| HIGHLIGHTS
OF EGYPT & RED SEA - HURGHADA - including Nile Cruise |
| |
| 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. |
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| DAY
02 - 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 - Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor: |
On
arrival to Aswan Rail Station meet for transfer to board the
Nile Cruise. Embarkation before lunch. Then depart with the
tour guide to visit the High Dam, one of the biggest dams
in the world and was an engineering miracle when it was built
in the 1960's. Then proceed to the Unfinished Obelisk, a huge
obelisk incompletely carved - 41 meters high - that shows
the techniques the ancient Egyptians used in carving obelisks.
Afterwards move on to visit the Philae Temple which was dedicated
to goddess Isis. It's now reassembled at a new site on Agilika
Island about 500km from its former site on Philae Island.
(If time allows, additional/alternative morning excursions
can be added to Abu Simbel or a felucca ride to view Elephantine
Island, the Plantation "Kitcheners" Island and Agha
Khan Mausoleum). Overnight onboard Nile Cruise. |
| |
| DAY
04 - Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples: |
| The
cruise sails to Kom Ombo & upon arrival visit The Temple
of Sobek & Haroeris, dedicated to the crocodile-god Sobek.
The temple stands at a bend in the Nile where in ancient times
sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the river bank. Return
to the cruise & sail to Edfu. On arrival visit the Temple
of Horus, the largest and most complete preserved Temple combining
Pharaonic and Greek architectures. Overnight onboard cruise. |
| |
| DAY
05 - Tour to West Bank of the Nile: |
| Sail
to Esna and Luxor. Upon arrival to Luxor, move to the West Bank
of the Nile to visit the Valley of Kings & Queens, a vast
City of the dead where magnificent tombs were carved into the
desert rocks and 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,
your road passes by the famed Colossi of Memnon, known in Ancient
Greek times for their haunting voices at dawn. Return back to
cruise and evening at leisure. Overnight onboard cruise. |
| |
| DAY
06 - Luxor to Hurghada, Red Sea |
| Breakfast,
disembark from cruise and meet for the 3-4 hour drive to Hurghada.
This area is noted for its magnificent summer and winter climate,
the clarity of its water, its coral reef & rare marine life
which make it a center of attraction specially for divers and
practicing water sports). Check in to hotel with the remainder
of the day and evening at leisure. (Note: Before departure
from Luxor an optional tour can be included to visit Temples
of Karnak and Luxor). Overnight in Hurghada. |
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| DAY
07 - Free at leisure or diving in Hurghada: |
| Breakfast
at hotel and free day at leisure. Overnight in Hurghada. |
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| DAY
08 - Free day at leisure: |
| Breakfast
at hotel and free day at leisure. Overnight in Hurghada.. |
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| DAY
09 - Hurghada to Cairo: |
| Breakfast,
check out and around 11am meet for transfer on to the Super
Jet Bus Station to take the noon air conditioned bus to Cairo.
Arrival around 7pm and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Cairo. |
| |
| DAY
10 - Egyptian Museum and Old Cairo Sightseeing: |
| At
9am depart from hotel 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 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. |
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| DAY
11 - Departure: |
| Breakfast,
check out and as per your flight time transfer to Cairo International
Airport. |
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