Not just Nile
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Overview
Apparently, there’s a traditional Bedouin recipe where a camel is stuffed with a whole lamb, the lamb is stuffed with 20 chickens and the chickens are stuffed with eggs and rice. It’s kinda like the Bedouin version of a babushka doll. Don’t try it at home.
(Was Egypt Encompassed)
Itinerary
Day 1-2 - Cairo
After all those years of learning about Egypt’s history in school and all those overly-dramatic BBC documentaries, you’ll finally get to see the pyramids and sphinx for real.
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)
BreakfastDay 3 - White Desert
Take a jeep into the desert with your trusty Bedouin crew behind the wheel. It can get cold in the winter months so don't forget your thermals - we doubt your tent mates would want to share.
- 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
The camp at Dakhla is pretty basic but it's only for one night. Then it's back in the saddle for a camel ride to our next camp.
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
One thing you'll notice about the Bedouin men - they're not afraid to grab an instrument and dance their hearts out around the campfire. Settle in and enjoy the show.
- 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 - Valley of the Kings
It's a long drive to Luxor, but you'll get free time to shop at the bazaar and visit Karnak Temple. Add donkeys to your 'weird modes of transport' list, because you'll be riding them into the Valley of the Kings.
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
If your name is Captain Cook, Ricky Ponting, Princess Kate or Hey You Pretty Lady, then you've come to the right place. Every stallholder in the bazaar will be shouting names at you in an attempt to reel you in.
- 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 Simel - Felucca Cruise
On a felucca you'll sit, eat, sleep, play cards, gossip, read and listen to music all in the same place. There's no motor, no toilet (it lives on the little 'amenities boat' behind us) and no hurry. We'll get there in our own sweet time.
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 13-15 - Luxor - Cairo - Sinai
Off the boat and into the car. Out of the car and onto the train. Off the train and back in the car. Out of the car and into bed. They don't call it travelling for nothing.
Day 13
- 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
Day 14
- Enjoy a completely free day to enjoy Cairo as you please
Day 15
- Drive from Cairo and spend the night in a bungalow-style hotel near Mt. Sinai
Breakfast | DinnerDay 16-18 - Mt Sinai - Dahab
Its an early start if you want to climb Mt Sinai. Apparently this is where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Try not to take the lord's name in vain when you see the beach at Dahab.
Day 16
- Option of setting off between 2-3am to hike Mt Sinai and watch the sun rise over the peninsula
- Continue to Dahab, a laid-back travellers haunt on the Gulf of Aqaba
Days 17-18
- Spend free time in Dahab snorkelling, windsurfing or perhaps set off on a day dive (if you have a PADI certificate)
- Opportunities for another desert jeep safari or a camel ride along the beach
BreakfastDay 19-20 - Sinai - Cairo
One of our favourite things to do in Cairo is find a hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop and enjoy a 40c feast. Falafel, fuul and all sorts of yummy goodies are thrown into some flatbread and wrapped up in butcher's paper. Lunch sorted.
Day 19
- Arrive back in Cairo and perhaps enjoy a final group dinner
Day 20
- 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 and 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 - 13 Jun 2013 7+ Request US $1,995On Sale Sale: US $1,497 Book Now 03 Aug 2013 - 22 Aug 2013 7+ Available US $1,760On Sale Sale: US $1,320 Book Now 31 Aug 2013 - 19 Sep 2013 7+ Available US $1,995On Sale Sale: US $1,497 Book Now 14 Sep 2013 - 03 Oct 2013 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 28 Sep 2013 - 17 Oct 2013 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 26 Oct 2013 - 14 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 23 Nov 2013 - 12 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 07 Dec 2013 - 26 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 21 Dec 2013 - 09 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 04 Jan 2014 - 23 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 18 Jan 2014 - 06 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $1,760 Book Now 01 Feb 2014 - 20 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $1,760 Book Now 15 Feb 2014 - 06 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $1,760 Book Now 01 Mar 2014 - 20 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 15 Mar 2014 - 03 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 29 Mar 2014 - 17 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 12 Apr 2014 - 01 May 2014 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 26 Apr 2014 - 15 May 2014 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 10 May 2014 - 29 May 2014 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 24 May 2014 - 12 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 07 Jun 2014 - 26 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now 21 Jun 2014 - 10 Jul 2014 7+ Available US $1,995 Book Now -
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