Tour description
We will stay in Cairo for two full days, where there is much to be admired: the pyramids, the treasures of Tutankhamen, and other pharaohs, as well as the world’s most magnificent oriental bazaars.
Oases of Bahariyya, Farafra and Dakhla
On day 4 you will be heading for the hidden oases located in the Sahara, where modern life seems to have arrived only recently. In four days you will visit the oases of Bahariyya, Farafra and Dakhla. The Bedouin, dressed in brilliantly dyed clothes, are extremely friendly and curious. At the source of Al-Bishmu, you will experience your first sunset in the desert. Next day you continue into the desert along dazzling white sand dunes and freakish rock formations. You spend the night in the open and Bedouin will prepare your meal and, if you are lucky, give a song and dance performance.
Back to the Middle Ages
The following morning you will visit the small oasis of Farafra. Then book a camel safari and afterwards recover in a natural spring. The last oasis, Dakhla, is located in a remote region. The ancient village of Qsar brings you back to the Middle Ages with its narrow alleys and mud brick huts. The traditionally dressed locals do their best to make you feel welcome.
Ancient graves and obelisks
On day 8 you will head for Luxor. Visit the enormous temples of Luxor and Karnak and the pharaoh’s city of the dead, containing as many as ten graves of Kings. On day 10 you travel to Aswan, Egypt’s most southern city and located near the tropic of Cancer. The next two days you have time to explore Aswan, strategically built at the First Cataract (rapids) of the Nile. This particular part of the valley of the Nile has very beautiful rock formations and islands in the river overgrown with palm trees. There are numerous temples to be seen, as well as graves and obelisks, a colourful bazaar and a fantastic botanic garden. You can also visit the temples of Abu Simbel.
Hop on a felucca
Day 13: you hop on a felucca, a traditional sailing boat, which takes you along the Nile. You will eat and stay overnight aboard the ship and enjoy life along the green shores of the Nile. After the sailing trip, you have the option to pay a visit to the temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu before getting on the bus to Luxor.
Back to Cairo
You will travel back by (night) train to Cairo arriving early morning on day 15. You will have one day for last-minute souvenir hunting before your tour finishes on day 16.