Day 9: Luxor – Cairo OR the Red Sea
Overnight - Le Meridien Cairo Airport
You have the option of a very early start in the morning for a balloon ride over Ancient Thebes – you will need to inform us about your preference while finalizing your reservation. You are assisted with your checkout in the morning at any time before 11 am. Please note that most outbound international flights from Cairo depart in the early morning. This itinerary assumes that you will fly back to Cairo in the late afternoon or early evening, but an earlier flight can easily be arranged.
During your time in Luxor today, your Egyptologist Guide will suggest experiences based on your preferences. We recommend the Luxor Museum which, although it has a lot fewer treasures than the abundance of exhibits found in Cairo’s museums, the quality of the artifacts that are display is unsurpassed, and the collection includes amazing pieces from the Karnak Temple Complex. The displays are widely spaced and identified very well with clear signage.
You will be driven to Luxor airport and assisted in boarding your flight to Cairo. Arrive at Cairo and collect your baggage, after which your Tour Director will accompany you to your in-terminal hotel and assist you with your check-in. Bid farewell to your Tour Director at this time.
Red Sea – End of Tour Options
Many of our guests choose to end their exploration of Egypt with a few days at the luxurious Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh on the Red Sea. Besides the crystal-clear waters and wonderful beaches, this region also offers some of the world’s best diving and snorkeling. The resort is a 4-to-4.5-hour comfortable drive from your lodging in Luxor. If you are interested in adding a stay at the Red Sea, at the Oberoi or any other Red Sea resort, please let us know at the time of reservation and we will be happy to give you options to consider.
Optional Excursions available at the gorgeous Red Sea Coast:
World Class Diving: Can be a private or shared experience(s). The luxury beach resorts offer dive excursions and these can be reserved directly with the resort. For avid divers interested in more than one dive we recommend that you discuss your options with us and let us assist you in prearranging them.
Snorkeling: Can be a private or shared experience(s). The luxury beach resorts offer snorkeling excursions and these can be reserved directly with the resort, or you can ask us to prearrange them.
Submarine Adventure: A join-up morning experience – can be private if you wish to pay for the whole submarine, which is designed for almost 40 passengers. Either way, your transfers to the submarine boarding and disembarking area will be in your private vehicle. The Red Sea is one of our planet’s most diverse and fascinating marine eco-systems. There are roughly 200 types of corals, more than 1000 species of fish, scores of crustaceans, and exotic creatures such as hammerhead sharks and eels. The submarine goes down to depths as low as 80 feet during your experience and you will see corals with incredible colors and the vibrant marine life that surrounds them – a marine guide will enhance your experience.
Bedouin Village and Dune Bashing: A private experience. After breakfast one morning you will be assisted you in boarding your 4X4 vehicle and now you will head out for an adventure in the desert. You will be dune bashing on the way to the Bedouin village that is your destination. This is an actual village where a perennial spring waters the few tropical trees, and not a staged desert experience. You will enjoy a camel ride on the villagers’ camels, and then explore the culture and homes of the simple and hospitable villagers.
You have the option of a very early start in the morning for a balloon ride over Ancient Thebes – you will need to inform us about your preference while finalizing your reservation. You are assisted with your checkout in the morning at any time before 11 am. Please note that most outbound international flights from Cairo depart in the early morning. This itinerary assumes that you will fly back to Cairo in the late afternoon or early evening, but an earlier flight can easily be arranged.
During your time in Luxor today, your Egyptologist Guide will suggest experiences based on your preferences. We recommend the Luxor Museum which, although it has a lot fewer treasures than the abundance of exhibits found in Cairo’s museums, the quality of the artifacts that are display is unsurpassed, and the collection includes amazing pieces from the Karnak Temple Complex. The displays are widely spaced and identified very well with clear signage.
You will be driven to Luxor airport and assisted in boarding your flight to Cairo. Arrive at Cairo and collect your baggage, after which your Tour Director will accompany you to your in-terminal hotel and assist you with your check-in. Bid farewell to your Tour Director at this time.
Red Sea – End of Tour Options
Many of our guests choose to end their exploration of Egypt with a few days at the luxurious Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh on the Red Sea. Besides the crystal-clear waters and wonderful beaches, this region also offers some of the world’s best diving and snorkeling. The resort is a 4-to-4.5-hour comfortable drive from your lodging in Luxor. If you are interested in adding a stay at the Red Sea, at the Oberoi or any other Red Sea resort, please let us know at the time of reservation and we will be happy to give you options to consider.
Optional Excursions available at the gorgeous Red Sea Coast:
World Class Diving: Can be a private or shared experience(s). The luxury beach resorts offer dive excursions and these can be reserved directly with the resort. For avid divers interested in more than one dive we recommend that you discuss your options with us and let us assist you in prearranging them.
Snorkeling: Can be a private or shared experience(s). The luxury beach resorts offer snorkeling excursions and these can be reserved directly with the resort, or you can ask us to prearrange them.
Submarine Adventure: A join-up morning experience – can be private if you wish to pay for the whole submarine, which is designed for almost 40 passengers. Either way, your transfers to the submarine boarding and disembarking area will be in your private vehicle. The Red Sea is one of our planet’s most diverse and fascinating marine eco-systems. There are roughly 200 types of corals, more than 1000 species of fish, scores of crustaceans, and exotic creatures such as hammerhead sharks and eels. The submarine goes down to depths as low as 80 feet during your experience and you will see corals with incredible colors and the vibrant marine life that surrounds them – a marine guide will enhance your experience.
Bedouin Village and Dune Bashing: A private experience. After breakfast one morning you will be assisted you in boarding your 4X4 vehicle and now you will head out for an adventure in the desert. You will be dune bashing on the way to the Bedouin village that is your destination. This is an actual village where a perennial spring waters the few tropical trees, and not a staged desert experience. You will enjoy a camel ride on the villagers’ camels, and then explore the culture and homes of the simple and hospitable villagers.