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The A to Z of the Best of Egypt Tour

Friday 15th May 2015 - Monday 25th May 2015




We have decided to go back to basics and use the alphabet to walk you through some of the experiences you will gain from taking part in the Best of Egypt Tour!


A - Aswan   

We will visit the beautiful town of Aswan where we will start our Nile Cruise. In Aswan we will take a short boat ride to Agelika Island to explore the romantic Temple of Philae, a majestic Greco-Roman Egyptian temple dedicated to the goddess Auset (Isis), the goddess of love. We will also visit the awesome Nubian Village of Aswan with its colourful markets for a bit of retail therapy.



B - Hot Air Ballooning over the West Bank of Luxor     

As an optional activity, awake before the sunrise and drifting peacefully over the west Bank of Luxor, where you can see most of the monuments of Thebes. Enjoy the unique opportunity to view the magnificent panorama of Luxor town and the Nile River from above.   

 

 

 
C - Cruising down the Nile 
   
We will cruise down the Nile on a 5 Star Nile Cruise ship where you
will witness the most fabulous views of the majestic River Nile. There is a large sundeck with a swimming pool and a spacious shaded seating area with its own bar.    

Best of Egypt Tour-  Al Hambra Nile Cruise Ship Highlights 
Best of Egypt Tour- Al Hambra Nile Cruise Ship Highlights
 
D - Desert excursions   

During your stay in Hurgharda, you will have the opportunity to take part in an optional tour to the Egyptian desert. Take part in an off-road quad-biking and 4x4 adventure tour to see the spectacular desert scenery and meet the Bedouin people and learn about their lives and culture.

  

Black History Study Tours: Desert Safari in Egyptian Desert - May 2014 
Black History Study Tours: Desert Safari in Egyptian Desert - May 2014
 

E - Education and Entertainment
  

This is a once in a lifetime educational experience not to be missed. You will be entertained from the many top deck discussions / debates and experience our famous 'sound clash' dance on the Nile.



F - Food and Drink   

Three meals a day are included on this tour with a mixture of Egyptian and international dishes - something for everyone. Drinks are not included on this tour so have to purchase your drinks except when we are in Hurghada where all drinks are free!

 

 

 
 

G - Tour Guides

Our guides on the Best of Egypt Tour are degree qualified Egyptologists and will give you an experience to be remembered.


H - Hurghada    

We will have two days free time in Hurghada. Hurghada is one of Egypt's most popular resort towns on the Red Sea coast. Elgouna is a relaxing small resort. This will be your chance to rest and relax after all the walking you will do, engage in some sunbathing and swimming in the Red Sea. The resort has some excellent aquatic facilities for scuba diving and snorkeling. Hurghada's central location provides a gateway to prime offshore reefs, which are some of the finest in the world.

 

For retail therapy, the town has plenty of shops in the tourist bazaars.  

  

Best of Egypt Tour: Relaxation in Hurghada by the Red Sea 
Best of Egypt Tour: Relaxation in Hurghada by the  
Red Sea


I - Itinerary

We have planned the itinerary based on years of research and experience so that each traveller will get a mixture of sightseeing, cultural activities and some free time to do your own thing.


J - Journey through Egypt    

Embark on a one-of-a-kind journey through Egypt which is fun filled and packed with the best of Ancient Egyptian history, culture and adventure over 10 days. Enjoy this journey through the land of the pharaohs as you visit some of the most impressive archaeological sites known to man.

 
 
K -  The Old, Middle and New Kingdom

African scholars generally see the Ancient Egyptian culture as the rise and fall of four great cultural periods

  • The Old Kingdom (5660 to 4188 BC)
  • The Middle Kingdom (3448 to 3182 BC)
  • The New Kingdom (1709 to 1095 BC) and
  • The Renaissance (716 to 664 BC) 

We will visit the many monuments from these periods of Ancient Egyptian History. Instead of learning from images in books, you will get the opportunity to visit the many sites and monuments live and direct. Believe me, the pictures in books don't compare to seeing our history for yourself.


L - Luxor
   

We will visit Luxor which grew out of the ruins of Waset (Thebes), the once capital of Ancient Egypt's New Kingdom (1709 to 1095 BC).On the East Bank of Luxor, we will visit the complex Karnak temple and the historic Luxor temple. Karnak temple is actually a gigantic temple complex which is over 3500 years old and dedicated the greatly powerful Ram Headed god Amen. Luxor temple is an important temple in that it was dedicated to 3 gods; Amen, his wife Mut and his son Khons.

  

 
On the West Bank of Luxor, we will visit the world famous Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir al-Bahri) and the great Colossi of Memnon.

   

Best of Egypt Tour - Visit to Luxor Temple - May 2014 
Best of Egypt Tour - Visit to Luxor Temple - May 2014

  

M - Egyptian Museum   

We will visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo which has the greatest collection of Pharaonic treasures in the world. Founded by the Egyptologist Auguste Mariette (1821-1881), Egypt's first national museum opened in 1863.

Be dazzled the many antiquities on display from every period of Ancient Egyptian history. More than 12,000 items are on display. Amongst the many exhibits are the treasures of King Tutankhamen, the Narmer Palette, Statuette of Khufu, Ancient Egyptian jewellery and royal and animal mummies.

 
 
     
N - Nubians   

The Nubians are believed to be the first human race on earth, and most of their customs and traditions were adopted by the ancient Egyptians. Nubians are the people of northern Sudan and southern Egypt. With a history and traditions which can be traced to the dawn of civilization, the Nubian first settled along the banks of the Nile from Aswan.

 

In Aswan, we will visit the Nubian community, many of whom were displaced from their villages during the second reconstruction phase of the Aswan low dam in 1932. Nubian people have their own dialect and traditions. While visiting the Nubian Village, you will see Nubian heritage through their buildings, arts, crafts, jewellery and clothing.    
 
O - On your own?   

Want to go to Egypt but have no one to share with? You don't have to utilise the single supplements on our tour of Egypt. If you're happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, we'll match you up. 


P - Pyramids   

Visit the prototype of pyramid construction, the Step Pyramid of Pharaoh Djoser at Saqqara, one of the richest archaeological sites in Egypt.

 

We will also visit the only surviving monument of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramids of Giza. Marvel at the magnificent Hor-em-Akhet (Sphinx).

  

Black History Study Tours: Visit to the Step Pyramid at Sakkara - May 2014 
Black History Study Tours: Visit to the Step Pyramid at Sakkara - May 2014


Q - Quality Accommodation   

We have done the research ourselves and have selected quality hotels in Cairo and Hurghada and the Nile Cruise in Egypt. We aim to provide you with comfort, cleanliness and a good range of guest facilities on this tour.

  



R - Rest and Relaxation   

After the intensive itinerary full of temples and monuments, you will have lots of opportunity to rest and relax in your hotel in Cairo, on the Cruise boat after visiting the various sites, as we travel to and from the sites in your air conditioned coach and during two days in Hurghada.

 

Unique to the Al Hambra and not found on any other Nile cruise ship is the two-level complete spa with features including indoor relaxation pool, single and double dry and wet massage rooms, steam, sauna and Turkish bath, Jacuzzi and a fully equipped gym. Relax in style and pamper yourself while on tour by enjoying one of the dozens of treatments offered.

  

  



  

S - Shopping   

Lots of shopping opportunities to bring home some souvenirs from Egypt from the many vendors, souqs and markets. Here you will be able to buy undiluted essences and essential oils that make up your favourite perfume fragrance, papyrus art, Jewellery, Egyptian Cotton, Spices, Pharaonic Memorabilia and much more... Practice your haggling skills!

Black History Study Tours: Visit to Perfumery on Best of Egypt Tour 2014 
Black History Study Tours: Visit to Perfumery on Best of Egypt Tour 2014


T - Temples   

Visit the impressive temples of Egypt, dedicated to the various gods and goddesses of Ancient Egypt. We will visit the magnificent temple complexes that Egypt has to offer such as the Temples of Philae, Karnak, Kom-Ombo, Edfu and Luxor.

 

Visit the mortuary temple of Pharoah/Queen Hatshepsut at Deir al-Bahri, an example of the original mortuary temple design.

 

As an optional excursion, visit the spectacular Sun Temple at Abu Simbel built in honour of Ramses II and the Temple of Hathor built by Ramses II for his favourite wife Queen Nefertari

Best of Egypt Tour: Visit to Abu Simbel - May 2014 
Best of Egypt Tour: Visit to Abu Simbel - May 2014
 

  

U - UNESCO   

The United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.

On this tour, we will visit the World Heritage Sites in Egypt such as the Step Pyramid in the necropolis of Saqqara, the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, the Sanctuary of Isis at Philae and on the optional tour, the Temples of Ramses II and Nefertari at Abu Simbel.





V - Valley of the Kings   

See for yourself the wonderful and vibrant tomb art of sacred texts and imagery at the Valley of the Kings, the final resting place for the many New Kingdom Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt on the West bank of Luxor.

There are 63 tombs that have been discovered in the area and it is believed that there are many more. You will be able to enter some of the incredible tombs of the Pharaohs such Thutmose II, Ramses II, Seti I, Amenhotep II and King Tutankhamen.

Walk through their dramatic corridors and burial chambers adorned with gilded paintings, carved bas-reliefs and astronomical ceilings.

  

 
W - Watersports   

As an optional extra on arrival in Hurghada, you can take part in the many water sports on offer from the water sports centre such as water skiing, banana rides, fishing trips, glass bottom boats and quad runners.

  

 

  

 
X - Xcellent value for money   

This tour has been put together with you in mind. The tour includes all your meals, flights from London, an internal flight to Aswan (most tours use an overnight sleeper train), all your entrance fees to all sites and museums and all transfers and pick-ups. All you will have to purchase is your drinks (except in Hurghada where everything is inclusive!).

 
Y - Youth    

Young people aged 5-11 years old are welcome on this tour. This would be a unique opportunity to learn about Ancient Egypt from an African perspective and to see the monuments for themselves.

 
Zzz is what you will do once the day is finished. You go to bed with a mind that has been stimulated and educated on one of our great African civilisations.  


This trip is more than just a tour, it is more than just a journey, it is an experience of a lifetime not to be missed!   
 

For a full itinerary and to register your interest, email Mark Simpson at info@bhstours.com or call us on
0208 881 0660 / 07951 234233       

  


 
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