Home Cities - Cairo

Today we depart the US on our international flight to Cairo.

Cairo, Egypt

Welcome to Egypt!! Upon arrival, we will be escorted to our hotel to rest from your travels.

Cairo - Giza Pyramids – Grand Egyptian Museum

Today we start our exploration of the mysteries Egypt holds at the pyramids in Giza and discover the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World. We have a safari on camels, or horse buggy if you prefer, on our way to see the solar boat museum which sits with the pyramids. We continue to the Great Sphinx which was carved out of solid natural rock around 2500 B.C. After a stop for lunch, we visit the Papyrus institute to see how it is made and introduced to ancient Egyptian writing. An explanation is also provided as to what a cartouche is, as we will see them throughout our tour! After a stop for lunch, we continue our tour to the Grand Egyptian Museum, home of the treasures of ancient Egyptian Pharaohs and the most important depository of Egyptian antiquities in the world. 

Back to hotel & overnight.

Sakkara & Memphis- Flight to Luxor

Breakfast & check out.

Today we enjoy a tour to Sakkara which is one part of the old great necropolis of Memphis. Sakkara is probably best known as the location of King Zoser's Step Pyramid, one of the oldest on record. Our excursion proceeds to the old capital of Memphis, which was the capital city of the Old Kingdom. We see the ruins of the Temple of Ptah, and the gigantic colossi of king Ramses the second. While in this area, we visit a local carpet school, and we are able to watch the fascinating skills of those who make rugs by hand. Transfer to Cairo Airport to take our flight to Luxor. We will be met and transferred to our hotel for the night.  

Valley of the Kings - Nile Cruise

We start the tour today by visiting the Valley of the Kings and admire the magnificence of the grandeur of architecture which was used for many kings' burial sites. We visit 3 famous tombs, including the tomb of King Tut Ankh Amen! We pass by the temple built by Queen Hatshepsut, the daughter of Thutmosis I, for a photo opportunity. After our visit, we embark on our deluxe Nile Cruise boat (Radamsis I or similar) which is our home for the next four nights. Tonight, after dinner we have a unique experience of enjoying a fascinating tour around the city of Luxor by night on horse-pulled buggies.

Nile Cruise - Karnak Temple – sailing to Edfu Via Esna

For those who are adventurous and up for a thrill, there is an opportunity for an optional hot air balloon ride this morning over the Valley of the Kings in Luxor (a separate additional fee is required). The view is incomparable and lets you appreciate the large scale of the burial place of many famous pharos. This Morning, we enjoy visiting the Karnak Temple, the greatest example of worship in the history of Egypt. It is dedicated to the god Amon, his wife Mut, and their son Khonsu. Back to the ship, we have lunch and enjoy sailing. As our riverboat moves south to Edfu Via Esna. We pass through a lock on the Nile in Esna which is exciting to see.

Nile Cruise - Edfu Temple – Kom Ombo temple – sailing to Aswan

Our first visit today is to Edfu the most complete temple in Egypt. This afternoon we return to our ship and continue sailing to Kom Ombo to visit the only double temple in Egypt, which is dedicated to Horus the falcon, and Sobek the crocodile. Then we sail to Aswan. Tonight, after dinner, there is an opportunity to attend a traditional Egyptian celebration, with participants dressed in traditional attire, for those that would like to attend. .

Optional Tour to Abu Simbel– Optional tour to the Nubian village.

Optional this morning we have a chance to visit the two spectacular massive rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel (a separate additional fee is required).

Back to the ship and enjoy lunch.

For those who wish, we may take a motorboat up the Nile to a local Nubian village and learn about their culture and visit a local family (a separate additional fee is required).

Aswan - The Famous High Dam - Philae Temple – flight to Cairo – flight back home.

Today we say goodbye to our home on the Nile as we disembark the ship.

After that we visit one of the most beautiful temples in Egypt, the Philae Temple, which is the temple of ISIS, the goddess of magic and maternity. To access this temple, we ride a motorboat, which also provides us our first views of the local terrain and interaction with people. A stop for lunch. We continue to visit the famous High Dam which was built to save Egypt from the wild Nile floods.

Evening flight back to Cairo, arrival into Cairo. Then you take your flight home with memories to last a lifetime early morning flight on April 9th.

Optional for those who would like to spend 1 additional night in Cairo before they travel home, we can offer 1 night at (Novotel Cairo Airport or similar – for a supplement USD 105 per person in double / USD 175 per Single - including breakfast and complimentary Farewell dinner in a local restaurant).