EGYPT: Splendours of Egypt Tour - 11 days
Egypt Tour Summary
This is the perfect classic introduction to Egypt. Be in awe of the plethora of UNESCO Heritage-listed sites and experience enchanting Egypt and the Nile’s most wondrous sites in style and luxury. Marvel at the ancient pyramids of Giza and the iconic Sphinx. Explore the famous Egyptian Museum and it’s amazing and unrivalled collection of priceless pharaonic artifacts including treasures recovered from the tomb of King Tutankhamun. Enjoy a 4-night luxury Nile cruise, taking in the renowned and illustrious historical sights of Upper Egypt and be captivated by both the East and West Bank to see the Valley of the Kings, the ancient burial grounds of Egyptian royalty, the Temple of Karnak and the immense Aswan High Dam. Be captivated and wowed every day on this amazing journey
Destinations: EGYPT: Cairo, Alexandra, Nile River Cruise, Aswan
Tour Commences In: Cairo
Tour Concludes In: Cairo
Number of Days: 11 days / 10 nights
Style: Luxury Journey:
Accommodation: Luxury & Boutique Hotels & Luxury River Cruise
Meals: Breakfasts; 10: Lunches; 5: Dinners; 6:
Leaders: Professional expert guide
Transportation: Luxury private chauffeur driven air-conditioned vehicles, Luxury River Cruise and a domestic flight
Tour Grading: Moderate: Suitable for travellers with an average level of fitness and mobility
Egypt Bespoke Tour Highlights
A fabulous curated itinerary for Boutique Journeys
Wonder around the amazing catacomb and the Library of Alexandria
Visit the imposing citadel fortress of Qaitbay
Discover the beautiful Montazah Palace & gardens
Visit El Alamein and Commonwealth Tombs
Be in awe of the Great Pyramids of Giza
Stroll through Egyptian Museum in Cairo
Walk the amazing Step pyramid of Sakkara & visit the nearby old capital including Memphis Pyramids
Learn about Egyptian life at the Citadel of Salah El Din Al-Ayoubi Castle and Mohamed Ali Mosque
Mingle with the locals in old Cairo and the Khan El Khalily Souk
Visit the high dam with the unfinished Obelisk
Explore the remarkable Philae Temple in Aswan
Visit the wonderful Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples
Discover the fascinating Valley of the Kings and the intricately designed tombs
Walk the Incredible Temples of Hatshepsut and Karnak in Luxor
Enjoy five nights in Cairo
One night in Alexandria
Four nights on board Nile River Luxury Cruise Boat
Bespoke Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Thursday: Cairo:
Welcome to Cairo. Upon your arrival will be greeted by our representative and assisted with your visa and customs formalities. You will then be transferred to your luxury hotel located in Pyramids area.
Day 2: Friday: Cairo: (Pyramids, Sakkara & Memphis) (B/L)
After breakfast your private Egyptologist tour guide and driver will meet you in your hotel lobby to begin your tour. Drive to Giza and visit the Pyramids. See the Great Pyramid, a royal burial chamber and the Sphinx. Continue to Memphis, capital of the pharaohs during the Old Kingdom. Visit the recumbent statue of Ramses II and the 80-ton alabaster sphinx. We offer a camel ride in around Pyramids. Following lunch, continue onto Sakkara to see the prototype of the Pyramids, the Step Pyramid that was built for the 3rd Dynasty pharaoh Djoser by the exalted architect Imhotep. Visit a Papyrus and Carpets Institute on your way back to the hotel. This evening is on your own.
Day 3: Saturday: Cairo – Alexandria: (B/L)
Drive north to Alexandria. On arrival into Alexandria with visit El Montazah gardens where you will have the opportunity to see, from outside only, The Montazah palace; originally built in 1892, the palace dates from 1926 and was the summer home of the Egyptian Royal family.
Then continue to the Catacomb (Kom El Shuqqafa), a remarkable example of the Alexandrian blend of Greco-Roman and Egyptian styles carved into 100ft of solid rock.
After lunch visit the Fort and Citadel of Qait Bey. Built in the 15th century by sultan Ashraf Qait Bey, legend tells the fort was built with stones from the Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It now houses a navel museum.
Next stop, visit the newly opened Library of Alexandria. Apart from the main library, the complex includes a library for the blind, a young people's library, the Alexandria Conference Center, a science museum, a planetarium, a Restoration and Conservation Laboratory, and the Hall of Fame. Later transfer to your hotel. Evening at leisure.
Day 4: Sunday: Alexandria – Alamein – Cairo: (B/L)
Following breakfast at your hotel, continue by road onto El Alamein and visit the Museum & commonwealth tombs. After lunch return back to Cairo. Overnight at your hotel in Cairo.
Day 5: Monday: Cairo – Luxor – East Bank: (Karnak & Luxor Temple) (B/L/D)
This morning depart Cairo by air to Luxor for embarkation on your Nile Cruise. In the afternoon you will visit the great Luxor Temple and the magnificent Karnak Temple of Amun with its famous Hypostyle Hall and the 134 huge columns, the Statue of Ramses II, the Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut and the Sacred Lake.
Day 6: Tuesday: Luxor – West Bank: (Valley of the kings, Hatshepsut, Memnon) (B/L/D)
Today, your sightseeing in Luxor includes the West Bank (Thebes) where some of the richest treasures in the world exists, including the Tomb of Tut Ankh Amun (optional) and other royal tombs including Ramses VI in the Valley of the Kings. You will be able to visit some of these tombs. Visit Hatshepsut funerary temple at Dier El Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. Later visit Gold Institute along the way. Back to the cruise for lunch. In the afternoon you will sail through the locks of Esna to Edfu and dinner on board.
Day 7: Wednesday: Cruise Nile River: (Edfu & Kom-Ombo) (B/L/D)
Visit the Horus Temple of Edfu this morning, one of the three beautiful temples of the Ptolemaic Period. Sail to Kom Ombo, where you will visit the Sobek Temple, dedicated to the two gods, which offers beautiful murals and reliefs. Sail onto Aswan.
Day 8: Thursday: Aswan: (Felucca Boat Ride & Nubian Village) (B/L/D)
Breakfast and free morning at leisure. In the afternoon, sail on a traditional Egyptian felucca around Elephantine Island, the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener Island and the Agha Khan Mausoleum. Later visit the Nubian village.
Day 9: Friday: Aswan: (High Dam, Philae, Unfinished Obelisk)/ Cairo (B)
After breakfast, disembark from the ship, visit the High Dam, and the Granite Quarries and the Philae Temple.
You will be transferred to Aswan airport for your flight to Cairo, upon arrival you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
Day 10: Saturday: Cairo: (Egyptian Museum, Citadel & Old Cairo) (B/L)
After breakfast visit the Egyptian Museum. This houses a magnificent collection of Pharaonic antiquities, especially the golden treasures of Tut Ankh Amun. Continue to visit the citadel of Salah El Din, and the Mohammed Ali Mosque situated high above the city, lunch en-route. Continue to visit the Church of Abu Serga, Moallaqa Church (Hanging Church) and Ben Ezra Synagogue, the oldest Jewish synagogue in Egypt. Visit a Perfume Institute on your way back to the hotel. Evening at leisure.
Day 11: Sunday: Depart Cairo: (B)
Your bespoke private tour concludes after breakfast.
At your leisure before transferring to the airport for your onward or homebound journey.
Depending on your departure itinerary, you may have time for some last-minute sightseeing and shopping. We are able to organise a private guide to accompany you. Some guests may wish to stay another day or more. Please don’t hesitate to contact Boutique Tours & Travel for further travel arrangements.
Our specially curated itineraries are carefully planned and well thought out to ensure you are rewarded with the best experiences. The magic of travelling in private tours allows us to cater for spontaneity and sometimes we often find some wonderful surprises along the way and it can be these unplanned occurrences that are the most memorable. The rich tapestry of experiences and the characters you meet along the way will make this guided private tour something special and one you will remember for a lifetime.
Please Contact Us for further information.
Flexibility
The itinerary may be flexible, sometimes due to weather or sometimes for sites or events which guests may wish to see. If there is something not included in this suggested itinerary that you would like to do or see, please contact us to discuss if it is possible.
Tour Inclusions
A specially curated itinerary for Boutique Journeys
Airport Meet and Greet with transfers for all arriving guests
Airport transfers for all guests departing
Domestic Economy Class Flight – Cairo / Luxor – Aswan / Cairo
Hand selected Luxury Modern & Boutique hotel accommodation
Luxury 4-night cruise
Internet Access where possible
Meals as indicated in Itinerary; B = Breakfast: L = Lunch: D = Dinner:
Private services of a professional bilingual Egyptologist Guide
Concierge / Bellhop Services throughout tour
24 hour on call support service
Luxury private air-conditioned vehicles for all your transportation
Porterage, tipping and gratuities, except to guide
Entrance fees for all sightseeing as per itinerary
Bottled water whilst touring in vehicle
Not Included
International and or Domestic air fares
Arrival / Departure Taxes, levies and other charges
Passport and visa fees
Excess baggage charges
Cost of any ‘luggage delivery’ via FedEx or postal service
Personal travel insurance
Porterage, tipping and gratuities
Meals not included
Alcoholic beverages
Personal expenses
Egypt Country Information
Accommodation:
All our hand selected hotels are excellent Luxury Modern and Boutique hotels. We highly recommend our hotels as they have excellent services and facilities. All rooms have modern facilities, private bathrooms with double and twin beds. Your cruise boat is a luxury vessel.
Booking Form:
Please contact us to receive a Booking Form. enquiries@boutiquetours.com.au
Climate & Clothing:
The climate of Egypt is characterized by a hot season from May to October and a cool season from October to May. Extreme temperatures during both seasons are moderated by the prevailing northern winds. In the coastal region average annual temperatures range from a maximum of 37° C (99° F) to a minimum of 14° C (57° F). The general rule is to bring comfortable clothing including lightweight cottons. Comfortable walking shoes are essential as is a light waterproof jacket. Please Note that you cannot wear shorts or mini-skirts to mosques
Currency & Money Matters:
The official currency of Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). The symbol used for the EGP is E£ or in Arabic ( ج.م). The Egyptian Pound is subdivided into smaller currency denomination known as qirsh or millimes. 1 EGP = 100 qirsh = 1000 millimes.
ATMs:
You will find ATMs at all major cities in Egypt except in remote areas. Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus, Maestro, and Eurocard are the most commonly accepted cash cards; American Express is slightly scarcer.
Electricity:
For Egypt there are two associated plug types C and F. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Egypt operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Insurance:
You must obtain Comprehensive Travel Insurance as a condition of travelling with Boutique Tours & Travel. We recommend that you purchase insurance at the time of Booking. BT&T can arrange this for you if required.
Language:
Egypt's official language is Modern Standard Arabic, which is used in most written documents and schools. However, Modern Standard Arabic mostly describes the literary form of Arabic, which is actually a macrolanguage composed of multiple distinct vernacular dialects. English and French are also spoken.
Meals: The Egyptian eatery is a mixture of Mediterranean and local cuisine. Legumes, vegetables and fruit from Egypt's rich Nile Valley and Delta. It shares similarities with the food of the Eastern Mediterranean region, such as rice-stuffed vegetables, grape leaves, shawerma, kebab and kofta. Examples of Egyptian dishes include ful medames, mashed fava beans; kushari, lentils and pasta; and molokhiya, bush okra stew. Pita bread, known locally aseish baladi is a staple of Egyptian cuisine, and cheesemaking in Egypt dates back to the First Dynasty of Egypt, with domty being the most popular type of cheese consumed today. Our hotels offer a wonderful selection at their buffet breakfasts and occasional dinners.
Medical Services & Facilities:
Our hotels have access to a doctor if required. They can also assist guests with purchasing of medicine. The international hospitals in Egypt are good and have western trained medical and surgical specialists. Dental care is also available.
We suggest you bring sufficient prescription medications. You may not find the same medications in Egypt.
Passports & Visas:
A Visa will be organised on your arrival. Please ensure your passport is valid for longer than six months and has 2 or more blank pages.
Payment :
Please contact us regrading payment. enquiries@boutiquetours.com.au
Pre & Post Tour Accommodation:
Boutique Tours & Travel suggests that you may like to arrive a day before the start of your tour to allow time to relax and refresh. You are also very welcome to linger longer after the tour is completed.
Religion: The majority religion is Islam, of which the Sunnis are the largest sect. The 1971 constitution declares Islam to be the state religion. According to official estimates, 90% of the population are Muslim and 8% to 10% are Christian, with the Coptic Orthodox Church being the largest Christian denomination.
Safety & Security:
Visitors to Egypt are often pleasantly surprised by the friendliness of the most Egyptians, who will go out of their way to assist and happily spend time chatting.
But like any country anywhere, there are those who are of ill repute and target tourist, so please be on high alert at all times.
Time Zone:
Egypt is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time ( GMT+2 ).
Tipping:
We understand that some of our guests are not familiar with tipping so any gratuities (eg to waiters, bellhops etc) are taken care of as part of your fee but if you wish to Tip individually please do so. Gratuities & tips to Guide & Driver would gratefully be received. Thank you
Transport:
We use luxury vehicles for all journeys. We also walk and catch local transport where and when it’s suitable.
Water & Beverages:
Our hotels offer bottled water is included in vehicles. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are not included in the cost of this tour.
