NORTH AFRICA EXPLORER

 

Wed   Day 01      AUSTRALIA / DUBAI

Emirates Airlines flies to Dubai from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, as well as Christchurch and Auckland. Most flights stop at Singapore before arriving in Dubai the following day
In flight (Breakfast)

Thu  Day 02       DUBAI / TRIPOLI

Upon arrival in Dubai you will connect to your flight to Tripoli, arriving at 1320. After clearing customs and immigration you will be transferred to your hotel for a 3-night stay. Balance of day free.
Alkendi Hotel (Full Board)

Fri  Day 03        TRIPOLI

After breakfast we depart for the well-known Roman city of Sabratha The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours and follows the Mediterranean for most of the way. After lunch we return to Tripoli. Balance of afternoon free, during which time you may wish to explore the Souk (bazaar) area.
Alkendi Hotel (Full Board)

Sat  Day 04       TRIPOLI

After breakfast we depart for a full day's sightseeing to Leptus Magna , the finest Roman ruin in North Africa. The journey takes approximately 2 hours, and after visiting the main site we will have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch we visit the Circus and Hippodrome before returning to Tripoli late afternoon.
Alkendi Hotel (Full Board)

Sun  Day 05      TRIPOLI / BENGHAZI

After breakfast we walk with our guide to the excellent Libyan National Museum, which is located inside an old Fort. The museum contains some of the world's best Roman artefacts and numerous other displays. After lunch we will be transferred to the airport for our flight to Benghazi, where we arrive early evening.
Tibesti Hotel (Breakfast & Dinner)

Mon  Day 06    BENGHAZI / APOLLONIA

Today we travel adjacent to the coast for 2 hours before clinbing the Libyan plateau. We stop at Wadi Al Kuf, where we walk across a spectacular road bridge which rises more than 220 meters above the valley floor. From here we continue to the impressive ancient Greek city of Cyrene dating from the 7th century BC. Lunch is in a local restaurant, after which we descend to the coast and the ancient city of Apollonia for an overnight stay
Al Manara Hotel(Full Board)

Tue  Day 07      APOLLONIA / TOBRUK

A 4-hour drive, partly through desert, brings us to Libya's third-largest city, which became legendary during WWII. The tenacious defence of Tobruk by the Australian "Desert Rates" assisted by English, South African and New Zealand troops, was a well-known military feat. A visit to the Commonwealth "Knightsbridge" Cemetry and the Australian Tree Hospital is a moving experience. We arrive mid-afternoon at our hotel, which overlooks Tobruk Harbour.
Hotel Almasira (Breakfast & Dinner)

Wed  Day 08     TOBRUK / MARSA MATROUH

A 2-hour drive will bring us to the Egyptian border where after clearing customs and immigration formalities, we descend the Libyan plateau and follow the coast to the resort town of Marsa Matrouh. We will be provided with a lunch box and will arrive mid-afternoon at our hotel, which is scenically situated on a private beach.
Beau Site Hotel (Full Board)

Thu  Day 09     MARSA MATROUH / ALEXANDRIA

After breakfast a 2-hour journey will take us to the famous WWII battlefield of El Alamein. A visit to the museum, which contains interesting displays and photographs as well as WWII aircraft and tanks, is a must. From here we walk to the Commonwealth War Cemetery, with more than 6,000 war graves, before arrving in Alexandria early afternoon for a 2-night stay. Balance of day free.
Hilton Hotel(Breakfast)

Fri  Day 10       ALEXANDRIA

This morning we commence our sightseeing with a visit to the famous Catacombs and Pompei Pillar. We then take an interesting drive along the Corniche, Alexandria's main boulevard adjacent to the beach and harbour. We also stop at the site of the Lighthouse of Pharos, one of the wonders of the ancient world. In the afternoon there is a possibility of visiting the New Library of Alexandria, which is part of the university complex.
Hilton Hotel(Breakfast)

Sat  Day 11      ALEXANDRIA / CAIRO

After breakfast we continue by bus to Cairo, where we arrive in time for lunch. In the afternoon we visit the Great Pyramids of Giza as well as the Sphinx before continuing to our hotel for a 2-night stay.
Famses Hilton Hotel (Breakfast)

Sun  Day 12     CAIRO

Morning tour of Memphis and the step pyramid of Saqqara before returning to our hotel for lunch. Afternoon free, and there will be an opportunity to visit the bazaar, renowned for its many interings handicrafts.
Rames Hilton Hotel (Breakfast)

Mon  Day 13   CAIRO / LUXOR

Early morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival you will be taken to the Temple of Karnak for sightseeing before boarding our ship for lunch. After lunch we visit the Temple of Luxor before returning to our ship for an overnight stay.
On Board Nile Cruise (Full Board)

Tue  Day 14     Luxor / ESNA

This morning we visit the Valley of the Kings and El Deir El Bahari. From here we continue to the Collossai of Memnon before returning to our cruise ship for lunch. In the afternoon we set sail for Esna.
On Board Nile Cruise(Full Board)

Wed  Day 15    ESNA / KOM OMBO

We continue our Nile Cruise by sailing to Edfu, where we visit the Edfu Temple. From here we continue to Kom Ombo where we stop to visit the famous temple.
On Board Nile Cruise(Full Board)

Thu  Day 16     KOM OMBO / ASWAN

This morning we arrive in Aswan, where we take a tour by felluca around Elephantine Island, which contains a botanical garden and the mausoleum of the Aga Kan. There is also an option to attend the Sound & Light Show in Aswan.
On Board Nile Cruise(Full Board)

Fri  Day 17      ASWAN / CAIRO

This morning we visit the Aswan High Dam, the unfinished obelisk and the Temple of Philae. Afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo where, upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Ramses Hilton Hotel (Breakfast)

Sat  Day 18     CAIRO / DUBAI

Morning visit to the Egyptian Museum, which is one of the most exceptional museums in the world. After our visit we make our way to the airport, stopping at Egypt's largest shopping centre for lunch and any last-minute purchases. At the airport we join our flight to Dubai 1915/2350. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Millennium Hotel (Breakfast)

Sun  Day 19     DUBAI / AUSTRALIA

Morning transfer to the airport, where you will connect to your flight to Australia.
In flight

Mon  Day 20   AUSTRALIA

Tour members arrive before breakfast at Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne.