1 night in Cairo + 1 night in Luxor + 4 nights on a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan
Itinerary
Day 1
Upon arrival, we will be escorted to our hotel to rest from the travel.
Day 2
Cairo – Giza Pyramids – Egyptian Museum – Flight to Luxor
Today we start our exploration of the mysteries Egypt holds at the pyramids in Giza and discover the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World. We have a safari on camels, or horse buggy if you prefer. We continue on to the Great Sphinx which was carved out of solid natural rock around 2500 B.C. We visit the Papyrus institute to see how it is made and introduced to ancient Egyptian writing. An explanation is also provided as to what a cartouche is, as we will see them throughout our tour!
After a stop for lunch, we continue our tour to the world-famous Egyptian Museum, home of the treasures of King Tut’s tomb and the most important depository of Egyptian antiquities in the world. (The old Museum in Tahrir Square, in case the Grand Egyptian Museum – GEM – will be open, the itinerary and price will change).
Tonight, for those interested, we will make arrangements for you to travel back to the Giza pyramids for a laser light show. (Optional with a supplement of $TBA).
Transfer to the Cairo airport for our flight south to Luxor. Check in our hotel in Luxor & overnight.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 3
Valley of the Kings – Nile Cruise
For those who are adventurous and up for a thrill, there is an opportunity for an optional hot air balloon ride this morning over the Valley of the Kings in Luxor (Optional with a supplement of $TBA). The view is incomparable and lets you appreciate the large scale of the burial place of many famous pharaohs.
Breakfast & checkout:
We start our official tour today by visiting the Valley of the Kings and admire the magnificence of the grandeur of architecture which was used for many kings’ burial sites. We visit 3 famous tombs, excluding the tomb of King Tut Ankh Amen (Optional with a supplement of $TBA). Later, we pass by the temple built by Queen Hatshepsut, the daughter of Thutmosis I, for a photo opportunity.
After our visit, we embark on our deluxe Nile cruise boat which is our home for the next four nights.
Lunch on board. Tonight after dinner we have an option for a very unique experience of enjoying a fascinating tour around the city of Luxor by night on horse-pulled buggies (Optional with a supplement of $TBA).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 4
Nile Cruise – Karnak Temple – Sailing to Edfu Via Esna.
This morning, we enjoy visiting the Karnak Temple, the greatest example of worship in the history of Egypt. It is dedicated to the god Amon, his wife Mut, and their son Khonsu. Back to the ship, we have lunch and enjoy sailing.
As our riverboat moves south to Edfu Via Esna, we pass through a lock on the Nile in Esna which is exciting to see.
Dinner on board, and overnight in Edfu.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 5
Nile Cruise – Edfu Temple – Kom Ombo temple – sailing to Aswan
Our first visit today is to Edfu, the most complete temple in Egypt. This afternoon we return to our ship and continue sailing to Kom Ombo to visit the only double temple in Egypt, which is dedicated to Horus the falcon, and Sobek the crocodile. Then we sail to Aswan. Along the way, tonight after dinner, we enjoy a traditional Egyptian celebration dressed in our traditional wear for those who’d like to attend. Overnight in Aswan.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
Aswan – The Famous High Dam – Philae Temple
After breakfast, we visit the famous High Dam, which was built to save Egypt from the wild Nile floods. We continue on to visit one of the most beautiful temples in Egypt, the Philae Temple, which is the temple of ISIS, the goddess of magic and maternity. To access this temple, we ride a motorboat, which also provides us our first views of the local terrain and interaction with people. Back to the ship and enjoy lunch. For those who wish, we may take a motorboat up the Nile to a local Nubian village and learn about their culture and visit a local family (Optional with a supplement of $ TBA).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
Cairo – Sakkara & Memphis
Today we say goodbye to our home on the Nile as we disembark the ship and take an early flight back to Cairo. From the airport, we depart on a tour to Sakkara, which is one part of the old great necropolis of Memphis. Sakkara is probably best known as the location of King Zoser’s Step Pyramid, one of the oldest on record. Our excursion proceeds to the old capital of Memphis, which was the capital city of the Old Kingdom. We see the ruins of the Temple of Ptah and the gigantic colossi of King Ramses the Second. While in this area, we visit a local carpet school and are able to watch the fascinating skills of those who make rugs by hand.
Tonight we enjoy our last meal together as we prepare for our journey home.
Transfer to Cairo Airport, we depart Egypt and take your flight home with memories to last a lifetime.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner