An 11-Day Grand Tour Including Tel Al-Amarna
Cairo • Giza • El Minya • Tel Al Amarna • Abu Simnbel Temples
Aswan • Esna • Edfu • Kom Ombo • Deir El Medina
Here’s the best of Egypt in a grand private 11-day tour: a good look at Cairo and a 5-day cruise along the Nile, locally escorted. Choose your own date – Tour starts DAILY in Cairo, year round. The itinerary may need to be reorganized based on the Nile cruise availability at the time of booking. Private Egyptologist even in Abu Simbel, El MInya, Tel Al-Amarna and for all your Nile cruise shore excursions covering: Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan, and Deir El Medina Ancient Workers Village.
DAY 1: CAIRO Tour Starts DAILY in Cairo – Arrive any day of the week
Arrive at Cairo Airport where our local representative will greet you at the airport and whisk you to your hotel. Visa fee is included and will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport.
VIP Meet & Greet Upon arrival at Cairo Airport
Visa issued locally in Cairo (for a limited number of nationalities) no photos required. Our representative greets you at the airport and whisks you to your hotel. Visa will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number of citizens such as: American, Australian, NZ, EU, Canadian, EU Singaporean and 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. Our local rep. will meet you with a sign that carries your name, and will be waiting for you with the prepaid visa stamps to proceed to the passports control to stamp your passports and then you claim your luggage. After you clear the passport and customs formalities and exit the terminal, our local representative will escort you by private vehicle to the hotel. Welcome fruit basket & Egyptian pastry awaits you in your room with our compliments.
DAY 2: Giza – Dahshour (BL)
After breakfast we drive to Giza and the mysteries of the Pyramids and Sphinx, for interested guests: enjoy the usual photo opportunity riding a camel with the Pyramids and the Sphinx in the background with our compliments, and then we will tour the Museum of the Royal Barge of Cheops. The museum is built over the rectangular pit that housed the Royal Barge for thousands of years, the wooden boat was readied for the king’s daily journey with the sun god, Ra. Discovered in 1954, in a completely dismantled state, the 43-metre (140-foot) cedar boat is a rare window on the Royal boats used by the kings of Ancient Egypt. We are glad to include as well the entrance fee to get inside the Great Pyramid, with our compliments, if interested, please read this first:
Getting to it is challenging, and once you enter, it is very difficult to turn back. The stone passage is only wide enough for one person. You must be in good physical condition, able to climb several flights of stairs, bend double, crouch and duck-walk for short distances. The King’s Chamber itself is the world’s most claustrophobic place, with dim light and heavy, hot, oxygen-poor air. There is no ventilation. If you are at all sensitive to claustrophobia or confinement, or if you have any sort of respiratory condition, for your own safety and the safety of others, you must not enter the pyramid because it is impossible to remove a person or to bring aid to them quickly, lunch is included at the Mena House.
Entrance to the Red Pyramid in Dashour.
By Kurohito [CC BY-SA 3.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
Dahshour:
We’ll motor to the edge of Cairo, to Dahshour, the pyramid field south of Cairo. We will visit the great pyramid of Senfru, father of Cheops, and other structures.
The “Discovery” of Dahshour: For almost half a century, the great field of huge pyramids near the desert village of Dahshour, 25 miles south of Cairo, has been off limits to the public. Confined within the perimeter of a military base were many pyramids, including the great 4500-year-old pyramid built by Senfru, father of Cheops. Senfru’s pyramid, the largest in Egypt until his son built Giza’s Great Pyramid, is rhomboidal in shape: it tapers more distinctly on its upper half. All the pyramids were coated in thick plaster at one time. Most have lost these protective, decorative sheaths, but Senfru’s–miraculously–is still in place, we stop at El-Haraniya before we head back to your hotel.
DAY 3: CAIRO (BL)
Your exploration of this ancient city begins today! First stop is the Egyptian Museum, with its treasures of the ancient pharaohs: mummies pavilion, King Tut’s Gold Treasures Pavilion, statuary, precious stones and metals. After lunch a charming local restaurant. We will also stop at the Citadel of Saladin and the Alabaster Mosque followed by a walking tour of Khan El Khalili and Muezzledeenallah ancient bazaar districts.
DAY 4: CAIRO – Tel El Amarna – El Minya (BLD)
After breakfast we head to Cairo railway station to board the train for El-Minya about 245 kilometers south of Cairo (3-4 hours ride). Depending on the season we may use an air-conditioned vehicle. You will be escorted from Cairo by a private Egyptologist for Tel El Amarna and El Minya tour.
Tel Al Amarna (Tel El-Amarna): For Egyptians this provincial El Minya capital marks the divide between Upper and Lower Egypt. This is a special tour to the capital of Nefertiti and Akhenaton kingdom during their bloodless religious revolution to escape from the ever growing power of the church – then of the might Amon-Ra. Lunch box and bottled water, prepared by your hotel in Cairo, is included.
Upon arrival we proceed to Beni Hassan (20 Kilometers south of El Minya) to tour the ancient tombs necropolis, with a commanding view from a superb location overlooking the Nile Valley and the Nile River.
The tombs, which are cut into the cliffs, mostly date from the 11th and 12th dynasties about 2000 years BC. Most of the tombs are unfinished. When Akhenaton died, the whole capital moved back again to Luxor, and the old powerful grip of Amon-Ra Chief god priests. They declared Akhenaton a heretic and all the work on the tombs in Beni Hassan was abandoned.
We can’t guarantee which tomb will be open on any given day, but samples include tombs of Kheti and Amenemhat. After which you can wander among the desolate ruins of Tel El Amarana, the Ancient Capital of the self-exiled Pharaoh Akhenaton and his queen Nefertiti.
Dinner and overnight at a 3 star modest hotel (there are no 4 or 5 stars accommodations in El Minya). Private touring as usual. Depending on your comfort level, driving conditions, traffic etc., we may have to tour Tuna El Gabal Necropolis tomorrow.
DAY 5: El Minya – Cairo (BL)
Depending on your comfort level, driving conditions, traffic etc., we may tour Tuna El Gabal Necropolis yesterday or today. Before we head back to Cairo by train or private air conditioned vehicle and your hotel in Cairo, the remainder of the day is at leisure. Lunch is included today. As always, your private Egyptologist will be with you on the train (First class of course) or your private air-conditioned vehicle for the ride back to Cairo from El Minya.
DAY 6: ASWAN, ABU SIMBEL – Ramses the Great – Master Builder of All Times. Camel Caravan! (BLD)
We fly to Aswan (or Luxor) and connect to Abu Simbel, where your private guide, private air-conditioned vehicle and private chauffeur will be waiting for you.
Ramses the Great’s huge desert temple at Abu Simbel marked the southern border of the pharaoh’s dominions. Rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser by an international effort, it is a marvel of sacred engineering. Twice a year, and only then the sun penetrates to the Holy of Holies, illuminating the stone figures of Ramses and Nefertari. Group tour exploring the two huge temple, admire their ancient aura and artistry.
Fly back to Aswan and board our Nile cruiser in time for a delicious lunch. Complimentary welcome fruit basket awaits you in your cabin. In the afternoon we enjoy a leisurely sail by graceful felucca on the Nile. Only for those who are interested: a short camel caravan to visit a local Nubian Village. Private touring in Abu Simbel, Aswan and your cruise shore excursions.
Abu Simbel.
By GT1976 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
First we tour new Nubian Museum then the awesome Aswan dams, and next an ancient granite quarry complete with an unfinished obelisk. Then we go by motor launch to the Island temple of Philae, dedicated to the Ancient Goddess ISIS.
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!
Because of her wisdom and skill at protection, she was admired as a good magician capable of healing the sick and protecting the dead in their journey to the Underworld. Isis is portrayed regally, as a queen seated on a throne (which may be the meaning of her name), often holding her son Horus as a baby. Other images show her with broad, magnificent gilded wings able to protect the world. Isis, the great Mother Goddess. Come explore her mystery in timeless Egypt when you Travel in Style!
Re-embarking on our Nile cruiser, we sail downstream to Kom Ombo to visit its twin temples. Private touring for your cruise shore excursions.
DAY 8: EDFU – on Board Your Nile Cruise (BLD)
We moor in Edfu, climb aboard horse-drawn carriages, and clip-clop through the town to the Temple of Horus, Egypt’s best-preserved temple. Re-embarking. Evening finds us in Luxor. In the evening your guide will call on your for a horse drawn carriage ride throughout Luxor souks and water front. Private Egyptologist for all the Nile cruise shore excursions.
Edfu Temple
DAY 9: LUXOR – On Board Your Nile Cruise (BLD)
We tour today as well the magnificent tombs in the Valley of the Kings, including Tutankaomn’s tomb, and the great temple of Queen Hatshepsut, we stop at the Colossi of Memnon on the way back to our cruise.
Afterward, we’ll continue on Luxor’s west bank to 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.
DAY 10: LUXOR – CAIRO – Home Hosted Family Dinner (B)
The gigantic Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, and the mighty Temple of Luxor are our goals in the morning, followed by a return flight to Cairo. In the afternoon, wander through the city on your own, or do your last minute shopping.
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, if you prefer, you may enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.
DAY 11: CAIRO – Departure (B)
Our representative escorts you to the airport for your homeward flight.
| Rates per person in USD: | |||
| Deluxe A | Deluxe B | First Class | |
| Triple Occupancy | US$ 3725.00 | US$ 3505.00 | US$ 3210.00 |
| Double | US$ 3985.00 | US$ 3775.00 | US$ 3345.00 |
| Single | US$ 5599.00 | US$ 5080.00 | US$ 4720.00 |
| For Dec 15 – Jan 3 and Easter, please add 10% supplement to any of the listed rates. | |||
Rates includes:
- All domestic airfares in Egypt with tax.
- All transfers in Egypt based on private basis, private air-conditioned vehicle and private chauffeur.
- Hotel accommodation with tax & service charges, based on your choice as listed.
- A complimentary home hosted family dinner in Cairo.
- Bottled water (one per person) delivered to your cabin daily while you are on board the cruise.
Tea or coffee/bottled water with each meal while on board the cruise. - Nile Cruise with all meals, one large bottle water (per person) daily while on board the cruise & a welcome fruit basket.
- All the shore excursions while on board the Nile cruise with a private Egyptologist, private air-conditioned vehicle and private chauffeur.
- Preset menu meals including B = Breakfast, (or cB, Continental Breakfast) L = Lunch, D = Dinner.
- All guided sightseeing as per itinerary including all entrance fees, private guide even for Abu Simblel, El Minya and while on cruise shore excursions.
- VIP Meet & Greet Service Upon Arrival At Cairo Airport
Visa issued locally in Cairo (for a limited number of nationalities) no photos required. Our representative greets you at the airport and whisks you to your hotel. Visa will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number of citizens such as: American, Australian, NZ, EU, Canadian, EU Singaporean and Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order valid at least for 6 months beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo. Our local rep. will meet you with a sign that carries your name, and will be waiting for you with the prepaid visa stamps to proceed to the passports control to stamp your passports and then you claim your luggage. After you clear the passport and customs formalities and exit the terminal, our local representative will escort you by private vehicle to the hotel. Welcome fruit basket & Egyptian pastry awaits you in your room with our compliments.
Not included:
- International airfares to or from Cairo
- Tips
- Travel Insurance
Deluxe – A
- Cairo Hotels: Conrad / Hyatt / Cairo Marriott or similar.
- Nile Cruise: M/S Monaco, M/S Mojito, M/S Queen of Hansa or similar
Deluxe – B
- Cairo Hotels: Hilton, Sheraton or similar
- Nile Cruise: M/S Lady Diana, M/S Florence, MS Princess Sara, or similar
First Class
- Cairo Hotels: Oases or similar
- Nile Cruise: M/S Nile Dream, M/S Ruby, or similar
Photo credit (top of page): AndreyPopov, bigstock.com
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