A Boat Ride to an Idyllic Island & the High Dam
1
Temple of Philae
Our tour starts not in Cairo but rather Aswan. We spend the day sightseeing and sleep in our cabin on the cruise ship. Dinner is included after today's tour.
Aswan is the smallest and most relaxed of the major tourist destinations along the Nile River. There we visit two attractions, the High Dam and the Temple of Philae. Construction of the High Dam became a key objective of the government following the Egyptian Revolution of 1952. The ability to control floods, provide water for irrigation and generate hydroelectricity were seen as pivotal to Egypt’s industrialization. The Temple of Philae was the last ancient temple built in the classical Egyptian architectural style (approximately 690 BC). A major multinational UNESCO team relocated the Temple of Philae after the flooding of Lake Nasser.
Please note that this tour (Day 1) begins only on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Duration: 60 minutes
2
Aswan
Also, note that breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on the cruise ship, as are a swimming pool, different fun activities and live entertainment.
Duration: 60 minutes
Starting the Nile Tour with a 5-Star Deluxe Cruise Ship & Visiting Ancient Temples
1
Abu Simbel
Before the cruise ship leaves Aswan, we go on a daytrip to the temples of Abu Simbel. There we are provided with a guided tour. The twin temples were originally carved out of the mountainside in the 13th century BC, during the 19th dynasty reign of the Pharaoh Ramesses II. They serve as a lasting monument to the king and his queen Nefertari and commemorate his victory at the Battle of Kadesh. Their huge external rock relief figures have become iconic. After the tour is breakfast, which is provided to us near Abu Simbel. We then return to the ship. It starts sailing along the Nile River after lunch.
Duration: 3 hours
2
Kom Ombo
In the evening, we disembark the cruise ship. Walking distance from where it docks is an ancient temple called Kom Ombo. There we are provided with a guided tour. Kom Ombo is an unusual double temple constructed between 180-47 BC. It is atypical because everything is perfectly symmetrical along the main axis.
Duration: 2 hours
A Horse Carriage Ride, the Old Market & a Belly Dancing Show
1
Edfu
Today starts with a horse carriage ride to an ancient temple called Edfu. There we are provided with a guided tour. This is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, built between 237 and 57 BC. We then return to the cruise ship and continue sailing along the Nile river. We again disembark in the late afternoon, in the city that is Luxor. The highlights on this evening’s tour are the Luxor Temple and the Old Market. The day ends with dinner and a belly dancing show on the cruise ship.
Duration: 2 hours
A Hot Air Balloon Ride & Sightseeing in the City of Luxor
1
Colossi of Memnon
Our cruise ends this morning and our luggage is taken to the hotel. Just in time for sunrise, we enjoy a balloon ride over the archeological site of Luxor. Afterwards, we are taken to the west bank. There we have breakfast. Next to the restaurant is the Colossi of Memnon. There we see two massive stone statues. Afterwards, we are taken to the Valley of the Kings. There we see 4 ancient tombs of Egyptian kings (a.k.a. pharaohs), including that of the much-revered Tutankhamun.
Duration: 15 minutes
2
Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari
Next, we are taken to Deir el-Bahri. There we see a complex of mortuary temples and tombs. Afterwards, we are taken to Deir el-Medina. There we see an ancient village. Next, we are taken to the Tombs of the Nobles. There we see the burial places of some of the powerful courtiers of the ancient city. Afterwards, we are taken to a memorial temple called Ramesseum. Lunch follows. Next, we are taken to a mortuary temple called Medinet Habu. Lastly, we are taken to the Valley of the Queens. There we see 3 ancient tombs of Egyptian queens, including that of the much-revered Nefertari.
Note that children under 6 years old are not allowed onto the hot air balloon.
Also, note that we cannot guarantee Nefertari will be open. It is often closed for restoration.
Duration: 30 minutes
Giant Historical Complexes & a Charming Marina
1
Temple of Karnak
Before leaving Luxor, we are taken to Karnak Temple. There we are provided with a guided tour. Karnak comprises a vast mix of decayed temples, chapels, pylons and other ancient buildings. Following Karnak Temple is lunch, in the city of Qena. Afterwards, we visit the Dendera Temple Complex. Dendera was a site for chapels from the beginning of ancient Egyptian history. The whole complex, surrounded by a hefty mud brick enclosed wall, covers 40,000 square meters. The day ends in the coastal city of Hurghada, home to a very charming marina area filled with shops and restaurants.
Note that upon request, we can also take you to the sacred city of Abydos. It is not included on our standard tour because it is very much out of the way. The detour would be made from Qena. Abydos includes a royal necropolis where early pharaohs were entombed.
Duration: 2 hours
The Colorful Red Sea & a Very Rich Resort Town
1
El Gouna
After snorkeling in the colorful waters of the Red Sea, we spend the remainder of the day exploring a resort town called El Gouna. Its buildings were designed by many influential European and American architects and were meant to resemble the type of traditional architecture found in the Egyptian countryside generally and in Nubian villages especially. El Gouna is also known for its nice beaches, for its countless yachts and not least, for being environmentally friendly.
Duration: 3 hours
Exploring the Capital That is Cairo & Sailing on a ‘Felucca’
1
Cairo
We take an early-morning and quick flight from Hurghada to Cairo and immediately start sightseeing. Places to visit today are as follow: the Cairo Citadel, Mosque of Ibn Tulun, Abdeen Palace and Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Following our sightseeing tour is a Nile cruise on a ‘felucca’ (a type of small boat). The day ends with a drive to a neighborhood called Zamalek. Upscale nightspots are found in and around this area.
Duration: 7 hours
Camel-Riding, the World Famous Pyramids & Crawling Inside Burial Grounds
1
Giza
We are making a daytrip from Cairo. Firstly, we visit a royal necropolis called Dahshur. Afterwards, we explore the ruins of Memphis. Next, we head to a vast site called Saqqara. There we crawl inside the ancient burial grounds. Next are the world-renowned Giza Pyramids. There we are provided with a guided tour as well as go camel riding. Lastly but definitely not least is the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
Duration: 2 hours
Quad Riding, a Tribal Bedouin Camp, a Fire Show & Dinner
1
Sharm El Sheikh
We take an early-morning and quick flight from Cairo to Sharm El-Sheikh and immediately start sightseeing. Places to visit today are Mustafa Mosque, the old/central market, Mashyia Street and SOHO Square. After the sightseeing tour, we are taken into the desert. There we ride a quad, then visit a tribal Bedouin camp, then go camel riding and finally have a traditional dinner accompanied by a fire show. Dinner is included on this evening’s tour. The night ends in Naama Bay. There we find the best nightlife Sharm El-Sheikh has to offer.
Duration: 2 hours
The Best Snorkeling & Coral Reef Egypt Has to Offer
1
Ras Mohammed National Park
We go on a daytrip today, visiting Ras Muhammad National Park by boat. Lunch and snorkeling are included on today’s tour. More than 220 species of coral are found in the park area, 125 of which are soft coral. Ras Muhammad is also home to more than 1,000 species of fish. Not least, the ship wreckage of the SS Thistlegorm, located off the coast of the park, is definitely a highlight on the tour.
Duration: 5 hours
Our Tour Ends This Morning
1
Sharm El Sheikh
Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Duration: 30 minutes
