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Golden palm tree beaches of DahabHidden between the mountain peaks of the Sinai and the coral reefs of the Red Sea lies the coastal town of Dahab. In this former hippie paradise, life revolves around diving, snorkelling, relaxing, eating great food and lounging. Visit one of the many Bedouin restaurants and recline for a Bedouin-style dinner on large lounge floor cushions surrounded by colourful tapestries draped over palm tree stems. After dinner, unwind by a wood fire and let the aroma of water pipes filled with apple tobacco entice your senses.This 70s hippie town has been completely modernised. The boulevard, which was once only a sandy path, has now been paved but is still lined by the original palm trees. Naturally this town is geared towards tourists and the Egyptians, but it can't be compared to the ultra-touristy Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh. Dahab, Egypt has maintained its natural, laidback atmosphere and niche appeal. In Arabic, Dahab means ‘gold' - a fitting name for a place where the setting sun casts a golden glow on the pebble beaches lining the coastline. |
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4 days/ 3 nights Departs daily |
Accommodation |
3 nights in charming, centrally located hotel in or just outside of the city centre. Comfort level 3 (see accommodation). |
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Price |
Please see our Contact Us page for more details |
Includes |
Transport, accommodation including breakfast, snorkelling excursion as described below |
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Transport |
Transfer by minibus |
Excludes |
Meals and other excursions |
Day 1: Arrival in Dahab - EgyptMost travellers fly into the airport at Sharm El Sheikh on a domestic flight after their Giza pyramids adventures. Our local representative will be waiting to greet you and will take you to your hotel in Dahab which lies an hour away. We've selected the most memorable accommodation options in and right outside of Dahab for you to stay at. In the evening you can visit the boulevard where the scent of grilled jumbo shrimp will certainly stir up an appetite. Have a fruit cocktail and a pasty at one of the enchanting Bedouin restaurants. If you have some space left for desert, check out Shark Restaurant. The thick floor cushions on the ground offer a great place to lounge as you watch the moon rise above the Saudi mountains on the other side of the sea and listen to the surf softly hit the shore. |
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Day 2: DahabAfter breakfast on the second day of your Egypt holiday, you'll snorkel your way through Dahab's Red Sea underwater paradise. A jeep will take you where you need to be and you'll be able to walk right into the water you'll be snorkelling in. Depending on the current and how many people join you, you'll visit the famous diving spot 'The Blue Hole' (more than 100m deep). When the water is clear you can look all the way down to a depth of 35m. We didn't spend too much time staring down into the dark turquoise waters; instead we preferred snorkelling above a nearby coral reef. You won't believe all the incredible colour combinations at the reef, not to mention the brilliantly coloured fish... Be sure to bring along sunscreen SPF 30 or higher.Once you've spent enough time in the water, you can settle into one of the thick cushions beneath the palm trees on the beach for a cup of Bedouin tea. Spending a day in the water will probably give you a hearty appetite. You can order whatever you like on the beach, from shish kebab and grilled chicken to omelettes or falafel. After you've returned to your hotel, you can spend the afternoon ejoying a sunset camel or horseback ride in the desert. If you like, you can be collected from your hotel on horseback. If you rather take it easy this afternoon, you can relax by the water's edge. |
Day 3: Dahab EgyptIf you can't get enough of Dahab's coral gardens and colourful Red Sea fish, there are plenty of diving and snorkelling spots in the area that you can explore. Each spot is unique and interesting to visit. If you're not much of a water person, there are quite a few excursions you can go on in the area surrounding Dahab. For instance, we suggest watching the sunrise at 2285m on Mount Sinai (Moses Mountain). You can reach the top of this holy mountain after a rugged 3-hour hike along camel paths or by climbing the steps on the Stairway to Heaven. According to the Bible, this is where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. If you want to look out over the golden Sinai desert sunset you'll have to start climbing the mountain at night. Be sure to bring along a torch. In the midst of this rugged landscape, at the foot of the mountain, lies St. Catharine's Monastery. This monastery dates back to the 6th century and is renowned for its Byzantine architecture. It's certainly worth a visit if you're in the area. This excursion can be planned as a day trip or if you would like to travel on to Cairo afterwards, check out our module Moses Mountain desert safari. |
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Day 4: Departure from DahabIf you would like to spend more time relaxing, diving, snorkelling or sightseeing, then you can extend your stay in Dahab by one or more days. It's also quite affordable for novice divers to get their diving certification in Dahab. Intermediate divers can dive down to the remains of the SS Thislegorm. Diving down to this well preserved World War II shipwreck is an unforgettable experience. Army jeeps, motor cycles and even army shoes still rest in their watery grave at a depth of 30m.Dahab is also the gateway to Jordan. It's easy to travel by car and ferry from Dahab to the kingdom across the Red Sea. A ferry will take you to Jordan's coastal town of Aqaba, where you can embark on our Jordan travel module, Wadis and Wonders of the World. For a complete overview of our Jordan travel opportunities, have a look at our Jordan modules. If you prefer to stay in Egypt instead of travelling to Jordan, check out our module Mount Sinai desert safari, or end your trip today and fly back home from Sharm El Sheikh. |
Dahab Egypt accommodation (Click to enlarge)
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