Arrival at Cairo Airport. Meet & assist a tour representative.
Transfer to your hotel.
Accommodation.
Overnight in Cairo.
Get ready for an exceptional day of cultural discovery.
Begin your day in the first capital of the Old Kingdom, Memphis, which dates back to 3200 BC.
Follow this adventure with a visit to the Saqqara Complex – an ancient burial ground home to the world's oldest step-shaped pyramid.
This afternoon, you will get up close to Egypt's most renowned attractions, the pyramids of Giza. These iconic images of Egypt, rising from the Giza Plateau, are some of the last remaining wonders of the ancient world. Their scale and impeccable geometry even have some believing they have unearthly origins. Your expert tour guide will lead you to these incredible Pharaonic tombs, explain their construction, and outline some of the myths and legends associated with them.
Return to your hotel in Cairo and spend the evening at leisure.
Your in-depth discovery of the vibrant city of Cairo continues today as you immerse yourself in a collection of artifacts at the Grand Egyptian Museum. After lunch, head to the vivid Islamic street of El Mo’ezz and explore its countless treasures with your expert local guide. Wander until you stumble across the amazing bazaars of Khan el-Khalili, where you can lose yourself in the bright colors and fragrances of one of the world's oldest marketplaces. Watch vendors prepare local flavors at the iconic El Feshawy Café or explore the Al Attarin spice and El Sagha gold markets.
Take the time to discover the city at your own pace or revisit your favorite sights as you spend the evening at leisure.
After breakfast you will be transferred to Cairo Airport (CAI) for your included flight to Luxor (LXR), formerly known as Thebes. The ruins of this extraordinary city are often described as the world’s greatest open-air museum.
Today you will embark on your five-star Nile Cruise onboard the MS Mayfair with premium facilities onboard, including an outdoor pool. After settling into your comfortable cabin, you'll dock at Luxor, where you will visit the Great Temple of Amun at Karnak. This is one of the world's most celebrated temple complexes, built over a period of some 2000 years, with sections dating back to 2,055 BCE.
Afterwards, take in Luxor Temple, dedicated to the Gods Amun, Mut, and Khonsu – marking it one of the most significant in Egypt. This evening, witness the temple come to life with an evening stroll through the beautifully lit complex.
This morning glide past Luxor towards the stunning Valley of the Kings, where you will visit three royal tombs and learn the significance of many paintings and hieroglyphics.
Afterwards, step back onboard your stylish river cruise and enjoy a delicious locally prepared lunch. Then, uncover the remnants of ancient civilisations as you visit the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, a pair of 17-metre-high statues that used to flank the entrance of the funerary temple of king Amenhotep, Tutankhamen's grandfather. This evening, watch the sunset from the deck as you set sail towards enchanting Edfu.
Step into a horse-drawn carriage to begin the day by discovering the treasures of ancient Edfu, including one of the best-preserved monuments in Egypt – Edfu Temple, which dates back to 237-57 BCE. The temple is dedicated to the god Horus, one of the principal deities of ancient Egypt.
Continue sailing upstream to the town of Kom Ombo, an agricultural settlement that has remained relatively unchanged for over a thousand years. Stroll through the charming village with your guide as you admire the traditional architecture and learn about the villagers' way of life before reaching Kom Ombo temple. Built in approximately 181 BCE, the temple is dedicated to the Horus and Sobek and includes remarkable artefacts including mummified crocodiles.
This evening retire to your ship for an evening of local delicacies with a traditional onboard dinner.
Sail to the city of Aswan and begin your morning with a visit to the Philae Temple. Originally located near the Nile in Upper Egypt, the temple complex was relocated to protect it from the rising waters of the Low Aswan Dam project. This beautiful temple honours Isis – the goddess of health, marriage and wisdom. The temple features decorative pylons featuring some of Egypt's finest carvings.
Following your visit to the temple, you will visit impressive sites including the semi-carved Unfinished Obelisk, and the impressive Aswan High Dam
This afternoon you will swap modern comfort for Egyptian tradition with a sunset felucca experience. Feluccas are boats carved from wood, that have been used to explore the Nile for centuries. Step onboard and set sail toward the impressive Kitchener's Island, where you’ll visit the beautiful Botanical Gardens, before taking in the golden sunset as you return for a final evening onboard your ship.
Today, you will have the opportunity to explore the phenomenal Abu Simbel complex on a fantastic optional excursion. A must-see for all history and archaeology enthusiasts, the two massive temples were carved into the bedrock in impressive detail to honour the rule of Pharaoh Ramesses II. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo (CAI).
You will be transferred to the Hilton Cairo Heliopolis for a relaxing evening at leisure.
Optional Activity Abu Simbel Tour: A$626
Bid farewell to Cairo as your Egyptian adventure comes to an end after breakfast.
Meet in the lobby for your included transfer to Cairo Airport (CAI) to continue your onward journey.
Welcome to Cairo! On arrival at Cairo Airport (CAI), you will be met by a tour representative and transferred to the world-renowned luxury of InterContinental Cairo Semiramis, an IHG Hotel – a desert oasis overlooking the mighty Nile. If you arrive early, why not unwind by the hotel's glistening rooftop pool or explore the exciting bazaars of old Cairo located just steps from your front door
Early this morning, you will depart Cairo to make your way to the Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria, named after Alexander the Great. Upon arrival in Egypt's second-largest city, you'll head underground and delve into the mysteries of the Kom ash-Shuqqafa catacombs.
The mysterious Roman burial site rests 20 metres below street level, a labyrinth of chambers that can accommodate over 300 bodies. Inside, your guide will point out murals and reliefs that suggest Egyptian and Greek funerary myths coexisted.
Afterwards, stop by the strikingly modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, inspired by the original great library of Alexandria, and built to hold over eight million books.
Your Alexandria tour will conclude with a stroll along the Corniche and around Fort Qaitbey where you can enjoy the fresh Mediterranean breeze while learning about the Ottoman invasion.
After breakfast, you will depart Alexandria and be transferred to InterContinental Cairo Semiramis, an IHG Hotel, where your tour will continue.