Egypt
Egypt - By Land, Air and River Boat
Trip Summary
Egypt's allure predates recorded history. Visit the great cultural icons of Egypt and sail on the emerald waters of the Great Nile River. Marvel at antiquities in Cairo and Luxur, built on the 4,000 year old site of ancient Thebes. Cruise the Nile on a luxury river boat as you enjoy stunning views of desert sunsets over the water. Tread ancient paths on an optional extension to Jordan, where the archeological splendor of ancient Petra and the soothing waters of the Dead Sea await you.
Itinerary: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Day 1
Cairo
Arrive Cairo, and transfer to luxury hotel.
Lodging:Four Seasons Hotel Cairo
Day 2
Cairo
After breakfast in your hotel, visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, the world's greatest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including golden treasures from the world-famous tomb of King Tutankhamen. After lunch, visit Islamic Cairo: the 12th century Citadel and the Mosque of Sultan Hassan. Stroll through the bustling Khan El-Khalili bazaar, founded in the 14th century and one of the largest bazaars in the Middle East.
Lodging:Four Seasons Hotel Cairo
Day 3
Cairo
Your morning begins with a tours of Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt dating from 3,100 BC; the legendary city of Menes; and the necropolis of Sakkara with the oldest known of Egypt's 107 pyramids. After lunch, your pyramid visit includes the Great Pyramid, and the Sphinx. Return to your hotel for the evening.
Lodging:Four Seasons Hotel Cairo
Day 4
Luxor and the Nile River
After breakfast, transfer to the Cairo airport to board your flight to Luxor. Arriving at Luxor you will be taken to your 5-star boat, Nile Adventurer. Begin with a visit to the Valley of the Kings and Queens on the west bank of Luxor. You'll also visit the Hatshepsut Temple, the Colossi of Memnon, the Temple of Karnak, take a guided tour of the Luxor Temple, and return to your boat for cocktails and a gourmet dinner on board.
Lodging:Nile Adventurer
Day 5
Esna, the Nile River
After a relaxing breakfast and lunch on board, you'll arrive in Esna where your Egyptologist will take you on a guided tour of the Greco-Roman Temple of Khnum, built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius. Back on board, relax with cocktails before enjoying spectacular sunsets and dinner.
Lodging:Nile Adventurer
Day 6
Edfu, the Nile River
Relax on board as you proceed to Edfu where you'll take an afternoon tour of the extraordinarily well-preserved Temple of Horus. Back aboard the Nile Adventurer, dine on a lavish buffet of Egyptian specialities as you enjoy oriental music and dancing.
Lodging:Nile Adventurer
Day 7
Edfu, the Nile River, and Aswan
After breakfast on board, visit the Temple of Kom Ombo before returning to the boat for lunch as you cruise to Aswan. In the afternoon, your Egyptologist will escort you to the Aswan High Dam for a look at contemporary Egyptian construction on a monumental scale. Later a short motorboat ride brings you to the Philae Temple on the Island of Agilka, after which you'll visit the granite quarries and their Unfinished Obelisk. Enjoy your last evening aboard ship with a gala dinner.
Lodging:Nile Adventurer
Day 8
Aswan, Abu Simbel and Cairo
After breakfast on board you'll depart the ship, and, weather permitting, enjoy the Nile from a different perspective. A felucca (Egyptian sail boat) will take you around Elephantine Island, Lord Kitchener's Botanical Gardens and the Agha Khan Mausoleum. Next you'll head to the Aswan airport to board a flight for a short plane ride to Abu Simbel. Take a half-day tour to the Temple at Abu Simble, built by the Great Ramses II, Egypt's longest ruling pharaoh. Returning to Abu Simbel Airport you'll board a flight to Cairo, where you'll retire to your comfortable hotel.
Lodging:Four Seasons Hotel Cairo
Day 9
International Flights Home
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll transfer to the airport and international flights home.
Optional Jordan Extension
Price: $
Single Supplement: $
Days 1 - 3
Amman, Jordan
On arrival to Amman, you are met and escorted to your luxurious hotel. Enjoy sightseeing in Amman, Jordan's political, cultural and commercial hub. Also visit Jerash, a third-century city often called the "Pompeii of the Middle East." Witness a re-enactment of Roman games, including a live chariot race.
Lodging:Four Seasons Hotel Amman
Day 4
Amman, Wadi Rum, Petra
Travel along the King's Highway with stops en route to view the 6th-century mosaics in Madaba and Mount Nebo. As the sun sinks below the horizon, visit Wadi Rum where T. E. Lawrence, "Lawrence of Arabia," lived with his Bedouin friends and allies during World War I.
Lodging:Petra Mövenpick Resort
Day 5
Petra
Spend a full day exploring the "Rose Red" city of Petra. Sculpted from a mountain range by the Nabataeans in the third century B.C., Petra was abandoned and lost to the outside world for a thousand years before its rediscovery in 1812. Major sites include the Treasury, the Temple of the Winged Lions, baths, markets, storerooms and tombs.
Lodging:Petra Mövenpick Resort
Day 6
Petra and the Dead Sea
Visit the former crusader town of Kerak and its fortress before arriving at the shores of the Dead Sea.
Lodging:Kempinski Hotel Ishtar
Day 7
Dead Sea
Your day is free to relax and enjoy your hotel or explore on your own. In addition to room-views of the Dead Sea's dramatic sunsets, the luxurious Hotel Kempinski offers tranquil gardens with lagoons, waterfalls and private pools in a stylish Arabesque monument building. Enjoy the hotel's Anatara Spa, or bask in the sun on the longest private beach in Jordan.
Lodging:Kempinski Hotel Ishtar
Trip Prices
Dates, budget, and number of travelers at your discretion. Call us at 1-800-995-8689 to craft a private journey for you.
Preparing For Your Adventure
At Bushtracks, we believe that being prepared for your adventure makes a world of difference in your ability to savor your travels.
Our experienced team knows just what kind of information you'll find most valuable in your final preparations for the exciting adventure ahead. We'll include much of this in your Expedition Planner and Preparation Package, sent to you before departure. Our knowledgeable staff is on hand to answer any additional questions. So you can know before you go, you'll receive:
Detailed itinerary and typical day on safari. Learn what a "typical day" might look like, even though we all know each day holds a new adventure.
Etiquette and customs highlights. As a guest in any country it is best to be aware of local customs and expected behavior. You'll be privy to critical insights into tactful behavior and overall cultural sensitivities.
Health and insurance information. Bushtracks Expeditions automatically covers you with International Medical Evacuation Insurance and Accident/Sickness Medical Coverage. We'll also send you information on supplemental insurance and a listing of immunization requirements.
Travel tips. Keeping you safe and healthy is our number one priority. We'll help you determine food and water safety, how to avoid sun over-exposure, clothing and packing lists, tips for avoiding motion sickness, local currency exchange suggestions and much more.
Reading lists. To help you prepare for this expedition, we'll send you specially selected field guides and a comprehensive reading list.
Documents. Passport requirements and visa kits with full instructions.
Voucher wallet. Just before departure, you will receive an attractive voucher wallet holding all relevant air tickets and travel vouchers to submit to ground operators for prepaid flights, tours and accommodations.
Contact information. An extensive list of contact information so those at home can be informed on how to reach you.