Tour Description

Throughout the year the inside of Abu Simbel Temple remains in darkness except for two occasions in February and October.
The light which streams deep into the complex reflects on Ramses II and Sun God’s seated statues, illuminating the entire place and highlighting its brilliant architecture.
The Sun Festival takes place when the light hits the statues.
Throughout this phenomenon there is one statue that remains in darkness, Ptah, the Goddess of darkness.
Ramses built the temple at Abu Simbel so that the inner chamber would light up at just two times of the year, which are on February 22, the anniversary of his ascension to the throne and on October 22nd, which is his birthday.
The Sun God was very important to Egyptians. Careful planning was required to ensure everything was aligned just right for the sun to shine where it was wanted.

Premium Tour of Ancient Egypt
Pink Lotus Tours specialises in small group tours to Egypt, we believe Egypt has to be experienced not just visited as a tourist.
We prefer to provide you with extra time in each of the sites to allow you to really explore and learn about the Ancient mysteries.
Our Egyptologist has over 15 years experience leading groups through this magnificent country so your holiday will be like a living history lesson as you visit each site and listen to the stories from the walls of the Temples.
Along with all the historical acts there are always lots of unique local experiences blended into our trips.
There are many highlights during this tour including sitting down to a meal with a local family and learning from them about daily life in Egypt.

Duration: 12 nights/13 days
Price: $2799 USD based on twin share fully inclusive, as detailed below
$3699 USD Single Room
***please note*** International Airfares and entry visa to Egypt are not included

Our service starts when you land at Cairo International Airport and continues until you leave Egypt. There is nothing for you to think about, simply relax and enjoy!
Group size 2-12

Included:

Meet and greet service at airport
All transfers to/from airport & hotel by a private air-conditioned vehicle.
All transport throughout tour by a private air-conditioned vehicle.
Accommodation in 5 Star hotels including full buffet breakfast.
2 x Internal flights within Egypt
5 Star Superior Nile Cruise includes Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
All sightseeing tours in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan as mentioned in the itinerary
All sightseeing tours on the cruise are private guided tours
Entrance fees to all sites as indicated on the itinerary including ABU SIMBEL SUN FESTIVAL
Pyramids & Sphinx on the Giza Plateau, Step Pyramid at Saqqara
Temples: Abu Simbel, Philae, Komombo, Luxor and Karnak
Tombs: Necropolis of Saqqara, West Bank of Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Deir el-Bahri – Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
English-speaking tour guide during whole tour.
Meals during tour as mentioned in the itinerary
Bottled water and wipes during your tour and transfers.

Excluded:
International Airfare.
Entry visa to Egypt USD25 which can be organised upon arrival in Cairo
Personal spending, all drinks/alcohol, some meals, snacks, laundry etc
Hot Air Balloon (optional at Valley of the Kings)
Pre or post tour accommodation
Tips for services. A tipping kitty will be recommended and collected for distribution throughout the tour by your guide.
Tip for your tour guide. (Industry standard recommends around US8-10 per day however tipping is a personal thing based on reward for effort and how much you enjoy your tour)

Tour Highlights

Pyramids of Giza
Egyptian Museum, including the famous Funerary Mask of King Tut
Nile River Cruise
Abu Simbel Sun Festival
Temples of Philae, Komombo, Karnak & Luxor
Tombs in the Valley of the Kings
Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Sailing in a felucca as the sun set on the Nile
...and so many more magical moments

Day 1: Arrival Day

18th October 2022/18th February 2023
Welcome to Cairo
Our Pink Lotus Tours representative will meet you upon arrival and assist you with purchase of your entry visa and through the arrivals process.
We will transfer you to your hotel by air-conditioned transport.
The drive to the hotel takes around an hour and it's a one of a kind experience! Be sure to have a camera handy.
We guarantee your room will have stunning pyramids views, the perfect way to start your journey through Ancient Egypt.
Our representative will assist with check-in at the hotel and leave you to settle in your room.
Later we enjoy our ‘Welcome Dinner’ of authentic Egyptian Cuisine at a local restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
Hotel: Steigenberger Pyramids (or similar)

Day 2: Saqqara and Egyptian BBQ

19th October 2022/19th February 2023
After breakfast, you will meet your Egyptologist/Tour Guide at the hotel to start the journey at the very beginning, the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, the first free standing building of stone in the whole world dating back to 2700 BC.
With so many new discoveries in recent times there is always so much to see in this Ancient necropolis.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Hotel: Steigenberger Pyramids (or similar)

Day 3: Pyramids and Museum

20th October 2022/20th February 2023
Today we 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.
We continue our adventure with a camel ride through the Sahara for those who are interested (optional extra cost).
We finish our visit to the plateau with the Guardian Angel of the area, the monolithic and iconic Sphinx.
Lunch will be served with a spectacular view of the Pyramids and the Sphinx
The day is not over yet, we will now experience how the ancients recorded their history on the first paper ever produced, Papyrus, at a government regulated Papyrus Institute.
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 was built before the discovery of the treasures of King Tutankhamen and his famous solid gold funerary mask so it is overflowing with ancient artefacts and would take many, many visits to see in its entirety so we highlight the best of the best.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4: Flight to Aswan - Philae Temple

21st October 2022/21st February 2023
Early flight to Aswan
Upo arrival we take a relaxing motor boat ride to Agilkia Island to visit the awesome Philae Temple, one of the most visited Temples in Nubia.
Philae Temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis, the wife of Osiris and mother of Horus.
Check in to Nile River Cruise
Before dinner we will wander through Aswan Market before going back to our boat.
Dinner on-board

Day 5: Abu Simbel Sun Festival

22nd October/22nd February 2023
SUN FESTIVAL in ABU SIMBEL
An early start today, so we can explore Abu Simbel. 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 to Aswan to join our luxurious Nile River Cruise Boat to start sailing to Komombo, the dual temple of Horus & Sobek
We return to our Cruise Boat and enjoy an afternoon sailing towards Edfu.
Afternoon Tea on the Sun Deck
Dress like an Egyptian at the Galabeya Party tonight hosted in the lounge on-board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Nile River Cruise

23rd October 2022/23rd February 2023

Sailing to Luxor

Visit today will depend on our sailing schedule

Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 7: Valley of the Kings

24th October 2022/ 24th February 2023
Check-out from Nile River Cruise
Enjoy a visit to the Valley of the Kings. Climb down into the spectacularly decorated tombs of the Pharaohs.
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.
Today we will visit a local alabaster factory and see how the hand-made pieces were created in ancient Egypt.
Overnight in Luxor hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Luxor Temple

25th October 2022/25th February 2023
The morning is free to relax in the hotel
In the afternoon you guide will meet you to take a relaxing felucca on the Nile before visiting Luxor Temple by night.
After the visit enjoy a meal at a local rooftop restaurant overlooking the Temple.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 9: Karnak Temple

26th October 2022/ 26th February 2023
Today's visit will be 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.
For those who might like to have their very own cartouche made we will visit a jewellery shop that can custom make one for you and have it ready before we leave Luxor.
Return to hotel for free time.
Explore the local area at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Sonesta St George

Day 10: Free Day in Luxor

27th October 2022/27th February 2023
Today is a free day to explore Luxor
Optional Tours include
Temple of Hathor in Dendera
Sunrise Hot Air Balloon over Valley of the Kings
Stroll through the masterpieces on display in Luxor Museum
Take High Tea at the Winter Palace
Hotel: Sonesta St George
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Flight to Cairo

28th October 2022/28th February 2023
After a relaxing breakfast you will be transferred to Luxor Airport for your flight to Cairo
We have reserved the best Pyramids View Room for you to enjoy your last few nights in Egypt.
Hotel: Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12: Cairo City Tour and Khan el Khalili Bazaar

29th October 2022/ 1st March 2023
After breakfast, we start our day in Old Coptic Cairo (Hanging Church, Church of Abu Serga & Ben Ezra Synagogue), and then we visit Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque inside the Citadel of Salah El Din. Continue driving to the area of Islamic Cairo, where we will be able to explore Khan El Khalili, Cairo’s old bazaar.
Hotel: Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner

Day 13: Departure Day

30th October 2022/ 2nd March 2023
Enjoy one last breakfast as you gaze at the Pyramids then sadly, it is time to return home.
A representative of Pink Lotus Egypt Tours will transfer you to Cairo International Airport and assist with all check-in procedures.
Meals: Breakfast

Package Includes

Twin/Double USD2799 per person
Single USD USD3699
Meet and greet service tour representatives at Cairo airport.
All transfers to/from airport and hotel by a private air-conditioned vehicle.
Accommodation at 5 star hotels including breakfast.
Internal Flights - Cairo/Aswan and Luxor/Cairo.
Accommodation for 3 nights on a 5 star Nile cruise on full board.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner during Nile River Cruise.
Either lunch or dinner most days, depending on our schedule
All sightseeing tours in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan as mentioned in the itinerary.
All sightseeing tours on the cruise are private guided tours.
Transportation and entrance tickets to Sun Festival
Entrance fees to all sites as indicated on the itinerary.
English-speaking tour guide during your tours.
Bottled water during your tour and transfers.

Package Excludes

International Airfare.
Travel Insurance.
Entry Visa to Egypt.
Any optional tours.
Pre or post tour accommodation.
Personal spending.
Hot Air Balloon.
Tips for services. A tipping kitty will be recommended and collected for distribution throughout the tour by your guide.
Tip for our tour guide. Industry standard, between $US 8-10 per day, however tipping is a personal choice and relative to how much you enjoyed the tour.