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Enjoy an exploration of Egypt, starting with three nights in Cairo before flying to Luxor and taking a four night River Nile cruise to Aswan, where the river is at its most beautiful. From here, fly to Abu Simbel and marvel at the magnificent temples then continue to Alexandria on the Mediterranean Coast before returning to Cairo.

Price from $4295 per person, twin share.

Itinerary

Day 1. Arrive Cairo

Upon arrival, transfer and check in to your hotel. Then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Later get to know your fellow travellers during tonight’s Welcome Dinner.
Three Night Stay: Cairo, Sofitel El Gezirah

Day 2. Cairo Sightseeing

On a visit to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, listen to the fascinating narration as you walk through halls full of treasures from various historical periods. Admire treasures from King Tutankhamen’s tomb. After lunch, tour the Old City of Cairo to see Saint Sergius Church, the Citadel of Saladin and the Mohammed Ali Mosque, followed by a visit to ancient Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, where for centuries Egyptians have been bartering for goods.

Day 3. Memphis, Sakkara, Pyramids and Sphinx Excursion

Today travel to Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt. Here see a colossal statue of Ramesses II and a temple dedicated to Hathor. Then tour Sakkara, the burial site of Memphis for 3,000 years. Sakkara contains some 80 pyramids and hundreds of tombs, and is a focal point in Egyptology. Its best-known monument is the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, built in 2650 BC and thought to be the world’s oldest surviving stone building. Then drive to the Giza Plateau, home of the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. Walk through the Valley Temple where the pharaohs were laid out for their funeral before entering the tombs. Then admire the Sphinx, carved almost entirely from one piece of limestone, before returning to Cairo.

Day 4. Cairo – Luxor, Embark Ship

Early this morning, fly to Luxor and board your ship. Luxor became the capital of the New Kingdom around 1500 BC and developed into a major trading centre with luxurious palaces and massive temples. Here, tour the temples of Luxor and Karnak. After dinner, take in a sound and light show at Karnak Temple on the banks of the Nile. Watch in awe as lights reflect on the water and light up the sky as the ancient splendour of Thebes comes to life. This show narrates the story of the temple and the history of Thebes.
Four Night Stay: Moon Goddess

Day 5. Luxor – West Bank and Valley of the Kings – Esna

This morning, take a boat to the West Bank of the Nile River and pass through the ancient town of Thebes to the Valley of the Kings. Here the tomb of Tutankhamen was discovered in 1922. Continue to Deir-el-Bahari, Queen Hatshepsut’s temple. Stop at the Colossi of Memnon then cruise to Esna and watch rural life unfold in a similar way to ancient times. Tonight enjoy an Egyptology lecture on board.

Day 6. Edfu – Kom Ombo

Arrive in Edfu and take a horse carriage ride to the Temple of Horus, Egypt’s best-preserved temple. Continue your cruise to the Temple of Kom Ombo, set dramatically on a hill overlooking the Nile. The ship moors overnight in Kom Ombo.

Day 7. Aswan – Philae Temple

Today explore the Nile in an ancient felucca sailboat. Admire Elephantine Island, the Botanical Garden and the Aga Khan Mausoleum, then visit Philae Temple, one of the last places where ancient Egyptian religions flourished. The construction of Aswan’s High Dam would have flooded Philae Island, so the temple was dismantled and moved to its location today, on Angilika Island.

Day 8. Abu Simbel Excursion, Disembark Ship – Cairo

An included early morning plane excursion takes you to the temples of Abu Simbel, built by Ramesses II as tribute to his favourite wife Nefertari. In the 1960s the temples were cut into pieces and moved to a higher location to protect them from flooding. After lunch, fly back to Cairo.
Stay: Cairo, Mena House Oberoi in pyramid view rooms

Day 9. Cairo – Alexandria

This morning after breakfast, travel by coach to the city of Alexandria. On arrival here, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure before dinner tonight.
Two Night Stay: Alexandria, Sofitel Cecil Hotel

Day 10. Alexandria

Explore Alexandria, built in 332 BC by Alexander the Great. Under Roman occupation, it became the second city of the Roman Empire. The change from a Pagan to a Christian city caused many temples and buildings to be destroyed. In 641, the Arabs took over the city with its 4,000 palaces, 1,200 gardens, 400 circuses and entertaining centres and 500,000 inhabitants. On tour, see Pompey’s Pillar, Montaza Palace, the Nilometer – measuring annual Nile floods – as well as the Roman Amphitheatre and Lighthouse of Alexandria.

Day 11. Alexandria – Cairo

Enjoy the morning in Alexandria, travel via the port town El Alamein on your return to Cairo. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner cruise along the Nile with an entertaining belly dancing performance.
Stay: Cairo, Sofitel El Gezirah

Day 12. Depart Cairo

Your tour ends after breakfast as you transfer to the airport.

Departure Dates

Prices are per person

All prices are displayed in Australian Dollars (AUD)

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