Ancient Egypt

Overview

Unfortunately, this trip will not be confirmed for 2021.
It is too risky to organise a group trip in the current situation.
You can still pre-register and we will inform you whenever
we have a confirmed date for 2022.

An ancient country so mysterious and magical that entire libraries have been written about it. No wonder, because this ancient land is one huge open air archeology museum.  Egypt is a must-see destination and this year Expat Club organises a superb trip for you to discover it in comfort and safety with local expert guides. Follow the history of the powerful Pharaohs along the mighty Nile River from the Valley of the Kings to the Pyramids of Giza, home of the only remaining ancient “Seven Wonders o the World”. Learn about Ancient Egypt in the newly-opened Grand Museum of Egypt, which displays over 50.000 artefacts including the entire content of the Tutankhamun’s tomb. And stroll along the most impressive Luxor, Karnak and Hatshepsut temples. This will be a trip of a lifetime, including a great selection of excellent 5* hotels, lunches, dinners, museum visit, excursions, special outings and special entrances.

Pictures

Cairo, the largest city on the African continent with 20 million inhabitants.

During our visit to Cairo we will ascend the 187m high Cairo Tower. | by Dennis Jarvis (own work), via Wikimedia Commons

The Saladin Citadel in Cairo | © Alberto Loyo - Shutterstock

The "old" Egypt Museum will soon be replaced by the Grand Egyptian Museum. | © Nosyrevy - Shutterstock

The Egypt Museum is crammed with thousands of artefacts.

One of the world's most expensive artefacts, the Gold Mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamun.

Lots of statues and sarcophagus can be seen inside the museum.

Sculptures of the Egypt Museum.

The absolute highlight of our trip, the Pyramids of Giza.

The famous Sphinx in front of the pyramid. | © javarman - Shutterstock

The Sphinx measures 73 meters in length and is 20 meters high.

The Great Pyramid of Giza. | Jeremy Red - Shutterstock

Visit the Great Pyramid of Giza from inside. A bit claustrophobic but totally worth it. | © Nyrok555 - Shutterstock

Go for a camel ride, totally optional, and good luck negotiating.

Djoser Pyramid, one of the oldest buildings in the world.

Sneferu's Bent Pyramid in Dahshur, another amazing pyramid. | by Irvienen (own work), via Wikimedia Commons

Luxor Temple at night | © Fesenko - Shutterstock

Luxor Temple | © Prin Adulyatham - Shutterstock

Luxor Temple is located in the city of Luxor itself.

The Karnak temple complex is much larger than the Luxor one.

Statue in Karnak Temple | © jn.koste - Shutterstock

Another gallery in Karnak | © Zbigniew Guzowski - Shutterstock

The Karnak Temple is one of the most impressive ancient landmarks in Egypt. | Tomasz Guzowski - Shutterstock

Temple of Hatshepsut: a mortuary temple for the pharaoh Hatshepsut who died in 1458 BC. | © Jeremy Red - Shutterstock

Valley of Kings

The Valley of the Kings near Luxor | by Nikola Smolenski (own work), via Wikimedia Commons

Enjoy a Felucca sailing trip on the Nile | © paula French - Shutterstock

The famous temple of Abu Simbel. Unfortunately we won't have time to visit this one. | © Dan Breckwoldt - Shutterstock

Program

As with all Expat Club trips we carefully think about the entire program to arrange a smooth trip for everyone. This includes location of the hotels, smartly chosen and pre-reserved entrance times, organised lunches and dinners, good domestic flights etc. Still, unforeseen things can happen that may influence our program, such as traffic and road blocks, unexpected closed destinations etc. We always do our best to come up with the best possible alternative in collaboration with local guides, bus drivers, hotels and welcoming restaurants and museums. The below program gives a good indication of what you can expect, but will surely still change until we can confirm it fully.

Saturday 13 November
morning: flight to Cairo
afternoon: check-in to hotel next to Pyramids
evening: welcome dinner in Hotel

Sunday 14 November
morning: Giza Pyramid Complex
afternoon: Grand Egyptian Museum (newly opened!)
evening: dinner revolving restaurant Cairo Tower

Monday 15 November
morning: guided Old City & Islamic Cairo tour
afternoon: lunch in Azhar Park
afternoon: Red Pyramid, Tombs of Saqqara, Pyramid of Djoser
evening: dinner on the Nile

Tuesday 16 November
morning: continuation Cairo tour
afternoon: departure to Luxor
evening: dinner in hotel yard
evening: Luxor Temple at night

Wednesday 17 November
morning: Luxor & Karnak Temple
afternoon: lunch on the Nile
afternoon: Valley of the Kings

Thursday 18 November
morning: Temple of Hatshepsut
afternoon: desert lunch
afternoon: drive to Hurghada
evening: dinner on the beach

Friday 19 November
morning: Hurghada tour
afternoon: relax
evening: relax

Saturday 20 November
morning: relax
afternoon: flight to Cairo
evening: farewell dinner

Sunday 21 November
morning: departure to Brussels
afternoon: arrival in Brussels

End November: dinner/socialising reunion

Destinations

This trip focuses on various destinations around two areas in Egypt: Cairo and Luxor. We will get to know both of them from a modern-day perspective, but of course also deep-dive into their historic pasts, which literally span thousands of years. In Cairo we will focus primarily on the incredible pyramid complexes of Giza and Memphis, whereas in Luxor we will focus on the immense temples complexes in the city and the burial sites in the Valley of the Kings and Queens.

Cairo
Africa’s largest city its home to over 20.000.000 people. We thought we’d write it out, because with such an impressive number it is also the 15th largest city in the world. Of course this comes with all the problems other mega cities are dealing with, such as pollution and congestion. It is located on both sides of the Nile River and right at the at the point where it spreads out into the recognisable Delta shape. This program was designed to show you a nice combination of modern-day Cairo alongside its rich ancient history, inducing the Giza Pyramids Complex, the Old Historic Town with the famous Cairo Tower and many green parks, and the ancient city of Memphis. During our visits we will get to know Cairo throughout various millennia, from the pharaohs to the modern metropole it is today.

Giza Pyramid Complex
Being possibly the world’s most famous monuments, the pyramids at Giza are Egypt’s main tourist attraction. They are located about 13km Southwest from the centre of Cairo and are one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and the only remaining one as well. The complex consists of three large pyramids, namely the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, as well as some smaller pyramid structures and of course the famous Great Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshurphinx of Giza.

The Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur
The capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt has some extraordinary funerary monuments, including rock tombs, ornate mastabas, temples and pyramids. In ancient times, the site was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. (source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/86/)

Needless to say we will visit the complex with a local expert guide who will take us around the Sphinx and the various pyramids. There will be ample time to take pictures, buy souvenirs, ride a camel or just to marvel at these incredible structures. But there is more!  You can namely also enter the Great Pyramid of Giza (optional). We won’t include this because the climb up to the burial room leads through a narrow room that not everybody may like. The actual room is not very spectacular, but just being in there is of course a unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Grand Egyptian Museum
The old Egyptian Museum, or Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, in downtown Cairo has for a long time been the world’s most extensive collection Egyptian antiquities. Unfortunately we won’t be able to see it when we are in Cairo. The museum will namely close. However, we are actually rather lucky, because the Egyptian Museum will reopen up its doors close to the Pyramids of Giza as the new Grand Egyptian Museum. Many details are still secret, but rumour says that it will be super spectacular. Needless to say we will explore it with a guide and on our own.

Memphis, Saqqara & Dashur
That is Memphis in Egypt, not Tennessee. This ancient city was once the Capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt and for a very long time remained an important city for commerce, trade and religion. Nowadays the remains of Memphis can be seen scattered over a wider area, and include several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including temples, pyramids and rock tombs. The most famous one is the Djoser Pyramid at Saqqara. Since Memphis is only half an hour by bus from Giza, we are of course going to visit them.

Other visit-worthy places that we definitely visit on this Pyramids day are the Red Pyramid and the Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid at Dashur, a little bit South from the Saqqara complex. Although each of them is not as impressive as the Giza ones, seeing the full variety of pyramids along this part of the Nile will really give us a much better understanding of the incredible history of the ancient Egyptians.

Historic & Islamic Cairo
Cairo is not only about the Egyptians from the antiquity. There is much more to must-see from other eras in this city, including hundreds of mosques, madrases, old mansions, tombs and fortifications. In fact, just like the pyramids, also Historic Cairo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Historica Cairo 
Tucked away amid the modern urban area of Cairo lies one of the world's oldest Islamic cities, with its famous mosques, madrasas, hammams and fountains. Founded in the 10th century, it became the new centre of the Islamic world, reaching its golden age in the 14th century.

Today we will walk around with a local guide and discover centuries of history. We pass by the Salah El Din Al Ayouby Citadel, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the Al-Azhar Mosque, The Mosque of Ibn Tulun, the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, and the Cairo Tower. It will be a great opportunity to get to know this amazing city, while enjoying everything it has to offer, from culture to art, and from history to food. Speaking about the last point, we will take you to some amazing restaurants.

Luxor
With just half a million inhabitants, this city bleaches in comparison to Cairo’s 20 million. Historically, however, Luxor is one of the world’s most historic places. Previously known as Thebes in ancient times, the number of ancient monuments is unparalleled, so clearly we must spend several days here to discover all major sights (below pictures in order):

• Luxor Temple: this large complex was built about 1400 B.C.
• Karnak Temple: a huge temple complex just North from Luxor, built over an extended period between 2000 and 30 BC
• Temple of Hatshepsut: a mortuary temple for the pharaoh Hatshepsut who died in 1458 BC

Valley of the Kings
Dozens of rock-cut tombs for the pharaohs and nobles are scattered throughout this valley a few kilometres West of Luxor. So now and then a new discovery is made, such as the tomb of the famous Pharaoh Tutankhamun about a century ago. Many of the tombs are richly decorated with Egyptian scenes, which give an idea of the lives and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians.

Needless to say this is a major highlight of our trip to Egypt, and it is rather obvious that also the Valley of the Kings is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Therefore we will again bring a private expert guide with us to tell us all about what happened here and to show us the best parts, including King Tut’s tomb.

Accommodation

For your comfort, convenience, and safety, we will be staying in four outstanding 5* hotels with brilliant locations. Without further ado, let’s introduce them:

• • 3 nights: The Steigenberger Pyramids Giza*****
  • 2 nights: The Sofitel Winter Palace & Pavillon Winter*****
  • 2 nights: The Hilton Hurghada Plaza*****
  • 1 night: Le Meridien Cairo Airport*****

We think this should really be a holiday for you, with ultimate comfort and at the absolute best locations! This minimizes travel time ánd walking distances, and therefore it increases your leisure time. After all, how cool would it be to go back to you hotel room with an easy 15-20 minutes walk after you just were inside a pyramid? No searching and waiting for our bus, but just more comfort and freedom for you.

Choose your room:
In each hotel you can choose between various room types. It is important that we know exactly what room you require, especially if you travel with more than 2 persons or a family. All rooms are spacious, have private bathrooms with 5* amenities, and all the services you may expect in this segment. Although we do our best to get you the best rooms possible, including silent rooms, high floors or with a nice view, we can only request this (unless you are willing to pay a surcharge in advance for premium rooms, such as with a pyramid view).

• • Single room – 1 large bed for 1 person (surcharge applies)
  • Double room – 1 large bed for 2 persons (a couple or parent/child)
  • Twin room – 2 single beds for 2 persons (two friends sharing a room)
  • Twin room – 2 single beds for 2 solo travellers who would like to share a room
  • Triple/family rooms – at request

Room sharing for solo travellers
If you travel alone, you can share a “twin room” with 2 single beds (only female rooms, male rooms upon request). We introduce you to the other travellers who also want to share a room. This means you don’t have to search for a friend who wants to join, you are guaranteed not paying for a single surcharge. We also do not assign you to a room, but you choose who you want to share the room with. You can select this room sharing option during the reservation processs. It is a perfect way to lower your costs and to meet another friendly expat.

Transportation

We are taking the most convenient flights, namely direct flights with Egypt Air from Brussels to Cairo. In Egypt itself, we also take 2 domestic flights with Egypt Air. One checked suitcase of 20kg is included in the trip fee.

13 November: Brussels 14h35 – Cairo 19h55
16 November: Cairo 17h30 – Luxor 18h35
18 November: Luxor >> over land >> Hurghada
20 November: Hurghada 15h40 – Cairo 16h40
21 November: Cairo 10h35 – Brussels 14h20

We have checked all flights with various airlines, but these are by far the best and fastest connections. Other flights have long layovers, extremely early departures (e.g. 03h00 or 05h00) or inconvenient flight times during the day itself. On 18 November we drive by comfortable private bus through from Luxor to Hurghada. The trip only takes about 4 hours and it will allow us to enjoy the spectacular desert landscape. By flight would also be possible, but with transfer to the airport, check-in time, possible delays, picking up luggage and yet another transfer, by bus is much more convenient and faster as well.

Comments

• The flights will be carried with a reliable international airline.
• If you would like a later or earlier flight, you should contact us before making the booking. We cannot guarantee this will work, but we will do our best to get your your preferred flights.
• This trip is carefully planned, but the program is tentative and may change if required by circumstances.
• The trip is sold as a package. You cannot go with your own transportation and/or arrange your own accommodation. If there are specific things that you do or do not want in the package, please let us know and we may look at your wishes on a case by case basis.
• You are personally responsible for getting a good travel insurance that covers you for any unforeseen emergencies and medical expenses during the trip. This costs very little, just search online (e.g. €60 per year for a family). We also advise you to get a cancellation insurance in case you cannot join anymore (e.g. due to illness or a family emergency).
• You are personally responsible for using the hotel rooms in an appropriate way. Any missing or broken items will be billed after the trip. If you share the room with someone else you are equally responsible for leaving it the way you found it.
• Expat Club cannot be held liable for long delays that influence the program, for instance delayed or cancelled flights that lead to missed guided tours, neither can Expat Club be held liable for weather-related cancellations or any other unforeseen events that influence the course of the trip, including, but not limited to technical problems with the airplane, taxi, blocked streets or closed tourist destinations etc. We are doing our very best to pro-actively avoid problems and possibly adapt the program in the most optimal way, but what we cannot take responsibility for what we cannot influence.
• Expat Club cannot be held liable for personal injuries during the trip, such as, but not limited to, things that happen during the visit the various festivities in the city.
• Expat Club cannot be held liable for you losing your way in the cities and places we visit. It is your responsibility to stay with the group and to find your own way back if necessary, as well as to be on time for all departures.
• If you do not have a room partner and you still would like to share a room (male/male, female/female), then we will introduce you to all other ladies or gentlemen in the group in the same position. During the outbound trip we will connect you with others in the same position. If you opt for the room-sharing, you will not have to pay the single fee if there is in the end no one else to share the room with, unless you decide to take a single room during the trip. In that case you will have to fully pay for it yourself.
• If you book a double / twin room and your travel partner cancels, either from the same order or from a separate one once you indicated you want to share the room with him or her, you will have to pay the single room supplement.
• Expat Club may “upgrade” or “downgrade” you to another hotel. In case of a downgrade, you will receive a reasonable compensation. This is not our normal way of working, but it does happen that hotels accidentally overbook or experience problems (Expat Club itself does never overbook trips!).