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Home > Destinations > Middle
East > Egypt > Egypt Explorer Cruise
Egypt Explorer Cruise
This comprehensive tour is for those who seek an in-depth perspective on ancient and modern Egypt. Explore the inner chambers of pyramids, traverse the Western Desert in a 4x4 vehicle, and cruise the River Nile from Aswan to Luxor, visiting many sites enroute. Spend four days in the unique oases region where inland lakes surprise you, and traditional culture is barely touched by time. Discover Alexandrias historical district on the Mediterranean and relax at a Red Sea resort in Sharm El-Sheikh. Enjoy the best of Egypt! This trip is offered October through March when the Western Desert is relatively cool. Private departures and regional trip extensions are available.
DAY 1 : CAIRO: ARRIVAL
Upon arrival into Cairo meet and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the Cairo Marriott Hotel or similar, bed and breakfast basis.
DAY 2 : CAIRO: FULL DAY TOUR MEMPHIS & SAQQARA
Begin your exploration of the kingdoms of the Pharoahs. Drive out of town to Dahshour to see the Bent and Red Pyramids. Continue to Memphis on the edge of the Western Desert, the capital of the Ancient Kingdom and one of the most important cities in the Egypt's early history. At Saqqara, the vast necropolis of Memphis, visit the colossal Step Pyramid of King Djoser, its temple complex and some of the impressive tombs. Overnight Cairo Marriott or similar. [B]
DAY 3 : CAIRO: EGYPTIAN MUSEUM, GIZA PYRAMIDS
This morning we begin with a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, housing the most extensive and impressive collection of treasures from Egypt's Pharaonic era, including the fabulous treasures of the young King Tut Ankh Amon. Drive to the edge of town to explore the three famous Pyramids of Giza, built before 2000 B.C., and the Sphinx. Overnight Cairo Marriott or similar. [B]
DAY 4 : ALEXANDRIA: DRIVE ALEXANDRIA. CITY TOUR
Set out on a scenic drive to Alexandria (about 3 hrs), passing through Nile Delta farmlands. Alexandria has a distinctive atmosphere, with Mediterranean influence in its architecture, climate and cultural heritage. Once the capital of Greco-Roman Egypt, it is now a major seaport and commercial center. Sites include the Greco-Roman Museum, Catacombs, Pompey's Pillar, the new Alexandrian Library, and Montazah Palace and Garden. Overnight at the Sheraton Montazah in Alexandria, bed and breakfast basis. [B]
DAY 5 : CAIRO: DRIVE CAIRO. OLD FUSTAT (CAIRO) TOUR
Return to Cairo in the morning and tour the city's sites, including Cairo's oldest quarter, Coptic Cairo, with the Coptic Museum, Hanging Church and 14th century Synagogue of Ben Ezra. Visit the 12th Century Citadel of Salah El-Din on Mokattam Hill and the bazaars of Khan El-Khalili. Overnight Cairo Marriott or similar. [B]
DAY 6 : ASWAN: FLY ASWAN (OPTIONAL ABU SIMBEL)
Fly to Aswan, where you spend one night at the Elephantine Island Resort located on a secluded oasis, surrounded by lovely gardens on Elephantine Island. Free time on own, or take an optional side-trip to Abu Simbel (to be arranged in advance at extra cost). Built more than 3000 years ago, the Great Temple of Ramses II and the smaller Temple of Nefertari at Abu Simbel were dismantled in an historical feat of engineering when the Aswan Dam was built, and moved to their current location to preserve them from the flooding of Lake Nassar. Overnight Elephantine Island Resort. [B]
DAYS 7-9 : NILE CRUISE, ASWAN TO LUXOR
Mid-day transfer to the pier for a 3-night Nile Cruise. The exact itinerary will depend on which cruise ship is reserved, and may include an extra day. The following is an overview of what is included on most cruise itineraries. In Aswan visit the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisque, and Temple of Philae. Sail to Kom Ombo and the temple shared by the two gods Sobek and Haroeris. Further north is the most well-preserved of Egypt's temples at Edfu. Your final destination is the impressive region of Luxor. All overnights are on board the deluxe Ti Yi Nile Cruise or similar, activities and meals included. [BLD]
DAY 10 : LUXOR: FULL DAY VALLEY OF KINGS & QUEENS, KARNAK
Disembark in Luxor and tour the Necropolis of Thebes and some of the impressive tombs at Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. Walk through the magnificent Karnak Temple Complex and Luxor Temple on the Nile's East Bank. Transfer to the Sheraton Luxor or similar for overnight. [B]
DAY 11 : KHARGA: DRIVE INTO WESTERN DESERT
Begin your exploration of Egypt's Western Desert lands with a drive in a 4x4 vehicle (300 km) to the Kharga Oasis, picnic lunch enroute. Visit the Roman temples of Qasr El Zayan and Qasr El Ghaweita before arriving into Kharga. Dinner and overnight is at Solymar Resort Pioneers Hotel, a deluxe desert hotel in a unique location. Pioneers caters to travelers who share a love of nature and appreciation of culture, offering the comfort of an oasis and the unforgettable Saharan experience. [BLD]
DAY 12 : DAKHLA: MUSEUM, HIBIS, BAGAWAT. DRIVE DAKHLA
Morning visit to the El Kharga Museum, early Christian Necropolis of Bagawat and the Hibis Temple. Continue west to Al Dakhla Oasis (200 km), picnic lunch enroute. The oasis is a collection of different settlements, dominated on its northern horizon by a wall of rose-colored rocks. Fertile cultivated fields growing rice, peanuts and fruits are scattered between sand dunes in this area of outstanding natural beauty. Explore ancient rock inscriptions along the way. Overnight at the Solymar Inn Mut, a small hotel with natural hotsprings. [BLD]
DAY 13 : FARAFRA: EL QSAR. DRIVE FARAFRA
Morning visit to El Qasr, the ancient capital of Al Dakhla. Travel to the Farafra Oasis (290 km), lunch enroute. Sites include a pottery factory, the Roman Temple of Deir El Haggar and the village of Qallamun. Dinner and overnight at the Badaweya Hotel, a traditional mud brick building with Arabic design, roof-top restaurant, modern comforts and guest rooms encircling a central courtyard. [BLD]
DAY 14 : BAHARIA: DRIVE BAHARIA VIA WHITE DESERT
Stop at the local art museum in Farafra before heading out on an off-road drive through the White Desert rock formations. Continue north to Baharia Oasis (180 km), viewing the Black Desert enroute. Visit the Museum of Golden Mummies and Temple of Alexander the Great before arriving to Baharia for dinner and overnight at Palma Village Hotel. [BLD]
DAY 15 : CAIRO: MUSEUM, BAWITI VILLAGE. DRIVE CAIRO
Explore the Baharia Oases, with its Antiquities Museum, Tombs of Qasr Salim, chapels of Muftillah and palm groves of Bawiti Village. Return to the bustling city of Cairo (365 km) through the open desert landscapes, with picnic lunch and views of the mountains of El Dist and Maghrafa enroute. Overnight at the Cairo Marriott or similar. [B]
DAYS 16-18 : SHARM EL SHEIKH: FLY SHARM. AT LEISURE
Transfer to the domestic terminal of Cairo airport for a flight to Sharm El-Sheikh where you are met and transferred to a deluxe beach resort. Free time to relax and enjoy the beach resort on your own. Activities can be booked directly with the hotel concierge. (Side-trips to St. Catherine's, Mount Sinai, or Sinai Desert camping safaris may be arranged in advance through Wildland Adventures.) Overnight three nights at the Ritz-Carlton Sharm El Sheikh or similar, bed and breakfast basis. [B]
DAY 19 : CAIRO: FLY CAIRO. CONNECT TO ONWARD FLIGHTS
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Cairo where you are met and transferred to the international airport to connect with your flights home. Optional overnight in Cairo may be arranged if your flights depart the following morning. [B]
| - Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services - |
Days: 19 | Grade: I-II, Some hiking & rustic desert lodges (click for grades definition) | 2008 Price: From $3995 per person. Land cost based on Group Size & Season | Group Size | 2 | 4 | 6 | 05 Jan-Feb 28 & Apr | $5695 | $3995 | $3695 | 01 Mar - 30 Mar | $7495 | $5745 | $5095 | 01 May - 10 Sep | $6295 | $4495 | $3995 |
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| Single Supplement: $880 (click for info) | *Abu Simbel optional tour must be booked in advance. | | | | | 2008 Departure Dates | | | Nov 21 - Dec 10, 2008 (F)
Dec 19 - Jan 7, 2009
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(F) = Family departure |
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| | | Included: Local flights within Egypt; airport transfers and transportation as noted; accommodations as noted; private vehicles with English-speaking drivers and guides in Cairo, Alexandria and the Western Desert; group guide and transport on Nile cruise; entrance fees to sites for touring as noted; meals as indicated on itinerary [B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner]; pre-departure services of Wildland Adventures. | | | Not Included: International flights to/from Egypt; departure taxes; Egypt visa; tips and gratuities; alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks; meals not indicated above; extra costs for optional excursions or services on own or to be paid direct; travel insurance; extra costs due to unanticipated changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control are not included. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. | |
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