Egypt

Day 1 Arrival in Cairo 

Welcome to Egypt and the beginning of your once in a lifetime experience. Our representative will meet and assist you through Cairo International Airport, then transfer to your hotel. Tonight we will enjoy a “Welcome Dinner” with fellow travellers, your new family for the next 9 days.
Meals: Dinner

 

Day 2 Saqqara Giza Pyramids Sphinx 

After breakfast, check out of your room and you will meet your Egyptologist/Tour Guide at the hotel to start the journey. We will see the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, the first free-standing building of stone in the whole world dating back to 2700 BC. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant before we explore the Giza Plateau, your chance to personally stand where the Ancient Egyptians stood thousands of years ago. Next will proceed to the Great Pyramid of Cheops, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one that still exists. Later, an experience not to miss is venturing down into the burial chamber of Chephren (second Pyramid). We continue our adventure with a camel ride through the Sahara for those who are interested (optional at extra cost). We finish our visit to the plateau with the Guardian Angel of the area, the monolithic and iconic Sphinx. The day is not over yet, we will now experience how the ancients recorded their history on the first paper ever produced, Papyrus, at a government-regulated Papyrus Institute. Later this evening we drive to Giza train station to board our overnight sleeper train to Aswan. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

 

Day 3 Aswan Philae Temple and Nubian Village 

After breakfast, we arrive to Aswan, Egypt’s sunniest city. Our visit today is to the beautiful Philae Temple, dedicated to Goddess Isis. It was one of the most important pilgrimage centres in Egypt and the last Egyptian temple to remain in use. Check into our next hotel located on the River Nile. Tonight we will enjoy a journey to the Nubian village, mingle with the Nubians in this charming local area, a fun way to relax and soak up some of the region’s fascinating past. Later we enjoy a traditional Nubian dinner. 

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner 

 

Day 4 Abu Simbel 

An early start, but well worth it! We will take a 3 hour drive through the desert towards the border of Sudan to reach the spectacular and iconic Abu Simbel, Temple of Ramses II and also the Temple of his beloved wife Nefertari. This temple complex was relocated in the 60’s in a huge engineering achievement due to the construction of the High Dam. This evening we explore the colourful local markets in Aswan, a chance to work on your bargaining skills, try some local food and smoke shisha. 

Meals: Breakfast 

Day 5 Aswan/Embark Felucca 

After breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and enjoy the day sailing in style down the Nile on a traditional felucca (a flat bottom vessel that has been associated with the Nile since ancient times). Overnight onboard the felucca.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

 

Day 6 Komombo and Edfu Temple 

After breakfast, we disembark the mighty felucca and drive to Komombo, the dual temple of Horus & Sobek. Then we drive to Edfu, the most intact temple in Egypt, dedicated to Horus. We continue our drive to Luxor and check into our hotel again on the edge of the Nile for 2 nights. Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant. 

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner 

 

Day 7 Karnak and Luxor Temples 

After breakfast we visit Karnak Temples at the East Bank of the River Nile, the temple complex is huge, covering an area of 1,5 x 3 km, dedicated to God Amun and was also the centre of his worship with his wife Mut and their son Khons. Visit a local jewellery store where you can have your very own cartouche made before we leave Luxor. This evening our special visit is to Luxor Temple. This temple is beautiful by day but even more spectacular by night. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant. 

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner 

 

Day 8 Valley of the Kings/Hatshepsut/Habu  

After breakfast, we drive to the West Bank to visit The Valley of the Kings, climb down into the spectacularly decorated tombs of the Pharaohs. After that, we visit the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the first female ruler of ancient Egypt with the full authority of a pharaoh. Then we visit Habu temple of Ramses III where he commemorates his victory oversea people. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. Today we will visit a local alabaster factory and see how the hand-made pieces are created. Later this evening we drive to Luxor train station to board our train back to Cairo. Optional Hot Air Balloon, a bird’s eye view over the two banks of the River Nile in historical Thebes (Luxor).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

 

Day 9 Egyptian Museum, Saladin Citadel, Old Coptic Cairo, Khan El-Khalili Market 

Today we step into the energy of the city that never sleeps. We experience the crazy Cairo traffic as we drive into downtown Cairo and Tahrir Square, scene of the 2011 revolution and location of the Egyptian Museum. The current Egyptian Museum is overflowing with ancient artefacts and would take many, many visits to see it in its entirety so we highlight the best of the best. This afternoon we will visit a local perfume and essence factory to learn about Oils that date back to the time of the Pharaoh’s. Here at the perfumery, you can also purchase the base oil of your favourite fragrance. Continue driving to the area of Coptic Cairo to visit The Church of Virgin Mary “the hanging church” and The Church of St. Sergius where the Holy Family stayed during their flight to Egypt. Then we move to Islamic Cairo to visit The Citadel of Saladin, with the famous Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. The day isn’t over yet, we’ll explore Khan El Khalili, Cairo’s old bazaar. 

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch  

Day 10 Departure

A representative will assist you in transfer to Cairo International Airport and assist with all check-in 

procedures. Tour ends here with unforgettable memories.

Meals: Breakfast