Desert Buffet
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Overview
At the time it’s super funny to sing Walk Like an Egyptian and pose with your arms out. But when you get home you'll realise those photos are lamer than the fact that Cleopatra had to marry both her brothers.
(Was Backroads of Egypt)
Itinerary
Day 1-2 - Cairo - Pyramids - Sphinx
You want history? You got it. Pyramids of Giza. Valley Temple of King Khafre. Half-man half-lion (aka the Sphinx). King Tut’s mask. You’ll sleep well tonight.
Day 1
- Arrive in Cairo, or as the locals call it: "the Mother of the World", and get acquainted with the city
Day 2
- Take a trip to the celebrated Egyptian Museum
- See the golden mask of King Tutankhamun and numerous other treasures
- Drive out to the edge of the desert to explore the pyramids and the nearby Sphinx
- Visit the beautiful Valley Temple of King Khafre (Chephren)
- Embark on a night train bound for Aswan
BreakfastDay 3 - White Desert
Feta, fried chicken and baba ghanoush are just the beginning of your desert feast. Take a walk at sunset followed by some star gazing (if you spot the Southern Cross, you're doing it wrong).
- Jump into a jeep and set off into the Western Desert
- Stop for a picnic lunch at the oasis of Farafra
- If it's hot enough, perhaps take a swim in a natural spring
- Enjoy a sunset walk in this surreal landscape
- Spend the night camping under the desert stars
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4-5 - Dakhla
Ever wanted to ride a camel into the desert and dance around a campfire to Arabic pop music with a belly full of fried chicken? Now's your chance.
Day 4
- Visit the medieval mud-brick town of Al Qasr
- Explore Al Qasr's timeless streets and view the old school, an ancient olive press and the granary
- Stop by the little Ethnographic Museum
- Camp overnight at a rustic camp in reed huts
- Indulge in a traditional meal and enjoy a night of music and dancing around the campfire
Day 5
- Head out in jeeps to explore the nearby dunes
- Take a rest stop at some hot springs
- Spend an afternoon relaxing while you wait for the heat of the day to pass
- Set off through the desolate, windswept landscape on camels in the late afternoon
- Spend the night under the stars at the great escarpment
- Sleep in a communal tent with Bedouin friends, or outside on mats
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 6 - Al Kharga - Baris
Not the most fascinating place you’ll see on this trip, but it is the place where we say goodbye to our Bedouin pals. Sob.
- Perhaps visit the Christian burial ground at Al Bagawat
- Drive on to Baris Oasis for a final night of fun and friendship with our Bedouin companions
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 7-8 - Luxor
Ride a donkey into the Valley of the Kings at sunset; chances are his great-great-great-great-grand-donkey helped carry the stone blocks to the pyramids.
Day 7
- Arrive in Luxor and perhaps browse the extensive bazaar (great for shopaholics)
- Optional visit to Karnak Temple – one of Egypt’s greatest temple complexes.
Day 8
- Set off on a sunrise donkey ride to the Valley of the Kings
- Explore the Valley of the Kings and enjoy view from the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Return to the east bank and spend free time exploring the town further
- Why not head to the bazaar or relax in a coffee shop
BreakfastDay 9 - Aswan
Everyone here runs on Africa time, so you might as well throw out your watch. The Nubian bazaar is the place for all your beaded jewellery (and if you took the watch thing seriously, you can get a shiny new Rollecks for about six bucks).
- Explore Aswan's Nubian bazaar that snakes through the back streets of time
- Set off on an optional sailboat ride around the islands
- Spend free time relaxing on the riverfront watching felucca sailboats
BreakfastDay 10-12 - Abu Simbel - Felucca Cruise
Everything after Abu Simbel will be an anti-climax. It's that good. We spend a couple of days cruising down the Nile to help you wrap your head around it.
Day 10
- Travel to Abu Simbel, one of the most impressive temples ever built
- Take a tour of the site, one of the highlights of Egypt, and later return to Aswan
- Board a Nile Cruise boat and spend time sleeping, relaxing, reading or enjoying the sundeck
Days 11-12
- Visit the Temple of Sobek, a classically-ruined Greco-Roman temple
- Enjoy a slower pace of life whilst floating down the Nile
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 13 - Luxor
Karnak Temple is like history on steroids. Everything is dramatic, exaggerated and completely OTT. It's the biggest religious site ever built and stretches over 2km, so you might want something a little sturdier than thongs.
- Continue cruising towards Edfu, and take in some timeless scenes of life on the Nile
- Stop at Edfu to explore the well-preserved Temple of Horus
- Set off on a bus ride to Luxor
- Take a final tour of Luxor's bazaar
- Board a night train bound for Cairo
Breakfast | DinnerDay 14-15 - Cairo
Hit Khan al-Khalili bazaar and show those stallholders who's boss. Perfume, jewellery, clothes and the obligatory belly dancing costume are all waiting to be haggled over.
Day 14
- Enjoy free time after arriving back in Cairo and perhaps indulge in a final group dinner
Day 15
- The trip ends today after breakfast
Breakfast -
What to Know
What's Included
An experienced English-speaking local tour guide, all transportation, 3 night felucca sail with an amenities boat, accommodation, meals and sightseeing as indicated.
Not Included
- International flights, arrival & departure transfers, visas, airport taxes, additional meals, drinks, optional sightseeing tours, insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.
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Map
Map Itinerary
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Dates
Trip Dates and Prices
Start Date – End Date Trip Status Price 25 May 2013 - 08 Jun 2013 7+ Request US $1,395On Sale Sale: US $1,047 Book Now 03 Aug 2013 - 17 Aug 2013 7+ Available US $1,230On Sale Sale: US $923 Book Now 31 Aug 2013 - 14 Sep 2013 7+ Available US $1,395On Sale Sale: US $1,047 Book Now 14 Sep 2013 - 28 Sep 2013 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now 28 Sep 2013 - 12 Oct 2013 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now 26 Oct 2013 - 09 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now 23 Nov 2013 - 07 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now 07 Dec 2013 - 21 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now 21 Dec 2013 - 04 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now 04 Jan 2014 - 18 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now 18 Jan 2014 - 01 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $1,230 Book Now 01 Feb 2014 - 15 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $1,230 Book Now 15 Feb 2014 - 01 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $1,230 Book Now 01 Mar 2014 - 15 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now 15 Mar 2014 - 29 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now 29 Mar 2014 - 12 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now 12 Apr 2014 - 26 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now 26 Apr 2014 - 10 May 2014 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now 10 May 2014 - 24 May 2014 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now 24 May 2014 - 07 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now 07 Jun 2014 - 21 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now 21 Jun 2014 - 05 Jul 2014 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now -
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