The Itinerary
Day 1
ARRIVE CAIRO, EGYPT
Arrive in Cairo, where you are met by Our representative and transferred to your historic hotel ideally situated just moments from the last remaining Ancient Wonder of the World - the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Marriott Mena House Hotel
Day 2
CAIRO | ANCIENT TREASURES
This morning, join your expert Egyptologist for an exploration of the Egyptian Museum (Or The Grand Egyptian Museum) to view its huge collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Then explore the Egyptian cuisine & enjoy your Lunch with great view of the Nile.
Marriott Mena House Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3
GIZA | THE PYRAMIDS & SPHINX
Today, roam the Giza Plateau, site of the pyramids of Mycerinus and Chephren as well as the Great Pyramid. Built in the Fourth Dynasty (approximately 2690 BC), it is the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Revel in the opportunity to enter the interior of one of these legendary structures, and marvel at the massive stones used to construct them. Ride a camel across the sands of Giza, and then view the Great Sphinx backdropped by the pyramids, a setting that has captured the imaginations of adventurers for centuries. Enjoying Your Lunch with the magnificent view of the nine pyramids.
Marriott Mena House Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4
LUXOR | VALLEY OF THE KINGS & QUEENS
Fly to Luxor, site of the ancient city of Thebes. Begin your full day of exploring by visiting the West Bank, starting at the fabled Colossi of Memnon, two enormous seated statues of Amenhotep III. Proceed to the terraced funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s first female pharaoh, and continue to the Valley of the Kings, burial ground of the pharaohs. See the iconic tomb of Tutankhamun (King Tut), before visiting the former home of the legendary archaeologist who found it, Howard Carter, to see the original tools he used for the excavation. Gain entry to the lesser-visited, well-preserved tomb of Seti I, father of Ramses II. Then, in the Valley of the Queens, explore the tomb of Queen Nefertari, said to be the finest tomb in Egypt. Then, step aboard your elegant river cruiser renowned for the warmth and attentiveness of its service staff. Enjoy lunch on board. This evening, gather for complimentary cocktails and canapés followed by dinner.
M/S Farah
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
LUXOR TEMPLES - SAIL TO ESNA
Begin your day by exploring the east bank of the Nile, starting at the Temple of Karnak, where generations of pharaohs wished to record their names. Walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall, strolling among its expertly aligned columns, which soar to 80 feet high. End the day at the striking Temple of Luxor. View the three large statues of Ramses II along the front of the temple pylons, the Courtyard of Ramses II and the Colonnade of Amenhotep III, with its 50-foot-high columns. Walk in the shadows they cast, as visitors have done since antiquity, and ponder the astonishing feats of engineering and artistry it took to create them.
M/S Farah
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
CRUISING THE NILE | TEMPLE OF HORUS & KOM OMBO
Today, view the Temple of Horus, falcon-headed god of the sky. Built in 230 BC by Ptolemy III, this amazingly well-preserved and colorful structure reveals what temple worship in ancient Egypt was like. Then Back to the Cruise to have your Lunch. Later this afternoon, enjoy a refreshing Scenic Sundowner as you cruise to Kom Ombo. Disembark at Kom Ombo (hill of gold) to visit the Greco-Roman temple dedicated to Haroeris (the sun god) and Sobek (the crocodile god), whom some ancient Egyptians considered the creator of the world. View the mummified remains of several crocodiles that once basked along the ancient Nile shore, just as their descendants do today.
M/S Farah
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
ASWAN | MAJESTIC PHILAE
Cruise to Aswan and ride a motorized boat to Philae Temple on the island of Agilika. A sacred complex dedicated to the goddess Isis that reflects a fusion of three great civilizations, Egyptian, Greek and Roman, it was dismantled, moved and reassembled when the Aswan High Dam was constructed. Proceed to the granite quarries and site of the Unfinished Obelisk. Illustrating the skills of Egypt’s stonemasons, this monolith is taller than any other ancient Egyptian obelisk. Later, Ride Like a Local around the Aswan Islands in a felucca (traditional sailboat).
M/S Farah
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
ABU SIMBEL | TEMPLES OF RAMSES II & NEFERTARI
Today, Check out our Nile Cruise. Disembarking to drive to Abu Simbel and discover the commanding twin temples of Ramses II and his wife, Queen Nefertari. The former’s façade is dominated by four 70-foot-tall statues of the pharaoh. Perhaps even more impressive, this entire site was disassembled and moved here to save it from the floodwaters caused by the Aswan High Dam. Then Fly back to Cairo from Abu Simble. Return to Cairo for an evening at leisure.
St. Regis Cairo
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9
CAIRO | DESIGN YOUR DAY
Drive to Sakkara, site of hundreds of tombs and 14 pyramids, including the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser. After enjoying lunch in Local restaurant, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities:
- Discover Coptic Cairo, visiting a church built where the Holy Family stayed, as well as ancient Ben Ezra Synagogue (subject to availability).
- Tour Islamic Cairo, including a walk in El-Moaz Street, and the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar.
- View the Royal Mummies, and countless other artifacts, as you tour the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.
St. Regis Cairo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10
DEPART CAIRO
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart.
Meals: Breakfast
INCLUDED WITH EVERY LUXURY SMALL GROUP JOURNEY
Professional English-Speaking Egyptology Tour Directors and Local Guides & Photographer
Hand-Selected Luxury Accommodations
Airport Meet and Greet with Private Transfers
Full Breakfast Daily; Select Lunches and Dinners
Your Choice of Activity on Design Your Day
Internet Access
Main Entrance Fees, Taxes, And all the needed permissions
24/7 Support during your itinerary
Guaranteed Departures with Just Two Guests