Egypt Highlights & Abu Simbel

Upon arrival at Cairo airport, you will be met in the tunnel by an airport representative who will facilitate the visa process (excluded) and escort you through customs and immigration. Continue to the baggage claim hall and finally to the passenger pick up, you will be introduced to your private driver who will drive you to your accommodation. It can take an hour to get from the airport to your hotel, after checking in, enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace or relax at your hotel.

This morning, meet your private guide at your hotel and driver for a full day tour of the ancient Memphis, Saqqara and the pyramids at Giza. Drive south to Memphis first to visit this ancient capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom, the Alabaster Sphinx and the Statue of Ramses II were rediscovered from Memphis. Then you move on to the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. Finish with the most iconic and largest pyramids at Giza and the mysterious Sphinx, a colossal lion with a pharaoh's head. 

After breakfast, you will explore the Egyptian Museum, where houses a magnificent collection of Pharaonic antiquities. Later, you will proceed to Old Cairo to visit the Citadel of Salah El-Din, and the Mohammed Ali Mosque situated high above the city. Finish the trip at the Khan El Khalili Bazaar to browse and shop as you wish.

In the early morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your short flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your Nile cruise for embarkation. Take some time to get settled into your stateroom and explore the ship. This afternoon, you will explore the Temples of Karnak with your Egyptologist guide. Walk along the Avenue of Sphinx to enter the complex as your guide explains how the massive facade was constructed. Continue to Luxor Temple which was once joined to the Temples of Karnak by a two-kilometer-long Avenue of Sphinx, a portion of which marks the entrance to the temple. Your private guide will offer interpretation and guide you through the most important parts of the temples. Tonight you'll spend overnight onboard at the port in Luxor.

This morning you will meet up with your guide and explore some of the most incredible sites in the country. You will visit the Valley of the Kings where you will have the chance to explore three tombs of the ancient Pharaohs. You will then visit the recently renovated Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut was the second pharaoh of the eighteenth dynasty of Ancient Egypt. The tour also includes a visit to the huge Colossi of Memnon which is all that remains of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. Today you'll sail to Edfu, via locks of Esna. Overnight at the port in Edfu.

After breakfast, you will start the tour from the Temple of Horus (also known as the Temple of Edfu), it is considered the best-preserved cult temple in Egypt. This is partly because it was built later than most: in the Ptolemaic era from 237 to 57 BC. Despite its later date, it reflects traditional pharaonic architecture and so provides an excellent idea of how all the temples once looked. The Temple of Edfu is also very large: the second largest in Egypt after Karnak Temple. 

Sail to Kom Ombo to visit the Greco-Roman Sobek Temple, the temple is unusual in that it is a double temple, with one side dedicated to the god Haroesis and the other side to Sobek.

Sail to Aswan in the afternoon, stay overnight aboard your Nile Cruise in Aswan.

This half day tour begins with a visit to the impressive Aswan High Dam. The water which was collected behind created Lake Nasser, the world's largest artificial lake. View the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the Goddess Isis, on the island of Agilika.

After lunch, you will sail aboard a traditional, non-motorized felucca around Kitchener's Island, step ashore the Botanical Gardens. Stay overnight aboard your Nile Cruise in Aswan.

Disembark from the ship after breakfast. Continue to drive to Abu Simbel in the morning (about 3 hours drive) to visit the two fabulous Temples of Abu Simbel, with their unique style, are considered to be the masterpieces of ancient Egypt. They reflect the glory and grandeur of the new Kingdom. The Egyptian government and UNESCO decided to co-operate in order to save these temples from the flood. The duration of the tour is around one and a half hours. When the tour completes, drive back to Aswan for the flight to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo, transfer to your hotel. 

Enjoy time of leisure in Cairo before private transfer to the airport for your onward flight.