Festive King Ramses - 14 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 at the pyramids or on the Nile and ring in the New Year by the Red Sea in Dahab!
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. Sleeper cabin upgrade available Overnight - Train (B)
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. Sleeper cabin upgrade available Overnight - Train (B)
Festive King Ramses - 14 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 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 Cruise
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 on the River Nile down stream, stopping along the way at local villages and islands.
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:2, L:2, D:2)
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:2, L:2, D:2)
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 - Cairo. 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 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 return to Cairo by overnight seater train. Overnight - Train
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 return to Cairo by overnight seater train. Overnight - Train
Day 8: Cairo
Arrive Cairo and time to freshen up. Later, we take a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum. See the famous King Tutankhamen solid gold death mask or opt to see the Royal Mummy room. Remains of the afternoon and evening free to do your own thing. Maybe head over to Khan el-Khalili bazaar. It's a top spot for the purchase of ornate free-standing tobacco pipes, pharaonic tat, belly dancing costumes, spices and carpets. Overnight - Cairo (B)
Day 9: Dahab - by the Red Sea
Cairo - Dahab. Today we cross the Suez Canal and travel onto Dahab, located on the Red Sea. Just 90km from Sharm-el-Sheikh and around 7 hours drive from Cairo, Dahab has developed from a hippy village to a respected haven with a solid infrastructure for SCUBA divers, snorkellers and travellers seeking sun, sea and relaxation. Arriving to Dahab you have 4 whole days to do as you please! Overnight - Dahab (B)
Days 10 - 12: Blue Hole Snorkeling
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.
An energetic climb to the summit of Mt Sinai and a visit to St Katherine's Monastery are further options 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)
An energetic climb to the summit of Mt Sinai and a visit to St Katherine's Monastery are further options 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)
Day 13: Dahab to Cairo
Dahab - Cairo. After a leisurely breakfast we return to Cairo. The remainder of the day and evening are free to enjoy Cairo your way. Overnight - Cairo (B)
Day 14: Cairo
Hotel check out and included onward departure transfer to 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 do you want to spend XMAS & NEW YEARS EVE IN 2012?
- 15 Dec tour - It's Xmas day in Dahab, relaxing by the Red Sea
- 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. For New Year's Eve, we PARTY in Dahab!
- 23 Dec tour - On Xmas Day we take a leisurely boat trip to Philae Temple and discover the colourful souqs of Aswan. On New Year's Eve, choose to relax or PARTY in Dahab!
- 27 Dec tour - New Year's Eve felucca sailing or Nile cruising. Bonfire and party at the stroke of midnight.
Tour Details
- Starts in: Cairo / Ends in: Cairo
- Departs: 15, 21, 23, 27 Dec 2012
- No local payment required
- Breakfast:12, Lunch: 2, Dinner: 2
- Hotel Rating: 4 - 5 star
- Tour Guide: Yes
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