19 day Egyptian and Dubai Adventure

Day 1 - MELBOURNE/DUBAI

This evening, we board our Emirates airways flight bound for Dubai.

Included meals - As per flight

Day 2 - DUBAI/CAIRO (EGYPT)

After a few hours transit in Dubai airport, our group will reboard our Emirates flight bound for Cairo. We expect to arrive in the morning and when we arrive at Cairo airport, our group will meet our local guide who will take us out for our first lunch together. After lunch, we visit the Gayer Anderson Museum - two houses from the 16th & 17th century built with a unique architectural style & filled with antiques from all over the Middle East. Nearby is the Ibn Toulon Mosque, one of Cairo's biggest mosques, built in the 8th century with strong Persian design influences. In the afternoon, our we will check in at our hotel and have dinner.

Accommodation - Movenpick media city or similar

Included meals - As per flight / Lunch / Dinner

Day 3 - CAIRO/GIZA PYRAMIDS/CAIRO

After a decent rest and breakfast, we begin our full day tour of the pyramids which includes the three Pyramids of Giza - Khufu, Khafra, Menkaure, and the sphinx. In the afternoon, we continue with our visit to the vast Necropolis of Saqqara, including tombs from all periods of Egyptian history

Accommodation - Movenpick media city or similar

Included Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 4 - CAIRO TOUR

This morning, we get to see the city of Cairo! We depart for our visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities housing over 250,000 objects of art dating as far back as 5000 years ago. The most famous and important displays is without doubt the Tutankhamen collection of treasuries. Next stop is the 12th-century Citadel of Saladin, a hilltop fortress commissioned by Saladin. Also, step inside the Mosque of Muhammad Ali which is a multi-domed mosque built in the Ottoman style. In the afternoon, stop by the Papyrus Institute to understand the making of papyrus and enjoy the art on them.

Accommodation - Movenpick media city or similar

Included Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 5 - CAIRO/HURGHADA

After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and drive towards Hurghada - a city south from Cairo and one of the districts in Red Sea. Known for its clear waters and white sandy beaches, Hurghada is also home to many Coptic Orthodox churches and monasteries. Visit El Dahar (Hurghada Old Town) and a visit to the souk and then check in our hotel in the afternoon.

Accommodation - Continental hotel Hurghada or similar

Included Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 6 - HURGHADA

Hurghada is a beach resort town stretching some 40km along Egypt’s Red Sea coast and we will allow you a few hours of relaxation in the morning. We will regroup for lunch and afterwards, enjoy a safari tour. The tour will also include a visit to Bedouin village and then savor a BBQ dinner with oriental and fire shows.

Accommodation - Continental hotel Hurghada or similar

Included Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 7 - HURGHADA/LUXOR

We depart from Hurghada to Luxor city this morning to check in for our Nile Cruise! After check in and lunch, enjoy a tour to the East Bank of Luxor and explore the magnificent Karnak Temple – a massive complex of shrines, obelisks, where the Egyptian God Amun and other deities were worshipped, follows by a visit to Luxor Temple, the largest and most significant religious center in ancient Egypt. Interestingly, there once stood two impressive obelisks, while you still can see one of them here, the other one is in Paris now. Then back to the Nile cruise where you will be staying for the next 4 nights as you relax and enjoy the scenery along the famous Nile River

Accommodation - M/S Sara Nile or similar

Included Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 8 - LUXOR/EDFU (NILE CRUISE)

This morning, another discovery of Luxor's sight-seeing awaits you. Travel to the West Bank and visit the Valley of the Kings, where tombs were built for the pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt. Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, a mortuary temple-built Queen Hatshepsut during the 18th century B.C in the New Kingdom, lastly pass by the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Return to the ship and continue cruising on to Edfu.

Accommodation - M/S Sara Nile or similar

Included Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 9 - EDFU/KOM OMBO/ASWAN (NILE CRUISE)

This morning, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage to visit the beautiful and well-preserved Temple of Edfu, which is dedicated to Horus, God of kingship and the sky. Return to the ship and continue sailing along the Nile. Sail to Kom Ombo and visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to two gods – the crocodile God Sobek and the Falcon God Horus. Transfer back to your boat as you continue sail south towards Aswan

Accommodation - M/S Sara Nile or similar

Included Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 10 - ASWAN/ABU SIMBEL/ASWAN

An early morning departure with a trip to visit Abu Simbel Temples (UNESCO World Heritage Site) by coach. The twin temples of Abu Simbel were originally carved out of mountainside in the 13th century B.C, be impressed by these majestic temples and one of the world's most breath-taking monuments. Travel back to Aswan, before returning to your ship for lunch. You may wish to take up an optional tour to visit the Nubian villages or a felucca ride on the Nile (cost to be confirmed closer to tour commencement).

Accommodation - M/S Sara Nile or similar

Included Meals - Breakfast / Boxed Lunch / Dinner

Day 11 - ASWAN/CAIRO

After breakfast, your 4 night cruise comes to an end. Disembark from the ship and take a boat ride to Agilkia Island and make your way to the Philae Temple, dedicated to the Goddess Isis. A photo stop at the High Dam, an embankment dam built across the Nile River in Aswan. In the afternoon we transfer to the airport for our domestic flight to Cairo. After arriving in Cairo, have dinner and overnight at hotel.

Accommodation - Hilton pyramids golf or similar

Included Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 12 - CAIRO/COPTIC CAIRO/KHAN KHALILI BAZAAR/CAIRO

This morning, we tour the beautiful and peaceful quarters of the city of Cairo, Visit the most famous Coptic Christian Church and The Hanging Church - one of the oldest churches in Cairo. The church is unique and has a wooden roof in the shape of Noah's Ark. Explore the cultural side of Khan El-Khalili, an enchanting souk (bazaar) in the heart of the old city, here you will have the chance to buy last minute souvenirs. You may want to relax at a local coffee shop and enjoy the environment in the afternoon..

Accommodation - Hilton pyramids golf or similar

Included Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 13 - CAIRO/ALEXANDRIA/CAIRO

Our final touring day in Egypt involves a drive to Alexandria which is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Egypt! Visit the catacomb and Pompey pillar - this single column marks the site of what was once a huge and elaborate temple, which was constructed of marble and decorated with precious metals on the interior. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Alexandrai with Mediterranean Sea panoramic views. We also visit the fort of Quitbay and pass the library of Alexandria. Back to Cairo in the evening.

Accommodation - Hilton pyramids golf or similar

Included Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 14 - CAIRO/DUBAI

This morning, we board our Emirates flight for Dubai for the next few days. Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. Our flight arrives in the late afternoon and after our meet and greet with our local guide, we check into our hotel and then dinner.

Accommodation - Asiana Hotel Dubai or similar

Included Meals - Breakfast / Own Lunch / Dinner

Day 15 - DUBAI

A full day of Dubai after breakfast! Today's itinerary will take you to magnificent views of the Dubai Creek inlet, passing by the Bastakiya heritage area and its fascinating ancient houses with distinctive wind towers built by wealthy merchants. Next, we will take you to the 225-year-old Al Fahidi Fortress. Then you will board a traditional Abra boat to cross the inlet and visit the spice market and the gold souk. Then along the Jumeirah road, views of the Jumeirah Mosque. Stop for photos at the Burj al Arab, the only 7-star hotel in the world, the World Trade Center and the International Financial Center. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the modern city to Marina where we can see the tallest homes in the world where the spiral building is, then we will continue to the Jumierah palm tree and stop in front of the Atlantis the Palm hotel to take magnificent photos, then visit to the Souk of the city of Jumierah, In the afternoon, we visit Emirates Mall where the track is del Ski (Entry not included). Return to the hotel and dinner at the hotel and accommodation.

Accommodation - Asiana Hotel Dubai or similar

Included Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 16 - DUBAI/ABU DHABI/DUBAI

This morning we drive towards Abu Dhabi, passing through the Jebel Ali port, the largest man made port in the world. Photostop at Jazirra Residence, former residence of Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the 3rd largest in the world, as well his tomb. Continue to the Al Maqta Bridge passing through one of the richest areas of Abu Dhabi, the Ministers' Area. We then arrive to Corniche Street which is often compared to Manhattan. Photostop at the Emirates Palace hotel. This hotel has its own helipad and port, known as the most expensive built hotel. We continue to Al Batee Area, where the palaces of the Royal family are located followed by lunch at a local restaurant.
In the evening, we take a boat ride to enjoy the experience of the sights and sounds of Dubai Creek, sailing for two hours aboard a traditional Dhow. Your journey will take you from the mouth of the creek, and along it, to the illuminated Dubai Creek Golf Club, which resembles boat sails. Buffet dinner included. Back to the hotel in the evening.

Accommodation - Asiana Hotel Dubai or similar

Included Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 17 - DUBAI - DUBAI MALL AND EVENING SAFARI

This morning we take out a bit of time to shop at Dubai mall - It is the largest mall in the world by total land area and the 26th-largest shopping mall in the world by gross leasable area. In the afternoon, Land Cruisers will pick us up for an exciting journey through the fantastic high dunes. Here, you will definitely be able to take some unique photos of the Arabian sunset. Once the sun disappears behind the golden sand dunes, we will head to our desert camp. The smell of fresh grilled skewers and lamb, bonfires, the smell of traditional water pipes and the relaxing sounds of Arabic music will invite you to an unforgettable afternoon. After having regained your strength after a sumptuous dinner, a dancer will show you the ancient art of Belly Dance. Henna painting is also included, as are water, soft drinks, tea and coffee. Back to the hotel in the evening.

Accommodation - Asiana Hotel Dubai or similar

Included Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 18 - DUBAI/MELBOURNE

After breakfast we will head to Dubai airport for our Emirates flight bound for home.

Included Meals - Breakfast / As per flight

Day 19 - ARRIVE HOME

Our overnight flight arrives into Melbourne early this morning and from all of us at Friendly Travel, we hope you had an enjoyable time!

Included Meals - As per flight