Royal Tour of Egypt

Royal Tour of Egypt
 

Travel in style with our most luxurious tour this year.
Walk in the footsteps of the Kings and Queens of Ancient times along with those in our modern history, stay in hotels frequented by royalty, dignitaries and celebrities.
Begin your day with breakfast at Marriott Mena House in view of the Great Pyramid of Giza, enjoy High Tea on the verandah of the Winter Palace in Luxor overlooking the Nile, wander the grounds of the Old Cataract in Aswan where Agatha Christie penned Death on the Nile. 
This Premium Tour is overflowing with elegance and grandeur for those whose like to travel in style.
Perfect for a couples or small group holiday with close friends.

Dates can be customised to suit you.

Book your luxury Egypt holiday now. 
 

      Tour Highlights
      Premium Accommodation in 5 Star Hotels

Welcome to this once in a lifetime experience visiting some of the most historic hotels in all of Egypt, palaces where Kings and Queens have enjoyed their holidays and world leaders have made history changing decisions. You will be met at Cairo International Airport by our Pink Lotus Tour representative and transferred to our hotel directly across the road from the Pyramids of Giza. 
Marriott Mena House boasts a unique location at the foot of the Pyramids offering one of a kind accommodation experience with unmatched views of the Great Pyramid.
The drive to the hotel takes around an hour and it's a one of a kind experience!
Located on 40 acres of manicured gardens, Mena House Cairo Hotel was built in 1869 for the Egyptian King Isma'il Pasha.
The hotel is named after the founding father of the first Egyptian dynasty, Mena or King Menes of Memphis. He founded the city of Memphis and unified Upper and Lower Egypt. During World War I the hotel was requisitioned by Australian troops and occupied again by the Australians in 1939. Toward the end of the war it was then converted to a hospital for wounded Australian troops. 

Day 2: Saqqara Dahshur and BBQ Lunch
Visit the Step Pyramid, the world's oldest major stone structure.
It was built in the 3rd Dynasty (around 2700 BC) for King Zoser.   
We then visit the Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid of King Snefru at Dahshur.
Dahshur is a famous royal necropolis in Egypt that holds many famous Pyramids.
Saqqara is world famous for its traditional carpet making schools so we will visit one while in the area.
Enjoy a tradition Egyptian lunch will be served at a local restaurant. 

Day 3: Giza Pyramids Sphinx
Today we will explore the Giza Plateau, your chance to personally stand where the Ancient Egyptians stood thousands of years ago, next to the Great Pyramid of Cheops, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one that still exists. 
Later, an experience not to miss is a visit to the Kings Chamber of the Great Pyramid.
We continue our adventure with a camel ride through the Sahara for those who are interested (optional extra cost).
The day is not over yet, we will visit the government regulated Papyrus Institute.
We will now experience how the ancients recorded their history on the first paper ever produced.
See the processes and efforts it took to make this ancient form of paper.
Also, enjoy the beautiful illustrative Egyptian art and stories painted depicting Egyptian lifestyle and culture.

Day 4: Cairo and Luxor
Today we take an internal flight from Cairo to the Ancient capital of Thebes, now more commonly known as Luxor.
Luxor is often referred to as the largest outdoor museum in the world with possibly more treasures still remaining under the desert sands than has been currently been uncovered.
Our accommodation for the next few nights is considered to be Luxor’s most luxurious hotel The Old Winter Palace, it is located on the Nile River amid tropical gardens. Blending rich colonial design with the glory of Pharaonic times, this elegant palace offers a distinguished experience in a romantic setting. Since 1886, this five-star hotel has been the choice destination for celebrities, luminaries and dignitaries and has remained a popular choice for today's political and cultural elite. Just steps from some of Egypt's most celebrated attractions and cultural landmarks, the hotel is conveniently located close to the edge of the Nile and perfect for a stroll along the corniche. Offering guestrooms and suites, a variety of refined and casual dining experiences, refreshing swimming pools, and unrivaled service, Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor is truly an authentic treasure. 
Howard Carter discussed plans for his exploration at the Winter Palace just hours before he uncovered the tomb of King Tutankhamen; after the discovery, the hotel hosted the international press corps and Carter announced updates on the tomb from the entrance steps.
This afternoon we will visit a government regulated jewelry shop to where you can view replica pieces of the ornate pieces found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun or have you own cartouche designed with yur name in hieroglyphics.
Our visit tonight, Luxor Temple, will be a real highlight as we will arrive late afternoon to see the sunset and continue our visit as the lights of the temple illuminate the temple, highlighting the perfection of the monuments like the Obelisk of Ramses II and the golden grandeur of the open court.

Day 5: Valley of the Kings/Hatshepsut/Habu
Enjoy a visit to the Valley of the Kings. Climb down into the spectacularly decorated tombs of the Pharaohs.  Included in our visit is entrance to the tomb of King Tutankhamun, the youngest Pharaoh to rule Egypt and the only mummy still located in the Valley of the Kings.
After that, we visit the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.  The name Deir el-Bahri means ‘Northern Monastery’, indicating that the site was once used by Christian monks. Prior to the coming of Christianity, however, the site was a complex of mortuary temples and tombs built by the ancient Egyptians. Hatshepsut is arguably one of the most formidable women in ancient Egypt. Hatshepsut was the first female ruler of ancient Egypt to reign as a male with the full authority of pharaoh. 

Our next visit will be to the Valley of the Queens where the best of the best, the tomb of Ramses II beloved wife Nefertari  is located.  This tomb is considered to be the most beautifully decorated of all the tombs open to the public.
We will also visit The Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu, the second largest temple complex in Ancient Egypt

Day 6: Dendera Embark Nile Cruise
This morning we will check-out of our hotel and visit The Temple of Hathor
This temple is located in Dendara approximately 60klms from Luxor and the drive takes us through local villages and the farms of rural Egypt.
The temple is a magnificent sight with its main building virtually intact, with twisting stairways carved with hieroglyphs
Upon our return from Dendera we will embark our floating hotel, Sonesta St George, our home for the next 4 nights. 

Day 7: Karnak Temples
Karnak Temple at the East bank of the River Nile, the temple complex is huge, covering an area of 1 ½ x 3 km dedicated to the Pharaoh Amun and was also the centre of his worship for his wife Mut and their son Khons. There are over 25 temples and chapels in the complex.
The Karnak complex includes several of the finest examples of ancient Egyptian design and architecture. Among them is the Hypostyle Hall, considered one of the world’s great architectural achievements.
It is filled with 134 enormous pillars, the highest 70 feet tall, and each about 45 feet around.
This afternoon we will relax on-board our cruise boat

Day 8: Komombo Temple
Today we visit Komombo, the dual temple of Haroeiss & Sobek.
Kom Ombo is located on a bend in the river Nile about 50 km north of Aswan In Egypt. Located on the east bank, Kom Ombo is home to an unusual double temple built during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The temple is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris (Horus the Elder).
Despite being badly damaged, the temple is a beautiful sight as you approach from either direction on the river; particularly as sunset nears and the colours change

Day 9: Philae Temple, Egyptian Cotton & Aswan Market
Today we take a relaxing motor boat ride to Agilkia Island to visit the awesome Philae Temple, one of the most visited Temples in Nubia which was saved from a watery grave by UNESCO after the construction of the Aswan Dam.
Philae Temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis, the wife of Osiris and mother of Horus.
Egyptian Cotton is famous worldwide for its high quality, whether you prefer luxurious bed sheets or delicately embroidered clothing you will be able to purchase some at very reasonable prices at a local factory here in Aswan.
Before dinner we will wander through Aswan Market before going back to our cruise boat

Day 10: Aswan and Abu Simbel
We will transfer from our Nile River Cruise  to Aswan Airport for our short flight to Abu Simbel and the Great Temple of Ramses II, carved in the mountain on the west bank of the Nile between 1274 and 1244 BC and dedicated to the gods Ra-Horakhty, Amun and Ptah. This temple is aligned in such a way that, twice a year the first rays of the rising sun penetrate the temple, through the vestibule and into the sanctuary, where they illuminate the figures of the gods except Ptah. The Temple of Hathor is dedicated to Queen Nefertari, Ramses beloved wife.
Return flight to Aswan
Our hotel in Aswan is the legendary site where King Fouad once entertained and Agatha Christie sipped cocktails: the 5-star Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan Hotel. In the Nubian Desert on the banks of the Nile, opposite Elephantine Island, the majestic hotel sits on a pink granite cliff overlooking the world's longest river.
This elegant hotel with its legendary guest list of royals and dignitaries is simply the best place to enjoy your time in Aswan.

Day 11: Nubian Village Visit
Enjoy a late breakfast and wander the grounds of this beautiful hotel.
For lunch we will take a motor boat to a local Nubian village and wander the streets to take in the sights and sounds of village life. We will enjoy a traditional Nubian lunch before returning to our hotel

Day 12: Flight to Cairo
Relax and enjoy the morning and later we will transfer to Aswan Airport for our return flight to Cairo

Day 13: Egyptian Museum, Saladin Citadel, Old Coptic Cairo, Khan El-Khalili Market
Today we step into the energy of the city that never sleeps; we experience the crazy Cairo traffic as we drive into downtown Cairo and Tahrir Square, scene of the 2011 revolution and location of the Egyptian Museum.
The current Egyptian Museum is overflowing with ancient artefacts and would take many, many visits to see it in its entirety so we highlight the best of the best.
This afternoon we will visit a local perfume and essence factory to learn about Oils that date back to the time of the Pharaoh’s. Here at the perfumery you can also purchase the base oil of your favourite fragrance.
Continue driving to the area of Coptic Cairo to visit The Church of Virgin Mary “the hanging church” and The Church of St. Sergius where the Holy Family stayed during their flight to Egypt. Then we move to Islamic Cairo to visit The Citadel of Saladin, with the famous Alabaster mosque of Mohammed Ali.

The day isn’t over yet, we’ll explore Khan El Khalili, Cairo’s old bazaar.

Day 14: Departure Day Cairo
A representative of Pink Lotus Egypt Tours will transfer you to Cairo International Airport and assist with all check-in procedures.