Once you are already in the Middle East, why not visit the exciting, historical sites in Jordan and Egypt? Routes Travel is proud to offer a variety of excursions to Jordan and Egypt. Excursions range from 1-5 days, depending on your time frame and desires. Our high-quality excursions ensure that no matter which country you choose to visit, you will travel in comfort, safety and to the premium locations. You will travel in an air-conditioned car/van/bus and dine at high quality restaurants and hotels. Read below for the descriptions of our excursions.
1 Day Tour of Petra from Eilat
Petra was recently voted for inclusion amongst the world’s ‘New 7 Wonders’. On this excursion you will visit the ancient capital of the Nabateans from the 3rd century BCE to the 2nd century CE and be amazed at the magnificent city carved entirely out of the canyon's red sandstone. You will be picked up in Eilat and transferred to Jordan via the Arava border crossing. You will enjoy a drive through the coastal city of Aqaba until you arrive outside of Petra. You will then travel on horseback to the "Siq" (the gorge) and from there, walk into the breathtaking red rock city of Petra. The view of the Treasury will astonish you and you will continue your walking tour to visit the other monuments carved into the sandstone, including the Roman Theater, the Courts, Qasr Bint Pharaoun, and Temple of the Winged Lion. Lunch will take place at Nabatean's Tent Rest and then there will be time for shopping at the Beduoin outdoor bazaars. On the way back to the Arava border, you can elect to stop in Aqaba for a short tour, or return directly to Israel. **Prices do not include Israeli & Jordanian border taxes + tips
Jordan Highlights 3 Days - 2 Nights
Day 1
You will be picked up in Eilat and transported to the Arava border where you will cross into Jordan. Drive through the coastal city of Aqaba until you reach the outskirts of Petra. Travel by horse to the "Siq" (the gorge) and then walk through the entrance of the canyon into Petra. Witness the breathtaking monuments all carved out of the red sandstone of the canyon, including the Treasury, the Roman Theater, the Courts, Qasr Bint Pharaoun, and the Temple of the Winged Lion. Enjoy lunch at the Nabatean's Tent Rest and continue through the Wadi Musa village to the capital city of Amman. In Amman, you will check into your hotel and enjoy a traditional Middle Eastern dinner.
Overnight: Amman
Day 2
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to "the City of Mosaics," Madaba. Visit the remains of the Madaba church to see the incredible ancient floor map mosaic, which is the oldest historical map of Israel. Then travel to Mount Nebo, where Moses saw the Promised Land and enjoy the panoramic view of the Dead Sea and Jordan Valley. After descending the mountain, you will drive through the magnificent scenery of Wadi Mujib to Kerak and visit the Crusader Castle. The day will finish with a float in the Dead Sea and drive back to your hotel in Amman.
Overnight: Amman
Day 3
After breakfast at the hotel, you will take a short tour of Amman, visiting the Roman Theatre, the Citadel and the Late King Hussein Palace. Then drive north to Jerash, the city of the Decapolis, which is located in the fertile heights of the Gilead. You will enter Jerash through the monumental South Gate and begin touring the well preserved ancient Roman city. Stroll through the city's colonnaded streets into the Oval Plaza and visit the Roman theater, the temple, the triumphal arch, and the baths. Afterwards, you will travel south though the Wadi Ram desert and enjoy a 4x4 Jeep ride in the desert. From there, you will transfer to the Arava border and cross back into Israel around dinnertime.
**Prices do not include Israeli & Jordanian border taxes + tips
1 Day Tour - Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine Monastery from Eilat
You will be picked up in Eilat in the very early morning and escorted across the Taba border to Egypt. From there, drive to the Monastery of St. Catherine in Sinai's High Range Area. The Monastery remains one of the most important locations in the world for Pilgrimage travel and is located at the base of Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. After touring the Monastery, enjoy lunch at a nearby hotel in Sinai. You will choose between two options for the afternoon, as follows.
Option 1: After lunch, if you are looking for adventure, we will ascend Mount Sinai on the ancient pilgrim trail. A two hour walk will bring us to the summit of the mountain, which looks out onto the expansive desert and sparkling Red Sea.
Option 2: If you prefer a more leisurely day, we will travel to Nuweiba and enjoy time swimming and snorkeling on the coast of the Red Sea. You will be amazed at the colorful coral reef and exotic fish visible in the clear water. There is also an option to visit the Bedouin bazaar in Nuweiba before driving to the Taba border and returning to Israel.
**Prices do not include Israeli & Egyptian border taxes + tips
3 Day Golden Egypt Tour from Eilat
Day 1
Your journey begins when you cross the Taba border from Eilat into Egypt. You will first visit Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. Then spend the afternoon at a resort near Nuweiba swimming and snorkeling in the clear waters of the Red Sea. Afterwards, you will traverse the Sinai desert towards the Suez Canal and reach the capital city of Cairo. You will check into your hotel and experience a traditional Egyptian dinner.
Overnight: Cairo
Day 2
After breakfast, you will begin exploring the sites of rich Egyptian history, starting with the Great Pyramids of Giza. You will stand in awe of these incredible structures and the extensive history behind their creation. Cheops pyramid, the largest of the three pyramids was built around 2690 BCE and is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. In front of the pyramids, stand the Sphinx, a lion with a pharaoh's head carved from a single piece of stone. From there, drive to the Khan el-Khalili bazaar where you will shop for carpets, jewelry, perfume, antiques and more. After your Middle Eastern shopping experience, you will enjoy lunch near the bustling bazaar. Then spend the afternoon visiting the renowned Cairo Museum which features treasures that include the riches of Tutankhamun and the Mummies of Pharaohs and Queens. Return to the hotel to freshen up and dine, and then enjoy an evening cruise down the Nile.
Overnight: Cairo
Day 3
Following breakfast at the hotel, drive to Memphis, the capital of the kingdom of ancient Egypt, situated on the west bank of the Nile. Then, travel to Saqqara, the necropolis of ancient Memphis which features the world's oldest standing step pyramid. Return to Cairo to tour the old city, including the old Coptic Churches, the Mohammed Ali Mosque and the oldest Synagogue in Cairo, Beni Ezra Synagogue.
Drive back to Taba and return to Israel in the evening.
**Prices do not include Israeli & Egyptian border taxes + tips
Cairo 4 Days - 3 Nights from Eilat
Day 1
At 11:50 pm you will be picked up at your Eilat Hotel. Transfer to the Taba Border and assistance with all of the formalities. Once in Egypt, our representative will await you, and aid you to the car which will take you to Cairo. Once we arrive to Cairo we will begin our journey with the The Pyramids of Giza. Stand in awe of these incredible structures and the extensive history behind their creation. Cheops pyramid, the largest of the three pyramids was built around 2690 BCE and is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. In front of the pyramids, stands the Sphinx, a lion with a pharaoh's head carved from a single piece of stone. Continue to the the EgyptianMuseum.
Overnight: Cairo
Day 2
After breakfast at your hotel we will drive to SAKKARA, the ancient "Necropolis" of Memphis, the capital of the Old Kingdom. Here we will visit pyramids and tombs among them the famous "Step Pyramid", the oldest known Pyramid in Egypt. We will then the Cairo Citadel built by Saladinand the "Alabaster Mosque". Free Time to wander around and explore
Overnight: Cairo
Day 3
Today is dedicated to the Old City of Cairo (Fostat) where we will visit the old CopticChurches and some of the most famous sites in Cairo. In the evening we will have a Cruise and Dinner on the Nile.
Overnight: Cairo
Day 4
The first part of the day will be at leisure to stroll on your own through the famous market-area of Khan el Khalili. In the early afternoon we will pick you up and drive you to the Taba Border Crossing. At both crossings you will be assisted by our helpful staff people After crossing the border, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Eilat.
**Prices do not include Israeli & Egyptian border taxes + tips
SCUBA Adventure - Liveaboard Diving Safari
Diving Excursions
*Must be a certified diver (PADI or NAUI)
From Eilat and Southern Israel your adventure begins when you cross the Taba border and drive south to the resort town of Sharm el-Sheik. During your trip, you could spend up to four nights at a luxury resort on the Red Sea and dive at the most fantastic and untouched locations. Dive at the circular reefs of the Straits of Tiran, at the steep coastal cliffs and coral garders of Ras Mohammed, and at The Blue Hole in Dahab. If you are an advanced diver, you can choose to dive the Thistlegorm or the Dunraven WWII wrecks, respectively 4 and 2 ½ hours by boat from Sharm el-Sheik. When you are not diving, you will have time to relax and snorkel on Sharm el-Sheik's lovely shore, take an exciting jeep safari ride in the Sinai desert and walk along the bustling boardwalk. You may also elect to take a day trip to Mount Sinai and St. Catherine's Monastery.
The Red Sea is one of the best locations in the world for reef diving and wreck diving. Join us on a liveaboard diving safari to experience some of the best dives in the Red Sea! Whether your interest is wrecks, reefs or simply diving and relaxing, our choice of itineraries will suit you (minimum number of participants required for charter).
