EGYPT: Boutique Small Group Cultural Tour - 16 days

Destination:  Egypt: Cairo | Alexandria | Luxor | Nile Cruise - East bank | West Bank | Edfu & Kom-Ombo | Aswan | Cairo

Tour Commences In:  Cairo

Tour Concludes in:  Cairo

Number of Days:  16 days / 15 nights

Tour Style:  Private Escorted Small Group Tour (groups, couples & solo travellers)

Accommodation:  Luxury & Boutique Hotels

Meals:  Breakfasts; 15: Lunches; 13: Dinners; 13:

Leaders: Professional private guide

Transportation:  Private chauffeur driven air-conditioned vehicles & boats

Tour Grading:  MODERATE: Suitable for travellers with an above average level of fitness and mobility

• Be in awe of the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza

• Be mesmerized in the Grand Egyptian Museum 

• Meander the area of the Pharos Lighthouse of Alexandria and the new library

• Marvel at the discoveries in the Valley of the Kings (entrance to 3 tombs) 

• A special visit to the Tomb of Tut Ankh Amun 

• Explore the huge Karnak Temple & Hatshepsut Temple 

• Wander around the amazing Colossi of Memnon

• Cruise the Nile River on our fabulous luxury dahabiya

• Explore a local foodie market & cook up local treats with a chef

• Be fascinated by the Izbat Al Bayyarah - Kom Ombo Temple  Philae Temple - Sharia el Souk 

• Be overwhelmed as you tour the Abu Simbel temples 

• Enjoy the Abu Simbel Sound and Light Show (entrance fee) 

• Indulge in Afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel 

• Visit Elephantine Island, the Unfinished Obelisk and the High Dam 

• Venture to a Nubian Village 

• Explore Cairo on our downtown walking and Tasting Tour 

• Discover the history of Tahrir Square & the Ibn Tulun Mosque 

• Practise your bartering skills at the Khan al-Khalili Bazaar 

• immerse yourself in the history of the Gayer-Anderson Museum (entrance fee) 

• Enjoy wonderful cuisine and regional delicacies along the way

Day 1:    Saturday:   Arrive Cairo:    (D)
Welcome to Egypt! On arrival at Cairo International Airport, you will be met by a BT&T team member who will expediate your arrival through border control and customs and then transfer you to your luxury hotel that offers stunning views of the great pyramids.

Guests participating in this tour rendezvous in the hotel lobby later this afternoon to meet with fellow like-minded travellers to enjoy drinks and canapés and gaze in awe at the magnificent great pyramids in Giza.

You may wish to arrive a day or so earlier and visit a number of options including sightseeing, visiting museums, galleries or maybe just to get your bearings and recover from any jet lag you may have. If you do choose to arrive early, we can extend your hotel booking and provide any information or advice you may need in order to make the most of your time in this exciting city. (Please confirm if you require pre or post tour accommodation ASAP)

Day 2:    Sunday:    Cairo: (Sakkara & Great Pyramids)     (B/L)
Today will be an unforgettable introduction to ancient Egypt. With our private Egyptologist tour guide we drive to the old city of Memphis, the ancient capital of the pharaohs during the Old Kingdom. Here we visit the amazing recumbent statue of Ramses II and the 80-ton alabaster sphinx.
We begin at  Saqqara, with it’s a vast necropolis which served as the burial ground for ancient Egypt for thousands of years. There are numerous pyramids in Saqqara including the very famous Pyramid of Djoser, also known as the Step Tomb.
After lunch we visit the Giza Plateau and view the sheer magnitude of the pyramids and marvel at the 20-metre limestone monolith of The Sphinx. There is an opportunity to enter and admire the amazing hieroglyphic’s etched on walls of a great pyramid. (Optional- requires a payment to enter) You may like to enjoy an iconic camel ride around the Pyramids. (Optional) On our return to our hotel, we’ll visit a fabulous arts & craft centre.
Later, this evening we drive to the Pyramids to witness the magical Sound & Light Show as these major monuments are illuminated.

Day 3:    Monday:    Cairo: (Egyptian Museum & Citadel)    (B/L/D)
We start the day with a private tour with our Egyptologist & leading historian of the new Egyptian Museum. This Museum houses the world’s largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities. You will be dazzled with the number of priceless treasures. You will find yourself standing face to face with the beautiful ‘Golden Mask’  of the young King Tutankhamun.
Following lunch, we visit the Citadel of Salah El Din and within it the Mohamed Ali Mosque. It was a massive 12th century compound that was home to Egypt's rulers for more than seven hundred years from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Situated on the summit of the citadel, this Ottoman Mosque, the largest to be built in the first half of the 19th century, is, with its animated silhouette and twin minarets is the most visible mosque in Cairo. If time permits, we may have time to visit the ancient museum before we return to our hotel.

Day 4:    Tuesday:    Cairo – Alexandria:    (B/L/D)
Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt and was founded by Alexander the Great about 331 BC on the site of an old fishing village. It was home to the Pharos Lighthouse, ranked among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, as well as a storied library and it was home to numerous famous philosophers, scientists, and intellectuals.
We drive north along the Desert Road to Alexandria. On arrival we visit Pompey’s Pillar, the Roman triumphal column 30 metres high and built from red granite from Aswan. Pompey's Pillar is more impressive because of its lonely position atop the ruins of the Temple of Serapeum. We continue on and explore the Catacombs of Kom El Shuqqafa, a Roman burial site dating back to the second century that wasn’t discovered until 1900. It is a remarkable example of the Alexandrian blend of Greco-Roman and Egyptian burial site carved into 100 ft of solid rock.
Following lunch, we visit the beautiful Montazah Gardens and within them the Montazah Palace. It was originally built in 1892 and from 1926 and was the summer home of the Egyptian Royal family. We later book into to our lovely historical hotel. 

Day 5:    Wednesday:    Alexandria – Cairo:    (B/L)
This morning we continue our discovery of Alexandria with a tour of the Fort and Citadel of Qaitbay where the legendary Pharos Lighthouse once stood. Built in the 15th century by Mamluk sultan Ashraf Qait Bey, legend tells us that the fort was built with stones from the Pharos Lighthouse, It now houses a navel museum. (The Pharos Lighthouse existed for 17 centuries before being destroyed by an earthquake.)
Our next stop the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (once the Great Library of Alexandra), which is found where the Library of Ptolemies once stood some 1700 years ago. Now the site is of the newly opened magnificent Library of Alexandria.
Following lunch at a wonderful seafood restaurant we return to Cairo. This evening Is free at your leisure.

Day 6:    Thursday:    Cairo – Luxor: (Old Markets and Felucca ride).   (B/L/D)
Early this morning we transfer to Cairo Airport for our short flight to Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes. On arrival we explore the markets and souks.
Later this afternoon, enjoy a moment sailing on Felucca. Feluccas are a unique mode of transport used along the Nile for centuries. Experience the peace and tranquillity of the Nile that has been the lifeblood of Egypt since Pharaonic times. Travelling Egypt is not complete without sailing in a Felucca on the Nile. 

Day 7:    Friday:    Luxor: (Dendarah)    (B/L/D)
This morning we drive north passing fertile farmlands that run beside the Nile and visit one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, the Dendarah Temple complex, which is the home of the Temple of Hathor. (The deity of love, music & fertility) The complex covers some 40,000 square meters and is surrounded by a mud brick walls, shrines and temples dating back to the Old Kingdom (2575-2150 BC) Ptolemaic dynasty. It was completed by the Roman emperor Tiberius, but it rests on the foundations of earlier buildings dating back at least as far as Khufu (known as the pyramid builder Cheops, the second king of the 4th dynasty) It was once home to the amazing celebrated Egyptian Zodiac which is now displayed in the Louvre Museum in Paris. We later return to Luxor and visit a hand weaving venue specialising in hand woven scarves in Egyptian cotton, linen and wool.

Day 8:    Saturday:    Luxor – Nile Cruise: (Karnak & Lxor Temple)    (B/L/D)
After breakfast check out of our hotel and we transfer to our luxury dahabiya for our Nile Cruise. Enjoy lunch on board before disembarking to tour the striking Luxor Temple. It is a large ancient Egyptian Temple complex located on the East Bank of the Nile River in the city today known as Luxor that was once the ancient Thebes. It was founded in 1400 BC. Known in the Egyptian language asipet resyt, or “the southern sanctuary” It is situated right in the heart of the city.
We then visit the magnificent Karnak Temple dedicated to the Pharaoh Amun. We enter through the majestic avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, the famous Hypostyle Hall and be in awe of the magnificent 134 huge columns, the courtyard and Statue of Ramses II, the Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut and the Sacred Lake. It was one of the most important places of worship in Egypt for nearly 800 years. Karnak is an extraordinary sight. (It also has a ‘cornich’ of Tutankhamen)

Day 9:    Sunday:    Luxor – Nile Cruise: (West Bank)    (B/L/D)
We spend the day exploring the incredible West Bank of the Nile and the Necropolis of Thebes, the world’s largest open air museum.We visit the extraordinary Valley of the Kings and Queens burial ground of the pharaohs, an UNESCOWorld Heritage Site. It is where some of the richest treasures in the world have been discovered including the Tomb of Tut Ankh Amun in 1922 by British archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter. We stop and visit Carter House and view a replica of the Tomb of Tut Ankh Amun.Our exploration continues onto the splendid Temple of Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt’s first female pharaoh and regarded today as one of its most successful, with its pillared porticoes and vibrant reliefs, making it one of the world’s most striking architectural masterpieces.
Our tour continues and we travel to the spectacular Colossi of Memnon. These enormous twin statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III sit 60 feet above the plain and dominates the landscape with their 720-tonne masses. They have stood there for the past 3,400 years. (since 1,350 BC)
We later reboard our dahabiya and enjoy lunch as we begin our relaxing cruise down the Nile. Green pastures either side include banana plantations, cornfields with pampas grass along the water’s edge. Watch the sunset from the deck as we continue towards the locks of Esna.

Day 10:    Monday:    Nile Cruise: (Edfu & Kom-Ombo)    (B/L/D)
At sunrise, we cross the lock at Esna, you may wish to be on deck to witness this moment. This morning is at your leisure As we continuing to cruise down the Nile, passing by local farming communities and see the fishermen heading out from the shoreline in their small boats.  There’s reed islands abundant with bird life. Great for bird watchers.
This afternoon after lunch we disembark in Edfu and visit another fabulous Temple, Horus Temple, dedicated to the Falcon God. It is an amazingly well-preserved temple structure and one of three beautiful temples of the Ptolemaic Period.
After dinner there is an optional local music moment to enjoy.  Later tonight we sail onto Kim-Ombo.

Day 11:    Tuesday:    Nile Cruise –  Kom-Ombo – Aswan:    (B/L/D)
We wake with our boat docked at an exceptional and historical sandstone shoreline, there is an optional early morning walking tour to visit and explore this incredible ancient quarry.  
We continue to cruise onto Kom Ombo. We disembark and transfer and walk these Greco-Roman temples that are dedicated to two gods, Haroeris, the sun god and Sobek, the crocodile god and within it there are beautiful murals and reliefs. Step back on board as we continue to sail onto Aswan.

Day 12:    Wednesday:    Aswan:  High Dam & Philae Temple: (B/L)
After breakfast, we disembark and farewell our luxury dahabiyas and travel with our guide & driver to the High Dam, a spectacular feat of modern engineering – creating Lake Nasser, the world’s largest artificial lake.  We continue our drive and transfer onto a boat to visit the magnificent Philae Temple complex. We explore this sacred site that was built to honour Goddess Isis. Isis, the mother of God Horus and wife of Osiris, is famed for her symbolism of peace, beauty and love. Surrounded by water these ancient ruins date back to 690 BC. This Temple complex was moved to its current location (around 500 meters from the original site when the construction of the High Dam caused the surrounding Nile waters to rise. (Another major Engineering feat) Our Egyptologist guide will walk with us through the temple. This evening there is a wonderful ‘Sound & Light Show’ to enjoy here. (Optional)

Day 13:    Thursday:    Aswan: (Nubian Village).   (B/L/ High Tea)
Following breakfast, we sail on an Egyptian Felucca around Elephantine Island. It was essentially an historical military stronghold, a fortress defending the country against any attacks from the south. We then visit Lord Kitchener’s Island and his Botanical Gardens which is home to thousands of birds and many exotic plants imported from many parts of the world including far East Africa and Asia. This garden offers a beautiful and unique escape. A true gem of Egyptian treasures. From the river, view the pink granite structure of the Agha Khan Mausoleum Built in the 1950’s. We then visit a Nubian village and meet with a local family and note their simple lifestyle, culture and traditions including local arts and crafts. We return to our hotel, and later sit back, relax, reminisce and enjoy a wonderful High Tea on the Sofitel’s shaded colonial style terrace with a stunning sunset and a picturesque view just as Princess Dianna, Winston Churchill and Agatha Christ once did.

Day 14:    Friday:    Aswan – Abu Simble – Cairo:    (B)
We transfer to the airport for our flight to the majestic Abu Simble Temples. The Abu Simbel Temples are two massive rock temples that are situated on the western bank of Lake Nasser. They were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BC as a lasting monument to himself and his queen Nefertari to commemorate his alleged victory at the Battle of Kadesh. Be in awe as we walk this enormous complex that was moved 65 meters higher up and 200 meters further inland as part of the UNESCO World Heritage relocation project in conjunction with the massive construction of the High Dam. (1968)  Later we return to the airport for our return flight to Cairo. 

Day 15:    Saturday:    Cairo:    (B/L/D)
On our private tour today, we visit the Gayer-Anderson Museum, one of the best-preserved examples of 17th century domestic architecture exhibits still standing in Cairo. View its fascinating and splendid collection of furniture, carpets, crystal, silk and glassware. We then wander to the spectacular Mosque of Ibn Tulun, one of the oldest mosques in Egypt. We continue on and visit one of the best designed mosque and madrasa’s, the complex of Sultan Hassan. Visit Bab al Futah and walk toBayt Al-Suhaymi, Siheima House, a historic 16th century Ottoman home and then we visit the fabulous Textile Museum for private tour with our Egyptologist & leading textile historian. Lunch will be along the way at a local restaurant. Explore Sharia Khayamiya – the tentmakers bazaar, where local artisans produce textiles and other items before we return to our hotel to freshen up for our special farewell dinner.

Day 16:    Sunday:    Depart Cairo:    (B)
Our small group tour concludes after breakfast and for most guests today it is time to say farewell to acquaintances, new-found friends and Egypt.

At your leisure before transferring to the airport for your onward or homebound journey.

Depending on your departure itinerary, you may have time for some last-minute sightseeing and shopping. We are able to organise our private guide to accompany you.

Some guests may wish to stay another day or more in this amazing city; please don’t hesitate to contact Boutique Tours & Travel for further travel arrangements.

Our itineraries are carefully planned to ensure you are rewarded with the best experiences in Egypt.  The magic of travelling in a small group allows us to cater for spontaneity and it is sometimes these unplanned moments that can be the most memorable and together with the rich tapestry of experiences and the characters we meet along the way that make this a very special tour.

Please contact us as soon as possible to ensure your place on this boutique small group tour.

·       A specially curated itinerary for Boutique Tours & Travel. 

·       A Small Group Tour (2 – 12 Guests)

·       Private international airport arrival transfers (1 - 2 days Pre Tour- to Tour Hotel)

·       Private international airport departure transfers for all guests (1 – 2 days  Post Tour- from Tour Hotel)

·       Domestic Economy Class Flight:  Cairo – Luxor / Aswan – Cairo (upgrade on request)

·       Hand selected 5 star modern & boutique hotel accommodation standard room (upgrade on request)

·       Cruise the Nile River on a wonderful ‘Dahabiyas’

·       Internet Access where possible

·       Meals as indicated in Itinerary; B = Breakfast: L=Lunch: D=Dinner:

·       Private services of a professional expert Egyptologist guide

·       Concierge / Bellhop services throughout tour

·       24 hour on call support service 

·       Private chauffeur driven air-conditioned vehicles for transfers & sightseeing.

·       Admission fees to all monuments, activities, excursions and shows as per the itinerary

·       Bottled water whilst touring in vehicle

·       An exclusive BT&T Travel Information App

·       Room Sharing options for singles / solo travellers available  

Not included:

·       International air or train fares

·       Arrival / Departure Taxes, levies and other charges

·       Internal Domestic flight upgrade to Business Class (available on request)

·       Passport and visa fees

·       Excess baggage charges

·       Cost of any ‘luggage delivery’ via FedEx or postal services

·       Personal travel insurance

·       Tipping and gratuities

·       Meals not included

·       Alcoholic beverages

·       Personal expenses