Ancient Wonders of the Nile - Small Group

Arrive in Cairo, a city of more than 20 million people, home to the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Transfer from the airport to your hotel and take time to settle in after the flight. This evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow small group travelers over a drink and small bites, a relaxed start before tomorrow’s sightseeing.

Take an early morning flight to Luxor, then visit the Valley of the Kings with an Egyptologist. Continue to the Colossi of Memnon, the twin statues that once marked the entrance to the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III, before exploring the vast Karnak Temple complex with its halls, pylons and obelisks. In the afternoon, you’ll board your dahabiyya, a smaller traditional Nile boat, to settle into your cabin and have lunch on board, before your first evening on the river.

Enjoy a Relaxed Start on your dahabiyya as it sails along the Nile towards Edfu. On arrival, you’ll go ashore to visit the Temple of Edfu, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples dedicated to the falcon god Horus. Back on board, spend the afternoon on deck with your small group, reading, playing cards or simply looking out at the river as the boat continues its journey. This evening, you’ll travel by boat to Al Ramady, a private Nile island.

Cruise along the Nile this morning on your dahabiyya, passing riverbank villages and palm groves on the way to Gabal El Silsila Temple. Here, you’ll go ashore to visit a small riverside sanctuary set below sandstone cliffs, linked to the area’s ancient quarries. You’ll then continue by boat to Kom Ombo to explore its double temple, dedicated to Sobek and Horus the Elder, and visit the small crocodile museum. In the evening, you’ll return to your dahabiyya for dinner and another night on board with your small group.

Travel by boat to visit Philae Temple, relocated to its island site after the construction of the Aswan High Dam and dedicated to the goddess Isis. Afterwards, explore a local bazaar, with time to browse stalls selling spices, textiles and simple handcrafted souvenirs. Spend your afternoon your way, with your choice. Enjoy an Egyptian cooking demonstration on board, seeing how classic dishes are prepared. Or sit down to tea with your captain to hear more about daily life on the river and working on a dahabiyya.

If you wish, you could join an Optional Experience to Abu Simbel to see the rock temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari on the shores of Lake Nasser. Later, visit the Aswan Women’s Cooperative for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, meeting female artisans at a local weaving school who are preserving traditional techniques. Afterwards, join a local sailor for a felucca ride on the Nile before returning on board for a Gallabiyah party, an evening where you can wear a traditional Egyptian robe with music and simple entertainment hosted by the crew.

Disembark your dahabiyya this morning and fly to Cairo. Visit the Saladin Citadel, including the Ottoman-style Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali with its prominent domes and courtyard. Continue to Coptic Cairo to see the Hanging Church, built above the old Roman gatehouse. This evening is free to explore Cairo at your own pace – perhaps visit Khan el-Khalili bazaar, find a cafe in Downtown Cairo or book a local restaurant for dinner. Alternatively, you can choose from Optional Experiences, including the Giza Sound and Light Show at the pyramids or a Nile cruise with dinner and entertainment.

Travel to the Giza Plateau to see the three Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and view the Sphinx at close range. Explore inside one of the pyramids to see its internal passageways and burial chamber. Later, visit the Grand Egyptian Museum to explore galleries of colossal statues, painted coffins and objects from the tomb of Tutankhamun, including jewelry and ritual items. In the evening, join your small group and your Travel Director for dinner in Cairo to bring your journey through Egypt to a close.

Say goodbye to your small group and your Travel Director this morning as your Egyptian journey comes to an end. A transfer will take you from the hotel to Cairo International Airport for your onward flight.