16 Days :: Imaginative Traveller's "Beyond the Pyramids Tour"

In the Sinai we rise early to climb Mt Sinai then take a trek with local Bedouin and camels. Plus we spend three days on the Nile aboard a traditional felucca and a couple of days by the warm waters of the Red Sea. Itinerary Day 1, CAIRO Arrival day. Check in to your hotel. No meals . Day 2, CAIRO A guided visit to the great Pyramids & Sphinx. Overnight train to Aswan. (B) Day 3, ASWAN Arrive in Aswan and check into the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to get to know this exciting Nubian city. (B)

Day 4, ASWAN A free day allows time for those who wish to make an excursion to the massive temple at Abu Simbel. (B)

Day 5, FELUCCA CRUISE Board felucca sailboats and set off on our sailing journey to Edfu. All meals on board are prepared by our crew. (BLD)

Day 6 - 7, FELUCCA CRUISE 2 days sailing on the Nile. Time doesn't matter so pack away your watch and soak up the atmosphere. There's a chance to go ashore and visit the riverside side temple at Kom Ombo. (BLD)

Day 8, EDFU - LUXOR Disembark in Edfu and transfer to Luxor. In the afternoon we take horse drawn carriages to Karnak temple for a guided tour around the magnificent site. (B)

Day 9, LUXOR - HURGHADA We get up before sunrise for a donkey ride to the Valley of the Kings. Our route back offers magnificent views of the Nile Valley and passes the Colossi of Memnon. Afternoon drive to Hurghada. (B)

Day 10, HURGHADA - ST CATHERINE Drive along the Red Sea coast and then cross the Suez Canal into the Sinai. Overnight near the foot of Mt Sinai. (B)

Day 11, MT SINAI - SINAI TREK Rise early and ascend Mt Sinai for sunrise. Descend again and meet up with our Bedouin crew for a trek in the Sinai. (BLD)

Day 12, SINAI TREK Accompanied by local Bedouin and using camels to carry our baggage, we spend the day trekking. (BLD)

Day 13, TREK - DAHAB We end our trek this morning and drive to the coastal village of Dahab. (B)

Day 14, DAHAB A day at leisure on the beach or snorkel in the Red Sea. (B)

Day 15, DAHAB - CAIRO Travel back to Cairo by air-conditioned coach. (B)

Day 16, CAIRO Tour ends. (B)

ITINERARY CHANGE An amended itinerary will operate for days 11 - 13 during the winter season (Dec, Jan and Feb) The following change applies to departures marked (*) As follows;

Day 12, DAHAB We return through the desert and then transfer to Dahab for 3 relaxing days in this famous retreat (B)

Days 13-14, DAHAB Two whole days to relax on the beach, swim, snorkel or perhaps enjoy some diving (B)

Please refer to the trip dossier for further details.

TRAIN CHANGES The Egyptian Government might impose changes to the trains tourists are allowed to travel on. Many of our adventurer tours in Egypt make use of overnight 'seater' trains between Cairo and Luxor / Aswan. At the time of going to press these trains continue to be in operation and tourists are allowed to travel on them. However, there have been indications that this may change at some point in 2005 and that tourists will be required to use the more expensive 'sleeper' train. Whilst we are lobbying against this change, if legislation is introduced we will unfortunately be compelled to use the sleeper trains and to charge a US$35 surcharge per journey. Please ask our online consultant for further details at the time of booking.

Includes Return airfare to Cairo
*Local payment of $150 USD required