memories Aicha Luxury Camp in Wadi Rum.

This trip was designed to integrate the intimacy of community integration, Petra’s iconic sites and all the tempting flavours of Jordan. This trip is truly all-encompassing from mesmerizing sunrise camel rides to Dead Sea salt scrubs to Red Sea snorkeling. You can also have breakfast with Arabian horses at the Royal Stables!

Get your fill of falafels, biospheres bursting with biodiversity, old Roman roads, henna art and a little natural Kohl eyeliner for good measure.

Shall we reserve a camel and a candlelit room for you?

DAY 1 WELCOME TO JORDAN

DAY 1 WELCOME TO JORDAN

Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome to Amman, the uber modern capital of Jordan! You’ll feel the immediate embrace of the country’s deeply-carved history–it’s visible in the hillside juxtaposition of ancient ruins, stone amphitheater and contemporary buildings like the Jordan Museum (built in 2014), touted as the best in the Middle East.

You will be met by a smiling Wild Women representative at the Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) and promptly transferred to your hotel while taking in the surprising and buzzing density of the largest city in Jordan. Amman is a popular launching pad for the red carpet stars (Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea) but is a necessary and mood-setting experience of its own accord.

You will be surrounded by many tempting wafts this afternoon! We’re talking falafel, fattet hummus, kofte (lamb or beef shish kebabs) or the local version of pizza, manakish, traditionally topped with olive oil and za’atar. Don’t spoil your appetite! We’ll gather for our first dinner together at a local restaurant in Amman.

Meals Included: Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Ambassador Boutique Hotel or similar

 

 

DAY 2 JERASH RUINS

DAY 2 JERASH RUINS

After a sound sleep we’ll gather for breakfast before driving north to Jerash (50km/31 miles).

It is known as one of the largest and most well-preserved sites of precious Roman architecture outside of Italy. The Greco-Roman ruins and ancient walled town is a remarkable (and resilient) evocation of life 2,000 years ago.

Star-struck by history and the time warp that it induces, we’ll dig even deeper into Jordan’s story with an elaborate, traditional lunch at Beit Khairat Souf. We’ll experience the piquant flavours that are intricately braided into Jordanian life in the company of local women. Beit Khayrat Souf is a unique women-owned and managed café in Souf that was established as a creative solution to women’s unemployment. The project continues to inspire a sturdy community of women leaders to network and propel the café’s success. Founded by Sumia, a Jordanian woman, the empowerment initiative that she funded with a personal loan is a sweet feel-good start to our trip!

We’ll continue on the tangy spice trail and return to Amman for a Levant-style cooking class and dinner at Beit Sitti, located in a stone house in one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods. Beit Sitti (Arabic) translates to “in my grandmother’s house” and the three entrepreneurial sisters who started the cooking school have attracted the attention of BBC News, CNN Travel, Conde Naste Traveler, Vogue…and Wild Women for good reason! Our menu will depend on the seasonality of the market vegetables and the whims of the galley staff. With a few fool-proof recipes up your sleeve you can also purchase Beit Sitti’s Arabian “Big Guns” trio (tahini, za’atar and sumac) to woo your future dinner guests.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Ambassador Boutique Hotel or similar

 

DAY 3 AMBLING AROUND AMMAN

DAY 3 AMBLING AROUND AMMAN

We get to horse around this morning! We’ll have breakfast at the Royal Stables with the noble, Arabian horses of HRH Princess Alia Al Hussein. This muscular regal breed is a big bragging right of Jordan’s cultural heritage and valued for its speed, stamina, intelligence and gentle demeanor. 

Fun fact: Arabian horses typically only have 23 vertebrae while other breeds usually have 24.

We’ll explore Amman today on a city tour and visit the electric vibe of the Amman market if time permits. Afterwards, we’ll head to Iraq al-Amir Women’s Cooperative (“Caves of the Prince”) to share lunch with the women who run the cooperative. The co-op, founded by the Noor Al-Hussein Foundation in 1993, allows local women financial independence in addition to actively preserving heritage. Iraq al-Amir is managed and run by local women and has introduced handicraft workshops to more than 150 women from all villages of Wadi Seer. Women of all ages continue to learn how to create artisan products which are then sold in the gift shop and online. We will have an opportunity to participate in either a paper-making or weaving project with them and have time to check out the store’s colourful shelves and support the co-op.

After our artsy afternoon, we’ll proceed to Dana (194km/121 miles) and the Dana Guest House, panoramically located on the cliffs of Wadi Dana and the Dana Nature Reserve. Each room has a terrace so you can gaze away until the stars pinprick the night sky! Spoiler alert: The glass walls of the shower offer an unexpected view of the expansive valley vista while washing your hair! 

Arabic 101: Wadi means “valley” or “river that is created in the valley” when the rain falls heavily. For example, Wadi Rum translates to “ Valley of the Moon.”

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Dana Guest House

DAY 4 DANA BIOSPHERE RESERVE

DAY 4 DANA BIOSPHERE RESERVE

After a nourishing breakfast we’ll start our trail to the Feynan Ecolodge, sharing the path with local Bedouin tending to their goats. We’ll exchange warm greetings and perhaps stop to rest and enjoy the comfort of sweet tea on our 15km (9 mile) walk (*there is an alternate shorter hike and shuttle option for women who would prefer not to walk all the way to Fenyan). We’ll experience the four radically different biogeological zones of Dana Biosphere Reserve and observe the many rare forms of flora and fauna that flourish in each landscape. This 320-square-kilometre (199-square-miles) reserve was a prized target for future mining so the conservation efforts are to be celebrated! More than 700 plant species, 190 bird species, 37 mammal species and 36 reptiles species have been documented in Dana. We’ll be on high alert for the endangered sand cat, Syrian wolf, Lesser kestrel and spiny tailed lizard! 

Fenyan is accessed by foot as it’s snuggled deep in the beating  heart of the mountainous Dana Biosphere Reserve. At the dead end of a rugged track, the fairy tale candle-lit lodge appears like a mirage in the surreal folds of the Wadi Feynan.

The 26-room solar-powered lodge has been named as one of the best 25 ecolodges in the world by National Geographic Traveler magazine and that’s a gigantic deal! The Ecolodge’s concept was inspired by the historical caravanserai or camel caravans. The Silk Route’s exhausting, winding journey across China, Central Asia and Europe was peppered with inns for restocking supplies and resting before the next daunting leg. We have a few more sleeps before riding camels of our own in Wadi Rum at sunrise!

Rest assured, this is one of the most socially and environmentally responsible, low-impact stays in the world! Enjoy every dreamy wink, but first, be sure to get star-struck on the Ecolodge’s rooftop. A telescope allows for an even closer inspection of the dazzling constellations.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Feynan Ecolodge
The Skinny on Today’s Hike: The 15km hike is moderately difficult due to length and steep downhill at the beginning (with undulating hills for the remainder); it can be technically challenging in places due to wash-out and loose stones. As noted, a shuttle option is available. For the alternate hike option, the climb is still challenging and steep with some rocky scrambling, but shorter. Our guide will thoroughly describe both options for those who are concerned.

 

DAY 5 FENYAN ECOLODGE

DAY 5 FENYAN ECOLODGE

We’ll spend the day hiking and exploring the dynamic area around Feynan and choose trail difficulty and duration according to the group’s pace and enthusiasm. Depending on the ecolodge’s daily activity calendar, we might be able to tour an ancient Roman and Byzantine copper mine, partake in a cooking class or lay back under the star-studded sky for an astronomy tour. Other potential activities include a village and museum visit, mountain biking, weaving goat-hair tents or how to make Arabic coffee or arbood bread with a local Bedouin family. 

Fenyan partners with Bedouin families providing them with a reliable means for financial security. Bedouins are typically a wandering community, however they are often found in this valley because there is a school for the children. 

The Ecolodge’s remote location allows travellers to completely disconnect from the world, recharge and support the Bedouin community in an empowering way.

Please note: The availability of these activities is dependent on Fenyan’s schedule which is subject to change but reliably full of awesome opportunities!

Later in the afternoon we will drive to the city of Petra (64km/40 miles) where we’ll be staying for the night. This transfer will likely take 1.5 to 2 hours as local Bedouins assist in shuttling guests out of the valley to meet the transfer vehicle to Petra.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: The Old Village Hotel or similar in 2023 / Petra Moon in 2024

 

DAY 6 PETRA’S ALLURE

DAY 6 PETRA’S ALLURE

After breakfast and perhaps an extra cup of sweet tea to revive the senses, we’ll crack open the secret of Petra (“Red Rose City”) on our hike to absorb the iconic view of Al Khazna’s (“the Treasury”) remarkable facade, glimpsed from a narrow cleft known as the Siq. This is perhaps the single-most striking sight of the entire region so have your iPhone or camera charged and revved for a workout. The 40m (131ft) facade and the Corinthian columns, friezes, intricate carvings, echoey chambers and funerary urn are oozing with mysticism, graveyard ghosts and speculation.

Dizzy from amazement, we’ll embark on a slow and steady 3-hour hike up to a vista where we will have a birds eye view of the Treasury. This is where we can snap the million dollar selfie shot with one of the seven wonders of the world.

We’ll also see the old Roman road, amphitheater and several ancient tombs. History will surround and wow us in a way that high school history class never did! We’ll have free time after lunch to wander and wonder amidst the ancient Red Rose City. 

Today’s lunch will be boxed but sometimes you gotta think outside the box! Later tonight we’ll be welcomed into a local home where we will have the intimate joy of sharing stories and experiences with the family while enjoying some incredible, classic Jordanian eats.

Later, we will have the option of participating in the Petra by Night candlelight tour which begins at 8:30pm from the Petra Visitor Centre and finishes at 10:30pm. This event is a magical way to experience the old city by buttery candlelight. The tour involves walking the entire Siq to the Treasury which is aglow with over 1,500 candles.

Please note: The Petra by Night experience will be dependent on availability as the tour only runs three days a week.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: The Old Village Hotel or similar in 2023 / Petra Moon in 2024

 

DAY 7 PETRA’S BACK DOOR

DAY 7 PETRA’S BACK DOOR

After a filling breakfast (feeding our butterflies of anticipation), we’ll wake early and make our way to the site of Little Petra which is the starting point of the hike on the back trail that will loop us back to Petra. This 8km (5 mile) hike is referred to as the “back door to Petra.” The first half of the hike is flat but does become gradually steeper.

Upon arrival, we will meet with a local expert guide who will accompany us. The landscape today is ever changing from sandy plateaus to stone staircases. We’ll pass Bedouin campsites and random goat herds on our guided tour that will culminate at the Monastery. This impressive seven-storey structure has a doorway that’s 8m (26ft) high. Though less ornate than the Treasury, the sheer scale of this building painstakingly carved into a mountainside makes it an unmatched site. It’s believed that it was used as a temple by Christians in the Byzantine period. 

We’ll enjoy a local lunch in the nearby town of Wadi Musa and then transfer (about 2 hours drive) to our next anticipated destination – Wadi Rum.  High on the WOW factor, tonight’s incredible posh stay is opulent. It’s otherworldly. The Red Valley dome site is akin to a Mars colony with guaranteed “Martian views” during the day.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Memories Aicha Luxury Camp

DAY 8 WADI RUM BY JEEP

DAY 8 WADI RUM BY JEEP

It’s usually the early bird who gets the worm but today, the early birds get camels! We’ll watch the sunrise from the best seat in the house–on a camel! Camels are often referred to as “the ships of the desert” as they were (and continue to be) instrumental in transporting awkward and heavy loads. 

We’ll then jump in a Jeep for a 4-hour ride in Wadi Rum, stopping for a BBQ in the desert. Wadi Rum means ‘Valley of the Moon” and we’ll spend the morning exploring this otherworldly landscape from the vantage point of the Jeep. We’ll make several stops to fully immerse ourselves in the lunar-like landscape with our feet on the ground, or “in the sand.” You’ll see! We’ll climb sand dunes, poke around Bedouin caves and marvel at the 12,000-year-old hieroglyphs as well. 

Later in the evening relax in your geodesic dome or socialize in the camp’s classy cafe nestled into the side of the sandstone cliffs.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Memories Aicha Luxury Camp

 

DAY 9 THE RED + DEAD SEA

DAY 9 THE RED + DEAD SEA

We’ll depart the clutches of Wadi Rum for the city of Aqaba on the mesmerizing Red Sea. 

Kick back, relax. It’s a one hour drive to Aqaba where we’ll take advantage of one of the warmest and saltiest bodies of water on earth and pull on some fins and snorkel masks to see what lurks below. 

We’ll board our Wild Women boat for a 4-hour journey on the Red Sea. This body of water is truly “bathtub warm” unlike the promise of your friend’s backyard pool temp in June! Here we’ll have the opportunity to snorkel in the Red Sea, one of the world’s most biodiverse coral reefs. Lunch will be on the high seas!

The afternoon will be spent travelling to the Dead Sea (a super scenic 3-hour transfer). Once we arrive and refresh, we’ll plan to regroup in the evening for a farewell dinner (sigh) conveniently located at our hotel.

Fun fact: The Red Sea’s name is derived from the colour changes that are a result of extensive blooms of the Trichodesmium erythraeum algae dying off. The sea is usually margarita green but the algae tints the waters a temporary reddish-brown.

Another fun fact: We’ve reached the lowest point on Earth: the Dead Sea. We like to call it the Grateful Dead experience.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Movenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea or similar

 

DAY 10 DEPARTURE

DAY 10  DEPARTURE

After a reflective breakfast we’ll have a memorable morning lolling about in the Dead Sea. Soak, float and then enjoy a purifying mud and salt scrub. This is the perfect send-off. Scrubbed and rejuvenated, we’ll take a group shuttle (one hour) to the Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman in the early afternoon. Prepare for big hugs and heavy-hearted goodbyes. Departure flights out of AMM should be booked after 5PM.

Note: For those heading to Egypt on the extension or full tour, we recommend an evening flight to Cairo.  If you are extending your stay at the Dead Sea, a later airport transfer can be arranged for you at your own expense.

The only unanswered question is, where next? 

Meals Included: Breakfast

Zen and OM level: HIGH

Click here to see upcoming trip dates to book your spot!

HIGHLIGHTS OF EGYPT (4 DAYS)

On this heritage-steeped Egypt extension, you will be quickly immersed in all things royal and ancient in the long shadows of the Queens, goddesses and female pharaohs before us. You’ll see all the staples: the Giza Plateau (by camel even!), the recumbent Sphinx, the Temple of Luxor and the stirring Valley of the Kings. You’ll have the opportunity to dig deep into the archives of the legendary Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and be in the company of an Egyptologist guide throughout this trip. This four-day break will give you a big, tempting taste of Egypt from an Islamic Cairo walking tour to opulent hotel stays–right on the mighty Nile in Luxor.

The Egypt Highlights Break extension dates seamlessly follow the Journey into Jordan trip, making it super convenient and easy to visit Egypt after your Jordan experience.

What’s included:

  • All authentic meals from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast Day 4
  • 3 nights of luxe accommodation in 5 star hotels
  • Awesome female, English-speaking Egyptian Egyptologist guides
  • Airport transfers for both arrival and departure (WWE will arrange your airport transfer to the first night’s hotel or any pre-trip hotel)
  • All entry fees to museums, temples and activities listed in the itinerary
  • Your domestic flight (Cairo-Luxor-Cairo)–this will be arranged by WWE

Not included:

You will need to purchase your own flight from Amman, Jordan to Cairo, Egypt. Your flight path will be from Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Jordan to Cairo International Airport (CAI). Plan to arrive in Cairo before noon on Day 1 of the extension if you would like to participate in the walking tour of Islamic Cairo, followed by a late lunch at a local restaurant.

Please note: The group will check into the hotel AFTER the walking tour. Alternatively, you can choose to join the group at the welcome dinner at 5pm (the welcome dinner/rendezvous point will be included in a bulletin sent 30 days prior to the trip). This would allow you to relax a little longer in Jordan at the Dead Sea before flying to Cairo.

Please contact adventure@wildwomenexpeditions.com to book!

 

DAY 1 ARRIVAL

DAY 1 ARRIVAL

Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport (CAI), retrieve your luggage and proceed to the Arrivals area. Look for a driver holding a sign that says “WILD WOMEN EXPEDITIONS”. They will assist you in obtaining your Visa. Plan to arrive before noon so we can jump right into a 1.5 to 2 hour city tour of Islamic Cairo. *You may also opt to join the Wild Women group later in the day at the welcome dinner (5pm) if you wish to spend more time at the Dead Sea in Jordan.

In this pocket of the city, we’ll marvel at ancient monuments constructed by the Fatimid caliphs who founded the city of Cairo in the 11th century. It’s a bustling and buzzing center of worship, sweet shops, mopeds delivering fast food, distracted pedestrians with bundles of cotton being wheeled by. Yes, there are a lot of honking horns and animated vendors hollering out with offers of grilled corn or sugarcane juice.

On the thronging main street of Al Muizz, we’ll witness the collision of modern expansion and heritage witnessed in the centuries-old Islamic architecture. Our walk will include old medieval city gates like Bab al-Zuwayla and Bab Al Fetouh (‘The Gate of Conquest’) which was built in 1087. The flanking towers are an imposing 23m (75ft)! Bab al-Zuwayla was constructed a few years later (1091-92)–these gates are two of the three remaining gates of Fatimid Cairo.

After the sensory rush and crash course in North African architecture and minarets, we’ll linger over lunch at a local restaurant and enjoy our first big taste of Egypt.

After a savoury traditional lunch, we’ll check into the Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino in the Zamalek district and have time to chill out before dinner (5PM). The city streets become even more full of life at night with the cooler temperatures. At the hotel you can take advantage of the outdoor lap pool or spa. Experience pure Arabian hospitality and indulgence with an Ayurvedic or herbal massage (not included in trip price).

Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: Marriot Zamalek Hotel in Cairo

 

DAY 2 PYRAMIDS OF GIZA

Day 2 PYRAMIDS OF GIZA

 

We’ll take advantage of a less-crowded early morning visit to the celebrated Pyramids of Giza which include Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinu. The Pyramid of Cheops (also known as the Great Pyramid of Giza or Pyramid of Khufu) is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact.

 

During this tour we will have the opportunity to climb inside one of the pyramids, a truly intimate and overwhelming experience. We’ll also visit the regal Great Sphinx and take pause (and a lot of selfies) in front of the famous limestone lion’s body with a pharaoh’s head adorned in royal headdress. It’s one of the world’s largest sculptures measuring 73m(240ft) long and 20m (66ft) high.

 

Our adrenaline levels will continue to operate on HIGH as we observe the unearthly presence of the pyramids of Giza by camel. On this short camel ride, we’ll feel the unforgettable gentle sway of the “ships of the desert”. Mounting a camel from its seated position to upright is a ride within itself. Hang on!

 

Today’s tour will also include a visit to the former mortuary Valley Temple which belongs to the Pyramids of Chephren. The fourth dynasty and impossibly intact burial temples bring ancient Egyptian civilization alive in a way that your encyclopedias never could.

 

We’ll swap camel riding stories over lunch in a local restaurant before continuing on to the massive Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. Doing inventory of the artifacts here would require a lifetime! The collection is incredible–we’ll be sure to visit the treasures of the young pharaoh Tutankhamon.

 

After our wander through the hallowed museum, we’ll head to the Cairo airport for a quick hopper domestic flight to Luxor. After checking into our hotel, Sonesta St. George Luxor (where we’ll be staying for the next two nights), we’ll take five before gathering for dinner. Be sure to take in the awesome panoramas of the mighty Nile from the hotel’s terrace or go for a dip in the outdoor heated pool. The hotel is located in the beating heart of Luxor’s shopping district if you want to wander and find some local handicrafts for your cat sitter!

Tonight we will sleep parallel to the storied Nile in the shadows of Kings and Queens!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Sonesta Luxor

 

DAY 3 LUXOR

DAY 3 LUXOR

 

This morning we will explore the West Bank of Luxor with visits to the tombs of the pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings and the rock-cut tombs of the Princes & Queens in the Valley of the Queens. We’ll also visit the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut and tour the unbelievable Colossi of Memnon.

 

After lunch we’ll return to the hotel for a rejuvenating sweet mint tea fix or a bracing shower. This afternoon is all about the red carpet legends: the Temples of Luxor and the Temples of Karnak, Egypt’s greatest compound of temples.

 

Later, we’ll feast like Queens and have a royal sleep in Luxor, our last precious night in Egypt’s embrace.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Sonesta Luxor

DAY 4 DEPARTURE

DAY 4 DEPARTURE

 

After breakfast we’ll return to the airport for your morning flight back to Cairo and connecting flights home. Sigh. Or, alternatively, you can extend your stay and dig deeper into the deep pockets of Cairo! There’s the Khan Al-Khalili bazaar, The Cairo Cave Church (St. Simon “The Tanner”Monastery) or the Cairo Tower with its awesome 360s. Or, simply spend a few extra days attempting to find the very best shawarma, lamb kofta kebabs, fiteer (Egyptian pancakes).

Hug your amateur Wild Women Expeditions/Egyptologist-in-training group goodbye–but be sure to make plans for your next destination together!

Meals Included: Breakfast

 

Additional Details


  • January 28 – January 31, 2023
  • February 17 – February 20, 2023
  • March 17 – March 20 – 2023
  • September 30 – October 3, 2023
  • October 13 – October 16, 2023
  • November 3 – November 6, 2023
  • November 17 – November 20, 2023
  • November 27 – November 30, 2023

Pricing for the Journey into Jordan’s extension ‘Highlights of Egypt’ starts at: USD$1,495 for 2023.

Arrival into CairoWe recommend you plan your travel to Egypt as follows:

  • Arrive via Cairo International Airport (CAI) by Day 1 before 12noon local time.
  • Approximately 30 minutes after you land, go to the arrivals area and look for a sign saying “Wild Women Expeditions” and/or your name. A representative will then help you with obtaining your visa and luaggage.
  • Airport transfer from the airport to the first nights hotel (or any pre-trip hotel) is arranged through Wild Women Expeditions.

Group Rendezvous Point Day 1

  • Time: TBD
  • Location: Cairo International Airport (CAI)

 

The Egypt extension aligns with the end of the Journey into Jordan tour.

You will need to purchase your own flight from Amman, Jordan to Cairo, Egypt – Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) to Cairo International Airport (CAI). Plan to arrive in Cairo before noon on Day 1 of this extension.

The extension begins at the airport where you will be picked up to start this new adventure. You will need to book your own flights to Cairo from Amman. Plan to arrive before noon on the first day of the tour in Cairo. Thorough details on arrival, and rendezvous point will be delivered in your 30 day pre trip bulletin.

Day 1 includes an Islamic Cairo walking tour followed by a late lunch at a local restaurant.

Hotel check-in is after this mid-day excursion.

Please note: Alternatively, you can choose to join the group at the welcome dinner at 5pm (the welcome dinner/rendezvous point will be included in a bulletin sent 30 days prior to the trip). This would allow you to relax a little longer in Jordan at the Dead Sea before flying to Cairo.



DeparturesAfter breakfast we’ll return to the airport for your morning flight back to Cairo and connecting flights home.Please book your departing flight from Cairo International Airport (CAI) for afternoon or evening, to account for travel time from Luxor.If you are planning to stay in Egypt longer, we recommend that you book: Marriot Zamalek Hotel in CairoDrop-off Point:

  • Date: Day 4
  • Time: TBD
  • Location: Cairo International Airport (CAI)


You are responsible for booking your own flights or other transport arrangements to the trip start location. These arrangements and any other independent arrangements that you may make are not a part of the trip booked with Wild Women Expeditions and are entirely at your own risk. Wild Women Expeditions accepts no responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any loss, damage or injury to property or person in connection with such arrangements. Should you require assistance with your travel arrangements, please contact:Megan and Zale | ****Travel Edge Travel SpecialistEmail: wildwomen@traveledge.comNote: Travel Edge only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. For these reasons, we encourage you to consider arriving a day early, which will also help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!

You are fully responsible for your own visa requirements, permits, and certificates for your trip. It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. It is your responsibility to check with the country’s Consulate and your country’s travel website such as Canada’s for up-to-date information about traveling internationally.

  • Passport

Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Important: A copy of your passport must be emailed to the Wild Women Expeditions office by 130-days pre-trip.

  • Visa

Many nationalities including all Western European and Arab countries, USA, Australia, and New Zealand are able to obtain a one-month single entry visa online or upon arrival at Cairo International airport or at the Egyptian land border.

Here’s how:

A) Online: You can get the visa online in advance.

B) Airport: Follow the instructions below to get the visa upon arrival in Cairo.

Look for windows (marked “banks”) selling these visas in the area where you line up to have your passport stamped. You need to get a visa before entering the passport line. The visa is a sticker that you need to stick into your passport before handing it to the authorities for stamping.

The cost is approximately $25 USD or equivalent in EUR/GBP. All changes will be given to you in Egyptian Pounds.

Note: As of October 1, 2023, for some nationalities, such as Canadians, it is necessary to organize your visa before you travel. It is vital that you check the conditions attached to your particular passport and make the necessary arrangements in advance.

Canadian nationals visiting Egypt will need to obtain their visa prior to arrival. A Visa can be obtained either by visiting the Egyptian consulate in person or by mailing in your physical passport to either of the Egyptian consulates located in Ottawa or Montreal.

Note: Electronic visas for Canadians issued prior to October 1, 2023, will remain valid until their expiry date.

Here is a link to the entry requirements from Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/egypt#entryexit

Please apply for your visa as early as possible. Here is an infographic on the process necessary to obtain your Egyptian Visa.
https://wildwomenexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/Egypt-Visa-Application-Requirements.jpeg

You will need to fill out this application form to be submitted along with your passport:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SzT9RZps6K1Ewr1PHU_2fp28pUkVsdn7/view?fbclid=IwAR1IuepVpyI_BSGNXqi7d7CSMpV3YNnqO8yUSOff-gpBt2nQcwS6ACKx6Zs

If you have a diplomatic passport, visas need to obtained in advance.

Host for Egypt Visa:

Great Wonders of Egypt

5A, El Hidaya ST. El Sifarat

Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.

(02) 2352 2571 / (02) 2352 2249

basem@greatwondersofegypt.com

If you would like additional assistance in securing your visa, we recommend you consider using the services of CIBTVisas: https://cibtvisas.ca/?login=WildWomenExp


Tipping (also widely referred to by its Arabic term as “baksheesh”) is a way of life in the Middle East. Locals themselves will usually tip anyone who provides them with services. In many cases, people depend on the tips they receive to supplement the incredibly low salary and wages of the Middle East region.While on tour in the Middle East, it is customary and even expected to tip small service providers such as restaurant and bar waiters, hotel staff, reception, cleaning personnel, bell boys, taxis and van drivers. Tips are regarded as an essential means of supplementing income for those working in the tourism industry.During your Wild Women Expeditions trip, all tips for meals, hotel staff, and your driver(s) are included.Tipping is advised for your Wild Women Expeditions guide. The precise amount tipped is entirely a personal preference. Depending on the quality of the service, a guideline for tipping is roughly:

  • $11 – 20 USD per traveler per day for your Wild Women Expeditions guide. At the end of your trip, if you feel that your Wild Women Expeditions guide did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated.

  • Rooming Arrangements

Our trip prices are based on a twin-share (two women per room), so we’ll team you up with another solo wild woman to share with if you’re on your own, or of course, you can share with your travel partner.

Single/private room upgrades are available for every accommodation (6 nights at hotels) except the sleeper train and dahabiya cruise boat and are subject to availability. Contact support@wildwomenexpeditions.com to request for an upgrade.

  • Overnight Arrangements

Day 1: Marriott Zamalek Hotel in Cairo

Day 2 & 3: Sonesta Luxor

  • Potable Water

Water is considered potable for the locals but not for visitors. When on the road, your tour leaders suggest you purchase larger (5L) water bottles to refill your personal re-useable water bottle. Purified water is provided at all accommodations.

If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!

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  • Population: 95.7 million
  • Size: 1.01 million km²
  • Official Language: Arabic
  • Time Zone: Eastern European Time (EET) is UTC+02:00
  • Electricity: 220-volt, 50-cycle AC with European-style sockets for two round pins
  • Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)

  • Advisories – Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government travel advice information before departure.
  • Valuables – We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while traveling, for the safekeeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelery at home – you won’t need it while traveling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
  • Traveling – A heavy security presence is observable throughout Egypt. Visitors and residents alike are requested to cooperate with Egyptian authorities. The tourist police department and the Ministry of Interior Security have to be informed of groups traveling in Egypt, which we arrange.
  • Activities – When traveling on a group trip, please note that your guide has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your guide will accompany you on all included activities. While your guide will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgment when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.
  • Protests and Demonstrations – Protests and demonstrations, even those that are well intended, have the potential to turn violent with no warning. Counter protests can also turn violent. Action by security forces to disperse demonstrators and protesters may occur at any time. If you are in an area where demonstrators or protesters are gathering, avoid the temptation of staying for a good photo opportunity and leave the area immediately.
  • Water – Water based activities have an element of danger and excitement built into them. We recommend only participating in water based activities when accompanied by a guide(s). We make every reasonable effort to ensure the fun and adventurous element of any water based activities (in countries with varying degrees of operating standards) have a balanced approach to safety. It is our policy not to allow our guides to make arrangements on your behalf for water-based activities that are not accompanied by guide(s). Swimming, including snorkeling, is always at your own risk.

Wild Women Expeditions recommends that each participant should bring enough cash in local currency or available credit/debit funds to cover their meals during travel to and from their destination. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, meals not included in the trip package, shopping, etc., and we also suggest you have access to emergency funds.

  • Currency Exchange Offices & Banks

The official unit of currency in Egypt is the Egyptian pound (EGP).

Please check online for current exchange rates. Wild Women Expeditions likes XE Currency Converter

We highly suggest you read this article: Where to Exchange Currency Without Paying Huge Fees for more information about this for your trip.

  • Automated Teller Machine (ATM)

ATMs are found within main cities in Egypt.

  • Credit Cards

Institutions will generally accept cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks. It is a great idea to travel with both a Visa and Mastercard if at all possible as while there is no hard and fast rule, some banks seem to only work with one brand of card. Please note, your bank will charge a fee for overseas withdrawals.

Increasingly, shops and restaurants accept credit cards and often prefer them to cash. The banks charge between 3% – 5% as commission for using credit cards. American Express credit cards are not very popular as the commission charge on it is 6%. The charge for Diners Club cards is 10%.

  • Cash

Cash is recommended for times when ATMs are not accessible. Euros, British Pounds, and US Dollars are all easy to exchange for the local currency. Please note that you should bring some cash with you for emergency situations but carrying only cash is a high safety risk. ATM card/s and some cash is the ideal mix.

If you are bringing US Dollars, please make sure that the notes are new and in good condition. Notes older than 1996, or with any tears or blemishes may not be accepted. Be fussy with your bank when buying cash!

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional $200 USD (or equivalent) as an ’emergency’ fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change of our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!



Wild Women Expeditions and our local partners intend to adhere to the described itinerary. This is only a general guide to follow on your tour of the region. Our itineraries are subject to change, as we cannot predict the weather or other environmental conditions. We are continually striving to make improvements to all our trips based on feedback from Wild Women members, guides, partners, and other research. We reserve the right to alter itineraries based on the above at any time.

Arrival into AmmanWe recommend you plan your travel to Jordan as follows:

  • Please aim to arrive into Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) – Amman, Jordan on Day 1 before 3pm. We recommend you arrive 1-2 days early to account for jet lag, and the time change.

Notes about Pick-up

  • A transfer to your hotel will be provided whenever you land in Amman (based on your travel details provided).
  • You will be met by a representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Look for a sign with Wild Women Expeditions, or your name.

Group Rendezvous Point Day 1



Departure from Amman

  • There is one group transfer to Queen Alia International Airport and is included on day 10 of the itinerary. Time TBD, but will likely be early afternoon (after your morning soak in the sea!) and based on the groups departure flights. Book your flights for anytime after 17:00 or 5pm.

If you would prefer to stay and continue to enjoy the Dead Sea before your onward travels you must arrange your own transfer to the Queen Alia International Airport – this will be quite easy to book from the hotel, and is approximately a 1 hour ride.

 

Drop-Off Point:

Please note: If you are participating in the WWE Egypt Extension, you can either book a, evening flight to Cairo and arrive one day early (i.e. on the last day of the Jordan tour), or extend your stay at the Dead Sea until the next morning. If you are arriving in Cairo on Day 1 of the extension, please book a flight that has you landing at Cairo International Airport (CAI) by 10-11am, if you would like to participate in the walking tour of Islamic Cairo, followed by a late lunch at a local restaurant.

Please note: The group will check into the hotel AFTER the walking tour.

Alternatively, you can choose to join the group at the welcome dinner at 5pm (the welcome dinner/rendezvous point will be included in a bulletin sent 30 days prior to the trip). This would allow you to relax a little longer in Jordan at the Dead Sea before flying to Cairo.



You are responsible for booking your own flights or other transport arrangements to the trip start location. These arrangements and any other independent arrangements that you may make are not a part of the trip booked with Wild Women Expeditions and are entirely at your own risk. Wild Women Expeditions accepts no responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any loss, damage or injury to property or person in connection with such arrangements. Should you require assistance with your travel arrangements, please contact:Megan and Zale | ****Now Boarding Travel SpecialistEmail: wildwomen@nowboarding.travelNote: Now Boarding Travel only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. For these reasons, we encourage you to consider arriving a day early, which will also help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!

You are fully responsible for your own visa requirements, permits, and certificates for your trip. It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. It is your responsibility to check with the country’s Consulate and your country’s travel website such as Canada’s for up-to-date information about traveling internationally.

  • Passport

Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Important: A copy of your passport must be emailed to the Wild Women Expeditions office by 130-days pre-trip.

  • Visa

Most tourists can get a visa on arrival in Jordan depending on your nationality.

Some nationalities need prior permission. Please find the countries that need permission here.

Note: As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.


Tipping (also widely referred to by its Arabic term as “baksheesh”) is a way of life in the Middle East. Locals themselves will usually tip anyone who provides them with services. In many cases, people depend on the tips they receive to supplement the incredibly low salary and wages of the Middle East region.While on tour in the Middle East, it is customary and even expected to tip small service providers such as restaurant and bar waiters, hotel staff, reception, cleaning personnel, bell boys, taxis and van drivers. Tips are regarded as an essential means of supplementing income for those working in the tourism industry.Jordanian Licensed tour guide: $ 10 per person per day.Drivers: $ 3+ per person per day.Hotel porters: $ 2+ per bag.Airport porters $ 2+ per bag.Restaurant waitstaff: $ 2+ per person per day.

Prices listed in USD


  • Rooming Arrangements

Our trip prices are based on a twin share (minimum of two people per room/tent), so we’ll team you up with another solo wild woman to share with if you’re on your own, or of course, you can share with your travel companion. Single accommodations are available. Please email support@wildwomenexpeditions.com for your request.

  • Electricity / Internet / WiFi / Cell Coverage

Most accommodations have WiFi, but some are not as reliable, depending on the remoteness of the location. Cellular coverage is fairly good.

  • Potable Water

In general, the tap water in Amman, Jordan, is not safe to drink. Potable water (bottled) is provided in your hotel rooms and will be provided to you at meals.

If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!

Lifestraw

GRAYL Canada | OnePress™ Global Protection

Travelers Against Plastic | Take the TAP pledge



  • Population: 11.2 Million (2021)
  • Size: 89,342km2
  • Official Language: Arabic
  • Time Zone: GMT+03:00
  • Electricity: 220-volt, 50-cycle AC with European-style sockets for two round pins
  • Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD)

  • Advisories – Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government travel advice information before departure.

Example: Jordan Travel Advice

  • Valuables – We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while traveling, for the safekeeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelry at home – you won’t need it while traveling. Many of the hotels we use have safes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
  • Traveling – A security presence is observable throughout Jordan. Visitors and residents alike are requested to cooperate with authorities.
  • Activities – When traveling on a group trip, please note that your guide has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your guide will accompany you on all included activities. While your guide will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgment when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.
  • Protests and Demonstrations – Protests and demonstrations, even those that are well intended, have the potential to turn violent with no warning. Counter protests can also turn violent. Action by security forces to disperse demonstrators and protesters may occur at any time. If you are in an area where demonstrators or protesters are gathering, avoid the temptation of staying for a good photo opportunity and leave the area immediately.
  • Water – Water based activities have an element of danger and excitement built into them. We recommend only participating in water based activities when accompanied by a guide(s). We make every reasonable effort to ensure the fun and adventurous element of any water based activities (in countries with varying degrees of operating standards) have a balanced approach to safety. It is our policy not to allow our guides to make arrangements on your behalf for water-based activities that are not accompanied by guide(s). Swimming, including snorkelling, is always at your own risk.

Wild Women Expeditions recommends that each participant should bring enough cash in local currency or available credit/debit funds to cover their meals during travel to and from their destination. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, meals not included in the trip package, shopping, etc., and we also suggest you have access to emergency funds.

  • Currency Exchange Offices & Banks

The official unit of currency in Jordanian Dinar (JOD)

Please check online for current exchange rates. Wild Women Expeditions likes XE Currency Converter

We highly suggest you read this article: Where to Exchange Currency Without Paying Huge Fees for more information about this for your trip.

  • Automated Teller Machine (ATM)

ATMs are found within main cities in Jordan.

  • Credit Cards

Institutions will generally accept cards on the Visa and Mastercard. It is a great idea to travel with both a Visa and Mastercard if at all possible as while there is no hard and fast rule, some banks seem to only work with one brand of card. Please note, your bank will charge a fee for overseas withdrawals.

Increasingly, shops and restaurants accept credit cards and often prefer them to cash. The banks charge between 3% -5% as commission for using credit cards. American Express credit cards are not very popular as the commission charge on it is 6%.

  • Cash

Cash is recommended for times when ATMs are not accessible. Euros and US Dollars are all easy to exchange for the local currency. Please note that you should bring some cash with you for emergency situations but carrying only cash is a high safety risk. ATM card/s and some cash is the ideal mix.

If you are bringing US Dollars, please make sure that the notes are new and in good condition. Notes older than 1996, or with any tears or blemishes may not be accepted. Be fussy with your bank when buying cash!

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional $500 USD (or equivalent) as an ’emergency’ fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change of our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!


Please be sure to provide complete, accurate, and up-to-date information about your health & fitness level and keep us updated if there are changes. Wild Women Expeditions trips travel to remote areas where limited or no sophisticated medical facilities exist.A medical emergency situation is extremely unlikely; however, should it arise we need to be prepared with the necessary information to help you.Important Note: If you choose not to disclose a condition, infirmity, injury, or ailment herein and are subsequently deemed to be unfit for expedition travel due in whole or in part to such condition, infirmity, injury or ailment, Wild Women Expeditions guides, and partners shall have the right to remove you from the trip with no refund or compensation payable. Any evacuation expenses incurred are payable by the evacuee via their Medical Travel Insurance or personal expense.Getting FitYou don’t have to be a professional athlete to enjoy your Wild Women expedition. Not by a long shot! You’ll be surprised at what you can achieve with our experienced guides at your side and a little camaraderie.That said, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself far more if you do some preparation so your body is conditioned and ready to enjoy and make the most of the outdoors.Here are a few ideas to help you get ready:

  • Take every opportunity you can to be active.

You can improve your fitness a lot just by adopting some new habits; take the stairs at work, go for a walk at lunchtime, park your car away from work and walk. Aim for 30 minutes a day and keep a diary so you can look back on it and feel proud. These may sound trivial but they’re all building blocks!

  • Rev up your ticker!

Think ‘interval training’, which means doing short bursts of high-intensity work with recovery time in between. Depending on how fit you are this can mean strolling with bursts of power walking, or jogging with sprints. Either way, the aim is to get your heart rate up.

  • Join a local walking or running group.

This is a great way to get fit and you’ll also see new places, meet great people… and make them all jealous when they find out what you’re about to go on your travels.

  • Hill training.

The most spectacular views aren’t from the bottom of a valley – so the places we go on our trips aren’t flat. A little time training on hills and stairs is an investment that’ll pay off big-time when you’re on your trip. When it comes to hills there’s no hurry – get into a slow steady rhythm and you’ll be at the top before you know it.

  • Warm up, cool down and stretch.

If you’re doing a workout then make sure you start and finish gently and stretch any tight muscles – this will help you avoid any aches, pains and pulled muscles. If you’re a member of a gym try some yoga, tai chi or pilates classes to build up your flexibility, stability and balance.

  • Break in your hiking boots.

Blisters and sore feet are no fun at all! So make sure that while you’re getting yourself ready you’re doing the same for your boots. Start by just wearing them around the house, then down the road, and walking the dog. Then ideally do a couple of decent length weekend hikes to prepare them for what is to come.

  • Hydration.

When you suddenly ask your body to walk or be active, it needs a bit more fuel than it needs when, say, sitting at a desk all day! The main thing your body needs is water, so stay hydrated and practice sipping water often. Getting a water bottle or hydration bladder is a great way to make sure you have it on hand at all times. Make a habit out of taking a bottle of water with you wherever you go.

  • Nutrition.

Eating little and often will keep your body well fuelled for outdoor exercise, especially food like nuts, dried fruit and bread. The odd bit of chocolate and a few boiled lollies are good for keeping your blood sugar levels up while you’re hiking as well!

  • Have fun!

The most important point of all! You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. You’re going to meet some amazing people, see some wonderful places and create memories that will stay with you for life. The more prepared you are to tackle the various challenges, the more fun you will have. Also, with all the endorphins you create from all this training, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear! It’s a great way to boost your happy vibes.


For general Wild Women Expeditions FAQs please click here.