16-Day Tour of Ancient Egypt & Siwa Oasis from Cairo
Highlights
Cairo, Saqqara, Giza, Luxor, Kom Ombo, Abu Simbel, Siwa Oasis
Locations Covered
Cairo, Saqqara, Giza, Luxor, Kom Ombo, Abu Simbel, Siwa Oasis
historical, sightseeing, Desert
Group Tour
16 Days
Medium
English
Description
Embark on a journey to explore the Egyptian temples, royal tombs, towering pyramids and mummified pharaohs. Traverse around historic Cairo and see world-class museums and fascinating monuments, cruise along the mighty Nile and do sandboarding on the dunes of Siwa Oasis. Also, marvel at some dazzling archaeological wonders such as the Great Pyramid and Sphinx of Giza.
Itinerary
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Day 1- Arrival in Cairo
- Meet your tour guide upon arrival at Cairo International Airport.
- Transfer to your hotel, just near the Pyramids.
- Enjoy your ‘Welcome Dinner’ at a local Egyptian restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
Hotel: Steigenberger Pyramids
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Day 2- Saqqara
- After breakfast, go to the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, the first free-standing building of stone in the whole world dating back to 2700 BC.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Hotel: Steigenberger Pyramids (or similar)
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Day 3- Giza
- Today, explore the Giza Plateau, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one that still exists.
- Continue our adventure with a camel ride through the Sahara.
- Then, visit the Guardian Angel of the area, the monolithic and iconic Sphinx.
- Now, experience how the ancients recorded their history on the first paper ever produced, Papyrus, at a government-regulated Papyrus Institute.
- Before returning to your hotel, enjoy a desert adventure with a sunset ATV ride.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Steigenberger Pyramids (or similar)
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Day 4- Egyptian Museum
- Early in the morning, proceed to the Egyptian Museum, home to thousands of artifacts covering all the eras of Egyptian history, including the most famous piece of all, the Golden Mask of the young King Tutankhamun.
- Next, visit the Museum of Ancient Civilisation, recently opened to house the Royal Mummies showcasing the Ancient Egyptian Civilisation is located in Al-Fustat, the ancient Islamic capital of Egypt and is designed to give a general overview of all the different historical periods that encompass Egypt
- Then, go to the Khan el Khalili Markets, the medieval bazaar that dates back to the 1300s with its labyrinth of narrow lanes and cafes. Wind your way through is colorful streets overflowing with souvenirs, clothes, jewellery and fragrances that Egypt is known for including the famous Muizz Street, home to local artisans and craftsmen who are still using traditional methods to create timeless masterpieces.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Hotel: Steigenberger Pyramids (or similar)
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Day 5- Luxor
- Take a morning flight to Luxor (not included in the package), then check into the hotel located on the edge of the Nile.
- Visit a local jewellery shop specializing in Egyptian style jewellery and handmade cartouches, where you can see replicas of the pieces found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun.
- In the afternoon, pay your respects at Luxor Temple.
- Enjoy a meal in a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Sonesta St George Hotel
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Day 6- Nile River Cruise
- Check in to Nile River Cruise.
- Later, visit Egypt’s largest temple complex, Karnak Temples. Wander the columns of the much-photographed hypostyle hall and explore the numerous projects of the Pharaohs including the numerous chapels, sanctuaries and temples.
- Gaze upon the well-preserved obelisk of the famed Queen Hatshepsut before visiting the Sacred Lake and the largest carved scarab found in all of Egypt.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner
Stay: Nile River Cruise
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Day 7- Valley of the Kings
- Enjoy a visit to the Valley of the Kings. Climb down into the spectacularly decorated tombs of the Pharaohs.
- After that, visit the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and Deir el-Bahri (Northern Monastery), which indicates that the site was once used by Christian monks.
- Go to a local alabaster factory and see how the hand-made pieces were created in ancient Egypt.
- You will also make a quick stop at the Colossi of Memnon.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Stay: Nile River Cruise
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Day 8- Kom Ombo Temple
- This morning after sailing, we will visit the magnificent Temple of Edfu. This beautiful temple is considered one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt.
- Return to our boat and continue sailing towards Kom Ombo.
- See the Temple of Kom Ombo – the only dual temple in Egypt and dedicated to two gods, Haroeris, the sun god & Sobek, the crocodile god. This temple is just a short stroll from your boat and has a fascinating history, including the hieroglyphic carvings showing medical instruments we still use in our present days.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Nile River Cruise
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Day 9- Philae Temple
- Today, take a relaxing motorboat ride to Agilkia Island to see the incredible Philae Temple, one of the most visited temples in Nubia. Philae Temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis, the wife of Osiris and mother of Horus.
- Dinner tonight will be an exceptional experience as we visit a local Nubian village.
- After dinner, wander through the Aswan Market.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Nile River Cruise
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Day 10- Abu Simbel
- An early start today as you will drive 3 ½ hours south to the magnificent Temples of Abu Simbel, a must-see for everyone who comes to Egypt. These temples were cut deep into the rock and dedicated to Pharaoh Ramses II and his beloved wife, Nefertari.
- In the afternoon, take a private felucca sailing to a local Nubian village to enjoy some local Nubian food and their friendly hospitality.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: Tulip Resort, Nile View
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Day 11- Cairo
- Board a return flight to Cairo. (Flight not included)
- Check into the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
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Day 12- Cairo - Siwa
- Drive approximately 750 km to the desert oasis of Siwa.
- Stop for a break at the Mediterranean Sea and the city of Marsa Matruh.
- Reach Siwa Oasis, the stuff of desert daydreams. Just 50 km from the Libyan border, this fertile basin, sitting about 25m below sea level and brimming with olive trees and palms, epitomizes slow-paced oasis life. Scattered throughout the oasis are crystal-clear springs, a heavenly respite from the harsh heat.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Ghalit Eco Lodge Siwa
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Day 13- Siwa Oasis
- Begin the day with a visit to the nearby Mountain of the Dead to view many fascinating tombs found here before exploring the Old Shali City in the centre of Siwa. Built from mostly mud and rock, this site acted as the town’s original fortress.
- Visit Cleopatra Springs for an afternoon swim.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Ghalit Eco Lodge Siwa
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Day 14- Siwa Desert Safari
- Today, visit the salt lakes on the outskirts of the city.
- Drive a Jeep through the dunes into the Great Sand Sea, stopping off to discover an ancient ocean full of marine fossils.
- Do some sand-boarding and enjoy watching the sunset over the desert landscape.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Ghalit Eco Lodge Siwa
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Day 15- Siwa - Cairo
- Check-out from the hotel. Depart late morning for a drive back to Cairo.
- In the evening, share a farewell dinner with your guide.
- Check in to Cairo hotel.
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Day 16- Departure
- After breakfast, head to Cairo International Airport for your onward journey or return flight home.
What's Included
What's Excluded
Know Before You Go
What To Bring
Meeting Point
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.
Price
| Adult | |
|---|---|
| 1 to 12 | /person |
| Child | |
| 1 to 12 | /person |
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This is a group tour |
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