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Land of the Pharaohs
A Journey of Discovery in Ancient Egypt
![Land of the Pharaohs route-map](javascript:routeMap("/images/trips/africa/egypt/egypt-map.jpg");)
Trip Details at-a-Glance
| Cost From: | $6095 see pricing |
|---|---|
| Length: | 10 days |
| Arrive: | Cairo, Egypt |
| Depart: | Cairo, Egypt |
| Lodging: | 5 nights 5-star and first-class hotels, 4 nights aboard luxury vessel with Nile-view air-conditioned cabins describe |
| Meals: | All meals included except 3 dinners |
| Activity: | Small Boat & Yacht Cruising, Walking, Archaeology, Cultural Adventures |
| Trip Level: |
Cultural exploration and walking tours, 4-day Nile cruise
explain
|
Highlights
- Enjoy a deluxe 5-day Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan
- View the Great Pyramids, King Tut’s Tomb, and the extraordinary temples at Abu Simbel
- Travel with an expert Egyptologist Trip Leader
- Deluxe hotels include the famed Mena House and Old Winter Palace
I have traveled on six continents in 40 years and this trip was the most superlative I’ve been on! My fellow trip members decided (after canvassing their trips) that WT is the only way to go!Susan B.—Palo Alto, CA
Choosing the Right Trip
We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
Email Area Manager
References
We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.
Email Area ManagerDeparture Notes
Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.
Resources
Egypt is a glorious open-air museum of astounding temples and monuments carved in golden stone. We take in the full measure of Egypt’s 5,000-year-long story from the Great Pyramids, a colossal testament to mankind’s quest for immortality, to the legendary Nile, lifeblood of Egypt, where we cruise from Luxor to Aswan aboard the deluxe 40-cabin Sun Boat IV. The grand scale of the Temple of Karnak, the famed tomb of young Tutankhamen, and the haunting mortuary temple of 
Ramses the Great are among the wonders of our inspiring Nile journey. Our optional extensions bring us to the shores of the Mediterranean at storied Alexandria, home of Queen Cleopatra, to explore its marvelous Greco-Roman treasures, and to fabled Petra, Jordan’s long-lost 2,000-year-old city carved into the face of a cliff.
Itinerary at a Glance
For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure
Days 1-2
Cairo and the Great Pyramids
We take in the mesmerizing sight of the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx, and at the incomparable Egyptian Museum, examine the golden treasures of King Tut’s tomb and the astonishing royal mummies.
Days 3-7
Nile Cruise / Luxor to Aswan
At Luxor, we explore the Valley of the Kings and Queens and visit King Tutankhamen’s Tomb and the grand Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s only female Pharaoh. We walk among the massive stone columns of Karnak Temple, then embark on the Sun Boat IV, our luxurious home for four nights. On the Nile, we visit bewitching wonders like Edfu, the mammoth Greek-built temple dedicated to Horus, falcon-headed son of Osiris; majestic Philae, set on its own island; and Kom Ombo, with its crocodile-headed gods. We disembark at Aswan.
Days 8-10
Abu Simbel / Cairo
We explore Abu Simbel, where enormous statues of the empire-builder Ramses II gaze out over the Nile Valley, radiating power and warning invaders from the south. Flying to Cairo, we tour the fascinating Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Depart on Day 10.
For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure
Optional Extensions
If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extensions:
- Jordan: Petra and The Dead Sea Extension (7 days)
- Alexandria Extension (3 days)
What the Trip is Like
The trip is rated Level 1+, Easiest. It is an overland touring trip with day walks exploring the fascinating ruins and wonderful towns in this ancient and modern civilization. Please note that we have several early morning starts, especially on days with air travel.
Departures & Leaders
Oct 12-21, 2012 Ahmed Ali
Nov 2-11, 2012 Mohamed Ossama
Jan 4-13, 2013 Ahmed Ali
Feb 1-10, 2013 Mohamed Ossama
Tour Costs
Prices are for 2012
$6095 (10-15 members)
$6495 (5-9 members)
Single supplement: $1650
Forced single supplement: $1290
Internal airfare: $510 (subject to change)
more on pricing
Extension Costs
Jordan: Petra and The Dead Sea Extension
from: $2695
Alexandria Extension
from: $895
Tour Cost Includes:
- Expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
- 5 nights accommodations in hotels as noted in Full Trip Brochure
- 4 night, 4 day cruise aboard the Sun Boat IV
- All meals included except 3 dinners
- Sightseeing as noted in the Full Trip Brochure
- Land transportation, airport transfers, and baggage handling as noted in Full Trip Brochure
Tour Cost Does Not Include:
International airfare, flight from Cairo to Amman to join the optional Petra Extension, visas, any meals not specified after each itinerary day in the Full Trip Brochure, travel insurance, airfare or airport departure taxes, optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff, additional hotel nights that may be necessary due to airline schedule changes or other factors, cost of medical immunizations (if any), and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic and other beverages, laundry, etc.), modest camera fees at certain sites.
Mena House Oberoi
Days 1 to 2 (2 nights), Giza, Egypt
Originally built as a royal hunting lodge for Khedive Ismail, ruler of Egypt from 1863 to 1879, the Mena House was bought and converted into a hotel ...
Click here for full description and more photos
Sofitel Winter Palace
Day 3 (1 night), Luxor, Egypt
Set on the banks of the Nile and within walking distance from the great Luxor Temple, the Winter Palace has an unbeatable location and fabulous ...
Click here for full description and more photos
Sun Boat IV
Days 4 to 7 (4 nights), Nile River, Egypt
The stylish 80-passenger river yacht Sun Boat IV, with its 40 well-appointed cabins, is our comfortable home for four nights. All cabins ...
Click here for full description and more photos
Cairo Semiramis
Days 8 to 9 (2 nights), Cairo, Egypt
Located on the banks of the Nile, the Semiramis offers a very convenient downtown location within walking distance of the Egyptian Museum. The hotel ...
Click here for full description and more photos
Extension Accommodations
If you would like to view the accommodations offered with our extensions options:
- Jordan: Petra and The Dead Sea Extension (7 days)
- Alexandria Extension (3 days)
Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
Our Trip Leaders
Here are the Trip Leaders scheduled for this journey (please note that leader assignments are subject to change).
Ahmed Ali, born and raised in Cairo, graduated from Cairo University in 1989 with a BA in Ancient Near East History and Biblical Studies. He went on to receive an additional degree in Ancient Egyptian History and Archaeology from Helwan University. Ahmed loves the profession of Trip Leader because ...
Click here for a full bio and list of all upcoming trips
Mohamed Ossama was born in Cairo, where he resides today with his wife and daughter. He attended Helwan University, graduating with a specialty in Egyptology, and has been an Egyptologist guide since 1995. Mohamed is closely associated with St. Olaf College in Minnesota and its intensive ...
Click here for a full bio and list of all upcoming trips
Optional Extensions
If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extensions:
Egypt
Alexandria Extension
Crossroads of the Ancient World
Archaeology, Cultural Adventures
3 days
-
Level 1
Jordan
Jordan: Petra and The Dead Sea Extension
Ancient Desert Fortresses, Lost Cities, the Fabled Dead Sea
Archaeology, Cultural Adventures
7 days
-
Level 2
Client Comments
I have traveled on six continents in 40 years and this trip was the most superlative I’ve been on! My fellow trip members decided (after canvassing their trips) that WT is the only way to go!Susan B., Palo Alto, CA
We enjoyed this trip—the setting plus excellent knowledgeable guides made the trip.Claire and Fred A., Ontario, Canada
Loved the small group. Loved swimming the Mena House Hotel looking up at the Pyramids! The Sun Boat IV was top rate, as was the Four Seasons.Dean and Sheryl H., Laguna Beach, CA
Our second trip to Egypt with WT. If anything, this trip was even better than the first! The only down side was that we had to leave.Connie S,, Chandler, AZ
Trip of a lifetime. I learned and experienced so many new things. I’ve come away with a great respect for the Egyptian people.Dierdre C., Covington, LA
Would highly recommend this trip! Perfect amount of activities and down time. And great hotels! The Nile cruise on Sun Boat IV was wonderful too, with fabulous food. Everything was well organized and flowed smoothly.Ben A., Lawrence, KS