Pharaohs & Beaches

You arrive at Cairo airport where we greet and transfer you to the impressive Oberoi Mena House hotel, which is located right at the foot of the pyramids. Our local rep. welcomes you, helps you settle into the hotel, and outlines the plan for the next few days.

Overnight:

Oberoi Mena House

Extras and options:

Oberoi Mena House room upgrades - Pyramid view rooms offer unrivalled views of the Pyramids directly from your own balcony. Palace wing rooms are also available

After breakfast we have a brief pre-tour briefing before we take you on a tour of Gisa and Saqqara. Gisa was built around 4600 years ago as a necropolis (cemetery) for the pharaoh Khufu (Cheops). The successor of Sneferu, Khufu was known as a tyrant and in his arrogance decided to have built a tomb that was bigger and better than all others. Standing 500 feet high and 750 feet at its base the Pyramid of Khufu is an awesome man-made structure constructed of giant blocks of stone covered in a hard limestone casing. The casing has, over the years, been stripped away to leave exposed the inner block structure. Together with the smaller pyramids of Khafre (Chephern) and Menkaure (Mycerinus), the majestic sight of these enormous structures rising out of the desert is a breathtaking spectacle. Here you have the chance to climb inside one of the pyramids (there are a limited number of tickets available, so we cannot guarantee this), and also to take a camel ride (approx. GBP 2-5 p/p for around 30mins). Close by, the mysterious Sphinx stands guard, as it has done so for thousands of years. You have another guided tour around the sphinx and some free time to walk around and take photos.
From here we take you to Saqqara, which lies 25km to the south of Cairo. Djeser’s (Zoser’s) Step Pyramid (built 4700 years ago) dominates the skyline and is believed to have been the ancient Egyptians’ first attempt at Pyramid building. The entire 7km stretch of desert at Saqqara is a treasure trove of pyramids, temples and tombs, which we will have plenty of time to explore, while we learn about the history of pyramid building in Egypt.
Our final stop for today will be at Dashour which is located approximately 20km south of Saqqara. Here you will be able to view an impressive 3.5km long stretch of Pyramids from the 4th and 12th Dynasty. Originally, Dashour was home to 11 Pyramids but today only 4 remain intact, the most famous of these being the Red and Bent Pyramids which were constructed for the Pharaoh Sneferu – the father of Cheops and the founder of the 4th Dynasty.
After a full day a sightseeing we return to the luxurious Oberoi Mena House for a relaxing evening.

Overnight:

Oberoi Mena House

Extras and options:

Sound and Light show
Evening Dinner Cruise
Cairo by Night

Meals included:

Breakfast

After breakfast we begin our tour of Cairo. Founded in 969 AD by Gohar, a Fatimid army leader, El Kahera (Cairo) soon became the capital of Egypt. Subsequent additions like the El Azhar mosque, the Islamic University, and defensive walls and a citadel, built by Saladin in 1179, have helped Cairo remain Egypt’s principal city. The 16-year reign of Ismail (1830-1895) ushered in a new period of expansion and modernisation in Cairo. Areas like Heliopolis, Dokki and Roda were added, while gardens, Opera houses, large hotels and wide, tree lined avenues were built. Further post revolutionary, urban expansion has left Cairo as one of the world's largest cities. Today it is a bustling metropolis of over 20 million people, a strange mix of modern and old, a unique blend of diverse cultures and a gateway to Egypt’s past.
Your tour includes a visit to the Egyptian Museum (which houses a vast collection of artefacts from Egypt’s past, including the famous King Tutunkhamun display), the Citadel (a collection of mosques and palaces, with a great view over the city), and the Khan al Khalili bazaar (a mazy market that offers a window to the past and a guaranteed souvenir).

Overnight:

Oberoi Mena House

Meals included:

Breakfast

This morning we head to Cairo airport to take an internal flight to the historic town of Luxor. The town of Luxor is built on and around the ancient site of Thebes, and boasts the largest concentration of ancient ruins in the Nile Valley. To the West of the Nile lies the City of the Dead, with its mortuary temples and rock-hewn tombs, whilst to the east lie the Temples of Luxor and Karnak and this is where we begin our sightseeing. The great Temple of Amun at Karnak was once the religious centre of Thebes and Upper Egypt. It was linked to Luxor by an extensive avenue, which was lined with sphinxes, and the whole complex was in turn linked to the Nile via a canal through which moved the sacred boats of the god Amun. Entering through a smaller sphinx-lined avenue, built by Ramesses II, you come to the immense pylon entrance. Inside the huge Courtyard are three chapels dedicated to the gods Amun, Khous and Mut. The remarkable Hypostyle Hall has 134 towering columns, each carved with scenes of gods and pharaohs, and hieroglyphic inscriptions adorn the walls.
After exploring Karnak Temple we transfer you to your hotel on Luxor’s West Bank – the unique Al Moudira. After a relaxing afternoon we have an evening visit to Luxor Temple. Lying 3 km to the south of Karnak in the centre of town, the Temple of Luxor was built by Amenophis III and later enlarged by Ramses II. The partially damaged statues inside all represent Ramses II, and it was he who built the colonnaded forecourt. The Colonnade and Court of Amenophis III are perhaps the most striking parts of the temple.

Overnight:

Al Moudira

Extras and options:

Karnak Sound & Light Show

Meals included:

Breakfast

After a very early breakfast, we begin our tour of the West Bank of the Nile, starting with the Valley of the Kings. A hot air balloon flight is available this morning over the west bank if you wish.
In the Valley of the Kings, you will see several of the elaborately painted underground tombs in which the Pharaohs and their Queens were buried. Your guide will choose the best tombs open during your visit (the entry ticket covers 3 tombs – extra visits are available to the tombs of Tutankhamun and Ramses V & VI for an extra fee paid locally). Next we take you to visit the unique three-tiered Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatchepsut. Dedicated to the God Amun this temple complex framed by towering cliffs is a wondrous sight. We then visit Medinat Habu, a temple of Ramses III, which is not on most tourist itineraries, but has some of the very deepest carved hieroglyphs, and the best preserved coloured wall paintings, really giving you an idea of how these Egyptian temples looked in their prime. Finally you will stop to see the Colossi of Memnon, two huge 50 feet high statues of King Amenhotep II, before returning to the cruise boat for lunch. The afternoon is free for you to relax or explore Luxor. 

Overnight:

Al Moudira

Meals included:

Breakfast

We leave Luxor today for the drive to the elegant and luxurious Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh hotel by the sea in Hurghada (approx. 4 ½ hours).
Your next few days are free to relax and enjoy one of Egypt’s most popular Red Sea beach resorts. The beautiful, sandy beaches and crystal blue waters make Hurghada the ideal place to relax and sunbathe, but for the more active there is plenty to do to keep busy. Some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world can be found nearby, but if you would rather stay dry then glass bottomed boats are also available. You can choose to do as much or as little as you want in Hurghada and your resort and our local rep will help to arrange everything for you during your stay.

Overnight:

Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh

Extras and options:

Day trip to St Anthony's & St Paul's Monasteries
Desert Jeep Safari
Snorkelling or Scuba Diving
Red Sea Boat Trips

Meals included:

Breakfast

You have a free morning in Hurghada today, before we transfer you to Hurghada airport for an internal flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival we will transfer you to the Oberoi Mena House. The remainder of today is free for you to do some final sightseeing, shopping or simply relax beside the pool.

Overnight:

Oberoi Mena House

Extras and options:

Pyramid View Room upgrade

Meals included:

Breakfast

Your tour ends after breakfast and your time is free until we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

Extras and options:

Jordan or Desert extension

Meals included:

Breakfast