Egypt Explorer - 12 Day Private Tour

Day 1 - Arrival. When you arrive at Cairo International Airport, one of our representatives will be ready and waiting to escort you to your hotel. Our ambassador will be with you every step of the way, from navigating you through the airport to driving you in an air conditioned van to your 5-star accommodations. Check out the amazing hotel options below. While we will take your preference into account when booking the hotel, it is subject to availability. Marriott Mena House With most of the rooms having a stunning view of the pyramids or the onsite pool and gardens, this hotel property is unparalleled. With choices of four different restaurants and a long list of amenities, including free internet, a fitness center, and air conditioning, you will feel right at home at this beautiful hotel. Eat breakfast with a view of the pyramids, swim in the pool or relax on a lounge chair while surrounded by palm trees, or utilize the business areas to get some work done before going on the adventure of a lifetime. No matter what you need, this is an amazing hotel that will complement your life changing visit to Egypt perfectly. Fairmont Nile City Want to experience the hustle and bustle of Cairo while still being able to relax and enjoy your vacation? The Fairmont Nile City is a top of the line, 5-star hotel right on the banks of the Nile River. This modern yet classic hotel will blow you away with both its beauty and its panoramic views of the Nile River. You can even get a peek at the pyramids in the distance. Engulf yourself in the culture of the city while enjoying a relaxing stay with ample amenities including free WiFi, a fitness center, and a pool. Kempinski Nile Hotel Cairo This luxurious hotel is located in the heart of the Garden City district, an upscale area with lavish shopping and a beautiful mix of historic and modern culture. With views of the Nile River, this hotel is set upon a scenic landscape. The hotel offers complimentary WiFi, a beautiful pool, and a full service spa with free access to the steam room, Jacuzzi, and sauna. Rated the #1 business hotel in Cairo (and top 5 in almost every category), you will not be disappointed with your stay at Kempinski Nile Hotel in Cairo. Day 2 – Pyramids of Giza and Step Pyramids of Sakkara Hopefully you will have had a chance to get settled into your hotel last night and experience a bit of Egypt! The morning will start out bright and early with breakfast. Once you are fueled up for the morning you will meet with your Egyptologist. From the hotel you will first travel to the monumental Pyramids of Giza. One of the original seven Wonders of the World, the enormity and beauty of the pyramids will wow you. Take pictures, explore the pyramid complex, and learn about their history up close and personal. Want to spend more time appreciating the pyramids? Don’t worry, we aren’t done with the Pyramids at Giza yet. Your time at the pyramids continues as you eat lunch (included in your program package) at a famous restaurant located nearby. From the Pyramids of Giza you will travel to the step pyramids of Sakkara — another historic and unique set of pyramids that only Egypt can offer. Your live history lesson continues as you learn about the building of the step pyramids and their historic significance. The rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to explore the area. Hit up the garden district or one of the hotels’ fabulous restaurants. You can relax by the pool, appreciating the view, or dive into modern day Cairo after a full day of living through history. Make sure to get plenty of rest and hydration because Day 3 is just as exciting as today was! Day 3 – Exploring Cairo For our third day in Cairo we will be visiting some local ancient attractions. The first stop on our agenda is the Egyptian Museum. It has about 120,000 ancient artifacts you can see and learn about, a must see for any adventurer. For our next stop we will travel from ancient to medieval times when we visit the Citadel of Saladin (also known as the Cairo Citadel). This was an Islamic fortification and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. visit to the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. You will have passed this stunning structure that acts as the cornerstone of Cairo, visible when you enter from almost any side. A historic religious monument as well as a tourist stop, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali is rich with history and culture Ready to go shopping? We are making a stop by the Khan el-Khalili Market. This used to be the heart of trade with foreign merchants and shopkeepers. Now, you will find Egyptian merchants and local stores. Breakfast and lunch are provided on this day Breakfast and lunch included. Day 4 - Alexandria We have set aside a full day tour of Alexandria for you. The most ‘modern’ of the ancient cities, you are sure to witness some amazing architectural feats, amazing ruins, and the integration of Greco-Roman influence into Egyptian culture. There is so much to see and so little time so come ready to explore and learn. We will make a stop to Pompey’s Pillar, a beautiful 25-meter high pillar (about 82-feet) that is a staple stop on a tour of Ancient Egypt. This pillar was built to honor Emperor Diocletian in AD 297. Touted as the ‘newest’ of the ancient places to visit, this is a great place to explore. Next is the Catacombs, a place where you can truly see Greco-Roman influence. You will walk down a spiral staircase to view these tombs, where over 300 mummies were buried. Now you will move into modern times, visiting The New Library of Alexandria. This modern library located near the Mediterranean Sea is a fusion between appreciating modern art and culture and commemorating the original Library of Alexandria which was destroyed. The last stop is the Roman Theater, an ancient theater that is sure to wow you. The theater is quite a feat (in addition to everything else you have seen on this trip) with 23 semi-circle tiers made out of marble. Breakfast and lunch are provided in this day long excursion to Alexandria. Day 5 - Fly to and Explore Aswan You will hop on a short flight (about 1.5 hours) to Aswan where an Egyptologist will meet you and take you on your tour of the city. The first stop is Philae Temple, an ancient complex central to the ancient religious world and a favorite topic and location for ancient writers. For the second stop, you will visit the Aswan High Dam, a massive dam across the Nile River that was pivotal in the industrialization of Egypt. After that you will check into the hotel of your choosing (subject to availability) from the list below. Movenpick Resort This BEAUTIFUL resort is plopped right on its own island! There are amazing views from every angle and they will not disappoint. The hotel boasts a pool, beautiful scenery, free WiFi, and high quality rooms and services. Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan This stunning victorian style hotel is a Travelers’ Choice 2018 Winner. It’s beautiful hotel complex and is currently ranked the top hotel in Aswan. A luxury hotel with great service, this is a great place to recover from long, hot days of sightseeing! Breakfast and lunch are included on this full day adventure. Day 6 - A Day on the Nile River You will have wanted to get a good night rest on Day 5 because this is a full day exploring the Nile River! You will explore the area via a felucca boat. A felucca is a traditional Egyptian sailboat dating pretty far back in history. It is the primary mode of transportation on the Nile River. You cannot get a more authentic Egyptian experience than taking a tour on a felucca! The rest of the day is yours to explore Aswan. Breakfast and lunch are included on this full day adventure. Day 7 - Head to Luxor We will be driving to Luxor, with two awesome stops on the way, the Temple of Edfu and the Kom Ombo Temple. The Temple of Edfu was built to honor Horus, the falcon god, the same god one half of the Kom Ombo Temple is dedicated to. One of the unique parts of this temple is how important the inscriptions are. Not only are they beautiful, but they provide a very crisp view into religion, temples, and life in ancient Egypt. The second stop, the Kom Ombo Temple is a unique and somewhat uncommon double temple. One half of the temple is dedicated to the crocodile god, Sobek, who represents fertility. The other half is dedicated to the falcon god, Horus. Breakfast and lunch are provided. You will be staying in Luxor for the night and choose one of the following hotels (subject to availability). Hilton Luxor Resort With amazing unobstructed views of the Nile River and sitting right off the east bank of the river, this hotel is in an ideal location. It has also been recently renovated and is a Travelers’ Choice 2018 Award winner. Sofitel Winter Palace This hotel is as beautiful and elegant as the name suggests. Built in 1886 and hosting a wide variety of Royalties and celebrities, this hotel is truly fit for a king. Though it is well over 100 years old, the Sofitel Winter Palace boasts a classic and historic feel with all of the comforts of the modern world. Breakfast and lunch included Day 8 - Valley of the Kings A full day of adventures awaits you today! You will be exploring some the coolest places in Egypt. Your breakfast and dinner are included today. Valley of the Kings: This valley is home to the tombs of 63 pharaohs and nobles. While not all of the tombs are open to the public, visiting the valley is must on anyone’s list who is visiting the area. Located on the West Bank of the Nile River, you will tour the area where, for over 500 years, pharaohs and nobles were laid to rest. Hatshepsut Temple: Though the cliffs at Deir el Bahari seem to dwarf this stunning temple, its size will amaze you. Located near the Valley of the Kings, this temple was used as a mortuary temple with which to honor Pharaoh Hatshepsut after who it was built. Colossi of Memnon: These massive statues set on a stunning backdrop of Egyptian terrain. These columnal statues were built in resemblance of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. While time has taken its toll on the Colossi of Memnon, they remain an iconic tourist location and give a peek into the ancient world. Habu Temple: This is the temple of Ramses III and it is massive. About 150 meters long with tall walls and beautiful inscriptions and art, this temple is well preserved and was strongly built. This is a great stop on the tour and one that is sure to impress! Luxor Temple (a night visit): We will be visiting the elaborate Luxor Temple at night to be able to appreciate its full effect. Luxor Temple is unique as it was not built to worship a specific deity but is representative of all kings. This is the last stop of the day in Luxor. Breakfast and lunch included. Day 9 - East bank - Hurghada You will spend the day driving to Hurghada with one stop at the Karnak Temple. The Karnak Temple is the second most visited historic place in Egypt (after the pyramids). Enjoy a large, ancient complex that includes an open air museum and parts of the temple that are open to the public. Breakfast and dinner are included today. You will stay in Hurghada for several nights. You will have the choice of the following hotels (subject to availability): Mercure Hurghada Hotel This beach resort, located right on the Red Sea is an amazing destination. A great stay whether you are there for one night or multiple! A Travelers’ Choice Award 2018 winner, this hotel is an all around awesome hotel, from amenities to customer service to delicious restaurants. Hurghada Marriott Hotel This hotel is also located right on the beaches of the Red Sea. This resort has extremely good reviews and an amazing staff. You can eat in several different restaurants or hang out at the beach or pool. There are so many options at this awesome resort! Breakfast and dinner included Day 10 - red sea - free day Enjoy the day at the resort or explore around town, the choice is yours. You can check out other ancient history or delve back into the modern world. Breakfast and dinner are provided. Day 11 - Free Day in Cairo You will spend the morning flying back to Cairo (a short flight) and then the rest of the day is yours to explore! Breakfast provided. Day 12 - Time to Head Home! After eleven awesome days exploring Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, Hurghada, and much more, it is time to head home. You will depart for the airport in an air conditioned van, giving you the highest level of comfort as you say goodbye to your amazing time exploring Egypt.