Day : 1
Arrive Cairo (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
Embrace the whirlwind energy of Cairo - a city unashamedly noisy, chaotic and fearless. On arrival, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure settling into the frenetic pace of the city of a thousand minarets.
Day : 2
Cairo Sightseeing
Number of Days : 1
Journey into antiquity and to a time of Tutankhamun whose priceless treasures, among those from other famous pharaohs, remain on display at the Egyptian Museum which you will have an opportunity to visit on a guided tour. We journey to the dusty landscapes of Giza to see the extraordinary Great Pyramids, including the Pyramid of Cheops and the imposing Sphinx, returning to Cairo this evening for some time at leisure. Spend your evening soaking up the shisha atmosphere of Moez Street or shop up a storm at Khan al Khalili - the choice is yours.
Day : 3
Cairo – Aswan – Nile Cruise (3 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
We leave the cacophony of Cairo behind and board a flight to Aswan to visit its impressive High Dam in whose midst lies the Temple of Isis perched on the Island of Philae. Later, we'll board a luxury Nile cruise ship in time for lunch, before setting sail in a traditional felucca to see Lord Kitchener's exotic palm collection at the Aswan Botanical Gardens and the Aga Khan Mausoleum
Day : 4
Nile Cruise: Kom-Ombo – Edfu
Number of Days : 1
A leisurely morning on the Nile could see you gain insight into how this mighty river has been the region's life source over millennia, or consider an Optional Experience to the imposing sun temple of Abu Simbel, hewn from a solid cliff. This afternoon, we visit the Temple of Kom-Ombo, paying tribute to the gods of Horus and Sobek, before donning traditional Egyptian galabeas for a fun-filled Egyptian dinner and cultural experience.
Day : 5
Nile Cruise: Edfu – Luxor
Number of Days : 1
Walk through Ptolemy XII's mammoth pylon and into the house of Horus, the beloved falcon god who was worshipped at the Temple of Edfu. Later we arrive in Luxor, the gateway to the Valley of Kings and the Valley of Queens, where we'll see the ancient Great Temple which dominates the city.
Day : 6
Disembark – Luxor – Cairo
Number of Days : 1
Delve into the treasures of ancient dynasties, exploring the extraordinary Valley of the Kings, the final resting place of pharaohs over centuries. Admire Queen Hatshepsut's Temple telling the tale of the divine birth of the first female pharaoh, and marvel at the Colossi of Memnon. Our last stop before boarding our flight to Cairo, is the gigantic Karnak Temple Complex with its colossal columns clad in intricate hieroglyphs.
Day : 7
Cairo – Alexandria
Number of Days : 1
Explore Wadi El Natrun (if open), once a refuge for early Christians fleeing Roman persecution, and see its 4th century Coptic Monasteries before journeying to the legendary city of Alexandria. Imagine the ancient seaside settlement in all its splendour during the time of Alexander the Great and Cleopatra as you enjoy spectacular views of the Mediterranean during dinner with your fellow travellers at a local restaurant.
Day : 8
Alexandria Sightseeing – Cairo
Number of Days : 1
In centuries past, Alexandria's famous Lighthouse and Great Library were beacons for travellers and scholars, and today they remain as a testament to the city's great history, which we'll have an opportunity to explore. We'll tour the ancient acropolis, admiring the white marble Roman Amphitheatre and Pompey's Pillar. Our next stop is at the Kom el Shoqafa Catacomb and the National Museum, tracing the story of Egypt. The intricate domes of El Morsi Abu El Abbas Mosque are our last view of Alexandria's great attractions before we return to Cairo this evening.
Day : 9
Depart Cairo
Number of Days : 1
For now, it's time to bid Egypt and our newfound friends a fond farewell before we prepare to depart after the trip of a lifetime. Airport transfers are available, conditions apply.