Festive King Tut - 9 days
Classic Egypt at its best - ancient temples, tombs, Nile river cruising, topped off with plenty of festive cheer! With 4 tour dates to choose from, the hardest decision you'll need to make is where you want to spend Xmas & New Years - sailing the Nile, at the legendary pyramids or discovering Cairo!
Day 1: Cairo
Welcome to Egypt and the start of a great festive Egyptian adventure. Arrive Cairo airport and included transfer to our hotel. Overnight - Cairo
Day 2: Pyramids & Saqqara
Cairo - Aswan. A big day out with a visit to the famous pyramids of Giza, sole survivors from the ancient Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World. Later we continue to Saqqara to tour King Zhoser's step pyramid - the first known pyramid ever built. Later there is time for dinner before travelling on the overnight seater train to Aswan. Sleeper train upgrade available Overnight - seater Train (B)
Festive King Tut - 9 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Day 3: Philae Temple & Aswan High Dam
Arrival and check into our hotel. Our first stop is the mighty High Dam and later a leisurely boat trip to the romantic Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis and rescued under an enormous UNESCO effort in the 1970's to save the temple from the rising waters of the High Dam. As night falls, free time to shop in the colourful souqs or simply relax and watch an amazing sunset. Overnight - Aswan (B)
Day 4: Abu Simbel, Nile Cruising
Aswan - Nile Felucca cruise. Optional early morning excursion to the magnificent rock-cut Temples of Abu Simbel, built by mighty King Ramses II. If travelling on 15 Dec 2012, our optional Abu Simbel excursion is undertaken by air. On 21, 23 and 27 Dec 2012, the optional excursion is undertaken by road. This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2 night voyage downstream on the River Nile. Relax, top up your tan and chat with new friends as the felucca gently plies its route. Stops are made en route for swimming and visiting local villages.
If sailing by felucca is not your style, navigate the River Nile on board a 5 star Nile Cruiser with private cabin and ensuite bathroom. Our Nile Cruise Upgrade can be purchased in conjunction with a sleeper train upgrade. Overnight - Felucca Cruise (B, L, D)
If sailing by felucca is not your style, navigate the River Nile on board a 5 star Nile Cruiser with private cabin and ensuite bathroom. Our Nile Cruise Upgrade can be purchased in conjunction with a sleeper train upgrade. Overnight - Felucca Cruise (B, L, D)
Day 5: Sail away...
Relax, go for a swim or just chill out in the sun on deck. Let your troubles melt away, as the felucca plies its route. Overnight - Felucca Cruise (B, L, D)
Day 6: Kom Ombo Temple
Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor. Disembarking, we enjoy a guided tour of Kom Ombo Temple and the Temple of Horus at Edfu, before driving north to Luxor. Chcking into our 5 star hotel the afternoon is free for swimming or relaxing by the pool. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Queens and the gigantic Temple of Karnak, 4000 year old Luxor is ancient Egypt at it's best. Tonight, we have the opportunity to view Luxor Temple - built by Amenophis III, at night with dinner afterward. The temple looks stunning at nightfall illuminated by hundreds of coloured lights. Book/pay locally. Remainder of the evening at leisure Overnight - Luxor (B)
Day 7: Valley of the Kings
Luxor - Cairo. An early start allows us to avoid some of the fierce midday heat as we venture to the tomb strewn Valley of the Kings. Consider opting to join our hot air ballooning excursion over ancient Thebes - fabulous at sunrise! Highlights of the visit include the Colossi of Memnon, a massive pair of statues that stand silent against the backdrop of history, the Valleys of the Kings and the awesome ramped and colonnaded 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 passage into the after-life. This afternoon after lunch and time to relax we visit the colossal Temple of Karnak. Lose yourself in the stone-columned Hypostle Hall and go crazy with your camera. This is ancient Egypt. Tonight, we return by overnight train to Cairo, 1st class recliner seats. Overnight - Train (B)
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 passage into the after-life. This afternoon after lunch and time to relax we visit the colossal Temple of Karnak. Lose yourself in the stone-columned Hypostle Hall and go crazy with your camera. This is ancient Egypt. Tonight, we return by overnight train to Cairo, 1st class recliner seats. Overnight - Train (B)
Day 8: Egyptian Museum
Arrival and hotel check in. Later we enjoy a guided tour of the famous Egyptian Museum. See the priceless funerary treasures of King Tutankhamen, including his legendary solid gold death mask. Enjoy the remains of the day shopping and exploring Cairo. Overnight - Cairo (B)
Day 9: Cairo
Our tour concluded after breakfast and onward departure transfer to the airport. (B)
5 star Nile Cruise for Xmas or New Year
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If you’d like to upgrade from the included Nile felucca cruise from Aswan to Luxor, cruise the Nile in style for 3 nights with our 5 star Nile Cruise upgrade. Cruiser's are similar to 5 star hotels with their own bar, lounges and restaurant. Your well–appointed, outward facing cabin offers air-conditioning, a private bathroom and views of the Nile as we sail. The boat deck offers plenty of space for relaxation and a swimming pool. All meals are included, buffet style. |
Where would you like to spend XMAS OR NEW YEARS EVE in 2012?
- 21 Dec tour - wake to Xmas day from the River Nile. Spend the day lazing about to the perfect backdrop of the Nile with a chilled beer in hand.
- 23 Dec tour departure: On Xmas Day we take a leisurely boat trip to Philae Temple and discover the colourful souqs of Aswan
- 27 Dec tour departure: New Year's Eve felucca sailing or Nile Cruiser party!
Tour Details
- Starts in: Cairo / Ends in: Cairo
- Departs: 21, 23, 27 Dec 2012
- No local payment required
- Breakfast:8, Lunch: 2, Dinner: 2
- Hotel Rating: 4 - 5 star
- Tour Guide: Yes
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