Day 1, Cairo
Friday. Welcome to Egypt, arrival and transfer to hotel. Spend the remains of the day at leisure.
No meals included.
Day 2, Pyramids of Giza
This morning visit the three great pyramids and Sphinx at the Giza Plateau. Sole survivors of the ancient Greek-listed seven wonders of the world, the pyramids at Giza Plateau are the planet's oldest tourist attraction. Explore this area on foot and then on camel back! In front of the pyramids sits the immense Sphinx, a statue with the face of a man and the body of a lion, carved out of the surrounding limestone bedrock.
Located just a stone's throw from Giza, is tomb-strewn Saqqara. Partially covered tombs, drifting sands and pyramids dotted across the horizon give way to the centre piece - that of King Zhoser's step pyramid. Enjoy a guided tour of the site before returning to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
Day 3, The Egyptian Museum
See the treasures of King Tutankhamen, mummies and more at the Egyptian Museum this morning. The museum is home to the most extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities in the world. Arguably the most famous exhibit is the stunning solid gold funerary mask of the boy-King Tutankhamen.
Continue your touring, visiting the Citadel, built by Salah-El-Din in the 12th century and the bustling Khan el-Khalili bazaar in the afternoon, where you can pick up some souvenirs.
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
Day 4, Dahabaya Cruising
Monday. Cairo - Luxor. This morning take a short flight to the ancient city of Luxor. Short transfer to Esna and board the Dahabeya, your home for the next five nights, as you cruise the Nile in style. Meet your Captain, the crew and your fellow travellers for a welcome drink and introductory meeting with your Egyptologist guide.
After lunch enjoy an afternoon tour to the East Bank. Sightseeing begins with a visit to Karnak Temple. Built over 4,000 years ago, Karnak’s immense Hypostyle Hall alone contains a phenomenal 134 towering columns of intricate stonework. Continue on to the magnificent Luxor Temple, a sumptuous monument, built over 4000 years ago for the worship of the God Amun.
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.
Day 5, Luxor & the Valley of the Kings
This morning there is the option of rising at dawn to take a hot air balloon flight over Luxor before starting your days touring. Today explore Luxor’s West Bank and the atmospheric Valley of the Kings, where the tombs of the once mighty pharaohs lie amongst the desert landscapes of the Nile Valley. The often highly decorated tombs, were constructed to once house the regal sarcophagi enclosed mummies of the pharaohs awaiting their passage into the after-life. Some of the best known tombs are those of Ramses II, Seti I, Amenhotep II and of course, the tomb of King Tutankhamen. Also visit the Valley of the Queens and the magnificent mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, passing the imposing Colossi of Memnon en route. In the afternoon sail in direction of El Hagz Island and enjoy your dinner on board.
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.
Day 6, The Temple of Horus
At sunrise start sailing to Edfu where your private horse drawn carriage will take you from the boat to visit the legendary Temple of Horus, which is the largest and most completely preserved pharaonic, albeit Greek-built, temple in Egypt and one of the last monumental temples built on a large scale. the best preserved and second largest temple in Egypt. Return to the dahabeya and continue sailing to Farris Island.
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.
Day 7, Kom Ombo
This morning visit Kom Ombo - a masterpiece of Greco – Roman art in Egypt. This twin temple is dedicated to two distinct divinities, the falcon God and Sobek the crocodile God. Each of the two gods has their own entrance, court, chambers colonnade and sanctuary in this unusual double temple with its perfect symmetry. After your visit continue sailing toward Aswan. Relax on board and take in the sights along the Nile.
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.
Day 8, Optional Abu Simbel & Aswan
Early morning there is an opportunity to visit the spectacular temples of Abu Simbel by air – optional tour. Built by Ramses II, the setting of this magnificent structure, besides the shores of Lake Nasser makes it one of the most spectacular of Egypt’s ancient sites. This great Sun Temple was created to revere the mighty pharaonic ruler King Ramses II. Guarding the entrance to the temple (built between 1290 and 1224 BC) hewn into the side of a mountain are four famous colossal statues of the pharaoh himself. Please advise at the time of booking if you would like to take this excursion.
Have lunch on the Dahabeya before visiting the High Dam - a modern feat in engineering, creating the world's largest artificial lake - Lake Nasser. Take a leisurely boat ride out to Agilika island for a guided tour of the the beautiful Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis.
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.
Day 9, Fly from Aswan to Cairo
Aswan - Cairo. Today bid farewell to your fellow travellers and the crew and disembark the dahabeya after breakfast. Take an afternoon flight from Aswan back to Cairo. Transfer to your hotel and spend the remains of the day at leisure.
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
Day 10, Cairo
Sunday. After breakfast transfer to Cairo airport for your ownward flight home.
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
