The Tomb of Seti I
Descend into one of the longest, deepest and most elaborately decorated royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings.
Egypt & Jordan with CruisingBears · Land Adventure
From Pharaohs to Petra
14 Days of Timeless Wonder
March 6–19, 2028 | 14 Days / 13 Nights
$5,488 per person
Solo supplement: $1,785
Reserve your place with just $350
Walk into history. Sail the Nile. Stand before Petra. Sleep beneath the desert sky.
Some trips show you the world. This one puts you face-to-face with pharaohs, empires and ancient civilizations.
Join CruisingBears for an extraordinary private journey through Egypt and Jordan, created for travelers who don't want to simply look at history through a bus window.
We'll stand beneath the Great Pyramids, come face-to-face with Egypt's pharaohs, sail the Nile, enter some of the most spectacular tombs in the Valley of the Kings, explore temples that have survived for millennia, walk through Petra's legendary Siq, venture across Wadi Rum by 4x4 and finish with a float in the Dead Sea.
And we'll experience it together.
This is CruisingBears beyond the cruise ship: a private hosted adventure filled with history, culture, friendship and moments we'll be talking about long after we return home.
Why This Journey Is Different
Included especially for CruisingBears
We've designed this trip around the experiences we would want if this might be our one opportunity to visit Egypt and Jordan.
That means we're not saving the best experiences for an add-on list.
Our CruisingBears journey includes private sightseeing and transportation, expert guides, domestic flights within Egypt, a three-night Nile cruise and premium archaeological experiences that many traditional tours charge extra to enter.
Tutankhamun's Tomb
After seeing the treasures of King Tut in Cairo, we'll visit the actual tomb where one of archaeology's greatest discoveries was made.
The Tomb of Ramses VI
Walk beneath brilliantly preserved decoration and one of the Valley of the Kings' extraordinary astronomical ceilings.
A Traditional Felucca Sailing in Aswan
Leave the motorized world behind for a while and experience the Nile aboard one of Egypt's traditional sailing boats.
Private Abu Simbel Excursion
Journey south to the colossal temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari on our own private CruisingBears excursion.
Private CruisingBears Touring
Our included sightseeing and transportation are arranged privately for the CruisingBears group rather than placing us on standard public tours.
Fourteen days. Two countries. Thousands of years of history.
Stand beneath the Pyramids.
Sail the Nile.
Enter the tombs of pharaohs.
Walk through Petra.
Cross Wadi Rum.
Float in the Dead Sea.
And experience all of it with the CruisingBears community.
$5,488 per person
Solo supplement: $1,785
Reserve your place with just $350
Itinerary
Your 14-Day Adventure
Day 1March 6
Welcome to Cairo 🇪🇬
Your Egyptian adventure begins the moment you land.
We'll be met at Cairo International Airport and transferred by private air-conditioned transportation to our hotel.
Today is deliberately easy. Settle in, meet your fellow travelers, recover from the flight and prepare for what's ahead.
Overnight: Cairo
Day 2March 7
The Pyramids, Sphinx & Grand Egyptian Museum
Today we meet ancient Egypt in spectacular fashion.
Stand at the foot of the Great Pyramids of Giza, the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World.
We'll explore the Giza Plateau, meet the legendary Great Sphinx, visit the Valley Temple and enjoy lunch before continuing to the extraordinary Grand Egyptian Museum.
Here, the treasures and stories of ancient Egypt begin putting faces and names to the monuments we'll encounter throughout our adventure.
Optional Adventure: Go Inside the Great Pyramid
Seeing the Great Pyramid is extraordinary.
Going inside it is something else entirely.
Adventurous guests can climb through the ancient interior passages toward the King's Chamber.
Because the route involves confined spaces, crouching and climbing, this option isn't recommended for guests with significant mobility limitations or claustrophobia.
Included: Breakfast & Lunch
The Great Pyramids of Giza Day 3March 8
Royal Mummies, Old Cairo & the Citadel
Egypt's story didn't end with the pharaohs.
We'll visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, including its remarkable Royal Mummies collection, before continuing into historic Old Cairo.
After lunch we'll explore the impressive Salah El-Din Citadel and Mohammed Ali Mosque, with panoramic views stretching across Cairo.
Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 4March 9
Fly to Aswan | Philae Temple & the Unfinished Obelisk
This morning we fly south to Aswan, where the scenery, culture and pace of Egypt begin to change.
We'll journey to beautiful Philae Temple, dedicated primarily to the goddess Isis, before exploring the ancient granite quarry containing the enormous Unfinished Obelisk.
Tonight we'll settle into our Nile-view accommodations.
Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Sailing the Nile at Aswan Day 5March 10
Abu Simbel & the Nile
Wake early for one of the great bucket-list experiences of Egypt.
We'll travel privately to Abu Simbel, where four colossal statues of Ramses II guard the entrance to an enormous temple carved directly into the rock.
Nearby stands the beautiful temple built in honor of Queen Nefertari.
Abu Simbel is remarkable twice over: first because ancient Egyptians constructed it more than 3,000 years ago, and again because an international UNESCO project moved the temples piece by piece to save them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.
After returning to Aswan, we'll embark aboard the MS Nile Dolphin for our three-night Nile cruise.
Included CruisingBears Experience
Traditional Felucca Sailing in Aswan ⛵
We'll also take to the Nile aboard a traditional Egyptian felucca and experience the river much as travelers have for generations.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerOvernight: MS Nile Dolphin
Abu Simbel Day 6March 11
Sailing the Nile | Kom Ombo & Edfu
Wake aboard the Nile and sail toward Kom Ombo, home to an unusual twin temple honoring Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god.
Later we'll continue toward Edfu and the impressive Temple of Horus.
Edfu is one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt and offers an extraordinary glimpse into what these monumental religious complexes once looked like.
Between temples, relax aboard the ship and watch everyday life along the Nile drift past.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerOvernight: MS Nile Dolphin
Day 7March 12
THE VALLEY OF THE KINGS 👑
Today may be one of the most extraordinary days of the entire trip.
We'll cross to Luxor's West Bank and enter the legendary Valley of the Kings, burial place of Egypt's New Kingdom pharaohs.
And CruisingBears isn't stopping with ordinary admission.
THREE PREMIUM ROYAL TOMBS ARE INCLUDED
Seti I
Descend deep underground into one of the most magnificent royal tombs ever created.
Tutankhamun
Stand inside the tomb that captured the imagination of the world and see the final resting place of Egypt's most famous young pharaoh.
Ramses VI
Walk beneath spectacular artwork and one of ancient Egypt's breathtaking astronomical ceilings.
We'll also visit the dramatic Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and towering Colossi of Memnon.
This is the Egypt many of us have imagined since childhood.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerOvernight: MS Nile Dolphin
Valley of the Kings Day 8March 13
Karnak, Luxor Temple & Return to Cairo
After breakfast we'll disembark and explore Luxor's magnificent East Bank.
Walk through the forests of columns, obelisks and sacred spaces of enormous Karnak Temple, then continue to beautiful Luxor Temple.
Later we'll fly back to Cairo for our final Egyptian overnight before continuing to Jordan.
Optional Adventure: Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon 🎈
For travelers willing to trade a little sleep for a very big memory, rise above Luxor at sunrise.
Watch the temples, farmland, Nile and desert emerge beneath you as the sun rises over one of the world's greatest archaeological landscapes.
Weather dependent.
Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Karnak Temple, Luxor Jordan Begins 🇯🇴
Day 9March 14
Cairo to Amman
After breakfast we'll transfer to Cairo International Airport and board our group flight to Amman, Jordan.
Upon arrival, our Jordanian representatives will meet the group and transfer us to our hotel.
The remainder of the day is yours to relax before beginning our second country.
Important Airfare Note
The Cairo-to-Amman flight is not included in the $5,488 trip price.
CruisingBears plans to purchase this flight together as a group around September 2027, after final trip payment.
The currently expected cost is approximately $250–$300 per person, subject to the airfare available when tickets are purchased.
Guests will make a separate additional payment for this flight.
Included: Breakfast
Day 10March 15
Jerash, Ajloun & Umm Qais
Today reveals just how layered Jordan's history really is.
Walk through the ancient streets of Jerash, one of the world's most impressive surviving Roman cities.
Then travel through mountain scenery and olive groves to medieval Ajloun Castle before continuing to Umm Qais, where sweeping views extend across the Jordan Valley toward the Sea of Galilee.
This is one of our more active sightseeing days, filled with ruins, ancient streets, stairs and spectacular views.
Included: Breakfast
Day 11March 16
PETRA
Some places need no introduction.
Today we enter one of the world's greatest archaeological treasures.
Walk through the narrow sandstone canyon known as the Siq, with massive rock walls rising around you.
And then suddenly, it appears.
The Treasury.
Petra's most iconic monument is only the beginning.
We'll continue exploring this remarkable Nabataean city, including the Street of Facades, Royal Tombs and other monuments carved into Petra's rose-colored cliffs.
Tonight we'll stay in Petra instead of rushing back to Amman.
Because someplace like this deserves more than a quick photo stop.
Included: BreakfastOvernight: Petra
Petra's Treasury Day 12March 17
WADI RUM: INTO THE DESERT
Trade carved stone for open desert.
We'll travel into the extraordinary landscapes of Wadi Rum, where sandstone mountains rise from vast stretches of desert.
Our CruisingBears group heads off-road for a two-hour 4x4 Jeep adventure through this unforgettable landscape.
And then comes one of the most unusual nights of the journey.
We're sleeping in Wadi Rum.
Tonight we'll stay at the Wadi Rum UFO Luxotel Camp, surrounded by desert instead of city lights.
Dinner is included at camp.
Included: Breakfast & DinnerOvernight: Wadi Rum UFO Luxotel
Wadi Rum Day 13March 18
Float at the Dead Sea
After almost two weeks of pyramids, temples, tombs, ruins and deserts, today's assignment is wonderfully simple:
Relax.
We'll spend the day at the Dead Sea, the lowest exposed point on Earth.
Its mineral-rich water is so buoyant that you can simply lean back and float.
Try the famous mineral mud, enjoy the sunshine and give your feet a well-earned vacation of their own.
Later we'll return to Amman for our final night together.
Included: Breakfast
The Dead Sea Day 14March 19
Until the Next Adventure
After breakfast, private transportation will take us to Queen Alia International Airport for our flights home.
We'll leave with thousands of photos, a ridiculous amount of history in our heads, new friendships and some very difficult-to-top travel stories.
Egypt and Jordan may be ancient.
The memories will be brand new.
Included: Breakfast
Your CruisingBears Trip Price
$5,488 per person
Solo Supplement: $1,785 for a private room throughout the trip
Reserve your place with a $350 deposit
We've intentionally created a payment schedule that lets you spread the cost of this bucket-list trip over time.
Reserve My Place – $350 →| Payment Date | Amount Due |
|---|---|
| At Booking | $350 deposit |
| March 12, 2027 | Total payments equal 25% / $1,372 |
| May 11, 2027 | Total payments equal 50% / $2,744 |
| July 10, 2027 | Total payments equal 75% / $4,116 |
| September 1, 2027 | Final payment / $5,488 total paid |
Your initial $350 deposit is applied toward the total trip price.
Booking Intake Form
Complete your details below to start your booking. They'll be sent to Matthew at MJOBE@DreamVacations.com.
Cancellation Policy
Plans change, so please review the cancellation schedule carefully before booking.
After September 8, 2027: A cancellation penalty equal to 50% of the trip price applies.
After December 1, 2027: The trip becomes 100% nonrefundable.
A 5% Administrative Fee applies to all refunds, imposed by our in-destination team.
Because international airfare and the Cairo–Amman flight have their own airline rules and penalties, those tickets are subject to the applicable carrier's terms once purchased.
We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance appropriate for an international trip of this nature.
Getting to Egypt & Home from Jordan ✈️
International airfare is not included in the $5,488 trip price.
Guests are responsible for airfare to Cairo, Egypt at the beginning of the trip and home from Amman, Jordan at the end of the trip.
CruisingBears Can Arrange Your Flights
You don't have to navigate international airfare alone.
CruisingBears can arrange your flights for you if desired, and we will work to coordinate schedules so that members of the group arrive in Cairo at similar times or, when practical, travel together on the same flights.
This can make airport transfers and the start of the adventure much smoother.
Guests who prefer to use frequent-flyer miles, airline status benefits or book their own airfare are also welcome to do so.
We'll provide recommended arrival and departure timing well before travel.
One Additional Group Flight
Our flight from Cairo, Egypt to Amman, Jordan is also not included in the $5,488 base trip price.
Rather than having everyone book separately, CruisingBears intends to purchase this flight together for the group around September 2027.
Estimated Cairo → Amman airfare: $250–$300 per person.
This is an estimate only and will depend on the actual airfare available when tickets are purchased.
A separate additional payment will be collected once the group airfare has been confirmed.
Where We'll Stay
Nile River
MS Nile Dolphin | 5-Star Superior Nile Cruise ↗
Every cabin is a balcony cabin. Three nights with breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard
If an accommodation or vessel substitution becomes necessary, our group agreement requires an equivalent or higher-standard alternative.
What's Included
- 14-day / 13-night privately arranged Egypt and Jordan itinerary
- Airport meet-and-assist services
- Private air-conditioned transportation
- Domestic Egypt flights from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo
- Private guided sightseeing in Egypt
- Private guided sightseeing in Jordan
- Three-night 5-star superior Nile cruise
- Full board aboard the Nile cruise
- Hotel accommodations throughout the itinerary
- Meals indicated in the daily itinerary
- Included attraction entrance fees
- Private Abu Simbel excursion
- Entry into the Tomb of Seti I
- Entry into Tutankhamun's Tomb
- Entry into the Tomb of Ramses VI
- Traditional felucca sailing in Aswan
- Two-hour 4x4 Wadi Rum Jeep experience
- Bottled water during touring
- Porterage where required
- Service charges and applicable package taxes
- Jordan visa arrangements for eligible U.S. passport holders under current supplier arrangements
What's Not Included
The following are not included in the $5,488 package price (solo supplement $1,785):
- International airfare to Cairo
- International airfare home from Amman
- Cairo-to-Amman airfare, estimated at approximately $250–$300 pp
- Egypt entry visa
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Personal purchases
- Optional excursions
- Meals and beverages not identified as included in the itinerary
Optional Experiences
Our itinerary is already packed with extraordinary experiences, but travelers who want even more will have additional opportunities.
Optional excursion prices are current estimates and may change before 2028.
Cairo
Inside the Great Pyramid of Cheops
Currently approximately $50 pp
Venture beyond the exterior and climb through the ancient interior passages toward the King's Chamber.
One-Hour Cairo Felucca Ride
Currently approximately $40 pp
Sail the Nile through Cairo aboard a traditional Egyptian felucca.
Cairo Dinner Cruise
Currently approximately $145 pp
Spend an evening dining while cruising the Nile.
Additional Cairo City Tour
Currently approximately $110 pp
Explore even more of Egypt's sprawling capital with a guided excursion.
Luxor
Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Flight 🎈
Currently approximately $139 pp
Rise above Luxor's West Bank and watch the ancient landscape emerge beneath the morning sun.
Karnak Sound & Light Show
Currently approximately $52 pp
Return to Karnak after dark for an illuminated evening presentation.
Aswan
Nubian Village by Boat
Currently approximately $60 pp
Travel by boat into the landscapes around Aswan for a Nubian cultural experience.
High Tea at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract
Currently approximately $120 pp
Enjoy the historic atmosphere and Nile views of one of Egypt's legendary hotels.
Philae Temple Sound & Light Show
Currently approximately $58 pp
Return to beautiful Philae after sunset for an illuminated evening experience.
All optional excursions are subject to availability, scheduling and final 2028 supplier pricing.
How Active Is This Trip?
This is an immersive sightseeing adventure.
It is not a sit-on-the-bus-and-wave-at-the-monuments vacation.
Most days involve moderate walking, often across uneven archaeological surfaces.
Petra is our most active day, requiring considerable walking through the Siq and archaeological complex.
Jerash, Umm Qais, Luxor and the Valley of the Kings also involve stairs or uneven ground.
Wadi Rum is easier physically, with most exploration conducted by 4x4, although some walking on sand is involved.
Abu Simbel includes a relatively long road journey.
Guests should be comfortable walking for several hours over the course of sightseeing days.
More detailed mobility information will be provided before departure.
Traveling with CruisingBears in Egypt & Jordan 🐻
This isn't simply an Egypt tour that happens to contain a group of LGBTQ+ travelers.
It's a CruisingBears journey.
We're traveling as a community of Bears, Chubs, Chasers and friends, sharing the experience from Cairo to Petra.
Egypt and Jordan have laws, traditions and social customs that differ from those in the United States and many European countries.
We travel respectfully and thoughtfully while still enjoying the friendship and community that make CruisingBears trips special.
Before departure, travelers will receive information concerning local laws, dress expectations, photography, public behavior and cultural considerations.
Our goal is simple: experience these extraordinary countries deeply, responsibly and together.
Solo Travelers Are Welcome
Traveling solo doesn't mean experiencing Egypt alone.
CruisingBears has always been about community, and solo travelers are absolutely welcome.
Single accommodations are available for a solo supplement of $1,785, subject to availability.
And if you arrive knowing nobody? We have a funny feeling that won't last very long. 🐻
A Special CruisingBears Celebration 🎂
This journey also marks a milestone birthday within the CruisingBears family.
We're planning a special group celebration during the adventure, with final details to be announced as the trip gets closer.
Because if you're going to celebrate a milestone birthday... Egypt and Jordan aren't exactly playing it safe.
Good To Know
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this a private CruisingBears tour?
- Our included ground sightseeing and transportation are privately arranged for the CruisingBears group. The Nile Dolphin itself is not a private charter.
- Are the special Valley of the Kings tombs included?
- Yes. Admission to Seti I, Tutankhamun and Ramses VI is included in your trip price.
- Is Abu Simbel included?
- Yes. Abu Simbel is included as a private CruisingBears group excursion.
- Is the Aswan felucca included?
- Yes. The traditional Aswan felucca sailing is included in your trip.
- Is airfare included?
- Domestic flights Cairo–Aswan and Luxor–Cairo are included. Your airfare to Cairo and home from Amman is not included. CruisingBears can arrange your international flights if you'd like assistance or would prefer to travel on similar or the same flights as other group members. The Cairo–Amman flight is also additional and is expected to cost approximately $250–$300 pp.
- When will we purchase the Cairo–Amman flight?
- CruisingBears expects to purchase this flight together for the group around September 2027, after final trip payments have been made. A separate payment will be collected for the airfare.
- Can I travel solo?
- Absolutely. Single accommodations are available for a solo supplement of $1,785.
- How much is the deposit?
- Your space can be reserved with a $350 deposit.
- When is final payment?
- Final payment is due September 1, 2027.
- What is the cancellation policy?
- A 50% cancellation penalty applies after September 8, 2027. The trip becomes 100% nonrefundable after December 1, 2027. Airline tickets are also subject to the applicable airline's cancellation rules once purchased.
- Is travel insurance recommended?
- Yes. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation, interruption, medical emergencies and other unexpected circumstances.
- How physically demanding is the trip?
- Most days involve moderate sightseeing and walking. Petra is the most demanding day, and several ancient sites involve uneven surfaces, steps and inclines.
Ready to secure your spot?
Reserve your place on From Pharaohs to Petra with a $350 deposit, or ask Matthew anything first.
$5,488 pp · $1,785 solo · $350 deposit
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