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Wonders of Egypt

Classic Tours - Egypt
Visiting - Luxor, Aswan & Cairo 9 nights from £979

Prices | Itinerary | Photos | Holiday Extension Suggestions
An opportunity to explore Luxor, known as the world’s greatest open-air museum, combined with a visit to the charming and friendly city of Aswan and the vibrant and exciting city of Cairo.
PRICES
Prices for the Wonders of Egypt Tour start from £979 per person for 9 nights
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£1675
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Important information
Guide prices are based on 2 people sharing a room and include flights with EgyptAir from Heathrow. Accomodation has been calculated using the Sophitel Karnak Luxor (Bed & Breakfast), Movenpic Resort Aswan (Bed & Breakfast) & Mercure Cairo Le Sphinx (Bed & Breakfast).

This classic tour can only be booked by calling 0844 770 9960

Itinerary
3 nights Luxor + 3 nights Aswan + 3 nights Cairo

Monday Start your unforgetable adventure by departing from the UK for your flight to Luxor, On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel in Luxor. During your 3 night stay in Luxor, you may sightsee independently or pre-book your excursions.

Thursday After enjoying breakfast, travel by road (a journey of approximately 3 hours) to your chosen hotel in Aswan. During your 3 night stay in Aswan, you may sightsee independently or pre-book your excursions.

Sunday After breakfast, transfer to Aswan airport for your flight to Cairo. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel for the next 3 nights. During your stay in Cairo, you may sightsee independently or pre-book your excursions.

Wednesday Transfer to Cairo airport for your return flight to the UK.
How To Book
Please note that the prices above should only be used as a guideline.

Our specialist Tailor-Made team are able to provide you quickly and accurately with the most up to date prices.

Due to their specialist nature, our multi-centre holidays are not bookable online - please call reservations for further information on 0844 770 9960

Things to see Luxor + 3 nights Aswan + 3 nights Cairo


Luxor & Cairo

The Pyramids of Giza
This must-see ancient Egyptian landmark is Cairo's most remarkable tourist attraction. One of the seven wonders of the world, the great Pyramids of Giza are located on the Giza Plateau with the largest of the 3 pyramids, Khufu, known to be the world's tallest structure for more than 43 centuries until the Eiffel Tower broke its record in 1889. The two smaller pyramids are Khafre and Menkaure. Attend the entertaining Sound & Light Show at Giza which takes place every night with the pyramids as a breathtaking backdrop. Be sure to take that camel ride here as it is one of the experiences all newcomers to Egypt must try!

The Sphinx
Close to the Pyramids stands the incomparable Great Sphinx of Giza, a grand statue which represents a body of a lion with a human head. The Sphinx represents one of Egypt's greatest mysteries as there is no evidence to conclude who the Sphinx represents, why its nose is broken and how it was broken.

Solar Boat Museum
Also on the Giza Plateau is the Solar Boat Museum. The Ancient Egyptians used to build wooden boats and place them into carved ditches of the kings' tombs as they believed that the kings would need transportation to get to the 'after life'. Many ditches have been found underneath the pyramids and one of the boats that have been found in very good condition has been revealed and can now be seen at this museum.

Memphis & Saqqara
Memphis is the oldest capital of Egypt which was built by King Menes around 3100 BC. The limestone statue of Ramses II is the main attraction in Memphis which stands in a small museum. Saqqara is where Memphis was buried and it is one of the oldest ancient Egyptian cemeteries. Saqqara is home to many monuments of most of the main dynasties and is where many pharaohs were buried, making it a very important archaeological site.

The Saqqara Step Pyramid
Considered to be the world's oldest stone structure of this dimension in the world, this 6-tiered step pyramid stands at 60 metres high in the middle of Saqqara. Originally built as a tomb for King Zoser by his physician and architect, Imhotep, it is now part of a mortuary complex for the king with nearby smaller pyramids and monuments.

The Cairo Citadel
To the east of the city centre is Islamic Cairo where the Cairo Citadel of Salah El Din stands overlooking bazaars, mosques, and panoramic views of Cairo reaching out as far as the Pyramids. This interesting highly fortified area resembles a typical early medieval fortress, with large gateways, towers and high defending walls. The Citadel is one of the most popular non-pharaonic monuments in Cairo and is one of the main attractions for Islamic art. The Citadel houses several mosques, museums, gardens, and an impressive gold scripted palace.

Mohamed Ali Mosque
Built inside the citadel is Mohamed Ali Mosque, which took 33 years to build during the Turkish rule of Mohamed Ali. The mosque is also known as the Alabaster Mosque because alabaster was used to cover the mosque's inner and outer walls, resembling the mosques of Istanbul.

The Egyptian Museum
In the heart of Cairo's downtown area in the now popular square of Midan Tahrir, Liberation Square, where the modern-day revolution took place in 2011 to overthrow the former President Mubarak, stands the impressive Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. It is the most extensive museum in Egypt and is the richest exhibit of ancient Egyptian art and treasures from the Pharaonic until the Graeco-Roman period with over 130,000 items on display from artefacts to jewellery to mummies. Make sure you don't miss the artefacts found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun!

Khan El Khalili Bazaar
Khan El Khalili is by far Cairo's busiest and most popular oriental bazaar. With shops left right and centre, this souk is a shopping haven for souvenirs and Egyptian jewellery, sheesha pipes, galabiyyas, papyrus paintings, accessories and even belly dancing gear! Bargaining is part of the bazaar's tradition so make sure to negotiate and offer a third of the asking price. The bazaar also has Egyptian style cafes and restaurants so you can take a break between all the shopping.

The Hanging Church
Located in Old Cairo, the Hanging Church is one of the most famous Coptic churches. It was given its name because it is situated on top of the gatehouse of a Roman fortress. This beautiful church boasts 13 amazing pillars in its interior which represent Jesus and his 12 apostles.

St. Mark's Cathedral
The oldest and largest church in Africa, the cathedral of St. Mark was built in a more modern architectural style in the district of Abbaseya where St. Mark's remains rest. Beautiful icons and mosaics fill the massive Coptic cathedral making for a magnificent sight.

Ibn Tulun Mosque
The Mosque of Ibn Tulun is the largest mosque in Egypt, resembling more of a fortress than a mosque. It was built between 876-870 BC and it is quite unique for its external spiral staircase winding up to the minaret where prayers are called by the sheikh.

Al Azhar Mosque
Located in the heart of Islamic Cairo, Al Azhar is home to one of Cairo's oldest mosques and the world's oldest university which still operates today. It is one of the leading centres of Islamic teachings. It also the place where the graduation black gowns originated! It is believed that the current graduation costume was inspired from the robes worn by the Islamic Scholars who were graduating from Al-Azhar University.

Cairo Tower
A landmark of Egypt, the Cairo Tower is the tallest building in Egypt standing at about 43 metres taller than the Great Pyramid of Giza, Khufu (187 metres in total) and is ranked the 4th tallest in the world. It is located in Cairo's Zamalek district on El Gezirah Island overlooking the Nile. The design is inspired by the lotus flower, one of the most iconic ancient Egyptian plants. At the very top of the tower, you will be able to see the most spectacular 360 degrees panoramic views of Cairo with telescopes in an open air area which will make you feel like you are at the summit of the amazing city. From the top you can see the Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara, the Egyptian Museum, and many other sites.

Aswan
Elephantine Island
Home to two Nubian tribes, the Elephantine Island was one of the strongest forts along Egypt's southern border on the Nile River. Some believe the name 'Elephantine' was given to the island because of its shape when looked at from aerial views resembles an elephant's tusk. According to Egyptian mythology, this island was the home of 'Khnum' who had a ram-shaped head and was seen as the creator of mankind and protected the waters of the Nile. There is a temple in his name on the island. The island also has a museum with important relics from the Graeco-Roman era and a Nilometer, which dates back to the Romans and shows the height of the Nile floods in different language inscriptions. The island is home to colourful Nubian villages and wonderful gardens.

Philae Temple
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Temple of the Goddess of Isis at Philae is another one of Aswan's must-see temples on an island called Agilkia. The Philae Temple was saved and re-erected after being submerged during the construction of the former Aswan Dam in 1902. Having been made out of durable sandstone, the Philae Temple is one of the best preserved Graeco-Roman temples. Visit the temple at night to attend the Sound & Light Show.

The Agha Khan Mausoleum
Agha Khan, the leader of the Ismaylia sect in 1957, was one of the famous people who succumbed to the relaxing charms of Aswan. This mausoleum is where Agha Khan was buried and stands on the West Bank opposite the Old Cataract Hotel. It is a beautiful structure made out of pink granite and shows the best of Islamic architecture.

Botanical Garden at Kitchener's Island
This island, which was turned into a botanical garden in 1928 by Lord Horacio Kitchener, is a world of hundreds of species of plants, tropical trees and shrubs, flowers, and birds imported from the Far East and Africa. The island was given to British military leader Lord Kitchener for his role in the Sudan campaign. The garden is perfect for a peaceful and relaxing stroll.

The Aswan High Dam
One of the engineering wonders of the world, Aswan's High Dam currently regulates irrigation demand and electricity for almost all of Egypt! The first dam on the Nile was built during the British occupation of Egypt from 1898-1902 and it was the largest masonry dam in the world of its time. After Egypt gained independence, the new High Dam was constructed. It took ten years for it to be built and was completed in 1970. The High Dam is an impressive 3600 metres long, 980 metres thick at base and 111 metres tall (at its highest point). It is definitely worth going for a day trip. One of the results of the dam is that it helped create Lake Nasser, the world's largest man-made lake.

Lake Nasser
Lake Nasser is the world's largest man-made lake and it stretches 500km south of the Aswan High Dam. Taking a felucca down the lake is a breathtaking experience with wonderful panoramic views. You can also go fishing in the lake, which is home to over 30 different fish species and also home to crocodiles! Lake Nasser is also known for its bird watching from storks to pelicans to doves! Cruises are available on the lake for those that want to explore it in all its wonders.

Unfinished Obelisk
The Unfinished Obelisk is one of ancient Egypt's most unusual and fascinating sights. If it had been completed, it would have been Egypt's highest obelisk but a crack in the stone meant the project had to be abandoned. This huge obelisk stands at 41 metres in length and would have weighed 1,200 tons when finished. It is still an inspiring piece of rock as it shows how the Ancient Egyptians used to cut out these columns of granite rock. The Obelisk can be found in the Northern Quarries where the Ancient Egyptians quarried granite. If you stand close to the Obelisk you can see small intricate tool marks and pictographs of dolphins and birds engraved into the obelisk.

Abu Simbel Temples
A visit to Aswan would not be complete without a visit to the infamous statues and temples of Abu Simbel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated on top of a hill overlooking the Nile, The Great Temple of Abu Simbel was constructed for its builder, Ramses II while the second and smaller temple was built to honour Nefertari, Ramses II's wife in the 13th century. They are by far one of the most breathtaking and beautiful monuments in the world and they are Egypt's second most frequented touristic site following Cairo's Pyramids of Giza. What makes the Great Temple of Abu Simbel so remarkable is due to the fact that it was constructed in such a way where twice a year, on February 22nd and October 22nd, the sun's rays would penetrate the whole temple early in the morning bringing light into its sanctuary. This is referred to as 'the miracle of the sun.'

Esna Temple
Located in a town called Esna, this temple is remarkable for the beauty of its site and the magnificence of its architecture. It is built with red sandstone, and its entrance consists of six rows of four columns each, with lotus-leaf capitals, all of which however differ from each other. A hall inside the temple has pictures and texts portraying those Roman emperors who visited Egypt to offer sacrifices to their gods.

St. Simeon Monastery
The Monastery of St. Simeon dates back to the 6th century and is one of the largest Coptic monasteries in the world. The monastery can be reached from the riverbank either by foot or by camel as it is situated on top of a hill overlooking the magical views of the Nile and desert below. A truly spiritual experience awaits you here.

Tombs of the Nobles
Dating back to the 23rd century, the Tombs of the Nobles are a collection of rock-cut tombs of princes from the Old and Middle Kingdom, hence called Tombs of the Nobles. These tombs can be found on the northern hills of the West Bank and are beautifully illuminated by the sun making it a spectacular site. The inscriptions on the tombs walls portray the role of the nobles in guarding Egypt's southern border and making trips to other African countries.

Edfu Temple
The Ptolemaic Temple of the falcon-headed god, Horus in Edfu is one of the best preserved temples in Egypt and is the second biggest temple following the Karnak temple in Luxor. It took about 200 years to construct this temple starting in 240 BC. The temple's grand entrance is guarded by two beautiful black granite statues depicting Horus in the form of a falcon. The well preserved hieroglyphs on the temple have shed light on the practices of the cult of Horus.

Kom Ombo Temple
An interesting and unusual 'double temple' built in the Ptolemaic dynasty in the town of Kom Ombo, the Temple of Kom Ombo is actually split into two temples but with identical entrances, halls, and sanctuaries. Each temple is dedicated to a different set of gods. At the temple you can see mummified crocodiles, clay coffins and spectacular inscriptions on the walls.

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Valley of the Kings
Dating back to the 11th century, the Valley of the Kings is an ancient burial ground dug deep into the desert mountains and contains the tombs of many of Egypt's ancient pharaoh rulers at the time, most famously, Tutankhamun. His tomb is one of the greatest discoveries of Ancient Egypt as it is the only tomb that remained almost 100% intact until it was discovered in 1922. The stone sarcophagus and the wooden coffin still contain his mummy and are left in the burial chambers. The tombs at Valley of the Kings, carved in rock, were designed to resemble the Underworld.

Karnak Temple
Luxor's centrepiece, The Karnak Temple is one of the largest and most important religious ancient sites in the world. Karnak, meaning 'fortified settlement' in Arabic, covers a complex of 2 square kilometres of temples including the Temple of Amun, which is the largest place of worship ever built. Due to its size and sheer complexity, the Karnak Temple is one of Egypt's most impressive sites. Don't miss the spectacular Sound & Light that takes place at the Karnak Temple every evening.

Luxor Temple
Built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II the Luxor Temple is placed in the middle of the city overlooking the Nile. A must-see site, the Luxor Temple has withstood a multi-layered history, from Alexander the Great's rule where he converted one of its chambers into a sanctuary, followed by the Romans rule who transformed the temple into a military camp, then transformed once more into churches, and later still, Abu El Haggag mosque was built next to the temple. All throughout the temple, paintings and inscriptions tell the stories of the pharaohs and of history. In front of the temple is a giant red granite obelisk and the Avenue of Sphinxes, a long wide entrance road with Sphinx statues left and right which is supposed to lead all the way from the Luxor Temple to the Karnak Temple.

Luxor Museum
The Luxor Museum is located between the Luxor Temple and the Karnak Temple is home to relics and antiquities and key discoveries from decades of archaeological findings. Priceless masterpieces are exhibited in this small museum that only adds to the glorious story of Luxor's magnificent monuments.

Mummification Museum
Right across from the Luxor Museum is the Mummification Museum where the immortal dead tell their story and take you through the art and science of the mummification process, a true Egyptian specialty. Humans as well as some sacred animals were mummified such as crocodiles and baboons.

Valley of the Queens
On the West Bank of the Nile lies the Valley of the Queens where tombs of wives of pharaohs, princesses, princes, and nobles are there on display. The Valley of the Queens is most popular for the Tomb of Nefertari, the favourite wife of Ramses II, which is referred to as the most beautiful in Egypt is it completely covered with colourful paintings of Nefartari being guided by the gods.

The Colossi of Memnon
The Colossi of Memnon are two gigantic statues of Amenhotep III cut out of single blocks of sandstone. Each statue stands at 21 metres in height and represents Amenhotep III seated on his throne. You can't miss these gigantic figures on your way to the West Bank.

The Ramesseum
The Ramesseum is a mortuary temple of Ramses II who was a prolific builder, known most for his building of Abu Simbel. Although not entirely intact, it is one of the loveliest temples in Egypt. The temple contains a broken statue of Ramses II which used to be the biggest in the world, weighing at 1,000 tons.

Hatshepsut Temple
Located beneath massive, steep cliffs, stands the Temple of Hatshepsut. Designed by Hatshepsut's steward and architect Senenmut, the temple is a true work of art and built to resemble classical architecture with a three-level facade and beautiful wide terraces. Inside the temple you will find halls, a chapel, a sanctuary, and beautifully designed columns with statues in front of them which were once painted in bright and vivid colours.
Language: Arabic (French and English widely spoken)

Currency: Egyptian Pound

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50 cycles. An adaptor, generally 2-pronged, is necessary.

Typical Costs
Eating in Egypt can represent good value for money, with local meals being well priced. Hotels are naturally more expensive, but still offer good value for money.

Tipping
Tipping, or baksheesh, is almost a way of life in Egypt. It is customary and appreciated to tip guides, drivers, hotel staff and your boat/dive crew.

Shopping
Shops are generally open from approximately 10am-11pm year round, although may stay open until later in summer.

Banks
Banking hours are 9am - 1pm Sunday - Thursday. Many banks are open 6pm-9pm Sunday to Thursday for exchange only.

Local customs
When visiting holy sites such as mosques, you may be required to observe customs such as covering your head, shoulders and legs. Please respect such local customs. Swimwear and other revealing clothes should be kept to the beach and by the pool.

Clothing
Much of Egypt is desert, and as such is subject to hot days and cooler nights. Beach resorts are often cooled in the day by sea breezes, however, Nile towns can become stifling, especially in summer months. Lightweight clothing is recommended for days, although a fleece or sweater may be required during the winter months. A pullover or jacket for evenings, may also be required in winter. Shoes are not worn on board dive boats and liveaboards, so please take this into consideration when choosing which footwear to pack. Suitable clothing such as walking boots and a windproof jacket is recommend for touring itineraries.

Passports & Visas
A full 10-year passport with at least 6 months validity from the date of return is required for travel to Egypt for all British, EU and EEA nationals. British passport holders also require a visa to visit all parts of Egypt except for the Gulf coast of Sinai for stays of less than 15 nights. Visitors to the Gulf area wishing to stay 15 nights or more, or those wishing to visit other parts of Egypt including Cairo and Ras Mohammed, must obtain a visa. Visas can be obtained by contacting the Egyptian Embassy on 020 7235 9777. For up to date information on visa requirements, visitors are strongly advised to contact the Embassy prior to travel.

General information
Cameras and video cameras may not be taken into temples, tombs and archaeological sites, or a charge may be levied. Bags over 35cm may not be taken into such sites.

Festivals & holidays
The following festivals and associated holidays are celebrated in either or all of the countries featured in our programme. During these times, resorts may be busier than usual and services may be reduced.

MUSLIM FESTIVALS

Muslim religious festivals may vary by one or two days. For further details, please contact the Egyptian State Tourist Office or the Jordanian Information Bureau.

Ramadan* 20 Jul - 18 Aug 2012 Eid Al Fitr** 19 Aug 2012

New Year (Hijri Day) 15 Nov 2012 Prophet Mohammed's Birthday** 5 Feb 2012

*Dates of Ramadan and Eid Al Adha are confirmed only shortly beforehand and vary from year to year by one or two days. During Ramadan, the pace of life during daylight hours is slower and offices and shops keep shorter opening hours between sunrise and sunset. Hotels may limit facilities, and excursions and entertainment can sometimes be affected.

**These festivals are subject to change by one day before or one day after as the moon governs them.

EGYPTIAN FESTIVALS & HOLIDAYS

Revolution Day 23 Jul (annual) Armed Forces Day 6 Oct (annual) Christmas Day 9 Jan (annual) Sham El Nesim 15 Apr (annual) Sinai Liberation Day 25 Apr (annual) Labour Day 1 May (annual)


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