Day 1 (11th April): Let the journey begin!
Meet and greet at the Malta International Airport. According to the current flight schedule we are expected to depart Malta at 17.05hours, transit for 2 hours at Frankfurt airport, and arrive in Egypt at 2.05am. Upon arrival we will go through customs and transfer to our hotel in Cairo. We will overnight in Cairo for next 2 nights. Accommodation: Barcelo Cairo Pyramids Hotel or similar.
Day 2 (12th April): Discover the secrets of the Great Pyramids & Sphinx (B, L)
Today we will explore some of the most iconic sites in the World, and the most renowned sites of ancient Egypt – the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The three largest pyramids located in the valley consist of the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), the Pyramid of Kafhre (Kefren) and the Pyramid of Menkaura (Makarinos). Each Pyramid is a tomb dedicated to a different king of Egypt. Entering the Great Pyramid is an experience like no other and we will allow enough time to explore this well.
We will then descend the plateau to view the Great Sphinx and marvel at the presence of the guardian of the necropolis. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. No visit to Cairo is complete without a stop at Al Mouz Street and the Khan- El-Khalili bazaar. Get ready to be transported back in time to an old Arab souk. The scent of spices, the hustle and bustle, and the many items that can be purchased from here will have us lost among the alleys for hours. After a full day out we will head to the hotel for a good rest!
Day 3 (13th Apr): Ancient Cairo: (B, L, Dinner on the train)
An Egyptologist will take us through the history of ancient Egypt. We will spend our morning marvelling through thousands of artefacts, jewellery and entire monuments, as we explore the Egyptian Museum including the treasures of King TutAnkhAmun. Following this we will visit the Citadel of Salah el Deen and the Mosque of Mohammed Ali, whilst we enjoy a lecture about Islam inside the mosque. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. Later, we will lose ourselves in the oldest part of the city, Coptic Cairo, which encompasses the Babylon Fortress, the Hanging Church, Abu Serga, the oldest church in Cairo, and Ben Ezra Synagogue. This evening we will start our journey to the south of Egypt, and to reach this point we will take a night train. Night trains are some of the most convenient forms of transport here. Each private cabin takes 2 people and comes with a little wardrobe, and
a sink. Western toilets are on-board the train. So sit back and enjoy the journey to Aswan!
Day 4 (14th April): Sail down the Nile, Nubian Village (B on the train, L, D)
When in Egypt, do like the Egyptians do! After breakfast we will board a motor boat and tour the Protected Islands of Aswan and cruise around the Botanic Gardens. Then we will visit the Nubian village. The Nubians are an ethic group coming from Northern Sudan famous for their horse riding skills and impressive marksmanship. They are known as being the friendliest people in the area. Here, we will walk along the village, mingle with the locals and have lunch with a Nubian family. This will surely offer us a glimpse into another world. And don’t forget your camera, as this is one of the most colourful places you will ever visit!!
After lunch we will check-in our hotel. But the day is not over yet!!!
This afternoon we will set sail on a felucca, sailing down the River Nile. This is how locals choose to spend a quiet and peaceful day away from the hustle and bustle of everyday Egyptian life. Later, we will dock on an island and then get ready for a very unique evening. We planned a typical Nubian party and BBQ dinner as we will dance and sing the night away. We promise you that this is going to be a very memorable night for all of us! After the party, we will set sail again on the Nile and return to our hotel for a good rest. We will overnight in Aswan for the next 2 nights. Accommodation: Basma Hotel Aswan or similar.
Day 5 (15th April): Aswan (B, L)
With it’s chilled and relaxed vibe, some of the friendliest people and breathtaking roof terrace panoramas, Aswan is picked as the top-favourite place in Egypt by many. It is a city on the Nile River flowing gently down from Lake Nasser around palm-studded islands and colourful Nubian villages. From the utterly mesmerizing Philae temple, Unfinished Obelisk and High Dam, Aswan is jam-packed with incredible sights to see.
Today we will spend our day wandering around this beautiful city exploring the sites mentioned. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant and later in the afternoon we will lose ourselves in the Aswan Souk, a colourful bazaar with plenty of Egyptian goods including perfumes, clothes, bags, carpets, nuts, spices and souvenirs.
Day 6 (16th April): Witness the local life, Edfu Temple reach Luxor City (B, L)
Our destination today is Luxor, but in every corner of Egypt you are sure to find something historic, prestigious and significant. On our trips we make sure to leave the paths well known to tourists and take the road less travelled to interact with the people, immerse ourselves in the local culture and get a real glimpse of life in Egypt. On our way we will make two very interesting stops. We will first start by visiting the island of Besaw. We will ride a small boat, just like to locals do and cross over. Upon arrival, we will be greeted by children, farmers and families and go on a walking tour, walking around farms, engaging with the community in the village, and learning about their way of life. We will join a local family, listen to their stories and enjoy lunch together.
We will then continue our journey North. As we get closer we will be awe-struck by a massive 36m-high gateway guarded by two huge granite statues. Welcome to Edfu, the temple of Horus. Its design follows the traditions of Pharaonic architecture and it is one of the best preserved monuments in Egypt. We will spend some time here before we drive to Luxor City.
We will overnight in Luxor for the next 2 nights. Accommodation Eatable Hotel Luxor or similar.
Day 07 (17th April): Luxor, an Egyptian Era (B, L)
Originally called Thebes, the City of a Hundred Gates, Luxor is an extraordinary place and the reasons to visit are countless. In fact, it is commonly referred to as the World’s Greatest Open Air Museum, as it hosts the oldest and most Ancient Egyptian sites. The modern city lies between the West and the East bank of the river Nile and today we will explore some of the most prominent temples, tombs and monuments on both sides of the river.
In the morning, we will head to the West Bank to explore the famous Valley of the Kings where the tomb of Tutankhamen lies. Then move on to Hatshepsut Temple in the Valley of the Queens, and the gigantic Colossi of Memnon. After lunch we will cross over to the East Bank to discover the temple of Luxor, also known as ‘the Southern harem.’ Following a full day out we will head back to our hotel to relax.
Day 8 (18th April): Karnak and Desert Safari trip (B, L, D)
After breakfast we will start our journey to the Red Sea for a totally different experience!! But first we will discover Karnak temple, the house of the gods. This is the largest temple complex ever built by man. It boasts a 54,000 square feet hall featuring 134 columns, several smaller temples and a vast sacred lake. This is also where the 27-day Opet festival took place every year to reenergise and prepare for the year to come.
Once we reach Hurghada* we will check-in our hotel and off we go for our desert safari. We will hop on jeeps, raise our hands up in the air, and take in the desert’s energy. Eventually we will reach our Bedouin tent where Bedouin’s will be ready to welcome us. This will give us a glimpse in their daily life activities and traditions. We will share dinner together and make a toast under the stars. Then get ready for a Bedouin night 😉 Following the eventful evening we will make our way back to the hotel. We will overnight in Hurghada for the next 2 nights. Accommodation: Desert Rose Resort or similar. *The bus ride to Hurghada is expected to take 4 hours.
Day 09 (19th April): Discovering natural reefs and beautiful corals (B, L, D)
Hurghada is a beach resort town along Egypt’s Red Sea coast. It has some of the world’s best snorkelling sites including the stunning National Park in the Paradise Islands. This area is renowned for coral reefs with abundant colourful creatures and great marine life. With the water temperature at 23 degrees in April, and with the reef being typically shallow making it suitable for beginners, a snorkelling trip is the perfect escapade at this time of the year. Today we will spend a day on a boat. We will sail to the islands, change in our
swimwear, jump off and enjoy the plentiful fish and colourful corals. Lunch will be served on board the boat, and then why not enjoy a siesta under the Egyptian sun? Later in the afternoon we will sail back to shore and then we will meet again after a cool shower for dinner.
Day 10 (20th April): Hurghada and back to Cairo (B, D)
After 9 full days of adventure, it’s time to slow down and Hurghada is the place to be. Our morning will be at leisure and one is free to walk along the beach, enjoy a fresh fruit juice, or just watch the world go by! For those who wish to join us we will walk to the Old Town of Hurghada. This is where you get the real feel of Egypt as you will meet plenty of locals and
experience the real Egyptian life. There are lots of different shops selling clothes, shoes, accessories, and a market too! At noon we will check out of our resort and start our journey back to Cairo. The drive is expected to take us around 5 hours but we will make some stops along the way. But you all know that the trip is not complete without some ‘More’ adventure!! ☺
The Nile river banks are blanketed in the city of lights of Cairo. For our last evening in Egypt we will board a 5 star ship, cruise the world’s longest waterway by night, enjoy a first-class luxurious dinner, and an unforgettable evening of stargazing along the Nile banks…truly an exceptional experience! The cruise begins in Giza and traverses the Nile to the downtown area. On-board we will be entertained by a belly dancer, an Egyptian singer, as well as a Sufi performance. Western music is also played so this will be another very special
night!!!!
Day 11 (21st April): Back Home
Following an evening together we will head to the airport for our flight back home. According to the current schedule our flight departs Cairo at 04.25am arriving in Frankfurt at 08.55am. Our final flight to Malta departs at 13.40hours, arriving in Malta at 16.10hours. We do look forward to Experience a wondrous Adventure and so much More with you!
