Siwa Oasis Extension

Itinerary

• Egypt

  Egypt is a country in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge to Western Asia. Egypt borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Israel to the northeast, the Red Sea to the east, Sudan to the south and Libya to the west. Egypt is one of the most populous countries in Africa and the Middle East. The great majority of its estimated 75.4 million live near the banks of the Nile River, where the only arable agricultural land is found. The large areas of the Sahara Desert are sparsely inhabited. About half of Egypt's residents live in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan. Egypt is famous for its ancient civilization and some of the world's most famous monuments, including the Giza pyramid complex and its Great Sphinx. Luxor contains numerous ancient artifacts, such as the Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Important temples are located on the Nile cities of Edfu and Aswan, with the temple of Abu Simbel on the shore of Lake Nasser in the south.

• Cairo

  Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the hub of the country. Millennia of history have made it one of the most fascinating places in the world. The Egyptian Museum whose 107 halls feature huge statues on the ground floor, and small statues, jewels, Tutankhamon treasures and the mummies on upper floors. Other downtown sights include the Saladin Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, and Khan Khalili bazaar. Nearby Giza is famous for the Pyramids of Egypt, among the largest constructions ever built.

• Siwa Oasis

  Siwa Oasis is located in the Libyan Desert, 560 km (348 miles) from Cairo and is one of Egypt's isolated settlements. Populated by ethnic Berbers who speak a distinct language known as Siwi, is consists almost solely of mud-brick buildings. The ancient fortress of Siwa, built of natural rock salt, mud-brick and palm logs, remains a prominent feature towering five storeys above the modern town. Other local historic sites of interest include: the remains of the oracle temple; the Gebel al Mawta (the Mountain of the Dead) Roman-era necropolis featuring dozens of rock-cut tombs; and "Cleopatra's Bath" a natural sulphur spring.

• • Temple of the Oracle of Amun
  • Outside Siwa Paradise

  Day 1: Cairo - Siwa Oasis

  Transfer to Siwa Oasis with your private air conditioned vehicle, with personal driver and guide.

  Accommodation: Siwa Paradise

  A tranquil retreat in Siwa Oasis region of Egypt’s Western Desert, the Siwa Paradise Hotel is an attractive resting spot for the adventurous traveler looking to experience the desert. The climate is especially likeable, with a tolerable summer heat, winter chilliness, and moderate spring and fall airs. Take advantage of the dates and olive groves for which this area is renowned. The hotel accommodates a fair number of people in clean and comfortable quarters. The rooms offer modern necessities such as a mini bar and satellite color television. The restaurants serve native specialties that usually contain the freshest of produce and market treats, with lunch being the main meal of the day. Outside, a Spring-like swimming pool shaded by palm fronds graces the hotel’s modest grounds.

• • Ruins of Amoun Temple

  Day 2: Siwa Oasis

  Enjoy a full day tour with your private Guide and air conditioned vehicle. Visit the Dead Mountain, Siwa House Museum, the Old Fortress of Shali, Oracle Hall with Alexander's Coronation Hall and the Ruins of Amoun Temple. Enjoy a swim at the Cleopatra Pool and then proceed to Dakrour Mountain, which is known for hot sand. Take hot sand bath, which is a natural and effective therapy for rheumatism etc.

  Accommodation: Siwa Paradise
• • The Mighty Sphinx

  Day 3: Siwa Oasis - Cairo

  Transfer to Cairo with your private air conditioned vehicle, with personal driver and guide.

  Accommodation: Depart

  Depart from Cairo international airport - end of itinerary.

Accommodation

• Fun Facts

  Hieroglyphic was the earliest script form of the Ancient Egyptian. Each hieroglyph represents a common object in ancient Egypt including a person, an object or an idea. The decipherment of Egyptian hieroglyphs was made possible by discovery of the Rosetta Stone, found in 1799 by Napoleonic troops fighting in Egypt. The famous stone currently resides in the British Museum.

• Collectibles

  The cosmetics and perfume industry had its genesis in Ancient Egypt. Perfumes were thought to have some power of purification from death or disease and to cleanse the impure. Perfumes were so essential to the lives of the ancients that they were buried with the dead for use in the afterlife. Some of these vials were true works of art such as the ones found in the tomb of Tutankhamun. The Egyptians kept their perfumes in vessels made of rich materials including gold, hard stones, coloured glasses or alabaster. These perfume vials remain the ultimate Egyptian souvenir to this day.

• Wildlife Encounters

  Camels are well suited to desert life and the conditions of Upper Egypt because of a number of the animal's adaptations. They have broad, flat, thick-soled cloven hoofs that do not sink into the sand, they have the ability to go without drinking for several days—or longer if juicy plants are available, and they have valvular nostrils lined with hairs for protection against flying sand.

• • Outside Siwa Paradise
  • Siwa Paradise

  Siwa Paradise

  A tranquil retreat in Siwa Oasis region of Egypt’s Western Desert, the Siwa Paradise Hotel is an attractive resting spot for the adventurous traveler looking to experience the desert. The climate is especially likeable, with a tolerable summer heat, winter chilliness, and moderate spring and fall airs. Take advantage of the dates and olive groves for which this area is renowned. The hotel accommodates a fair number of people in clean and comfortable quarters. The rooms offer modern necessities such as a mini bar and satellite color television. The restaurants serve native specialties that usually contain the freshest of produce and market treats, with lunch being the main meal of the day. Outside, a Spring-like swimming pool shaded by palm fronds graces the hotel’s modest grounds.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Tours, Transfers, Flights, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

• Request a Quote