Tour for first timers to Egypt. This is the type of tour we recommend for those who are travelling to Egypt for the first time. All of the must-see sights.
Day 1 Depart Canada Meet at the Ottawa Voyageur bus station to take the bus to Montreal 's Trudeau (formerly Dorval) airport to board your overnight transatlantic flight to Cairo . top Day 2 Arrive in Cairo Arrive at your hotel in Cairo. Upon your arrival you will be greeted with a welcome drink and given an orientation of the property and its many lovely amenities. Take advantage of fun shopping, dining, and relaxing by the poolside. Those keen to get their first taste of Egyptian dance may choose to go on their own to visit the Parisianna Club , owned by Oriental dancer Lucy . Overnight in Cairo . [D] top Day 3 Cairo You can start early to grab a taxi and enjoy a full day shopping on your own at Khan El Khalili, or non-shoppers can relax and enjoy the free time to exploring Cairo on their own. Khan el Khalili is one of the earliest and greatest markets in the Middle East , built in the14th century AD and containing many stores that exhibit wonderful collections of jewelry, wooden products engraved with mother-of pearl, perfumes and many more exiting souvenirs. Practice your bargaining skills with your choice of the many costume suppliers that are located here (Mostafa Afifi, Mahmoud Gaffar, and Yasser to name a few). You can bring your custom orders to them, or buy some of the lovely treasures right off the rack. For those who are interested in making an appointment with some exclusive costume designers such as Pharonics, Madame Abla or Eman, you can visit later in the day (pre-booked appointments required). Costume shoppers should be prepared to spend several hours; this is a process that just cannot be rushed.
At 18:30 we will be transferred for a Dinner cruise on the Nile (including 2-hour show). Cruise through the modern metropolis of Cairo while reflecting on the glorious civilization that flourished along the banks of this river 4,000 years ago.
Overnight in Cairo . [B, D] top Day 4 Cairo A f ull day comprehensive tour begins at 08:30 after breakfast, when you'll board your luxury motor coach to begin a magical day starting with upon the Sphinx at Giza with its unsolved mysteries. Later on, you will stand in awe you discover the Pyramids at Giza , featuring the great pyramid of Cheops, perhaps the most famous of all Egyptian tourist sites, and the only remaining wonder of the ancient world. Spend some time this afternoon perusing the shops at Kardassa village before returning to your hotel. Tonight you may choose to visit one of Cairo 's many clubs or hotels to see a dancer or just take in some of the Cairo nightlife. Overnight in Cairo [B, D] top Day 5 Cairo/Aswan After breakfast, tour Old Cairo , including the Hanging church, Citadel of Saladin & Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali situated on a spur of the Muqattam Hills. Enjoy your afternoons at leisure for shopping or exploring before you transfer at 19:00 to board the overnight train to Aswan . Dinner and overnight onboard train in Aswan . [B, D] top Day 6 Aswan After breakfast we arrive in Aswan and transfer onboard your luxury 5-star cruise ship. Before lunch onboard, you may choose to take a dip in the ship's pool, have a quick nap, or start early enjoying some free time exploring Aswan . Aswan is Egypt 's southernmost city which has long been Egypt 's gateway to Africa . It was a prosperous market city on the crossroads of the ancient caravan routes. Starting at 13:00 enjoy a guided tour of Aswan including Temple of Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk . Afterwards, you'll enjoy the unique experience of sailing in an Egyptian Felucca sailing boat on the Nile . Stop in at Garb Aswan to visit the Nubian villages for lunch and perhaps the unique experience of a camel ride. You'll float around Elephantine Island , pass lovely botanical gardens and have a fabulous view of the famous Agha Khan mausoleum , which is now a national monument. You may like to visit El Souk this evening. Our special entertainment tonight is a Nubian dance show on the Corniche. Dinner and overnight onboard in Aswan . [B, L, D] top Day 7 Aswan / Edfu For those are interested to add the special tour to Abu Simbel , (which is optional and must be booked in advance - rate including is $70 Cdn per person by bus) you will depart this morning early (at 04:00 ) for your ride to Abu Simbel . This special tour takes you to one of the most spectacular monuments in Egyptian history. With its mighty statures of Ramses himself, the Great Temple of Ramses II is truly magnificent. Overlooking the expanse of Lake Nasser , it presents a truly unique example of the power and beauty of Egyptian culture. As you return to Aswan , you will also see the sites of Aswan before returning to the ship for lunch at 15:00 . We set sail for Edfu this afternoon. For those who do NOT take the tour to Abu Simbel , enjoy some leisure time onboard your cruise, or take in the sights of Aswan on your own. You'll enjoy lunch on board the ship as we set sail for Edfu where you will visit and visit the Temple of Edfu , dedicated to the "falcon-headed" god Horus. At every port, your Egyptologist guides will amaze you with their expertise and informative dialogue about the history of each magnificent site you will visit with them. Khariyya Maazin and her musicians will join you on your cruise in Edfu, and will be available for dance lessons and entertainment as you continue to sail to Esna tonight. Overnight on board cruise ship. [B, L, D] top Day 8 Esna / Luxor After breakfast, visit temple dedicated to the god Khnum , "the Great Potter," creator of people, sculpting them from clay. Then, have a quick visit to the covered market , where one can purchase locally woven fabrics. Afterwards, board your ship to cross through the "Lock of Esna" which is a very interesting experience. Lunch onboard as we continue to Luxor this afternoon. In Luxor you will see The Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El-Bahari, Valley of Kings . Karnak & Luxor Temples. Then, a visit the Mummification museum before returning to your ship to freshen up. This evening, you can rest, or choose to explore the shopping and sights of Luxor with a Calesh (horse drawn carriage) ride. Overnight on board cruise ship. [B, L, D] top Day 9 Luxor / Hurghada Transfer your baggage from the ship to the bus this morning before we visit the Temple of Dendera . Even though most of the monuments at this site were built during the Greek-Roman Period, the origins of the temple can be dated at least to the time of Pepi I of the 6th Dynasty. Within the complex walls can be found: the temple of the goddess Hathor, the goddess of love, music, wine and procreation; two birth houses; a Coptic Basilica; a sanatorium; a sacred lake, and a temple to Isis . In the afternoon, enjoy the scenery that passes by as your bus takes you to Hurghada. Once a simple fishing village with its crystal clear water and more than 20 kilometers of pristine beaches, Hurghada has become the foremost tourist resort of the Red Sea coast and an international center for aquatic sports. If it takes place in or on the water, you can do it here: windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, swimming, and, above all, snorkeling and diving. The unique underwater gardens offshore are some of the finest in the world. Your deluxe hotel, is located on the beach and offers all the conveniences and services you would expect in a world-class resort. Dinner and overnight in Hurghada. [B, D] top Day 10 Sharm El Sheikh Start your tour to Sharm El Sheikh by ferry boat (the trip lasts around 100 minutes cruising, plus the formalities ). The simplicity of sun, sea and sand; the luxury of five-star hotels, water sports, shopping and entertainment - this is Sharm el-Sheikh, one of the most accessible and developed tourist resort communities on the Sinai Peninsula. Check into your hotel and head straight for the beach , or rush to Naama Bay , where all of the action and excitement of a booming seaside resort can be found. The area offers luxury resort hotels and casinos, but the unique features of the area, including the outdoor Bedouin "coffee houses" and restaurants all along the seaside, keep the Egyptian culture at the forefront of your imagination. Dinner and evening entertainment at your hotel or on your own as you choose. Overnight at your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh. [B, D] top Day 11 Sharm El Sheikh Today you have a choice to rest on the beach all day or do your own snorkel tour to explore t he "playground of the Red Sea , which is located just minutes outside of the popular international "hot vacation paradise" of Naama Bay . The coral, in hues of purple and blue and multitudes of tropical and exotic fish are unbelievable. You may elect to take an optional excursion dive tour to Ras Mohammed , Egypt 's only National Park ( the cost of this optional boat tour is $70 Cdn per person including lunch and soft drinks; excluding mask and chop $5 & fins $5 and $10 entrance fees) . This park contains the top dive and snorkeling sites in Egypt with ancient shorelines containing reefs that range in age from 15,000 to 2,000,000 years in age. The profusion of exotic life in Ras Mohammad can almost overpower the senses. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh [B, D] top Day 12 Sharm El Sheikh Day at leisure. Today you will have the day free to enjoy exploring more of Sharm with its great shopping, waterfront restaurants, many lovely hotels on the beach and just enjoying snorkeling or diving near your home in Sharm. The nightlife in Sharm El Sheikh , including casinos and exquisite shopping and restaurants draws people from all over the world who come here to soak up the sun and experience Egypt . Overnight at your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh. [B] top Day 13 Sharm El Sheikh / Cairo Get an early start this morining Sharm El Sheikh so that you can arrive at St. Catherine's monastery by 09:00 till 11:00 (lunch at St. Catherine's is approximately $18 US and is not included). Experience the Sinai desert on your way back to Cairo , passing by the Suez Canal enroute. Upon your afternoon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel in Heliopolis the very affluent area of Cairo , called "city of the sun". This evening is at your leisure to relax or go out on your own to see a dance show. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Cairo . [B,D] top Day 14 Cairo In the morning visit the Egyptian Museum , home to some of the most fascinating artifacts you will ever see. Those who are especially taken with the museum may choose to spend the whole day here, or take some free time to visit other Cairo sights on their own. Shopaholics may wish to rush back on their own to Khan El Khalili for more souvenir hunting or costume shopping, perhaps another visit to the costume designers, or discover the music shops of Mohamed Ali street . You may choose between the comfort of your hotel for dinner, or are free to choose from one of Cairo 's many restaurants for dinner tonight. Overnight in Cairo . [B, D] top Day 15 Optional Alexandria excursion: After breakfast at 07:00 , you may join the optional tour to Alexandria for $100 Cdn per person, including lunch. Y ou'll board your luxury motor coach to begin a magical day. Today you'll stand in awe you look upon Alexandria , the second largest city in Egypt , Alexandria , known as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean ", has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; its ambience and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is actually only 225 km from Cairo . Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria became the capital of Graeco-Roman Egypt. Then visiting Fort Qaitbey (The Citadel of Qaitbey), t he island of Pharos was a major port having two huge harbors, then "pearl of the Mediterranean," to explore the Alexandria National Museum and the Catacombs of Kom El Shugafa . After lunch, visit the Bibliotheca Alexandria , built on the believed site of the old Library of Alexandria before returning to Cairo in the early evening. For those NOT participating in the Alexandria option, e njoy the day at your leisure, perhaps grabbing a taxi to return to Khan El Khalili one last time, or visit some of the many shops near your hotel. Those who have fulfilled all their shopping need may instead choose to or just relax by the poolside at your hotel. Those hungry for more dancing may want to book a private class (arrange in advance) this afternoon with one of Cairo 's many dance teachers. Overnight at hotel in Cairo . [B, D] top Day 16 Cairo : Enjoy your day at your leisure, picking up your costume orders, returning to Khan El Khalili and other shops one last time, or just relaxing by the poolside at your hotel. In the evening you may choose between cramming in your last chance of Cairo nightlife, or pack your luggage and rest early tonight; you fly home tomorrow. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Cairo . [B, D] top Day 17 Cairo-Home : This morning you will transfer to Cairo airport for final departure home. [B]
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