| OVERLAND
TOUR to CAIRO, ASWAN and LUXOR - Egypt |
| |
| DAY
01 - Arrival to Cairo Airport: |
| Arrival
to Cairo Airport and meet for transfer on to the hotel. Rest
of the day is then at leisure (as per your flight arrival time).
Overnight in Cairo. |
| |
| DAY
02 - Tour to Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis & Sakkara: |
| Breakfast
at hotel then meet with the guide and start the days tour with
a visit to Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt dating from
3100 BC which contains the beautiful representation of King
Ramsis II through his colossal statue. Then proceed to Sakkara
where we will see the world-famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser,
the oldest known of Egypt's 107 Pyramids. At the Pyramids area,
visit the Three Pyramids built for Pharaohs Cheops, Chephren
& Mycerinus on the Giza Plateau and the mysterious Sphinx.
After the tour, transfer on to Cairo Rail Station for departure
on the overnight train to Aswan. Overnight onboard sleeper train,
dinner included. (Domestic flights can also be used if preferred) |
| |
| DAY
03 - Aswan Tour to High Dam, Obelisk and Philae Temple: |
Breakfast
on the train before arrival to Aswan Railway Station. Meet
with rep for transfer to the hotel for check in. Then begin
the tour with a visit to the High Dam, one of largest dams
in the world and was an engineering miracle when it was built
in the 1960s. Then proceed to Unfinished Obelisk, a huge obelisk
incompletely carved that shows the techniques of the ancients
Egyptians used. At the end move to Philae Temple which was
dedicated to goddess Isis. After touring return to the hotel
with the evening at leisure. (Optional evening activity:
Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple. This spectacular
show combines laser lights and sound effects projected on
the temple. Listen to the narration as it tells the story
of the Philae.) Overnight in Aswan. |
| |
| DAY
04 - Felucca on the Nile and Kitchener Island: |
| Breakfast
at hotel then meet with tour guide to start with the Felucca
tour to view Elephantine Island that contains the relics of
stone temples of various eras and Plantation (Kitchener) Island,
which lies in a mild-stream near Elephantine Island, combining
natural exhibition of exotic plants and trees imported from
all over the world. Als view the Agha Khan Mausoleum which is
located on top of a hill at the southern end of the West Bank.
The Agha Khan used to spend every winter in Aswan and was buried
there in this magnificent mausoleum, modeled on the Fatimid
tombs in Cairo. At end of tour return to the hotel with evening
at leisure. (Optional early morning activity for Abu Simbel
Tour: situated 280km south of Aswan, lies the two temples of
Abu Simbel which are the most magnificent. The first temple
was built by mighty Pharaoh Ramses II and the other for his
wife Queen Nefertari). Overnight in Aswan. |
| |
| DAY
05 - Overland tours to Kom Ombo and Luxor: |
| Breakfast
at hotel then prepare for check out. Meet with your tour guide
to start the drive to Kom Ombo and visit the Temple of Sobek
& Haroeris. The temple stands at a bend in the Nile River
where, in ancient times, sacred crocodiles basked in the sun
on the riverbank. Then move on to Edfu and visit the Temple
of Horus the largest and most completely preserved Pharoanic
Temple that combines Pharaonic and Greek architectures. On arrival
to Luxor, check in to the hotel and evening at leisure. (Optional
extra evening activity: Sound & Light Show, this spectacular
show combines laser lights and sound effects which are projected
on the temple while you listen to the narration of the story
of Karnak Temple.) Overnight in Luxor. |
| |
| DAY
06 - East Bank Tour to Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple: |
| Meet
your tour guide and begin the tour with the East Bank where
you can visit the strikingly graceful Temple of Luxor dedicated
to the god Amun which is also known for its pillars that take
the form of a bundle of Papyrus. Proceed to Temple of Karnak,
built over more than a thousand years by generations of Pharaohs.
The Great "Hypostyle Hall" is an incredible forest
of giant pillars, covering an area larger than the whole of
Notre Dame Cathedral. At end of tour return to the hotel with
evening at leisure. Overnight in Luxor. |
| |
| DAY
07 - Tour to West Bank including Valley of Kings: |
| Breakfast
then prepare for check out. Meet your guide to start the day
tour this time crossing to the West Bank of the Nile to visit
the Valley of Kings, a vast City of the Dead where magnificent
tombs were carved into the desert rocks & filled with treasures
for the afterlife by generations of Pharaohs. Then proceed to
the foot of the cliff to see the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut,
the only woman who ruled Egypt in Pharaonic History. On the
way back to the River Nile, the road passes by the famed Colossi
of Memnon, known in Ancient Greek times for their haunting voices
at dawn. At around 8pm meet for transfer to Luxor Rail Station
to board the overnight train back to Cairo. Overnight onboard
sleeper train, including dinner. (Domestic flights can also
be used if preferred) |
| |
| DAY
08 - Egyptian Museum and Old Cairo: |
| Approximately
6am arrival back in Cairo and meet for transfer to the hotel
and check-in. At 9am depart with the tour guide to visit the
Egyptian Museum which houses around 250.000 antique pieces in
its 107 halls. It comprises the world's greatest collection
of Ancient Egyptian Artifacts. Then on to visit the Citadel
Of Saladin, a spectacular medieval fortress dating from 12th
century and perched on a hill above the city. Also located in
the Citadel are the Alabaster Mosque and Tomb of the Ottoman
ruler, Mohamed Ali. At the end of your tour proceed to the Khan
El Khalily Bazaar which is one of the earliest and greatest
markets in the Middle East & contains stores that exhibit
wonderful collections of jewelry, wooden products & attractive
hand-made products. Return to hotel and evening at leisure.
Overnight in Cairo. |
| |
| DAY
09 - Departure: |
| Breakfast,
check out and as per your flight time transfer to Cairo International
Airport. |
| |
