Essence of Egypt with Nile Cruise

Itinerary

• Day 1: International Arrival, Cairo

  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.

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• Day 2: Cairo

  This morning you are met at your hotel by your private guide 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 of Saqqara. Finish with the most iconic and largest pyramids at Giza and the mysterious Sphinx, a colossal lion with a pharaoh's head. 

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  • Cairo

• Day 3: Cairo

  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. 

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• Day 4: Cairo - Aswan

  An early start for a private transfer to the airport for your short flight to Aswan. Upon your arrival in Aswan, a private transfer to board your cruise ship in Aswan is provided. After settling into your cabin, disembark for a guided trip to the High Dam and the Temple of Philae. The latter is a special site, a shrine to Isis: your guide will explain how UNESCO took steps to relocate it to save it from flooding. Later in the afternoon, you will take an Egyptian Felucca to sail on the Nile, pass by the Elephantine Island and step ashore the Botanical Gardens on the Kitchener Island. 

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  • Nile River Cruise

• Day 5: Nile Cruise: Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu

  Early in the morning, you will set 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. The cruise will continue to sail to Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus (also known as the Temple of Edfu), and 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. 

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  • Nile River Cruise

• Day 6: Nile Cruise: Edfu - Luxor

  Early morning sail to Luxor. After breakfast on board, explore some of the most incredible sites of 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 nearby Valley of the Queens and also the recently renovated mortuary temple of Queen 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 remain of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. 

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  • Nile River Cruise

• Day 7: Luxor - Cairo

   After breakfast on board, you will start your day with a visit to the Temples of Karnak. 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. After the tour, you will be transferred to the airport for a short flight back to Cairo. 

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• Day 8: Cairo, Departure

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

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