14 Days Kenya & Egypt : Pyramids, Sphinx And Wildlife
Route in Egypt: Cairo – Aswan – Kom Ombo – Edfu – Luxor - Cairo
Route in Kenya: Nairobi - Meru - Samburu - Aberdare - Nairobi
Day 1: Arrival Cairo
When you arrive at the Cairo International Airport, you will be met by Hallmark Travel Planners representative. After the immigration and customs procedures, you transfer by air-conditioned coach to your hotel for check in. Dinner on your own account. Overnight in Le Meridean Pyramid Hotel in Cairo – Meals None.
Day 2: Overnight train from Cairo - Aswan
Today, you do a tour of Cairo. After your breakfast at the hotel, your guide will meet with you to begin the tour. You visit the Egyptian Museum and, then the Pyramids of Giza, where you will also see the Sphinx. These form part of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. You may enjoy a camel ride round the Pyramids as you contemplate the achievements of Ancient Egypt. In the late afternoon you transfer to the station to take the Sleeper Train to Aswan. Dinner & overnight onboard Sleeper Train.
Day 3: Sail from Aswan to Kom – Ombo
You walk up on the train in time for your breakfast. You arrive Aswan and transfer to the Nile Cruise liner. You will be introduced to your guide on board the cruise line. Lunch will be served as you sail. Afternoon, you will visit the Aswan High Dam, the Old Dam, The Granite Quarries and the Temple of Philae. The Granite Quarries are the site of the giant Unfinished Obelisk. The Philae Temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis, an important figure in Egyptian mythology. After this tour, you will sail to Kom Ombo. Dinner on board. After dinner you may enjoy music and dance. Overnight on board Presidential Nile Cruise.
Day 4: Sail from Kom Ombo to Edfu
Breakfast on board. After breakfast, you visit the Temple of Kom Ombo. The Graeco-Roman Temple located at Kom Ombo consists of 2 separate temples. Each of the temples has its own entrance, colonnades, hypostyle hall and sanctuary. The southern temple is dedicated to the crocodile god known as Sobek, while the northern one honours the falcon god known as Horus.
After the tour of the temples at Kom Ombo sail on to Edfu while enjoying your afternoon tea. After an oriental dinner, you will enjoy a Galabiya and costume party. Overnight on board the Presidential Nile Cruise.
Day 5: Sail from Edfu to Luxor
Breakfast on the boat. After breakfast, visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu. Edfu was the cult centre of Horus - the falcon god. This temple is perhaps the best preserved of all the ancient temples of Egypt. Two majestic granite falcons adorn the entrance and some of the walls bear reliefs depicting Horus. Sail to Esna while enjoying your lunch on board. And then sail further on to Luxor. After dinner enjoy a disco party. Overnight onboard Presidential Nile Cruise.
Day 6: Train Luxor to Cairo
Breakfast is served on the boat. After breakfast, visit the West Bank Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon.
The city of Luxor is the highlight of the Nile cruise tour. The range, magnificence and diversity of the monuments in the Luxor area is unsurpassed in all of Egypt. The Valley of Kings is where the rulers of the period historians refer to as the New Kingdom period (BC 1550-1070) awaited the afterlife. Over 60 tombs have so far been excavated in this valley. Among the best tombs to visit are those of Ramses I, Tuthmosis III and Ramses VI. Tutankhamun's is the most famous today.
On the other side of the Valley of Kings is the Temple of Deir el-Bahri. This temple was built by Queen Hatshepsut. It is very impressive from a distance and is a great place to take photos. You will also take more photos at the Colossi of Memnon. These are 2 huge statues that are the sole legacy of the temple of Amenhotep III. Disembark from the boat and transfer to take the Sleeping Train to Cairo. Dinner & overnight onboard Sleeper Train.
Day 7: Day in Cairo
Breakfast will be served onboard Sleeper Train. After arrival at Cairo, transfer to your hotel. This day is free for your relaxation or shopping in Cairo. Late evening flight to Nairobi, Kenya.
Day 8: Arrival Nairobi – Overnight
On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International airport, you are met by Hallmark Travel Planners representative. You transfer to Sarova Stanley Hotel for overnight. Booked on Bed and breakfast mealplan.
Day 9: Drive Nairobi to Meru National Park
Breakfast at your hotel in Nairobi. After breakfast, begin the drive to Meru National park. You drive past the rich agricultural highlands of central Kenya on the way to the park. You will arrive in time for lunch a the lodge. Kenya’s Meru National Park was made famous by the writings of Joy Adamson, most noted for her book Born Free, the true story of Elsa, the lioness, and her return into the wild.
The park lies in the north-eastern lowlands below the Nyambeni hills. Meru forms part of a larger wilderness area along the Tana River, including Bisanadi and Mwingi National Reserves, Kora national park and Rahole national reserve. The wetter north-western sector is hilly, with rich volcanic soils. Numerous permanent streams cross this are, and three large rivers straddle the reserve: the Tana River to the south, the Ura River to the south-west and the Rojeweru River to the east. Rain falls from Mar-May and from Nov-Dec. Game viewing is best in the dry months. Dinner and overnight at Leopard Rock Lodge or similar.
Day 10: Day in Meru National Park
Early morning game drive before breakfast. After breakfast, relax at the lodge by the pool till lunch time. At 1630 hours, game drive begins running till sunset. Dinner and overnight at Leopard Rock Hotel or similar.
Day 11: Drive Meru to Shaba Game Reserve
Breakfast at the lodge in Meru. After this, you begin drive towards Samburu Game reserve in the northern part of Kenya, just past Isiolo town. You arrive just in time for lunch. Shaba game reserve, buffalo springs and samburu game reserve together cover a total of 428 sq. km. With the same faunal structure, the 3 wildlife reserves, lie just within the fascinating semi-desert Northern Frontier District of Kenya. Dinner and overnight at Joy's Camp or similar.
Day 12: Day in Shaba Game Reserve
All day game viewing in Samburu game reserve. Optional picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight at Joy's Camp or similar.
Day 13: Drive Samburu Game reserve to Aberdare National Park
Early morning game drive followed by breakfast. After breakfast, check out and begin the drive to Aberdare National park. You arrive in time for lunch at the base hotel of the tree lodge. Overnight at The Ark Lodge.
Day 14: Aberdare to Nairobi – Depart
After breakfast, depart for Nairobi to arrive in time for lunch. Transfer to the airport for home bound flight.
End of services
The Tour Package above include:
In Egypt:
- Arrival meet and greet and transfer to the hotel in Cairo
- 2 night accommodation in Cairo at Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel (Garden view Rooms) first stay or similar hotel.
- 3 nights Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan 4* Deluxe boat one of presidential Nile cruises.
- 1 Night accommodation in Cairo at Cairo Marriott hotel second stay
- 2 nights sleeping train from Cairo to Aswan and from Luxor back to Cairo.
- All transfers as per the above mentioned itinerary.
- All entrance fees for the above mentioned sightseeing.
- Meals as mentioned above (B) Breakfast - (L) Lunch and (D) Dinner.
- English speaking tour guide during sightseeing.
In Kenya:
- Arrival & departure transfers to and from international Airport at the destination.
- Bed & breakfast accommodation on the first day where applicable.
- Use of customized 4x4 safari vehicle with Pop up roof for game viewing & photography
- Guaranteed window seats for every participants.
- All entry fees where applicable in the parks, reserves and sanctuary
- Full board meal plan while on Safari – breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Qualified local English - Speaking driver guide
- All government taxes applicable
