Tour Details
  • Starts in: Cairo / Ends in: Cairo
  • Departs: Tuesdays - year round
  • No local payment required
  • Breakfast:12, Lunch: 5, Dinner: 4
  • Hotel Rating: 4 - 5 star (+ White Desert camp & oases hotels)
  • Tour Guide: Yes
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Sandblaster - 13 Days

An Egyptian adventure! Ancient Western Desert oases, 4x4 drives, camping under the stars in the stunning White Desert, Medieval Al Qasr - the abandoned city, Aswan, Nile felucca cruising, the Valley of the Kings and the Pyramids of Giza.

Day 1: Cairo
Tuesday. Welcome to Egypt and the start of your Egyptian adventure! Arrive Cairo, included airport transfer to hotel and overnight. Overnight - Cairo Overnight - Cairo
Day 2: Pyramids & Saqqara
Today, we visit Giza Plateau, where we explore the pyramids and Sphinx. It is estimated Cheops (the largest of the pyramids) was constructed from no less than 2.5million quarried limestone blocks, weighing around 6 million tonnes. Later we explore Saqqara - an ancient necropolis with many half-buried tombs and the famous Zhoser's step pyramid. Overnight - Cairo (B)
Sandblaster - 13 Days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
A couple in front of one of the unusual limestone formations in the White Desert
Day 3: Bahariyya Oasis
Cairo – Bahariyya Oasis. This morning we drive to Bahariyya. Upon arrival there is time to explore before watching a beautiful sunset over the rugged desertscape. Overnight - Bahariyya Oasis (B, D)
Day 4: Crystal Mountain
Bahariyya Oasis - White Desert. We check out Bahariyya - an ancient oasis. Continuing by 4x4, we visit the Temple of Alexander the Great, Tombs of the Nobles and the Black Desert, as we push towards the White Desert. So named, as the sand resembles snow, the striking White Desert is full of unusual wind-eroded limestone formations and our remote overnight base. Overnight - free camping White Desert (B, L, D)
Wind eroded limestone rock formations in the White Desert
Day 5: Al Qasr, Abandoned City
White Desert - Dakhla Oasis. Driving to Farafra oasis, we visit a local artist and sculptor Mr Badr Aly at the Badr Museum. Much of his work made from natural materials and coloured sands found within the oasis offers an insight into local life, customs and traditions. Before arriving to Dakhla, we explore the fascinating, only recently abandoned medieval city of Al Qasr. Wander the eerie high walled city, mosque, school, olive press and court. Many of the houses here have acacia wood lintels above the doorways whose kufic (Islamic script inscriptions name the builder or occupants of the dwelling. Additionally, the inscriptions trace the family heritage, the oldest dating back to 1518. We continue on to Deir al-Haggar - the Roman Temple dedicated to the Theban Triad and take a dip in the local, mineral rich hot springs. Overnight - Dakhla Oasis (B, L)
An Egyptian man on a camel in the desert
Day 6: Kharga Oasis
Dakhla Oasis - Kharga Oasis - Luxor. Journeying onward to Kharga we visit the Temple of Hibis (exterior only) and the rambling 4th century necropolis of al-Bagawat. After lunch we drive east to Luxor. Overnight - Luxor (B, L)
Day 7: Aswan
Luxor - Aswan. Today we travel south to Aswan. After hotel check-in we visit the High Dam and travel by boat to the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Remainder of day and evening free. Overnight - Aswan (B)
Days 8 - 9: Felucca Cruising
Aswan – Nile felucca cruise. Optional early morning air excursion to the colossal Temple of Abu Simbel. This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2-night voyage on the River Nile downstream. Overnight onboard the felucca. Overnight - onboard Felucca (B:2, L:2, D:2)
Day 10: Kom Ombo & Edfu Temple
Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor. Disembarking, we enjoy a visit to Kom Ombo Temple and the Temple of Horus at Edfu - a huge complex that began construction in 237 BC! We then continue to Luxor. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak. Enjoy some rest and relaxation. Tonight, an optional visit is available to the Temple of Luxor (book and pay locally), alternatively enjoy your evening at leisure. Overnight - Luxor (B)
Hot Air Balloon in the sky
Day 11: Valley of the Kings
Luxor - Cairo. An early start allows us to avoid some of the fierce heat as we venture to the striking Valley of the Kings. (Optional hot air ballooning prior to Valley of the Kings tour). Highlights of our visit include the Colossi of Memnon - a massive pair of statues that stand silent against a backdrop of history, the legendary Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. The Valley of the Kings is studded with often highly decorated tombs, constructed to once house the regal sarcophagi enclosed mummies of the mighty pharaohs, awaiting their passage into the after-life.

This afternoon after lunch and time to relax, we visit the Temple of Karnak, a spectacular temple on a gigantic scale dedicated to the Theban gods. Karnak is ancient Egypt at it’s very best.Tonight, we return to Cairo by seater train. It is possible to upgrade to the sleeper cabin. Overnight - Train (B)
Statue of Rames II at the Karnak temple in Luxor
Day 12: Egyptian Museum
Arrive and hotel check in. Later we enjoy a guided visit to the Egyptian Museum. See the famous Tutankhamen solid gold death mask or opt to see the Royal Mummy Room, if you dare. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore Cairo your way. Overnight - Cairo (B)
Day 13: Cairo
Sunday. Our tour ends after breakfast. Included onward transfer to airport. (B)

Upgrade with a Pharoahs Pass
Travel in the style of the Pharaoh's, stretch out on your train journey and cruise the River Nile in style!

The Pharaoh's Pass offers a combined money saving upgrade to the sleeper train cabin - when travelling between Cairo and Aswan and an upgrade from the included felucca, to a 3 night stay aboard a 5 star Nile cruiser.