Essential Egypt

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.

Overnight Cairo hotel: Standard, Premium, Luxruy or Ultra Luxury options

Meals: Own arrangement

Activities

• Pyramids of Giza & Great Sphinx

• Grand Egyptian Museum

• Khan El Khalili Market

pyramids picGEM

After breakfast start 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.

Overnight Cairo hotel

Meals: Breakfast

Activities

• Philae Temple

• Unfinished Obelisk

• Aswan High Dam

• Sunset Felucca Sail

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your 70 minute flight to Aswan – the “jewel of the Nile.”

Be met & assisted upon arrival at Aswan airport before starting your day’s activities.

Aswan picobelisk

Jump aboard a motor boat for the short journey 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.

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.

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.

Felucca Sailing: There is no better way to embrace the beauty of the Nile River than on a traditional wooden sailing boat known as a felucca. Sit back and take in the tranquil surroundings as you gentle glide through the water at sunset.

Overnight Aswan

Meals: Breakfast

Activities

• Abu Simbel

Abu simebl

Today we head south on an unforgettable private tour of Abu Simbel, the famous UNESCO World Heritage site.

It is renowned for its colossal rock-cut temples and 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.

On return to Aswan you’ll betaken back to your hotel to rest up for the remainder of the day.

Overnight Aswan

Meals: Breakfast

Activities

• Karnak Temple

• Luxor Temple

Karnak pic Luxor dusk

Today you head toward Luxor Temple, Egypt’s famous open air museum. The drive is expected to take 3.5 hours with a brief stop.

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.

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

Overnight Luxor

Meals: Breakfast

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. 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.

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

Finish with a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon, Two colossal statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III in Luxor, guarding his ancient mortuary temple

You will now be transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo.

Overnight Cairo hotel

Meals: Breakfast

This morning after breakfast 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.

Meals : breakfast