Nile Valley to Siwa Oasis - 15 days
Explore the best of ancient Egypt, from the legendary pyramids, to the Valley of the Kings, sail the Nile on a felucca, visit coastal Alexandria. Then get off the beaten track & discover Siwa, with its centuries old customs & traditions.
Day 1: Cairo
Saturday. Welcome to Egypt and the start of your holiday! We meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight - Cairo
Day 2: Pyramids & Saqqara
Cairo - Aswan. Visit to the famous pyramids and lion-headed Sphinx at Giza Plateau. Sole survivors from the ancient Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World, the pyramids are the planet’s oldest tourist attraction! Gaze in awe at Cheops (Khufu) - the largest of the three great pyramids. Constructed from over 2.5 million limestone blocks it is thought to have taken more than 20 years to construct. Continuing to Saqqara, we can explore the myriad tombs and temples at this site and see Zhoser’s step pyramid - constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh’s cheif architect in 2700 BC! Later we will have chance to have dinner before our overnight train to Aswan. Sleeper cabin upgrade available. Overnight - Train (B)
Nile Valley to Siwa Oasis - 15 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
Arrive and check into our hotel. A visit out of town takes us to the mighty High Dam – a modern feat of engineering - creating the world’s largest artificial lake, Lake Nasser! This afternoon's highlight is a leisurely boat trip to Agilika Island for Philae Temple for a guided tour of the romantic Philae Temple - dedicated to the goddess Isis. As the sun sets, free time to shop in the colourful souqs and markets or simply relax and watch an amazing sunset in Egypt's southern most town straddling the River Nile. Overnight - Aswan. Overnight - Aswan (B)
Day 4: Felucca Cruise
Aswan - Nile felucca cruise. Optional early morning air excursion to famous Abu Simbel, the rock-cut temple of King Ramses II, the Great Builder. This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2 night voyage downstream on the River Nile. If sailing by felucca is not for you, consider upgrading to a 5 star luxury Nile Cruise with our Nile Cruise 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 - onboard Felucca (B, L, D)
Day 6: Kom Ombo Temple & Luxor
Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor. Disembarking in Kom Ombo, we enjoy a guided tour of the Temple of Kom Ombo - dedicated to the crocodile headed god - Sobek and the Temple of Horus at Edfu, before driving north 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. Tonight, an optional visit is available to the Temple of Luxor, spectacularly illuminated at night (book and pay locally) alternatively, spend 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. Tonight, we return by overnight train to Cairo. 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. Tonight, we return by overnight train to Cairo. Overnight - Train (B)
Day 8: Egyptian Museum
Arrival and hotel check-in. Later, we visit the famous Egyptian Museum, famed for the treasures of King Tutankhamen and his famous solid gold funerary mask. This afternoon is free - perhaps spend the remainder of the day exploring Cairo your way. Overnight - Cairo. Overnight - Cairo (B)
Day 9: Cairo
Sunday. Cairo – El Alamein – Siwa. Starting early (7:00am) we drive North-west toward the Mediterranean coastline, to the World War II cemeteries of El Alamein. In 1942 the Allies under Britain’s field Marshal Montgomery halted the German- Italian advance towards the River Nile. Marked as a major victory for the Allies, though not without loss of life, with some 11,000 killed and 60,000 wounded. We visit the Commonwealth cemetery and recently erected memorials funded by the Australian and New Zealand governments. Through the arches and beyond the gardens, 7,000 white headstones commemorate the Australian, New Zealand and British soldiers who fought and died. Stopping for a light lunch in Marsa Matrouh we continue onward to Siwa . Evening walk and opportunity for dinner in a typical Siwan style restaurant. Overnight - Siwa Oasis (B, L)
Day 10: bike ride & Temple of the Oracle
This morning we take a leisurely bicycle ride through the verdant date palm groves, visiting the local sights en-route. Our first stop is the Temple of the Oracle, dating back to near 570BC, whose most famous petitioner was Alexander the Great. Alexander visited the Siwa in the spring of 331BC, seeking confirmation from the Oracle that he was the son of Zeus (whom the Greek’s identified with Amun – the sun god and creator of all life in Pharaonic history). We cycle to Cleopatra Spring for a dip in the pool as the spring fed warm water bubbles to the surface. Afternoon at leisure or optional (book/pay locally) sunset dinner, swim and campfire at the ‘Great Saltwater Lake’. Overnight - Siwa Oasis (B)
Today we visit Mountain of the Dead and explore Old Shali. Old Shali is the old city abandoned in 1926 after 3 days of rain that literally melted the mud brick city. A hermetic labyrinth of secret corridors, homes, shops, granaries and mosques are all waiting to be explored. Afternoon - Desert Safari. 4x4 through the massive sand dunes of the Great Sand Sea, stopping off at an amazing natural spring fed lake surrounded by miles of sandy desert. We also visit the site of an ancient ocean abundant with marine fossils and finish the day at the hot spring of Bir Wahed for swimming and sunset dinner. Overnight - Siwa Oasis (B, D)
Day 12: Libyan market
Siwa – Marsa Matrouh – Alexandria. An early start, we drive along the north coast to Marsa Matrouh . The city has a large Libyan/Berber population distinctive in custom and dress. We stop for lunch, swim in the Med and have time to explore the Libyan souq (if open) before driving onward to Alexandria . Total - 9hrs drive. Overnight - Alexandria (B, L)
Day 13: Alexandria
A free morning to relax, afternoon sightseeing of Montazzah Palace, home to King Farouk – the last monarch of the Mohamed Ali dynasty who abdicated and fled to Italy and Quat Bay Fort, the site of the Pharos – Alexandria ’s great lighthouse. Evening tram ride into the downtown to shop followed by famous Alexandrian Fateer for dinner. Overnight - Alexandria (B, D)
Day 14: Roman Catacombs
Alexandria - Cairo. Today sightseeing is undertaken with a qualified Egyptologist, visiting the Alexandira's best loved sights - the Catacombs, Pompeii’s Pillar, National Museum and later a stop at the Library of Alexandria. After lunch, we return to Cairo. Overnight - Cairo. Overnight - Cairo (B)
Day 15: Cairo
Saturday. Our tour concludes after breakfast and onward departure transfer to the airport. (B)
5 star Nile Cruise Upgrade
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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 with our 5 star Nile cruiser upgrade. Cruiser facilities are similar to that of 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. Sightseeing stops to the Temple of Kom Ombo and Temple of Horus at Edfu are made en-route. In the evening, low–key entertainment is on hand. All meals are included, buffet style. |
Tour Details
- Starts in: Cairo / Ends in: Cairo
- Departs: Saturdays - year round
- No local payment required
- Breakfast:14, Lunch: 4, Dinner: 4
- Hotel Rating: 3 - 5 star (+ Siwan style hotel)
- Tour Guide: Yes
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