Dunes and Tombs - 17 days
Egypt's incredible Western Desert oases & the stunning White Desert, Crystal Mountain, Tombs of the Golden Mummies, 4x4 jeep safari & Medieval Al Qasr. Not to mention Aswan & Nile felucca cruising, Luxor & the Valley of the Kings, the Red Sea & of course, the pyramids!
Our Dunes & Tombs - 17 day tour departs fortnightly till 01 July 2012. If travelling after 01 July, please see our New Dunes & Tombs - 18 day tour with similar touring arrangements.
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
Day 2: Pyramids & Saqqara
Today, we visit Giza Plateau, where we explore the pyramids and Sphinx. Later, we explore Saqqara - an ancient necropolis with many half-buried tombs and the famous Zhoser’s step pyramid.
Overnight - Cairo (B)
Dunes and Tombs - 17 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: Bahariyya Oasis
Cairo – Bahariyya Oasis. This morning we drive to Bahariyya Oasis. Spend the afternoon at leisure and watch an amazing sunset over the remote landscape. Overnight - Bahariyya Oasis (B, D)
Day 4: Crystal Mountain
Bahariyya Oasis - White Desert. We explore
Bahariyya - an ancient oasis dating back to the Middle
Kingdom. Continuing by 4x4, we visit some temples, tombs
and the Black Desert - a region full of black volcanoshaped
mountains. Our desert camp tonight is in the White
Desert. The striking desert is full of unusual wind-eroded
limestone formations and our remote overnight base. Overnight - White Desert (B, L, D)
Day 5: Al Qasr, Abandoned City
White Desert - Dakhla Oasis. This morning we
drive onward to Farafra - the smallest oasis in the Western
Desert famed for it’s exotic fruit and olive oil. Here, we visit
Badr’s Museum. Later we tour the medieval city of Al Qasr
- a true highlight of our journey. Only recently abandoned
we 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 and have lunch. Afterward you can opt for a dip
in one of the mineral rich hot springs. Overnight - Dakhla Oasis (B, L)
Day 6: El Bagawat Necropolis
Dakhla Oasis - Kharga Oasis - Luxor. This
morning we drive to Kharga Oasis visiting the Temple
of Hibis (exterior only) and the rambling 4th century
necropolis of el-Bagawat built entirely of mudbrick.
After a break for lunch we continue onto Luxor. Overnight - Luxor (B, L)
Luxor - Aswan. Journeying south we arrive at the Nile frontier town of Aswan. Check-in to our hotel, we later visit the mighty High Dam. 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 souqs and markets or simply relax in this attractive town which straddles the River Nile. Overnight - Aswan (B)
Days 8 - 9: Felucca Cruise
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. If sailing by felucca is not for you, consider upgrading to a 5 star luxury Nile Cruise with our Nile Cruise Upgrade.
On day 9, 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. A stop will be made at the waterside Temple of Kom Ombo. Overnight - Felucca Cruise (B:2, L:2, D:2)
On day 9, 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. A stop will be made at the waterside Temple of Kom Ombo. Overnight - Felucca Cruise (B:2, L:2, D:2)
Day 10: Kom Ombo & Edfu Temple
Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor. 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 night. Overnight - Luxor (B)
Day 11: Valley of the Kings
Luxor - Dahab. Opt for an early morning hot air balloon excursion over ancient Thebes. Early today, we visit Luxor’s famous West Bank, taking in the Colossi of Memnon, legendary Valleys of the Kings and the imposing limestone-colonnaded Temple of Hatshepsut. Taking a break, we later visit the colossal Temple of Karnak. This afternoon, we travel by overnight bus to Dahab via Hurghada. Overnight - Bus journey (B)
Days 12 - 15: Dahab
Arrival and hotel check-in. Scuba diving, snorkelling, sun-worshipping, chilling, shopping - take your pick. You’ve 4 whole days to do as you want. Optional excursions such as snorkelling at Dahab’s Blue Hole or an energetic climb to the summit of Mt Sinai and visit to St Katherine’s Monastery are available (book/pay locally). If you’d like to extend your stay in Dahab, consider our Learn to Dive or Jordan bolt-on. Overnight - Dahab (B:4)
Day 16: Cairo & the Egyptian Museum
Dahab - Cairo. Very early this morning, approx 6am, we bid farewell to Dahab and travel back to Cairo and enjoy a guided visit to the Egyptian Museum.
The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, commonly referred to as the Egyptian Museum is home to an extensive collection of some 120 000 ancient Egyptian antiquities, with a representative amount on display and the remainder in storerooms. Opt to visit the Royal Mummy Room, where 9 royal mummies from the New Kingdom are displayed. Overnight - Cairo (B)
The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, commonly referred to as the Egyptian Museum is home to an extensive collection of some 120 000 ancient Egyptian antiquities, with a representative amount on display and the remainder in storerooms. Opt to visit the Royal Mummy Room, where 9 royal mummies from the New Kingdom are displayed. Overnight - Cairo (B)
Day 17: Cairo
Thursday. Cairo - breakfast. Hotel check out and included onward transfer to airport.
(B)
Visit the incredible temples of Abu Simbel
|
Abu Simbel, possibly the most awe-inspiring temple of all ancient Egypt, with its gigantic rock–cut façade, was created to revere the mighty ruler Ramses II. Guarding the entrance to the temple, the 4 colossal statues of Ramses II sit majestically staring out across the desert, seemingly since time began. Not to be missed! Bolt on an Abu Simbel excursion. |
Tour Details
- Starts in: Cairo / Ends in: Cairo
- Departs: Tuesday - year round
- No local payment required
- Breakfast:16, Lunch: 5, Dinner: 4
- Hotel Rating: 4 - 5 star (+ White Desert camp, oases hotels & felucca)
- Tour Guide: Yes
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