Tour of Arabia (14 Days)

A Grand 14-day Tour of Egypt and Dubai
The Two Gems of Arabia and the Near East
Including a 5-Day Luxury Nile Cruise

Sailing the Nile on a Felucca. © Temistocle Lucarelli | Dreamstime.com

Indiana Jones himself couldn’t squeeze more adventure into this journey: Cairo and the Pyramids, a cruise on the Nile, the fabled temples and tombs of Luxor and Thebes, diving in the Red Sea. And Dubai is a true modern rendition of the 1001 Arabian Nights. Tour this Emirate on the Arabian Gulf. A taste of Arabia with a cosmopolitan lifestyle. In Dubai you’ll find year round sunshine and un-crowded, clean sandy beaches.

DAY 1 – CAIRO: Sunday – Weekly Year Round
Our local representative greets you at the airport and whisks you to your hotel. VIP Meet & Greet Service at Cairo Airport.
Visa fee is included and will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for Australian, NZ, American, EU, Canadian & Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo.

Visa will be issued upon arrival. As you exit the gate, you will pass through a door or two, down some stairs, then walk for 2-5 minutes, until you pass the duty free shop., At the end of a wide corridor you will see the security officers. There you will be met by a local representative who will be holding a sign with your name.

Our local representative will then take your passport to obtain a stamp from the cashier / bank window and escort you to speak with the passport officer. He will escort you through another last check on your passport as you exit the passport control, into customs area, he will assist you in collecting your luggage and clearing customs. After exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort you by private vehicle to the hotel.

DAY 2 – CAIRO- Giza: Monday (BL)
Your exploration of the ancient world begins today! First stop is Giza and the mysteries of the Pyramids and the enigmatic Sphinx, we visit as well Cheops Royal Barge Museum. Lunch is served at the Mena House. Afternoon tour of the Memphis, Sakkara, the Step Pyramid and Imhotep Museum.

Great Sphinx of Giza (foreground) Pyramid of Menkaure

DAY 3 – CAIRO: Tuesday (BL)
Breakfast is included at the hotel. Today we show you the Egyptian Museum, including the ” Mummies Room” and King Tut’s Gold Treasure Pavilion. Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant such as Naguib Mahfouz or Hadaik el-Azhar, tea or coffee as well as one large bottle of water is included for each guest with our compliment with your lunch. In the afternoon we’ll enjoy a leisurely walking tour of the 12-century old district of Khan El Khalili and the ancient bazaar district, tour of the Citadel of Saladin, and the Mohammed Ali Mosque, made of alabaster. Private air conditioned vehicle, private Egyptologist, and chauffeur for your tour in Cairo.

DAY 4 – ASWAN: Wednesday, Nile Cruise (BLD)
After and early breakfast we fly to Aswan in Aswan, where we settle you into your cabin on your Nile steamer. Welcome drink served upon arrival. A complimentary fruit basket awaits you in your deluxe cabin. We’ll visit the enormous dams at Aswan, then board a launch on Lake Nasser to visit the Temples of Philae, rescued from rising waters. The Island temple of Philae, dedicated to the Ancient Goddess ISIS.

The Mystery of Isis
Two millennia ago the Mediterranean world was enthralled by the mystery of Isis: “I, Isis, am all that has been, that is or shall be; no mortal man hath ever seen me unveiled.”

Called Aset by the ancient Egyptians, the goddess was a Madonna in the Mediterranean tradition that stretches far, far back to the primitive Mother Goddess from Anatolia, home to some of the oldest human communities on earth.

Isis was the powerful and quick-witted protector of her son Horus, the Sun God. Ancient peoples throughout the Mediterranean regarded Isis and Horus as the perfect Madonna and Child. Another legend says she was also the mother of the fertility god Min who, judging from the depiction of him on temple walls, needed no help from Viagra!

In the afternoon we’ll have the opportunity to experience Egypt at its most authentic, as we sail the Nile in a graceful Felucca, the age-old sailing vessel of the river to visit Elephantine Island and the Botanical Garden. In the evening our local guide will call on you once again for a horse-drawn carriage ride throughout Aswan and the local souks.

DAY 5 – KOM OMBO: Thursday (BLD)
We cruise northward down the Nile today, at a stately pace, disembarking for a visit to Kom Ombo, the twin temple dedicated to the crocodile river god, Sobek. We’ll also see Haroeris, the solar disk.

DAY 6 – EDFU and LUXOR: Friday (BLD)
Horse-drawn carriages or vans meet us at riverside to take us through Edfu to the Temple of Horus, best-preserved in all of Egypt. Then we’ll continue beside the Nile to take in an array of ancient splendors: the Valley of the Kings; the imposing tomb-temple of Queen Hatshepsut; and, back in Luxor, the Great Temple of Amon at Karnak.

DAY 7 – Luxor – Cairo: Saturday (B)
Morning tour of Deir El Medinah: on Luxor’s west bank you get a totally different perspective on ancient Egyptian life, at the ancient workers’ settlement of Deir el-Medinah. While most of the imposing stone monuments and sites of Egypt honor the lives and after-lives of royalty, Deir el-Medinah gives us unique and surprising insights into the ordinary citizens who constructed and decorated the tombs.

Here we’ll see the excavated homes shared by laborers with their domestic animals. These quarters were surprisingly large, with three good-sized rooms, courtyard, kitchen, and even storage cellars. While ancient Egypt might not have been a workers’ paradise, we’ll see that artisans and builders were highly regarded in their community. We are proud to be the only operator to offer regular visits to this singular ancient settlement in its tour and cruise programs, we include as well a tour of Madinet Habu and the Ramesseum. Now that you’ve seen the best of the Egypt of the Pharaohs, our guides escort you to the airport. You’ll fly over the Nile Valley back to Cairo and your hotel. Sample Deluxe: Fairmont Heliopolis, City Stars InterContinental or similar.

DAY 8 – Cairo: Sunday (B)
Breakfast is included at the hotel. Morning tour of Muez LedeenAllah Street. Cairo old gates and walls. Beit El Sehiimi and more. Afternoon at leisure. Relax! this afternoon is set aside as a strategic mid-journey break. Spend some time in the sun, or explore Cairo as you wish on your own.

DAY 9 – Cairo – Giza: Monday (BL)
Today we drive to the edge of the Sahara and Giza. Tour includes the Sphinx, the Pyramids of Giza, and the Cheops Royal Barge Museum. Complimentary short Camel ride is included to allow you a photo opp with the Pyramids in the background. Time is limited so please do not go for what the camel driver tries to convince you, i.e. go for a long ride around the Pyramids. Lunch is included at the Mena House.
On to Memphis, Sakkara and the Step Pyramid. We return to your hotel late afternoon.

Complimentary Dinner is included at a local home. Meet the locals. You may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family (T shirt, small souvenirs of your home town).
This evening we’ll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread… right into the homes of some of the people of Cairo! You’ll be invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you’ll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they’re sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you’ll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, you may enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions, just let us know your preferences.

DAY 10 – DEPARTURE FOR ARABIA: Tuesday (B)
DUBAI: We will fly to Dubai as we fly across the Arabian Peninsula to reach this charming Emirate on the Arabian Gulf. A taste of Arabia with a cosmopolitan lifestyle. Air fare is included one way Cairo Dubai in business class, tax included. In Dubai you’ll find year round sunshine and un-crowded, clean sandy beaches. In this Arabian society you ‘ll find a very warm & welcoming team & society awaiting you in Dubai. While shopping may not be high on your list, you will find that Dubai’s tax free markets means bargains galore. Attractive traditional Middle Eastern gifts – coffee pots, rugs, silverware, jewelry, brass, and one of the world’s greatest gold trading centers offering unbeatable value. Hong Kong is no longer able to compete with Dubai with the wide selection of low – priced international brand name products – audio equipment, VCRs, cameras, watches, fashions, perfumes and more. And do not forget the award-winning Dubai Duty Free at the airport. Upon arrival our local rep will meet you and escort you to your hotel.

Arriving at Dubai International Airport you’ll be delighted to discover Travel in Style’s VIP Red Carpet welcome procedures: you are met by our English-speaking representative who escorts you from your plane to a comfortable air-conditioned lounge where you can freshen up and recover from your flight. While you relax, our representative completes your Immigration procedures, collects your luggage, clears it through Customs, and transfers it to your private, air-conditioned vehicle. Escorted from the lounge to your vehicle, your private chauffeur transfers you to your hotel, assisting with your luggage when you arrive. Red Carpet Treatment: that’s the Travel in Style difference.

Dubai by drone. Video by Visit Dubai.

DAY 11 – DUBAI: Wednesday (BL)
Half Day Dubai City Tour – Group Tour:
Sample the historic sites and vibrant cosmopolitan life of Dubai on this comprehensive tour. The Tour begins in Jumeira, the picturesque palace and residential area of Dubai, also home to the famous Jumeira Mosque. The next stop is Sheikh Saeed House (former residence of ruling family). The Tour then continues to Al Bastakiya, the old part of Dubai, to reach the museum located in Al Fahidi Fort. All guests board the Abra (water taxi) to cross the Creek to the spice souk. Before savoring the sights and sounds of the fish, fruit and vegetable market, there is time to shop in the most famous landmark of Dubai – the Gold souk. Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant.

DAY 12 – Desert Safari with dinner in the Arabian Desert – DUBAI: Thursday (BD)
Half Day Desert Safari (4 Wheel Drive):
Morning at leisure, enjoy beach activities. This tour departs in the afternoon across the desert of Dubai with several photo-stops during an exciting dune drive to the first destination a camel farm. The drive continues across the desert.

We stop to watch the beautiful sunset before reaching our campsite where you have the opportunity to do camel riding. After working up an appetite enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner and a shisha (the most famous Arabic Water pipe). We conclude the evening with a true 1001 Arabian Nights tradition and With a belly dancer performing her dance around the campfire before we head back to your hotel in Dubai or Sharja.

DAY 13 – DUBAI: Friday (B)
Breakfast is included at the hotel. Full day at leisure , to explore Dubai as you wish.

DAY 14 – DUBAI – Departure: Saturday (B)
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home. Bon Voyage!

For Easter week, Christmas, and New Year’s: please note that a 10 % supplement will apply.

Prices include:

• All transfers in Egypt & Dubai, always on a private basis: private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur
• International air fares: one way Cairo to Dubai in business class, tax included.
• All the tips for your drivers, porters, guides and the crew on board your Nile cruises.
• As well as all flight within Egypt all in business class.
• Air-conditioned hotel accommodations with tax and service charges
• Sightseeing with professional guide and entrance fees as indicated
• Meals as indicated, with pre-set menu (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
• Luxury Nile cruise, with all meals, a welcome fruit basket, complimentary bottle of water for each guest, delivered to your cabin daily while on board the cruise. As well as bottled water and tea or coffee with each meal while on board the cruise
• All shore excursions, aboard, these luxury Nile cruises: M/S Amarco, Monaco, M/S Royal Lotus M/S Mojito, Movenpick M/S Royal Lotus, Movenpick M/S Royal Lily, Movenpick M/S Radamis, Sonesta M/ S Sun Goddess, M/S Queen of Hansa, or the M/S Princess Sara, subject to availability.
• VIP Meet & Greet Service at Cairo Airport upon arrival.
• United Arab Emirates Visa Fee, as well as Egypt’s Visa fee: included and will be issued upon arrival at airports for a limited number of nationalities such as Australian, NZ, American, EU, Canadian & Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo.
• Dubai VIP Meet & Greet Service at the Airport:
  Arriving at Dubai International Airport you’ll be delighted to discover Travel in Style’s VIP Red Carpet welcome procedures: you are met by our English-speaking representative who escorts you from your plane to a comfortable air-conditioned lounge where you can freshen up and recover from your flight. While you relax, our representative completes your Immigration procedures, collects your luggage, clears it through Customs, and transfers it to your private, air-conditioned vehicle. Escorted from the lounge to your vehicle, your private chauffeur transfers you to your hotel, assisting with your luggage when you arrive. Red Carpet Treatment: that’s the Travel in Style difference.

Not included:

• Personal expenses and beverages.
• Tips.
• Additional meals and services.
• Trip interruption and cancellation insurance.