Treasures of Egypt - Discount Travel Vacation Packages By Friendly Planet

12 days from $2199*

Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, great hotels, transfers, many meals, touring and more!

Prices include savings of up to $300 if you book by September 22, 2010!

Ramesses II Colossus, Luxor Temple

Once again, Friendly Planet is defying skyrocketing travel prices to bring you a fantastic, truly first class Egypt vacation deal fit for a pharaoh. You'll see the famous Sphinx & Pyramids at Giza, the temples at Luxor & Edfu, King Tut's tomb, Old Cairo & much more. Plus, enjoy 7 nights on a luxury cruise on the Nile aboard the 5-star M/S Tulip cruise ship! Roundtrip flights, transfers, touring, and many meals are also part of this fabulous vacation package. But, hurry to reserve your spot on tour as space is limited and sure to sell out quickly!

Itinerary at a Glance

Departures prior to October 2010 follow a different itinerary.

Treasures of Egypt
Day	Destination
1	Depart USA
2	Cairo
3	Cairo, Pyramids & Sphinx
4	Cairo & Aswan
5	Aswan, Kom Ombo & Edfu plus Abu Simbel optional tour
6	Edfu, Esna & Luxor
7	Luxor
8	Luxor & Esna
9	Esna & Edfu
10	Philae & Aswan
11	Aswan & Cairo
12	Cairo/USA
Sharm el Sheikh Optional Extension
12	Cairo & Sharm el Sheikh
13	Sharm el Sheikh
14	Sharm el Sheikh & Cairo
15	Cairo/USA

Detailed Itinerary

Treasures of Egypt tour itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA. Your fascinating journey to Egypt begins this evening as you depart New York on your non-stop flight to Cairo.

Day 2: Cairo. Arrival in Cairo, where East and West come together in a wonderful and chaotic mix of old and new. You'll be met by our representatives and transferred to your centrally located 5-star hotel overlooking the Nile.

Cairo & the Nile at night © Sheraton Cairo

Midan Talaat Harb, Cairo Photo by Tinou Bao

Enjoy time to explore Cairo independently or rest from your flight and enjoy the facilities at your hotel. This evening, join your fellow travelers for an optional dinner at the Felafel Restaurant ($65). Ramses Hilton or Sheraton Cairo

Pyramids at Giza

Day 3: Cairo, Pyramids & Sphinx. This morning, after a well deserved rest and breakfast, your guide will escort you on a fascinating tour of the most famous of all sites in Egypt—the Pyramids at Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo. These monuments have stood for 46 centuries.

Pyramids at Giza

The oldest and biggest of the three, the Pyramid of Cheops, was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years, and was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World—the only one still in existence. The Great Pyramid contains nearly 6 million tons of rock and was originally covered with smooth casing stones, fit together with stunning precision.

Sphinx and Pyramids at Giza

Nearby, the Sphinx, a feline character with the body of a lion and the face of Khufu (Cheops in Greek) is 50 meters long and 22 meters high. Carved from a single stone, it lies just before the Pyramids, and even today its meaning and origin remain shrouded in mystery.

Mohammed Ali Mosque, Cairo Citadel

Your next stop is Old Cairo, where you'll see the Alabaster Mosque and the Citadel of Saladin, built on the remains of a Crusader-style fortress. Continue to the world-famous Khan El Khalili bazaars, where the sights, sounds, spices and exotic clothing and jewelry, hand-hammered copper, ceramic ware and other treasures await your deft bargaining to win them at astounding prices. (B)

Aswan waterfront on the Nile

Day 4: Cairo & Aswan. This morning, you'll take a short flight to Aswan, the gateway to Africa for the ancient Egyptians. Originally called "Sain" from "sanite", the red granite extracted form its quarries, Aswan became a hub of trade in spices, leather, ivory, fruit, grains, baskets and mummified and living crocodiles.

Feluccas on the Nile, Aswan

After lunch aboard your cruise ship, enjoy a tour by felucca (a small, swift Egyptian sailboat) around Elephantine Island, once the center of modern Aswan. As you sail, you'll see the magnificent Botanical Gardens of Lord Kitchener and the Aga Khan Mausoleum.

Aswan Dam

Later, set out on today's included sightseeing tour of the highlights of Aswan, including the High Dam, which controls the Nile and is a major source of hydroelectric power in Egypt. Also, visit the granite quarries where a huge, cracked obelisk will clearly demonstrate how the giant stones were carved from rock. M/S Tulip (B,L,D)

Temple of Ramses, Abu Simbel

Day 5: Aswan, Kom Ombo & Edfu plus Abu Simbel optional tour. After breakfast this morning, take advantage of a special optional tour to Abu Simbel, the site of the Great Temple of Ramses II and one of the most magnificent of all temples in Egypt.

Abu Simbel Optional Tour is $265/person, if reserved and prepaid. Space is limited and we cannot guarantee availability once you arrive in Egypt, so we strongly recommend booking in advance.

Kom Ombo columns Photo by Rémith

In the afternoon, sail north to Kom Ombo, where in ancient times sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the river bank. Your sightseeing begins at the Temple of Kom Ombo, shared by the two gods Sobek and Haroeris. The building has a unique double design, with two symmetrical sides (inluding courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms) honoring the two gods. These Ptolemaic temples overlook the Nile and feature fascinating drawings on the walls, including detailed drawings of surgical instruments. Board your ship and continue sailing north toward Edfu. (B,L,D)

Kom Ombo on the Nile

Day 6: Edfu, Esna & Luxor. Enjoy a full day at leisure aboard the ship as you make your way back to Luxor via the Esna Lock. (B,L,D)

Ramesses II Colossi in the Luxor Temple

Day 7: Luxor. Luxor was the site of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, the great capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom, and the city of the God Amon-Ra. In 1580 BC, Pharoah Ahmos drove the invading Hyksos from Lower Egypt, and Luxor gained in stature and wealth, becoming a grand city of luxurious palaces, huge temples, large gardens, as well as an important diplomatic and trade center of the ancient world.

Luxor: West bank, Deir El Bahari & Valley of the Kings

Luxor has frequently been characterized as the "world's greatest open air museum". The ruins of the Karnak and Luxor temple complexes stand within the modern city, and across the Nile River lie the monuments, temples and tombs on the West Bank Necropolis, including the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens.

Valley of the Kings, Luxor

After breakfast, disembark and board your touring coach to visit the West Bank of the Nile and the Valley of the Kings. For nearly 500 years (16th–11th century B.C.), pharaohs and powerful nobles were buried here, in at least 63 royal tombs that were hewn into walls of the valley, some into the sheer rock.

Tomb of King Tutankhamun

The area has fascinated and attracted outsiders since at least Roman times (one tomb contains graffiti from visitors in 278 B.C.). Archaeologists and Egyptologists have labored here since the eighteenth century, continually uncovering more long-lost chambers, including the famous tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922.

Mortuary temple of Queen Hapshepsut near Luxor

Next, you'll visit the Colossi of Memnon, two massive seated statues depicting Amenhotep III that are 3,400 years old. The colossi stand about 60 ft tall and weigh about 700 tons each, made from quartzite sandstone quarried near Cairo over 400 miles away. Continue to the impressive Deir El Bahari mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, an architectural wonder built into a looming cliff face.

Karnak Temple Sound & Light Show © luxoregypt.org

Tonight, join an optional excursion to a spectacular Sound and Light Show at the Karnak Temple ($39 per person). (B,L,D)

Great Hypostyle Hall, Karnak Temple

Day 8: Luxor & Esna. This morning; head to the East Bank of the Nile to visit the Temple of Karnak, one of the most overwhelming monuments of the Pharaonic legacy, and the Luxor Temple, strikingly graceful and added to over the centuries by Tutankhamun, Ramses II, Alexander the Great, and others. Sail to Esna. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Esna & Edfu. Today, your cruise ship sails from Esna to Edfu. As you travel south, you will have an opportunity to view rural life in Egypt. The crops, methods of farming, animals and irrigation systems have changed little from 4,000 years ago. Here you best appreciate the fascinating contrast of ancient and modern ways of life, which coexist in Egypt and make it one of the world's most interesting of travel destinations.

Temple of Horus, Edfu

Arrive at Edfu and proceed to the Temple of Edfu, the second largest temple in Egypt (after Karnak) and one of the best preserved. The temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus, was built in the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 BCE. The inscriptions on its walls provide important information on language, myth and religion during the Greco-Roman period in ancient Egypt. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Philae & Aswan. All the fantastic facilities of the ms Tulip are available to you as you spend a day sailing toward Aswan and enjoying the glories of the Nile!

Philae Temple on the Nile

In the early evening, join an optional tour to the Philae Temple which for centuries was the holiest site for Isis worshippers. The temple was officially closed down in the 6th century A.D. by the Byzantine emperor Justinian and was the last pagan temple to exist in the Mediterranean world. After the construction of the Aswan Dam, the half-submerged temple complex was completely dismantled and rebuilt to the original orientation on the nearby island of Agilika, which rises higher from the water and has been reshaped and landscaped to resemble the original Philae. Metal pylons on the old island of Philae can still be seen rising from the water to the south of Agilika ($50 per person). (B,L,D)

Funery mask, Egyptian Museum, Cairo

Day 11: Aswan & Cairo. Disembark today and transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo. After you arrive in Cairo, visit the Egyptian Museum, where you'll see, among other treasures, the priceless antiquities of Tutankhamun's tomb. Evening at leisure. Ramses Hilton or Sheraton Cairo (B)

Khan el Khalili bazaar, Cairo

Day 12: Cairo/USA. Today you'll be escorted to the airport as you bid farewell to Cairo and board your return flight to the USA. Or take advantage of your already-included international airfare and join our optional extension to Sharm el Sheikh. (B)

Sharm el Sheikh Optional Extension

Why not take advantage of your already-included international airfare...

Hotels in Sharm el Sheikh

Sharm el Sheikh waterfront

Day 12: Cairo & Sharm el Sheikh. Today you'll be escorted to the airport for your flight to Sharm el Sheikh at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula on the shores of the Red Sea. Though little more than a fishing village a few decades ago, Sharm el Sheikh is today a trendy resort town, popular for its beautiful beaches, dramatic landscapes and temperate climate.

Snorkeling in the coral reefs

But it's most famous for its spectacular scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities, with some 250 different coral reefs, a thousand species of colorful fish, and clear warm water. On land, you'll find upscale resorts, colorful handicraft stands of the local Bedouin, and a lively nightlife. Your hotel is ideally located near the beach and other attractions.

Sharm el Sheikh desert landscape

The balance of the day is at leisure to enjoy the facilities of your hotel and the surroundings. Coral Sea Holiday Village (B,D)

Day 13: Sharm el Sheikh. The day is at leisure to relax in the beautiful area. Or you may choose one of the many optional activities offered locally. (B,D)

Sharm el Sheikh beach & lighthouse

Day 14: Sharm el Sheikh & Cairo. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival, you will be transfered to your hotel. Enjoy your last day in Cairo for shopping and independent exploration. Ramses Hilton or Sheraton Cairo (B)

Day 15: Cairo/USA. Today you'll be escorted to the airport as you bid farewell to Cairo and board your return flight to the USA.

Discounted Optional Tours Package

To take full advantage of your visit to Egypt, we offer several optional tours to other "must see" sites. These are not "seat in coach" tours that pick up passengers in various hotels. All the optional tours are operated for Friendly Planet groups only.

Optional Tours Package includes:

Dinner at Felafel Restaurant at the Ramses Hilton
Sound & Light Show at Karnak Temple
Half-day guided tour of the Philae Temple

These optional tours are available for the special package price of $145/person when booked and prepaid prior to departure. When purchased individually in Egypt, these tours cost $154 per person. We regret that we cannot accept bookings for the pre-paid optional tours package within 75 days from departure or after final payment has been received.

Destination FAQs

Quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Egypt.

I went on two of your tours this year, Treasures of Egypt and Best of China, as well as two other tours (Athens/ Istanbul with optional Classical Greek extension; Croatia/Slovenia/Montenegro) in previous years. I don't know how Friendly Planet puts together such amazing trips so reasonably, as I couldn't book things separately for double the price. Treasures of Egypt, my last tour, was lead by a fantastic tour guide with an advanced degree in Egyptology! The accomodations on the cruise ship were top notch with all the amenities, great food, and a helpful and friendly crew. We also stayed in a luxurious hotel in Cairo. All the admissions to the various temples / pyramids were included. They even provide extra security guards, though we always felt completely safe and well taken care of. Best of China was wonderful! We had our guide, Sam, plus a local guide in each area we went to. The trip included a 4 day cruise on the Yangtze River (a highlight) with very nice cabins with private decks, a 4-hour cruise up the Li River through some of the most beautiful sites in China, many flights within China, which allowed us to see more of the country, 5 star hotels, clean and modern buses to transport us to the sites of interest, such as the spectacular Great Wall. My favorite parts were where we saw the mountains and other natural wonders of China. One of things I will never forget was an optional excursion out in the countryside up river from Guilin where we were able to meet a family and visit their 400 year old home and walk in the rice fields. I would wholeheartedly recommend this travel company.

— Margaret Bernarding, Forest Knolls, CA

A trip to that area of the world has negative political overtones for Americans at this time because of recent world events. For that reason, my wife and I approached the possibility of such a vacation with trepidation, but our interest in human history beckoned us. Our fears were totally put aside by the incredible safety precautions taken by the Egyptian government and the Friendly Planet organization in particular. After a day in that country, I felt more secure than walking hand-in-hand with my wife after dark in our local city. The tour guide assigned to us (Wael) had a doctorate in Egyptology and he took the time at every stop to explain the symbolism of the temples themselves, the architectural artifacts as they related to one another and the relief carvings, answering questions graciously to the satisfaction of our entire group of 36 people. The coordination and scheduling of our living accommodations, meals, transportation, luggage transfer, entry tickets, and "necessary" interim stops appeared to be a finely honed ballet of interacting tourism requirements. Thanks for your attention to all these details! Because of the success of this vacation (our 40th wedding anniversary), while still on the plane enroute home, my wife began discussing where our next Friendly Planet trip should be. Ya done good!

— Sincerely, William R. Bliss

testimonial photo We had such a good time! You can tell from some of our photos. We all four agreed it was one of our favorite trips. Wonderful accommodations as well as outstanding tours! We even elected to add on a couple of side trips because we were so impressed with what you had to offer. We didn't want to miss anything. Thank you. We will definitely keep spreading the word to all our friends. Your company not only provides wonderful excursions, but great value for the money.