Western Deserts of Egypt

Day 1- Fly to Egypt. Overnight at Sofitel El Gezirah.

Afternoon non-stop flight with EgyptAir from London Heathrow to Cairo (4 hours 50 minutes). On arrival you will be met and transferred to the Sofitel El Gezirah (Superior room) which is located on Gezirah Island in the Nile, with each room boasting a Nile view.

Day 2- Sightseeing in Cairo.

This morning you will be met by your local guide and commence a visit to the magnificent Museum of Antiquities in the centre of Cairo affords the opportunity to gaze upon the unique treasures of Tutankhamun himself, before a free afternoon to enjoy some of the city’s myriad treasures. You may like to visit the mosques and churches of Old Cairo, including a trip up to the 19th century Mohammed Ali Mosque in the iconic and dominating confines of the Citadel.

Day 3- See the Pyramids and Sphinx. Optional excursion to Memphis in the afternoon.

Morning excursion to the Pyramids and the Sphinx at Giza, including the Solar Boat Museum. In the afternoon you may wish to take an optional excursion to Memphis (3200 BC), the ancient capital of Egypt, continuing over the desert to Saqqara to the Step Pyramid of King Zoser (3rd Dynasty).

Day 4- After breakfast you will begin your journey to Alexandria where you will stay in the Sofitel Cecil Hotel. Spend the afternoon sightseeing.

After breakfast you will be met by your guide and begin your journey along the Desert Highway to Alexandria (245 KM/approximately 3 hours), where your stay is at the historic Sofitel Cecil Hotel (standard room), overlooking the harbour. Founded by Alexander the Great in 330 BC, Alexandria was once the most renowned city in the ancient world after Athens and Rome. The great lighthouse, the Pharos, was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Although little remains to be seen of the glorious city of those days, Alexandria is still fascinating and this afternoon’s sightseeing includes the Catacombs of Kom el-Shuga (2nd century), and Pompey’s Pillar.

Day 5- In the morning we visit the extensive Greco-Roman Museum. Afternoon at leisure.

In the morning we visit the extensive Greco-Roman Museum. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 6- Drive to Alamein to visit the War Cemetery. Continue to the Siwa Oasis where you will stay at the Siwa Safari Paradise Hotel.

Drive to Alamein (110 KM/approximately 1 hour 30 minutes), where we visit the moving British and Commonwealth War Cemetery. Continue in the afternoon through the desert to the Siwa Oasis (500 KM/approximately 6 hours), where we stay at the Siwa Safari Paradise Hotel (standard room).

Day 7- Sightseeing in Siwa.

In the time of Alexander the Great, Siwa ranked with Delphi as one of the chief spiritualistic spas of antiquity. After breakfast we visit the Temple of the Oracle, where in 331 BC Alexander was confirmed in his status as a god. We also see the remains of the nearby Temple of Amun. In the afternoon we explore the el-Gabel tombs in the Mount of the Dead and take a look at Siwa’s small museum. Weather-permitting we will drive across the causeway to Fatnas Island to view the sunset.

Day 8- Walk through the abandoned Old Town of Siwa. Afternoon free with an optional 4-wheel drive excursion.

Today we walk through the abandoned Old Town of Siwa, mud dwellings piled up on the hillside like skyscrapers, set amongst date palms and presenting a picturesque yet mysterious scene. Afternoon free, with the option of taking a thrilling desert safari by 4-wheel-drive vehicles across the Great Sand Sea.

Day 9- Journey to the Oasis of Bahariya. Stay at the International Hot Spring Hotel.

Journey by 4-wheel-drive vehicles to the Oasis of Bahariya (428 KM/minimum 7 hours – timings could be longer depending on the number of road check points in operation), a key agricultural centre in Pharaonic times, exporting large quantities of wine, dates and olives to the Nile Valley. Stay at the International Hot Spring Hotel (standard room).

Day 10- Today’s sightseeing includes a visit to El Bahariya’s Mummies Museum.

Today’s sightseeing includes a visit to El Bahariya’s Mummies Museum.

Day 11- Drive back to Cairo airport and fly to London Heathrow.

Drive back to Cairo (365 KM/approximately 5 hours), where upon your arrival you will be taken directly to Cairo airport. Take your non-stop flight by EgyptAir to London Heathrow, arriving later the same evening.

Sofitel El Gezirah

Situated in the heart of Cairo, Sofitel El Gezirah is one of the very few hotels in Cairo that have all rooms Nile view, and this is due to its cylindrical shape that is rooted in the Nile, in Gezirah Island. The hotel has a capacity of 433 rooms, made up of 5 royal suites, 35 junior suites, 10 diplomatic suites, and 383 deluxe rooms. All rooms are guaranteed to be Nile view and are equipped with a private balcony, air conditioning, satellite televisions, telephone, mini bar, safe, and a private bathroom. This 5 star hotel is positioned right in the centre of Cairo just 2 km from the Egyptian Museum, 15 km from the Pyramids and Sphinx, and 19 km from the International Airport.

Sofitel Cecil Hotel

For your stay in the Mediterranean port of Alexandria we have chosen the venerable Sofitel Cecil Hotel, overlooking the eastern harbour. Built in 1929, and renovated 3 years ago, the Cecil has 86 rooms. Period features include the traditional wrought-iron lift. The rooms themselves have modern facilities. The hotel has 3 restaurants: the lobby level Le Jardin, where buffet breakfast is served, as well as lunch and dinner, the more formal Plat d’Or Grill Room, and the rooftop Chinese restaurant. Monty’s Bar is located on the first floor.

Siwa Safari Paradise Hotel

The Siwa Safari Paradise Hotel is a simple complex with some rooms in the main building and the remainder in the form of cottages spread around the grounds. We have chosen the air-conditioned rooms, with private facilities (shower-only in the bathrooms). The buildings have been sensitively constructed around the natural features of the oasis (for example, the design of the lounge takes into account a large palm tree, around which the seating is arranged). The restaurant offers buffet meals; usually, during your stay, there will also be a special Siwan dinner served al fresco under the trees. A natural thermal spring has been adapted as the hotel’s swimming pool. The Siwa Safari Paradise offers the best choice of accommodation currently available in this remote destination. (www.siwaparadise.com)

International Hot Spring Hotel

The 36-room International Hot Spring Hotel is situated in the Bahariya Oasis. Facilities include a gymnasium, sauna and massage, as well as a restaurant, bar and a sunset terrace, which overlooks the palm grove of the Oasis. The hotel is situated close to tombs and temples from the Pharaonic reign as well as the Alexander Temple and the Mummies Museum. Please note credit cards are not accepted here. Any additional payments should be made in cash.

EgyptAir - Business Class

Cost: from £ 695

International Business Class offers you the chance to arrive in your destination feeling relaxed and refreshed. Relax in more comfortable and spacious seating in a separate cabin and have the use of the business class lounge at Heathrow and Cairo. The features include: • Seats that have 44” more pitch than Economy • Seat with 2” more width than those in Economy • A fully adjustable 73” flat bed with three preset positions ** • Personal 15.4” entertainment screen ** The fully adjustable flat bed is only available on flight numbers MS778 & MS777. Sometimes even this may be subject to change on the day due to unforeseeable circumstances Please kindly note that all airline product information is correct at time of writing however we do ask clients to take our advice in good faith as airlines frequently change such details and do not always send updates to us on changes to certain aspects of their products and services.