Dreaming of Egypt

Welcome to Egypt! If you arrive in Cairo with some free time, perhaps dive into the madness of the bazaars, embrace the kitsch world of Dr. Ragab's Pharaonic Village or refresh yourself from the dust with a sahlab (a sweet and warm cream-based drink with nuts). Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm this evening. Afterward, get your taste buds going as you head out with your new travel companions for a delicious koshari (an Egyptian vegetarian chili often served with fresh lemon juice). Later, perhaps explore Cairo’s nightlife – your group leader will know all the best spots!

After this morning's breakfast, it's time to tick something huge off your bucket list. Drive to the edge of the desert and explore the Great Pyramids of Giza, one of the famous ancient Wonders of the World, and the nearby Sphinx (no one knows exactly how it lost its nose). A guy named Khufu was responsible for the construction of the Great Pyramid: it's 4500 years old, stands 146 m tall, and is made up of 2.3 million blocks weighing about 2.5 tons each. He even has a 9 cm statue to commemorate him: lucky him! You can admire their size up close or take an epic photo from a distance, with Cairo in the background. Later, you'll have free time to continue exploring as you like: perhaps visit the Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world's largest collections of ancient artifacts, or head to the Valley Temple of King Khafre. In the evening, it's time to catch the sleeper train to Aswan, where you'll spend the night.

This morning you will go to the bazaar with a tour led by your guide. Amidst the friendly shouts of "welcome" and "where are you from" from the vendors, you will visit an oil and perfume merchant to discover how aromatic plants have been used in Egypt over the centuries. Later, you can choose to join an optional tour to the Philae temple complex, where you can see the Temple of Isis (the goddess of health, marriage, and wisdom) that was saved from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated in the 1960s. In the afternoon, grab a paddle for a kayaking adventure as you navigate the Nile. Float along the historic waters as you view the sights from a new perspective. For dinner, you may head to a Nubian village for an optional meal with a local family.

This morning you can spend it as you like in Aswan. If you manage to wake up (very) early, the optional trip to the epic Abu Simbel is worth the sleepiness: carved into a solid rock face, this temple is a historical site built as a place of worship for Pharaoh Ramses II after his death. Renting a minivan with your travel companions is the most economical option and it takes about 3 hours to get there. You'll want at least 2 hours to explore, before heading back to Aswan for a free evening to go to the best spots for dining and drinking. Maybe try some ful wa ta'ameya (Egyptian falafel) with warm pita and salad, followed by another cup of mint tea.

This morning is yours to relax and recharge. Later, you will board a night felucca, somewhat like a floating tent, this traditional Egyptian boat is the perfect way to explore the Nile. Spend the late afternoon in a peaceful setting, reading a good book or playing cards with your group. Take a break in a colorful nearby Nubian village for a walk and discover what life is like for people living along the Nile. Depending on your group's mood tonight, you might want to organize a small beach party under the starry sky. Tonight, fall asleep to the gentle rocking of the boat, the warm breeze on your cheeks, and the blanket of constellations above (there are no walls on a felucca, so your view will be completely unobstructed!).

Disembark from your felucca this morning and head towards the sweet relief of a shower at the hotel. If you wish, you can visit the Temple of Edfu along the way, where the inscriptions give an insight into life during the Hellenistic period, when the temple was built. Continue towards Luxor, where you are free to explore this open-air museum at your own pace. The Karnak Temple is a good first stop: wandering through this ancient village is a fantastic way to get a feel for what life was like here more than 3000 years ago. Legend has it that if you walk around the granite scarab seven times to the west of the Sacred Lake, you will meet your soul mate. Tonight, perhaps relax with some fiteer baladi (Egyptian pizza) or shawarma.

This morning, make the short journey to the West Bank. Take a look at three tombs in the Valley of the Kings, with the opportunity to explore the lost tomb of Tutankhamun. Continue to the Colossi of Memnon, where two huge statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III will make you wonder if posting selfies twice a day is really the height of narcissism. If your travel companions are up for it, you can choose to end your West Bank adventure with an optional visit to the tomb of Hatshepsut, who became pharaoh when she married her half-brother (which wasn't so unusual at the time). If you still have some energy left, there will also be time to squeeze in a visit to the Temple of Luxor before your overnight train to Cairo.

Upon your arrival in Cairo, you'll head to your hotel to freshen up and drop off your luggage. Next, you'll hop on the Metro with your guide to Bab al-Futuh – one of the three remaining gates of the Old City. As you stroll alongside the ancient Islamic monuments that overlook the bazaars, you can engage in some friendly haggling at the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, then make your way to El Fishawy. This 240-year-old shabby cafe is the perfect spot for a cup of tea or a glass of cold water with lemon and mint. Tonight, you're free to find the perfect spot for a farewell dinner with your group or dive into the nightlife and celebrate a well-executed trip.

After this morning's breakfast, your journey comes to an end. Until the next adventure!