That calendar you live by—the one with 365 days divided into 12 months—you can thank the ancient Egyptians for the handy invention that helps you manage your time. In this 9-day vacation, you’ll marvel at many other amazing accomplishments of this remarkable civilization. The daunting Great Pyramids, the enigmatic Sphinx and the extraordinary temples of Luxor and Karnak are well worth the journey as are the sparkling treasures inside Cairo’s Egyptian Museum, including the fascinating burial items from the opulent tomb of “King Tut.” As you sail down the legendary Nile from Luxor to Aswan on this enthralling tour of Egypt, you’ll also stand in awe at the Kom Ombo Temple, barter for goods at the bustling bazaars, and sway to the rhythmic drums on a relaxing felucca ride down the Nile.
Special Features Included in this Tour: • Guided sightseeing in Cairo with a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum • Guided visit to the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids of Giza • Four-night Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan • Guided sightseeing tour in Luxor with visit to the Karnak and Luxor Temples, and the Avenue of the Sphinxes• Guided visit to the Temple of Horus• Guided walking tour in Kom Ombo • Cruise on a [LF] felucca (traditional wooden sailing boat) around Kitchener’s Island and the Mausoleum of Aga Khan at Aswan• Flights between Cairo and Luxor and Aswan and Cairo
Notes: Cruise details:Deluxe cabin- featuring twin beds (can convert to double), private en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, tinted panoramic windows.Globus Host service throughout the cruise.Please ask your Travel Consultant for cruise ship details. The ship scheduled to depart for the cruise portion of your vacation is the Movenpick MS Royal Lily.During the cruise, some visits may begin with early morning starts, in order to avoid the crowds for optimum enjoyment at the more popular sites.
Welcome to Cairo! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D) Dinner
Day 2 CAIRO. EXCURSION TO GIZA
Secrets of the Sphinx Your Egyptian discovery starts in the vibrant city of Cairo, located on the River Nile, with a guided sightseeing tour that features a visit to the Egyptian Museum. Later, a short drive to Giza is the start of an iconic visit to see some of the most recognizable landmarks in the world - the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORY & MYSTERY Get up close and personal with The Pyramids of Giza - one of the World’s Seven Wonders. Ponder the enigmatic secrets of the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza. Marvel at the massive monument of Cheops, the most colossal pyramid ever built, with an original height of 496 feet Breakfast
Day 3 CAIRO–LUXOR (EMBARKATION)
River Mysteries Revealed Today, depart Cairo and fly to Luxor. Embark your cruise ship for the start of your Nile River Cruise. Start to get acquainted with the ship and enjoy lunch on board. This afternoon, join the guided sightseeing tour to see the breathtaking Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex in Egypt, and the Luxor Temple, also known as “the Southern Sanctuary”. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ANCIENT CITIES See the stunning monuments of Luxor and Karnak, ancient cities whose combined populations once topped one million. Walk among the pillars of the colossal Temple of Amun Ra and along the Avenue of the Sphinxes for an experience you will treasure for a lifetime BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 4 CRUISING: LUXOR–ESNA–EDFU
Kings, Queens & Captain’s Cocktails Enjoy some free time to explore more of Luxor at your own pace, once the site of Ancient Thebes and still home to an amazing number of Egyptian monuments. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to the West Bank. Back on board, enjoy the captain’s welcome cocktail party and set sail for Edfu. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOTS Venture into the “World’s greatest open-air Museum”, where most of the ruins and artefacts at the site have been preserved and are still in their original forms BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 5 CRUISING: EDFU–KOM OMBO–ASWAN
Egyptian Gods & Gowns Today, in Edfu, visit the impressive Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Return to the ship and enjoy lunch while sailing. Call at Kom Ombo for a guided walking tour featuring the temple dedicated to the crocodile and falcon gods. Enjoy some free time to browse. Continue sailing towards Aswan and this evening enjoy a Galabeya (traditional Egyptian gown) party on board. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE Explore captivating Kom Ombo with a walking tour of its bluff-top twin temples. Gaze at the spellbinding temples dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek-Ra and the falcon god Horus BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 6 CRUISING: ASWAN
Landscapes & Legends of the Nile Today discover Aswan, the land of gold that has kept the treasures of the pharaohs for centuries. [LF] Sail on a felucca (traditional wooden sailing boat) around Kitchener’s Island and the Mausoleum of Aga Khan. This evening, on board your ship, take part in a Nubian Folklore presentation. (B,L,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
EPIC RIDE Sail from Aswan on a felucca, a traditional Egyptian wooden boat with a canvas sail. Capture the wind to move effortlessly around the botanical sanctuary of Kitchener’s Island and the Mausoleum of Aga Khan – the stately and austere dome-topped rose limestone monument and Carrara-marble tomb of the 20th-century religious and political leader BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 7 DISEMBARKATION. ASWAN
At Leisure in Aswan This morning, disembark your ship and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure to explore more of Aswan independently or join an optional excursion. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE with an optional excursion to the High Dam, the Philae Temple, and the Unfinished Obelisk. Learn how in the early 1970s, after the inauguration of the Aswan High Dam, raging floods risked the submersion of Philae. The rescue of these Nubian monuments is thanks to the joint effort between the Egyptian government and UNESCO, who then moved the sanctuary to higher ground. How did they do it? They dismantled the structures into 40,000 blocks and transferred them brick by brick to their new home Breakfast
Day 8 ASWAN–CAIRO
Capital Ideas in Cairo Depart Aswan this morning and take a flight to Cairo. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in this exciting city before joining your travel companions for a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B,D)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE in the “the city of a thousand minarets” with its skyline filled with many mosques, castles, and churches in this bustling and historic metropolis BreakfastDinner
Day 9 CAIRO
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Accommodations
Cairo
Aswan
Cairo
Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah Deluxe
Hotel as shown or similar
3 el thawra council St. Zamalek Cairo Egypt
An urban oasis directly on the Nile, this sophisticated 433-room hotel is located on Gezira Island in the heart of downtown Cairo close to the exclusive Zamalek area with its chic trendy restaurants and galleries. Contemporary fittings in the elegant guest rooms blend French hi-tech with Oriental flair and amenities include air conditioning, iron & ironing board, signature MyBed beds and complimentary Wi-Fi access. Boasting its own riverfront promenade with an open-air floating restaurant & bar, this stunning property also offers a wide variety of restaurants and bars, a casino, a Spa, fitness centre and relaxing outdoor infinity swimming pool overlooking the Nile.
Moevenpick Resort Aswan Deluxe
Hotel as shown or similar
Elephantine Island Aswan Egypt
This 230-room elegant property boasts a beautiful setting on the peaceful elephantine island surrounded by the Nile with landscaped gardens and a spacious outdoor swimming pool. This resort offers three restaurants including a panoramic Restaurant & Bar located at the top of a tower where dinner & drinks are served with spectacular 360 degree views of Aswan and the Nile. The lobby bar is the ideal place to enjoy drinks, cocktails and snacks with a large terrace directly facing the Nile . Air-conditioned guest rooms perfectly blend modern with traditional and offer complimentary Wi-Fi access and coffee/tea making facilities.
Le Méridien Cairo Airport Deluxe
Hotel as shown or similar
Cairo International Airport, Terminal 3 Cairo Egypt
Le Méridien Cairo Airport is a smoke-free 5-story hotel directly linked to Terminal 3 by a pedestrian bridge and is nearby one of the best shopping malls in the city. Onsite unique dining venues range from an elegant Lebanese restaurant to a high-energy Sports Bar, both serving delicious food. A heated outdoor pool set in an oriental garden, a well-equipped fitness center, and free Wi-Fi internet access throughout the property are also available. All 349 guestrooms are specially designed to provide a homey feel with warm classical tones and feature excellent soundproofing, independent air-conditioning system, a seating area, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Rooms amenities include a flat-screen TV with international channels, coffee/tea maker facilities, in-room safe, iron and ironing board, and minibar.