Cruise and Hike in the Kingdom of Pharaohs

Imagine, unified under the umbrella of the same land, landscapes with a fabulous variety, the treasures of the Pharaohs, the history of civilization ... And, everywhere, a smiling and warm welcome! How could you resist?
Accommodation in the most prestigious palaces of the country; just browse the history of civilizations, from antiquity to the biblical story.

• Day 1/  Arrival in Cairo, Mena House Palace 5 star Hotel (Pyramid view)
• Day 2/  Pyramids of Giza and Sakkara, Mena House Palace 5 star Hotel (Pyramid view) 
• Day 3/  Flight to Aswan, museum, Elephantine island (felucca), Philae Temple (sound and light show), Old Cataract 5 star Hotel
• Day 4/  Flight Aswan - Abu Simbel round trip, visit Abu Simbel, Old Cataract 5 star Hotel
• Day 5/  Cruise (5 star ship), High dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Philae Temple
• Day 6/  Cruise, Kom Obo, Edfu
• Day 7/  Cruise, Valley of the Kings Hatsepshut Temples
• Day 8/  Cruise, Luxor, deir el Bahari (tombs), Madinet Abu, Luxor Temple, Old Winter Palace 5 star Hotel
• Day 9/  Karnak Temple, Old Winter Palace 5 star Hotel
• Day 10/  Flight Luxor - Cairo, museum, Nile Hilton 5 star Hotel (Nile view)
• Day 11/  Visit old Cairo (copte quarter, souks, etc), Nile Hilton 5 star Hotel (Nile view)
• Day 12/  Depart from Cairo.

Imagine, unified under the umbrella of the same land, landscapes with a fabulous variety, the treasures of the Pharaohs, the history of civilization ... And, everywhere, a smiling and warm welcome!  How could you resist?
Accommodation in the most prestigious palaces of the country; just browse the history of civilizations, from antiquity to the biblical story.

Day 1/  Arrival in Cairo
Meet and assist at airport. Transfer and settle in at the Mina House 5 star Hotel (Pyramid view).

Day 2/  Pyramids of Giza and Sakkar
Minibus transfer until to the Saqqara site (Site Tour: the Step Pyramids of Djoser, Queens Tombs and Serapeum) - Lunch- Minibus transfer to the Giza Pyramids of Giza (site visits) - Dinner and night at Mina House 5 star Hotel (Pyramid view).

Day 3/  Aswan - Tour of the Museum - Elephantine Island
Flight to Aswan in the morning. Settle in at the Old Cataract Hotel - Relaxation -Visit and lunch in the bazaars - An afternoon tour of the Aswan Museum and late afternoon discovery of Elephantine Island aboard a felucca - On the river, you will appreciate the mythical sunset in Aswan - Dinner at the hotel. Sound and light show at the Temple of Philae - Overnight at the Old Cataract 5 star Hotel.

Day 4/  Abu Simbel
Morning flights to visit the Abu Simbel Temples (Ramses the 2nd and Nefertari) - Back to Aswan by plane - Lunch at in Aswan or Abu Simbel (depending on flights) - Free late afternoon at the Old Cataract 5 star Hotel.

Day 5/  Embarkation on cruise ship
In the morning, transfer and embarking on the 5 star cruise ship. Visit the Nile, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the Temple of Philae. Back on board - Dinner and overnight on board

Day 6/  Cruise
Navigation up to Kom-Ombo - Tour of the temple - Lunch and navigation up to Edfou- Tour of the temple - Dining and night on board.

Day 7/  Cruise
Sail to Luxor - Visit of the Valley of the Kings (3 tombs) and the Temple of Hapshetsout - Dining and night on board

Day 8/  Luxor
Transfer and settle in at the Old Winter Palace Hotel -Transfer by ferry boat to the popular West Bank of Luxor -Visit of Deir el Bahari (tombs of the craftsmen valley) and the Temple of Medinet Abu - Lunch - Nile  traverse and visit of the Louxor. Temple - Free end of afternoon - Night at the Old Winter Palace 5 star Hotel.

Day 9/   Luxor
Transfer by carriage  and tour of the Karnak Temple - Lunch - Free Afternoon (Possible visit of the Luxor museum) - Dinner and overnight at the Old Winter Palace 5 star Hotel.
In the evening, one can either visit the Luxor Temple or attend the Sound and Light Show at Karnak (optional, at your expense-Luxor temple $8 - Karnak Sound / Light $ 12, Taxi $ 10).

Day 10/  Cairo
Morning flight to Cairo - Transfer to the Nile Hilton Hotel - Lunch in town- Tour of the Cairo Museum and Dinner and night at the Nile Hilton 5 star Hotel (Nile view).

Day 11/  Cairo
Visit the Coptic neighborhood (5th century church - and synagogue) - Lunch - Tour of the old Islamic Cairo and the souks - Dining and night at the Nile Hilton 5 star Hotel (Nile view)

Day 12/  Depart from Cairo
Transfer and assistance to airport for your return flight.

No difficulty, hikes in historical sites, between 2 to 3 hours per day.

- The walking time schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior notice.

Each participant walks with a light back pack, carrying only the personal items necessary for a few walking hours per day (water bottle, camera, protective clothing, etc).

- An Egyptian English-speaking Mountain World Travel guide, a specialist in the customs and archeology, as well as the history of the country.
- A cultural English-speaking specialized guide when visiting sites and monuments.
- A cultural English-speaking guide specialized on the Nile River.

Private minibus with air conditioning for all land transfers.
The national airline, Egyptair, for the domestic flights.
Our Boats
5 star cruise ship, one of the best available on the Nile River. Double bedrooms with bathrooms and showers, restaurant, bar, air conditioning. "The grand luxury".

- Cairo: Mena House Palace Hotel, 5 stars, Pyramid view, 2 nights
- Cairo: Nile Hilton Hotel, 5 stars, Nile view, 2 nights
- Luxor: Old Winter Palace Hotel, 5 stars, Nile view, 2 nights
- Aswan: Old Cataract Hotel, 5 stars, Nile view, 2 nights
- Boat Ship: 5 stars, double cabins, 3 nights.

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.

Breakfast and dinners : meals taken at the hotel or on the cruise ship cruising boat, generally sumptuous buffets
Lunch : excellent meals taken in restaurants
Beverages: mineral water provided. Tea and "carcade" infusions (local beverage made from hibiscus flower petals) will be served regularly.

Although we are an experienced adventure travel company doing our best to respect the itinerary schedule as presented on this detailed itinerary, there is always the possibility that we may need to modify it for different reasons beyond our control. Please read the Registration Condiitons: Terms and Booking conditions - Limitations of Liability.

• International flights in/out Cairo
• Karnak sound & light show
• All services mentioned in Services +/extensions /options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

• Drinks (except mineral water and coffee / tea during lunch & dinners)
• Personal expenses.
• Egyptian country exit tax (up to date $15)
• Tips for guides and local staff.

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the Mountain World Travel website or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to Cairo:
-      Egyptair, the national airline, flies daily from New York to Cairo
-      Skyteam (Delta, Northwest, Continental), in cooperation with Air France / KLM flies daily from anywhere in the States To Cairo through Paris / Amsterdam
-      United Airlines, in cooperation with Lufthansa, flies daily from anywhere in the States to Cairo, through Munich / Frankfurt
-      American Airlines, in cooperation with British Airways, flies daily from anywhere in the States to Cairo, through London.

Formalities for US, Canada, UK, Australia, NZ passport travelers: a passport valid at least 6 months after the supposed return date of your journey; visa needed.
The visa will be issued upon arrival in the country at the Cairo airport (included in the trip price), normal day of the trip.
Documents required for visa on arrival:
- Passport (with an additional photo)
For US Citizens, please check with  US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements
For other nationalities, please contact the Egyptian embassy of your country.

Vaccines
We however advise you to be up to date with traditional vaccinations: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, typhoid fever. Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended.
For more information visit the website of the US Department of Health
Dentist and doctor
A check up before departure is recommended.

LEVEL 1
2 months prior:  Hike 6 miles every weekend or on two consecutive days.  Pay attention to your lifestyle and your weight.

Basic equipment
- A warm fleece hat
- A cap or a hat to protect from the sun
- Sun glasses (minimum index 3 or 4 for high mountain)
- Thermal top and bottom, short and long) underwear (fast drying).
- Fleece turtle neck top
- A warm fleece jacket (light weight/well insulated).
- A waterproof/breathable shell jacket (Gore-Tex).
- A pair of gloves
- A rain poncho
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight hiking long pants
- A Camelback or a water bottle.

Shoes and technical material
- Hiking socks
- Light ventilated hiking shoes with a good traction on different type of terrain, for people with fragile ankles: waterproof ankle hiking boots and a sole offering good traction.
- A pair of telescopic walking poles

Luggage
- A back pack equipped with broad straps, with an adjustable anatomical back reinforcement, and a capacity of 7 to 9 gallons, for your daily belongings
- A soft travel bag, which can hold between 18 to 23 gallons that will be transported by the porter team or by vehicle during the day.

Miscellaneous
- A change of clothes.
- A pair of replacement shoe laces
- A dop-kit and a bath towel.
- Toilet paper.
- A pocket knife (not in carry on luggage).
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- A bathing suit.
- A small pocket anti-theft protection device, to always keep on yourself, along with your identity papers, money, certificate of insurance.

 
Some advice
During your flight your back pack should contain fragile and useful items that you might need while on the plane (camera, memory cards, jacket, books, magazines, medication, dop-kit etc).