Itinerary | Trip Details | Bookmark and Share
Day 1: Cairo
Arrive in Cairo at any time. The day is free for you to spend at your
leisure. If you arrive early, there are plenty of things to see and
do. Visit the Saladin Citadel of Cairo; one of the most popular tourist
attractions of Cairo. To really get a feel for the place, get lost in
the bazaars and join the locals for a coffee. Also visit one of the
ancient wonders of the world, the magnificent pyramids. A welcome meeting
will take place on Day 1 in the evening. An information letter will
be posted at the reception desk on Day 1.
Day 2: Cairo (1B, 1D)
The day starts with a guided tour in Giza where you will visit the legendary
majestic Pyramids of Cheops, Cherfrern and Mykerionos. Afterwards, you
will take a tour of the great Sphinx which guards the Royal Burial Chambers
and temple of Cheops. In the afternoon, visit the Egyptian Museum. In
the evening transfer to the rail station to board a sleeper train to
Aswan.
Day 3-4: Aswan (2B, 1D)
Arrive in Aswan early in the morning. In the afternoon start with a
Felucca tour around the islands in the Nile, Elephantine Island, Agha
Khan Mausoleum and the botanical gardens on Kitchener Island. You also
visit a Nubian village and have your dinner. At the end of the day,
return to Aswan. On day 4, take an optional tour to Abu Simbel or enjoy
the day to explore Aswan on your own. Aswan, Egypt's sunniest southern
city located about 81 miles south of Luxor, has a distinctively African
atmosphere. Its ancient Egyptian name was Syene. Small enough to walk
around and graced with the most beautiful setting on the Nile, the pace
of life is slow and relaxing. Days can be spent strolling up and down
the broad Corniche watching the sailboats etch the sky with their tall
masts or sitting in floating restaurants listening to Nubian music and
eating freshly caught fish.
Day 5: Aswan-Kom Ombo (1B, 1L, 1D)
Sail in a traditional sailboat, a felucca, to Kom Ombo. Overnight on
a felucca. Feluccas are very basic traditional Nile sailboats and make
for an extremely relaxing and enjoyable way to travel down the river.
You sleep on the deck of the boat (mattresses are provided, but you
will need a blanket or light sleeping bag). Please note that the Felucca
itself does not have toilets or showers. However, your group will be
provided with a private support boat, traveling in close proximity to
your Felucca. This support boat is fully equipped with toilets and an
area to eat your meals, leaving you stress free to enjoy this tranquil
and traditional experience on the Nile.
Day 6: Kom Ombo-Edfu-Luxor (1B)
Disembark the felucca boat and visit the Temple of Kom Ombo (optional)
while waiting for your scheduled departure. Transfer by private A/C
bus to Luxor, visiting the Temple of Edfu along the way (optional, while
the group makes its scheduled stop in Edfu). This temple is dedicated
to the great falcon God of Horus. Arrive in Luxor and check into hotel.
Overnight in Luxor.
Day 7-8: Luxor (2B)
You take donkeys over to the west bank to visit the Valley of the Kings.
It is the burial site of nearly all of the kings (pharaohs) of the 18th-20th
dynasties (1539-1075 BC), from Thutmose I to Ramses X. The valley contains
62 tombs, virtually all of which were robbed in antiquity. Only the
tomb of Tutankhamen escaped pillage. After its excavation in the 1920s,
its treasures were placed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.The valley
is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. The remainder of the day is
free for leisure. A great city to explore on foot, stroll along the
Nile Corniche or unlock the secrets of the Pharaonic mummies in the
world's first mummification musuem. On day 8, in the morning, take the
tour by calesche (horse drawn carriage) to visit the famous Karnak Temple.
It isn't just a simple temple, but a complex of many pylons, temples,
halls & sanctuaries from the Middle Kingdom until the Greek-Roman period.
Return to hotel and overnight in Luxor.
Day 9: Luxor-Hurghada (1B)
Early breakfast and check out of hotel. Then transfer by private car
or minibus to Hurghada. Arrive in Hurghada and check into hotel. The
remainder of the day is free for leisure or water sports such as swimming,
scuba diving, wind surfing or snorkeling. Overnight in Hurghada.
Day 10-11: Dahab (2B)
Early breakfast and check out of hotel. After that you will take the
ferryboat to Sharm El Sheikh. From Sharm El Sheikh, you will travel
overnight to Dahab. These days are free for leisure or water sports
such as swimming, scuba diving, wind surfing or snorkeling. Overnights
in Dahab.
Day 12: Mt Sinai (1B)
Early breakfast and check out of hotel. After that you will transfer
to St. Katherine, an evocative area with unquestionable holy significance.
Walk in Moses' footsteps up to the red sandstone summit (2,285 meters
high) for a glorious desert sunset.
Day 13: St Katherine-Cairo (1B)
After breakfast visit St. Katherine Monastery where pilgrims have sought
shelter since the 4th century. Return to Cairo via private car or minibus.
You will arrive in the afternoon and check into your hotel where you
will overnight in Cairo.
Day 14: Cairo (1B)
Enjoy a guided walk through Islamic Cairo. Visit the Citadel before
ending up in the amazing Khan al-Khalili markets to try out your bargaining
skills. Known as the Turkish Bazaar in the Ottoman period, it's now
simply called 'Khan'. An optional farewell dinner and show on one of
Cairo's famous floating restaurants is available and highly recommended
as a great way to cap off your visit.
Day 15: Cairo (1B)
Breakfast and check out of hotel.
