Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Cairo - Alexandria - Fayoum
100% customisable for you
Your getaway to the exotic plains of Egypt begins today with a direct five-hour flight to Cairo. Head to the airport, speed through security and enjoy some refreshments in the airport lounge as you await departure. A member of airport staff will be on hand to guide you through arrival formalities before you’re collected by a private driver and whisked off to the banks of the Nile. Your home for the next two nights here is an elegant hotel on Gezira Island, an upmarket cultural hub nestled between downtown Cairo?and Giza.
Once you’ve settled in and freshened up, head out with a private guide to experience a zar performance, a traditional spiritual ritual conducted by female healers to balance supernatural disturbances and expel bad spirits. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of Egyptian folk rituals and traditional music. Spend the rest of this afternoon and evening resting and recuperating from your busy travel day, with a delicious meal at your hotel and a trip to the in-house spa.
On today’s agenda is a private tour of Cairo with a clued-up, friendly local. The walk is relaxed, informal and based around your tastes, which means you can be totally spontaneous. Sip Arabic coffee in cosy cafes, celebrate awahi (cultural events) at Café Riche, try on kaftans at the Khân al-Khalili souq, shop contemporary trends in designer boutiques, learn about local history at historic and religious monuments, and discover a wealth of architectural treasures left behind by the Ayyubids, Fatimids, Mamluks and Ottomans. This is also a great opportunity to learn more about Egyptian society today and to get some useful tips to guide the rest of your trip.
The rest of today is then left to you to carve out as you please. You could head back to the neighbourhood of Zamalek, on Gezira Island, to further discover its trendy offerings, or our team could arrange for you to head to the Island of Qorsaya to learn about environmental issues from local farmers and fishermen.
A speedy private transfer this morning lands you among the hustle and bustle of Cairo’s train station, where you’ll board a five-hour train to Alexandria. Get comfortable in the first-class carriage with some nibbles and refreshments and enjoy the beautiful views across the fertile farmlands of the Nile Delta as you journey to the Mediterranean coast. On arrival, check in for the night at a classic old-world hotel overlooking the bay and yacht club, and spend the rest of today experiencing the highlights of Alexandria.
Few seaside resorts have such a prestigious intellectual past as Alexandria. The Greek version of the Bible was developed here, as were some of the first great Christological debates. There are a few vestiges of the city founded by Alexander the Great, such as the marina, the Great Serapeum and the site of the Great Library, however most remaining artefacts of Alexander’s era are now housed in the Alexandria National Museum. Much of today’s architecture is influenced by the Roman Empire, the Islamic Conquest and European Colonists. You can explore the city at your own pace or opt to follow in the footsteps of a private guide.
Wave goodbye to the city and the sea as you’re privately transferred for four hours by air-conditioned vehicle to the Fayoum oasis. The scenery along the way is splendid; move from luscious agricultural fields to desert sand dunes, before reaching the surprising verdant palm groves of the desert oasis. Hang up your hat for two nights here in a charmingly traditional hotel, just southwest of Lake Moéris, and spend the rest of today settling into your new rural surroundings. Take a stroll by the lake, shop for traditional souvenirs or bathe in therapeutic hot springs.
Wake up bright and early and step into the shoes of Indiana Jones as you head out in an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) for a day of desert discovery. In the company of a private English-speaking guide, you’ll first head to Wadi El Rayan, where two clear-blue tiered lakes are connected by spectacular waterfalls. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, including foxes, gazelles and a variety of exotic birds. Swap your ATV for a sailboat and sit back, relax and take in the splendid views across the lake as your captain glides through the calm waters. Your guide will also be on hand to answer any questions you might have and explain the recent history of the lakes.
With your feet back on dry land, continue to the UNESCO-listed Wadi Al-Hitan, which is nicknamed the Valley of the Whales for its fascinating collection of prehistoric whale fossils. Learn more about the evolution of whales from land mammals to the aquatic creatures they are today, while admiring the vast collection of fossils. Round off your final evening in Egypt with a delicious meal at your hotel and savour the feeling of total peace and quiet in the heart of this rare desert oasis.
Sadly, today marks the end of your Egyptian escape and the beginning of your journey home. After a hearty breakfast at your hotel this morning, you’ll be collected and privately transferred two-and-a-half hours back to the airport in Cairo. Along the way, make a stop at the pyramid of Meidum, a classic ancient Egyptian pyramid built under the Pharaoh of Snefru some 4,500 years ago. This pyramid stands out for the ambition of its constructors, who aimed to create one of the first smooth-faced pyramids of the era.
Continue to the airport this afternoon, whizz through security and escape the crowds with some down time in the airport lounge as you await takeoff. Flight time back to the UK is just over five hours, so you’ll be back on home turf later this evening.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
