Nile And The Red Sea Tour

Arrive Cairo and check-in at hotel.

Overnight Standard Hotel

Africa’s largest capital, Cairo is situated mainly on the east bank of the Nile. Driving to Giza we see the Pyramids and Sphinx, among the most impressive man-made spectacles in the world. The Great Pyramid of Cheops is the largest of the group (originally 145m high with a square base 232m). Second is the Pyramid of Chephren (136m high, width 210m). The complex includes the Sphinx, a crouching lion with a human head carved from solid rock, and the splendid Granite Temple. We also visit the Egyptian Museum which contains the treasure of Tutankhamun. Tonight we board the overnight train to Aswan.

Overnight Basic Train Included meals: Breakfast

Arriving around midday, the rest of the day is free in Aswan. Situated on the east bank, Aswan is traditionally regarded as the frontier town of Upper Egypt; it stands just below the First Cataract and is the meeting point of Arab culture with Nubia and Black Africa. Aswan’s bazaar area is stuffed with craftwork of a strong Sudanese style. You may want to take an excursion to Aswan High Dam (built in 1971) and the Granite Quarries from where the Pharaohs cut many of their huge obelisks and statues and visit Philae Temple, situated on an island in the Nile.

Overnight Standard Hotel

Our time in Aswan is free form and there are a number of places worth seeing (all optional to give as much flexibility as possible). It is possible for your tour leader to organise an excursion from Aswan to the temples of Abu Simbel. Cut into the rock face, these huge structures were raised 61m to save them from inundation by the artificial lake created by the High Dam. The 29m high statues represent Ramses II.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we suggest a camel trek through the desert to the abandoned Coptic Monastery of St. Simeon. The 10m high walls protected a large community of monks, pilgrims, local food suppliers and artisans from the surrounding desert sea. Later we board our feluccas for our three-day voyage, sailing towards Edfu. The leisurely and informal nature of felucca sailing means that no fixed night stops can be given. These depend to a considerable extent on the elements. As we sail, we see the intensive cultivation of the Nile Valley and at intermittent points are small villages, which depend upon the river for their livelihood. In general, our evening stops will be by the riverbank or at mid-river islands, where we set up a wild camp, allowing pleasant early morning swims. We sleep on the deck of the feluccas and the experience of sleeping under the stars more than compensates for the simple limited facilities. Our crew look after us admirably and are great fun. Our stopping times, however, are extremely variable and we need to take maximum advantage of the northerly winds. This may entail spending a day becalmed, or some other unexpected surprise. We sail to the major settlement of Kom Ombo situated on the east bank of the Nile. Dating from the Ptolemaic period, the temple of Kom Ombo is unique in that it is dedicated to two gods, Horus and Sobek. Sobek is the crocodile god – much needed at this spot as this stretch of the river was noted for crocodiles until early this century! We sleep on board the feluccas for 3 nights. During the Sailtrek all food is provided aboard the feluccas and prepared by our own cook.

Overnight Basic Cabin Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we sail to the major settlement of Kom Ombo situated on the east bank of the Nile. Dating from the Ptolemaic period, the temple of Kom Ombo is unique in that it is dedicated to two gods, Horus and Sobek. Sobek is the crocodile god – much needed at this spot as this stretch of the river was noted for crocodiles until early this century! After our visit we continue on our wind assisted journey towards Edfu.

Overnight Basic Cabin Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Swimming available

Today is our last day to enjoy the peace, tranquility and timelessness of our Felucca's.  We will have one last day to enjoy all that the banks of the Nile have to offer along with one more day of our crews hospitality.

Overnight Basic Cabin Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Swimming available

We sail towards Edfu today, the largest Egyptian temple after Karnak, dating from the time of the Ptolemies (3rd-1st century BC). A falcon-headed god guards the Temple of Horus, which is in almost perfect condition. The temple is unusual in that the roof is still intact. After transferring to Luxor by road we’ll take horse drawn carriages (caleshes) from our hotel to visit the stupendous Temple of Amun at Karnak, the labour of numerous pharaohs. Begun about 2000 BC, the most imposing structures include the 134 pillars of the Hypostyle Hall, carved all over with scenes of the king worshipping Amun.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning, we cross the Nile and travel by bus to the extraordinary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s only female Pharaoh, who usurped the throne from her son, the future Tuthmoses III. The scale of the temple and its magnificent setting are breathtaking, but perhaps even more remarkable are the details - look out for the fine carving of the ‘Expedition to the Land of Punt’. We then take a short taxi ride to the Valley of the Kings’ to explore some of the more important sites made famous in 1922 by the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun by Howard Carter. We visit three tombs.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Heading northeast we cross the mountainous region of the Eastern Desert, famed in antiquity for its gold mines and granite quarries, to reach Safaga, our base for exploring the wonders of the Red Sea. Staying at a comfortable hotel, our time has been left free for you to choose a variety of optional excursions or simply unwind under the clear blue skies.

Please note the following itinerary for days 11, 12 and 13 is a suggestion only and is subject to change. It is also worth noting that other optional excursions are available, details of which will be supplied by your Tour Leader.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

The Red Sea is famous for its superb coral reefs and multi-coloured fish. Living in such favourable conditions are schools of beautifully marked and iridescent species, alongside barracudas and small sharks. We will arrange an optional snorkelling trip by boat (6 to 8 hours) over the coral reefs around Safaga. Scuba diving is another possibility. Simply laze on the beach or by the pool casting an occasional eye on the boats plying the Red Sea.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

Today we can try our hand at scuba diving (optional). This is a full day for divers of all levels. Those who have never dived before will spend the morning learning the basics in a pool before going for an afternoon dive. There are also refresher courses available for those who have not dived for over a year and there are advanced dives available for anyone holding a PADI or equivalent qualification. Please note that all training, instruction and accompanied dives are operated with fully qualified instructors. Alternatively, you can simply enjoy relaxing on the beaches.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

This morning there is a chance for one last dip in the sea before driving to Cairo.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

A full day in Cairo to enjoy some of the sites of the capital not visited at the start of the tour. Among the options available is a visit to the wonderful mosques and the Citadel of Islamic Cairo, and a chance to discover the markets of the world famous Khan el Khalili. Alternatively the impressive Step Pyramid complex of Saqqara, is well worth a visit in conjunction with the Red and Bent Pyramids at Dashur.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Included meals: Breakfast