Discover Egypt from Encounters Travel

DAY 1 - ARRIVE CAIRO AND TRANSFER TO HOTEL

Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport, assist you with obtaining your visa and luggage, and then transfer you to your hotel close to the Pyramids for the start of your trip. They will help you settle in, introduce you to the local area, and explain tomorrow’s arrangements. The rest of the day is free. If you arrive early you may like to take an evening dinner cruise on the Nile, or enjoy a spectacular sound and light show at the pyramids (both available to book locally on arrival).

5 STAR CAIRO HOTEL

DAY 2 - CAIRO, PYRAMIDS, SPHINX & MUSEUM TOUR

Our tour of Egypt begins with a trip to the Egyptian Museum in central Cairo. Home to the fantastic Tutankhamun exhibit the museum hosts a huge number of other ancient Egyptian artefacts. One of our local Egyptologist guides will be accompanying you on this and all of your other sightseeing tours, and you’ll find them a wealth of knowledge and full of enthusiasm about Egyptian history, and their country in general. Following on from the museum we then head to Giza on the outskirts of Cairo to visit the Sphinx and the three great pyramids of Egypt. At 500 feet high and 750 feet wide at its base the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is an awesome man-made structure constructed of giant stone blocks with a hard limestone casing. The casing has, over the years, been stripped away to leave exposed the inner block structure. Together with the smaller pyramids of Khafre (Chephern) and Menkaure (Mycerinus), the majestic sight of these enormous structures rising out of the desert is a breathtaking spectacle. You will have the opportunity to climb down right inside the pyramids if you wish, though your guide cannot accompany you (a limited number of tickets are available for the Great Pyramid).

This evening we transfer to the station for the overnight sleeper train to Aswan (approx. 12 hours).

DAY 3 -ASWAN, NUBIAN VILLAGE AND PHILAE TEMPLE

This morning we arrive in Aswan and transfer to our hotel overlooking the Nile which is at its most picturesque here, with cascading rapids, lush green islands, and feluccas sailing to and fro. Aswan itself is a melting pot of African and Middle Eastern cultures, most easily experienced by wandering through the busy markets also part of the ancient region of Nubia, which comprised parts of present day southern Egypt and northern Sudan around the Nile rivers. we  visit the Nubian local Nubian village to see their colourful houses, simple way of life and to enjoy a traditional lunch.
Our tours this afternoon start with a visit to the Temple of Philae, a beautiful island complex dedicated to Isis and reclaimed from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, which we reach by a scenic boat ride.we built some free time to to look around Aswan’s spice and general markets, and to walk up and down the popular Corniche, on the banks of the Nile and we also provide an optional camel ride through the sands on the far bank of the Nile to St. Simeon’s monastery.

5 STAR ASWAN HOTEL

DAY 4 - ABU SIMBEL OPTION, NILE FELUCCA CRUISE

An option is available this morning to visit the temples built by Ramses II at the amazing UNESCO world heritage site of Abu Simbel. We depart very early with the aim of seeing the rising sun over the temples. Flights, guiding, entrance fees are included.

We board our traditional Nile felucca today for a full day sailing down the Nile. Floating down the Nile on a felucca is one of Egypt’s most enjoyable activities and you’ll be able to watch local rural Egyptian life pass you by on the banks of the river as you drift past. Our Nubian crew will sail the boat and entertain you on the way, as well as preparing meals for you. Our separate facilities boat will join with us from time to time during the day and moor up with us at night. This boat has a welcome toilet and showers on board as well as a hygienic kitchen where the crew will prepare a delicious evening meal. You sleep on the deck of the boat tonight (mattresses, blankets and mosquito nets provided).You can also upgrade to spend  this night back in the Aswan hotel  instead of of sleeping on the felucca for more comfort. All other touring remains the same.

OVERNIGHT ON BOARD FELUCCA

DAY 5 - EDFU TEMPLES, LUXOR TEMPLE AT NIGHT

After breakfast on-board we bid farewell to our felucca crew and visit the nearby temples of  Edfu before continuing on north to Luxor. The town of Luxor is built on and around the ancient site of Thebes, and boasts the largest concentration of ancient ruins in the Nile Valley, if not the world. To the west of the Nile lies the City of the Dead, with its mortuary temples and rock-hewn tombs, whilst to the east lie the Temples of Luxor and Karnak. We check into a luxury 5-star hotel on the banks of the Nile and have time to relax and enjoy time by the pool this afternoon.

Later this evening we’ll take a walking tour of the smaller Luxor Temple which is right in the middle of town and beautifully lit up at night.

5 STAR LUXOR HOTEL

DAY 6 - LUXOR, WEST BANK TOUR , KARNAK TEMPLE

We cross the Nile early this morning to begin our tour of Luxor’s West Bank. Home to the Valley of the Kings, the dusty tombs in this ancient burial site are still revealing their secrets today and so it remains one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Our tour includes several of these Pharaonic tombs, as well as the temples of Queen Hatchepsut and Medinat Habu, and the huge Colossi of Memnon.

A spectacular hot air balloon flight over the west bank of the Nile is available this morning (expect an early start to catch sunrise as the balloon rises).

After lunch we’ll tour the huge temple complex at Karnak , once the religious centre of Thebes and Upper Egypt. It was linked to Luxor by an extensive avenue, lined with sphinxes, and the whole complex was in turn linked to the Nile via a canal through which moved the sacred boats of the god Amun. Entering through a smaller sphinx-lined avenue, built by Ramesses II, you come to the immense pylon entrance. Inside the huge Courtyard are three chapels dedicated to the gods Amun, Khous and Mut. The remarkable Hypostyle Hall has 134 towering columns, each carved with scenes of gods and pharaohs, and hieroglyphic inscriptions adorn the walls.

5 STAR HURGHADA HOTEL

DAY 7- LUXOR TO THE RED SEA AT HURGHADA

This afternoon we leave the Nile Valley and drive to the Red Sea resort town of Hurghada where we check into a 5-star resort. Your stay here is on a ‘soft all inclusive’ basis, with all meals, soft drinks and snacks included but not alcoholic beverages.

5 STAR HURGHADA HOTEL

DAY 8 - RED SEA AT HURGHADA, FREE DAY

Your are free today to relax and enjoy your time by the Red Sea. Hurghada is world popular for its scuba diving and snorkelling and the rich Red Sea marine life here attracts divers from all over the world. Other adventurous activities available include wind surfing and kite surfing, glass bottomed submarines, quad biking, camel rides and sea fishing trips. Our local rep based in Hurghada will be on hand to help make any arrangements. Hurghada itself has an interesting marina and ancient town to explore.we can also provide an optional extra night in the resort in Hurhada if you wish to extend your time here.

NOTE: Please note that when adding extra nights in Hurghada you will leave the group here and miss the remaining activities in Cairo. You can either finish the tour in Hurghada or return later to Cairo. Please contact us for more information and customised pricing.

5 STAR HURGHADA HOTEL

DAY 9 - DRIVE TO CAIRO, OLD CAIRO & KHAN-EL-KHALILI BAZZAR TOUR

We drive back to Cairo this morning and check into a city central hotel. An upgrade to an internal flight is also available on request.You have a choice of either a free day to explore or relax at your own leisure, or to take one of our optional additional tours. These include a guided walk through the back streets and bazaars in Old Cairo as well as we’ll walk through the huge Bab al-Futuh gateway and explore streets dedicated to metalwork, spices, pottery, fabric, jewelery and anything else you can imagine as we gradually enter the more touristy Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. We’ll have time for a break to try some mint tea and a shisha pipe and this is a great final opportunity to pick up some souvenirs of your time in Egypt.

5 STAR CAIRO HOTEL

DAY 10 - CAIRO, FREE TIME, DEPARTURE AIRPORT TRANSFER

Your time is free today for some last minute sightseeing or shopping until we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. If you have an evening flight departure, then the Cairo City Tour and Saqqara, Dashour & Memphis tours are also available today. Alternatively you can add extra nights to your time in Cairo which would allow you to take a day trip to the colonial city of Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast, or a trip into the desert outside Cairo to see the World Heritage Site of the Valley of the Whales at Wadi Rayan.