bellatravel

Hello, We're planning to go for apx. 2 weeks from L.A. to Cairo, and can either do a trip down the Nile, or do a combination that includes Cairo/Nile plus Petra, Jerusalem and beach of Sharm El-Sheikh. It's our first time, and I'm not sure if it's better to just focus on Egypt, or do the rest, as they're close and I may never get back there. Then again I could do the rest in a separate trip.
We've looked into many tour groups I've found here: Memphis seems popular. I've also looked at Audley and Viking... Anyone try Viking. seems, more $$$ but might be worth it? Thanks all!

Kathie

With just two weeks, I'd focus on Egypt. Two weeks isn't really enough time to do justice to Egypt alone.

LAX_Esq

I agree with Kathie to focus on Egypt. I'm not a "group tour" person, and a 2 week tour of these three countries (Egypt + Jordan + Israel) is exactly the reason why most group tour itineraries are very problematic. They're designed to "sell" by making it look like you're checking as many boxes as possible -- while doing so ever so superficially. If you're on you're own and are very active travelers who like seeing a lot, I do think 1-1.5 weeks in Egypt is fine to get a general flavor of Egypt and see the highlights (there are different levels of doing Egypt justice). But with they way group tours work, jamming these three countries into two weeks definitely isn't going to do any place justice. But if you think you'll never return to the Middle East again and this is your only chance to see the Middle East and you're wanting to check the boxes, consider the three country trip.

HappyTrvlr

Odysseys Unlimited gives you 14 days in Egypt and you can add four nights in Jordan to it at the end.

JessicaBr

In this case, write down what you really do not want to miss and see if it's possible to see them in this short amount of time. I have been to Petra and I think it is amazing. But I think if you really want to see everything and not just rush by, you need to select your priorities.
Maybe there can be a local travel agent that can customize a private tour for you?