9-Day Splendid Cairo & Dahabiya Cruise | Saturday, May 3, 2025 | Graeme Taylor | 6 People (NZ)

DAY 1: SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025 – ARRIVAL IN CAIRO 11:05 AM– WELCOME TO EGYPT

Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, a Journey to Egypt representative will meet you before the immigration counters, holding a sign with your name. You will receive your entry visa for Egypt and then be escorted to your hotel in an exclusive air-conditioned deluxe vehicle. Enjoy a comfortable overnight stay in Cairo. (No meals included).

DAY 2: SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2025 – FLY FROM CAIRO TO LUXOR

After checking out from your hotel in Cairo, you will be transferred to Cairo Airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival at Luxor Airport, your tour guide will be waiting at the exit door with a sign displaying your name. Begin your journey with a visit to the East Bank of the Nile, exploring the magnificent Temple of Karnak, where generations of pharaohs recorded their names. Walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall, surrounded by towering columns reaching 80 feet high. Continue to the Temple of Luxor, marveling at the grand statues of Ramses II, the Courtyard of Ramses II, and the Colonnade of Amenhotep III with its towering columns. Stroll through these ancient monuments, imagining the extraordinary engineering feats of their construction. After the tour, transfer to your hotel in Luxor for an overnight stay. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch).

DAY 3: MONDAY, MAY 5, 2025 – WEST BANK TOUR & JOIN THE DAHABIYA CRUISE

Begin the day exploring the West Bank of the Nile, starting at the Necropolis of Thebes and the massive Colossi of Memnon. Visit the architecturally stunning Temple of Hatshepsut, built in honor of Egypt’s first female pharaoh. Continue to the Valley of the Kings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the burial ground of ancient Egyptian pharaohs. Enter the tomb of Tutankhamun, famously discovered by Howard Carter in 1922.

Afterward, transfer to Esna and board your Dahabiya cruise. Visit the Temple of Esna, dedicated to the ram-headed god Khnum, and explore the beautifully restored Wekalet Al-Geddawi, a historic caravanserai, along with the Ottoman-era market of Al-Qissariya. As you settle in, the Dahabiya sets sail toward El Hegz Village, where you will visit a local family for a unique cultural exchange. Enjoy a delightful dinner and spend your first night onboard, drifting peacefully along the Nile. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

DAY 4: TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2025 – SAIL TO EL KAB & EDFU

After breakfast onboard, sail to El Kab, where you will see the massive walls of the ancient town of Nekheb and explore New Kingdom tombs. Continue sailing toward Edfu and disembark for a visit to the Temple of Horus, one of the most well-preserved temples in Egypt. Explore the grand inscriptions and view Tell Edfu, which includes ancient houses dating back to the Old and New Kingdoms. If time permits, take a stroll through the local market before returning to the Dahabiya. Lunch is served onboard as you continue sailing. Enjoy dinner and another peaceful night on the river. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

DAY 5: WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025 – BISAW ISLAND, EL SELSELA & NILE BARBECUE

Step off the Dahabiya to explore Bisaw Island, where you will walk through farms, meet villagers, and join fishermen in their boats to learn about traditional Nile fishing. Sail onward to El Selsela, an ancient sandstone quarry, where you will visit rock-cut shrines and the chapel of Horemheb, which contains sanctuary carvings, stelae, and inscriptions.

In the evening, enjoy a special barbecue dinner under the moonlight. Relax onboard for another peaceful night drifting along the Nile. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

DAY 6: THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025 – KOM OMBO TEMPLE & NUBIAN EXPERIENCE

After breakfast, visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-headed god Horus. Visit the Crocodile Museum, where you will see mummified crocodiles.

In the nearby town of Daraw, experience an authentic Egyptian market, where you will learn how locals shop and visit a camel barn to understand the camel trade. Visit a Nubian town, where you will learn about the ancient Nubian civilization, one of the oldest cultures along the Nile.

As the Dahabiya sails toward Aswan, you will have the opportunity to swim or kayak in the river. Enjoy a farewell dinner onboard as the final stretch of the cruise unfolds. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

DAY 7: FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2025 – PHILAE TEMPLE – FLIGHT BACK TO CAIRO

Enjoy breakfast before checking out of the Dahabiya. Visit the stunning Temple of Philae, dedicated to Isis, which was relocated to Agilika Island when the Aswan High Dam was built. Ride a motorized boat to explore this fascinating site that reflects Egyptian, Greek, and Roman influences. Continue to the granite quarries to see the Unfinished Obelisk, offering insight into the craftsmanship of ancient Egyptian stonemasons.

Later, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Cairo. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch).

DAY 8: SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2025 – EGYPTIAN MUSEUM, PYRAMIDS & SPHINX

Begin the day with a guided exploration of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, home to an extensive collection of ancient artifacts. Continue to the Giza Plateau, where you will witness the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Mycerinus, Chephren, and the Great Pyramid, the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. Experience a camel ride across the golden sands of Giza and stand before the iconic Great Sphinx, a timeless symbol of Egypt’s history. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch).

DAY 9: SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2025 – FINAL DEPARTURE – 03:20 AM MONDAY

Enjoy breakfast, check out from your room, and spend a leisurely morning at your own pace. Later, transfer to Cairo International Airport for your final departure, carrying with you unforgettable memories of Egypt. (Meals: Breakfast).

Hotel Category: 5 Star Hotel

Cairo: Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo Or Ramses Hilton Hilton Or Cairo Zamalek Residences Or Similar.

Luxor & Aswan: Dahabiya Cruise.

Journey Price

$2580 (Prices are in USD, Per Person, Based on Double Occupancy).

Payment Schedule:

Deposit Per Person at Time of Booking: $1,000

Remaining Balance: To be paid two weeks before arrival.