Gardens and Temples of Ancient Egypt 701
Gardens and Temples of Ancient Egypt 701
Gardens and Temples of Ancient Egypt 701
12 Days Starting and ending in London, UK
Visiting: Cairo, Luxor, Edfu, Aswan, Alexandria
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BEGY
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 25
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Meat
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the Gardens and Temples of Ancient Egypt with this cultural tour. Begin your adventure in Cairo, exploring the iconic Great Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza, and delve into the rich history at the Egyptian Museum. Discover the lush Al-Orman Garden and the bustling Khan El-Khalili bazaar. Experience the grandeur of the Sofitel Winter Palace in Luxor before setting sail on a luxurious four-night Nile cruise. Visit the awe-inspiring Valley of the Kings, the majestic temples of Luxor and Karnak, and the serene Aswan Botanical Garden. Conclude your Egyptian odyssey with a visit to Alexandria's Montazah Palace Gardens. With professional tour management, comfortable accommodations, and exquisite meals, this tour promises an enriching exploration of Egypt's ancient wonders and natural beauty.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Cairo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Ramses Hilton
Meals Included: Dinner
Enjoy access to the airport Executive lounge before we fly from London to Cairo and transfer to our hotel.
Day 2
Location: Cairo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Ramses Hilton
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we begin our full day of discovery in the company of a local expert Egyptologist visiting Pharaonic Cairo, Saqqara, arguably the best-preserved ancient burial-ground in Egypt. This is also the site of The Step Pyramid, the first proper pyramid built for King Zoser in the 27th-century BC by the architect Imhotep. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Later we discover The Great Pyramids & Sphinx of Giza. Rising from the desert the three Pyramids erected by King Cheops and guarded by the mysterious Sphinx are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World and one of the most important sites in Egypt.
Day 3
Location: Cairo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Ramses Hilton
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we visit the Old Egyptian Museum which is located in the heart of Cairo and one of the world’s most famous museums. The Citadel of Salah Al-Din was built between 1176- 1182 AD and this Citadel fortress provides a panoramic view of Cairo from the Moqattam Hills. We then visit the Al-Orman Garden – a stunning botanical garden which dates from 1875 and the reign of Khedive Ismail Pasha, who established the garden on a larger site than it presently occupies as part of the Palace of the Khedive. This became a public botanical garden in 1910 and was put under the Ministry of Agriculture management and covers 28 acres. Today, the garden contains a herbarium building, a rock garden, a rose garden, cactus gardens, and probably the most notable feature, the lotus pond. Al-Orman Garden is located west of the river Nile and east of Cairo University in the Giza Governorate. “Orman” is a Turkish word, which means “the forest”.
Later we visit Khan El-Khalili bazaar where treasures include spices, perfumes, gold and silver, carpets, brass and copperware, leatherwork, glass, ceramics and Egyptian cotton.
Day 4
Location: Luxor
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Jolie Ville Luxor Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we transfer to Cairo airport and fly to Luxor and transfer to our hotel. On arrival, we head to the Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor for a unique tour. The hotel has a history of hosting royalty and celebrities throughout the years, the interiors feature grand staircases, high ceilings and lounge areas that are appointed with antique furniture and beautiful flower arrangements. As can be expected, Winter Palace’s restaurants have a historical and grand reputation to maintain. Relax and socialise as you enjoy French cuisine with the latest fusion dishes from around the world. The pool scene is stunning and has the vibe of a private oasis with surrounding palm trees. We enjoy lunch at the hotel before transferring to our hotel for the evening.
Day 5
Location: Luxor
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we enjoy a private half-day tour in Luxor on the East Bank. One of the first stops must be the Temple of Luxor built by Amenophis III and which was originally connected to the Karnak Temple via a long stone processional street called a dromos. The well-preserved dromos was built by Nectanebo I and was originally lined on either side by sphinxes. We later transfer to our 5-star river vessel and enjoy lunch on board. The afternoon is free to relax. Dinner tonight is followed by entertainment.
Day 6
Location: Luxor
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A full day visiting the West Bank today. Here we will discover a variety of tombs starting with The Valley of the Kings which has tombs from the 18th and 19th Dynasties. Outside the Valley of the Kings, the road leads past Antef, named after the 11th Dynasty princes who were buried there. Some tombs can still be seen as we head towards the Temple of Seti I. The road winds westward until reaching the Valley of Asasif. These are 25th and 26th Dynasty tombs and at the foot of a cliff named Deir el-Bahri is a spectacular complex of temples. The Temples of Mentuhetep I, Hatshepsut and Thotmose II here must be seen. We return to our river vessel for lunch and time to reflect on the sights and sounds experienced today before cruising overnight to Esna.
Day 7
Location: Edfu
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We begin with a private tour of Edfu Temple – one of the best-preserved shrines in Egypt. The temple was built in the Ptolemaic Kingdom between 237 and 57 BC. The inscriptions on its walls provide important information on language, myth and religion during the Hellenistic period in Egypt. After lunch onboard we visit Kom-Ombo Temple. Built by the Ptolemaic dynasty during the Roman invasion, this temple is dedicated to two gods, Sobek the crocodile god and Haroeris – the falcon god Horus.
Day 8
Location: Aswan
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we cruise to Aswan where we begin with a private tour visiting the High Dam which is 3,830 metres long, 980 metres wide at the base, 40 metres wide at the crest and 111 metres tall. It contains 43 million cubic metres of material and 11,000 cubic metres per second of water can pass through the dam. Abandoned thousands of years ago in the quarries of Aswan, the Unfinished Obelisk is a granite would-be monument that was never finished. It is one of the most important archaeological finds in Egypt for the insight it has provided into ancient stonemasonry methods. We then proceed to visit Philae Temple on the tiny island of Philae, a mere 450 metres long and less than 150 metres wide, which captured the imagination of countless travellers to Egypt from early times. It was famed for its beauty and was known as the “Pearl of Egypt’. Plants and palm trees grew from the fertile deposits that had collected in the crevices of the granite bedrock. Gracious Graeco-Roman temples and colonnades, kiosks and sanctuaries rose proudly against the skyline. We return to our river vessel and after lunch take a Felucca around Aswan Islands then visit the Botanical gardens.
Covering 6.8 hectares, the Aswan Botanical Garden is home to thousands of birds and many exotic plants imported from many parts of the world, offering a beautiful and unique escape from the city. Dinner on board tonight is followed by a Nubian Show.
Day 9
Location: Aswan
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Mövenpick Aswan
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we have the opportunity of an optional excursion to Abu Simbel by air, a temple built by Ramesses II in ancient Nubia, where he wished to demonstrate his power and his divine nature. Four colossal (20 metres high) statues of him sit in pairs flanking the entrance.
Later we transfer to our hotel in Aswan and later enjoy a late afternoon tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel where Agatha Christie wrote Death on the Nile. Delight in an authentic High Tea experience and revel in the stunning views overlooking the Nile and Elephantine Island. We return to our hotel for dinner.
Day 10
Location: Cairo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Ramses Hilton
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Free time to relax before we transfer to Aswan airport for our flight to Cairo where we transfer to our hotel.
Day 11
Location: Alexandria
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Ramses Hilton
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we head to Alexandria for a full but most enjoyable day exploring the Catacombs of Kom El-Shouqafa and the Roman Amphitheatre. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Afterwards we visit Montazah Palace Gardens which are located at the eastern edge of Alexandria on the north coast of Egypt. The complex, which covers 360 acres in size, is a beautiful property that overlooks Al Montaza and encompasses palm-tree lined walkways, several greenhouses and a semi-private beach. We return to Cairo for dinner at our hotel.
Day 12
Location: Cairo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we transfer to Cairo airport for our return flight to London.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation is included throughout the tour.
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London pre-flight Executive lounge access
Access to the Executive lounge at London airport before the flight is included.
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Services of a professional tour manager
The services of a professional tour manager are included.
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Comfortable coach travel throughout
Comfortable coach travel is provided throughout the tour.
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Meals as per the itinerary
Meals are included as per the itinerary.
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All visits as outlined in the itinerary
All visits as outlined in the itinerary are included.
What's Not Included
Tipping and gratuities are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with coach transfers throughout Egypt, including flights from London to Cairo and Cairo to Luxor, and enjoy a four-night Nile cruise on a 5-star river vessel.
Accommodation
Experience the comfort of the Ramses Hilton in Cairo, the luxurious Jolie Ville Luxor Hotel, and the Movenpick Aswan, with a four-night stay on a 5-star river vessel for a memorable Nile cruise.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes stays at various hotels such as the Ramses Hilton in Cairo, the Jolie Ville Luxor Hotel in Luxor, and the Mövenpick Aswan in Aswan. Additionally, there is a four-night Nile cruise on a 5-star river vessel.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, meals are included as per the itinerary. This typically includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner on most days.
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Is there a professional guide during the tour?
Yes, the services of a professional tour manager are included throughout the tour.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour includes comfortable coach travel throughout, as well as flights between Cairo and Luxor, and Aswan and Cairo.
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Is tipping included in the tour price?
No, tipping and gratuities are not included in the tour price and are the responsibility of the traveler.
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What are some of the key sites visited during the tour?
Key sites include the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza, the Valley of the Kings, the Egyptian Museum, the Citadel of Salah Al-Din, and the temples of Luxor and Karnak, among others.
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Is there an option for a private tour?
The information provided does not specify a private tour option.
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What is the highlight of the Nile cruise?
The Nile cruise includes visits to significant historical sites such as the Temple of Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu Temple, Kom-Ombo Temple, and Philae Temple, along with onboard entertainment and meals.
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Will I receive more details of the holiday before I travel?
You will receive detailed joining instructions around 10 days prior to you departure, but you are of course welcome to contact us at any time should you have any queries.
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What facilities do your coaches have?
Generally, our coaches have reclining seats, air-conditioning and toilets, however this cannot always be guaranteed as sometimes we have to use smaller vehicles. Toilets are recommended for emergency use only and regular comfort stops will be made throughout your holiday while travelling around.
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Do I have to go on the included excursions?
Absolutely not. You are more than welcome to spend the day at your hotel or exploring independently should you wish. All we ask is that you inform your Tour Manager, so they are not left waiting for you to join the group.
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Is there time to relax?
Although our itineraries may seem jam-packed, boasting access to some of the most exclusive sites across the UK and beyond, a Brightwater Holiday is just that: a holiday. Each trip will counter in more than enough free-time for you to explore places at your own leisure. And with most nights and the majority of meals being included in our tour prices, you can relax in hand-picked accommodation.
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Do I need to be an expert?
Absolutely not! Although some of our tours are specifically focused on one thing, all you need to enjoy a Brightwater holiday is interest and bags of enthusiasm! Even on our most specialist tours, we take travellers from all skill levels, from experts to beginners.
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How fit or active do I need to be for one of your holidays?
You need to be able to get on and off the coach unassisted, and most – but not all – coaches have a kneel facility that lowers the front step for ease of boarding
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Do you have self-drive holidays?
Yes, we do – tailored to your exact requirements!
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What’s the luggage allowance on your coaches?
There’s no fixed limit, but we generally say one large suitcase to go in the luggage compartment and a smaller bag that you can take onto the coach with you. For flight-inclusive holidays, we include a luggage allowance of at least 20kg.
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Where are your departure points?
UK garden holidays generally depart from London, with additional pick-ups depending on the route of the coach, while holidays to Scotland depart from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth, with Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen sometimes included. All Eurostar holidays depart from London St. Pancras and flight-inclusive holidays depart from one or more of the main London airports, with regional flights .
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What about the company that will be kept?
For single travellers, those with a companion or even those travelling in a larger group, you'll find that the signature of any Brightwater Holiday is the company. You won't ever be travelling with a group of strangers, instead, you'll find yourself surrounded by like-minded people with a strong shared interest who will soon become your firm friends.
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What is a Brightwater Holiday?
Bursting with enthralling, educational and enlightening itineraries, a Brightwater Holiday, by its very nature, is packed with bucket-list-worthy destinations, behind the scenes passes and expert-led experiences. From creating bespoke quality garden and special interest tours for groups and individuals alike, we have made it our business to make our guests' travel dreams come true.
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Why is there a single supplement?
Unfortunately, single room supplements are charges that are often imposed on us as a company when we book rooms for group holidays. However, most hotels do charge less for single occupancy, and we always pass this saving on to our solo travellers in the form of a modest single supplement.
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How much are your optional excursions?
Prices start from as little as £20, but please contact our friendly team for questions about specific itineraries or excursions.
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Can I pre-book my coach seats?
Yes, you can. In the case of front seats, guests with limited mobility are given priority. Please get in touch with our friendly team to discuss any requirements you may have.
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How to get there? Easy!
With a Brightwater Holiday, the journey is just as important as the destination and we make getting you to your tour start point easy. From organising group flights and individual travel plans, to offering accessible local departure and pick-up points, we go out of our way to ensure that your journey is as convenient and hassle-free as it can be.
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Do I need to have travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required for all overseas holidays and is also strongly recommended for UK holidays – primarily to protect yourself against cancellation charges should you be unable to travel.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Brightwater Holidays allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform brightwater holidays, 25 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Brightwater Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 15% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of brightwater holidays charges.
At 40 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.