Felucca sailing holiday, Egypt

country:	Egypt
departures:	This trip can be tailormade at a time to suit you and can be adapted to suit your interests, budget and requirements as necessary
price:	From US $640 (9 days) excluding flights, single supplement US $220

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Egypt holidays

Ancient civilisations

Cruising holidays

the amazing things you'll be doing

Arouse your adventurous spirit sailing by felucca through Egypt’s “open-air museum” from Aswan to Luxor. We start in Cairo – as no trip to Egypt would be complete or fulfilling without seeing the only remaining wonder of the ancient world…the Great Pyramids of Giza. You will not only explore these ancient tombs but also visit the enigmatic Sphinx , Memphis (the first capital of ancient Egypt) and Sakkara (its expansive necropolis), the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, Coptic Cairo (including the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue), the Citadel of Salah el-Din and the mosque of Mohamed Ali.

Then… indulge in Aswan – where Arabia meets Africa and the Nile is its most beautiful. We visit the Temple of Philae, Aswan High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk, and then cruise to Kitchener and Elephantine Islands. Your time on the felucca takes you to Kom Ombo (mummified crocodiles anyone?), to Edfu, home of the famed Temple of Horus, and finally to Luxor where you will explore the Temples of Karnak and Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and The Valley of the Queens, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Be sure to talk a walk in the evening past the Temple of Luxor – it is quite a sight to see the monuments aglow in the cast of warm yellow lights!

We do not charge in advance for site entrance fees allowing you to choose whether or not you visit sites, depending upon your interests. All of our tours can be customized. Additional nights and optional activities (e.g. Pyramids sound & light show, Khan El-Khalily Market, oasis excursion) are available upon request. All day trips leave in small groups (maximum 9 people) and are accompanied by a professional tour guide.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Welcome to Egypt! Our representative will meet you to ensure a smooth path through immigration and customs. You have time to explore at your leisure before meeting your tour escort and fellow travelers for a welcome drink at the hotel.
Day 2:	Full-day outing to Sakkara and Memphis, followed by a visit to the most famous wonderland in the whole world – the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. Overnight train to Aswan.
Day 3:	Arrive in Aswan. Full-day excursion around the city visiting the Temple of Philae, the Aswan High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk.
Day 4:	Orientation cruise around Kitchener and Elephantine Islands. Overnight on felucca, sailing to Kom Ombo.
Day 5:	Visit the dual temple of Sobek and Haroeris. Overnight on felucca, sailing to Edfu.
Day 6:	Visit one of the most well-preserved temples in all of Egypt -- dedicated to Horus, the Falcon God. Transfer by local transportation to Luxor, and check-in at the hotel. This afternoon, enjoy the East Bank of Luxor, visiting Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple
Day 7:	Visit the West Bank of Luxor, including Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon. Overnight, we travel by train back to Cairo.
Day 8:	Arrive Cairo then we’re off to the Egyptian Museum where most of the fabulous treasures of the Pharaohs are kept. Then we drive to the Citadel -- home to Egyptian rulers for nearly 700 years. Later, we explore many attractions in the old Coptic area including the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue (the Jewish Temple).
Day 9:	Farewell to Egypt today. Our tour ends after breakfast. Transfer to Cairo International Airport.

travellers' tales

Visiting Abu Simbel, it was amazing! Definitely worth the extra add-on charge! Also simply interacting with the Egyptian locals who I found to be some of the most genuine and friendly people I’ve ever met. (more)

how this holiday makes a difference

Make your holiday in Egypt something to always remember – but not at the expense of the environment or the local peoples. You will stay in locally-owned and operated hotels throughout this tour – not multinational chains which grossly over consume the local resources (electricity, water, and so on), waste food, and do not pay wages in any way relative to the exorbitant prices they charge their guests.

Likewise, you will have only local guides throughout Egypt. All of the guides on this trip are university graduates with whom we have long-established relationships. They are all eager to share the richness of their own local traditions and culture as well as delight you with comprehensive details on the history and the role of the sites you visit.

You are on traditional public transportation whenever possible including the national train system and the age old felucca sailboat. When using private transportation the size of the vehicle is always relative to the number of people in the group. We do not use vehicles which accommodate more guests than are on the trip. All private vehicles are locally-owned and operated.

By making the most of local accommodation, transportation, and guides, communities & native people derive a greater financial benefit from tourism.

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