Emily Johnson
Aug. 3, 2024, 11:11 p.m.This 13-day itinerary through Egypt is absolutely incredible. From the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza to the tranquil beauty of the Baharyia oasis, every stop was perfectly curated. Exploring the majestic Abu Simbel temples and relaxing by the Red Sea in Hurghada were highlights for me. Highly recommend this adventure!
1) Day 1- Arrival day
By A1 Toureg you can Experience the wonders of Egypt in 13 days, visiting the iconic Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, exploring the breathtaking White Desert and Bahariya Oasis, discovering the ancient history at Wadi El Hitan and the Abu Simbel Temples, and uncovering the treasures of the Valley of the Kings. Finally, unwind at the beautiful Red Sea in Hurghada.
2) Day 2-Giza Pyramids and Sakkara
This morning you will experience the icons of ancient Egypt! your Egyptologist guide will accompany you to the pyramids of Giza, where you can see the Great Pyramid of Giza, the pyramid of Khafre, the pyramid of Menkaure, and the Great Sphinx. Then Proceed to have your lunch at a local restaurant, Then you will be transferred to visit the Step Pyramid at Sakkara, which is considered the world's oldest major stone structure. It was built in the 3rd Dynasty for King Djoser. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
3) Day 3- the white desert
At 06:00 am Pick up time from your hotel in Giza or in Cairo , drive to Bahariya Oasis , which is located about 350 km east of Cairo This journey takes about 4 hours, arrive at 10:00 there will be stops during the trip for WC and Coffee At 10:00 you will take your 4x4 Jeep and drive to the black desert 12:00 The Lunch will be served here in El Haize oasis 13:00 Then drive to the valley of Agabat
15:00 Arrive at the Valley of Agabat is deep within the white desert . You have to be there to feel the out-worldly beauty of the place. Millions of years ago, the place used to be under the sea. Over the years, unique rock formations of limestone, chalk (and maybe sand) developed.
16: 30 explore the white desert National Park, the most well-known desert destination in Egypt. 17:30 Make tents and Enjoy the sunset
18:30 As the sky turns pink then the deepest fiery orange, the rock-shapes fade, and silence is all around. Sitting around a small fire and enjoying the simplest meal of chicken, rice, and vegetables, you will feel like nothing has ever tasted so good. Bedouin staff will arrange dinner and desert camping.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
4) Day 4-Bahariya Oasis
At 06:00 am Enjoy sunrise
At 07:00 Am you'll enjoy breakfast in the desert, before driving to Bahariya Oasis
At 09:00 On the way back, you will visit Crystal Mountain , Crystal Mountain , locally known as Gebel al-Izzaz. It's more of a crystal hill, seen on the right, which is often called the Jewel of the desert is formed by the quartzite crystals and looks amazing in the sun's rays. A few decades ago, that natural feature has been found by accident.
11:00 Drive to Bahariya Oasis , Soak in the heat at Bir Sigam , a hot spring that can help to relax. Located at 7 km east of Bahariya on the Cairo road, the spring is the best hot spring in temperature,
In The summertime will stop at Bir Madi( which is a cold spring)
12:00 Then drive back to Cairo . Arrival at Cairo at 16:30- If you want to add Lunch ( 15 $ Extra per person )
We have 2 Extra options for you to discover more about the oasis
1-First option
If you wish to discover more about the history of Bahariya oasis we do recommend doing an extra trip to the museum of the golden mummies, Bawiti tombs, and Alexander the Great temple
You will visit the tombs of Bannentiu and Djed-Ankh-Amun-Iuf (Zed-Amun) The tombs at Qasr Selim (26th Dynasty)In 1938 the Egyptian archaeologist Ahmed Fakhry (1905-1973) discovered four tombs at the ridge of Qarat Qasr Selim. Visit Bawiti , Bawiti is the Capital of Bahariya Oasis , Then Visit the Museum of the golden mummies and the temple of Ain El Muftella, Bahariya Oasis , You will have lunch in Bahariya Oasis before driving to Cairo
This will cost 35 $ per person Extra.
Single traveler:50 $
2- Second option
You can book Extra 3 Hours Bahariya oasis tour.
You will discover Bahariya Oasis , The palm, and olives fields, Gebel Maghrafa. where the biggest Diansour( (Stromer's Tidal Giant) ever discovered in 1914 at the base of Gebel Dist. Lake al-Marun which is the biggest salt lake in Bahariya Oasis , Enjoy the sunset from The summit of the English Mountain(Gebel Al Ingleez). the view from the top offers a panorama of the northern part of the oasis. drive to Cairo
Fly to Aswan from Cairo, Then transfer to your hotel in Aswan- Basma hotel Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
5) Day 5-Aswan attractions
After breakfast visit Aswan attractions An early pick-up from your hotel in Aswan at 04: 00, travel by air-conditioned vehicle from Aswan to Abu Simbel, It takes 3 hours driving to the temples of Abu Simbel before the heat of the day. The two temples were Carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BC, Upon arrival, an Egyptologist guide will tell you all about one of the greatest and most whimsical pharaohs in Egyptian history. Marvel at the main façade of the Great Temple to Ramesses II and its 4 statues of the pharaoh seated on his throne following his advancing age. In theory, the main temple is dedicated to Amon-Re Horakhty and Ptah, but in practice, it was constructed for the greater glory of its builder, Ramses the Great. Continue to the smaller temple of Ramesses' consort, Queen Nefertari, situated right next to the Great Temple. Admire the impressive rock-cut façade depicting the pharaoh and his queen. Re-board the coach at 09:00 for the return transfer to Aswan before, Lunch will be served in Aswan After the Lunch we will visit: Phiala temple Built to honor the goddess Isis, this was the last temple built in the classical Egyptian style. Construction began around 690 BC, and it was one of the last outposts where the goddess was worshipped. The high Dam Aswan high dam is a rock-fill dam located at the northern border between Egypt and Sudan. The dam is fed by the River Nile and the reservoir forms Lake Nasser. Construction for the project began in 1960 and was completed in 1968. It was officially inaugurated in 1971. The Unfinished Obelisk
Aswan was the source of ancient Egypt’s finest granite, used to make statues and embellish temples, pyramids, and obelisks. The large unfinished obelisk in the Northern Quarries has provided valuable insight into how these monuments were created, although the full construction process is still not entirely clear. Three sides of the shaft, nearly 42m long, were completed except for the inscriptions. At 1168 tonnes, the completed obelisk would have been the single heaviest piece of stone the Egyptians ever fashioned. Overnight in Aswan Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
6) Day 6-Kom ombo temple and Edfu temple
An early pick-up from your hotel in Aswan at 07: 00, travel by air-conditioned vehicle from Aswan to Luxor , On the way, you will visit The temple of Kom Ombo: The temple and the associated settlement site located 40 K.m north of Aswan, the temple was dedicated to the deities Sobek and Horus and date mainly to the Ptolemaic and Roman period(332 B.b -395 A.c) Edfu temple :
Upper Egyptian site dominated by a large well -Preserved temple, dedicated to the hawk-God Horus, The Construction of the Ptolemaic temple of Horus, which was founded on the site of a much earlier temple, dated to the period between the reigns of Ptolemy the Third(246 B.c), The descriptions on the walls include the Myth of contending of Horus and Seth(Probably performed annually as a religious Drama Overnight in Luxor Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
7) Day 7-The valley of the kings
Optional trip Balloon ride over the valley of the Kings 80 $ per person Breakfast at your hotel then you will be accompanied by your private tour guide and a private air-conditioned vehicle to visit: Valley of the Kings : The final resting place of Egypt's rulers from the 18th to 20th dynasty, it is home to tombs including the great pharaoh Ramses II and boy pharaoh Tutankhamen. The tombs were well stocked with all the material goods a ruler might need in the next world. Most of the decoration inside the tombs is still well preserved. Hatshepsut Temple: It is one of the most beautiful & best preserved of all of the temples of Ancient Egypt. The temple was built on three levels with two wide ramps in a central position joining the levels together. Colossi of Memnon: Two massive stone statues of king Amenhotep III are the only remains of a complete mortuary temple. The statues are made from blocks of quartzite sandstone which exist in Cairo and then moved 700 KM to Luxor
Overnight in Luxor Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
8) Day 8- Karnak temple -Luxor temple and Dendera temple-Hurghada
After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel in Karnak Temple: No site in Egypt is more impressive than Karnak . It is the largest temple complex ever built by man and represents the combined achievement of many generations of ancient builders and pharaohs. The Temple of Karnak is actually three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples situated on 247 acres of land. Luxor Temple: The Temple of Luxor was the center of the most important festival, the festival of Opet. Built largely by Amenhotep III and Rameses II, the temple's purpose was as a setting for the rituals of the festival. The festival was to reconcile the human aspect of the ruler with the divine office. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant in Luxor - Drive to Dendera temple - 60 K.m North of Lunch
Dendera temple : The Temple of Hathor was largely constructed during the Late Ptolemaic period, Hathor was also regarded as a goddess of healing & The Goddes of love, Then drive to Hurghada - For a Relaxing holiday Meals: Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
9) Day 9-Hurghada
Enjoy the sun and the sea at the resort in Hurghada Meals: Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
10) Day 10- Dolphin house trip
Enjoy the sun and the sea at the resort in Hurghada You can do an Optional trip to the dolphin house Snorkeling trip to The dolphin house“ from Hurghada to have an experience of snorkeling and seeing a group of 60 - 80 dolphins will dance in front of your eyes and play with these amazing animals, and enjoy the deliciously prepared lunch the onboard your boat before getting back to your hotel. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
11) Day-11- Cairo- Fly to Cairo
Enjoy the sun and the sea at the resort in Hurghada Fly from Hurghada to Cairo, Then transfer to your hotel in Cairo Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
12) Day 13- wadi el Hitan
Visit wadi Al Hitan from Cairo , We pick you up from the Cairo hotel and you will be transferred by air-conditioned Car to El Fayoum Oasis in the Western desert The distance is 80 k.m south-west of Cairo Start your adventure by Toyota land cruiser 4x4 to Wadi Al Hitan From Tunis village in Fayoum t.to Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley), Egypt. driving distance: 69.2 km. duration: 1 hour 37 mins Wadi Al Hitan ’ is a Protected area and a Natural Heritage Site added in 2005 by UNESCO as world heritage site, WADI EL-HITAN is also known for scientists in the Zeuglodon Valley, have been discovered in 1936, it is located 35 KM west of the Wadi El-Ryan, right deep into the desert western desert, is It is an area of fossils; considered as an open museum, dates back to 45 million years and contains petrified primitive whales skeletons, shark teeth, shells and roots of Mangroves preserved in soft rocks. Everywhere you go here you find petrified seashells and corals, Visit the Fossil & Climate Change Museum
The museum hosts a variety of whale fossils, and skeletons that are displayed outdoors, as for the museum it has a variety of fossils, skeletons, fossilized mangroves, and ancient seashells exhibited indoors in glass boxes, enjoy your lunch, drive back to Tunis village passing through Wadi El Rayan, Wadi Hitan, Mudawara Mountain, Then drive back to Cairo . Arrival Cairo 19:00.-Overnight in Cairo Overnight in Cairo Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
13) Day 13- - Cairo- Departure
Pick up time from your hotel at 08:00 am with your Egyptologist tour guide, and enjoy a fantastic orientation tour of Cairo on an 8-hour excursion that takes in the major monuments of Old Cairo, you will drive up to the Saladin Citadel, constructed by Salah al-Din on the Moqattam hills in 1183 AD as a defense against Crusader armies. known for its fresh air and sweeping views of Cairo, it is now a preserved historic site of mosques and museums, including the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha. designed by the Turkish architect Yousif Boushnaq, who came to Cairo especially from Istanbul to build the great building, the mosque's alabaster structure stands in beautiful contrast to the sandstone city. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant in Old Cairo Then, visit Old Cairo to see major attractions such as the Hanging Church, the Ben Ezra Synagogue, the Church of St. Barbara, and the Church of Abu Serga, one of the oldest Coptic churches in Cairo Continue to the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, one of the oldest bazaars in the Middle East. Discover a maze of alleys that have been at the center of Cairo’s trading activities since the 14th century. -Then transfer to the airport Meals: Breakfast & Lunch