classic king ramses - 13 days

Tour Information
Starts/Ends in: Cairo
Departs: 18, 21, 23 & 27 Dec 2009.
Prices and Departures: Click Here
Local Payment Required: No 
Breakfast: 12, Lunch: 2, Dinner: 2
Hotel rating: 4 - 5
Egyptian Tour Guide: Yes

Day 1: Cairo
Welcome to the festive season in sunny Egypt! Arrive Cairo, included transfer to hotel. Overnight - Cairo

Day 2: Pyramids of Giza
Cairo - Aswan - breakfast. A big day out as we venture to the Giza Plateau to explore the great pyramids and Sphinx in all their ancient glory. Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus are the sole survivors of the Seven Ancient Wonders. Cheops (Khufu) is the oldest and biggest. It stood 146.5m high when it was completed in 2600BC. After 46 centuries, its height has only reduced by 9m!

Continuing, we drive to the necropolis of Saqqara. Strewn across the site, are many temples, tombs and pyramids. Built by Imhotep, Zhoser’s step pyramid formed the blueprint for ancient Egypt’s most enduring architectural legacy. Overnight seater train to Aswan. Overnight - seater train

Day 3: Aswan & Philae Temple
Aswan - breakfast box. Arrive and check in to our hotel. A visit out of town takes us to the mighty High Dam, a modern feat of engineering; the by–product for which is Lake Nasser, the world’s largest artificial lake! Continuing, we enjoy a short boat trip to Agilika Island for Philae Temple, dedicated to the Goddess Isis. Later, free time to perhaps do some shopping in the colourful souks and markets or simply relax at our hotel that straddles the River Nile. Overnight - Aswan

Days 4 & 5: Felucca Sailing
Aswan – Nile felucca cruise – Kom Ombo - all meals. Optional early morning air excursion to the colossal Temple of  Abu Simbel. This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2-night cruise upstream. Relax, top up your tan and chat with new friends as the felucca gently plies its route.

If sailing by felucca does not appeal, navigate the River Nile on board a 5 luxury Nile Cruiser with private cabin and ensuite bathroom. Add to this a sleeper train upgrade. Sleeper train cabins are fully enclosed, fitted with bunk beds, linen and washbasins. Both are offered through purchasing our Pharoah's Pass. Overnight (2) - felucca

Day 6: Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor
Kom Ombo - Luxor - breakfast. Disembarking our felucca, we visit Kom Ombo Temple and the immaculately preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu, dedicated to the falcon-headed god. The Temple of Horus was the last monumental temple to be built on such a huge scale, that began construction in 237 BC! Driving onward we arrive in Luxor and check in to our hotel. Luxor’s fantastically preserved temples, coupled with the legendary Valley of the Kings make this Nile town built on the ancient site of Thebes, the jewel in Egypt’s ancient pharaonic crown. This evening there is an optional visit to the magnificently illuminated Luxor Temple with dinner afterwards. (cost is minimal, pay locally).  Overnight - Luxor.

Day 7: Valley of the Kings & Valley of the Queens
Luxor - Dahab - breakfast. An early start!  There is the option to float over Luxor in a hot air balloon and see area wake up and come alive. Afterwards, we cross to Luxor’s West Bank, where we visit the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens and the imposing Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. The first sight we’ll see are the large seated statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. Although they are all that remains of the temple of Amenophis III, they resemble twin sentinels staring out across the Nile, seemingly guarding the many tombs pocketed in the valleys behind them. 



The more powerful the deceased pharaoh, the deeper and more elaborate was his tomb. King Tut’s tomb, although nondescript as compared with say the highly decorated tomb of Ramses III, is more remarkable for the treasures revealed upon Howard Carter’s archeological discovery in 1922. Loaded to the gunnels with priceless treasures intended for Tutankhamen’s passage to the afterlife, Carter’s find has never been equalled.

Returning to the East, we’ll have time to relax. Later this afternoon, we visit the vast temple complex of Karnak. Lose yourself in the forest of stone papyrus columns in the huge Hypostle Hall. Karnak is an awesome, lasting legacy of the power of ancient Egypt. Later, we take our overnight bus to Dahab on the Red Sea. Overnight - bus

Days 8: Dahab, Red Sea
Dahab - breakfast. Arrival and hotel check in. Scuba diving, snorkelling, sun worshipping, sun chilling, shopping - take your pick. You have 4 whole days to do as you please. Overnight Dahab

Days 9 - 11: Dahab, Red Sea
Dahab - breakfast. Today offers an optional snorkelling excursion to the Blue Hole. 80 metres in depth, the Blue Hole boasts an abundance of colourful coral, fish and marine life.

Tonight, an energetic climb to the summit of Mt Sinai and a visit St Katherine's Monastery are available. Enjoy the next few days at leisure, the Dahab waterfront is dotted with laid back cafes, bars and shops, perfect for eating, drinking or relaxing with a little retail therapy. If you'd like to extend your stay and learn to scuba dive the PADI way check out our Dive Dahab bolt-on. Whatever you choose, you can do it your way in Dahab! Overnight (3) - Dahab

Day 12: Cairo & Egyptian musuem
Dahab - Cairo - breakfast box. Early this morning we board the bus back to Cairo, arriving early afternoon and we visit the Egyptian Museum. Rest of the day free to enjoy Cairo your way. Overnight - Cairo

Day 13: Cairo
Cairo - breakfast. Hotel check-out and included onward transfer to airport.