Backroads Of Egypt

15 days - from $1150

As its name suggests, this trip is far more than just a traditional journey through the Nile Valley. It's as much about people as it is about places. After a couple of days in Cairo we meet our Bedouin friends and head directly south, to explore the massive Western Desert and the oasis towns of Farafra, Dakhla and Al Kharga. For many centuries Bedouin traders travelled through this region with their camel caravans, and our Bedouin companions were themselves traders until fairly recently, journeying regularly along the famous 'Darb Al Arabeen', or '40 day camel road' that links Khartoum (Sudan), with southern Egypt. In their company we experience the awesome beauty of the desert, camping out for a few nights, including one night in a traditional Bedouin camp - and exploring our surroundings by jeep and on foot. It's a fabulous experience! Reaching Aswan we meet our Nubian friends. Taller and darker than their northern Egyptian 'brothers' they are a genuinely friendly race of people, with a great sense of humour and a rhythmic musical tradition which smacks more of Africa than it does of the Middle East. We join them for four days as we sail down the Nile on their traditional felucca sailboats, but before we do this we make a side-trip to the fabulous temples at Abu Simbel. This is a long trip, with several hard days of travel. Taken in the right spirit you'll doubtless have a memorable journey.

Highlights

• Abu Simbel
• Cairo Museum
• Luxor's open air museum
• Nubean Aswan
• Oasis town of Bahariya
• The White Desert's limestone formations
• The Valley of the Kings
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cairo

Itinerary:

Day 1: Cairo2: Cairo3: White Desert4: Dakhla Oasis5: Dakhla/Camel Safari6: Dakhla-Al Kharga-Baris7: Baris-Luxor8: Luxor9: Luxor-Aswan10: Abu Simbel-Felucca Cruise11-12: Felucca Cruise13: Edfu-Luxor-Cairo14: Cairo15: Cairo

What's It Like?

Gecko's adventures offer authentic experiences and a genuine alternative to backpacking. Our trips are designed for younger travelers on a budget but do include the entrance fees to the ‘must see’ sights while not wasting your money on unnecessary frills. Itineraries utilize public transport and basic twin share accommodations in small locally owned hotels, the occasional multi-share, or simply floor space in a jungle or village hut. Many trips involve some physical activity, the occasional long traveling day and you will need to carry your own bags. On camping trips, meals are freshly prepared by our camp cook, but expect to put up and take down your tent, and assist with camp chores. On all trips we only use local tour leaders who are passionate about their homeland. This is travel, grassroots style - basic but rewarding.

Included:

• Gecko’s expert English-speaking local tour guide throughout the tour.

• Sightseeing (including entrance fees where applicable): Cairo’s pyramids, Sphinx and Valley Temple of King Khafre (Chephren); oasis of Farafra including a picnic lunch and a swim in a natural spring; oasis town of Dakhla including medieval mud-brick town of Al Qasr and Ethnographic Museum; oasis town of Al Kharga and Christian burial ground at Al Bagawat; Baris Oasis; Komombo; and Edfu.

• 3 night felucca sail from Aswan to Edfu with the service of an ammenities boat with toilet.

• 4 day Jeep excursion and camel safari with Bedouin guides in the Western/White Desert, camping under the stars.

• Donkey ride to explore the Valley of the Kings.

• Visit to Abu Simbel.

• Free time to explore Aswan, Luxor and Cairo.

• overnight train sleeping in an air-conditioned carriage with comfortable seats (similar to business class seats on a plane) that recline back about 45 degrees. Toilet facilities located at the end of the carriage. Breakfast is delivered to us when we arrive in the morning.

International flights, arrival & departure transfers, visas, airport taxes, additional meals, drinks, optional sightseeing tours, insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.