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Overview

Customized travel in Egypt

This program brings together all the highlights of Egypt: Cairo, Abu Simbel, and the valley of the Nile between Aswan and Luxor. For a little change, add an escapade in the Sinai desert followed by some R&R on the shores of the Red Sea. Throughout its long history, the Sinai desert has seen many confrontations. Between the gulfs of Suez and Aqaba, inaccessible and inhospitable mountains rise abruptly from the granite surface. Though the shores have now become busier, the area is still so arid and rocky that only a few Bedouins call it home.
During this customized trip, discover St-Catherine’s monastery, the oldest Christian monastery in the world, perched between the Sinai mountains, where the arid and sterile desert becomes holy and sacred. Having faced immense peril on numerous occasions, St-Catherine’s monastery was protected by the West during the 11th century crusades and during the rule of the Byzantine Empire. The convent, library, chapels, gardens, and other buildings are still home to the burning bush as well as numerous other icons from various eras. Even non-Christian travelers will appreciate the site’s spiritual and tranquil atmosphere. Despite its reputation as a pilgrimage site for the religious, St-Catherine’s is also where the ascent of Mount Sinai begins. Though many see it as a spiritual experience, this climb also offers absolutely stunning panorama and one of the most beautiful sunrises you will ever see in your entire life!
Who has never heard of Sharm El Sheikh? Who has never dreamed of swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Red Sea? Close to the shores, the colorful coral reefs covering the sea bottom make you feel like you are in a gigantic aquarium where fish of all kinds, from paired butterfly fish to blue-spotted groupers, go about their business as if you weren’t even there. In Egypt, luxury hotels have blossomed all along the Eastern shores of the Sinai Peninsula stretching from Naama Bay to Garden Bay. Tourists from across the world flock to this area year round to enjoy a vast array of water sports and other activities, or simply to have their every need catered to by a top quality service industry. Want a little more? Why not trade your snorkel for a scuba and try an introductory scuba diving lesson – don’t worry, you’ll be in the hands of certified instructors with years of experience. Those already familiar with this sport can enjoy a wide variety of dive sites off the coast stretching between Nuweiba and Rad Mohammed, on top of the great night dives offered here. From the shores of the Nile to the Red Sea offers the best of customized travel in Egypt: the water sports and scuba diving will please travelers looking for adventure, while those who want to relax and unwind on the beach cannot hope for a better destination.

Contact our Egypt specialist today for more information on this customized trip to Egypt!

Itinerary

Day 1| Departure from Canada
International flight

Day 2| Arrival in Cairo
Arrival at Cairo international airport. Meet our representative, pick up your luggage and then hop on a private transfer to your hotel. Dinner at own expense and overnight in hotel.

Day 3| Cairo- The Pyramids, Memphis and Saqqara
First breakfast, and then you are off for a full day of discovery, accompanied by your private driver and guide. You start the day with the famed pyramids of the Giza plateau. Watched over by the famous solitary sphinx with a lion’s body, the three great pyramids of Giza stand tall: Cheops, Khafre, and Menkaure. Entrance to one of the pyramids is included as well as lunch at a local restaurant, and there’s an optional camelback ride on the plateau. In the afternoon you visit Memphis and Sakkara, just outside Cairo. Memphis is a well-known ancient funeral site and was excavated and exhumed by the desert sands, which gradually revealed Sakkara and its necropolis. The eleven pyramids, countless mastabas and isolated Coptic monastery cover an area stretching over more than 7 km from north to south, representing more than 3500 years of Egyptian civilization. In the center of the site sits the pyramid of Djoser, the first ever built and also the first great stone monument ever erected by man. Return to hotel and dinner of your choice. Overnight at hotel. (B, L)

Day 4| Cairo – The great metropolis
Enjoy your breakfast and then it’s another full day of discovery – in Cairo. At the Museum of Egyptian antiquities, the works on display on the first floor will take you back in time, each room showcasing the beauty of a different epoch. The Tutankhamun exhibit houses over 1700 objects taken from his famous tomb, discovered west of Thebes in King’s Valley, across from the city now known as Luxor. Lunch in a local restaurant is included, after which the tour continues with a visit to the Citadel. Both a palace and an impenetrable fortress, the space inside the Citadel’s immense walls is divided into three sections. Entirely Muslim, it includes many mosques and palaces built by succeeding dynasties. The visit continues at Cairo’s most famous bazaar: Khan el-Khalili. This place was meant for traders and tourists. In its narrow alleys you can find jewels, copper artifacts, marquetry, pharaoh imitations, semi-precious stones, carpets, blown glass ornaments, and many other souvenirs. The boutiques are still organized by corporation. Go there just to stroll around, bargain, or lose yourself in this exotic market. You can follow this with a stop at the bazaar’s famous coffee shop, the al-Fichawi, to sample a tea or a coffee-flavored karkade –truly not to be missed. In the evening, you can opt for a sound and light show at the pyramids of Gaza. (B, L)

Day 5| Cairo - Abu Simbel
Breakfast is followed by a transfer to Cairo airport and your flight to Abu Simbel via Aswan. Once on site, you will be welcomed by your private driver and taken for a visit of the temples of Abu Simbel (as part of a group), complete with an English-speaking guide. The pharaoh Ramesses II built the two temples of Abu Simbel. It is dedicated to himself, to the three great Egyptian gods (Amun, Ra, and Ptah), and to his wife Nefertari. Of all the monuments built by Ramesses II, the great temple is considered the most beautiful and the most imposing. When discovered in 1817 by the Italian archeologist Giovanni Battista Belzoni, the site was almost completely buried in sand. After this visit, settle into your hotel. In the evening, you can opt for a sound and light show at the temple of Abu Simbel. Lunch and dinner at your own expense. Overnight in Abu Simbel. (B)

Day 6| Abu Simbel - Aswan (cruise begins)
Breakfast and then departure from Abu Simbel to Aswan (approx 3½ hours on the road). It is possible to complete the journey from Abu Simbel to Aswan by plane (subject to availability). Arrive in Aswan right before lunch. Your private driver will take care of you until the beginning of your cruise on the Nile, Africa’s longest river. Settle into your cabins and then enjoy lunch on the riverboat. Depending on which cruise you selected, you have the option of boarding a felucca for a tour around Elephantine island, from where you can admire Agha Khan Mausoleum. Late in the day, enjoy free time in Aswan, whose touristy yet colorful souk remains very popular. Dinner on the ship. Overnight in Aswan. (B, L, D)

Day 7| Nile cruise - Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu
Breakfast on board. In the morning join a tour group on a visit to the High Dam followed by the temple of Philae, the “Pearl of Egypt”, dedicated to the Nubian goddess Isis for over 24 centuries. This temple was built towards the end of ancient Egyptian civilization in the fourth century BC, as were all other buildings on the island: Trajan’s kiosk, Hadrian’s gate, the temple of Maat-Hathor, and the mammisi. While you enjoy your lunch, your ship will sail towards Kom Ombo, north of Aswan. In the afternoon, visit the temple of Kom Ombo in the company of your English-speaking guide (as part of a group). Erected right on the shores of the Nile, surrounded by some of Upper Egypt’s most captivating landscape, this unusual temple was dedicated to two divinities: Horus and Sobek. While the southern part of the temple is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, god of fertility and creator of the world, the other part is dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris, also known as Horus the Elder or Horus the Great. The temple’s walls and corridors are covered with reliefs, many of which still show traces of color. Dinner on board. Evening navigation towards Edfu, where the ship will spend the night. (B, L, D)

Day 8| Nile cruise - Edfu, Esna, Luxor
Breakfast on board. In the morning, discover the temple of Edfu, the Ptolemaic era’s best-preserved temple. Dedicated to the falcon god Horus, god of the city of Edfu, its buildings are perfect examples of ancient Egyptian religious architecture. At 137 meters long and columns rising to 36m, it is the largest of its kind after Karnak. Built from sandstone, its perfect dimensions bring the harmonious layout to life. Located about 180 km north of Aswan and 105 km south of Luxor on the left bank of the Nile, the site was of great importance in antiquity, as indicated by the archaic necropolis that was found here. Climb back on board and enjoy lunch while your ship takes you to Esna. Once you are past the Esna locks, the journey continues north towards Luxor (former Thebes). Dinner on board and overnight in Luxor. (B, L, D)

Day 9| Nile cruise – Luxor
After breakfast, you say goodbye to the cruise ship. Then begins a busy day of discovery of the Theban necropolis on the west bank of the Nile. This land of mystery was the domain of the god Osiris during the New Empire. Next, you visit the valley of the pharaoh Kings, whose magnificently decorated tombs tell the story of the voyage of the defunct in the hereafter. This Valley of Kings scrupulously hides its secrets…because the great pyramids built by the pharaohs during previous dynasties were too tempting for thieves. As a result, 26 sovereigns from the XVIIIth to the XXth dynasties decided to have their tombs built in this isolated valley (tombs open to the public may vary).
You will also visit Queen Hatshepsut’s surprising terraced temple, nestled at the foot of a high limestone cliff. Hatshepsut was Egypt’s greatest sovereign. Throughout her 20-year rule, marked by peace and prosperity, she succeeded in fighting off the male heirs to her throne. Partially set in the mountain, her temple is almost 40 m wide. Its rows of colonnades shaped like beehives blend in perfectly with the natural lines and bends of the mountainous backdrop. The temple of Hatshepsut represents an extension of the temple of Mentuhotep II, even though it is considerably larger. Seen from far away, the two temples come together in such a homogenous way that it is impossible to distinguish one from the other. On the way, stop to admire the Colossi of Memnon, two monumental stone statues on the road to the Theban necropolis. They are the last remains of Amenhotep III’s gigantic palace of a million years, built during the XVIIIth dynasty. Once you are back from these impressive visits, enjoy dinner in Luxor. After lunch, meet up with your English-speaking guide for an afternoon visit of the majestic temple of Karnak, dedicated to Amun, protector of the pharaohs of the New Kingdom.
The temple of Karnak was the most important place of worship in all Egypt during Thebes’ rule. The buildings of this temple complex were built, destroyed, restored, expanded, and decorated by myriad Pharaohs. The site includes a complex of sanctuaries, obelisks, and pylons dedicated to the glory of Egypt’s pharaohs. The area covered is gigantic: 1.5 km by 800 m. Impossible to describe, this immense monument must be visited in person in order for its magnitude to truly be felt. From the entrance to the walls of the temple of Amun, you will cross the processional avenue and its ram-headed sphinx, which originally lined a canal linking the temple with the Nile. At the end of the day, discover the temple of Luxor. At this time of day, the perfection of the columns of Amenhotep III is particularly highlighted. This is where the fertility of the Nile was celebrated each year during the Optet festival.
The temple of Luxor: even though its entrance is proudly guarded by triumphant statues of Ramesses II, this majestic temple was actually built by Amenhotep III. Over the years, many of Egypt’s legendary rulers, from Tutankhamun to Alexander the Great, endeavored to improve and heighten this grandiose monument’s splendor.
Return transfer to your hotel in Luxor. Free time for the rest of the day. Dinner at own expense. Overnight in Luxor. (B)
Note: not all cruises include a visit to the Valley of the Nobles and the Valley of the Queens. In such cases, it is possible to add these visits as part of a private service, or we can also suggest longer and more complete cruises.

Days 10 and 11| Luxor - Sharm El Sheikh - St-Catherine (Ascension of Mont Sinai)
After breakfast you are transferred to Luxor airport from which you board a plane to Sharm El Sheikh (via Cairo). Your private English-speaking guide will greet you at the Sharm El Sheikh airport and bring you to St-Catherine, right in the middle of the Sinai desert. Late afternoon arrival at your hotel in Ste-Catherine, after which you have some time to relax before your overnight ascension of Mount Sinai to see the sunrise the following morning. In the wee hours of the night, you embark on a difficult climb, accompanied by a Bedouin guide who speaks a little English. One of the most beautiful sunrises you have ever seen awaits you at the top: with a view of the Sinai desert, sunrise from the top of Mount Sinai is truly an unforgettable spiritual experience. Climb back down and return to your hotel for 8am for a little rest. It will be a short nap, since you’ll need to be back on the road late in the morning for a visit to St-Catherine’s monastery, at the foot of Mount Sinai. This orthodox-greek institution is the longest-standing Christian monastery in the world! Now a UNESCO world-heritage site, it is a sacred site for all three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The monastery was built at the very spot where Moses is said to have seen the burning bush; the living bush on the grounds is said to be the original. Officially, the monastery does not accept visitors over the weekend. The church, library, and gallery are also often closed (depending on how your stay in Egypt is planned, this visit is therefore not guaranteed). After the monastery, you will be taken back to your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh. This is where begins your downtime on the Red Sea. Overnight in hotel. (B, L, D)

Days 12 and 13| Sharm El-Sheikh
Both breakfasts will be enjoyed at your hotel. Then you have the whole day to relax and enjoy Sharm El Sheikh. This is meant to be the Sinai’s finest resort town. Many visitors from foreign lands come here every year to spend their vacations. Sharm El-Sheikh has two main bays: Naama Bay and Shark Bay. Even though they are 6 km apart, the area and other bays like Tiger Bay and Gardens Bay are developing so fast that they will soon all feel very close to one another. The long, fine sandy beaches once attracted the Israelis living in the peninsula before the Egyptians recovered this part of the Sinai. Since then, the small town developed very fast, so that tourists now come here in droves to enjoy the area’s unmistakable charm. Lunch and dinner at own expense. Overnight in hotel. (B)

Day 14| Sharm El-Sheikh - Cairo
Breakfast at your hotel followed by some leisure time before your transfer to Sharm El-Sheikh airport for your return flight back to Cairo. Private transfer accompanied by English-speaking staff from Cairo airport to your hotel at Heliopolis close to the airport. Last night in Egypt! (B)

Day 15| Departure from Cairo
Breakfast and, depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Cairo airport and for your return flight. International flight. (B)

Symbols: (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner

Budget

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Lodging

Overview

From tradition to modernity, Egypt is a country which has succeeded in creating a present that is as fascinating as its past. Since the end of the nineteenth century, Egypt has been evolving at a very high speed. Its political, economical and cultural life has undergone striking changes. From the inscription of the first hieroglyph to the construction of the new hi-tech Smart Village, Egypt has always been a pioneer on the frontier for emerging information technologies in the Arab world.

Geography

Located at the crossroads of Africa, Asia and Europe, Egypt is built around the Nile Valley, a very fertile land bordering the river and bounded by 2 seas : the Mediterranean Sea (to the north) and the Red Sea (to the east). The thin area on either side of the Nile was historically where 90% of the population settled. To the east of the valley is the Arabian Desert, bounded by a high ridge of mountains. To the west is the Libyan Desert which stretches across the top of North Africa.

The demarcation line in Cairo, the capital city, separates Lower Egypt (everything north of Cairo) from Upper Egypt (everything to the south). To the east, across the Suez Canal is the triangular wedge of Sinai with Mt Sinai and Mt Catherine, the highest mountain in Egypt (2642m).

Culture

With 72,000,000 inhabitants, Egypt represents one quarter of the population of the Arab world. The city of Cairo itself counts about 16,000,000 people. The Egyptian population is composed of people from various origins. Most Egyptians originate from Ancient Egypt and the Nile Valley. Others come from the Arabic and Levantine descents and the Nubians of Upper Egypt.

Climate

During the summer, from March to November, the climate is hot and dry in most of the country. December to February can be quite cold in the north. The sky is usually blue and cloudless. The temperature varies considerably in Egypt. It can be extremely hot during the day and very cold at night, especially in the desert. It rains more often in Alexandria than in Aswan and Cairo. During the early days of the spring season, a hot wind called "Khamasin" blows in from the western desert at up to 150 km/h.