Cairo, Cruise & Red Sea

Welcome to Egypt and the start of your holiday! Arrival Cairo and included transfer to your hotel. The remainder of today is at your leisure to relax and enjoy your hotel facilities, or explore Cairo your way. Consider heading out for dinner at one of the restaurants offering views over the Nile River and city, or head to the sound and light show at the pyramids this evening.

This morning visit the only remaining ancient wonder of the world, the impressive Pyramids at the Giza Plateau. Gaze in awe at Cheops (Khufu) - the largest of the three great pyramids. Constructed from over 2.5 million limestone blocks, it is thought to have taken more than 20 years to construct. The other two - Chephren and Mycerinus are equally breathtaking, and all three Pyramids are truly a sight that can only be fully appreciated in person. Your tour continues to Memphis to see the colossal statue of Ramses II. Afterward, tour the tomb-strewn necropolis of Saqqara, featuring King Zhoser’s step pyramid. Constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh’s chief architect in 2700 BC and the template for all future pyramid construction.

This morning, visit the incredible new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. This vast 490,000 sq.m complex showcases an astonishing collection of artefacts from nearly every period of ancient Egyptian history. Among the highlights are treasures of King Tutankhamun, with plans for his famous solid gold funerary mask to eventually be showcased here, alongside many items being exhibited for the first time.

Later, head to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which remains home to a vast collection of statues, jewellery, and sarcophagi. Here, see the well-preserved mummies of Yuya and Thuyu, high-ranking nobles and the great-grandparents of King Tutankhamun. Some mummies are so well preserved they still have thick locks of hair and visible fingernails.

This afternoon visit the world famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar, with trinkets and delights to be found amongst the many shops and stalls located here. Then continue to The Citadel. This monumental Islamic-era fortification, in the heart of Cairo, was once the seat of government from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Here, you'll visit the beautiful Mosque of Muhammed Ali built in the 1830's, this impressive structure is made from alabaster stone and is a smaller version of the Blue Mosque found in Istanbul.

Cairo - Aswan. After breakfast, take a short flight south to Aswan and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon visit Philae Temple and Aswan High Dam. Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, was rescued in an enormous UNESCO effort in the 1970s. Due to high water levels in the reservoir created by the Old Aswan Dam and further aquatic drama due to the creation of the mighty High Dam, Philae Temple was relocated stone by stone to higher ground on nearby Agilika Island.

Aswan - Abu Simbel - Aswan. It's an early start today as you board a short flight down south to explore the temples of Abu Simbel, created to revere the mighty pharaonic ruler King Ramses II. Guarding the entrance to the temple (built between 1290 and 1224 BC) hewn into the side of a mountain are four famous colossal statues of the pharaoh himself. In a fit of architectural wisdom, Ramses II had the entire temple carefully angled and oriented in order that the sun’s rays would align twice a year on his date of ascension to the throne (in February) and on his birthday (in October) and illuminate the inner sanctum of the temple. The other rock cut temple at Abu Simbel is the Temple of Hathor, which is fronted by six massive standing statues. Four of them represent King Ramses II, the other two are of his beloved wife - Queen Nefertari. Famously, both temples were re-located in a multi-million dollar operation in 1972, further up from the shoreline of Lake Nasser.

Returning to Aswan, you have free time to perhaps do some shopping in the colourful souqs and markets or simply relax in this attractive town which straddles the River Nile. This afternoon board your luxury Nile cruiser for a three night cruise on the River Nile.

Spend the next two days relaxing aboard your luxury Nile cruiser, taking in the riverside village views from the top deck and exploring some of the exciting historical sites located along this stretch of the Nile. On day 6 moor up at the riverside and enjoy a visit to the waterside Temple of Kom Ombo. Consisting of two temples, one dedicated to the Crocodile-headed god Sobek and the other dedicated to the falcon god Horus. On Day 7, you will reach the west bank of Luxor and explore the best of Ancient Thebes - the tomb strewn Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.

After a leisurely breakfast disembark your cruiser to visit Karnak Temple. Karnak is a spectacular myriad of sanctuaries, pylons, chapels, halls and obelisks, all dedicated to the Theban gods and to the greater glory of Egypt’s Middle and New Kingdom rulers. Later explore Luxor Temple, dedicated to Amun, construction work on the temple began during the reign of Amenhotep III in the 14th century BC. Walk along the newly refurbished Avenue of Sphinxes, which connects these two famous sites.

This afternoon travel by car to the stunning Red Sea resort of Hurghada.

Time for R&R! Though there is plenty to do in and around Hurghada. Consider sail boarding, yachting, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling or simply soak up the sun poolside. Hurghada’s central location provides a gateway to prime offshore reefs, which are some of the finest in the world. Hurghada also has a lively nightlife scene and excellent shopping.

Hurghada - Cairo. This morning fly back to Cairo. The afternoon allows free time to relax by the pool or consider some last minute souvenir shopping at the famous Khan el Khalili Bazaar.

Today marks the end of your incredible journey through Egypt. A transfer will be provided to take you to airport to meet your onward flight. Should you wish to book another night or more to further explore more of the city, please enquire.

For information about visas, top travel tips and much more, take a look through our travel guide.