Jewels of Egypt Tour

This tour is perfect for those who want to see as much as possible of Egypt - we visit all the highlights of the Nile Valley and enjoy a wonderfully relaxing cruise on our private cruise boat, but we also have the chance to explore the Mediterranean city of Alexandria and to climb Mt Sinai for one of the most beautiful sunrises you are ever likely to see.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Maximum Group Size: 15
Trek Grade: A - Easy
Arrival Transfer: Airport transfer to hotel day 1
Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of Egyptologists
Transport: Private air-conditioned transport, private Nile cruise boat, first class sleeper train, hydrofoil, horse-drawn carriage and donkeys
Activities: Donkey ride to the Valley of the Kings, hike up Mt Sinai
Accommodation: 6 nights tourist class hotels, 7 nights on board Nile cruise boat, 1 night sleeper train
Meals: As per itinerary. B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
Entrance Fees: Included for all sites visited as part of itinerary
Local Payment: Must be paid in cash on day 1 of your tour

HYDROFOIL: This tour uses the hydrofoil from Hurghada to the Sinai. If the hydrofoil is not working, we will have to drive instead. This will result in a change to the published itinerary.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Treasures of the Egyptian Museum
• Pyramids & Sphinx at Giza
• Visit to Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast
• Optional excursion to Abu Simbel
• Cruising the Nile on our cruise boat Melodie
• Visit the Temple of Kom Ombo
• Horse-drawn carriage ride to Karnak Temple
• Visit to the Temple of Horus at Edfu
• Donkey ride to the Valley of the Kings
• Afternoon at the Red Sea
• Sunrise on Mt Sinai

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 2, CAIRO: In the morning we visit the great Pyramids & Sphinx at Giza where we enjoy a guided tour. Later this afternoon we drive north to the Mediterranean city of Alexandria. (B)

Day 3, ALEXANDRIA: A morning guided tour of the National Museum, catacombs and Pompey's Pillar. This afternoon we drive back to Cairo where we board the first class sleeper train for our journey to Luxor. (BD)

Day 4, LUXOR - ESNA: On arrival, transfer to MS Melodie, our Nile Cruise boat. We take horse drawn carriages to the great temples of Karnak before we start cruising to Esna. Overnight in Esna. (BLD)

Day 5, ESNA - KOM OMBO: Sail south to the riverside temple of Kom Ombo. On arrival we visit the temple, dedicated to the gods Sobek and Haroeris. (BLD)

Day 6, KOM OMBO - ASWAN: We sail to Aswan and on arrival the day is free to explore this beautiful town. (BLD)

Day 7, ASWAN: This morning there is an opportunity to visit the famed temples of Abu Simbel. Free day in Aswan. (BLD)

Day 8, ASWAN - EDFU: Cruise up the Nile towards Edfu. (BLD)

Day 9, EDFU - LUXOR: Visit the temple of Horus at Edfu before we continue sailing to Luxor where we spend the night. (BLD)

Day 10, LUXOR: We get up before sunrise to ride sturdy donkeys to the Valley of the Kings. Our route back offers magnificent views of the Nile Valley and passes the Colossi of Memnon. The afternoon is free. Overnight in Luxor. (BLD)

Day 11, LUXOR - RED SEA: Travel by air-conditioned transport to the Red Sea where the remainder of the day is free. (B)

Day 12, HURGHADA - ST CATHERINE: Rise early to board the hydrofoil from Hurghada to the Sinai, transfer to St Catherine where we spend the night near the foot of Mt Sinai. (BD)

Day 13, ST CATHERINE - CAIRO: We get up early to join pilgrims in climbing Mt Sinai for sunrise. The views from the top over the Sinai mountains are absolutely magnificent. Afternoon transfer back to Cairo. (B)

Day 14, CAIRO: Morning guided tour of the Egyptian Museum with the chance to see the famous ‘Mummies’. The afternoon is free. (B)

Day 15, CAIRO: Tour ends. (B)

DEPARTURE DATES

TRAVEL STYLE

You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. Explore without roughing it.

Maximum Group Size - 15: You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of inclusions, comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. You enjoy the freedom of using privately charted vehicles but also understand that sometimes the best way to go is 'local'. Whether a seasoned or a first time traveller, you love to explore without roughing it.
Tour Extensions: Traveller-class Extension tours are non-group tours, available on request.
Included: All accommodation (usually in comfortable tourist class hotels on a twin share basis), transportation, many meals, and all entrance fees as included in the itinerary.
Single Supplement: (applicable to single travellers who wish to have their own room) Usually available and usually not compulsory (check your specific tour for details). Please note: Single supplements do not apply on all boats, overnight train journeys and whilst camping.[Read more about Imaginative Traveller travel styles]