Tour Information
Starts in: Cairo
Ends in: Cairo
Departs: Saturdays year-round.
Departs:
Saturdays & Tuesdays in Sept & Oct
Local Payment Required: No
Breakfast: Daily, Lunch:
2, Dinner: 2
Hotel rating: 4 - 5
Egyptian Tour Guide: Yes
Prices from £339pp
Flights are not included, land only prices but
they can be arranged upon request.
This tour is operated by one of our suppliers. For more information please contact
Ulster Travel
Day 1: Cairo
Saturday - Cairo. Welcome to Egypt and the start of your holiday! Arrive
Cairo, included transfer to hotel and overnight.
Day 2: Pyramids & Saqqara
Cairo -
Aswan - breakfast. Visit to the famous pyramids and lion-headed Sphinx at Giza Plateau.
Sole survivors from the ancient Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World, the pyramids
are the planet’s oldest tourist attraction! Gaze in awe at Cheops (Khufu) - the largest
of the three great pyramids. Constructed from over 2.5 million limestone blocks it
is thought to have taken more than 20 years to construct. Continuing to Saqqara,
we can explore the myriad tombs and temples at this site and see Zhoser’s step pyramid
- constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh’s cheif architect in 27BC! We later enjoy a
chance to freshen up then catch the overnight train to Aswan, 1st class recliner
seats. Sleeper cabin upgrade available. Overnight - train.
Day 3: Aswan & Philae Temple
Aswan - breakfast box. Arrive and check into our hotel.
A visit out of town takes us to the mighty High Dam – a modern feat of engineering
- creating the world’s largest artificial lake, Lake Nasser! This afternoon's highlight
is a leisurely boat trip to Agilika Island for Philae Temple for a guided tour of
the romantic Philae Temple - dedicated to the goddess Isis. As the sun sets, free
time to shop in the colourful souqs and markets or simply relax and watch an amazing
sunset in Egypt's southern most town straddling the River Nile. Overnight - Aswan.
Day 4: Felucca Sailing
Aswan - Nile felucca cruise - all meals. Optional early morning
air excursion to famous Abu Simbel, the rock-cut temple of King Ramses II, the Great
Builder. This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2 night voyage downstream
on the River Nile. If sailing by felucca is not for you, consider upgrading to a
5 star luxury Nile Cruise with our Pharaoh's Pass. Overnight onboard felucca. All
meals included.
Day 5: Felucca Sailing
Nile felucca cruise - all meals. Relax, go for a swim or just
chill out in the sun on deck. Let your troubles melt away, as the felucca plies its
route. A stop will be made at the Temple of Kom Ombo - dedicated to the crocodile
headed god - Sobek. Overnight onboard felucca. All meals included.
Day 6: Kom Ombo Temple & Luxor
Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor - breakfast. Disembarking in
Kom Ombo, we enjoy a guided tour of the Temple of Horus at Edfu, before driving north
to Luxor. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year-old
Luxor is ancient Egypt at it’s best. Enjoy some rest and relaxation. Tonight, an
optional visit is available to the Temple of Luxor, spectacularly illuminated at
night. We travel to the temple by traditional horse and carriage with restaurant
dinner afterwards. The excursion is payable locally. Rest of evening free to enjoy
the facilities of our hotel. Overnight - Luxor
Day 7: Valley of the Kings
Luxor - Cairo - breakfast. An early start allows us to
avoid some of the fierce midday heat as we venture to the tomb strewn Valley of the
Kings. Consider opting to join our hot air ballooning excursion over ancient Thebes
- fabulous at sunrise! Highlights of the visit include the Colossi of Memnon, a massive
pair of statues that stand silent against the backdrop of history, the Valleys of
the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and the awesome ramped and colonnaded Temple
of Queen Hatshepsut.
The Valley of the Kings is studded with often highly decorated tombs, constructed
to once house the regal sarcophagi enclosed mummies of the mighty pharaohs awaiting
passage into the after-life. This afternoon after lunch and time to relax we visit
the colossal Temple of Karnak. Lose yourself in the stone-columned Hypostle Hall
and go crazy with your camera. This is ancient Egypt. Tonight, we return by overnight
train to Cairo, 1st class recliner seats. Overnight - train.
Day 8: Cairo & Egyptian Museum
Cairo - breakfast box. Arrival and hotel check-in.
Later, we visit the famous Egyptian Museum, famed for the treasures of King Tutankhamen
and his famous solid gold funerary mask. This afternoon is free - perhaps spend the
remainder of the day exploring Cairo your way. Overnight - Cairo.
Day 9: Cairo
Sunday - Cairo - breakfast. Hotel check out and included onward departure
transfer to airport.
