Along the Sinai, Egypt
Experience Overview
Dive deep into the mystery and intrigue of Egypt’s hidden secrets on our classical ‘Siwa’ combo tour. We begin with a memory-making exploration of one of the most exciting cities in the world, Cairo, where, amongst other attractions, we begin to unravel some of the country’s historical mysteries at the Egyptian Museum. From the rich tapestry of the city’s souks to the Pyramids of Giza, the metropolis will cast you under her spell with the sheer wealth of what’s on offer—yet is merely whetting your appetite for the adventures to come.
Sample Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrive Cairo
Arrive at Cairo International Airport where you’ll be met by our airport representative. Enjoy a private, air-conditioned transfer to your hotel.
DAY 2
In Cairo
Enjoy an early breakfast we board our transport at 08:00 am to visit what is probably to most fascinating collection of ancient artifacts on the planet—The Egyptian Museum. With an almost overwhelming number of exhibits on offer.
We enjoy a late lunch at one of Cairo’s most iconic restaurants, Felfalah, before preparing for a night time tour of this ancient city. Discover the impressive rounded gates of Bab Al Futah, where you can read inscriptions carved by the troops of Napoleon, wander the every-changing alleyways of Khan el Khalili and test your bartering skills in the souks of this bazaar district before shrugging off the chaos of outside for the air conditioned nirvana that is the Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant.
DAY 3
Cairo / Al Alamein
We rise early for breakfast before boarding our comfortable transport northwards. The legendary site of El Alamain is next on our agenda; a 40-mile bottleneck that was held by the British army against the might of the Germans in WWII. Led by General Erin Rommel, the Nazi forces wanted control of the Suez Canal, but the herculean efforts of the Allied Forces ensured this never came to pass. The site of two major battles, we visit the museum and war memorials that mark the incredible sacrifice of these brave soldiers—truly a humbling experience.
We eat on the go, with a hearty packed lunch, before spending a pleasurable evening and overnight in our comfortable hotel. Travel time for the day is approximately 3.5 hours.
DAY 4
Al Alamein / Siwa
After a slightly more leisurely breakfast we hit the road at 09:00am for the six-hour journey to the much-anticipated region of Siwa. Although it’s a long way you’ll be enthralled as the scenery changes before your eyes. This lush oasis rises almost in rebellions to the stark remoteness of the desert, teasing the brain as to whether it can believe that deep olive plantations, bubbling springs, and thick palm groves can exist in such a harsh landscape. But exist they do, and is the very reason civilizations have thrived here over the millennia. Today the Siwanese people boast a fascinating mélange of the influences that shaped their history.
We arrive in time for a late lunch, after which you have time to relax in your comfortable hotel, or head out to explore at your leisure. We take dinner before an evening tour of the intriguing village of Shali. The landscape here is dominated by the organic shapes that remain of the 13th century mud brick fortress. Today we can marvel at the ruins that used to tower up to five storeys high, overlooked by the Old Mosque with its chimney shaped minaret.
DAY 5
In Siwa
Over breakfast we discuss the exploits for the day, before heading into the great unknown… Today we experience the enormity of Bir Wahed, a Great Sand Sea that encompasses the inviting waters of a large freshwater lake. But that’s certainly not the biggest secret here, because atop a silky soft sand dune is what must be one of the planet’s most sought after natural jacuzzi. The bubbling waters have health giving properties, so don’t forget to bring your swimmers.
Following a tour of the enchanting Swia House Museum, which houses an important collection of traditional jewelry, clothing, and crafts, we head to the Mountain of the Dead. Perfectly named, this historic burial ground looms ominously—as well it should, being as the tombs here enshrined bodies dating back to the 26th dynasty. From here we head to Cleopatra’s Spring, a natural spa of crystal clear waters that we defy you to not bathe in, and onto the Temple of the Oracle—an impressive 6th century building with a tempestuous past, created to honor one of the most powerful gods in all of ancient Egypt, Amun-Ra.
We take stock of the morning’s escapades over a leisurely late lunch at an authentic Siwanese eatery. After all the excitement of the day you’ll be glad of a few free hours back at your hotel before dinner. The evening is yours to spend at your leisure, but don’t stay up too late! Tomorrow we have the western side of the oasis to explore…
DAY 6
Siwa / El Maraqui
Enjoy breakfast before an 9:00 am start to El Maraqui. This is the collective name that encompasses several villages at the western end of the oasis, with a rocky expanse of desert separating it from the main oasis. And hidden in these rocks are the reason archeologists thrive, because it’s home to more than 200 tombs and caves—including that of Alexander the Great. Our tour includes the White Mountain (Gabal Gafar), with its sheer sides plunging hundreds of feet to the waters of the salt lake below, a visit to one of the traditional villages of the area that delights with shady palm and olive groves, and a tour of Abu Shrouf where you can wash away your cares (and the desert dust) in the delightfully cool waters of the Ain Quarsyshet spring. We visit the villages of Maraqi and Bahigdeen before hitting the sand dunes where you can test your paleontology skills searching for ancient fossils.
You’ll be pleased to know that during this extensive exploration we’ll be taking time out to enjoy lunch. Pleasantly exhausted, we arrive back at the hotel in time to relax before dinner. After that the evening is yours to enjoy as you choose.
DAY 7
El Maraqui / Cairo
After breakfast we have the sticky sweet delight of visiting a working date factory before heading back to the big smoke that is Cairo. It’s a long day—approximately a nine-hour drive—but we spend it in air-conditioned comfort with your experienced guide (who by now you’ll consider a personal friend) pointing out interesting landmarks along the way and ensuring plenty of comfort stops for all.
On arrival at our hotel we enjoy a hearty dinner and prepare ourselves for the following day that brings us sights most visitors don’t even realize exist!
DAY 8
In Cairo
Today is a true combination of exploration and culture. After an early breakfast we hit the road for the easy journey to Memphis. Thousands of years older than its Tennessee namesake, this is home to the second largest sphinx in Egypt and a plethora of towering statues, including that of Rameses II. This UNESCO site will captivate you like no other, not only because of its awe-inspiring history, but the way your guide brings the tales to life.
Memphis dates back over 5,200 years, and is the oldest capital city in Egypt. Feast your eyes on amazing antiquities and prized possessions of many pharaohs and kings. vvb
But don’t think you’ve yet seen it all, because we’ve left one of the most treasured landmarks in the whole of the country for this final day of exploration: the Pyramids of Sakkara. This incredible necropolis is home to the oldest of all of the country’s iconic tombs—the Step Pyramid. And at more than 7,000 years old this takes experiencing history to a whole new level! Prepare to gaze in wonder when you enter these sacred tombs, laying a privileged eye upon inscriptions chiseled out by craftsmen not simply of yesteryear, but of an age that we today can only dream of.
After a morning that would make the most intrepid of explorer weep with joy, we have a very special treat for lunch: dining at the landmark Cairo restaurant, Abou Shakra. Renowned for the quality of its food, this is the perfect location to wax lyrical about the wonders experienced, not only this morning, but on the whole exciting tour.
But we can’t leave Egypt without that most classic of experiences: a meander on the waters of the Nile by traditional felucca. And the very best time to do this, of course, is at sunset. Make sure you’ve plenty of memory on your camera, because this really is the stuff dreams are made of.
DAY 9
Depart Cairo
Enjoy a final breakfast with your group before boarding your transfer to the airport. Here you can relax in the airport lounge before catching your international flight home.
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