Frank Pimentel
frank@realhawaiitours.com
909-702-4919
Overview
Highlights:
- GEM ( Grand Egyptian Museum, if available )
- Civilization Museum
- Cidadel of Salah Eldeen
- Alabaster Mosque
- Pyramids
- Sphinx
- Memphis
- Sakkara
- Old Cairo
Cruise Sightseeing:
- Karnak Temple
- Luxor Temple
- New Sphinx avenue
- Hatshepsut Temple
- Valley of Kings and Memnon
- Tombs of Rameses V & VI
- Kom ombu Temple
- Aswan High Dam
- Philea Temple
Short itinerary
Quick route overview-
1
Day 1
Arrival at Cairo,
- After the arrival at Cairo International Airport, we offer the "meet and greet" service. Afterward, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in.
-
2
Day 2
Cairo Tour (Grand Egyptian Museum, the Pyramids of Giza & the Great Sphinx)
- Our day starts with a visit to the largest archaeological museum in the world, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). The new structure houses 100,000 masterpieces from several periods of Egypt's glorious history, 20,000 objects of which will be displayed for the first time such as King Tutankhamun's complete collection.
- After touring the GEM, we will stop at a nice cozy restaurant for having lunch.
- We will, then, proceed to the one and only standing monument among the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, followed by The Pyramids of Khafra & Menkaura, the well-preserved valley temple of Khafra, and the Great Sphinx.
-
3
Day 3
Cairo Tour National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, old Cairo, Citadel of Salah Eldeen
- Start the day with a visit to the first authentic museum of civilization in Egypt. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) with 50,000 artifacts from the dawn of civilization to the present day.
- Today we will experience the Spiritual Cairo tour and explore some of the early religious monuments of Cairo. You`ll visit the El Muallaqa Church, dating to the late fourth and early fifth century. This basilica was named for its location on top of the south gate of the Fortress of Babylon. Muallaqa means "suspended or hanging." Destroyed in a ninth-century earthquake, the church became the center of the Coptic (or Christian) Church of Egypt from the time it was rebuilt in the eleventh century until the 14th century.
- Make a stop at the Ben Ezra Synagogue, built sometime between the sixth and ninth centuries AD. The temple contains a Jewish Heritage Library, containing documents found here in 1896 that describe the economic and social conditions of Jews under Arab rule as well as descriptions of relations between various Jewish sects.
- Stop for lunch, Continue the Cairo tour with a visit to The Citadel of Mohamed Ali (the Fortress of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi), built in 1183 and overlooking the city from the Muqattam Hills. The structure, with its domes and minarets, looks over a number of important buildings, including the Alabaster Mosque. Its domed interior, used by Moslems for daily prayers, is a spectacular sight of twinkling lights and beautiful mosaics.
-
4
Day 4
Travel to Aswan, Nile Cruise Sightseeing (Friday)
- Early morning, you will arrive at Cairo International Airport to catch the flight to Aswan.
- Upon arrival, you will then reach the luxuries Nile Cruise, where you will spend the next three nights, to start your relaxing tour sailing from Aswan to Luxor.
- After having lunch, the Nile Cruise excursion will start by visiting The Aswan High Dam followed by Philae Temple.
- At night you may choose the Optional breathtaking Sound and Light show at Philae Temple.
-
5
Day 5
Kom Ombo, Edfu
- Early morning optionTour to Abu Simbel by bus
- We will sail to Kom Ombo after lunch and visit the Temple of Kom Ombo.
- Sail to Edfu for having dinner and overnight.
-
6
Day 6
Luxor East Bank, Optional Sound, and Light Show
- Arrive at Edfu and we will have lunch while heading to Luxor.
- In the afternoon, we will visit Luxor East Bank beginning with the outstanding Karnak Temple. Afterward, The Temple of Luxor will be our next stop.
- Evening, you may choose the Light and Sound Show inside Karnak Temple.
-
7
Day 7
Luxor West bank, Transfer airport (Monday)
- Early morning option tour the hot air balloon.
- Breakfast will be served on the Nile Cruise, and then we will proceed to the checkout.
- Early morning, visit Luxor West Bank necropolis including the Valley of the Kings, Including the unique two tombs of Rameses V & VI, the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and Colossi of Memnon.
- Flight to Cairo afternoon to fly back home from Cairo.
Your Experience Map
No map uploaded.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Meals: no meals
Hotels
Arrival at Cairo,
- After the arrival at Cairo International Airport, we offer the "meet and greet" service. Afterward, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in.
Day 2
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Cairo Tour (Grand Egyptian Museum, the Pyramids of Giza & the Great Sphinx)
- Our day starts with a visit to the largest archaeological museum in the world, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). The new structure houses 100,000 masterpieces from several periods of Egypt's glorious history, 20,000 objects of which will be displayed for the first time such as King Tutankhamun's complete collection.
- After touring the GEM, we will stop at a nice cozy restaurant for having lunch.
- We will, then, proceed to the one and only standing monument among the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, followed by The Pyramids of Khafra & Menkaura, the well-preserved valley temple of Khafra, and the Great Sphinx.
Day 3
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Cairo Tour National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, old Cairo, Citadel of Salah Eldeen
- Start the day with a visit to the first authentic museum of civilization in Egypt. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) with 50,000 artifacts from the dawn of civilization to the present day.
- Today we will experience the Spiritual Cairo tour and explore some of the early religious monuments of Cairo. You`ll visit the El Muallaqa Church, dating to the late fourth and early fifth century. This basilica was named for its location on top of the south gate of the Fortress of Babylon. Muallaqa means "suspended or hanging." Destroyed in a ninth-century earthquake, the church became the center of the Coptic (or Christian) Church of Egypt from the time it was rebuilt in the eleventh century until the 14th century.
- Make a stop at the Ben Ezra Synagogue, built sometime between the sixth and ninth centuries AD. The temple contains a Jewish Heritage Library, containing documents found here in 1896 that describe the economic and social conditions of Jews under Arab rule as well as descriptions of relations between various Jewish sects.
- Stop for lunch, Continue the Cairo tour with a visit to The Citadel of Mohamed Ali (the Fortress of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi), built in 1183 and overlooking the city from the Muqattam Hills. The structure, with its domes and minarets, looks over a number of important buildings, including the Alabaster Mosque. Its domed interior, used by Moslems for daily prayers, is a spectacular sight of twinkling lights and beautiful mosaics.
Day 4
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch and Dinner
Cruise
Travel to Aswan, Nile Cruise Sightseeing (Friday)
- Early morning, you will arrive at Cairo International Airport to catch the flight to Aswan.
- Upon arrival, you will then reach the luxuries Nile Cruise, where you will spend the next three nights, to start your relaxing tour sailing from Aswan to Luxor.
- After having lunch, the Nile Cruise excursion will start by visiting The Aswan High Dam followed by Philae Temple.
- At night you may choose the Optional breathtaking Sound and Light show at Philae Temple.
Day 5
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Luxor East Bank, Optional Sound, and Light Show
- Arrive at Edfu and we will have lunch while heading to Luxor.
- In the afternoon, we will visit Luxor East Bank beginning with the outstanding Karnak Temple. Afterward, The Temple of Luxor will be our next stop.
- Evening, you may choose the Light and Sound Show inside Karnak Temple.
Day 7
Meals: Breakfast
Luxor West bank, Transfer airport (Monday)
- Early morning option tour the hot air balloon.
- Breakfast will be served on the Nile Cruise, and then we will proceed to the checkout.
- Early morning, visit Luxor West Bank necropolis including the Valley of the Kings, Including the unique two tombs of Rameses V & VI, the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and Colossi of Memnon.
- Flight to Cairo afternoon to fly back home from Cairo.
Inclusions
Luxury accommodation:
- Tue - Fri: Four Seasons at first residence OR Fairmont Nile City Hotel - Pyramids or Nile View Room – on bed and breakfast
- Fri - Mon: MS Tulip OR Royal Elite Nile luxury Cruise – Outside Cabin – on full board
Transfers:
- Tue: Arrival transfer to your Hotel from Cairo Airport
- Fri: Transfer from your hotel to Cairo airport to fly to Aswan
- Fri: Transfer from Aswan Airport to Your Nile Cruise
- Mon: Transfer from your Cruise to Luxor Airport to fly to Cairo
- Mon: Transfer from Cairo Airport to your International Terminal
Sightseeing:
- Wed: Full-day pyramids, Sphinx, and Grand Egyptian Museum include Guiding, Lunch, Entrance fees, and A/C Bus model 2022
- Thu: Full-day Cairo National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Old Cairo, Citadel of Salah Eldeen include Guiding, Lunch, Entrance fees, and A/C Bus model 2022
- Fri - Mon: 4 Days cruise Sightseeing as per program including Guiding, Entrance fees, and A/C Bus model 2022
Free Items:
- Camel ride
Not included:
- Visa $25
- Tipping
- International and Domestic flights
- any option tours
FAQ
Egypt is very safe to visit and the police, tourist police, and army are in prominence wherever you go, giving you a feel of being in secure surroundings. Egypt prides itself on its high safety record for tourists and will do all it can to maintain this.
Egyptian Arabic is the official and most widely spoken language in Egypt. English is taught in schools and is considered a secondary language that is most commonly used for tourism purposes.
The official currency of Egypt is the Egyptian Pound. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and upscale shops. There are also ATMs available at hotels and outside major banks dispensing local currency.
The best time to visit Egypt would be during the winter months, from October to April. The temperatures are mild and pleasant, although evenings can become quite cool. December through January are the peak tourist months so expect large crowds if travelling at this time. The best time to enjoy the beaches, without having to endure the large crowds of summer tourists, would be from March to May. Temperatures at this time are warm and tourist sites are not too crowded.
Egypt, being a predominantly Muslim country, is naturally conservative (not like the Gulf States or Saudi Arabia) but the average people are careful in what they wear. The dress code in Egypt for women is considered conservative by western standards and it is respectful to obey this code.
For men it is not really an issue -- normal trousers and shirt or T-shirt are fine -- but in Cairo it would not be acceptable to wear short shorts or a tank tops/sleeveless tops. In the resorts like Sharm El Sheik, Hurghada, Sinai, etc. -- shorts are fine and it is very open and flexible. This also applies to ladies for the beach areas, but going into the market area in Hurghada, for example you may be more comfortable in trousers. Generally for men in Cairo or any city that is not on the sea side, remain with trousers (at tourist sites long loose shorts) or jeans and T-shirt , as even in Cairo, local people do not feel comfortable seeing a man in shorts. In Sea Side areas it's ok to walk in shorts, but once you enter a local restaurant or market, it's better to be more covered.
For the vast majority of travelers to Egypt, a valid passport and a travel visa is required. A visa can easily be purchased at the airport when you arrive. The cost for a single-entry, 30-day tourist visa is $25 (or equivalent in Euro), must be paid in cash (no credit or debit cards accepted), and your passport must be valid for at least six months. Citizens of all European countries, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, South Korea, Macedonia, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine and United States can obtain a visa upon arrival. (Egypt does allow visa-free access for certain countries such as Bahrain, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Lebanon, Macao, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia.) Visas can also be purchased beforehand through Egypt’s Visa e-Portal: https://visa2egypt.gov.eg. Forty-one different nationalities are eligible to purchase the e-visa, however, it’s far easier to simply buy the visa at the airport.
As with most European and North American countries, tipping is graciously accepted in Egypt. A 10% tip at restaurants and to guides and drivers is standard. Unfortunately, at major tourist sites like the Pyramids of Giza or the tombs of the Valley of the Kings, touts aggressively hustle for tips by allowing you to take photos in areas where it’s clearly posted as prohibited (such as inside the tombs). Please refrain from perpetuating this problem by not paying to take pictures.
Egypt has a voltage supply of 220V and the plugs are the 2-round pin type that are common throughout Europe.
As noted previously, Egypt is a Muslim country, therefore alcohol is not readily available outside of tourist areas and western-style hotels/resorts. Beer and wine is available for purchase on all Dragonfly Kite Safaris.