Egyptian culture was among the earliest civilizations. Egypt’s capital city, Cairo, is Africa’s largest city and has been known for centuries as a center of learning, culture and commerce. The Greek historian Herodotus wrote “Egypt was the gift of the Nile”. On this privately guided tour you will explore Egypt’s marvels and bear witness to its unique history. Visit the Sphinx and see the whirling dervishes. Take a Nile cruise and discover Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. Meet a Nubian family for a traditional dinner. Visit the twin temples of Abu Simbel. Discover Egypt is a historical and cultural adventure of one of the most ancient and influential countries of all times.
Day 1 – Cairo
You will be met by our representative and driven to your lovely accommodation in Cairo. The rest of your day is free to relax or explore as you wish. Overnight in Cairo
Day 2 – Cairo
After breakfast, you will enjoy your guided tour to the pyramids of El Giza and Saqqara. Take a camel ride (2 hours) around the pyramids. Later in the afternoon enjoy the pyramids sound and light show followed by a 2 hour dinner Nile cruise. Watch the belling dancing and whirling dervish show. Overnight in Cairo (B)
Egypt’s pyramids were built as tombs for the country’s Pharaohs or kings and their consorts during the Old and Middle Kingdom. The earliest known pyramids are found at Saqqara, northwest of Memphis, of which is the Pyramid of Djoser (constructed 2630 BC – 2611 BC) during the third dynasty. This pyramid and its surrounding complex were designed by the architect Imhotep, and are considered to be the world’s oldest monumental structures constructed of dressed masonry. The number of workers to build the pyramids range from a few thousand, and up to 100,000.
The pyramids found at Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo are the most famous in Egypt. Several of these pyramids are counted among the largest structures ever built. The Pyramid of Khufu at Giza is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence.
The whirling dance or Sufi whirling, physically active meditation, is associated with dervishes or mendicant ascetics. It is best known in the West by the practices (performances) of an order in Turkey, but also Egypt. It is part of a formal ceremony practiced by many orders. Rumi was a famous dervish.
Day 3 – Cairo/Luxor
You are driven to the Cairo domestic airport to get your flight to Luxor. When you arrive in Luxor you will meet our representative who will drive you to your lovely accommodation. After lunch, visit the Luxor museum to learn about this fascinating culture. Overnight in Luxor
Day 4 – Luxor/Nile (cruise begins)
Early morning balloon ride over the west bank of this marvelous city. After brunch, our representative will meet you and drive you to your 5 star Nile cruise where you will spend the next 4 nights on board. Later you will experience the Karnak and Luxor temples by a guided tour. These are the most famous temples in the world.
You explore Luxor by night on a horse drawn carriage around the city of the pharaohs, ending your ride by having a drink in one of the most famous cafes in Luxor. Overnight on board in Luxor (BLD)
Luxor, as the site of the Ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, has frequently been characterized as the “world’s greatest open air museum”. The ruins of the temple complexes at Karnak and Luxor stand within the modern city. Just opposite, across the Nile River, lie the monuments, temples and tombs on the West Bank Necropolis, which include the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens.
Day 5 – Luxor/Esna-Nile
This morning make an early start to cross the Nile valley and visit the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut temple on a guided tour. On the way back stop by the colossi of Memnon. By lunch time you will start sailing towards Esna. Overnight on board in Edfu. (BLD)
Day 6 – Esna/Edfu/Kom Ombo/Aswan – Nile
Visit Edfu temple, the Temple of Horus, one of the most complete architectures in Egypt dedicated to God Hours the son of Osiris. Sail to Kom Ombo and visit the temple shared by two Gods Sobek and Horus. Sail to Aswan. Overnight on board in Aswan (BLD)
The two main points of interest in Esna are its lively market, which fills a couple of streets and the other is the Temple of Esna. The temple, which has only been partially excavated, is 200 meters from the river and 9 meters below street level.
The Temple of Edfu is located on the west bank of the Nile in the city of Edfu which was known in Greco-Roman times as Apollonopolis Magna, after the chief god Horus-Apollo. The Temple of Horus at Edfu is the most completely preserved of all the temple remains in Egypt.
The location of Kom Ombo on the Nile 50 kilometers north of Aswan gave it control over trade routes from Nubia to the Nile Valley, but its main rise to prominence came with the erection of the temple in the 2nd century BC. The Temple of Kom Ombo is an unusual double temple built during the Ptolemaic dynasty. Additions to it were later made during the Roman period. The building is unique because its double design meant that there were courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms duplicated for two sets of gods.
Day 7 – Aswan/Nile
Today we will enjoy our guided tour to the high dam and Philae temple. In the afternoon you will take a felucca ride around Aswan Islands where you have the opportunity to visit the Elephantine islands and botanical gardens. Visit a Nubian family for a traditional dinner. Overnight on board in Aswan (BLD)
Elephantine Island is said to have received its name after its shape, which is similar to that of an elephant tusk. Another theory says that the island is named so because it was a trading center in the ivory trade. According to Egyptian mythology, it was the dwelling place of Khnum, the ram-headed god, who guarded and controlled the waters of the Nile from caves beneath the island. He was worshipped as part of the Egyptian pantheon of deities.
Day 8- Aswan/Abu Simbel
Cruise ends. Disembark from your river boat. You are met and driven to the airport for your flight to Abu Simbel. The rest of your day is free to relax or explore as you wish. Overnight in Abu Simbel (B)
Day 9 – Abu Simbel
Today explore the Great and Small Temples – Temple of Ramesses II, Nefertari’s Temple of Hathor. Overnight in Abu Simbel
The twin temples at Abu Simbel were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BC, as a lasting monument to himself and his queen Nefertari, to commemorate his alleged victory at the Battle of Kadesh, and to intimidate his Nubian neighbors. However, the complex was relocated in 1968, on an artificial hill made from a domed structure, high above the Aswan High Dam reservoir. The relocation of the temples was necessary to avoid their being submerged during the creation of Lake Nasser, the artificial water reservoir formed after the building of the Aswan High Dam.
Day 10 – Abu Simbel/Cairo
This morning you will meet our representative at your hotel and driven to the airport for your your flight back to Cairo. After you check in to your hotel, enjoy your guided tour to the Egyptian museum and the walking tour around Islamic Cairo, ending by Khan Kallili bazaar. Overnight in Cairo
Day 11 – Depart Cairo
You are driven to the airport for your departure flight or extend your trip with a 3 day/2 night stay on the Dead Sea in Jordan.
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Includes:
– Service of Representatives
– Tour Guide escorting group at all time
– Airport transfers
– Accommodation in 5 stars hotels
– Cairo Dinner cruise.
– Deluxe 5 star Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan for 4 nights on FB basis
– Elephantine islands and botanical gardens
– Transportation in private vehicles as per itinerary.
– All entrance fees
– Internal flights: Cairo – Luxor – Abu Simbel – Cairo .
– Meals as per itinerary
– Felucca ride in Aswan
Does not include:
– International airfare, airport departure and taxes.
– Visa entry to Egypt.
– Extra meals more than listed as part of the itinerary
– Items of a personal nature
– Any item not specified in the “Inclusions”.
– Alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages.
– Any transfers not mentioned in the detailed itinerary
– Any sightseeing not mentioned in the detailed itinerary
– Travel insurance
– Gratuities
– Telephone calls
– Personal items
