Egypts Greatest Treasures

Welcome to Egypt! On arrival at Cairo's international airport, you'll be warmly welcomed by our representative who will assistance you through passport and customs formalities, then transfer you to your selected accommodation for a 3-night stay. The balance of the day and the evening is at leisure.

Today our professional Egyptologist guides you through some of Egypt's 5,000 years of history. Start at Egypt's most famous landmark, the Pyramids of Giza with its Great Sphinx, then tour the new (as of Nov. 2022) Grand Egyptian Museum seeing some of its greatest pharaonic treasures including artefacts from the Tutankhamen Collection. Return to the hotel for a late lunch (own account) and a rest. Later this evening return to the pyramids for a spectacular sound and light show. Overnight at is your hotel.

This morning we explore the Step Pyramid and Saqqara's vast necropolis in ancient Memphis, Egypt's first capital whose ruins rise out of the desert. After a typical lunch at one of Cairo's excellent restaurants, visit the Citadel with its spectacular views of the city, then tour the Coptic Quarter, see Egypt's oldest Jewish synagogue and finally stroll through the exotic Khan El Khalili souk, an Aladdin's cave of rugs, crafts and spices and much more. The evening is at leisure and overnight at your hotel.

Early this morning you are transferred to the airport to fly to Abu Simbel via Aswan. On arrival you will be taken to see the great temples of Abu Simbel with their massive statues of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari that overlook Lake Nasser. After touring this magical site, take the 45-minute flight back to Aswan, where you are met and transferred to your selected accommodation for an overnight stay. The balance of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.

After breakfast you can relax at the hotel or take an optional tour to the nearby Nubian Museum, before being transferred to your selected ship for a 4-night Nile River cruise. After lunch on board, enjoy a delightful trip sailing on the Nile in a felucca. These traditional Egyptian boats with their large canvas sails have been used on the Nile for centuries. During this serene excursion, sail around Kitchener's Island, located in the middle of the Nile. Dinner and overnight is on board your ship.

This morning with the ship's guides, we tour Aswan's highlights that include the Temple of Philae, considered one of Egypt's most beautiful antiquities, then the impressive High Dam and the extraordinary, unfinished obelisk. Returning in time for lunch, the ship starts its cruise down the Nile to Kom Ombo, where, overlooking the river, are two gorgeous temples dedicated to the Gods Horus and Sobek. Afterwards, continue cruising to Edfu where the ship docks for the night. Dinner and overnight is on board your ship.

Here in Edfu, the day starts with a visit to probably the most perfectly preserved of all of Egypt's antiquities, the very impressive Temple of Horus. Then, back on board, enjoy a leisurely afternoon as you sail towards Luxor, passing typical Egyptian villages with the desert as a backdrop. Here life has barely changed throughout the millennia. Later today the ship docks in Luxor, known in ancient times as Thebes. Dinner and overnight is on board your ship.

This morning we cross by ferry to the West Bank and drive into the dramatic Valley of the Kings, the site of many pharaonic burial tombs including Tutankhamun's. Next we visit the Valley of the Queens with its temple of Queen Hatshepsut before stopping to see the Colossi of Memnon. Re-crossing the river and after lunch on board, tour Karnak, considered the largest temple site in the world, and afterwards see the beautiful Temple of Luxor. Dinner and evening is on board your ship.

After breakfast disembark from the ship and transfer to your selected accommodation in Luxor for an overnight stay. The day is free to explore the town on your own or take an optional excursion to the exceptional ruins at Dendera with its temple to the goddess Hathor. This evening is at leisure and overnight at your hotel.

Transfer early today to the airport to fly to Cairo. On arrival you'll be met and driven to Alexandria to spend 2 nights at your selected accommodation. This afternoon discover the fascinating history of Alexander the Great's Mediterranean city on a guided visit to the Alexandria National Museum. Afterwards return to the hotel or, take an optional excursion for time by the sea to swim, walk its lovely beaches or do some water sports. The evening is at leisure at your hotel.

Meet up with your Egyptologist guide after breakfast for an exciting, full-day tour to see Alexandria's many marvels. These include the Catacombs of Kom El-Shogafa, a 2nd Century Roman amphitheatre, Pompey's Pillar located in the ancient acropolis and lastly, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, celebrating what was once the greatest library of the ancient world. By the end of the day, you will have travelled through centuries of history. Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

This morning, after a leisurely breakfast and checking out of the hotel, you will be transferred to the Alexandria train station to board a mid-morning train for the 2 1/2 hour journey through the fertile lands of the Nile Delta to Cairo. On arrival at Cairo's central station, you are met and taken to your selected accommodation for a final night's stay in Egypt. The balance of the afternoon and evening is at leisure at your hotel.

Today, bid a fond farewell to Egypt. Checking out of the hotel, you'll be transferred to the airport for your homeward bound flight.