Highlights of Ancient Egypt by Nile Cruise

Thursday. Welcome to Egypt! Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in a shared coach with other members of the tour.

The evening is yours at leisure to explore the vibrant streets of Cairo, or perhaps relax at the hotel, preparing for the Egyptian adventure ahead!

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel, before venturing out for a guided tour to one of the seven wonders of the world - the Pyramids of Giza. Make sure to visit the Cheops Pyramid, as its interior burial chambers are open for visits by the public.

Not far from the Pyramids, you will also visit the Great Sphinx of Giza. This unforgettable statue combines the head of a Pharaoh with a lion's body. Following this, enjoy a quick visit to either the papyrus institute or a perfume shop.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, followed by an afternoon visit to the ancient capital of Memphis and Sakkara, home to the world's oldest pyramid, the Step Pyramid, built for Pharaoh Zoser in 2700 BC. Afterwards, return to the hotel, and the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Explore the rich history of Egypt with a visit to the Egyptian Museum, home to over 120,000 artifacts spanning various eras, including statues, jewels, and Tutankhamen treasures. Then, enjoy lunch at an oriental restaurant before embarking on an afternoon tour of the Citadel, featuring the impressive mosque of Mohamed Ali. The Citadel stands as a medieval masterpiece and a prominent landmark on Cairo's skyline.

Venture into the lively Khan El Khalili bazaars, renowned for their narrow alleyways and distinctive charm. Enjoy some leisure time to stroll through the bustling markets before returning to your Cairo hotel, where the evening is at leisure.

Cairo - Alexandria - Cairo. Kickstart your day with an early breakfast in Cairo before venturing to Alexandria via the desert road (approximately 225 km). Explore the city's highlights, including Pompey's pillars, the Catacombs, and Montazah Gardens. Catch glimpses of the iconic Alexandrina Bibliotheca and Qaitbay Citadel.

Lunch at a local restaurant is followed by a return journey to Cairo.

Cairo - Luxor. After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for your included flight to Luxor. Upon arrival in Luxor, board your Nile Cruiser - home for the next few nights!

In the afternoon, we will explore the East Bank with visits to the Karnak and Luxor Temples. These iconic structures showcase the magnificence of ancient Egyptian civilization. As the day comes to a close, enjoy dinner and music on board as we dock for the night.

Luxor - Esna - Nile Cruising. Wake up bright and early this morning for breakfast, before venturing out for an exploration of Luxor's West Bank. Unearth the ancient secrets within the Valley of the Kings, and marvel at the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.

Following our temple exploration, we'll head back to the cruiser for lunch on board. We then set sail past Esna, cruising along the Nile and enjoying the changing landscapes along the way. Enjoy an onboard dinner, complemented by a Captain's welcome cocktail and a lively disco, as we cruise towards our overnight destination.

Nile Cruising - Kom Ombo - Aswan. Today, start your day with breakfast, with the morning spent at leisure.

After lunch, our journey continues as we set sail to Kom Ombo. Here, delve into the mysteries of the Temple shared by two gods, Sobek and Haroeris. As the day unfolds, our journey continues towards Aswan, where we'll dock for the night. During the cruise, relish dinner, followed by an Egyptian Galabeya party. Join in the tradition of wearing this traditional Egyptian gown for a festive and enjoyable evening onboard.

Start your day with breakfast onboard and embark on a guided tour to explore the marvels of Aswan. Visit the High Dam, an engineering marvel constructed in 1960 to shield Egypt from the annual floods of the Nile. Witness the colossal unfinished obelisk, ordered by Hatshepsut, and marvel at its colossal size. Learn about the restoration efforts in the 1960s, where the Philae Temple was relocated stone by stone to a higher elevation due to seasonal flooding.

Afterward, enjoy lunch onboard as you sail on the Nile by felucca around Kitchener’s Island, catching a glimpse of the Agha Khan mausoleum. Return to the cruiser for dinner and night entertainment featuring a Nubian Show.

Aswan - Abu Simbel (optional) - Cairo. After breakfast, disembark from the cruise and transfer to Aswan airport for your flight to Cairo. Upon arrival at Cairo Airport, you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

For those seeking an extraordinary experience, consider an optional tour to Abu Simbel. Early breakfast and disembarkation are followed by a flight to Abu Simbel. Either join a guided journey to Abu Simbel or opt for a self-guided exploration by exploring the temples at your own pace.

Saturday. Your Egyptian adventure comes to an end. After hotel breakfast and check out, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Safe travels!