8 Day Cairo, Nile Cruise & Abu Simbel, Dec 19, Jessica Johnston

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

  • Stand in the shadows of the Pyramids.
  • See the temples of Karnak and Luxor.
  • Stroll through the Valley of the Kings.
  • Sail down the ancient Nile.

Day 1: Sunday, Dec 19, 2021 05:25 am - Arrive in Cairo

Welcome to Egypt! You'll meet your travel representative at Cairo airport, with the rest of the day free. Early check-in & breakfast

Evening, Optional Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids ($40 Per Person Per Trip)

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 2: Monday, Dec 20. Cairo to Luxor

Flight Time 06:20 am Cairo

Transfer to Cairo Airport to fly to Luxor, where you'll meet your guide (wait at Luxor airport, Exit door with your name on the sign board) and travel to the 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.

Continue toTemple 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.

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: Tuesday, Dec 21 Luxor to Edfu

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 on spot).

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: Wednesday, Dec 22 Edfu to Aswan

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: Thursday, Dec 23 Drive to Abu Simbel

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: Friday, Dec 24 Aswan - Fly back to Cairo

Flight Time 15:25 Aswan

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: Saturday, Dec 25 Pyramids & The Egyptian Museum

Start with a classic as you 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: Sunday, Dec 26 Sakkara and Dahshur - End of our Service in Cairo This morning, join your expert tour guide and begin your half-day trip to Sakkara and Dahshur (Price $75 Per Person Per Trip, Can be paid later in cash to your tour guide in Cairo or by credit card). Later, transfer Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino for December 26-29.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

Cairo Hotel

Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo

Nile Cruise

MS Princess Sarah Nile Cruise

Höhepunkte

Included

  • Meet and assist service upon arrival & departure.
  • All transfers to/from airport & hotel by a private air-conditioned vehicle.
  • 3 nights Hotel accommodation in Cairo, hotel with breakfast included.
  • 4 nights Nile Cruise in full board.
  • Domestic flight ticket Cairo To Luxor and Aswan To Cairo.
  • Tour to Abu Simbel Temple by car.
  • Local expert tour guides
  • All sightseeing tours as mentioned in the itinerary.
  • All Nile Cruise excursions as mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Entrance fees to all the sites as indicated on the itinerary.
  • Camel ride during your Pyramids tour& Nile felucca Tour in Aswan.
  • Bottled water during outings outside of hotel.
  • All service charges and taxes.

Excluded

  • International Airfare.
  • Entry visa to Egypt.
  • Any optional tours.
  • Tipping (Gratuities for your tour guides,drivers and cruise crew).

Route

  1. Cairo
  2. Luxor
  3. Edfu
  4. Kom Umbu
  5. Aswan
  6. Abu Simbel
  7. Aswan
  8. Cairo