Example Tour 2 - Egypt 31 days
This trip was organised for a group of 4 people (1 couple, two singles) who had specific requests for what they wanted to see and do. Prices are those as of early 2019.
■ This package included the following services:
● All transfers ;
- A Hi-Ace Toyota van with A/C.
- One jeep safari (6 seats) for off-road trips.
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● All Hotels :
- One double standard room.
- Two single standard rooms.
- Le Meridien Pyramids Giza BB.
《 Four nights 》
- Steigenberger Luxor BB.
《Three nights 》
- Pavillion Luxor BB.
《Two nights 》
- Miran (the dahabiya ) Full Board starting with lunch on 24 Feb and ending with breakfast on 28 Feb. + soft drinks.
《 Four nights 》
- Pyramisa Isis Island Aswan BB.
《 Two nights 》
- Seti Abu Simbel HB (dinner + breakfast)
《One night 》
- City Stars Intercontinental Cairo, BB.
《 One night 》
- Le Metropole Alexandria HB (dinner + breakfast).
《 Two nights
- Siwa Shali Resort HB ( dinner + breakfast )
《 Two nights 》
- Hayat Pyramids View Giza BB.
《 Two nights 》
- Sand Rose Bahariya FB
《 Two nights 》
- Bayoum Fayoum HB. (dinner + breakfast).
《 Two nights 》
- Omar Khayam Minya BB.
《 Two nights 》
- City Stars Intercontinental Cairo BB.
《 One night 》
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● All entry fees tickets of the sites mentioned in the itinerary including :
- All available and open sites in Sakkara - one ticket.
- Tomb of SETI 1 IN Valley of the Kings.
- Abu Simbel Sound & Light show.
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● Domestic flights:
- Cairo to Luxor
- Aswan to Cairo
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● Guidance fees and accommodation for guide and driver outside their city of residence.
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● All tips for the entire trip except for the guide & main driver.
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● Special tours - those either suggested by the guide or requested by guests:
- Camel ride or carriage to a viewing area in the Giza desert to watch the sunset over pyramids.
- Camel ride, carriage ride or walk around Giza pyramids.
- Carriage tour around Luxor late afternoon.
- Aboudi bookshop and cafe in Luxor.
- Visit the old water pumps and the family of the dahabiya chief.
- The botanical gardens on Kitchener Island and the Nubian Village.
- Night show near Khan El Khalili Bazar (dervish dancers).
- All Permissions
Itinerary :
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*Day 1:
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Arrival Cairo Airport; met and assisted by an English speaking assistant who will be holding a sign with clients name.
If entry visa has not already been purchased, he will help you to get one from any bank in the arrival hall (US$ 25 not included in the package and paid directly by client). The assistant will direct you to luggage collection and then will lead you out of the hall to your tour guide outside and he will accompany you to your hotel in Giza.
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Short break in hotel for lunch in restaurant and then heading by car to Giza desert. Transfer to camel or horse drawn carriage to destination, a good viewing area overlooking the whole archeological area of Giza. Watch the sunset (weather permitting) then return to hotel.
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*Day 2:
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- After breakfast in hotel visit :
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SAKKARA / SAQQARA
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IMHOTEP MUSEUM - Imhotep was the architect behind the Step Pyramid of the Pharaoh Djoser.
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THE SERAPEUM - Burial place of the sacred Apis Bulls.
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HOREMHEB TOMB - General of Pharaohs army, this tomb was constructed before he himself become Pharaoh after Ay, and he was never buried here. Instead he was buried in tomb KV57 in the Valley of the Kings.
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KAGEMNI TOMB - Kagemni was Chief Justice and Vizier under the Pharaoh Teti during the Old Kingdom.
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ANKHMAHOR TOMB - Ankhmahor's titles included 'Vizier, First under the King', 'Overseer of the Great House'.
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TETI PYRAMID - Teti was the first ruler of the 6th Dynasty.
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DJOSER (Zoser) STEP PYRAMID - Djoser was the first Pharaoh of the 3rd Dynasty. Designed by Imhotep, the step pyramid was the first stone building and pre-dates the more well-known Giza pyramids.
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UNAS PYRAMIDAL COMPLEX -While not much to look at from outside, it is the interior with its Pyramid texts that makes the visit worthwhile
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THE TOMB OF IRUKAPTAH (Kheni) - 'Master Butcher of the Great House' Also referred to as the Tomb of the Butchers for the butcher shop scenes in the tomb
Lunch in a farm house in Sakkara.
-
MEMPHIS - once covering a huge area when it was the capital of Egypt at the beginning of the pharaonic period, now reduced to just a small open-air museum. However, the statues there are worth seeing and some are of particular importance especially the sphinx of Queen Hatshepsut.
Return to hotel for rest of day.
DAY 3 :
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After breakfast in hotel visit :
* THE EGYPTIAN MUSEUM - wander through the halls of statues, visit the Royal Mummies and admire the Golden Mask of Tutankhamun.
Lunch in local restaurant in Giza
* GIZA PYRAMIDS - where you will enjoy a camel ride from a high plateau overlooking the three pyramids, and down towards the Sphinx.
Back to hotel .
- DAY 4 :
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- After breakfast in hotel visit :
* COPTIC CAIRO - Part of Old Cairo which includes the Coptic Museum, the Hanging Church and others. In Christian tradition it is believed that the Holy Family visited this area and stayed at the site of Saints Sergious and Bacchus church (Abu Serga).
* AHMED IBN TULUN MOSQUE + GAYER ANDERSON MUSEUM - The oldest mosque in Egypt with the art museum set up by Major R.G. Gayer-Anderson in a building that is a wonderful example of 17th century architecture.
* SULTAN HASSAN MOSQUE - An impressive historic monument, this mosque was constructed between 1356-1363 AD.
Lunch .
- DAY 5 :
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- After breakfast, head to Cairo Airport for flight to Luxor
-
Visit the western bank
* VALLEY OF THE KINGS - Visit some of the rock cut tombs of Egypt's Pharaohs and noblemen of the New Kingdom.
* MORTUARY TEMPLE OF HATSHEPSUT - Hatshepsut, wife of Thutmose II who ruled as King after his death for 22 years.
Lunch
- DAY 6 :
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After breakfast in hotel, at the western bank visit -
* CARTER'S HOUSE - Visit Howard Carter's house, which is now a museum with an exact replica of Tutankhamun's tomb.
* VALLEY OF THE QUEENS - Visit one of the most beautiful tombs, that of Nefertari, Great Royal Wife of Ramses II.
* MEDINET HABU - The mortuary temple of Pharaoh Ramses III.
* DEIR EL MEDINA - The village of the workers for the tombs in the Valley of the Kings.
Lunch
Back to hotel
* TOUR IN CARRIAGE - An evening horse and carriage ride around Luxor.
- DAY 7 :
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After breakfast in hotel visit
* KARNAK TEMPLE COMPLEX - Temples, chapels and the Great Hypostyle Hall dating from the middle kingdom to Ptolomaic times.
* LUXOR MUSEUM - Although smaller than the museum in Cairo, its collection is worth the visit.
Lunch
* ABOUDI BOOKSHOP - For those who love reading about Egypt, this bookshop and café has it all.
- DAY 8 :
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After breakfast in hotel visit
* ABYDOS (180 km. from LUXOR) - Ancient sacred city and necropolis. Stunning wall scenes inside temple.
* DENDERA ( 60 km from LUXOR ) - Lovely temple dedicated to the cow goddess Hathor and site of Dendera zodiac (original was removed and is in the Louvre, a replica is now located here
Lunch
Return to hotel
- DAY 9 :
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After breakfast in hotel visit:
* VALLEY OF THE NOBLES - Some wonderful tombs of individuals which show scenes of daily life.
* RAMOSE TOMB - Ramose was a Governer of Thebes, then Vizier during the reigns of Amenhotep III and his son, Amenhotep IV (better known as Ahkenaten).
* THE TOMB OF THE GRAPES - The tomb of Sennefer which has amazing paintings of vines (this is a tomb worth getting a photo pass for!).
* THE RAMESSEUM - Mortuary temple of Pharaoh Ramses II.
Lunch
* LUXOR TEMPLE - With the statues and obelisk at the front entrance, and the Abu Haggag mosque sitting 'atop' the ruins, this temple complex is a feast for the eyes and a photographers dream.
- DAY 10 :
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Check out , after breakfast in hotel deperature towards Esna (50 km. south of Luxor) visit -
* ESNA TEMPLE - a Graeco-Roman temple which is below ground level (in a large 'pit') and dedicated to Khnum
Board dahabiya on FB basis + bottled water + soft drinks. (Alcohol can be ordered prior to boarding if required).
Sailing
Late afternoon visit a local farm house + some old pumping machines.
- DAY 11 :
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After breakfast on board visit
* ELKAB TOMBS - Tombs from which much information has been gained on the expulsion of the Hyksos from Egypt
Sailing
* EDFU TEMPLE - Built during the Ptolemaic period, it is one of the best preserved temples in Egypt
BBQ dinner on a small island in the Nile.
- DAY 12 :
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Visit
* GEBEL EL SILSILA - Sandstone quarry from which blocks were extracted for building the great temples of Ancient Egypt and site of much excavation work.
Rest of the day relax on board
- DAY 13 :
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Visit
* KOM OMBO TEMPLE - dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus the Great.
Remainder of day at your leisure
- DAY 14 :
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Disembarkation after breakfast, visit in Aswan -
* THE NUBIAN MUSEUM - Museum dedicated to the Nubian civilisation and culture.
* PHILAE TEMPLE - A beautiful site, the cult centre of Isis has pylons, columns and the Vestibule of Trajan which stands out as you approach by motorboat. Originally constructed on Philae Island it was relocated to Agilika Island to save it.
* KALABSHA TEMPLE - A Roman temple with an interesting history having been relocated to save it from rising waters of Lake Nasser.
Lunch
Rest of day at leisure.
- DAY 15 :
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After breakfast in hotel Visit
* THE MONASTERY OF SAINT SIMEONE - Walk or ride a camel up to the ruins of this 7th century monastery.
* THE NOBLES TOMBS - High rock cut tombs in the cliffs of ancient governors, dignitaries of the Old and Middle Kingdoms.
* KHNUM TEMPLE ON ELEPHANTINE ISLAND - Khnum was a god associated with the Nile and the creation of a person's 'Ka'on the potters wheel.
* THE BOTANICAL GARDENS - Lord Kitchener was 'given' the 7 hectare island in the middle of the Nile as a reward for his efforts in defeating the Mahdist. He turned the island into botanical gardens with plants from all over the world. A beautiful place to relax.
* THE NUBIAN VILLAGE - See first hand the lifestyle of local Nubians. Visit one of the houses, enjoy a mint tea and say hello to their pet crocodile, visit markets and ladies, get a henna tattoo.
Lunch & rest of day at leisure.
- DAY 16 :
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After breakfast in hotel departure for Abu Simbel in the car (280 KM south of Aswan).
* ABU SIMBEL TEMPLE -Visit the two temples of Ramses II on the edge of Lake Nasser.
* SOUND & LIGHT SHOW IN ABU SIMBEL TEMPLE - Return that evening and learn about the history in this wonderful sound and light show against the temples as backdrop.
- DAY 17 :
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After breakfast in hotel, back to Aswan Airport for the flight back to Cairo.
Transfer from Cairo airport to hotel and rest of day at your leisure.
- DAY 18 :
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Pick up at 7.00 O'clock for deperature to the Delta and visit -
* TEL BASTA (BUBASTIS) - An open air museum, Bubastis was the centre of worship for the cat goddess Bast.
* TANIS - Another open air museum, Tanis was once an ancient capital and some statues in museums in Paris and Berlin have come from this site.
Back to the hotel.
- DAY 19 :
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After breakfast Visit ALEXANDRIA ( 220 KM. )
* KOM EL SHOQAFA - Roman catacombs from 2nd century AD which were expanded to include more burials. The tombs have been organised around a central spiral staircase leading down and an unusual mix of Roman, Greek and Egyptian imagery can be seen.
* THE ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE -
* POMPEI'S PILLAR - A 28m high Roman triumphal column and sphinx's stand where a temple once stood. The Serapeum has some areas which can be explored.
* QAITBAY FORT - 15th century defensive fort built overlooking the Mediterranean Sea on the site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the 7 ancient wonders of the world.
Lunch
* THE LIBRARY OF ALEXANDRIA - The original famous library of ancient times was destroyed by fire during the time of Cleopatra. The library now standing in its place was opened in 2002 and is unique in its own way.
- DAY 20 :
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After breakfast deperature to Siwa and on the way visit -
* EL ALAMEIN 2nd WW MUSEUM - The battle of El Alamein was fought between the Axis (Germans, Italy and Japan), under the leadership of Rommel, and the Allies (under Montgomery). With the assistance of Australian & New Zealand troops, the Allies overcame Rommel's troops. The museum located here gives the visitor a good insight in the battle(s) fought here during WWII.
* COMMONWEALTH GRAVES + THE AUSTRALIAN MEMORIAL - Along the coastal road are the cemeteries for the countries who fought here.
Lunch in Matrouh
Overnight in Siwa
- DAY 21 :
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After breakfast in hotel visit
* THE RUINS OF THE MEDIEVAL ISLAMIC VILLAGE OF SHALI - made of mud bricks with such a high salt content that after torrential rains it 'melted'.
* THE ORACLE TEMPLE - visited by Alexander the Great to confirm his right to rule Egypt.
* THE MOUNTAIN OF THE DEAD - a necropolis in use from the pharaonic period until Roman times.
* CLEOPATRA BATH - Have a swim or dip your feet, where according to legend, Cleopatra used to swim.
After lunch head off on a jeep safari
* THE GREAT SAND SEA - go for a fun ride through the desert and up and down dunes.
* SUNSET FROM FATNAS ISLAND - This is a beautiful spot to take photos over the sunsetting over the lake.
Back to hotel
- DAY 22 :
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Back to Cairo 9 hours drive .
- DAY 23 :
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After breakfast in hotel :
* THE ISLAMIC MUSEUM - see beautiful woodwork and artefacts of the Islamic culture through the ages.
* THE COPTIC MUSEUM - Worlds biggest collection of Egyptian Christian/Coptic artifacts.
Lunch
* KHAN EL KHALILI BAZAAR + WALK BETWEEN THE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN GATES OF ISLAMIC CAIRO - Experience the sights, sounds and smells of the famous Khan el Khalili souk.
* DERVISH DANCE SHOW - An evening show where you will see the amazing talents of the dervishes as they perform the 'Sema', a religious dance.
- DAY 24 :
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IN JEEP SAFARI BAHARIYA ( 360 km)
After lunch in hotel visit
* THE BLACK DESERT - named for the basalt rocks and black sand resulting from volcanic activity approx. 20 million years ago.
* THE WHITE DESERT - View the natural rock sculptures such as the rooster under the tree, the sphinx and many others.
After sunset head back to hotel * .
* Option: you can choose to go back and stay in the hotel or camp in the desert overnight with a bbq dinner and a stunning starry sky overhead.
- DAY 25 :
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After breakfast in hotel visit
* MUSEUM of the GOLDEN MUMMIES - Over 10,000 mummies were discovered in this valley. In the museum are displayed 10 mummies from which you can note the change of art style from Pharaonic to Fayoum portraiture.
* BANNETIU TOMB - Tomb of a 26th Dynasty merchant with vividly coloured wall paintings including scenes from the Book of the Dead.
* ALEXANDER THE GREAT TEMPLE - The only known temple in Egypt built for the Macedonian Alexander the Great.
* THE TEMPLE OF BES - This is the only temple in Egypt dedicated to the dwarf god Bes although his image is seen elsewhere.
Lunch in hotel and late afternoon
* SUNSET FROM ENGLISH MOUNTAIN - The English built a reconnaissance spot atop the mountain from which they could view the surrounding Bahariya Oasis for approaching Libyans forces. Now you can visit the ruins there and watch the sun set from this wonderful spot.
Back to hotel
- DAY 26
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After breakfast departure towards
* WADI EL HITAN (THE VALLEY OF THE WHALES) - once part of the Tethys Sea and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, see fossilised skeletons of prehistoric whales that were once land based animals, as they evolved into an ocean-going mammal.
Lunch
* THE WATER FALLS - would you expect to see waterfalls in the desert!
* FAYOUMS MAGIC LAKE - see the colors change at different times of the day in this massive lake.
- DAY 27 :
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Visit in Fayoum
* HAWARA - An archaeological site, it became well known for the Fayoum Portraits, images painted onto Roman period coffins.
* KRANIS (ROMAN CITY AND MUSEUM) - Laying in a natural depression close to Qarun Lake, it is the old city of El-Fayoum (Crocodopolis). Here you can visit the temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god.
* QASR QARUN TEMPLE - Start/end of the old caravan route to the Bahariya Oasis. This site also has ruins of old Roman baths and fortress.
Lunch
Back to Bayoum Hotel
- DAY 28 :
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After breakfast in hotel deperature to MENYA
Visit
* TUNA EL-GEBEL - Situated near the western boundary of the old city of Akhetaten (built by Akhenaton), lies an old necropolis which is dominated by the family tomb of Petosiris, a high priest of the gold Thoth.
* ASHMUNEIN / HELIOPOLIS - Was a major city during Roman times and a site where Thoth (in both forms - baboon & ibis) was worshipped. Beneath the town are tunnels which continue for over 18 kilometres, in which thousands of mummies of baboon and ibis have been found.
Lunch
- DAY 29 :
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After breakfast in hotel visit
* AMARNA - Site of the 18th dynasty city Akhetaten, built by the 'rebel' pharaoh Akhenaten when he moved the capital. Here, Akhenaten and Nefertiti worshipped the god 'Aten' as the one and only god, well away from the priesthood of Amun.
* BENI HASSAN - Overlooking the Nile is the 6th - 12th cemetary of Beni Hassan, where tombs of the provinces elite were cut into the side of the mountain, while another was built at the bottom of the cliffs for the administrators. Through excavation works, the finds have helped to understand the burial customs and religion of the time.
Lunch
- DAY 30:
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After breakfast in hotel transfer back to Cairo ( 340 km. )
- DAY 31 :
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TRANSFER TO CAIRO AIRPORT AND END OF SERVICE .
Total cost of trip for 4 people - US$20,000