Tour Description

Join Pink Lotus Tours owner, Leisa McInnes, your host for 14 Days in her adopted homeland as we explore local areas and sites not always visited on normal tours.
We will stay in beautiful hotels along with local luxury guesthouses as we journey through Ancient Egypt.
Having operated these tours since 2016 we have handpicked all the best of the best locations, restaurants, hotels and local experiences to ensure your visit to Egypt is a 'Once in a Lifetime' memory.
We will start at the most famous place of all, the Pyramids of Giza before flying south the Aswan to the magnificent Temples of Abu Simbel.
While in Aswan we will visit the home of a Nubian family who will share their local traditions, customs and family life with us for a few hours. A truly unique experience.
From Aswan we will embark a Nile River Cruise to sail north to Luxor, visiting the Temples located on the banks of the river, while enjoying the scenery as you imagine life in Ancient times.
Once in Luxor we will visit Karnak and Luxor Temples, the West Bank and Valley of the Kings.
You will also have the option of floating high above the West Bank of Luxor in a Hot Air Balloon as the sun rises. Another highlight not to be missed.
When we return to Cairo we will stay by the Nile and enjoy the beautiful city and river views.
Cairo has a vast history with magnificent old buildings and distinct architecture.
To enjoy this, we will take a walking tour through the Old City and into al-Muizz Street, a street dating back to the foundation of the city.
Before leaving Egypt, we will venture out into the countryside and visit the Fayoum Oasis, a lush and fertile area of farmland with organic farms, Agri & Eco Lodges, waterfalls, sand dunes and lakes.
We will visit a Pottery School created in the 1980's by Evelyne Porret, A Swiss woman who opened her own Pottery Studio with her husband, and very quickly turned it into a Pottery School to teach all the local children how to make pottery items and encourage them to become budding Potters.
Evelyn has passed on since however the school remains with students of Evelyn passing on their skills and knowledge to teach the children in the village and keep the community thriving.
As a company Pink Lotus Tours is supportive of these local facilities that enable the locals to gain a skill and earn income for their families. We appreciate you supporting them on your visit.
A magnificent contrast to Cairo and a beautiful way to end our trip together.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT APPLIES
USD1600 April/September
USD1750 November

• If possible, we recommend you arrive a day early to catch up on some rest and adjust to the new time zone. (Accommodation extra)

• Post tour extensions are available

Tour Highlights

Specially curated experience for Ladies Only Travel
Luxury hotels and Nile River Cruise
Small Group
Female Host with local experience
Egyptologist Tour Guide
Abu Simbel
Philae Temple
Local Experiences
Karnak and Luxor Temples
West Bank including Valley of the Kings

Day 1: Arrival Day

Welcome to the history and mystery of this Ancient Land – The Land of the Pharaohs.
Welcome to Egypt!
Our Pink Lotus Tours airport representative will be there to meet you upon arrival in Cairo International Airport.
He will assist you with arrival procedures including the purchase of your entrance visa. (Entrance visa is currently USD25, please ensure you have the cash with you to give to the representative on arrival).
After collecting your luggage, you will be transferred to your Cairo hotel.
The drive to the hotel takes around an hour and it's a one-of-a-kind experience!

In the evening, you will meet with your Host – Leisa McInnes (owner of Pink Lotus Tours) and your Egyptologist/Tour Guide to discuss your upcoming journey then enjoy a delicious ‘Welcome Dinner’ of authentic Egyptian Cuisine at a local restaurant.
MEALS: Dinner
*(For those who are arriving on this day try to get flights that arrive in Cairo no later than lunch time)

Day 2: Saqqara Sacred Oils Workshop

After breakfast, we drive to the ancient Necropolis of Saqqara, part of your journey at Saqqara you’ll connect to the pyramid texts, the oldest known sacred writings, supplications to the gods that a man might achieve unity with the deities in heaven.

Visit the Step Pyramid of Saqqara, the world's oldest major stone structure.

Enter inside the Step Pyramid, only recently opened to visitors after many years of restoration.

Visit Pyramid of Unas, this pyramid is very significant for having the first example of funerary texts known as Pyramid Texts.

Visit the mysterious Serapeum, an unexplainable feat of stone masonry and engineering.

A tradition Egyptian lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

Before returning to our hotel, we will meet with a gifted and highly respected Egyptian Healer, Aromatherapist and Reiki Master for private workshop learning about some of the Sacred Oils used in the ceremonies at the Temples and Tombs in Ancient times. We will learn the uses and benefits of the oils and the 7 Chakras.

MEALS: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3: Pyramids Day

Breakfast at hotel

Great Sphinx of Giza

Between its paws is a 15th-century BC stone tablet called a ‘Dream Stela’ recounting a vision given to a prince who slept in the shadow of the Sphinx and later became a pharaoh.

The sphinx is the gatekeeper and protector of the Egyptian mysteries.

Today we will also 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.

Optional Experiences: These activities can be confirmed and paid on the day to your host.
- For an added desert experience take a camel ride through the Sahara

- Climb high into the Kings Chamber of the Great Pyramid

Lunch will be served on the Giza Plateau with 9 pyramids in view.

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.

Optional Experiences: These actiivities must be booked the day before, please discuss with your host.
- Quad Bikes in the desert or Pyramids Sound & Light Show

MEALS: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 4: Aswan

After Breakfast, checkout our Cairo hotel and drive to Cairo Airport

Flight south to Aswan, (internal flights included).

For a unique local experience, we have chosen a Nubian Guesthouse on the edge of the Nile River

*Please note internal flight baggage limit 23kg check-in & 7kg carry-on

Aswan, Egypt sunniest southern city, located about 870 KM south of Cairo and has a distinctive African atmosphere.

The ancient Egyptian name for Aswan was Abu, which means elephant, and the Greeks called its biggest island Elephantine. Perhaps it got this name because the big grey rocks in the Nile look a bit like elephants bathing in the water, or perhaps it was because the town was an important trading center for ivory and other African products. The modern name Aswan is derived from the ancient Egyptian Swenet, means making business or trade. It has been a flourishing borderline market for thousands of years, the gateway for trade between Africa and Middle East. Greeks, Macedonians, Romans and Egyptians travelled to Aswan, all fell under the spell of its beauty, succumbed to the legendary river, the healthy climate and breathtaking sunsets.

Late afternoon we will visit a Nubian family and enjoy a local meal in their home.

We will hear some stories about their life, family and traditions in their culture.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5: Abu Simbel Temples

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.

Local Nubian meal for lunch before returning to Aswan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Nile River Cruise

After breakfast, transfer to Philae Temple, the Temple of Isis representing the feminine and divine love, the center of pure love consciousness.

While in Aswan we will be able to visit an Egyptian Cotton warehouse.

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.

Return to Aswan to join our luxurious Nile River Cruise Boat

Nile River Cruise

This will be your floating hotel for the next 3 nights. Please note some time will be spent in dock at each location to enable visits to the temples along the way. On some occasions while in dock you will be next to other boats, this is a normal part of the cruise process on the Nile River due to the number of boats in use.

Free afternoon to relax and settle in to your cabin

All meals will be served onboard

Optional Experiences: Aswan local markets

Meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Aswan

Day 7: Nile River Cruise

After breakfast we visit the Temple of Komombo, known as the Temple of Duality.

Back to our boat, start sailing to Edfu.

Enjoy lunch on board while sailing the Nile.

Optional Experiences: Relaxing Massage or treatment onboard

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

Day 8: Nile River Cruise

After breakfast, we drive to visit Edfu Temple, the crown jewel of a magical mythical city of Aswan.

Edfu Temple represents a lost art that showcases the true spirit of Ancient Egypt, and it was built on the land believed to have witnessed the greatest battle in the history of the ancient Egyptian Mythology between the powers of good and evil (Horus & Seth).

Back to the boat, start sailing through Esna lock towards Thebes (Luxor).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Karnak - Luxor Temples

Checkout from Nile cruise then early morning visit to Karnak Temples.

Although the walls have fallen into ruins and the Gods, Goddesses and their priests have deserted their houses and temples, the magic is still present.

For those who might like to have their very own cartouche made we will visit a jewelry shop that can custom make one for you and have it ready before we leave Luxor.

We will then check-in to our luxury hotel on the edge of the Nile.

Lunch is at your own leisure.

*Light meals are available at the hotel, in café or by the pool. There are also restaurants within the hotel.

Around 4pm we will meet to visit Luxor Temple by Night

Unlike most other ancient Egyptian temples, is not laid out on an east west axis, but is oriented towards Karnak. This is because Luxor Temple was the main venue for one the most important of ancient Egyptian religious celebrations, when the cult images of Amun, his wife Mut, and their son, the lunar god Khonsu, were taken from their temples in Karnak, and transported in a grand procession to Luxor Temple so they could visit the god that resides there, Amenemopet. This was the Opet Festival.

After our visit to Luxor Temple we will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 10: West Bank of Luxor

OPTIONAL Hot Air Balloon over Valley of the Kings

West Bank of Luxor

Enjoy a visit to the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut & Colossi of Memnon

The Valley of the Kings or the Kings Valley is famous as the resting place of the most well-known Pharaoh of them all, King Tutankhamun along with many others.

Today you will get to climb deep inside these highly decorated tombs that were cut deep in the mountain many thousands of years ago.

Our guide will choose the most beautiful and colourful tombs that are open on the day.

Later you will visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the most famous female Pharaoh to rule Egypt.

Before returning to the hotel you will visit the Colossi of Memnon.

Optional Experiences:
-Enter the Tomb of King Tutankhamun or Seti 1

SHOPPING VISIT, workshop for Handmade Alabaster

Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

Return to hotel for free afternoon

MEALS: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 11: Cultural Immersion

Breakfast at hotel then morning flight to Cairo

Check in to hotel on the edge of the Nile in Downtown Cairo

Afternoon Walking Tour, commencing Al-Muizz li-Din Allah al-Fatimi Street, or al-Muizz Street for short, is a major street in the walled city of historic Cairo, Egypt. It is one of Cairo's oldest streets as it dates back to the foundation of the city. Whilst wandering the street you will see the magnificent architecture of days gone by and see traditional craftsman creating ornate wares such as handmade silverware and embroidered fabrics.

It is an experience for the sights, sounds and aromas of the old city.

We will stop in a local café to sip mint tea or try some falafel or shawarma.

You can also pick up some souvenirs and haggle for some bargains at Khan el Khalili, Egypts oldest bazaar.

Evening Sufi/Tanoura Show at Wekalet of Sultan al-Ghuri – Arts Center

The 'Wekalet' Sultan el Ghouri, a historic caravanserai built at the command of Sultan Qunsuwah el Ghouri, served as one of the many parking, resting, and traffic hubs for the numerous traders that rode the fabled commercial caravans, which occasionally crossed entire continents.

Return to hotel around 10pm

Meals: Breakfast & Light Dinner

Day 12: Museums Day

After breakfast visit the NMEC, National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation

Grab a light lunch such as Koshari or Shawarma

Visit Egyptian Museum, home to countless treasures from Ancient Egypt including the Golden Mask of King Tutankhamun

Dinner will be included before returning to your hotel

Meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner

Day 13: A Day in the Countryside

Fayoum Desert Experience & Tunis Village

Early breakfast before driving to Fayoum Oasis

4WD Jeep Safari, Desert Experience, Magic Lake, Lake Qarun & Waterfalls

Lunch in Tunis Village, taste the delicious ‘farm to plate’ foods from the local area.

Walking Tour of Tunis Village and see local Art Gallery & Pottery workshops.

MEALS: Breakfast & Farewell Lunch

Day 14: Departure Day

After breakfast transfer to Cairo International Airport for your departure flight.

The following OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS are available to add to your time in Egypt

Cairo City Tour Full Day Tour

including Cairo then visit Coptic Cairo, including the Hanging Church, a Jewish Synagogue and Abu Serga, the oldest church in Egypt dating back to the 5th century A.D. The church owes its fame to having been constructed upon the crypt of the Holy Family where they stayed for three weeks during their time in Egypt.

Finally end your day exploring Old Cairo and the Citadel of Salah el Din, Mohammad Ali Mosque & Khan el Khalili,

Alexandria Day Tour Full Day Tour

Alexandria is located on the Mediterranean coast, approximately 3 hours’ drive from Cairo.

Alexandria, Marsa Matruh & Siwa Oasis 5 Days

Departing from Cairo, visit the famous sites of Alexandria before driving to the magical desert Oasis of Siwa, famous for the salt lakes, fossil lined ancient ocean beds and mineral springs frequented by Cleopatra and Alexander the Great.

Hurghada & The Red Sea various trips available

Sharm el Sheikh and Dahab various trips available

Package Includes

Airport arrival meet and assist inside Cairo International Airport
Air-conditioned private transfer from Airport to hotel
5 Star Deluxe Accommodation
Full buffet breakfast daily
5 Star Deluxe Nile River Cruise
Breakfast Lunch and Dinner onboard cruise
Lunch and Dinner on most days
Entrance Tickets to all sites mentioned
Private air-conditioned transport
Guided daily tours with Egyptologist
Abu Simbel Day Tour included
Internal Flights included
Tipping Kitty for services/porters etc included (except Tour Guide)
Departure transfer to Cairo International Airport
Female English-speaking Tour Host
English-speaking Tour Manager/Airport Representative

Package Excludes

International Flight
Travel Insurance
Entry Visa to Egypt
Optional extra tours
Pre or post tour accommodation
Room Upgrades or room service
Meals not mentioned
Tipping in free time
Drinks and Snacks
Tipping for Egyptologist Tour Guide