Download Classical Egypt and Oasis Itinerary

Classical Egypt and Oasis
Duration: 12 days
Highlights: Cairo, Abu Simbel, Luxor, Baharia, White Desert.
This longer programme explores many of Egypt's most famous archaeological treasures, and also
includes a river cruise on the Nile and an overnight stay in the White Desert.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Cairo
Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport this evening you will be met by your tour coordinator who
will assist you with all customs and visa formalities. You will then be transferred by a private,
air-conditioned vehicle to your centrally located hotel where your tour coordinator will assist you with
check-in. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: TBC
Day 2 - Cairo
Spend the day at leisure.
Overnight: TBC
Meal Plan: B
Day 3 - Cairo
After breakfast, your tour coordinator will introduce you to your Egyptologist.
This morning visit Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt dating from 3100 BC. Proceed to the
necropolis of Sakkara where you will see the world-famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser.
Enjoy an a la carte lunch at the “Khan El-Khalili” restaurant in the heart of the historic Mena House
Oberoi, originally built as a palace for the Empress Eugenie when she visited Egypt for the opening
of the Suez Canal in 1869.
After lunch, visit the 4500-year-old pyramids built for pharaohs Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus on
the Giza Plateau, the Great Pyramid being the only survivor of the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World". Just to the east of the second pyramid lies the legendary Sphinx.
Continue to the Solar Boat Museum to view the 141 foot long re-assembled funerary boat of King
Cheops. Your tour will also include a camel ride.
Overnight: TBC
Meal Plan: B,D
Day 4 - Cairo - Abu Simbel - Aswan
This morning, you will be transferred Cairo Domestic Airport by air-conditioned vehicle to board your
flight to Aswan, via Abu Simbel. Breakfast boxes will be supplied by the hotel.
Upon arrival at Abu Simbel Airport, your tour coordinator will meet you for a half-day tour of the
temple at Abu Simbel. After the tour, return back to Abu Simbel Airport to board your flight to Aswan.
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your luxury Nile cruise boat, the Sun Boat IV which is moored
at our private dock in Aswan. On board, you will be welcomed by the reception staff, who will offer
you chilled fruit juice while assisting with your check-in.
Exact entertainment schedules during your cruise are adjusted according to the needs of each group
and the exact sailing schedule of the boat, and, therefore the day of each feature is subject to
change. However, every cruise on the Nile Adventurer will include:
A colourful “galabeyya party” which gives each guest the opportunity to dress up in traditional
Egyptian dress and dance to Arabic music.
A belly dancer, accompanied by a whirling dervish show in Luxor.
A trio of authentic Egyptian musicians in Aswan during afternoon tea.
A lecture accompanied by a slide show, by your Egyptologist.
Menus are changed on a seasonal basis to enable the Chef to use the freshest ingredients at all
times. Most meals are served in the restaurant. However, at least one barbecue lunch (while sailing)
will be served on deck (weather permitting). Afternoon tea includes a range of teas and herbal
infusions, fresh coffee and a selection of freshly baked, homemade cake, cookies and finger food.
Premium local wine, local beer, fresh juice, soft drinks, mineral water, tea and American coffee are
included throughout your cruise.
After lunch on board the boat, your Egyptologist will escort you to visit the Aswan High Dam, Egypt’s
contemporary example of building on a monumental scale.
Next, proceed to the granite quarries, which supplied the ancient Egyptians with most of the hard
stone used in pyramids and temples, and still hold a huge unfinished obelisk.
Enjoy your afternoon tea served in the lounge with a trio of authentic Egyptian musicians.
Tonight you will be greeted by your boat manager, who will introduce you to the boat staff and review
on-board facilities and your cruise program for the next few days. Complimentary Egyptian wine and
local beer will be served, together with a selection of canapés. Enjoy a gourmet dinner on board.
Overnight: The Sun Boat IV at Aswan
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 5 - Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Esna
Begin your day with a visit to the West Bank of Luxor
to explore the Valley of the Kings. You will
also have the chance to visit at least one tomb in the Valley of the Queens. Rising out of the desert
plain in a series of terraces, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
(Ancient Egypt’s only female Pharaoh) merges with the sheer limestone cliffs
that surround it, as if nature herself had built this extraordinary monument. On the way back to the
Nile, you will pass the
famed Colossi of Memnon, known in Ancient Greek times for their haunting voices
at dawn. Return to your boat for lunch.
This afternoon your Egyptologist will guide you on a tour of the East
Bank of Luxor, starting with the strikingly
graceful Temple
of Luxor dedicated to the
god Amun. Proceed to the Temple
of Karnak, built over
more than a thousand years by generations of Pharaohs.The great “Hypostyle Hall” is an incredible
forest of giant pillars, covering an area larger than the whole of Notre Dame
Cathedral. Return to your cruise for afternoon tea on board.
Tonight’s farewell dinner will be a formal gala dinner, with
white-gloved waiters serving gourmet cuisine followed by a belly dancer,
accompanied by a whirling Dervish show.
Overnight: The Sun Boat IV at Luxor
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 7 - Luxor