Tour Details
  • Starts in: Cairo / Ends in: Cairo
  • Departs: 18, 21, 23, 27 Dec 2010
  • No local payment required
  • Breakfast:14, Lunch: 2, Dinner: 2
  • Hotel Rating: 4 - 5 star
  • Tour Guide: Yes
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Classic King Ramses - 13 days

Escape to sunny Egypt this festive season - Pyramids, temples, felucca sailing & the Valley of the Kings & a 4 day Red Sea retreat. Choose between Xmas day on the Nile, in Aswan or coastal Dahab, & ring in the New Year in Dahab or Cairo!

Day 1: Cairo
Welcome to the festive season in sunny Egypt! Arrive Cairo, included transfer to hotel. Overnight - Cairo
Day 2: Pyramids & Saqqara
Cairo - Aswan. 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 - Train (B)
Classic King Ramses - 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 man striking a fun pose with the Pyramids of Giza
Day 3: Philae Temple
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 (B)
Days 4 - 5: 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 down stream, stopping along the way at local villages and islands.

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 Pharaoh's Pass. Overnight - onboard Felucca (B:2, L:2, D:2)
Felucca sailing on the River Nile in Egypt
Day 6: Kom Ombo & Edfu Temple
Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor. Disembarking in Kom Ombo we visit the temple before travelling to 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, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at it’s best. Enjoy some rest and relaxation. This evening there is an optional visit to the magnificently illuminated Luxor Temple with dinner afterwards. (cost is minimal, pay locally). Remainder of the evening at leisure to enjoy the facilities of our hotel. Overnight - Luxor (B)
Day 7: Valley of the Kings
Luxor - Dahab. An early start! There is the option to float over Luxor in a hot air baloon 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 (B)
An on the go tours group standing outside the Philae Temple in Egypt
Day 8: Dahab
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
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 - Dahab (B:3)
Girls on the beachfront in Dahab, on the Red Sea
Day 12: Cairo & Egyptian Museum
Dahab - Cairo. 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 (B)
Day 13: Cairo
Hotel check–out and included onward departure transfer to airport (B)

Upgrade with a Pharoahs Pass
Try our Pharoahs Pass for a festive lift, travel in comfort and cruise the Nile in style!

Includes: 1 x sleeper train cabin upgrade. 3 nights aboard a 5 star Nile Cruiser (in place of felucca sailing). All meals aboard Nile Cruiser

Note: All cruise boats on New Years Eve charge a compulsary New Years Dinner supplement. If departing on 27 Dec 2009 or 2010 you will be onboard and required to pay a supplement at time of booking.

Where do you want to spend Xmas and New Year this year?

  • 18 Dec departure: Xmas Day arrive in Dahab
  • 21 Dec departure: Xmas on felucca, NYE party in Dahab
  • 23 Dec departure: Xmas in Aswan, NYE party in Dahab
  • 27 Dec departure: New Year's Eve felucca sailing