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Grand Hotels of Egypt

Egypt Holidays - Entrance to Mena House 1891

Click on the name of the hotel for details

10 days from £1089

excluding international flights

At the end of the Victorian era, when Egypt's popularity as a winter resort was at its height, fashionable people from all over the world came to relax in the golden sunshine of the Nile Valley.  The 'Grand Hotels' they stayed at - the Mena House beside the Pyramids, the Cataract at Aswan and the Winter Palace in Luxor - are still flourishing, and offer a stylish welcome to the sophisticated travellers of the modern era.

EGYPT HOLIDAYS FACTFILE

DAY 1 – Arrival in Cairo.

On arrival in Cairo you will be met by a representative of World Discovery who will organise your Egyptian visa and assist you through immigration and customs. You will then be taken by private car direct to your hotel. Recommended flight from London: bmi from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

GUARANTEED PYRAMIDS VIEW AT THE MENA HOUSE OBEROI
Your rooms are in the newer Garden Wing of the hotel. You may request a guaranteed Pyramid View Room for a special supplement of £54 per person for the 3 night stay. These rooms are in high demand so early booking is essential. Upgrades are also possible for a supplement to the historic Palace Wing of the hotel - details on request.

DAYS 2 AND 3 – Cairo.

For this World Discovery holiday we've left the sightseeing on an optional basis for greater flexibility.  If you want to include some of the main visits we can quote and prebook them for you, or our agents can organise them on the spot.  The major sights include the Pyramids of Giza and the legendary Sphinx, with perhaps an added visit to the Solar Boat Museum, located at the foot of the Great Pyramid.  In the centre of Cairo there is the world-famous Museum of Egyptian Antiquities on Tahrir Square, and a selection of tours in Old Cairo, whilst further afield you have the option of visiting ancient Memphis and Saqqara, the latter famous for its unique Step Pyramid, constructed in the 27th century BC.  In the evening you may wish to attend the spectacular Sound and Light show at the Pyramids.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

STAY ON IN CAIRO
Cairo has so many sights worth seeing, particularly in the Old City, that you may wish to consider staying an extra day (or two!) in order to be able to fit in all the places that interest you.  We can also offer a full day excursion from the capital to the Mediterranean port of Alexandria.  

DAY 4 – Fly to Aswan.

In the morning fly to Aswan, gateway to Nubia.  You will be met and transferred direct to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure, with the option of visiting the highlights of Aswan - the High Dam, the superb Temple of Philae on its island in the Nile, and the Northern Quarries to view the Unfinished Obelisk. 
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAYS 5 AND 6 - Aswan.

Two days at leisure in Aswan. A half day optional excursion by air may be taken to visit the incredible temples at Abu Simbel on the shores of Lake Nasser.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

Pictured left: The Old Cataract overlooks the NIle at Aswan.

DAY 7 - Drive to Luxor via Kom Ombo and Edfu.

In the morning depart by road along the east bank of the Nile to Luxor, stopping en route at the temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu.  On arrival in Luxor check into your hotel.  The remainder of the day is free.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAYS 8 AND 9 – Luxor.

As ancient Thebes, Luxor was the capital of Egypt’s New Kingdom (1550-1069 BC) and has attracted tourists and travellers since Greek and Roman times with its incomparable wealth of monuments.  On the city's East Bank you can visit the two great Pharaonic temples of the East Bank; the breathtaking Temple of Karnak, with its great Hypostyle Hall and Sacred Lake, and the smaller but arguably more elegant Temple of Luxor in the centre of town.  Across the Nile lie the magnificent archaeological remains of Western Thebes, including the famous Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens,  the monumental Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and the free-standing Colossi of Memnon, badly ravaged by time but still impressive in their size and majesty.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 10 – Fly back to Cairo.  Return home.

Fly back to Cairo to connect with your homeward flight.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

International Flights

We recommend the services of bmi from LondonHeathrow. Flights are non-stop and have a choice of classes. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Cairo. Depart at 09.15; arrive Cairo at 16.20
Cairo/Heathrow. Depart at 17.25; arrive Heathrow at 20.50

Egypt Holidays: Grand Hotels of Egypt (Tour Reference: WDEG013)
2012 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Scheduled train journeys from Cairo to Aswan and from Luxor to Cairo.
• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded or double rooms with private facilities.
• 9 full breakfasts as shown in the itinerary.
• Private transportation at each location.
• Sightseeing as shown on day 7, including entrance fees.  All other sightseeing is on an optional basis.
  
• The services of a private guide for the included sightseeing.
• Your Egyptian visa.  Our agents will organise this on your arrival at Cairo Airport (no forms orphotos required).
  

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• Optional sightseeing. It is recommended that the optional excursion by air to Abu Simbel is booked prior to your departure from the UK (current price £170 per person).
• International airport taxes.
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter.

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your Egypt holiday must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.