DUBAI & EGYPT 12 Days

DAY 1
CAIRO

Arrival at Cairo International Airport.

Meet and assist, immigration and customs procedures.

Transfer to hotel and overnight.

DAY 2
CAIRO

Breakfast.

Tour of the plateau of Giza visting the Pyramids of Giza: Cheops, Chephren and Micherinos and the Sphinx.

In the afternoon, optional tour to Memphis, capital of the Old Empire and then the necropolis of Sakkara where you can visit the funerary complex of Zoser and the “mastabas” – one of many tombs scattered in the necropolis. Overnight in Cairo. 

DAY 3
CAIRO / DUBAI

Breakfast.

Day free at leisure.

Optional tour to the city to visit the following: Pharaonic Art Museum, the Church of St. Sergius in the Coptic quarter and the Citadel of Saladin where we visit the Alabaster Mosque.

Ending the tour with a promenade in the medieval quarter known as Khan El Khalili. At the end of the visit, transfer to Cairo airport to fly to Dubai.

Arrival, meet and assist, immigration and customs formalities.

Transfer to hotel and overnight

DAY 4
DUBAI

According to arrival time, you can take an optional dinner aboard the Dhow Cruise – traditional boat that was used until the late 70s to transport goods from neighbouring countries to the Emirates – navigating through the famous Dubai Creek where you can enjoy the spectacular views of the night skyline of the concrete jungle.

Overnight

DAY 5
DUBAI

Buffet breakfast.

Full day excursion to historic Dubai is a modern vision to the ancient city of Dubai. Start the visit with a panoramic snapshot of photographs at Burj Al Arab, one of the most emblematic hotels in the world followed by a quick view of the Jumeirah Mosque – another very attractive place.

Later on, we see the impressive "Emirates Towers", two of the tallest buildings in the Middle East and Europe, passing by the palace of Sheikh Mohammed (Founder of today’s Dubai).

The tour continues to the historic and romantic Dubai Creek. We will also visit the Dubai Museum, in which we will get a broad understanding of where the Emirati people really come from.

Finally we will experience the "Abra" (water taxi) where we will view the other bank of the creek and ending our tour at the exotic scents and flavours of the Spices souk and the biggest Gold Souk in the world.

In the afternoon, continue the visit of Dubai where we witness the astonishing projects that are in progress such as the island of the palm "Palm Island" – which will be the eighth wonder of the world, the Dubai Marina (which was built from nothing) and last but not least, Burj Khalifa: the highest tower in the world reaching approximately 850 meters. 

DAY 6
DUBAI / SAFARI

Buffet breakfast.

Morning at leisure in Dubai which the traveller can dedicate to shopping; as the city has been recently been known as the city of shopping thanks to the DSF (Dubai Shopping Festival) celebrated every year for a whole month in January and February. The city hosts some of the world’s most renowned designer names and shops.

However, the beauty of Dubai resides in that it merges extremely unattainable shopping areas with magnificent souks where haggling is on the day-to-day agenda.

In these souks, you can find all kinds of products such as electronics, gold, fabric and many more.

The safari begins in the afternoon between 15.30 and 16.00 hours in order to witness the beautiful Emirati sunset.

Pick up at the hotel in luxurious state-of-the-art 4 X 4 safari vehicles (up to 6 persons per vehicle) and experience a different way to surf through the desert dunes. The route goes though a natural oasis and camel farms.

The spectacular and unique scenery provides an excellent opportunity to immortalise the moment in a snapshot; the magic and glory of the Arabian sunset and the eternal beauty of the desert. After sunset, we will finally arrive at the camp where we will sit in a traditional Arabic ambience.

Camel rides and sand-surfing are available upon request right outside of the camp. Inside; however, indulge yourself with the aromatic Shisha (water pipe), henna tattoos or simply enjoy the feast.

Illuminated by the bright moon of Arabia, pamper yourself in a typically grilled meal with fresh salads and fruits under a sea of stars followed by an Arabic folkloric show including the famous belly dance.

DAY 7
DUBAI / ABU DHABI

Buffet breakfast.

Full day excursion to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the Emirates, the Manhattan of the Middle East and the administrative centre of the country.

On our way we will see the Jebel Ali Free Zone – the largest manmade port in the world. Upon arrival to Abu Dhabi we will first visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque; it is the third largest in the world with capacity for up to 40 thousand people – many people call it the 21st century Tajj Mahal.

Next is a promenade across the infamous "Corniche" where you can view the artificial island of "Lulu" as well as many of the new projects that are currently in progress in the capital. Followed by a visit to the "Breakwater" where one can take panoramic photos of Abu Dhabi and its contemporary skyline.

Next we will visit “Heritage Village” – which is a brief reproduction of what the country used to be prior to the discovery of black gold. Later on we will visit the "Emirates Palace" which is the world's most luxurious 7-star Hotel originally designed to accommodate heads of state, monarchs and prime ministers that visited the region. Finally we will pass through the Palace Residence of Sheikh Zayed.

Lunch at a typical restaurant. After lunch and on our way back to Dubai, we will see the monuments considered symbols of Arab culture in Union Square and the Bin Zayed’s Sports City which has hosted 2009’s FIFA Club World Cup and will be hosting it in 2010 as well. It is still in progress but will have the largest football stadium in the Middle East.

DAY 8
DUBAI / CAIRO / ASWAN

Buffet breakfast.

Free day at leisure, which we suggest to devote to shopping and souvenirs. We can also organize optional afternoon visits to the Emirates of Sharjah and Ajman.

This tour provides a broader knowledge of the Emirates as they are completely different from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The tour includes a visit of the following landmarks: the blue souk is best known for the sale of handicrafts, the Faisal mosque – which was a gift from the late King Faisal in the emirate of Sharjah – the traditional souk "Al Arsah" with an intricate decor and where bargaining is permitted, the museum of civilization where there is a unique display of Islamic Works and finally the Museum of Ajman where we see very nice snapshots of life in Ajman before the discovery of black gold.

After lunch and on the way back to Dubai, view of the monument dedicated to "the UAE Federation. 

At the appointed time, transfer to Dubai airport for flight bound for Cairo. Arrival and connection to the destination flight Aswan. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at hotel.

DAY 9
ASWAN

Buffet breakfast.

Possibility of taking the optional tour to visit the majestic temples of Abu Simbel by plane.

While in Aswan and if time permits, visit of the Aswan Dam and the granite quarry where the Unfinished Obelisk is located and transfer to the motor ship. Shipping and lunch.

In the afternoon, feluccas rides in the Nile to admire a panoramic view of the Agha Khan Mausoleum, Elephantine Island and the Botanical Gardens.

Dinner and overnight on board.

DAY 10
ASWAN / KOM-OMBO / EDFU / LUXOR

Full board on board.

Navigation to Kom Ombo to visit the Temple of Sobek and Haroeris.

Navigation to Edfu. At Edfu, visit the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the God Horus.

Continue to Esna to pass the Esna lock. Overnight on board.

DAY 11
LUXOR

Full board on board.

Early in the morning, visit the necropolis of Thebes, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Artisans known as “Deir el Medina”, funerary temple of Ramses III known as “Madinat Habu” and the Colossi of Memnon.

In the afternoon, visit of the Temples of Karnak and Luxor.

Overnight on board in Luxor.

DAY 12
LUXOR / CAIRO

Breakfast and at scheduled time, transfer to Luxor airport to fly to Cairo and connect with the return flight to destination.