Pyramids & Beaches - 15 days

The full monty grass roots tour for those with a little more time to spare. Definitive Egypt including the pyramids, the Valley of the Kings, Nile felucca cruising and time to chill out on the sunny Red Sea coast in Dahab, where you can dive, snorkel or simply soak up the rays and unwind!

AT A GLANCE

Starts in: Cairo Ends In: Cairo

Departs: Sundays year round

Breakfast: 8 Lunch: 2 Dinner 2

Tour Leader: Yes - fully qualified Egyptologist

Accommodation: 2 -3 hotels & felucca

Compulsory Single Supplement: No

Local Payment Required: No

Average Group Size: 20-30

	DAY 1: CAIRO Welcome to Cairo! Arrive Cairo and included transfer to your hotel. Overnight - Cairo. DAY 2: PYRAMIDS OF GIZA Breakfast. An action packed day, visiting the Egyptian Museum which houses the dazzling treasures of King Tutankhamen and the awesome Pyramids and lion-headed Sphinx at Giza. Tonight we travel by overnight train to Aswan. Overnight - train
	DAY 3: ASWAN Breakfast box. Arrive Aswan and check into hotel. Enjoy a day at leisure in Aswan or take an optional visit to the Philae temple, with exotic Nubian dinner on a local island. Overnight Aswan.
	DAY 4: ABU SIMBEL Breakfast/ breakfast box. This morning you have the option to visit the massive rock cut temple of visit ABU SIMBEL. Possibly the most awe-inspiring temple of all ancient Egypt, with its gigantic rock–cut façade, Abu Simbel is a testament to the might of the most revered ruler Ramses II. Later we board our feluccas and set sail along the River Nile. As our felucca plies its way our afternoon is spent lazing about, sunbathing and swimming. Lunch, dinner & overnight felucca.
	DAY 5: FELUCCA SAILING Breakfast. Relax and enjoy the sunshine, as we spend the day sailing and chilling out on the felucca. Go for a swim, sunbathe and enjoy a few beers as the felucca plies its course. Lunch, dinner & overnight felucca. UPGRADE TO A NILE CRUISER? If the felucca doesn't float your boat and you would like to upgrade then why not check out our 5* cruise bolt-on option instead.
	DAY 6: LUXOR Breakfast. Disembark and guided touring of the waterside Temple of Kom Ombo. Journeying onward we visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu en-route to the ancient capital of Thebes. At over 4000 years old Thebes (Luxor) is a living museum and the jewel in Egypt's archaeological crown. This evening we tour Luxor Temple - majestically illuminated by thousands of spotlights. Shafts of artificial light stream from the mammoth columns and intricately carved lintels the architectural brilliance of the temple is magnified with dramatic effect. Luxor Temple is one of only a few temples open for night time viewing and quickly becomes many travellers favourite. Overnight Luxor.
	DAY 7: VALLEY OF THE KINGS Breakfast. Early morning motor boat launch to Luxor's West Bank and ride donkey's to the imposing Temple of Hatshepsut. Afterward we visit the legendary Valley of the Kings and the massive pair of statues know as the Colossi of Memnon. If you're up for some dizzy excitement then why not go hot air ballooning over ancient Thebes beforehand - it's fabulous at sunrise! 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 evening we take the overnight train back to Cairo. Overnight train.
	DAY 8: CAIRO Enjoy a Free day exploring Egypt's bustling capital. Perhaps test your haggling skills at Khan El Khalili Markets, wander around the winding streets of the Islamic quarter and visit the Citadel. Overnight Cairo.
	DAY 9: DAHAB - RED SEA BLISS! Breakfast. We travel by bus to Dahab on Egypt's famous Red Sea coast. Dahab has developed from a hippy village to a respected haven with a solid infrastructure for SCUBA divers, snorkellers and travellers seeking sun, sea and relaxation. With a range of beachside cafes, shops and bars along the waterfront corniche, great windsurfing, swimming and local excursions including camel treks available to Bedouin villages and Mt Sinai climbing, you’ll probably love Dahab. An optional adventure to climb Mt Sinai and watch an amazing sunrise will be offered this evening. Overnight - Dahab. WANT TO DO SOME DIVING IN DAHAB? The 1930km long body of water known as the Red Sea is a gift of nature and quite simply a diver’s nirvana. Visibility is excellent, the water temperate always warm and Dahab is closer and cheaper than Caribbean or Indian Ocean resorts. Check out our 'Dive bolt-on' options for 'learn-to-dive', 'certified-dive' or 'advanced-dive' - you're right in the zone!
	DAY 10: DAHAB Wake up today and do what ever you please. Chill, relax or simply soak up the sun with a beer in hand. Overnight - Dahab. DAY 11: DAHAB Free time to do as you please. Overnight - Dahab
	DAY 12 - 13: DAHAB Today, we offer an optional excursion to snorkel the deep blue at the famed Blue Hole. On the outer wall of the hole is a 80metre vertical shelf, home to a spectacular reef garden abundant with colourful coral and marine creatures. Day 13, is spent at leisure, consider snorkelling at the Three Pools or taking a camel safari along the beach at sunset Overnight (2) - Dahab.
	DAY 14: CAIRO Early this morning we leave Red Sea and journey onward to Cairo - Africa's largest city. Spend what remains of the day at leisure. Or why not join us on an optional city tour visiting Islamic Cairo, the Citadel and Mosque of Salladin, the Coptic area and Hanging Church. Overnight Cairo. DAY 15: CAIRO Breakfast. Our tours ends after breakfast and onward departure transfer to the airport.

Pyramids & Sphinx at Giza
Egyptian Museum and the Royal Mummy Room
Sailing by felucca along the Nile
Kom Ombo Temple
Temple of Horus - Edfu
Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens & the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Donkey Riding to Valley of the Kings
Thebes - the expansive Temples of Karnak
Luxor Temple by night
Dahab - 4 day Red Sea retreat

Inclusions

Airport arrival and departure transfers
8 breakfast, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
5 nights 3 star hotels with en-suite, air-con & TV. Swimming pool in Luxor.
5 nights 3 star hotel with en-suite, air-con, TV & swimming pools in Dahab.
2 nights aboard sailing felucca
2 nights 1st class reclining seats (Cairo - Aswan, Luxor - Cairo)
All transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles
Fully guided by Egyptian Tour Guide, degree qualified in Egyptology

Exclusions

Flights, visa & entrance fees. For entrance fees budget approx USD$70 - 90.
Tip kitty (approx USD$30 - 40) & items of a personal nature.

Departure Dates

Departs every Sunday from Cairo

Prices

Twin/Double	Single Supp
USD $599	USD $219

Prices shown are per person travelling. 'Twin/Double' prices per person apply when there are 2 people travelling, sharing a room. The 'single supplement' applies for single travellers who want their own room while on tour. Please enquire for availability of triple rooms. XMAS, NY and Easter supplements apply.

No Local Payment Required

Dashboard

Bolt-ons