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The group flight usually arrives in Cairo this evening. The welcome briefing will either take place this evening or tomorrow morning. *Pyramids Park Resort Hotel or similar*
We begin our day with a visit to the Pyramids at Giza. Home to the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus and the enduring and mysterious Great Sphinx, these great monuments to the afterlife defy the imagination. Only the throng of sightseers, Egyptian and foreign, milling around their huge foundations, keep the viewer in the 21st century. The afternoon is free to relax at our hotel, explore Cairo or join an optional excursion to Saqqara, Memphis, and Dahshur. *Pyramids Park Resort Hotel or similar*
After breakfast we enjoy a full day tour of Cairo. We begin with a visit to the Egyptian Museum – home to the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts including the incredible golden riches of Tutankhamun’s tomb. Following this piece of history, we experience modern Cairo with a tour of the El Darb El Ahmar School for Arts and a walk along the bustling El Moaz Street. We also explore Al Azhar mosque which dates back to AD970 and is Cairo’s oldest. The mosque is still frequently visited by locals to this day and we will need to cover up (long sleeves and trousers) to enter - as when entering all mosques. Women will also need to cover their hair with a scarf. *Pyramids Park Resort Hotel or similar*
Today we have a journey of 3-4hrs to Alexandria. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331BC, the city was home to the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and it’s Great Library was the largest of its time. Unfortunately, these parts of Egypt’s glorious history did not survive up to modern times but there is still much to see in this Mediterranean port city. Our tour begins with a visit of the city’s catacombs followed by the impressive Qaidbay Fortress and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina – Alexandria’s revival of the Great Library. *Metropole Paradise Inn or similar*
We have an early morning drive to El Alamein, the site of the famed allied victory during World War Two, where we will visit the War Cemetery and Military Museum. More than 80,000 soldiers were killed or wounded in the two battles. It was a decisive win for the Allies with Winston Churchill saying, "Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein we never had a defeat". After lunch we stop by El Anba Bishoy Monastery on our return to Cairo. *Pyramids Park Resort Hotel or similar*
Today we embark on a tour of Cairo’s best food spots and discover some of the fantastic local cuisine available across the city – highlights are Mulukhiyah (soup), Ful Medames (beans) and Kushari (rice and macaroni). The tour also includes the bazaars of Khan el-Khalili located in the historic centre of Islamic Cairo. This evening we transfer to the railway station and board our sleeper train to Aswan (which takes approximately 12 hours). *Sleeper train.*
Arriving in Aswan during the morning, we spend the rest of the day exploring the Nubian way of life. We begin with a visit to the Nubian Museum, which chronologically charts the history and culture of the people, before enjoying Nubian lunch onboard a felucca while we explore the Nile. In the afternoon we have a tour of the Monastery of St. Simeon by camel and visit the nearby village of Gharb Sohil (please see Responsible Travel section). We finish our day with a barbeque on the shores of an island in the Nile. *Basma Hotel or similar*
This morning we transfer to our cruise boat and have some time to relax before enjoying lunch on board. For the rest of the day there is the option to explore the Aswan market or attend the Sound and Light Show at Philae Temple. For those who want to do the optional visit to Abu Simbel, the tour starts at approximately 3.30am when we get picked up from the hotel. A breakfast box is provided. Around 8am we will arrive at the destination, where we are given around three hours to visit the temples. Built by Ramses II, the temples of Abu Simbel rank amongst the most impressive in the country and well worth the journey south across the Nubian Desert. We will be back in Aswan around 3pm. For our Sun Festival departures, the visit to Abu Simbel is included. The festival is a bi-annual event that has been taking place for over 3200 years. During the celebrations the sun perfectly aligns with the usually dark interior and lights up the seated statues of Ramses II, the sun god, Ra and the king of the gods, Amun. Only the statue of Ptah, the god of darkness, remains in the shadows. There are traditional Nubian dances being performed, street food everywhere (save stomach space for some fresh koshari) and live music outside the temple. *M/S Esmeralda or similar*
We begin today with a visit to the Philae Temple and Aswan High Dam. In the 1970s the temple was relocated by UNESCO to Aglika Island after it became evident that the original site of Philae would submerge on completion of the dam. This morning represents a magnificent and enduring testament to both ancient and modern engineering. After lunch we sail to Kom Ombo and visit the temple there before continuing our journey to Edfu which is where we will spend the night. *M/S Esmeralda or similar*
Waking in Edfu, we start our day exploring the city and its temples before sailing further north along the Nile. After crossing the Esna lock we reach our destination, Luxor, where we will have our final dinner on board and hopefully witness a stunning sunset over the river. *M/S Esmeralda or similar*
After breakfast on board we disembark in Luxor and explore the Valley of the Kings. For nearly 500 years this was the site of royal burials and it contains the tombs of over 62 pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, Seti I, Ramses III and IV. One ticket allows us to see three tombs. The ticket usually allows entry into what are regarded as the most impressive tombs, but if you have time a visit to the tomb of Ramses VI is also highly recommended. Visits to tombs are now strictly controlled to halt further deterioration of wall paintings - each tomb is periodically closed for a number of weeks. Afterwards we visit the massive stone statues of the Colossi of Memnon before transferring to our hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or wander around the streets of Luxor. *Iberotel Luxor or similar*
For our penultimate day we have a half day tour of Luxor’s east bank. Luxor is commonly called the world's greatest open-air museum and this morning we visit the extraordinary Karnak and Luxor temples which both stand within the modern city. There should also be an opportunity to visit the A.C.E animal hospital to learn about the efforts taken to improve animal welfare in Egypt. After a leisurely afternoon we enjoy our final dinner together at one of this historic city’s restaurants. *Iberotel Luxor or similar*
Our trip ends today. Those on the group flights will be taken to airport for the flight to London.
* 8 nights in 4 and 5-star hotels, 3 nights on a cruise boat and 1 night
sleeper train
* Travel by private minibus, cruise boat and sleeper train
* Abu Simbel Sun Festival departure
* Extend your trip with some days by the Red Sea
All breakfasts , 6 lunches and 5 dinners included.
In the itinerary we state which meals are included on which day. We suggest
you allow GBP60-90 (approx. USD100-140) for meals not included. Food in Egypt
involves such things as kebabs, chicken, stews, pitta-bread, felafel, beans,
aubergine and other vegetables, pickles, salads. Dishes tend to be simple and
wholesome and vegetarians can be catered for if they accept that the options
may be somewhat limited.
Meals on the cruise are open buffets that include Western and Egyptian
dishes.
The Cairo food tour gives us the chance to try a number of Egyptian dishes
such Ful Medames (which is a mixture of beans and tehini) and Kushari (a dish
made of rice, macaroni and lentils mixed with garlic, tomato, chickpeas and
crispy fried onions).
* 8 nights in 4 and 5-star hotels, 3 nights on a cruise boat and 1 night
sleeper train
* Travel by private minibus, cruise boat and sleeper train
* Abu Simbel Sun Festival departure
* Extend your trip with some days by the Red Sea
This trip has been graded as grade 1 (leisurely.) Leisurely grade trips are
suitable for all clients with average health and fitness. No experience of
any activity involved is necessary.
Some days involve early starts but this allows us to get the most from our
time in Egypt and avoid the worst of the heat.
Egypt can be hot, especially during our summer, which can cause discomfort
whilst travelling. Care should be taken to keep hydrated. The hottest months
tend to be June to September when temperatures can reach as high as 38 to
40ºC in the south of the country.
The hotels and cruise boat that we use on this trip are of a high standard,
providing excellent levels of comfort. The night on the sleeper train is in
first-class cabins with shared bathroom facilities.
Please note that the new Egyptian Museum is scheduled to open in October 2020
but that this is subject to change. We will change to the new museum when it
is open.
Cruise Boat, Sleeper Train & Hotels
We use comfortable hotels on a twin-share basis.
The Basma Hotel in Aswan is located on the East Bank on Aswan's highest hill,
directly opposite the famous Nubian museum. All the rooms have balconies with
views of the Nile or the surrounding desert. The facilities in the rooms and
in the hotel itself are excellent, including a choice of bars and
restaurants, a huge swimming pool and all set amid well-maintained gardens.
In Cairo we typically use the Pyramids Park Hotel which is located close to
the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The hotel has 25 acres of lush
gardens as well as a gym and swimming pool. All rooms are en suite.
*Cruise boat*
We sail the Nile on the M/S Esmeralda or on a similar cruise boat. It offers
impressive service and great facilities including a swimming pool, sun deck,
gift shop, restaurant and bar. It stretches 72m in length and 12.6m in width,
each of the 60 en suite cabins is fully air-conditioned and has a TV and mini
bar. Wi-Fi is also available.
*Sleeper Train*
We use first-class cabins with shared bathroom facilities.
Single rooms are available on request.
There will be a local leader and drivers throughout the trip and local guides
where needed.
All breakfasts , 6 lunches and 5 dinners included.
In the itinerary we state which meals are included on which day. We suggest
you allow GBP60-90 (approx. USD100-140) for meals not included. Food in Egypt
involves such things as kebabs, chicken, stews, pitta-bread, felafel, beans,
aubergine and other vegetables, pickles, salads. Dishes tend to be simple and
wholesome and vegetarians can be catered for if they accept that the options
may be somewhat limited.
Meals on the cruise are open buffets that include Western and Egyptian
dishes.
The Cairo food tour gives us the chance to try a number of Egyptian dishes
such Ful Medames (which is a mixture of beans and tehini) and Kushari (a dish
made of rice, macaroni and lentils mixed with garlic, tomato, chickpeas and
crispy fried onions).
Road transport is by private air-conditioned mini/midi-bus and Egypt's roads
are generally good. Travelling is generally restricted to a few hours a day
and the mode of transport is varied. As detailed above, during our trip we
also use a cruise ship, felucca and train.
*Travelling flight inclusive from London: 13 days*
The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the
itinerary.
*Flights from London*
We normally use the scheduled services of EgyptAir (depending on
availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend
you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm
up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and
cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure.
*Travelling land only: 13 days starting in Cairo and ending in Luxor.*
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Cairo in the afternoon of
Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided
in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before
departure.
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note
that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight,
even if Exodus has booked it.
If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able
to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the
arrival time of the group flight - please check the group flight details 2
weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you
must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense.
Rain is very rare in all parts of Egypt and most days are sunny and clear.
Summer temperatures often reach the upper 30's but this is particularly true
for the period between June and September. The winter months can be
surprisingly cold, especially on the Nile or at night. The average daytime
maximum in Cairo in January is 20ºC, night time minimum is 8ºC. In the
summer these temperatures are 35ºC and 22ºC respectively. Daytime
temperatures are on average 3 or 4 degrees higher in Aswan.
Trousers or long dresses for women (Egypt is a Muslim country and there are
times you may be asked to cover up when enetering a mosque)
Warm sweater (November to March) or a light sweater (April to October)
Warm jacket or fleece (November to March only)
Long sleeved shirts (for evening and/or sun protection)
Sunhat
Daypack/soft holdall
Water bottle
Sun cream and sunglasses
Lightweight walking shoes
Light wet weather top.
At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the
recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We recommend packing
only one piece of checked baggage.
As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject
to change, we suggest you check the airline's website for the latest
information prior to your departure.
Please note that if you're travelling with prescription medication you should
carry a medical certificate from your GP confirming that the medication has
been prescribed for a medical condition. The
Egyptian"http://www.egyptianconsulate.co.uk/FAQ.php#26"Egyptian
Embassy website states that this should be in the form of an official letter
from your GP, specifying details of your condition, the quantity of
medication you will be carrying and that the medication is for your personal
use only. Otherwise, the medication will not be allowed into the country and
you may be prosecuted under Egyptian law.
For further information and specific queries, contact the Egyptian Medical
Office in London on 020 7370 6944.
Camera, swimwear and a torch (useful in the temples).
See 'Food' and 'Visas'.
Please note that some sites have a 'camera charge' which means you will have
to pay extra to take pictures - this can be approximately $16 for each site.
*Optional Excursions*
Prices are in US$ being the most stable currency used in Egypt to provide the
most accurate reflection of the cost but excursions can be paid in any hard
currency (e.g. UK£, US$. Euro etc.). The below prices are subject to change.
Cairo:
Sound and light show, Giza $35 (requires min. 4-6 clients)
Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque $30
Coptic Cairo including Coptic Museum $40
Entrance fee for Sakkara, Memphis and Dahshour $59
Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque $30
Extra entrance fee for Great Pyramids $20
Camel ride (please arrange through leader) $12 approx
Entrance fee for Mummies room at Egyptian Museum $11
Aswan:
Abu Simbel flight excursion from £307 (available to book locally or in
advance through Exodus)
Abu Simbel road excursion from £120 (available to book locally or in advance
through Exodus)
St. Simone Monastery $35 (min 4 clients)
Sound and Light show at Philae $35 (valid for 4-6 clients)
Luxor:
A.C.E Luxor Animal Hospital (time permitting) FREE
Sound and light show, Karnak Temple $35
Queen Hatshepsut's temple $15
Entrance for additional tombs on the West Bank approximately $18
Dendarah & Abydos $70-90 (valid for 2-4 clients)
When booking and paying for these tours locally a 3% charge will be added for
all payments by card and it needs to be arranged in advance.
'Baksheesh' is part of Egyptian life, and small tips are expected by most of
the people working in the tourism industry (drivers, hotel staff, railway
porters, restaurant staff etc). In order to simplify this process for our
clients, Exodus has agreed with our team of tour leaders to recommend a
'tipping kitty' for all trips to Egypt. Your tour leader will explain this at
the start of the holiday, and will collect the suggested sum from those who
wish to participate. Your tour leader will then take care of all the tipping
on behalf of the group. While your participation is highly recommended, it is
not compulsory. Your leader can provide details of the distribution of the
money as required. For groups of 12 or more clients, the contribution is
suggested as US$65 per person. For groups of less than 12 clients, the
contribution is suggested as US$70 per person.
If you feel that your leader has performed well over the course of your trip,
you may want to show your appreciation of their services. The sum you choose
to give is entirely personal, but as a guide, about US$4 per person per day
would be a reasonable. The 'tipping kitty' explained above is entirely
separate from any contribution to the tour leader.
* Travel insurance
* Single accommodation (available on request)
* Visas or vaccinations
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.