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The Nile & Red Sea Explorer


Explore ancient history before relaxing by the Red Sea




In Cairo, discover the ancient wonders of the pyramids, Sphinx and Egyptian Museum, and explore the atmospheric backstreets of this richly layered capital. In beautiful Aswan, visit the Temple of Isis on Philae Island, hunt for bargains in the bubbling souk and soak up the grand monuments of Abu Simbel on an optional side trip. Then board a comfortable Nile cruise boat and sail north, taking in the temples of Komombo and Edfu, and from the box seat take in the renowned waterway’s thriving, beguiling life. The grand treasure trove of Luxor awaits; marvel at the Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut. Finally, kick back in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada, an ideal chance to bask beachside, enjoy a breezy coastal atmosphere and experience some of the world’s best snorkelling.



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Tour Highlights

  • UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cairo
  • World-leading snorkelling and scuba diving on the Red Sea
  • The Valley of the Kings
  • Nubean Aswan
  • Nile cruise
  • Luxor's open air museum
  • Cairo Museum
  • Edfu and Komombo temples

Inclusions

  • • The services of Peregrine’s expert English-speaking local leader throughout the tour, and professional local guides at some sites.

    • Sightseeing (including entrance fees where applicable): Cairo - Egyptian Museum, pyramids, Sphinx, Khan al-Khalili bazaar and Al Azhar Mosque; Valley of the Kings; Temple of Hatshepsut; Colossi of Memnon; Edfu; and Komombo.

    • 3 nights on Peregrine's comfortable Nile riverboat, cruising from Aswan to Luxor, with sightseeing stops along the way.

    • Boat excursion to the Temple of Isis on Philae Island.

    • Horse-drawn carriage ride to the complex at Karnak.

    • Full-day boat trip on the Red Sea.

    • Air-conditioned sleeper train from Cairo to Aswan. Accommodation in a private, two-person sleeping berth with beds and linen, and an ‘airline-style’ dinner included.

    • Free time to explore Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and the resort town of Hurghada.

    • Arrival transfer.

  • Boat
  • Horse-drawn carriages
  • Private aircon bus
  • Riverboat
  • Sleeper train
  • 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners

The Nile & Red Sea Explorer

Day 1
Cairo
Meals Privided:
On arrival at Cairo Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. This is simply an arrival day so you may arrive in Cairo at any time. Note that hotel rooms are generally only available after midday. The balance of the day is free to explore your surroundings and our tour leader may make contact in the evening.
Day 2
Cairo
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel we head to the Egyptian Museum for a tour of the various key exhibits. Your guide explains the complexity of Egypt's many dynastic periods, starting with the Old Kingdom and ending with the Greco-Roman occupation. This provides us with an excellent background for our visit to Upper Egypt. Later we drive out to Giza, where we visit the pyramids and the nearby Sphinx. For an additional charge you may be able to go inside one of the pyramids (although occasionally they are closed).
Day 3
Cairo
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Dinner
Having experienced the highlights of Pharonic Egypt, today is our opportunity to experience another period of Egypt's history. Islamic (medieval) Cairo is a fascinating part of the metropolis, and we see its best highlights. We immerse ourselves in the colour and chaos of the Khan el Khalili bazaar, which sprawls around an old area of Cairo known as Al Azhar. The tortuous streets and alleyways - and attendant hawkers - look like a scene from 1001 Nights as our tour leader takes us into the heart of the bazaar. We explore the gold market, 'perfume street' and the spice market – where the scent of cumin, coriander and cardamom hangs in the air like a thick blanket of Damascene cloth (which can be purchased next door in the cloth market!). We continue to explore the atmospheric, narrow streets of Islamic Cairo before we visit Al Azhar Mosque, one of Egypt's best. It claims to be the oldest educational institution on earth and has a harmonious and aesthetic blend of architectural styles, as it has been modified over the centuries. In the evening, we are transferred to the station where we board the overnight sleeper train to Aswan. Sleeping berths (with beds and linen) are provided in private, two-person cabins and a reasonable 'airline-style' dinner is served on board. A toilet is located at the end of each carriage.
Day 4
Aswan
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
We arrive in Aswan, Egypt's southernmost city, and are transferred from the station to our hotel. This friendly place has an easygoing charm that is due in no small part to its large Nubian population. We take a tour by boat to the beautiful Temple of Isis, rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated on Philae Island. It is fantastic temple, and one of the highlights of Upper Egypt. The balance of the day is at leisure and we have time for a variety of optional activities including a visit to the Nubian bazaar, or to the excellent Nubian Museum. A popular option is a relaxing sailboat ride around the islands, in a traditional 'felucca'. You can stop off at the botanical gardens on Lord Kitchener's Island, and also take a fun camel ride to the Monastery of St. Simeon, located on the west bank of the river. Alternatively you may prefer to relax by the hotel pool.
Day 5
Aswan-Cruise Boat
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Those who booked the optional excursion to Abu Simbel will rise early and visit this awesome edifice. The early start is rewarded by few crowds and fantastic light for photographers. Others can sleep in and enjoy a last amble around Aswan. In the afternoon, we board our Nile Cruise boat after which there is free-time for some of your own discoveries.
Day 6-7
Nile Cruise
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our boat sets sail today. Cruising along the Nile is an experience people have enjoyed for the last few millennia. We do it in comfort. Sitting high on the on the sundeck, watching felucca sailboats drift along, backdropped by timeless rural scenes, is a great way to relax. We stop at Komombo to visit the Temple of Sobek (the crocodile-headed God), a Greco-Roman temple that overlooks the river. At Edfu we explore the impressive Temple of Horus (the falcon-headed god). There is lots of time to catch up on reading, or just watch the scenery. Passing through the Esna loch we continue to Luxor where we take horse-drawn carriages to the massive complex at Karnak, built over a period of some 2000 years, and one of the greatest temples ever constructed.
Day 8
Luxor
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
Rising early, we cross the Nile and explore the famous 'west bank' of the Nile. The first stop is the Valley of the Kings, where a specialist local guide explains the funerary rites of the Ancient Egyptians. We visit three of the best Royal tombs (depending on which ones are open) and your guide will explain the significance of the hieroglyphics and tomb paintings. The experience is simply awe-inspiring. The famous temple of Queen Hatshepsut, carved into a natural amphitheatre, is the next stop, followed by the impressive Colossi of Memnon. We then head back to the east bank of Luxor, and afternoon is free. There is plenty to keep you occupied…or you can simply relax by the pool.
Day 9-10
Luxor-Hurghada
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
We spend the morning driving to Hurghada from Luxor, arriving around lunch time. Hurghada is Egypt's most popular Red Sea resort town and a great place to relax for a few days. It's far less 'glitzy' than Sharm el Sheikh, and there's plenty to keep you entertained here. We base ourselves in a nice resort, with a pool, and enjoy a full day boat trip, swimming in the warm waters above coral reefs.
Day 11
Hurghada-Cairo
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
We drive north to Cairo. The drive is a fairly long one (5-6 hours, depending on traffic) and you should arrive in Cairo early-mid afternoon. Many travellers like to visit the Khan el Khalili bazaar for a last shopping spree.
Day 12
Cairo
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
Your trip ends today, after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around 12.00 noon and you are free to leave at any time. If you have arranged a private airport transfer you will be advised of the pick-up time. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring Cairo.

IN A NUTSHELL

12 days
$1,895
15

TOUR INFORMATION

Start End Price
12/12/201123/12/2011 $1,895
12/11/201223/11/2012 $1,895
26/11/201207/12/2012 $1,895
10/12/201221/12/2012 $1,895
24/12/201204/01/2013 $1,895
07/01/201318/01/2013 $1,895
21/01/201301/02/2013 $1,895
04/02/201315/02/2013 $1,895
18/02/201301/03/2013 $1,895
04/03/201315/03/2013 $1,895
18/03/201329/03/2013 $1,895
01/04/201312/04/2013 $1,895
15/04/201326/04/2013 $1,895
29/04/201310/05/2013 $1,895
13/05/201324/05/2013 $1,895
27/05/201307/06/2013 $1,895
10/06/201321/06/2013 $1,895
24/06/201305/07/2013 $1,895
29/10/201209/11/2012 $1,895
15/10/201226/10/2012 $1,895
01/10/201212/10/2012 $1,895
09/01/201220/01/2012 $1,895
06/02/201217/02/2012 $1,895
05/03/201216/03/2012 $1,895
19/03/201230/03/2012 $1,895
02/04/201213/04/2012 $1,895
16/04/201227/04/2012 $1,895
30/04/201211/05/2012 $1,895
14/05/201225/05/2012 $1,895
28/05/201208/06/2012 $1,895
11/06/201222/06/2012 $1,895
25/06/201206/07/2012 $1,895
09/07/201220/07/2012 $1,895
23/07/201203/08/2012 $1,895
06/08/201217/08/2012 $1,895
20/08/201231/08/2012 $1,895
03/09/201214/09/2012 $1,895
17/09/201228/09/2012 $1,895
08/07/201319/07/2013 $1,895
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