Agatha Christie in Egypt Tour

Agatha Christie spent time in Egypt during the early 1920's, and the country and its people left a lasting impression on her. She drew inspiration from the bustling streets of Cairo, the sweeping desert landscapes, and the exotic characters she encountered during her travels. On our Agatha Christie tour of Egypt, you'll follow in her footsteps, retracing the paths she walked and the sights she saw. You'll visit the famous landmarks of Cairo, such as the Pyramids and the Sphinx and, of course, you'll visit the iconic archaeological sites of Luxor and Karnak, where Christie's fascination with ancient Egypt truly came to life and enjoy tea at the two iconic hotels she stayed at on her second visit to Egypt. You will experience the Nile from both land and river with two included cruises and hotels all with Nile view rooms in Aswan and Luxor.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Fly from London Heathrow to Cairo and transfer by coach to the hotel. Enjoy a welcome cocktail reception followed by dinner at your hotel (D)

Day 2: Pyramids of Giza, The Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum (due to open in 2023).
An early start with your private guide this morning to visit the Pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx, two of the most iconic sights in the whole of Egypt and which impressed Agatha Christie when she was 19 years old, visiting with her mother for the 1910 Egyptian Expostion. Following an included lunch at the amazing Grand Egyptian Museum (due to open in 2023) you will have ample time to explore the multiple galleries of Egyptian antiquities, including many thousand items of treasure found in the Tutankhamun tomb in Luxor. Return to the hotel for dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Flight to Aswan, High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Felucca cruise.
A very early transfer to Cairo airport this morning for a short flight (1 hour) to Aswan and on arrival enjoy a stop at the High Dam, finished in the 1970's to increase both agricultrual production by controlling the Nile floods and to produce hydroelectric power. Then a visit to the Unfinished Obelisk, discoverd in the 1920's and although never raised from the ground,it would have been the tallest Obelisk ever erected. After checking into the hotel and a short rest, you will enjoy an afternoon Nile cruise on a Felucca and sail around Lord Kitchener Island. Dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Philae Temple, Aswan Old Market, Tea at the Old Cataract Hotel.
This morning you visit the beautiful Philae temple built in Egypt's Greco-Roman period and moved stone by stone to a new location in the 1960's to avoid its disappearance underwater, described by UNESCO as "the greatest archaeological rescue campaign of all time" and hard to believe when you see it. Return to the hotel for lunch (not included) before a visit in the afternoon to the Old Cataract hotel beautifully located above the Nile and stayed in by Agatha on her visit to Aswan in her 40's and where Agatha wrote parts of her famous book, 'Death on the Nile'. Enjoy afternoon tea, before perhaps a cocktail, just as she did! We will return to the hotel for dinner via the old market of Aswan (B,D)

Day 5: Train to Luxor, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple.
An early morning again to transfer to Aswan railway station to board your train to Luxor in a first class compartment. The journey takes 3 hours and follows along the Nile and you will be supplied with a breakfast box for your journey. On arrival in Luxor you will visit the vast open site of Karnak. This temple complex was added to by over 30 Pharaohs, and is probably the most impressive of all ancient Egypt monuments. Although dedicated to many gods it's particularly known for its abundance of obelisks, pylons, sanctuaries and a pair of colossal statues belonging to Ramses II. Check into the hotel and enjoy time to relax this afternoon, as after dinner at the hotel you will join an evening tour to the Luxor Temple for an illuminated visit, which offers a very different perspective on this, the most beautiful temples in the heart of Luxor. (B,D)

Day 6: Nile West bank visits to Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Tea at Old Winter Palace and Nile Dinner Cruise.
A busy day starts with a visit to the Valley of the Kings and entrance to a number of the tombs that were excavated throughout the early 20th century, the most famous of course being that of the young king Tutankhamun, whose tomb was famously discoved by Howard Carter and took a further 10 years to fully explore and record all its reviled treasures. A visit then to the very impressive tomb of Hatshepsut and return to the hotel. In the afternoon we will take tea at the famous Winter Palace hotel, where both Howard Carter and Agatha Christie stayed. You return to the hotel to freshen up before you enjoy a dinner cruise on the hotels own cruiser, which is moored at the bottom of their garden! (B,D)

Day 7: Free day in Luxor
Enjoy a well earned rest today and enjoy some time taking in the hustle and bustle on the River Nile from your room or the pretty gardens of the hotel. You can join a balloon ride optional tour over the Valley of the Kings or take some time to visit other sights of Luxor. Dinner is by own arrangement or join an optional dinner excursion with your tour guide, paid locally. (B)

Day 8: Flight to Cairo, Gezira Sporting Club and hotel visit, dinner at RAC Club.
This morning transfer to Luxor airport for an early flight to Cairo. On arrival you will visit the Gezira Palace Hotel (now Marriott) in the centre of Cairo where Agatha Christie lived with her mother for three months. They went to five weekly dances and watched horse races and attended polo matches at the nearby sports club every day, which we will also visit. In the evening we will transfer to the RAC club for farewell drinks and dinner. An aristocratic Car club founded in 1924, it has been a meeting spot for the elite of Egypt since the time of the Monarchs and has been beautifully restored since being destroyed in World War II. The evening will offer dinner while enjoying classical music and gents will require a jacket and tie.(B,L,D)

Day 9: Khan El Khaili Bazzar visit and transfer to airport for return flight to London (B)

NB: Exact order of the itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion.

Important Tour details
This tour has been listed as Demanding due to the amount of walking tours and potential uneven grounds at all the sites visited. The touring days are very busy and each touring day starts very early, especially days 2, 3 and 5. The tour has been deliberately designed not to include a typical 3 or 4 night Nile cruise as we think this allows for much more flexibility in the itinerary and means you don't have to adhere to large group excursions off the ship. It also offers you a much larger and more comfortable room for the whole tour and a variety of food and beverage options, which are fixed on a cruise. Furthermore, our tour has a reduced environmental impact, compared to cruising.

Please note the maximum group size is 25 passengers.

INCLUDED

• Return scheduled flights from London Heathrow to Cairo
• Return scheduled flights from Cairo to Aswan/Luxor
• 3 nights’ bed and breakfast at the Flamenco Golden Tulip Hotel, Cairo based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• 2 nights' bed and breakfast at the Obelisk Nile hotel, Aswan based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• 3 nights' bed and breakfast at the Iberohotel, Luxor based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• Train from Aswan to Luxor
• Welcome drink at Cairo hotel
• Seven dinners at local restaurants or the hotel
• Three lunches at local restaurants
• Two Teas at the Old Cataract and Winter Palace Hotels
• Transfers and full touring itinerary
• Tour manager in Egypt and local guides where required

NOT INCLUDED

• Holiday insurance
• Double for sole use supplement
• Egypt Visa 
• Meals other than those stated
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls
• Optional excursions
• Porterage and gratuities - in Egypt this will be 10$ per person per day ($80 US dollars total) The tour escort will collect this on the first day. He/she will exchange the money and put it in envelopes, it will then be given on behalf of the group, to drivers, reception etc as appropriate.

HOTELS

Golden Tulip Flamenco Hotel, Cairo
The Flamenco Hotel is in the city centre on Zamalek Island, the diplomatic sector of Cairo overlooking the Nile River. All 173 rooms have recently been refurbished. Each room is equipped with air-conditioning, high-speed access internet, telephone, satellite-TV, safe and mini-bar. It has a bar and full serviced restaurant.

Hotel Website

Obelisk Hotel, Aswan
The hotel is located in the heart of Aswan on the banks of the Nile. Rooms have an outstanding view of the Nile and have free WI-FI available in public areas around the lobby. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, with a bar and plenty of loungers. The hotel also has a bar and restaurant.

Hotel Website 

Iberotel Luxor
On the banks of the Nile with lovely gardens, a floating pool, its own cruiser docked, 2 restaurants and bar. You will have a Nile facing room with a balcony, private bathroom, hairdryer, TV and minibar.

Hotel Website