Alternative Egypt Tour

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With our tours of Sudan and South Sudan, we have been getting a lot of requests for an alternative tour of Egypt, and we couldn’t leave you disappointed. Sure, you could go and get swarmed by the hordes of tourists and sellers in Giza or in Luxor, we like to do things differently however, and as such here is our foray into the lesser-seen side of Egypt.

We’ll be exploring the City of the Dead – an impressive neighbourhood composed of old buildings which have been now occupied by the poorer classes of the country. A frenetic hustle and bustle amongst ruins. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the Garbage City – a slum neighbourhood of the capital literally overrun by trash, an easily overlooked side of our urban, globalised planet.

Obviously a trip to Egypt cannot be complete without visiting any pyramids, so allow us to take you way off the tourist path and explore the rarely seen Bent Pyramid, Red Pyramid and the Pyramid of Djoser. Each with their own unique history and designs.

We’ll spend overnight at a Bedouin camp to give you enough time to explore the White Desert of Egypt. An incredible scenery with a landscape made of white chalk rock formations.

Continue your adventure down to Sudan and Bir Tawil – No Man’s Land, followed by your visit to the world’s youngest country – South Sudan.

ITINERARY

Tuesday 7th November – Cairo

Arrive at your convenience into Cairo – the capital city of Egypt which is well connected from many countries within Africa, Europe and the rest of the world.
Pre-tour meeting will be held at our hotel to go over the coming days itinerary, here you will meet your fellow YPT travellers and guide.
After you will head out with our guide who can assist with purchasing anything you may need in the coming days – local currency, sim cards, etc.
Then head out for your first taste of the local cuisine, hummus, tajine, Fattah and even pigeon for the daring.
Head back to the hotel for a rest or a few drinks with pool table and darts.

Wednesday 8th November – Cairo

Morning

Start your day with a hearty breakfast on the rooftop before departing at 8:30am for your first look at the country’s gems, the pyramids.
For an alternative twist we will first take you to explore the Pyramid of Djoser – considered to be the world’s oldest intact pyramid.
You’ll then explore the lesser-known pyramids. Our first being the Bent Pyramid – which almost collapsed due to a mistake in its design.
The second pyramid you’ll visit is the Red Pyramid – here we can expect zero tourists, in stark contrast to the most famous of the pyramids.
Finally this morning you’ll witness the Pyramids of Giza – which are amongst the most popular tourist destination in the entire world.

Afternoon

Stop for famous middle eastern pastries for lunch.
Continue to the City of the Dead, an ancient necropolis made up of an Arabic cemetery where the less-fortunate of Egypt have settled. Tens of thousands of people live here within mausoleums and tombs. It creates a mixture of bustling living amongst monuments of death. We’ll walk through the neighbourhood as our guide introduce us to the settlers and shares more about the history.
Walk the streets and get up close with the craft shops, and the way most Egyptians in Cairo live.
During your walk you’ll soon find yourself in an ancient mosque, different from most you will find in the middle eastern but none the less impressive. Used as a place of education, worship, and with a great historical past. You can climb the minaret for 360 degrees of the city.
Head out for dinner, drinks and explore the nightlife of Cairo
Overnight in Cairo

Thursday 9th November – Cairo – Oasis – White Desert

Morning

Begin our desert expedition and make our way to the White Desert in our 4X4s – the White Desert is located not too far from Cairo and is one of Egypt’s best kept secrets. The scenery here is like nowhere else with white chalk rock formations rising out from the sand formed through erosion by wind and sand.
Stopping on the way at the Oasis of Bahariya – here you can stretch your legs and take in the scenery

Afternoon

We’ll have a local lunch in a small village nearby Bahariya
For us to arrive at the White Desert we must first make our way through the Black Desert – a region of volcano-shaped and widely spaced mounds reaching a height of 100 meters darkened by volcanic action during the Jurassic period 180 million years ago.
Stop and explore Crystal Mountain – a uniquely shaped ridge standing alone in the middle of the desert made entirely of calcite crystal. A bizarre yet beautiful natural formation to gaze upon.
Arrive at the White Desert – just in time for the stunning sunset.
As the evening darkens you will then pick your own Bedouin encampment. The locals here are traditional goat and camel herders. We will feast under the starry sky of Egypt followed by a Bedouin music party.
Overnight in the Bedouin camp

Friday 10th November – White Desert – Oasis – Cairo

Morning

Wake up in the middle of the desert, and enjoy breakfast as you take in the scenery surrounding you.
Begin exploring the impressive chalk formations of the White Desert with plenty of opportunities for walking and taking photos. There area covers over 300 km2 in total.

Afternoon

Begin making our return to Cairo and stop for lunch at the Oasis of Bahariya.
On arrival we’ll prepare for our farewell feast and enjoy the nightlife.
Overnight in Cairo

Saturday 11th November – Cairo

Morning

Today will be a big day so fill your stomach in the morning, and head to your first stop which will be the Egyptian Military Museum – the official museum of the Egyptian Army.
Don’t get confused by its palace façade, here lies some of the nation’s most important historical figures, and long history of the nation in battle. This is an interesting opportunity to see the long and enduring struggle Egypt has had to remain independent.
We then head to the tent market, this is a great opportunity to try sweets, and purchase any handmade items you wish.
At the end of the market, you will be able to see the old gate of the city of Cairo, you are even able to climb the minaret for a remarkable city which includes the polarising Mohammed Ali Mosque with its grand silver domes that can be viewed from kms away.
We will then drive through the garbage city which is considered the “slums of Cairo”. Here you will discover the meaning behind not judging a book by its cover. This area is home to many wealthy businesspeople who have monetised garbage. Their work is crucial for trying to reduce and recycling paper and metal. Pioneers of tackling environmental issues that the globe faces.

Afternoon

After we will head to our favourite falafel spot in Cairo, fresh sesame and hummus that will get your taste buds going.
After lunch we will explore Coptic Cairo, not only is it a place of ancient and modern history but it is a suburb that has a synagogue, mosque, and church side by side. Representing a tolerance that often goes unheard of in today’s media. Ge ready to challenge your pre-conceived ideas.
Then we will head back to the hotel, get refreshed and have our farewell dinner.

Sunday 12th November – Cairo

Breakfast at hotel
Tour concludes – airport drop-offs can be arranged according to your flight details – YPT is also able to arrange post-tour accommodation or advice for flights. Those apart of our Sudan & Bir Tawil tour will depart from Cairo to Khartoum.

GALLERY

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