Best of Egypt with Red Sea Holiday

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 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.

Today's sightseeing begins in the Egyptian Museum, where houses a magnificent collection of Pharaonic antiquities. 

In the afternoon you will proceed to Old Cairo to visit the Citadel of Salah El-Din, and the Mohammed Ali Mosque situated high above the city, continue to visit the Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church, where the Holy Family is reported to have stayed, and the Hanging Church, the seat of the Coptic patriarchate for centuries. Visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue, the oldest Jewish synagogue in Egypt. Finish the trip at the Khan El Khalili Bazaar to browse and shop as you wish.

After breakfast, transfer to Alexandria (about 3 hours drive), start your tour to Alexandria to visit El Montazah gardens (exterior only) and The Montazah palace which was the summer home of the Egyptian Royal family. Then continue to the Catacomb (Kom El Shuqqafa), a remarkable example of the Alexandrian blend of Greco-Roman and Egyptian styles carved into 100ft of solid rock.

Next stop will be the newly opened Library of Alexandria. Apart from the main library, the complex will include a library for the blind, a young people's library. You will pass by The Alexandria Conference Center, a science museum, a planetarium, a Restoration and Conservation Laboratory, and the Hall of Fame (exterior only).

After breakfast at hotel, you will drive to El Alamein (about 1.5 hours drive) to visit the El Alamein Museum & Commonwealth Tombs. There were two Battles of El Alamein, both fought in the deserts of North Africa; the Battle was primarily fought between two of the outstanding commanders, Montgomery and Rommel. The Allied victory at El Alamein leads to the retreat of the Afrika Korps and the German surrender in North Africa in May 1943.

After the tour, drive back to Cairo.

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 in to 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, passing by the Elephantine Island and step ashore the Botanical Gardens on the Kitchener Island.

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), 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. Edfu is also very large: the second largest in Egypt after Karnak Temple. 

Early morning sail to Luxor. After breakfast on board, 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 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 remains of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III.

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'll be driven from Luxor across to Hurghada on the Red Sea. This 350 kilometer drive crosses the desert and rock terrain that covers most of Egypt. 

You have the day at leisure to relax and soak up the sun, relaxing by the swimming pool or on the beach. Or sign up for optional activities at your resort (not included in tour price); deep sea fishing, boat excursions, scuba diving or other.

You have the day at leisure to relax and soak up the sun, relaxing by the swimming pool or on the beach. Or sign up for optional activities at your resort (not included in tour price); deep sea fishing, boat excursions, scuba diving or other.

A private transfer to Hurghada Airport for a short flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival, our representative will pick up you and transfer to your hotel for overnight.

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