Day 01: Arrive Cairo

Marhaba! Welcome to Egypt – the cradle of human civilization.  After clearing immigration and customs, we are met and transferred to our hotel.  Check in time starts from 1500 hrs. Balance of the day is free to enjoy Cairo’s stunning architecture and people.

Overnight: Cairo Kempinski Hotel, Cairo (3 nights)

Day 02: Cairo

An exciting day ahead as we explore the last of the seven ancient wonders of the world still in existence! Morning we drive to visit Giza, capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt. At the Necropolis of Giza*, we discover the Great Sphinx of Giza and the Great Pyramids. Each of these towering monuments took an average of 200 years and up to 100,000 workers to build. We may also enjoy an optional camel ride here. Afternoon visit the famous Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, home to an extensive collection of ancient artifacts, including the treasures from the Tomb of Tutankhamun. Optional tours to see the Royal Mummies and the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) (subject to being open). (B)

Day 03: Cairo

Today we are swept back to medieval times as we explore Historic Cairo*. Tucked away amid the modern urban area of Cairo lies one of the world's oldest Islamic cities, with historical mosques, madrasas, baths and fountains. Founded in the 10th century, it became the centre of the Islamic world, reaching its golden age in the 14th century. We will visit the Citadel with the Mohammed Ali Mosque, the Sultan Hassan & Al-Rifa'i Mosques, the Old Gates of Cairo, Bayt Al-Suhaymi, an old 17th-century Ottoman house, and the famous Khan al-Khalili Bazaar. (B)

Day 04: Cairo/Luxor (Flight), Karnak Temples - Nile Cruise

Early this morning, transfer to the airport for our flight to Luxor.  Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to board our unforgettable Nile Cruise.  All offshore excursions mentioned in the itinerary are included in the tour cost so there is no extra to be paid for these. This afternoon, explore the East side of the Nile, starting with the Karnak Temple Complex. This sprawling complex is composed of three temples, and takes up the space of about 10 cathedrals! The immense courtyard, the great hypostyle hall with 134 colossal columns and the six monumental entrances are relics of pharaohs eager to leave behind marvelous testimonials to their name. We then head to the Temple of Luxor, built by Amenophis III and Ramesses II. The first complex boasts a great courtyard and chapel  that once served as a storehouse for boats, while the second includes an immense entrance and colonnade, a courtyard and a hall crowned with tall columns.

Overnight: Esmeralda Nile Cruise (4 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 05: West Bank, Valley of Kings, Temple of Ramses II - Nile Cruise

Another exciting day on the Nile as we explore the Necropolis of Ancient Thebes* on the river’s West Bank. Here we visit the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of Kings and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. For almost 15 centuries, great funerary temples were built at the foot of these hills, while tombs full of invaluable treasure were dug into the mountains, safe from tomb robbers. To the north, we discover the Temple of Qurna al Gedida, dedicated to Amon-Re, and the temple of Hathor, goddess of sweetness and joy. Even better known is the magnificent funerary Temple of Ramesses II, a stunning building lauded by many ancient writers. After viewing the Colossi of Memnon, one of the only remains of the temple of Amenophis III, go underground to admire the rich tombs of ancient pharaohs. Each of the 63 tombs in the valley is intricately decorated and provides a unique window into ancient times. It is here that British explorers Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter discovered the world-famous tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. Take time to explore this ancient treasure, as well as the tombs of other dignitaries, priests and priestesses hidden here. (B, L, D)

Day 06: Komombo, temples of  Horus, Sobek and Haroeris - Nile Cruise

Today we go back in time and travel by traditional horse carriages to visit the Horus Temple, the most completely preserved temple in Egypt. Onboard the ship and we sail through to Kom Ombo and visit the Great Temple of Kom Ombo. Dedicated to the gods Sobek and Haroeris, the temple's finely carved reliefs give a glimpse of the glory of the former capital of the Ptolemaic era. Today, Kom Ombo may be a sleepy agricultural backwater surrounded by sugar cane fields, but its prime position along the Nile once made it one of Upper Egypt's most important centers. Wander through the temple's colonnades, gazing up at scenes of kingly propaganda and we'll capture a feel of this splendid history for ourselves. (B, L, D)

Day 07: High Dam, Philae Temple, felucca to Botanical Garden - Nile Cruise

This morning, we visit the High Dam and the astonishing Granite Quarries of Aswan*, exploited by pharaohs from early antiquity. Here colossal unfinished obelisks are left for us to discover. We then explore the Temple of Philae*, located on an island in Lake Nasser. Our water approach offers stunning views. Seen from the level of a small boat, the island, with its palms, colonnades and pylons, seems to rise out of the river like a mirage. In the afternoon, we sail around the islands in Aswan on a traditional felucca boat to visit the Botanical Garden. (B, L, D)

Day 08: Aswan/Abu Simbel (Flight)

An epic day ahead as we explore the massive temples of Abu Simbel*. After an early morning flight, we visit the iconic monuments built by Ramesses II in ancient Nubia, which survive to the present day. Carved out of the mountainside in 13th century B.C., the Great Temple has four colossal statues depicting Ramsses II and smaller statues of Queen Nefertiti, his wife. When the Aswan High Dam was being constructed, the temples were saved from the rising waters of the Nile thanks to the international campaign launched by UNESCO in 1960, which assembled funds and technical expertise to move this temple to higher ground so that it would not be flooded by the waters of Lake Nasser.  Evening enjoy the clear, starlit skies of Abu Simbel.

Overnight: Seti Hotel, Abu Simbel (1 night) (B)

Day 09: Abu Simbel/Aswan/Cairo (Flights)/Alexandria (Drive)

This morning, transfer to the airport for our return flight to Cairo.  We will be met at Cairo Airport and driven to Alexandria, the legendary city founded by Alexander the Great in 331 B.C. Balance of the day is free to sample Alexandria’s culture and activities. Alexandria is known as the gourmet capital of Egypt.

Overnight: Sheraton Montazah Hotel, Alexandria (2 nights) (B)

Day 10: Alexandria

Once home to the Great Library and towering Pharos lighthouse, considered a wonder of the world in ancient times, Alexandria’s monuments show hints of its former glory. Discover Alexandria’s heritage with a visit to the Catacombs of Kom El Shokafa, Pompey’s Pillar and the Roman Amphitheatre. Next we visit the majestic 15th-century fortress of Quaitbay, located on the site where the Lighthouse of Alexandria once stood. Later experience beautiful Montazah Park and the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a massive library and cultural centre that aims to reclaim the mantle of its ancient namesake. (B)

Day 11: Alexandria/Cairo (Drive)

We journey back to Cairo.  The rest of the day is free to enjoy the city’s cultural highlights. Evening we drive to the majestic Al Azhar Park for our farewell dinner. Al Azhar Park is one of the world’s 60 great public spaces. It was transformed from a 500-year-old dumpsite into a green park in the otherwise very dry city of Cairo. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture gifted the park to the citizens of Cairo.

Overnight: Cairo Kempinski Hotel, Cairo (1 night) (B, D)

Day 12: Depart Cairo

Our Journey Through Time comes to an end as we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight.  Check out time is by 1100 hrs.  Or extend your adventure with exciting small group cultural tours to nearby regions, including Kenya, Jordan and Israel. Contact Bestway Tours & Safaris for ideas. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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