Egypt Encompassed

20 days - from $1595

Beyond the Nile Valley there is still much to see. On this comprehensive trip to Egypt we travel through the heart of the Western Desert, a vast, isolated expanse covering a total of some 2.8 million square kilometres, visiting the various Oasis towns on our route. We explore this untamed wilderness in the company of our Bedouin companions, enjoying a memorable insight into their traditions and experiencing their amazing hospitality.

In between, we meet up with our Nubian friends, based in Aswan. 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.

We also visit the wild and barren mountains of the Sinai, ascending Mt. Sinai and enjoying the warm waters of the Gulf of Aqaba.

This is a long tour, with several hard days of travel, but it is also an outstanding itinerary if you want to experience all facets of Egypt. Taken in the right spirit you'll have a memorable journey.

Highlights

• Downtime and diving in Dahab
• Luxor's open air museum
• Abu Simbel
• Nubean Aswan
• Cairo Museum
• Oasis town of Bahariya
• The Valley of the Kings
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cairo
• The White Desert's limestone formations
• World-leading snorkelling and scuba diving on the Red Sea
• Sunrise on Mt Sinai

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-Mt.Sinai16: Mt. Sinai-Dahab17-18: Dahab19: Dahab-Cairo20: 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; Luxor; Komombo; and Edfu.

• 3 night felucca sail from Aswan to Edfu, with the use of an amenities boat.

• 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.

• Ascent of Mt Sinai.

• Time to relax in Dahab on the Gulf of Aqaba.

• Free time to explore Aswan, Luxor and Cairo.

• 1 night on an 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 and departure transfers, visas, airport taxes, additional meals, drinks, optional sightseeing tours, insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.