Designers of Discerning Holidays
Designers of Discerning Holidays
Plan your Holiday
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Includes visit to the new Grand Egyptian Museum - a special behind the scenes look at this spectactular museum which officially opens in Oct 2020.
Day 1: Fri 22 May: Cairo (D)
Welcome to Egypt. You will be met INSIDE immigration, by one of our wonderful Cairo based airport team, and assisted with visa formalities by our local airport representative. Gain your first experience of Egypt as you are transferred to your Pyramids Hotel where you are reserved for three nights in a Pyramid view room. The Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel has recently undergone renovation. It is an excellent hotel combining good service, and a superb location opposite the new Grand Egyptian Museum and the Pyramids. The hotel offers unparalleled views of the Giza Pyramids from the beautiful outdoor pool and bar areas. This evening join your fellow travel companions for a welcome drink and tour briefing at 6pm, followed by dinner.
Day 2: Sat 23 May: Cairo (BD)
Begin your day with a visit to Memphis and Sakkara. Memphis which served as the capital of Upper and Lower Egypt some 5000 years ago during the First Dynasty was the home of many pharaohs, including King Tutankhamun. Continue to Sakkara one of the most exciting historical and archaeological areas in all of Egypt. Dominated by the famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser this was the first pyramid to be built in ancient Egypt preceding those at Giza by many centuries. Later visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum, located near the Pyramids area. The Grand Egyptian Museum, which is currently under construction, will become the most important museum in Egypt. It will house more than 100,000 artefacts from all pharaonic periods with a special focus on Tutankhamun. View exhibits, many of which will be displayed for the first time in history. Dinner is included this evening at a local restaurant.
Day 3: Sun 24 May: Cairo (B)
Explore the most illustrious sites of ancient Egypt, with your personal Egyptologist guide – the Great Pyramids of Giza and the legendary Sphinx along with more iconic monuments. The Great Pyramid of Giza (which is also known as the Pyramid of Khufu or the Pyramid of Cheops) is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza pyramid complex. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one to remain largely intact. Egyptologists believe that the pyramid was built as a tomb over a 10 to 20-year period concluding around 2560 BC. At 146.5 metres the Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for more than 3,800 years. Not far from the Pyramids, you will also see the Great Sphinx of Giza hewn from natural yellowish limestone – it measures 73 metres long from paw to tail and 20 metres high from the base to the top of the head. This afternoon will be at leisure. Later there is the opportunity to attend an optional Sound and Light show this evening.
Day 4: Mon 25 May: Cairo - Luxor (BLD)
Transfer to Cairo Airport this morning. Fly to Luxor to board your First Class Nile Cruise. Welcome to the first class, Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise Boat, which will be your floating hotel for the next four nights. Seeing the Nile for the first time one can understand the words of Herodotus ‘Egypt is the gift of the Nile’. Embarkation is prior to lunch. After lunch take an unforgettable excursion, to explore Luxor Temple built by two kings Amenophis III and Ramses II. Visit Karnak Temple, the main centre of worship in ancient Egypt.
Day 5: Tue 26 May: Luxor – Esna (BLD)
This morning after an early breakfast, cross the Nile to the West Bank to the Valley of the Kings where you’ll find the tombs of the Theban rulers, such as Ramses II and Tutankhamun, (Entrance fees to the Tutankhamun Tomb are included to ensure your visit to this famous tomb). Whilst on the West Bank, make a special visit to the house of Howard Carter, the famous archaeologist who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun, with many artefacts carefully preserved from the 1920’a. Continue to the Valley of the Queens and the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, the only woman Pharaoh to rule ancient Egypt. See the famed Colossi of Memnon facing the Nile. After touring these temples, embark your boat and sail to Edfu.
Day 6: Wed 27 May: Edfu - Kom Ombo (BLD)
This morning visit Edfu where remains from the Old Kingdom can be viewed as well as the Temple of Horus and houses of the Byzantine period. Sail to Kom Ombo and view its famous temple completed during the reign of Ptolemy during 181-146B.C. This temple was shared by the two Gods, Sobek and Haroeris. See the beautiful murals, bas relief and fine views of the river. Tonight’s entertainment is a Galabya party. Overnight in Kom Ombo.
Day 7: Thu 28 May: Kom Ombo - Aswan (BLD)
Sail to Aswan. Highlights today will include the Aswan Dams at the end of Lake Nasser, the re-sited Temple of Philae and the granite quarries which provided stone for Karnak & Luxor Temples. This afternoon you will sail by felucca (Egyptian Sailboat) around Kitchener Island and Agha Khan Mausoleum. Tonight’s entertainment is a Nubian Folkloric Show. Overnight in Aswan.
Day 8: Fri 29 May: Aswan (Abu Simbel – Aswan optional) or Nubian Museum (B)
Disembark this morning after breakfast and transfer to the Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel where you are reserved overnight in this spectacular hotel, where Dame Agatha Christie was inspired to write ‘Death on the Nile’. Today chose to either visit Abu Simbel, or make a morning visit to the Nubian Museum. This afternoon return to the hotel, to experience a High Tea while looking out over the ageless Nile. This evening there will be an opportunity to visit the local markets or relax at the hotel.
The Old Cataract is one of the finest hotels in one of the most stunning locations in Egypt. Built on the banks of the river Nile, guests have enjoyed the service and comfort of this legendary hotel since 1899. Immortalized by Dame Agatha Christie’s ‘Death on the Nile’, the hotel uniquely combines architectural styles from the East and the Victorian Era. Discover sophisticated interiors by Sybille de Margerie in the historic Palace, a world of Moorish arches, ruby red chandeliers, plush Persian carpets, soft armchairs and hand-carved furnishings. Guest rooms offer a contemporary Egyptian style and provide a peaceful sanctuary.
Optional morning half day Abu Simbel tour (price on application): If taking the optional Abu Simbel tour, early this morning transfer to Aswan Airport for your flight to Abu Simbel. You will be met by a local representative at Abu Simbel Airport and escorted to your vehicle for the short drive to Abu Simbel. After disembarking the coach, there is a walk along uneven paths to the entrance of Abu Simbel. The tour takes approximately 1.5 hours and ends at the exit, situated at the rear of the monument. Your vehicle will be waiting to return you to the airport where you will go through a security check. The airport waiting room has a small snack counter and bathrooms for your convenience.
Abu Simbel is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in all of Egypt, not only for its historical significance, but for the great engineering success in moving these temples to their present location. Of all the temples of Egyptian antiquity, amongst the most spectacular and best preserved are the Temples of Abu Simbel. The master builder was Ramses II, one of Egypt’s greatest Pharaohs. The larger temple celebrates the Pharaoh himself while the smaller one honours his wife Queen Nefertari. When the new Lake Nasser Dam was built in the 1960s, the temples were moved to save them from a watery grave. In an amazing feat of engineering, the temples were hewn into huge blocks of thirty tonnes and relocated 180m further inland. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Aswan and transfer to your hotel. Today for the Abu Simbel tour, pack some snacks, bottled water and a good sunhat etc. Notes: The Sun Temple and Colossi of Ramses II are located on a sandy cliff overlooking Lake Nasser. To approach this monument site you walk along a rocky and uneven sandy path. Anyone who has walking difficulties should be advised that handicapped facilities are not available at this archaeological site.
Day 9: Sat 30 May: Aswan - Cairo (B)
This morning transfer to Aswan Airport for your flight to Cairo. On arrival discover an often forgotten side of Egyptian heritage as you explore Old Cairo with its Coptic Christian Churches and synagogues. The Coptic Museum houses many beautiful artefacts and artworks that celebrate the Egyptian contribution to Christianity and the influence of the Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman cultures. Continue to Ben Ezra Synagogue which is surrounded by serene gardens and contains a number of artefacts including the manuscript known as the ‘Atlas of Moses’ and a fifth century copy of the Torah printed on gazelle skin. Afterwards transfer to the centrally located and recently opened Steigenberger Hotel where you are reserved for two nights. Dinner own arrangements this evening.
The new Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir is ideally located at the heart of Cairo down town, a 5 minute walk away from the Egyptian Museum. The hotel features 295 modern furnished rooms offering free Wi-Fi. The hotel also offers a spa, outdoor swimming pool, restaurant and a bar.
Day 10: Sun 31 May: Cairo (D)
Today visit the Cairo War Cemetery where 156 New Zealanders who served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the First World War remain, part of the 2056 Commonwealth casualties buried here. Cairo was also significant hospital centre during the Second World War. Continue to experience a more contemporary slice of Egyptian life with a visit to the 14th century Khan El Khalili Bazaar, where bargains abound. Afterwards visit the Tentmakers of Cairo who sustain a spectacular aspect of Egypt's living heritage. Their ancestors made the majestic traveling tents of the Ottoman Empire, and today they produce textile artworks that are unique to Egypt. Continue to the Textile Museum, the only one of its kind in the Middle East. This interesting museum features textiles from ancient Egypt and the Roman, Coptic and Islamic eras. Tonight meet your travel companions for a special farewell dinner and drinks.
Day 11: Mon 01 June: Cairo (B)
Reflect on your amazing journey through the centuries as you are transferred to Cairo International Airport for your onward flight.
COST
NZ$7995 per person twin share
NZ$9690 single
Land only price – international airfares are not included. See below. We will provide you with a quote for airfares at the time of enquiry.
Price is subject to change until confirmed and paid in full.
Earlybird Bonus Offer!
Deposit $1,000 by Mon 31 Oct 2019 and receive the following benefits:
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