Jewels of the Nile

Welcome to Egypt. On arrival at Cairo Airport, you will be welcomed by our local Airport representative PRIOR to immigration who will assist you with your included Egyptian Visa. Your special fast track immigration service ensures priority access. After immigration clearance, you will be assisted with your luggage collection and customs control by our local team, then transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in the Pyramids area. You will be assisted with your hotel check-in then have the remainder of the day at leisure.

A day to remember! Meet your private Egyptologist-Guide and embark on a full day sightseeing tour of the Pyramids, Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
Begin your day with a visit to the impressive site of the Pyramids whose construction began in 2690 BC. The Pyramids of Mycerinus, Chefren and the Great Pyramid of Cheops are the only survivors from the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Face the mystical Sphinx, reputedly used as target practice by Napoleon’s troops.

A reservation is included for lunch (own expense) at the 9 Pyramids Lounge with stunning views overlooking the ancient Pyramids of Giza. This is a unique dining experience, unlike anything else in the world (payment for lunch to be made locally at the restaurant). 

This afternoon, visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to one civilization, near the Great Pyramids of Giza. Spanning seven millennia, the GEM showcases over 100,000 artifacts of Egypt’s rich heritage. Enter to see the colossal statue of Ramses II in the grand atrium, then ascend the Grand Staircase, curated to reflect distinct eras of history. At the top, enjoy panoramic views of the Pyramids and explore the Tutankhamun Gallery, featuring over 5,000 treasures from the Boy King’s tomb. Continue through galleries revealing Egypt’s prehistoric roots, pharaohs, gods, and daily life along the Nile. Conclude with time to browse the museum’s shopping arcade or relax in its cafes.

This morning you will be met at your hotel and transferred by private vehicle to Cairo Airport for your flight to Luxor. On arrival in Luxor embark on your cruise along the life-giving Nile. After lunch on board your cruise ship you will head out to explore one of the world’s most remarkable open-air museums - Thebes. Visit the magnificent Luxor Temple then follow the Avenue of the Sphinx to the Temple complex of Karnak. This gigantic site was added to by approximately 30 different Pharaohs over time, which goes some way to explaining its immense size and majestic grandeur. Dinner on board.

Early this morning you will embark on a journey across the Nile to the West Bank, where a morning filled with remarkable sights awaits. Visit Thebes Necropolis and the burial ground of the Pharaohs – the Valley of the Kings, which houses the tombs of Theban Ruler’s, including the illustrious tomb of Tutankhamun. Next pay a visit to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and see the famed Colossi of Memnon facing the Nile. Bonus: Entry into the tombs of Tutankhamun and Ramses VI. Return to your cruise ship for lunch and set sail for Esna. This evening attend the Captain’s Welcome Cocktail Party, followed by dinner.

In the early hours of the morning your cruise ship will cross the Esna locks and sail for Edfu. Following breakfast on board you will set out to view remains dating back to the Old Kingdom, as well as the revered Temple of Horus – one of the holiest of the Egyptian pantheon of gods. Return to the ship mid-morning and continue sailing to Kom Ombo. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the ship prior to a late afternoon visit to the Kom Ombo Temple. This remarkable temple was jointly shared by the two Gods: Sobek, depicted with the head of a crocodile, and Horus, represented with the head of a falcon. It was constructed during the Ptolemaic period, spanning from 237 to 57 BCE. Admire the beautifully preserved murals and intricate bas-relief, adorned with inscriptions that offer valuable insights into language, mythology, and religion during the Egypt's Greco-Roman era. There will be a Galabeya party on board this evening.

Early this morning your ship will set sail for Aswan. After breakfast visit the High Dam, the Granite Quarries and the beautifully restored Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis (the mother of Horus). This remarkable temple was rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser at the time of the High Dam’s construction. Return for a leisurely lunch on board your cruise ship before setting off mid-afternoon to sail by traditional felucca around Kitchener’s Island with a view of the Agha Khan Mausoleum. This evening attend dinner and a Nubian folkloric show on board.

Optional (supplement applies): Half Day or overnight visit to Abu Simbel
The two temples of Abu Simbel are amongst the most magnificent monuments in the world and considered one of the most impressive archaeological sites in all of Egypt, not only for its historical significance, but also for the great engineering success in moving these temples to their present location. Explore the breathtaking temples, built by Pharaoh Ramses II—one honouring his reign, the other his beloved Queen Nefertari.  
The half day optional tour includes flights Aswan/Abu Simbel/Aswan, meet and assist in Aswan and Abu Simbel, small group or private transfer to the temples, and priority entrance and guides.

Disembark from your cruise this morning after breakfast. You will be met and transferred by private vehicle to Aswan Airport for your flight to Cairo. On arrival at Cairo Airport, you will be met and transferred to your city hotel. Conveniently located in the centre of Cairo, you can spend the remainder of the day at leisure while you soak up the local culture and atmosphere.

Meet your private Egyptologist guide and embark on an enriching journey through Egypt's rich history and. Your first stop is Coptic Cairo, where you will visit the famous Coptic Museum, built on the site of the ancient Roman fortress of Babylon, constructed about 30BC. Inside the fortress are several Coptic churches and the richest collection of Coptic art in the world. Additionally, visit Ben Ezra Synagogue, nestled within a pleasant shady garden in the centre of Cairo, housing several artefacts including the manuscript known as the ‘Atlas of Moses’.

After a break for lunch, walk through Old Cairo with your guide. Start at Bab al-Futuh and stroll through al-Moez Street visiting and viewing the magnificent Islamic architectural heritage including mausoleums, mosques, Sabils (fountains), and medieval houses dating back to the Fatimid and Mamluk periods. If you wish, take a moment to reenergize with a refreshing beverage at Fishawy Café, an optional stop amidst the bustling Khan El Khalili bazaars.

Optional: You have the option today to replace one of your half day tours with the one of the following:
1)   The new discoveries at Sakkara
2)   A visit to the Museum of Ancient Civilisation in Cairo