Luxury Egyptian Odyssey
11 Nights Oct 2009
Visit the cradle of civilisation in style with this escorted luxury tour. Combining the very best historic sights of Ancient Egypt with luxury touring and accommodation, and expert commentary from a leading Egyptologist, this tour is bound to be the trip of a lifetime.
Day 1
On arrival in Cairo, you will be met inside (before customs) by a representative who will help to guide you through customs and passport control. Once through customs collect your baggage and take a transfer to your Cairo Hotel. Today is at leisure to either recuperate from your flight, enjoy a look around Cairo on your own, or to relax.
Day 2
Following breakfast at the hotel restaurant your guide will meet you in the lobby before you start out for the day's sightseeing. Depart by coach to visit the Ancient Pyramids of Giza. The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the oldest and is the only surviving of the seven ancient wonders of the world. You will also visit the mysterious Sphinx. This massive stone structure has the body of a lion and the head of a Pharaoh. It is carved from the natural limestone of Giza. Afterwards, you will visit the ruins of Memphis, where the giant statue of Ramses lies. Memphis was founded around 3100 BC and is the legendary city of Menes, the king who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Sakkara is a section of the Great Necropolis of Memphis and is best known for the Step Pyramid, the oldest known of Egypt's 97 pyramids. Lunch will be provided during the tour today.
Day 3
Today, gather together for a visit to the Egyptian Museum, the most important depository of Egyptian antiquities in the world, including the magnificent treasures excavated from the tomb of Tutankhamen. Finish the afternoon at the Citadel which dates back to medieval times and was used to protect the city against attacks during the Crusades. You will also visit the Mohammad Ali Mosque and Bazaar. After your tour you will be transferred to Cairo Station for your overnight train to Aswan. You will travel in a Deluxe sleeper carriage, with dinner and breakfast included.
Day 4
On arrival in Aswan you will be transferred to your luxurious Presidential Cruise. Lunch will be served on board the cruise. After lunch, sail by felucca (traditional Egyptian sailing boat) around the Aswan Islands. Dinner will be served on board the cruise ship tonight. Following dinner you will have the chance to experience a Nubian Folklore Show.
Day 5
This morning you will visit the High Aswan Dam. You will also visit the great Granite Quarries where the stone was quarried from the hillsides and carved into some of the magnificent monuments around Egypt. You will also see the unfinished Obelisk that has been cut from the quarry, but for reasons unknown was never completed. Visit the Temple of Philae which was cut into sections and relocated to the island of Agilka when the Aswan Dam was constructed. Lunch will be served as you sail to Kom Ombo. Afternoon tea will be served on the sun deck today. This afternoon, visit the Temple shared by the two gods Sobek and Horus. After the tour sail onto Edfu. Tonight enjoy a cocktail with the Captain, dinner and a disco.
Day 6
This morning visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu. This magnificent temple was uncovered in 1860 and is richly decorated in hieroglyphics and includes the great black granite altar where only the highest priests were allowed to tread. Pass through the river lock and sail onto Luxor. Lunch and afternoon tea will be served on board. After dinner tonight, enjoy a Galabiya (fancy dress) party.
Day 7
This morning you will cross the Nile to the West Bank and visit the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memon. The Valley of the K
Day 8
Disembark your cruise ship. The rest of the day will be free to explore Luxor. At the end of the day you will be transferred to Luxor Station for your overnight train to Cairo. Again, you will travel in a Deluxe sleeper carriage, with dinner and breakfast included.
Day 9
On arrival in Cairo you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day will be free to see the sights and shop for souvenirs. This evening we have included a spectacular sound and light show which lights up the pyramids, an entertaining way to learn about Egypt's history.
Day 10
Today you will transfer to Alexandria by coach. Here you will visit Pompey's Pillar, standing on the site of an ancient temple. You will also see the Greco-Roman Museum, with its ancient sculptures, artwork, sacrophagae, even mummified crocodiles. You will also visit the Catacombs of Kom El Shuqafa and explore the Alexandria Library, an architectural masterpiece with a massive repository of international manuscripts.
Day 11
Depart Alexandria by coach for El Alamein. Today you will visit the famous battlefields from World War II and the Commonwealth War Cemetery, where soldiers from Australia, New Zealand, the UK and other countries who fought for the Allied cause lie buried. At the end of the day you will be transferred to Cairo and to your hotel for the night.
Day 12
Following breakfast, check out of your hotel. The remainder of the day is available to do any last minute sightseeing or shopping before transferring by coach to the airport for your flight from Cairo. Talk to your Iconic Tours agent about extending your holiday - maybe join an African safari or visit Morocco or Europe.
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Our tours
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Iconic Tours offers a range of escorted group tours to some of the world's most enticing travel destinations.
Each tour is designed to allow you to expand your horizons by showcasing an experience or theme. We have tours that explore cooking, history, sport, dining, special events and a host of other activities, all certain to add an extra dimension to your next holiday.
In addition, our tours are all fully escorted by specialists in their field, offering you a very special travel experience, no matter the theme or destination.
Our tours are long enough to allow you to immerse yourself in the destination, but short enough that you have the option to extend your holiday before or after the tour.
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