Egypt
Traveller Testimonial:
The quality of the Tour Leader, wonderful sites--especially Karnak Temple,
the Valley of the Kings, Coptic Cairo and Abu Simbel--antiquities, art, architecture
history, religion, fascinating cultures, beautiful land and flora and fauna made the trip.
We learned, we grew, we loved it!
-Ron and Sandi Mielitz Tour EG3: Egypt (In Search of Pharaohs)
The splendours of the ancient Egyptian civilization have been a source of
inspiration down through the ages. Since the Greek historian Herodotus first
wrote about his travels through Egypt in the fifth century BC, people have
speculated about how the Egyptians built their massive monuments, and marvelled
at the beauty of their art and architecture. From time immemorial, humanity has
searched for the meaning of life, trying to reconcile its mortality with a
profound desire to attain immortality. Nowhere is this better illustrated than in
ancient Egypt. The pharaohs' journey to eternity has been preserved in Egyptian
art, architecture and writings.
Live the adventure on our Egypt Tours!
The fact that Egypt is home to the sole surviving monument of the Seven Wonders
of the World--the breathtaking Pyramids of Giza--seems appropriate; few other
cultures have had so much influence on and bequeathed so much to the development
and evolution of man, than has that of the Egyptians. From their hieroglyphic art
as a basis for contemporary written language, to their remarkable feats in
architectural and engineering spheres, and not to mention their impact on
modern-day systems of governance, the ancient civilization's deeds of yore yet
permeate every aspect of modern life. Just as other civilizations have risen and
fallen without managing to leave as indelible a mark on the world, their
structures crumbling into decay and their influence coming to an end, Egypt's
Pyramids of Giza have remained standing tall through the test of time and can now
be seen as a symbol of the enduring nature of a great and ancient nation and of
its people. A tour to Egypt is to experience a mysterious and fascinating ancient
society in an evolved and contemporary setting.
The second most populous country in Africa, second only to Nigeria, and bordered
by Libya, Sudan, Israel and the Gaza Strip, Egypt is a country dominated by
desert and its habituated regions are for the most part centred on the banks of
the longest river on earth: the mighty Nile. Perhaps no other country lends
itself to a more ideal tour destination in this respect, as travellers can follow
the snaking route of the Nile through Egypt, making various stops to take in the
splendorous landscape and sights along the way. Tours on Feluccas-wooden sail
boats of ancient design-are available for just this purpose, either to cast off
for a short trip under the red and setting sun, or for longer, more comprehensive
cruises.
View all Egypt Tours
In response to the current popularity of all of our Egypt trips, we have just
developed a new addition to our Family Fieldtrip Series-Egypt 'In Search of
Pharaohs', featuring a four-night Nile cruise on a luxury vessel (code 02X).
This tour complements our original family Egypt that travels the Nile via a
traditional felucca sailing vessel. Both trips also feature fun and exciting
excursions via camel, donkey, and horse-drawn carriage, and, of course, all the
astounding ancient monuments that make each day more amazing than the last.
Aside from the Giza Pyramids, the most popular sites in Egypt include the two
majestic temples at Abu Simbel-which were reconstructed close to the original
site in the 1960s and were rebuilt brick-by-brick in exactly the same relation to
each other and to the sun-the Valley of the Kings-the ancient Pharaoh burial
ground which is home to, among others, the tomb of the famous King Tutankhamun--
and the regal Great Sphinx of Giza, whose imposing 66 foot stature silently guards
over the tombs of the exalted kings of old. A tour to explore the ancient face of
Egypt would not be complete without a visit to the Egyptian Antiquities Museum in
Cairo, where more than 120,000 artifacts are on display.
But a tour to Egypt is not solely for those curious about ancient civilizations.
The country's man-made magnificence and beauty is only equalled by the natural
environment, with white, glittering sand cascading over the dunes, stunning
purple mountain landscapes and the turquoise waters that are unique to the Red
Sea. Adventurous travellers can participate in camel tours, scuba diving on the
world-renowned reefs, trekking in the desert or even golfing or fishing.
Join the adventure on our Egypt Tours!
Even if you've been to Egypt before, don't think you've seen it all! The amazing
landscape of the Western Deserts and the picturesque mountains and canyons of
Sinai will be a completely different, breathtaking experience. With our modern
air-conditioned Toyota Landcruisers (4WD) you have the opportunity to explore the
unspoilt beauty of the Western Desert and the mountains of Sinai. We organize
jeep safari (5-14days) or walking tours (4-7days), as well as camel caravans
(4-10days) through the colourful canyons and high mountain ranges of Sinai or
the oases of the Western Desert with their characteristic culture. Visit Siwa,
Baharija, Farafra, Kharga and Dakhla, and cross the Great Sand Sea or the White
Desert. Our programs are designed as independent modules that can be combined
with each other or one or two days in Cairo to see the Pyramids and the treasures
of the Egyptian Museum. There is also the possibility of attaching some days in
Luxor to see Karnak temple and the Valley of the Kings, or have a relaxing time
on the beach in Sinai or Hurghada. We will help you to find the program best
suited to your clients' needs and your flight schedule.
Nothing compares to waking up on a felucca with the call to prayer echoing across
the water from a nearby village. You open your eyes to see the mist still covering
everything and everyone still asleep. The captain has cast off and the boat is
drifting smoothly with the current; then he starts to sing in very low voice as
if whispering to his god, asking for some wind to help him on his way. For those
endowed with a spirit of adventure and a sense of history, a leisurely trek on a
30-foot, lateen sail felucca from Aswan to Luxor is a tour through an open-air
museum. Bring your sleeping bag and ponder the stars from the deck of a Nile
felucca as you experience Nile travel the way Egyptians have for thousands of
years. Inclement weather is rare and the boat is fully crewed. Your only job will
be to enjoy the incredible sites, sounds and scenery of this ancient land.
Few travellers can leave Egypt without falling in love with some aspect of it: for some, it is the unrivalled architectural marvels--like the pyramids, the sphinxes or fortresses--which prove nothing short of jaw-dropping even on return visits; for others, it's basking under a glowing sun on the warm, golden sands of the Red Sea beaches; and others still are drawn to the cities, wherein is to be found remarkable diversity of cultures, cuisine and lifestyle. A country with a fascinating history, sights of interest that are second to none and some of the friendliest people on the planet, Egypt truly is the consummate tour destination.