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17 Days Escorted and guided by our highly proficient Egyptologist Tour Cost
2012: 13JAN $5780 pp t/s 10FEB / 16MAR / 11MAY / 21SEP $5540 pp t/s 06APR $5980 pp t/s 12OCT / 09NOV $5745 pp t/s Guaranteed Departures with minimum 2 persons, maximum 16 persons. Escorted from Australia with min. 15 persons This tour allows you to absorb the rich and exotic atmosphere of Egypt at a more leisurely pace. Over four nights in Cairo you’ll see the Stepped Pyramid at Saqqara, the site of the ancient capital at Memphis, the Sphinx and the three magnificent pyramids on the Giza Plateau. After exploring the Egyptian Museum, the Bazaars and Coptic churches of the city we transfer to Aswan by domestic flight. We linger in Aswan in order to fully absorb the unique atmosphere of this Nubian city, half African, half Arabic, and see the Temple of Philae, the Unfinished Obelisk, the High Dam and the Temple of Ramses at Abu Simbel.
We then board a 5* Deluxe Nile Cruise ship and sail to Luxor, viewing the Temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu en-route. We spend additional nights at a deluxe hotel in Luxor. This again allows time to stroll through the colourful souks, visit the Valley of Kings, see the extraordinary Temples of Karnak and Luxor, walk along the peaceful Corniche, and meet the friendly locals. We then return to Cairo and overnight before driving on to El Alamein and the city of Alexandria.
Includes: All airport/hotel/cruise transfers in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Alexandria, modern A/C coaches, English speaking Egyptologist guide/s, Tours with entry fees, EgyptAir flights Cairo-Aswan/Luxor-Cairo, Accommodation at selected 5* hotels, all tipping and portage. Not included: Egyptian visa, personal expenses, optional excursions, meals other than those included, travel insurance which is obligatory, airport taxes of approx $146.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Departure
Check-in with Emirates at your capital city and departure Day 2: Cairo [D]
Arrival in Cairo. Met, assisted through entry formalities, transfer to your hotel for 4 nights. We meet at 7.30 for introductions and dinner Day 3: Pyramids & Sphinx [BLD]
Morning visit to Memphis and the Stepped Pyramid of Zoser. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon see
the three Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.
Optional : Attend the Pyramids Sound & Light Show: Add $60 Day 4: Cairo [BLD]
Start the day at the Egyptian National Museum. After late lunch continue to the Citadel of Salah al Din and the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. Day 5: Old Cairo [BLD]
Today visit one of Cairo’s historic mosques and the Coptic Churches, walk through the gates in the medieval walls of the city to the exotic Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Day 6: Aswan [BD]
Morning flight to Aswan. Met and transfer to our Deluxe Nile-side resort hotel for two nights. Afternoon visit to the Nubian Museum and Village and an evening felucca sailing excursion on the Nile. Later a stroll through the friendly Aswan souq.
Optional: Philae Temple Sound & Light Show: Add $70 Day 7: Temple of Ramses 2 Abu Simbel [BD]
Mid morning travel to Abu Simbel by road. We may see mirages as we cross the desert. Guided visit of the temple. Return to Aswan during early evening. Day 8: Aswan [BLD]
Mid-morning board our Deluxe Nile Cruise ship for lunch and three nights. Afternoon visit to the Aswan High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Philae on the Island of Isis. Day 9: Nile Cruise [BLD]
Visit the Temple of Sobek-Haroeris as the ship reaches Kom Ombo. Join an excursion by horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Horus as the ship reaches Edfu. Evening entertainment on board. Day 10: Nile Cruise [BLD]
Sail to Luxor. Afternoon visit to the magnificent Temple of Karnak and its ‘sister’ Temple of Luxor. Dinner and overnight on board Day 11: Luxor [BD]
Disembark after breakfast and visit the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of Kings and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Afternoon check-in at our city-centre luxury hotel for one night. Late afternoon and evening at leisure and we recommend a stroll through the nearby souq.
Optional : Take a 2-hour camel ride through the villages of the West Bank: Add $60 Day 12: Cairo [BD]
Optional : Early morning Hot Air Balloon flight over Luxor: Add $180
Check out after breakfast, then join a morning visit to the Temple of Medinet Habu and the Valley of the Nobles. Afternoon return flight to Cairo. On arrival we transfer to our city hotel for one night. Day 13: El Alamein–Alexandria [B]
Morning departure by coach via the Desert Highway to Alexandria (3 hours, midway coffee stop). Check-in at our hotel. Afternoon at leisure. We suggest a visit to the nearby New Library of Alexandria, or a stroll to the CBD shopping centre.
Day 14: Alexandria [BL]
A full day guided tour of the National Museum, the Catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar, Fort Qaitbay and the Roman Amphitheatre. Lunch at a local restaurant. Day 15: El Alamein–Cairo [B]
Depart for El Alamein where we visit the War Museum and Allied Cemetery. Continue to Cairo via the Desert Highway. Rest of day at leisure in Cairo. We exclude dinner so that you can sample dinner at a restaurant on Zamalek Island, or at the famous Felfela Restaurant in the city. Day 16: Departure [B]
Transfer to Cairo airport for return flight. Day 17/18: Flight
Arrival in Australia Our hotels (or similar)
Cairo: Barcelo Pyramids
Cairo: Novotel Zamalek Island
Aswan: Movenpick Resort
Cruise: Movenpick Cruise Line
Luxor: Sonesta St George
Alexandria: Azure Mediterranean |