Itinerary Expand allCairo to Aswan Fly to CairoFly to Cairo.Premium Accommodation: Cairo Marriott Zamalek, Cairo (5 star) Day 1 Start CairoStart Cairo.Premium Accommodation: Cairo Marriott Zamalek, Cairo (5 star) Day 2 The Egyptian Museum, El Azhar Mosque and Cairo's lively bazaarToday, on our second full day in Cairo, we next pay a visit to the incredible Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, which contains relics dating back to 4000 BC, including the fantastic riches of Tutankhamun's tomb. Here is a unique opportunity to survey the many fabulous treasures of Egypt in one place and to set the scene for the rest of the tour.For the remainder of the day, we experience modern Cairo with visits to Al Azhar Mosque, which despite being Cairo’s oldest mosque and university, is still very much in use today, and the small alleyways and streets that make up Cairo's popular bazaar. Please note that we will need to cover up at the mosque (long sleeves and trousers) and women will also need to cover their hair with a scarf. Premium Accommodation: Cairo Marriott Zamalek, Cairo (5 star) Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 Visit the Pyramids at GizaAfter breakfast, we depart our hotel for a half day tour of the Pyramids at Giza.Home to the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus and the timeless and enigmatic 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.Afterwards, in the afternoon, there will be some free time if you wish to relax by the pool at the hotel, or take an optional excursion to Sakkara.Premium Accommodation: Cairo Marriott Zamalek, Cairo (5 star) Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Fly to Luxor; visit Karnak and Luxor temples. Board our premium cruise vessel, the Movenpick Royal Lily or Royal Lotus; free afternoonWe typically transfer to Cairo airport before sunrise for our flight to Luxor (flight times can vary). On arrival in Luxor, we visit Luxor Temple and the huge Karnak Temple complex on the east bank of the Nile. Built over 1500 years, Karnak is a confusion of pylons, courtyards, halls and sanctuaries. Its Hypostyle hall has 134 columns 23 metres high and 15 metres in diameter! Both temples are incredibly impressive. We arrive at our cruise boat in time for lunch on board before having free time in the afternoon to relax or explore Luxor.Premium Accommodation: MS Movenpick Royal Lily or Royal Lotus (5 star) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Days 5-6 Valley of the Kings; two days on the Nile with visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo en routeWe begin Day 5 with a visit to the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile, which contains the once hidden tombs of over 62 Pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, Seti I, Ramses III and IV. A discreet entrance in the hillside takes the visitor underground; a series of corridors and ante-chambers leads us down to the burial chamber and sarcophagus. The walls are covered in brightly painted images and hieroglyphs - a map of the afterlife to ensure the king's safe passage. 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. On return to our cruise boat, we begin our voyage along the Nile, travelling upstream from Luxor to Aswan. Exact sailing and excursion times cannot be guaranteed for each individual trip but we will visit the temples of Edfu, famous for its roofed inner temples and huge Pylon, and Kom Ombo. The cruise boat has good facilities: a sundeck with sun loungers, bar and small pool, restaurant, gift shop and library - these can all be taken advantage of when the cruise boat is docked or during sailing. The sunsets over the Nile are truly stunning and travelling from Luxor to Aswan, enjoying the beauty of the lush verdant landscape make this journey special.Premium Accommodation: MS Movenpick Royal Lily or Royal Lotus (5 star) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 7 Continue Nile cruise; optional visit to High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple; sunset felucca sailingToday there is the possibility for an optional visit to Philae Temple. In the 1970s it was relocated by UNESCO to Aglika Island after it became evident that the original site of Philae would submerge on completion of the Aswan High Dam. It represents a magnificent and enduring testament to both ancient and modern engineering. During this excursion, we will also visit Aswan High Dam and Cleopatra's Unfinished Obelisk.Later in the day, we enjoy a sunset sail on a felucca, a traditional wooden sailing boat. Feluccas have been a fixture on the Nile River for centuries and are used in the protected waters of the Red Sea and eastern Mediterranean. The Felucca’s deck is strewn with soft colorful cushions and rugs and equipped with a canopy that offers shade and protection. We the spend our last evening on board the MS Movenpick Royal Lily or Royal Lotus.Premium Accommodation: MS Movenpick Royal Lily or Royal Lotus (5 star) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 8 Disembark cruise; full day in Aswan or optional visit to Abu SimbelAfter breakfast on board, we disembark our boat and there is the choice to have a full day in Aswan or there is also the option for an optional visit to Abu Simbel for those who are interested.Aswan is a laid-back, sleepy town that reflects the character of its largely Nubian inhabitants, known for being friendly and hospitable. By virtue of its position on the old caravan route, it has always been a trading centre and we thoroughly recommend a visit to the packed bazaar today where merchants display a wealth of exotic spices, carpets, leather goods and countless other wares.Today there is also the option (for those who are interested) to visit Abu Simbel, 300 km. to the south through the Nubian Desert. The optional bus tour starts at 3.30/4 in the morning when we get picked up from the boat. A breakfast box is provided. Around 8 am we will arrive at the destination, where we are given approx. 3 hours to visit the temples. Built by Ramses II the two temples are certainly some of the most spectacular in Egypt. Originally on the banks of the Nile, the temples were raised to a new site above the lake in the late 1960s, as the waters from the new Lake Nasser rose behind the Aswan High Dam. The four great seated statues of Ramses II stare east towards the rising sun. For those who do take the optional excursion to Abu Simbel, you will arrive at the hotel in Aswan around 3pm.The hotel in Aswan is well known for its perfect location. Enjoy views of the River Nile from your hotel room or head up to the Panorama Restaurant & Bar, the highest point in Aswan for unbeatable 360 degree views of the Nile. For lunch or dinner options, there’s a great choice of bars and restaurants if you don’t want to venture into the town. Otherwise, the historical town is just a short walk awayPremium Accommodation: Movenpick Resort, Aswan (5 star) Meals included: Breakfast Fly to London via CairoFly to London Meals included: Breakfast Day 9 End AswanThe trip ends this morning in Aswan after breakfast. Meals included: Breakfast
EgyptVisas are required by all non-Arab nationalities and currently cost approximately GBP20. It is recommended that you obtain your visa before you travel (although it’s still possible to get a tourist visa on arrival). You can get a visa online at Visa2Egypt or alternatively, the address of the Egyptian Embassy in London is 2 Lowndes Street, SW1. Tel: 020 7235 9777. Visas are now generally available for same day collection, although this should NOT be relied upon. Opening hours are 09.30 to 12.30 for applications, 14.15 to 16.00 for collection of passports after the visa has been issued. Postal applications direct to the embassy for visas are not recommended as the service takes 15 to 20 days.If you are obtaining your visa online then please ensure you have a scan of your passport ready. The file size should be small and ideally saved as a JPEG or PDF otherwise you might not be able to load it on the visa application.You will need to provide your host’s information on the application – please use the following details:South Sinai Travel79 Merghany StreetCairoEgyptTel: +20 22418 7310www.southsinai.com[email protected]Please note that recently Egyptian officials have requested tourists carry a copy of their passport with them whilst in the country.
EgyptThere are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. Although not usually advised, other vaccinations to consider include rabies and Hepatitis B.
Premium Hotels & Cruise Relax in 5-star handpicked accommodation throughout. Each property has been chosen for its excellent location, its comfort and style, and its unique characteristics. Cairo Mariott Zamalek (5 star). 3 nights.A former Royal Palace with six acres of gardens and views of the NileExcellent location in the heart of downtown Cairo24-hour gym, outdoor pool, and spaMS Movenpick Royal Lily or Royal Lotus (5 star). 4 nights.With only 56- 60 cabins, they are fewer but more spacious than average (22sqm)Sun Deck with swimming pool or plunge pool, heated whirlpool or jacuzzi, pool bar and a canopied areaSalon Deck incorporating a lounge and bar with panoramic windowsMovenpick Resort Aswan (5 star). 1 night. Unique location on Elephantine Island on the Nile River (free boat shuttles available to shore)Panorama Restaurant & Bar is the highest point in Aswan and offers a 360-degree view of the NileQuiet tropical gardens and terracesChoice of over five restaurantsSwimming pools and health clubThe accommodation shown has been booked and agreed upon in advance, however, we may need to make changes to a property of similar or higher standard after you have booked. While we will endeavour to inform you of any changes in advance which could, on rare occasions, be at late notice.Additional AccommodationIt is possible to book additional nights before or after the tour, subject to availability - please enquire for details and prices. Single AccommodationIf you would like to have your own room, there are a limited number of single supplements available on request. Please enquire for details.
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