sandblaster - 13 days

Tour Information
Starts in: Cairo
Ends in: Cairo
Departs: Tuesdays year-round
Prices and Departures: Click Here
Local Payment Required: No
Breakfast: Daily, Lunch: 4, Dinner: 4
Hotel rating: 4 - 5 hotels
+ White desert camp, oases hotels & felucca
Egyptian Tour Guide: Yes

Day 4: White Desert & Crystal Mountain
Bahariyya Oasis - White Desert - breakfast. We check out Bahariyya - an ancient oasis. Continuing by 4 x 4, 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. Lunch, dinner and overnight - free camping White Desert

Day 5: Al Qasr, abandoned city
White Desert - Dakhla Oasis - breakfast. Continuing by 4 x 4, we drive to Farafra oasis, where we can enjoy a dip in the natural springs. Continuing to Dakhla, a true highlight is the medieval city of Al Qasr. Only recently abandoned, we wander through 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 onto Deir al-Haggar - the Roman Temple
dedicated to the Theban Triad. Overnight - Dakhla (oasis hotel)

Day 6: Kharga Oasis
Dakhla Oasis - Kharga Oasis - Luxor - breakfast. Leaving Dakhla Oasis, we continue to Kharga to visit the Temple of Hibis, the rambling 4th century necropolis of al-Bagawat and the temple ruins of Deir al-Kashef. Lunch and overnight - Luxor

Day 7: Aswan - Egypt's most southern city
Luxor - Aswan – breakfast box. Today we travel by train 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

Days 8 & 9:  Felucca Sailing
Aswan – Nile felucca cruise – 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 voyage on the River Nile upstream. Overnight onboard the felucca. A stop will be made at the Temple of Kom Ombo. All meals and overnight (2) - felucca.

Day 10: Kom Ombo & Edfu Temple
Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor – breakfast. Disembarking, we enjoy a visit 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. Enjoy some rest and relaxation. Tonight, an optional visit is available to the Temple of Luxor by traditional horse and carriage and restaurant dinner afterwards. Rest of evening free. Overnight - Luxor

Day 11: Valley of the Kings & Queens
Luxor - Cairo – breakfast. 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. You’ll feel like a star in a Hollywood epic, as you stroll around. Tonight, we return to Cairo by train. It is possible to upgrade to the sleeper cabin. Overnight - train

Day 12: The Egyptian Museum
Cairo – breakfast box. 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

Day 13: Cairo
Sunday - Cairo. Our tour ends after breakfast. Included onward transfer to airport.