Proudly standing as one of the world’s most ancient civilisations, Egypt is a treasure trove of century old relics that holds incredible tales of its unparalleled past. Today, Egypt is a timeless blend of well-preserved ancient mysteries and modern influences, offering a multitude of layers to unveil along its iconic River Nile.
On this exciting itinerary, you wander not only through iconic sites like the Pyramids of Giza but also new gems such as the recently discovered Wahtye’s Tomb and the Grand Egyptian Museum. You will also unveil the stunning sites of the Nile as you cruise down the river in luxury.
Itinerary Highlights
- Visit to the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
- Indulging in a luxury cruise down the River Nile, accompanied by a throughout exclusive guide.
- 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Visits to hidden gems like Dahshur’s pyramids
- Option for a private visit to Wahtye's Tomb and sunrise visit to the Pyramids of Giza
- Extend your stay with stylish retreats to Siwa Oasis and/or the Red Sea of Hurghada
Itinerary Outline
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Day 1
Arrival in Cairo
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Day 2
Cairo
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Day 3
Cairo / Nile Cruise - Embarkation at Luxor
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Day 4
Nile Cruise - Luxor / Essna
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Day 5
Nile Cruise - Edfu / Kom Ombo
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Day 6
Nile Cruise - Aswan
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Day 7
Nile Cruise - Aswan / Disembarkation at Aswan
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Day 8
Aswan / Abu Simbel / Cairo
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Day 9
Cairo
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Day 10
Departure from Cairo
Itinerary
Arrival in Cairo
Transfer: Airport to Hotel
The drive from Cairo International Airport to your hotel will be approx. 1hr15min (44km).
Uncover the New Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
We dive straight into the heart of Egypt as we explore the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) which provides a gateway into the Pharaonic Civilisation. Amongst 100,000 other artefacts, it boasts King Tut's iconic golden funerary mask, along with the complete Tutankhamun collection.
Cairo
The Egyptian Wonders
Begin the day at the Giza Plateau, home to the iconic Great Pyramid - the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. On your private tour, explore this monumental feat of engineering alongside the other pyramids that complete the legendary Giza complex.
Continuing along the trails of the UNESCO-listed Ancient Memphis, we stray away from the crowds to Dahshur, with its Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid, some of the earliest and most well-preserved pyramids. Then continue to Saqqara, the necropolis for the ancient city of Memphis, with the unique Pyramids of Dahshur.
Cairo / Nile Cruise - Embarkation at Luxor
Transfer: Cairo to Luxor
Flight transfer to Luxor
After catching a flight to Luxor, we venture along the River Nile onboard a luxury cruise ship. Formerly a site of the Ancient Thebes, the great temple complexes and necropolis in Luxor form the world’s greatest open-air museum earning the distinguished UNESCO World Heritage Site Status.
Nile Cruise Day 1: East Bank Luxor
Discover the iconic sights at the East Bank of Luxor, Karnak Temple Complex with its towering pillars, temples and chapels before continuing to Luxor Museum which exhibits pharaonic art masterpieces collected from the ancient Thebes. We conclude with a sunset visit of Luxor Temple, watching as the temple dedicated to the God Amun becomes illuminated with night lights.
Nile Cruise - Luxor / Essna
Nile Cruise Day 2: West Bank Luxor
As the new day beckons, board a private motorboat into the West Bank of Luxor. Explore the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, including insider’s access to two VIP tombs not usually visited by tourists. Marvel at the unimaginably beautiful colours and pay respect to the resting place where the former mummy of a king can still be found. We then head to Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple, set amidst the rugged structure of the valley.
Nile Cruise - Edfu / Kom Ombo
Nile Cruise Day 3: Temples of the Nile
Our voyage continues towards Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus, built during the reign of King Ptolemy, it is renowned for its remarkably preserved hieroglyphs and grand architecture of ancient rituals and myths. We then move forward to Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and falcon god Horus, featuring a dual design with mirrored halves, each containing its own sanctuaries and chambers.
Nile Cruise - Aswan
Nile Cruise Day 4: Sites of Aswan
Docking in Aswan, we will explore a controversial engineering miracle of the 1960s, the High Dam plays a pivotal role in bringing significant benefits. However, the displacement of many local Nubians’ homes and its effect on the environment sparked much debate.
We proceed to explore The Temple of Philae which was meticulously moved to higher grounds on Agilkia Island due to the flooding caused by the High Dam. Its original location on Philae island also features other key sites such as the Temple of Isis.
Nile Cruise - Aswan / Disembarkation at Aswan
Nile Cruise Day 5: Serenity on Elephantine Island
Our voyage ends today as we continue to the Unfinished Obelisk, another fascinating ancient mystery built from a single piece of granite that could have been one of Egypt’s largest obelisks. We head onward to Elephantine Island, the oldest inhabited part of Aswan. Here we indulge in a stunning sunset ride on a traditional Felucca, stopping by the tranquil Botanical Gardens on Kitchener Island.
Aswan / Abu Simbel / Cairo
Timeless Magnificence of Abu Simbel
We dedicate the day to explore the famous Nubian Monuments of Southern Egypt, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
This morning, we will fly to Abu Simbel to marvel at the colossal Temple of Ramses II and the adjacent Temple of Queen Nefertari set on the stunning setting by Lake Nasser, before flying back to Cairo.
Cairo
Diving into Old Cairo
We uncover a different side of Cairo, as we delve into the sites of Old Cairo. The Egyptian Museum brings the world’s most comprehensive collection of Pharaonic antiquities from various eras. In the afternoon, we enjoy a traditional lunch in Islamic Cairo before strolling the streets donned with rich Islamic culture and monuments. Ending the day, we bask in the vibrant energy of Khan El Khalili Bazaar, a marketplace that brings together Egyptians and tourists alike with its myriad of stalls.
Departure from Cairo
Surprises of Egypt
We close the trip teasing a surprising side of Egypt in Coptic Cairo. This site showcases Egypt’s Christian heritage, including the unique Hanging Church built into the walls of the water gate, and Abu Serga where the Holy Family took refuge after fleeing Israel.
Transfer: Hotel to Airport
The drive will be approx 45min (23km) to Cairo International Airport.
Hotels & Tour Price
Includes
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis
- Meals as stated
- All transportation & transfer on an air-conditioned vehicle
- Local English-speaking expert guide in each city
- All entrance fees in sights stated
- Domestic flight in economy as stated
Excludes
- International airfare and airport taxes
- Beverages where meals are included
- Personal expenses such as gratuities, spa, laundry, telephone and bar bills, etc.
- Visa (if required)
- Travel insurance
- Optional Activities (as separately quoted)