Cairo city pic

Welcome to the land of pharoahs & the world’s most historic destination, Egypt.

You’ll be met by our airport representative who will help you through airport procedures, and be transferred to your hotel for the evening. Free time for the remainder of the day.

HOTEL: Steigenberger El Tahrir or similar (5 star)

Meals: Own arrangement

Activities

• Pyramids of Giza& Great Sphinx

• Grand Egyptian Museum

• Khan El Khalili Market

pyramids pic

An early breakfast before starting your guided tour to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the world, the Great Pyramids of Giza. A single pyramid is built with 2,300,000 blocks, each weighing an average of two and a half tones. One cannot help but feel the wonder and awe.

Next, visit the Great Sphinx. Carved over 4,500 years ago, this mythical creature has the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh, and stands tall guarding the Giza Plateau in Egypt.

After lunch you’ll start your afternoon visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum.(GEM)

The GEM is without doubt Egypt's longest awaited attraction, being 20 years in the making. Here, for the first time you will have the opportunity to visit with your guide to various exhibit halls, main galleries and the colossal statue of King Ramses II near the main staircase.

The last visit of the day is Khan El Khalili Market. Nestled within the vibrant streets of the historic Islamic Cairo, this enchanting world of colors, scents, and cultural treasures offers a place to shop for unique pieces and souvenirs through its whimsical laneways.

Meals: Breakfast

Activities:

• Memphis

• Saqqara Necropolis

• Serapeum of Saqqara

• Dashur (Bent & Red Pyramids)

Saqqara, Memphis

Just south of Cairo, Memphis was once the capital of ancient Egypt and a powerful centre of culture and religion. 

Today, it’s an open-air museum where visitors can see the colossal statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx, offering a striking glimpse into Egypt’s early grandeur.

SaqqaraNecropolis served as a burial ground for pharaohs, high officials, and nobles, reflecting the Egyptian belief in the afterlife and the importance of elaborate burial practices.

This remarkable complex includes the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the Hypostyle Hall and the many tombs which we will visit. You’ll also see plenty of hieroglyphics that adorn the walls of the complex throughout.

The Serapeum of Saqqara is a deeply evocative site and was the burial ground of the Apis bulls, considered sacred animals in ancient Egyptian religion.

The Serapeum represents the Egyptians' belief in the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. 

Finish your day at Dashur, home to two of Egypt’s most fascinating pyramids—the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, both built by Pharaoh Sneferu over 4,600 years ago. 

• The Bent Pyramid: This pyramid is famous for its distinctive "bent" shape. It's believed to be an early experiment by Pharaoh Sneferu in building a smooth-sided pyramid. Imagine the engineering challenges they faced!

• The Red Pyramid: This beauty gets its name from the reddish hue of its limestone stones. It's considered Sneferu's successful attempt at a true pyramid with smooth sides, paving the way for later pyramids like the ones at Giza.

• Transfer back to your hotel for the evening.

Activities

• Philae Temple

• High Dam

• Nile Cruise

Aswan pic

It’s an early start as we transfer to the airport for your 70 minute flight to Aswan – the jewel of the Nile.

Be met & assisted upon arrival at Aswan airport before checking into your Nile Cruise for the next 3 nights.

Activities today include a visit to Philae Temple on the island of Agilkia.

Dedicated to the goddess Isis, the temple is a testament to Egypt's rich cultural heritage. You’ll hear stories from your Egyptologist guide amidst stunning columns and intricate hieroglyphics that adorn the walls throughout. Rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, the temple was moved to its present location, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

Continue your day with a visit to the High Dam. This remarkable engineering feat was built to control the Nile River's flow, provide electricity, and increase agricultural productivity in the region, contributing to Egypt's economic development.

The Unfinished Obelisk is an enormous, partially carved granite obelisk dating back to the reign of Queen Hatshepsut. Had it been completed, it would have stood at about 42 meters and weighed nearly 1,200 tons. Its creation was abandoned when cracks appeared in the stone. Today, it offers unique insights into ancient Egyptian stone-working techniques and the immense effort involved in constructing these monumental structures.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Activities

• Abu Simbel

• Kom Ombo Temple

Abu Simbel,Kom Ombo

Abu Simbel is a famous UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its colossal rock-cut temples and four gigantic statues of Ramses II. Holding a commanding position in front of the temple, you will undoubtedly be awe-struck by their sheer presence. Built by Ramses II, these iconic structures stand as a testament to ancient Egyptian civilization, attracting visitors worldwide with their impressive architecture and rich historical significance. The two colossal temples greeting visitors are dedicated to Pharaoh himself and his beloved wife, Queen Nefertari.

Note: Travel time via private air-conditioned van takes approx 3 hours each way and requires an extra early start to beat the heat of the day and make it back to your cruise before departure.

Why not add a stay in Aswan pre cruise for those wanting a slower pace tour.

On return to our cruise ship, we will sail to Kom Ombo Temple. The Temple is dedicated to both Sobek the crocodile god, and Haroeris the hawk. Kom Ombo temple stands on a promontory at a bend in the Nile, where in ancient times sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the river bank.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Activities

• Edfu Temple

• Esna Lock

• Karnak Temple

• Luxor Temple

Karnak pic ,Luxor

The Edfu Temple, located in southern Egypt, is a stunning example of the well-preserved ancient Egyptian architecture. Dedicated to the falcon god Horus, this temple boasts intricate carvings and towering columns.

Continue north towards Luxor, passing through the engineering marvel of Esna Lock. As the boat enters the lock, the gates will be closed, allowing the water level in the lock to adjust to match the level of the river downstream. Once the water level is equalized, the boat can pass through and continue its journey down the river. Be sure to make your way up on the roof deck to capture the moment.

On arrival into Luxor, you will be transferred to Karnak Temple. Built over more than a thousand years by generations of Pharaohs. the great “Hypostyle Hall” is an incredible forest of giant pillars, covering an area larger than the whole of Notre Dame Cathedral. One of Egypt’s more prized attractions, Karnak is a spectacular complex of sanctuaries, kiosks, pylons and obelisks. Simply put, everything here is on a gigantic scale.

Important note: Karnak Temple visit may be for the Sounds & Light Show and is dependent on the Nile Cruise schedule.

Finish at Luxor Temple. Reigning supreme as one of Egypt's most extraordinary archaeological gems. the temple was built over 3,000 years ago. Marvel at the soaring columns and colossal statues, adorned with intricate hieroglyphics and reliefs depicting scenes from ancient Egyptian mythology and history

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Attractions:

• Valley of the Kings

• Hatshepsut Temple

• Colossi of Memnon

Hatshepsut pic, Valley of the kings

This morning you will disembark your cruise ship and make your way to one of Egypt’s most prized attractions,

Valley of the Kings is located on the west bank of the Nile River in Egypt, this ancient burial ground served as the final resting place for pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom era. Spanning over 500 years, from the 16th to the 11th century BCE, it contains around 63 tombs, including Tutankhamun's famous tomb. These tombs were carved into the rock and adorned with intricate paintings and hieroglyphics. Discovered in the 18th century, the Valley of the Kings remains a significant archaeological site, giving us valuable insights into the ancient Egyptian burial customs and beliefs.

The Valley of the Queens is where many wives of pharaohs, as well as some princes and princesses, were buried. Though its scale may not be as grand as the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs were entombed, it still holds fascinating history and stunning artwork.

You will also have the chance to visit the tomb of Nefertari (subject to being open). Additional cost on the day.

Next, it is onto Hatshepsut Temple. This magnificent ancient structure is in honour of the powerful female pharaoh, Hatshepsut.

Finish at the Colossi Of Memnon. Standing 18 metres tall, the Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues near Luxor, Egypt, depicting Pharaoh Amenhotep III seated on a throne. Erected around 1350 BCE, they originally guarded the entrance to his mortuary temple, which is now mostly in ruins. 

You will now be transferred to the airport this evening for your flight to Cairo and transferred to your hotel for the night.

Meals: Breakfast

This morning after breakfast or at an arranged time, you’ll say a final farewell to Egypt. You will be transferred to the Cairo International airport for your flight out.

Ask us about extending your trip with a stay on the Red Sea.