9-Day Splendid Cairo & Dahabiya Journey – Wednesday, April 2, 2025 – Jean MacIntyre – 2 People from Scotland

Day 1: Wednesday, April 2, 2025 – Arriving in Cairo at 14. 25 
Flying with Lufthansa 582 from Frankfurt

Your representative will meet and assist you at Cairo International Airport (Before the immigration counters, holding a sign with your name) and provide you with an entry visa for Egypt and then he will escort you to your hotel by exclusive air-conditioned deluxe vehicle. Overnight in Cairo. No meal.

Day 2: Thursday, April 3, 2025 – Explore Cairo's Highlights

Start your day with a visit to the Giza Pyramids, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Marvel at the grandeur of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. Learn about the ancient Egyptians' sophisticated engineering techniques and explore the Sphinx, a majestic limestone statue with the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh.

Next, travel to Sakkara, home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest stone structure in Egypt and an architectural precursor to the pyramids of Giza. Explore the surrounding tombs, which feature beautifully preserved reliefs depicting scenes of daily life in ancient Egypt. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 3: Friday, April 4, 2025 – Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)

Your day begins with a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). The GEM Complex currently offers limited access, allowing visitors to explore the Main Galleries, Grand Hall, Grand Staircase, commercial area, and exterior gardens before its official opening. This state-of-the-art museum showcases Egypt’s rich heritage in a modern setting, offering a unique glimpse into the grandeur of ancient civilization.

After your visit, Explore Old Cairo, a historic area that reflects the city's rich religious diversity. Visit the Hanging Church, one of the oldest Christian churches in Egypt, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, a site of great historical significance. Continue to Khan El Khalili Bazaar, a vibrant marketplace where you can shop for unique souvenirs, spices, and traditional Egyptian crafts while soaking in the lively atmosphere. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 4: Saturday, April 5, 2025 – Fly to Luxor and Dahabiya Embarkation

In the morning, fly to Luxor, where our representative will meet you and transfer you to embark on your Dahabiya. Enjoy lunch onboard before heading out for a guided excursion to Luxor’s East Bank. Visit the Temple of Karnak, dedicated to the god Amun and considered one of the most significant places of worship in ancient history. Continue to Luxor Temple, built by Amunhotep III and later completed by Ramses II during the 19th Dynasty. Return to the Dahabiya for dinner and overnight on the West Bank of Luxor. Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

"All sightseeing tours are conducted on a shared basis with a certified professional tour guide."

Day 5: Sunday, April 6, 2025 – Luxor’s West Bank and Cruise to Esna

Start the day with breakfast onboard before heading to Luxor’s West Bank for a guided tour. Explore the Valley of the Kings, the burial site of pharaohs such as Tutankhamun and Ramses VI, then visit the impressive Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a mortuary temple carved into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. Stop at the Colossi of Memnon, the two massive statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that have stood for over 3,000 years. Return to the Dahabiya for lunch onboard and set sail toward Esna, enjoying tea time on the sun deck as you cruise. Dinner will be served onboard while sailing, and you'll spend the night beside an island. Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 6: Monday, April 7, 2025 – Sail to Edfu and Visit Edfu Temple

Enjoy breakfast while crossing Esna Lock, then sail to Edfu, taking in the beautiful views of the Nile and passing villages along the way. Lunch will be served onboard during the journey. Upon arrival in Edfu, visit the Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples, dedicated to the falcon god. Continue sailing toward Al Ramady Island, where dinner will be served onboard, followed by an exclusive Egyptian Rababa show, offering an authentic cultural experience. Spend the night beside Al Ramady Island. Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

On Day 6, you’ll enjoy a memorable Rababa show during dinner, a traditional Egyptian musical experience. 

Day 7: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 – Visit Gebel Silsileh, Kom Ombo & Swim at Hor Diab Island

Begin the day with an early morning visit to Gebel El Silsila, a unique archaeological site hidden within the mountains, which only Dahabiya travelers have the privilege of accessing. While sailing to Kom Ombo, enjoy breakfast onboard. Upon arrival, visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. Lunch will be served while crossing Shekh Fadl Island. Later, arrive at Hor Diab Island, where you’ll have the opportunity to swim in the pristine and crystal-clear waters of the Nile. Dinner will be served onboard while sailing to Aswan, where you’ll spend the night. Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

On Day 7, you’ll have the unique opportunity to swim in the purest and cleanest waters of the Nile at Hor Diab Island.

Day 8: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 – Discover Aswan and Fly to Cairo

After breakfast onboard, disembark from the Dahabiya and embark on a guided tour of Aswan’s most famous sites. Visit the Temple of Philae, a beautiful island temple dedicated to the goddess Isis, accessible by a short boat ride. Continue to the Aswan High Dam, an impressive feat of engineering that controls the flow of the Nile. Following the tour, you will be transferred to Aswan Airport for your flight to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo, transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. Meals Breakfast.

Day 9: Thursday, April 10, 2025 – Next destination


Check out from your hotel and transfer to your next destination as you continue your journey to the desert. Meals: Breakfast.

Day 11: Saturday April 12, 2025 –Transfer to Cairo Airport

Transfer to Cairo airport. Transport to the airport on the 12th instead of the 10th

Hotel Category: 5 Star Hotel

Cairo: First Stay Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo &
Second Stay:  Cairo Zamalek Residences

Luxor & Aswan: Merit Dahabiyas.

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.
 

Regarding your questions:

Felucca Trip: I'll ensure that a felucca ride is included as part of your experience. Typically, it would be arranged during your time in Aswan, allowing you to enjoy the serene beauty of the Nile.
Tutankhamun's Tomb: Yes, it is possible to visit Tutankhamun's tomb. There is an additional entry fee for this. Please ask your tour guide to get the tickets before visiting the Valley of the Kings in Luxor.
Unfinished Obelisk: The Unfinished Obelisk can be added to your itinerary during the Aswan tour. We'll include it in your visit to the Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple.
Ride a camel across the sands of Giza.

Notes: 
A flight change:
We are now arriving in Cairo at 14. 25 
Flying with Lufthansa 582 from Frankfurt
The other thing which I want to mention is that we have booked into the Riverside hotel in Zamalek for our final night ,after our trip to the desert. We thought it may be good to get a flavour of a more "Egyptian" hotel for one night, so our taxi to the airport should be from there. 

We are unable to take our luggage on the desert trip. Can I just confirm that it will be ok to leave it at the Cairo Zamalek Residences  until we return the following afternoon? The Zamalek residences is a short walk from the riverside hotel and so we just plan to pick it up and walk round to the Riverside after we return from the desert trip.