From the Nile to the Dead Sea: Exploring Egypt and Jordan's Best Sights

Before traveling to Egypt, I did extensive research to understand the visa requirements, plan my itinerary, review safety measures, and gather all the essential details. Egypt had always been my top choice for a vacation, but unfortunately, I had to delay my trip because there wasn’t enough reliable information available online to help with the planning. In this blog, I’ll share as much helpful information as I can, hoping it will be useful for anyone else planning this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Visa restrictions: If you are a Canadian PR and holding Indian passport, you are eligible for Visa on arrival for both Egypt and Jordan. (valid info as of Nov 26 2024)

Pre-checks: We purchased the Jordan Pass for $105 USD each, which grants access to the Wadi Rum Protected Area, a Petra day pass, the Citadel, and several other tourist sites in Jordan. (However, it’s important to note that the Jordan Pass is optional. If you don’t buy it, you’ll need to pay an entry fee of $25 USD upon arrival in Jordan, plus an additional $25 USD for the Petra Treasury entry.)

Flights: Throughout our trip, we flew with EgyptAir, and I have to say, I wasn’t too impressed. On our return flight to Cairo, they only provided blankets upon request, which felt a bit underwhelming. Personally, I wouldn’t choose EgyptAir again unless there are no other options available.

The roundtrip flights from Toronto to Amman, Cairo, and back to Toronto cost us a total of 2,704 CAD for two people. Additionally, we booked a day trip from Cairo to Luxor and back, which came to about 639 CAD for two.

Going around: The most convenient way to get around in Jordan is by renting a car. We rented one for four days, which cost us around 480 CAD with insurance. However, in Egypt, Uber is the best and most affordable option. Driving in Cairo can be a nightmare, so I strongly recommend not renting a car there.

Accommodation: I'm not sure how lucky I should consider myself, but every hotel we booked ended up giving us free upgrades—and the hospitality was absolutely incredible.

Dead Sea: Dead Sea Spa Hotel /1 Night/ 182 CAD

Wadi Rum: Zeina Desert Lodge /1 Night/ 180 CAD

Petra: Mövenpick Petra /1 Night/ 348 CAD

Amman: New MerryLand Hotel /1 Night/106 CAD

Cairo: Concorde El Salam Cairo Hotel & Casino /4 Nights/ 955 CAD

Food: As a non-vegetarian, I absolutely loved the food options available. We enjoyed some delicious home-cooked Mandi and traditional Jordanian meals. We also tried Koshary, a classic Egyptian dish, which was fantastic. And to top it off, we had the best Baklava I’ve ever tasted!

Currency TIP: USD is widely accepted in both Egypt and Jordan, especially in tourist areas. In USD try to carry smaller denominations like $1, $5, and $10 bills. You'll need these for tipping people for various services.

Itinerary:

Day 1: We arrived in Cairo around 5 AM and had a 9-hour layover before our flight to Amman. After obtaining a transit visa at Cairo Airport, we made our way straight to the Egyptian Museum, arriving by 9 AM. We bought tickets(15 USD each) from vendors outside the museum and also hired a guide(35 USD/2hrs) to help us better understand the exhibits — definitely recommend getting a guide. The museum was fascinating, with highlights including the mummies and insights into the different dynasties. The guided tour lasted about two hours. Afterward, we had lunch near the museum before heading back to the airport for our connecting flight to Amman.

We arrived in Amman around 8 PM, rented a car, and drove straight to the Dead Sea. After checking into our hotel, we settled in for the night.

Day 2: We started the day early and headed to the Dead Sea for a refreshing dip — only to realize you don't actually "dip" in the Dead Sea! 😂 Instead, we enjoyed a relaxing mud bath, and our skin felt incredibly soft afterward. It was such an amazing experience! After breakfast and a quick shower, we made our way to the Wadi Mujib Adventure Center for the famous water trek. The trek took us through the beautiful canyon, wading through the cool, flowing waters, and navigating narrow passages surrounded by towering cliffs. It was an unforgettable adventure, full of natural beauty and a bit of thrilling challenge! Definitely one of the highlights of our trip.

After the water trek, we drove back to the hotel, checked out, and headed straight to Wadi Rum. The drive from the Dead Sea to Wadi Rum was stunning. The journey was about 4-5 hours, offering us beautiful views of the Jordanian countryside along the way.

We checked into our Martian tent and were surprised to find that we were the only guests in the entire resort! The staff welcomed us with a delicious traditional Jordanian meal, and we relaxed with a good hookah by the campfire. As the night went on, the resort staff switched off all the lights to give us the best view of the stars — and it was truly breathtaking. The clear desert sky was filled with twinkling stars, making the whole experience feel magical. Overall, it was an unforgettable and peaceful stay in the heart of Wadi Rum.

Day 3:

We booked a 2-hour desert ride (50$ USD) at the hotel front desk, where we had the chance to experience the true beauty of Wadi Rum. We checked out by 11am and headed to Petra. It’s about a 1.5 to 2-hour drive, depending on the route you take, and you'll pass through some incredible desert landscapes. We checked into our hotel, relaxed, and got ready for Petra by Night. Petra by the night is not included in Jordan Pass so we ended up paying 25 USD/person. The experience was incredible, with 15,000 candles lighting up the path, creating a magical atmosphere for the spectacular show.

Day 4:

We visited the Treasury in Petra and then made our way up to the Monastery, which took about 4-5 hours in total. The hike to the Monastery offers incredible views and is definitely worth the effort! After a delicious lunch, we began our 4-hour drive from Petra to Amman. Once we checked into our hotel, we headed out to explore the lively night bazaar. It was a great way to soak in the local culture, and we got to try some delicious street food along the way!

Day 5: Fly to Cairo. After checking into our hotel, we went on a Nile dinner cruise aboard the Boat Maxim. The evening included a spectacular show, and although the meal cost us around 150 CAD, it was definitely worth it.

Day 6: We booked a day trip to the Pyramids through Viator (92 CAD/person), and they picked us up from our hotel at 9 AM. We visited the stunning pyramids, explored the inside of one, enjoyed a camel ride, and took some amazing photos. It was worth every minute. For lunch, we dined at the Marriott Mena House, which also offered a spectacular view of the pyramids.

Day 7: Fly to Luxor. We also pre-booked a day trip through Viator (193 CAD/person) to explore Luxor. We visited the Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Queens and the Alabaster museum. To end the day, we relaxed at the Hilton Luxor, enjoying a stunning sunset over the Nile. It truly couldn't have been a better day. Later that evening, we took a late-night flight back to Cairo.

Day 8: We started the day at a leisurely pace, as our vacation was coming to an end. We visited a well-known restaurant Abou Tarek to try Koshary, a traditional Egyptian dish. Later, we headed to the Khan el-Khalili market, where we bought some souvenirs, enjoyed tea at a local spot, and spent the evening soaking in the vibrant atmosphere.

Day 9: Fly back to Toronto :)