Follow the ancient Nile down through Egypt to sail to some of the ancient world's most dramatic structures. Spots such as Karnak, Luxor, and Abu Simbel evoke the complex structures of ancient Egyptian life and architecture, while a city tour of Cairo and trip to the Aswan Dam will help bring you into Egypt's present.
Highlights
Day 1: Friday 17 March 2023 Arrive in Cairo
Arrive in Cairo, Where you are met by your Journey to Egypt representative (Before the immigration counters, holding a sign with your name) and transferred to your hotel in Cairo. Meals: No meal.
Day 2: Saturday 18 March Fly Cairo to Luxor
Transfer to Cairo Airport to fly to Luxor, Where you'll meet your Tour guide (Will be waiting you At EXIT DOOR, holding a sign with your name) And travel to the Temple of Luxor. This temple on the Nile's eastern bank was dedicated to the worship of the god Amun, and where the ancient pharaohs may have been crowned.
Continue to Karnak, a vast complex that contains temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings and one of the main places of Egyptian worship during the 18th dynasty. This expansive site is one of Egypt's most-visited attractions, partially due to the length of time that the architecture covers. Nearly 30 pharaohs contributed to the construction and development of the complex, giving today's visitors a survey of Egyptian deities and construction styles.
After you've finished your explorations, board the cruise boat that will be your lodging for the next few nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3: Sunday 19 March Luxor to Edfu- Cruising The Nile
After breakfast on board, Transfer overland to visit the classic attractions at the Valley of the Kings. This ancient valley on the Nile's west bank was the burial ground of pharaohs and nobles from the 16th through 11th century BCE, including the famous tomb of Tutankhamun (Extra Ticket).
You'll then visit the nearby multi-story Temple of Hatshepsut (also known as the Djeser-Djeseru, "holiest of holies"), the burial site of the second historically confirmed female pharaoh. Make one more stop to see the Colossi of Memnon, two 60-foot (18 m) statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III.
Get back on board and Sail to Edfu as you enjoy lunch and afternoon tea on the sundeck, including a trip through the Esna Lock. End the night with dinner and a chance to try traditional Egyptian clothing onboard as you dock overnight in Edfu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4: Monday 20 March Edfu to Aswan - Cruising The Nile
In the morning you'll go ashore after breakfast to travel to the Temple of Horus. The temple to the falcon god was once covered by silt during the flooding of the Nile, but it has since been restored to sit as one of the most beautiful and best-preserved temples of the Ptolemaic era.
Sail to Kom Ombo next, where you'll disembark once more to visit the double temples of Sobek and Haroeris, known for their distinctive symmetrical structure. Though devoted to two separate deities, the temples share one complex and are perfectly balanced along their central axis. Then get back on board to sail to Aswan, where you'll anchor for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5: Tuesday 21 March Drive to Abu Simble
Early morning, make your way to Abu Simbel temple by private vehicle. Here, there are two, majestic temples. Visit the Temple of Ramses II, the most interesting temple is the sanctuary, where there are four statues—including one of Ramses II—and the Temple of Nefertari.
You'll return to the boat in the afternoon, where you'll spend time on river adventures as you ride smaller felucca sailboats down the Nile. Pass the oxymoronically petite Elephantine Island (which may have earned its name due to its resemblance to an elephant tusk shape, or the shape of the rocks on the shore) and the recently built Agha Khan mausoleum.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6: Wednesday 22 March Aswan - Fly back to Cairo
Today's land attraction is more modern, as you'll visit the Aswan High Dam, one of the largest in the world. Then go back to the past with a trip to the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis and seated on an island within the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam. Later, transfer to Aswan Airport to board a flight to Cairo. A travel representative will meet you at the airport.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 7: Thursday 23 March Pyramids & The Egyptian Museum
This morning, join your expert tour guide, Visit the Great Pyramids of Giza, individually known as the pyramids of Cheops, Khafre, and Menkaure. These wonders of the ancient world are one of the first images that come to mind when you think of Egypt, and you'll experience them for yourself, along with the enigmatic Sphinx.
You'll also visit the Egyptian Museum, the richest museum of Egyptian antiquities in the world. See pharaonic treasures more than 5,000 years old, including colossal statues of Ramses II and gold and alabaster trappings and rare jewelry from the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
Day 8: Friday 24 March Depart Cairo
Enjoy one more Egyptian breakfast before your transfer to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotels and Boats
Category: 5 Star Hotel, 5 Star Nile Cruise
Cairo Hotel First Stay: Hilton Cairo Heliopolis
Nile Cruise: Sarah Nile Cruise
Cairo Hotel Second Stay: STEIGENBERGER PYRAMIDS CAIRO