Explore Egypt
Guided - 16 Nights/17 Days
Includes a 5 day trek in the mystical Sinai Desert and Mountains
The spectacular Pyramids of Egypt are a stunning start to this exploration of ancient and modern-day Egypt. You’ll trek the mountains and desert of the Sinai; relax on the shores of the Red Sea; and explore ancient temples of Luxor on a 3 day cruise on the Nile, a lifeline of precious water to this arid country.
Itinerary and Highlights
- Day 1 Join Cairo
- Day 2 Before appreciating the best preserved pyramidsat Giza, this morning we visit the Step Pyramid at Saqqara which shows the style of construction used to build them. Following our visit to Saqqara, we travel to the nearby old capital of Memphis.
- Day 3 In and around Cairo. A full afternoon is spent at the Egyptian Museum, providing you with an excellent insight into Egyptian history from the Old Kingdom right through to the Roman Empire.
- Day 4 Drive to Sinai. From Cairo we travel west to the Suez Canal which marks the divide between Africa and the Sinai. We stop briefly at the town of Suez to view the large ships making use of this historic canal, before continuing on to the Sinai.
- Day 5 Commence Trek (6-7 hours).
The Sinai is a land of mystical contrasts. From small Bedouin shelters nestled in the barren mountains, to the Red Sea diving resorts dotted along the southern coast lines, this dry desert is also home to the biblical Mt Sinai where Moses received the Ten Commandments. It is a very beautiful landscape, and the best way to appreciate it is by trekking with camels into its’ mountainous core. This morning we commence our trek with a series of stunning day walks into the mountains of Sinai. - Day 6 Trekking (7-8 hours)
We trek into the high ranges of Sinai in the St Catherine protectorate. Our first section today will be over Abu Gifa pass. Reaching the top of this pass we catch a view of the Bedouin village directly below. We continue into Wadi Zawateen where lots of olive trees can be seen. We stop for a picnic lunch and afterwards, there is an opportunity to trek to the ruins of Aabas Basha Palace which dates back to the beginning of last century. There is an awesome view from atop the Aabas Basha Mountain which is over 2000m. We descend back to our Bedouin house near the village of St Catherine. - Day 7 Trekking (9-10 hours)
Today is a long day where we climb St. Catherine Mountain. As the highest peak in Egypt she reaches over 2600 m above see level, From our lodgings we start early and follow trails via the El Arbaeen Valley. We continue through wadi, valleys and across dramatic terrain to the base of Mount St Catherine and start our ascent to the top of Egypt. Climbing to the top is optional, and for those not wanting to climb they can relax at the base and await the return of the rest of the group. From the summit we retrace our steps back to our Bedouin House and well earned dinner.
Whilst today is the most challenging day, it is also one of the most rewarding. - Day 8 Trekking (7 hours)
Today is a shorter day where we scramble up the Moserdy Valley. Whilst not as long as
yesterday, the trails are sometimes steep and demanding. From Moserdy, we descend to Motahar Valley for lunch before continuing via Wadi Shag and Wadi Toboog and returning to the Bedouin House. - Day 9 Dawn Ascent of Mt Sinai, Drive to Sharm El Shaikh
We rise at 4:00am to climb the final section of the mountain. 750 steps have been carved from the mountain rocks and are known as the staircase of repentance. We arrive at the summit – 2285m above sea level, in time for a spectacular sunrise over the mountains of south Sinai. Our descent is either by the camel path or back down the “Steps of Repentance”. We have breakfast before visiting the monastery of St. Catherine. Our tour concludes with a visit to the charnel house or the Ossuary where relics of monks and hermits are on display. After the monastery, we enjoy lunch in a nearby restaurant with a chance to freshen up before our three hour drive to Sharm El Sheikh. - Day 10 Speedboat to Hurghada. At 8.00am we catch a local speedboat to the town of Hurghada. The rest of the day is at leisure. There are numerous activities available to you including scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, swimming or just relaxing on the beach.
- Day 11 Hurghada. Today is yours at leisure. Your guide will be able to advise on the many activities that are available in and around Hurghada. You may wish to take a day trip to one of the surrounding islands. Otherwise you can explore the many boutiques or visit the Roman Mons Porphyrites (Mountain of Porphyry) remains at the nearby Gebel Abu Dukhan. Day-trips or safaris to explore the Red Sea Mountains are also available. Otherwise spend the day relaxing in the hotel or on the beach.
- Day 12 Drive to Luxor. Our drive to Luxor will take approximately four hours. The city is located on the banks of the Nile, and is built on the site of the former capital of Egypt, Thebes which dates back 4000 years.
In the centre of the town is the Luxor Temple and to the north Karnak and the Temple of Amun. This afternoon we visit these impressive temples which are well preserved and contain numerous columns, obelisks and in the temple of Karnak, an avenue of ram-headed sphinxes. - Day 13 In Luxor. Today we cross over to the west bank of the Nile visiting the Valley of the Kings, the necropolis for the ancient city of Thebes.
- Day 14 Nile Cruise. The next two days spent sailing on the Nile allows us to relax and take in the view, experiencing first hand rural life on this life-giving river. Our relaxation time is interspersed with visits to the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo. The temple of Horus at Edfu, is one of the largest and best preserved in Egypt.
- Day 15 Arrive Aswan. The morning is for relaxation, a time to dwell on the amazing sights we have visited so far and to catch up on your journal. In the early afternoon we arrive in the bustling town of Aswan. We visit the High Dam, which at the time it was completed (1902) was the largest of its kind in the world. This afternoon we will visit the unfinished Obelisk and the Botanical Gardens. We return to our boat in the evening for dinner and overnight accommodation.
- Day 16 Optional trip to Abu Simbel Temple. Overnight train to Cairo. This morning you have the option to visit this awesome temple, which involves a flight landing near the temple. Following a tour around the temple, you will return to Aswan for lunch.
Late in the afternoon we will board the train for the overnight journey back to Cairo. - Day 17 Trip concludes upon arrival into Cairo.
- Day 18
- Day 19
- Day 20
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