What’s Included

• 04 nights’ accommodation in Cairo at Conrad or similar on BB Basis.
• 02 nights’ accommodation in Aswan at Sonesta Nouba or similar on BB Basis.
• 04 nights’ accommodation on board of Acamar cruise or similar on FB Basis.
• 03 nights’ accommodation in Luxor at Steigenberger Luxor hotel or similar on BB Basis.
• Flight Cairo-Aswan & Luxor-Cairo – with transfers
• All transfers throughout with air-conditioned private bus
• Entrance fees with entry as mentioned
• English speaking Egyptologist guide throughout
• 14 breakfasts at the hotels and Nile cruise, 13 lunches at local restaurants during tours and Nile cruise, 5 dinners including, welcome Dinner at Conrad
• Mineral water every day on the bus
• Service charge and taxes

What’s Not Included

• Entry visa 
• International flight ticket 
• Insurance – medical or cancellation – both recommended 
• Tips for Egyptian Tour Guide and drivers 

Day-by-Day Itinerary

 

November 2 – Day 1: Hello Cairo & Welcome Dinner

Welcome to Cairo

You will be greeted at the airport by our friendly rep and transferred to your hotel – the central Sofitel El Nile (the former Conrad Hilton or similar)  in the heart of Cairo. In the evening, meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner and short opening presentation by Laura.

Those arriving early (and raring to go) will have the opportunity to take an optional afternoon excursion at 1pm (usually Coptic Cairo).

• Overnight Deluxe Cairo hotel – D

We start our exciting first full day with a visit to the Egyptian Museum at Tahrir, home to many of the greatest treasures of ancient history. This former warehouse of antiquities in a beautiful Neo-Classical building from 1902 is transforming to a Museum of Masterpieces. Beyond the well-known treasures like Khephren Enthroned, the treasures of Tanis and the golden wonders of Yuya and Thuya – you will also find rooms of opulent jewelry, ornate coffins, animal mummies – and strange and ancient curiosities. A microcosm of thousands of years of Egyptian art and history.

After the Museum, We will enjoy  a scrumptious and scenic lunch in the beautiful gardens of Al Azar Park at The Citadel.

After lunch, we will we explore the greatest Islamic building in Egypt: The Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan. This magical place is one of the largest mosques in the world and certainly the finest piece of early-Mamluk architecture dating to 1363 CE. We will venture in to feel the centuries of devotion still residing here – and perhaps even hear the stunning voice of the Muezzin (the one appointed to sing call to prayer). If time permits, we will walk across to visit the 19th c. mosque of El Refai.

From there we will take some time to walk along historic Khan el Khalili – and perhaps stop for mint tea at El Fishawi – before returning to the hotel – or remaining the the bazaar to explore on your own.

• Overnight Cairo, B, L

 

November 4 – Day 3: Giza Plateau In-depth Tour and Musical Evening

The last surviving of the Seven Wonders of the world, the Great Pyramid of Giza is perhaps the most famous tourist site in the world. The Giza plateau itself, with its three major pyramids plus Queen’s pyramids, ancient mastabas, Sphinx, and the ubiquitous and colourful camel drivers is a much-anticipated highlight of any trip.

But in recent years it has got even more exciting and enjoyable: the whole plateau has been modernized and protected. There is a new entrance, beautiful visitor centre and electric vehicles to tour around the different monuments with ease!

More sites on the plateau have been made accessible. This is in part why we have made this day ALL about Giza so we can explore a lot of it – in an indepth way few other tours allow.

For our visit, we will also climb inside the pyramid of Kephren or Khufu – an exciting experience and a real highlight of the Giza visit. While on the plateau, we will also visit the extraordinary Sphinx and Khafre’s valley temple.

Lunch at the beautiful Nine Pyramids View Restaurant

In the evening, we head out to see a colourful and authentic Sufi traditional music and dance show (whirling dervishes) at the 1100-year-old Wekalet El Ghouri Arts Centre! A very special experience.

• Overnight Cairo, B, L

November 5 – Day 4: Dashur Red & Bent Pyramids & National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

This morning we depart west of Cairo again to visit a wonderful Pyramid field at Dashur that few tours include: the great early Bent and Red Pyramids of King Snefru, father of Khufu who built the Great Giza Pyramid. These pyramids date to the early 4th Dynasty – before Giza!

Not only will we walk around and explore this deserted “unworldly” place, we will have a chance to climb inside either or both! A challenging and exciting experience.

We will next take you to lunch in a unique, fun, historic and characteristic place in downtown Cairo: Abou Tarek. Here you will sample one of Cairo’s special dishes – Egyptian Koshari!

After lunch, we head to the new NMEC – The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. We have a tour of the museum, replete with masterpieces of Egyptian arts and crafts through the ages and new home of the Royal Mummies. This will be a special treat as the museum has only fully been open since 2021 and is artfully designed to showcase its wonderful collection of antiquities dating from Pharaonic through Islamic times. The new presentation of the royal mummies in family groups with their burial goods is wonderful to see.

• Overnight Cairo B, L

November 6 – Day 5: The wonders of Sakkara and the Step Pyramid – Fly to Luxor

This morning, we will check out of our Cairo hotel before boaring our bus (you will be assisted).

We will enjoy an intensive full day exploring this rich archaeological site – which is most notably the location of Djoser’s Step Pyramid, the oldest in Egypt. We will see Old Kingdom tombs, such as the breathtaking Mereruke, the mastaba of Ty, the tomb of Khnumhotep and Niankhknum (The Royal Manicurists), the tomb of Ptahotep (please note tombs opening and closures change, we will see tombs that are currently open at the time)

We will also have the exciting opportunity to enter either the Pyramid of King Unas or King Teti, from the later Old Kingdom. Although small, these are the very first to feature pyramid texts carved on its walls, some still retaining traces of ancient colour.

Next, we will tour the Sakkara complex, including the Step pyramid itself, Djoser’s court and the causeway. We hope also to tour the fascinating and splendid Serappeum home of the Apis bull – seldom included on a mainstream tourist visit.

After a long, inspiring tour of the sites of Saqqara, we will have delightful lunch at the Saqqara Palms hotel. From there, we will head to the airport for our evening flight to Luxor.

• Overnight Steigenberger Palace, Luxor B, L

November 7 – Day 6: West Bank Treasures: Deir el Medina & Secret Tombs!

Today we enjoy a leisurely start to savour breakfast pool-side at the lovely Steigenberger right on the Nile!

In the late morning we will head across to the west bank to enjoy a half day of touring some special sites. We start with the stunning Deir el Medina – the village of the workers who built the pyramids – where you can still see their town and houses! We will enter into two of the beautiful jewels of painted tombs they built for themselves to ensure a a lovely afterlife.

After this, we will visit two more exciting west bank tombs or sites that may include the tombs of Pashedu, Rekhmire, or Sennefer.

We will return to our hotel on the West bank for a night of leisure.

• Overnight Luxor Steigenberger, B

November 8 – Day 7: Stunning Denderah Temple and Chicago House Lunch

This morning, we will climb aboard our comfortable coach for a road trip to one of Egypt’s most breathtaking temples – The three-level temple of Hathor at Denderah, It was built during Ptolemaic and Roman times – and is the most complete of Egypt’s ancient temples and one of the best restored. This is where Cleopatra possibly honeymooned with Julius Caesar – and you can see her image at the back. The ceiling of vibrant blue and greens shows sky goddess Nut (pronounced: Noot) swallowing the sun and giving birth to the new day. This is also a very rare two story temple where the New Years Day Festival was celebrated – with Hathor’s union with Horus as the new day sun. Venture deep into the crypt to see strange reliefs. Go up on the roof to see the site of the fascinating zodiac ceiling – the oldest in the world.

Enroute you will experience the vibrant countryside of Egypt – rural towns and villages untouched by time, sailing past the coach window.

We will drive back to Luxor via the West bank where we will have a traditional Egyptian lunch in the relaxing and shady gardens of the Marsam, the oldest hotel on the west bank, adjacent to the excavations at the Amenhotep III temples. Originally built in the 1920s as a house for archaeologists from the University of Chicago, it was later turned into a hotel by Sheikh Ali of the local Abd El Rasoul family. After lunch we will have the option to visit a local alabaster factory or see the Susan Weeks library where local children usually gather.

Back to the east bank to enjoy an evening at leisure on your own. Why not try drinks at the library bar of the famous Winter Palace Hotel?

• Overnight Steigenberger B, L

November 9 – Day 8: A Tale of Two Temples: Karnak Morning and Luxor Temple By Night

After breakfast, we check out of our hotel,, storing our bags on our private air-conditioned vehicle

We head north of town to visit the magnificent Karnak Temple. The largest religious structure in the world, Karnak Temple was built over a period of 3000 years by almost every Pharaoh of Egypt from the Middle Kingdom onwards. Marvel at the great Avenue of the Sphinxes, Hatshepsut’s obelisk – and the great Hypostyle Hall of Ramses the Great and his father Seti I. This incredible hall has recently had its colours restored. We’ll also visit the sacred lake and zoological gardens (engraved in stone) of Thutmosis III.

After Karnak, we head back to the Nile to board our beautiful river boat for a blissful 4-night cruise south to Aswan.

Upon boarding, we will head directly to lunch.

As the sun slowly dips, we will make our way to the very romantic Luxor Temple, with its massive colossi and beautiful temple reliefs. See the great obelisks, colossi and fall under the spell of Ramses, Hatshepsut and Amenhotep III – as the sky turns pink and orange. A beautiful time of day to tour this special place.

We will also get to experience the recently reopened and restored Avenue of the Sphinxes that runs 2 kilometres between Luxor and Karnak Temples

After touring the temple, and meandering down the “Avenue” – time permitting we will make a final quick stop to visit the beautiful Luxor Museum. It is small but a gem of a collection.

After our evening touring, we return to the river boat for a lovely dinner.

• Overnight Acamar Cruise or similar, B, L, D

November 10 – Day 9: Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut Temple

Consider rising early (4am) to soar above the monuments in an optional hot air balloon ride (about $225 USD pp). You will be back by breakfast!

This morning after breakfast aboard our cruise,  we will visit the famous and breathtaking Valley of the Kings, with their vibrant colours and wonderful stories. Here you will have a chance to enter into three of the King’s tombs, based on what is open. You will also have an opportunity to enter into special tombs like Seti I, Ramses V, VI or Tutankhamun (extra cost for these).

Afterwards we will visit the Great Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. This magnificant terraced temple was built by her close friend/advisor Senenmut and features wonderful reliefs of her famous journey to Punt and an especially beautiful small temple to the cow goddess Hathor. The third level is also now open for touring.

After a packed early day of touring, we return to the boat for a relaxing lunch. We should be able to enjoy the cruise southward through the late afternoon. That evening there should be entertainment on board!

• Overnight Acamar cruise, B, L, D

November 11 – Day 10: Edfu, Kom Ombo and cruising

Today will be both a restful day sailing  – but also visiting some very special and beautiful temples from the Greco-Roman period of Egypt

After (or before) breakfast, we will dock the boat and disembark to visit Edfu Temple – the most complete temple in Egypt. This complex and wonderful temple has three levels and is and devoted to the hawk god Horus.

We will have a relaxing afternoon onboard watching the changing shorelines as we cruise south enroute to Aswan.

In the later afternoon, we will visit the unusual double temple of Kom Ombo dating from Ptolemaic times, around 100 BCE. The southern half of the temple was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, god of fertility and creator of the world with Hathor and Khonsu. Meanwhile, the northern part of the temple was dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris, also known as Horus the Elder. We can also visit the crocodile mummy museum.

• Overnight Acamar cruise or similar, B, L, D.

November 12 – Day 11: Camels, Cliffside Tombs – and Philae Temple

Welcome to Why not join us for a morning camel ride (optional approx cost $35USD) to a 6th century Christian monastery “San Simeon” – a very sacred place, perched atop a sandy hill. Also this morning, we will take a boat ride to enjoy a lovely hike and visit some special tombs on the west bank. You will have the option of walking or taking camels to visit the rock-cut tombs of Qubbet el Hawa, cut into the high cliffs across the river from the modern city of Aswan, This is the site of an elite Old and Middle Kingdom cemetery with  “Autobiographies” carved into their facades provide fascinating details of the lives of these men, several of whom led trading and military expeditions south into Nubia.

You’ll enjoy breathtaking vistas as you explore the seldom-visited tombs of the high officials – a real off-the-beaten track experience. We will stop at the ancient rock quarries where the Egyptians got their finest limestone – and climb up to view the great unfinished obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut

Return to the boat for lunch

After lunch we will take a lovely trip to the famous Temple of Philae, home to the Goddess Isis. This temple sits on an island in the middle of the Nile – where it was moved to save it from destruction after the building of the Aswan dam. It is a beautiful romantic temple – and the last surviving temple of Egypt. A fitting final temple site to close out our wonderful tour.

Return to the ship for dinner – and final evening festivities

• Overnight Acamar, B, L, D

November 13 – Day 12: Overland Trip to Abu Simbel Temples

Welcome to Aswan! This morning we disembark early after breakfast from our beautiful cruise and board our coach for a major road trip.  We begin an exciting road trip south to experience the grandeur of what is arguably Egypt’s greatest temples of all: Abu Simbel. Enroute we stop at a marvel of modern engineering: the Aswan High Dam

The huge rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel marked the southern boundary of the Egyptian Empire with Nubia at the peak of its power during the New Kingdom. They were meant to convey the power of Egypt’s rulers to anyone who laid eyes upon them. The great statues of Ramses and his wife Nefertari that adorn their facades are awe-inspiring — and the four statues guarding the doorway to the larger of these temples are the largest sculptures that survive from the Pharaonic era.

We enjoy a typical Nubian lunch at a lovely eco hotel nearby. We will return to Aswan late in the day and check into our hotel! Dinner on our own.

Overnight Sonesta Nouba or similar.

• B, L

November 14 – Day 13: Spice Market, Nubian Museum and a Felucca Ride

Leisurely start to our last day in Aswan!

In the late morning we will visit the fascinating Nubian museum – with it special displays unique to Upper Egypt. From there, we can wander into the famous Aswan Spice bazaar.  We will stop somewhere special for lunch!

Return to the hotel to freshen up – and join a beautiful late afternoon felucca (sailboat) ride around the islands of Aswan. Refreshments will be served – and there will be music!

The evening is yours to enjoy on your own. Perhaps consider a drink or meal at the stunning Old Cataract hotel patio.

•  Overnight Sonesta Nouba or similar B, l

November 14 – Day 14: Return to Cairo – Visit Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)

A grand finale to our wonderful tour, we check out of our hotel in the morning and board our plane. We return to Cairo to see the long-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum, newly opened at the foot of the pyramids.

Laura Ranieri Roy and Francois Roy will be touring the amazing museum along with you and your guide!

The magnificent Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) – the largest and most spectacular archaeological museum in the world at the foot of the pyramids. Here we will wander through 5000 years of Egyptian history – seeing masterpieces like the great colossus of Ramses and the world’s first hanging obelisk to the solar boats of King Khufu and all the dazzling treasures of King Tutankhamun – 5400 pieces — newly restored and brought together in a stunning exhibit that takes you through the story of the boy king’s life. The astounding GEM may be considered yet another wonder of the world that Egypt now can claim.

After touring the museum and late lunch at ZOOBA, we will transfer to the airport to catch your flight home – or continue your travels.

• B, L