Cairo, Nile Cruise and Abu Simbel 8 days/7 nights

Day 1: Arrival in Cairo

Welcome to the mystical lands of Egypt, where the Pharaohs ruled for thousands of years. Upon your arrival at Cairo International Airport, your tour manager will meet and assist you and then you will be escorted through the bustling streets of Cairo in an exclusive air-conditioned vehicle. Once you reach your hotel, the luxurious boutique hotel Le Riad Hotel de Charme Cairo, your tour manager will assist you with your check-in and double-check your itinerary with you to establish and confirm all the pick-up times for all your activities during your trip.

Overnight in Cairo.

Welcome Drink.

Day 2: Pyramids and Islamic Cairo

After enjoying a delicious wholesome breakfast at your hotel, your personal guide will take you to the Giza Plateau to start your journey by marveling at one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramids of Giza. Walk or take a camel over to the iconic Sphinx and Valley Temple. After your pyramids visit, you’ll go for lunch at an authentic Egyptian restaurant and then head over the Egyptian Museum, in the heart of historic Downtown Cairo, overlooking the infamous Tahrir Square. After relishing over the magnificent ancient Egyptian artifacts and treasures, you will be driven through Old Cairo to arrive at the historic Islamic Cairo area where you will explore the vibrant, meandering, treasure-filled alleys of Khan El Khalili, Cairo’s oldest bazaar, if there is time.

Overnight in Cairo.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Visits: Great Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Valley Temple, Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo, Khan El Khalili.

Day 3: Fly to Aswan & Aswan Sightseeing

Today, you will be leaving Cairo and head out to the colorful and cheerful city of Aswan. You will meet your tour manager early in the morning at your hotel where he will accompany you to Cairo Airport to catch your flight to Aswan. Upon landing in Aswan, you will be assisted and whisked away in an exclusive air-conditioned vehicle to visit the famous High Dam, the majestic Philae Temple devoted to the two goddesses Isis and Hathor, and the massive Unfinished Obelisk, still resting on its side in the stone quarries of ancient Egypt. After your visits, you will head back to your hotel in Aswan.

Overnight in Aswan.

Meals: Breakfast.

Visits: High Dam, Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk.

Day 4: Abu Simbel Tour

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at your hotel, your tour manager will pick you up from your hotel to board a modern air-conditioned coach for a trip to the spectacular Temples of Abu Simbel with a small group. Constructed by Ramses II, the two Temples of Abu Simbel, with their unique style, are considered to be the masterpieces of ancient Egypt. They reflect the glory and grandeur of the New Kingdom.

The Egyptian government and UNESCO decided to co-operate in order to save these two temples from the flood that threatened to submerge them because of the Aswan Dam.

The Temples of Abu Simbel are dedicated to the four universal gods Ptah, Re-Her-Akhtey, Amun-Re, and to Ramses II himself. The great Temple of Ramsses II is also called the Sun Temple of Ramesses II. The Temple of Queen Nefertari is also called the Temple of Hathor who was the wife of the Sun God, so in a symbolic way, the two Temples, that of Ramsses II and that of Nefertari bring Ramesses II, Nefertari, Hathor, and the Sun God together as one.

After this mind-blowing visit, you will be escorted to board your luxurious cruise, Salacia Nile cruise, in Aswan.

Overnight aboard your cruise in Aswan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Visits: Abu Simbel.

Day 5: Kom Ombo and Edfu

Enjoy your first breakfast on board your cruise as you sail to Kom Ombo, enjoying the Nile’s breeze while eating. Touch down on the shores of Kom Ombo and walk through the town of Kom Ombo among the locals of the town until you arrive at the unusual Kom Ombo temple with its two identical entrances, hypostyle halls, and sanctuaries. After your visit, head back to your cruise where you will enjoy an appetizing lunch while sailing to your second stop of the day, Edfu.

Upon arrival, head out and visit Edfu Temple, one of the best-preserved temples of the Greco Roman era, that of Horus at Edfu. Enjoy a magnificent experience as you take a horse-drawn carriage ride back and forth to the temple and marvel at Upper Egypt’s local life. Pass through the slow-paced, rural life of the local farmers and fishermen. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking lush, fertile landscapes dotted with banana and date palm trees.

Return to your cruise after finishing up in Edfu. Enjoy some afternoon tea and a leisurely ride to Esna. As the day comes to an end, enjoy a warm, delicious dinner surrounded by the calm, serene water of the Nile River.

Overnight aboard your cruise in Esna.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Visits: Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple.

Day 6: Luxor - West Bank Sightseeing

Start your day with a mouth-watering breakfast as you sail to Luxor. Upon arrival, head out and start exploring the shining city of Luxor. First, you will hit the West Bank where you will visit the Royal Cemetery for 62 Pharaohs, the Valley of the Kings, then head to the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which was built by the architects of the New Kingdom during the 15th century BCE at Deir El-Bahari. Finish the day as you marvel at the towering Colossi of Memnon. After finishing your visits at the West Bank, return back to your cruise where you can relax and take advantage of the amazing facilities of your cruise; enjoy some afternoon tea, get a massage, de-stress in the Jacuzzi. End the day with an appetizing dinner on board.

Overnight aboard your cruise in Luxor.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Visits: Royal Cemetery, Valley of the Kings, Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon.

Day 7: Luxor - East Bank Sightseeing & Fly Back to Cairo

Enjoy your last morning on your cruise with yet another delicious breakfast surrounded by the calm waters of the Nile. After breakfast, disembark your cruise and your Nile journey. Your tour manager will accompany you to your last visit on your trip, East Bank. Upon arrival, visit the ancient Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. Once you are done with the last attraction in Luxor, you will get whisked away through the streets of Luxor to Luxor Airport to catch your flight back to Cairo where you will be met upon arrival and get transferred to your hotel for your last night in the Land of Pharaohs.

Overnight in Cairo.

Meals: Breakfast.

Visits: Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple.

Day 8: Final Departure & Flying Back Home

Enjoy a deliciously prepared breakfast at your hotel and then head out and roam the street of the beautiful capital, Cairo. Spend some free time at your leisure; buy some souvenirs for your friend back home, chat up with some locals, or have some Egyptian tea at a local café. As your flight nears, you will be transferred through the streets of Cairo to Cairo International Airport for your final departure back to your homeland.

Meals: Breakfast.