Egyptian Treasures TourThis Guided Tour was enjoyed by all between: |
Step back in time as we escort you and your fellow members to some of the most amazing and awe inspiring monuments known to man in this 9 day tour of Egypt.
No picture you have seen, no documentary you have watched will prepare you for how you feel as stand next to the great Pyramids of Giza. Walking in the tombs of living gods, words will simply fail you. Then cruise the sacred life giving Nile and reflect as you are treated to the luxury reserved for the pharaoh’s themselves. This is truly a trip to the greatest of the wonders of the world.
| Egypt Tour Itinerary |  |
Day 1 - Arrive in Cairo
You arrive at Cairo airport where we greet and transfer you to your 5-star hotel. The Oberoi Mena House is a luxurious palace hotel which was originally built in 1869 as a hunting lodge by the King of Egypt. It is a very historic hotel which is reflected in the traditional Arabesque furnishings, original artwork and antiques found throughout. It has a newly renovated garden wing which where you will be staying, and the largest swimming pool in Cairo with unrivalled views of the Pyramids in the background.
Overnight at 5-star hotel in Cairo.
Day 2 - Tour to Pyramids and Sphinx
After breakfast we have a short pre-tour briefing before we take you on a tour of Gisa and Saqqara. Gisa was built around 4600 years ago as a necropolis (cemetery) for the pharaoh Khufu (Cheops). The successor of Sneferu, Khufu was known as a tyrant and in his arrogance decided to have built a tomb that was bigger and better than all others. At 500 feet high and 750 feet wide at its base the Pyramid of Khufu is an awesome man-made structure constructed of giant stone blocks with a hard limestone casing. The casing has, over the years, been stripped away to leave exposed the inner block structure. Together with the smaller pyramids of Khafre (Chephern) and Menkaure (Mycerinus), the majestic sight of these enormous structures rising out of the desert is a breathtaking spectacle.
Here you have the chance to climb inside one of the pyramids (there are a limited number of tickets available in the Great Pyramid, so we cannot guarantee entry), and also to take a camel ride (approx. £2-5 p/p for around 30mins).
Close by, the mysterious Sphinx stands guard, as it has done so for thousands of years. You have another guided tour around the sphinx and some free time to walk around and take photos.
Next stop is Saqqara, 25km to the south of Cairo. Djeser’s (Zoser’s) Step Pyramid (built 4700 years ago) dominates the skyline and is believed to have been the ancient Egyptians’ first attempt at Pyramid building. The entire 7km stretch of desert at Saqqara is a treasure trove of pyramids, temples and tombs, which we will have plenty of time to explore, while we learn about the history of pyramid building in Egypt.
For this, and all of your sightseeing tours, a local English-speaking Egyptologist guide will accompany you.
Late in the afternoon we take a short internal flight to Luxor (17.00-18.10) , and then transfer to your 5 star hotel in Luxor where you evening is free to relax in the hotel or to explore the town. The town of Luxor is built on and around the ancient site of Thebes, and boasts the largest concentration of ancient ruins in the Nile Valley. The town centre is accessible and interesting to walk through, especially along the banks of the river and through the bazaars.
Overnight at 5-star hotel in Luxor (B).
Day 3 - Luxor, West Bank Tour
After a very early breakfast, we take a trip to the West Bank of the Nile, starting with the Valley of the Kings.
In the Valley of the Kings, you will see several of the elaborately painted underground tombs in which the Pharaohs were buried. Your guide will choose the best tombs open during your visit (the entry ticket covers 3 tombs - extra visits are available to the tombs of Tutankhamun and Ramses V & VI for an extra fee paid locally). Next we take you to visit the unique three-tiered Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatchepsut. Dedicated to the God Amun this temple complex framed by towering cliffs is a wondrous sight. We then visit Medinat Habu, a temple of Ramses III, which is not on most tourist itineraries, but has some of the very deepest carved hieroglyphs, and the best preserved coloured wall paintings, really giving you an idea of how these Egyptian temples looked in their prime. Finally you will stop to see the Colossi of Memnon, two huge 50 feet high statues of King Amenhotep II, before returning to Luxor where you board your Nile Cruise boat and take lunch.
The cruise boat has most of the facilities of a normal 5-star hotel, including a relaxing sun deck and swimming pool, and all your meals are included. You have your own en-suite, air-conditioned cabins.
The afternoon is free for you to relax or explore Luxor further.
In the evening we take you to enjoy a sound & light show at the huge temple complex at Karnak.
Overnight on luxury cruise boat, Luxor (B L D).
Day 4 - Luxor, East Bank Tour, Sail to Edfu
There is an option today for an early morning hot air balloon flight over the West Bank of the Nile.
After breakfast on the boat, we take you on a tour of the East Bank of Luxor, which will include a visit to the Temple of Luxor, and back at Karnak. The great Temple of Amun at Karnak was once the religious centre of Thebes and Upper Egypt. It was linked to Luxor by an extensive avenue, which was lined with sphinxes, and the whole complex was in turn linked to the Nile via a canal through which moved the sacred boats of the god Amun. Entering through a smaller sphinx-lined avenue, built by Ramesses II, you come to the immense pylon entrance. Inside the huge Courtyard are three chapels dedicated to the gods Amun, Khous and Mut. The remarkable Hypostyle Hall has 134 towering columns, each carved with scenes of gods and pharaohs, and hieroglyphic inscriptions adorn the walls.
Lying 3 km to the south of Karnak in the centre of town, the Temple of Luxor was built by Amenophis III and later enlarged by Ramses II. The partially damaged statues inside all represent Ramses II, and it was he who built the colonnaded forecourt. The Colonnade and Court of Amenophis III are perhaps the most striking parts of the temple.
We leave Luxor and sail to Esna, where there is a lock on the Nile at which we may need to wait a little as there are many boats passing up and down the river. Depending on the queue at the lock, there may be time for a brief walk around Esna town.
Once through the lock (if no long delays) we sail on upriver to Edfu where we overnight.
Overnight on luxury cruise boat, Esna or Edfu (B L D).
Day 5 - Edfu & Komombo Temples, Sail to Aswan
Our first visit today is to Edfu Temple, a well-preserved complex dedicated to the God Horus. You then sail further upriver, enjoying the sight and sounds of rural Egypt on the banks of the river as you sail along. Another stop is made at Komombo, where there are the remains of a temple dedicated to the Gods Sobek and Haroeris.
Finally today, we arrive in Aswan where the boat moors for the night.
Overnight on luxury cruise boat, Aswan (B L D).
Day 6 - Aswan Tours
Our first visit in Aswan is to the Nubian Museum, where we learn more about the Nubian people and their history and how it connected with ancient Egyptian Pharaonic history.
Our next visit is to the beautiful Temple of Philae, a complex dedicated to Isis and reclaimed from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, which we reach by a scenic boat ride. We may also stop to visit the Aswan Dam. Aswan is Egypt’s most southerly city and throughout history has controlled the trade routes both to the north and the south, and has acted as a gateway to and from Africa. Situated on the banks of the Nile it now lies at the northern end of Lake Nasser. This 360 mile long and 6 mile wide lake was created after the building of the High Dam, and covers the area once occupied by the ancient kingdom of Nubia. The Nile here is at its most picturesque, with cascading rapids, lush green islands, and feluccas sailing to and fro. The city is a melting pot of African and Middle Eastern cultures, most easily experienced by wandering through the busy souqs, which assail the senses with a riot of colours, sounds, and smells.
Overnight on luxury cruise boat, Aswan (B L D).
Day 7 - Aswan. fly to Cairo
This morning we check out of the cruise boat (luggage storage will be arranged) and the morning is free for you to explore the town, stroll through the bazaars, and walk along the Nile at your leisure. Alternatively you can seize the chance to visit the remarkable temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel, which were dismantled and rebuilt when Lake Nasser was flooded.
After a Nubian style lunch we take you on a tour of the islands around Aswan on a traditional Egyptian felucca sailboat, stopping at Kitchener Island, with its beautiful and peaceful botanical gardens.
We then take an early evening flight back to Cairo (18.25-19.50), where we transfer to our city centre hotel. This hotel is based around a 19th century palace which was built in 1869 for the opening of the Suez Canal and is set on an island in the River Nile in the centre of Cairo. There are two modern towers set at either end of the original palace building and these are connected by the 6 acres of landscaped gardens that surround the hotel. It is a large hotel with extensive grounds, a large outdoor pool and lots of restaurants, bars and shops within the hotel complex.
Overnight at 5-star hotel in Cairo. (B,L)
Day 8 - Cairo. City Tour
After breakfast we take you on a tour of Cairo. Founded in 969 AD by Gohar, a Fatimid army leader, El Kahera (Cairo) soon became the capital of Egypt. Subsequent additions like the El Azhar mosque, the Islamic University, and defensive walls and a citadel, built by Saladin in 1179, have helped Cairo remain Egypt’s principal city. The 16-year reign of Ismail (1830-1895) ushered in a new period of expansion and modernisation and areas like Heliopolis, Dokki and Roda were added, while gardens, Opera houses, hotels and wide, tree lined avenues were built. Further post revolutionary, urban expansion has left Cairo as one of the world’s largest cities. Today it is a bustling metropolis of over 20 million people, a strange mix of modern and old, a unique blend of diverse cultures and a gateway to Egypt’s past.
Your tour includes a visit to the Egyptian Museum (which houses a vast collection of artefacts from Egypt’s past, including the famous King Tutunkhamun display), Coptic Cairo (with some ancient churches), the Citadel (a collection of mosques and palaces, with a great view over the city), and the Khan al Khalili bazaar (a mazy market that offers a window to the past and a guaranteed souvenir).
At the end of your day in Cairo there is a little free time and an option to visit the orphanage that we support in Cairo.
Overnight at 5-star hotel in Cairo. (B)
Day 9 - Tour ends
Your tour ends after breakfast and your time is free until we transfer you to the airport for your flight home. (B).
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NOT INCLUDED IN EGYPT TOUR:
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