Pharaohs & Deserts

Tour description

Once described as “the gift of the Nile”, Egypt is a land of awe-inspiring monuments, great natural beauty and a genuinely friendly people. From the vast collection of architectural wonders, which lie along the Nile Valley, the beauty of the desert lake and spring oasis of Wadi Rayan, and the stunning desert scenery in the Western Deserts, Egypt has something for everyone. This tour gives a comprehensive introduction to both the history and natural beauty of this ancient country and includes two memorable overnight desert camps.

We start in the bustling city of Cairo where we tour the incredible Pyramids and Sphinx and the vast collection of artefacts in the Cairo museum and the sprawling citadel of Saladin.

From Cairo we head by sleeper train south through the Nile Valley to Aswan, which is located on the most picturesque stretch in Egypt of this majestic river. We spend time visiting the tranquil island temple of Philae and the mighty Aswan High Dam, before boarding a traditional felucca sailing boat for a 2-night cruise downriver. Staying on board the feluccas we slowly drift downstream as far as the temple at Komombo before driving on to Luxor with a stop at Edfu temple en-route. An upgrade to a luxury Dahabiya or Nile cruise boat is available if preferred.

In Luxor we pause to appreciate the immense choice of ancient monuments on offer. On the east bank we see the towering pylons and columns that make up the impressive temples of Karnak and Luxor, while on the west bank of the Nile lie the burial tombs and temples of the pharaohs. Here the Valleys of the Kings, the colourful Medinat Habu temple, and Queen Hatchepsut’s Mortuary Temple reveal a fascinating insight into the beliefs of the ancient pharaohs and their subjects.

Returning to Cairo we allow time for exploring the city and delighting in the wealth of sites on offer like the twisting alleyways of the Khan al Khalili bazaar. Next we start our desert adventure and drive to the fertile Fayoum area, not far from Cairo. Here we visit the protected area of Wadi Rayan, with its freshwater desert lake and natural spring oasis - both a haven for wildlife. We also visit the World Heritage Site of the Valley of the Whales where we see fossilised whale skeletons and mangrove roots resting on the ground This site is surrounded by stunning desert scenery., and we spend a night camping here in Bedouin tents.

We then head out into the vast Egyptian Western Desert. Following a tour of the Bahariya Oasis, a delightful and tranquil island of green in a sea of barren sand, we take a jeep safari into the nearby White Desert. The desert here provides a chance to experience the beauty and isolation of a place unspoiled by human hands and we spend time viewing the assortment of strange rock formations common to the White Desert before spending a night beneath the stars.

Time in the Black Desert and a visit to the peaceful Farafra Oasis follows, where we see signs of traditional desert oasis life. After a final night in Baharya and an optional dip in the local hot springs we head back to Cairo to finish the tour.