Tour description
We’ll meet up in Cairo, where we’ll explore the narrow alleys of the mysterious Coptic quarter. You’ll probably discover the famous centuries-old ‘hanging’ church, next to one of the world’s oldest synagogues. And you’ll perhaps visit the cosy-but-chaotic market streets of the Khan al-Khalili where you’ll easily be able to imagine yourself as a character in a tale from ‘One Thousand and One Nights’. We recommend that you sit on one of the terraces and try a sickly sweet mint tea.
Into the Western Desert
On day 4 we’ll head for the Western Desert. Gradually signs of habitation will disappear as we drive to the remote oasis of Baharia, and it’s possible that we will arrive to not find a single camel or truck there. Green date palms around the life-giving waters make an odd contrast with the lifeless, yellowish rocky ground which otherwise stretches in every direction to the horizon. Further down the road we’ll find 10-foot-high ‘mushrooms’, wind-eroded formations of white limestone. We’ll sleep under the stars and dine to the music of the Bedouin. The following morning we’ll drive to the oasis of Dakhla, where we’ll stroll through the plantations, chat with the locals and discover the surprisingly rich flora and fauna. After a morning of indolently bathing in a hot-water spring, we’ll continue into the wilderness.Camp of Bedouins
On day 6 we’ll see some of the most spectacular and strangest sand-dunes. The Bedouins will build our camp and, after a delicious meal, we’ll stay overnight in the dunes near Kharga. Sometimes, during the night, desert foxes visit the campsites looking for left-overs!Banks of the Nile
The next day, after a long drive, we’ll arrive in Aswan on the banks of the Nile. On days 7, 8 and 9 you’ll be free to enjoy this beautiful town’s tranquillity, book a boat-trip, or tour the island on which the Philae Temple stands. Or you might visit the massive dam at Lake Nasser.Aboard a felucca
The following day we’ll hop aboard a felucca, vessel with lanteen sails, and see how the Nile has perennially transformed an arid desert into a fertile land-of-plenty. We’ll pass quiet Nubian settlements inhabited by natives dressed in loose-flowing galabeyas. We’ll eat on board when the crew cook fresh food. And we’ll have mattresses so we can sleep on board under a starlit sky, listening to the water lapping the boat’s sides.Treasures of Luxor
On day 11 we’ll arrive in Luxor, renowned for ancient treasures, markets and temples. We’ll visit Tutankhamen’s tomb, the temple of Hatshepsut and the light and sound show at the temple of Karnak.Red Sea
On day 13 we’ll drive to Sharm el-Naga, an unpretentious ‘beach camp’ near Hurghada where we’ll stay in a beach-hut. We’ll dive or snorkel in the Red Sea’s azure-blue underwater paradise and laze under the palms until the afternoon of day 15 when we’ll depart for Cairo before saying our goodbyes on day 16.