Essence of Timeless Egypt
This tour covers eight must-see destinations for first-time travelers to Egypt. Journey from the bustling capital of Cairo to the stunning coastal city of Alexandria, enjoy the breeze while cruising on the Nile, and explore the ravishing mythologies of Egyptian gods in Luxor and Aswan. Take a deep breath and relax before commencing on this soul-enriching tour — you are about to travel through thousand years of history and recall the glory of the ancient Egyptians.
Days
8
Price
US$1,789 p/p
Best For
First-timers
Best Time
Oct. to Mar.
Tour Highlights
Marvel at the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Discover the hidden connection between the pyramids, the Sphinx, and the sun.
Explore the Khan el-Khalili Market in the old city of Cairo. Find scenes reminiscent of "The Thousand and One Nights".
Experience a mixture of both modernity and tradition. See how Alexandria combines Eastern Islamic and Western cultures.
Spend a leisurely four nights on a luxurious Nile cruise. Notice the nourishing quality of the river, which made possible cultivation and the great civilization of Egypt.
Witness the amazing scale of the temple and the great sculptures, columns, obelisks, murals, and pictographs.
Visit the Valley of Kings in Luxor. Read the stories told by the exquisite murals at the place where many pharaoh mummies were found.
Visit the Temple of Philae. Listen to stories of the goddess Isis and her husband.
Visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu. It is very well preserved and a great representative example of an Egyptian temple.
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Itinerary Details
After landing at the airport, you will be met by your private guide and driver, who will escort you to a 5-star hotel. Your guide will assist you with the check-in process.
Start your journey with visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx. Enjoy a magnificent panorama view and then get close to them to feel how big they are. You can also explore the tomb chambers and appreciate the exquisite mural carvings.
In the afternoon, satisfy your curiosity in the Egyptian Museum, which features numerous exhibits, from the stone statues of different pharaohs, to the gold mask of Tutankhamun.
The last stop of the day is Khan el-Khalili Market. Explore this exotic bazaar to feel the old Cairo. Or you can enjoy some quality time over a nice cup of coffee in one of the oldest coffee bars in Cairo, El Fishawi.
Have a day tour to Alexandria. Visit the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, which feature a fusion of different religious cultures.
The next part of the trip is Pompey's Pillar, the emblem of Alexandria city. It is the only thing that remains after the temple of Serapis was destroyed. Have lunch at the local restaurant, then head to the Citadel of Qaitbay. It was built upon the ruins of the Lighthouse of Alexandria — one of the seven wonders of the world.
At the end of the day, you will return to your hotel in Cairo.
Fly from Cairo to Luxor. Check in at the 5-star deluxe Nile cruise. Have lunch on board and Visit the East Bank in the afternoon. Go to Karnak Tempple and enter the temple via the Avenue of Ram Sphinxes. Be amazed by its fantastic scale. Feel the power of pharaohs showed by the sculptures, pictograph and murals on the huge columns and walls.
Later, Gaze up at the lofty obelisk and wander around the majestic peristyle courtyard in Lusor Temple. Notice the extraordinary reliefs on the pillars that vividly depict ancient battles.
Take an excursion to the other side of the Nile. That's where the Valley of Kings is located, which houses the tombs of 62 pharaohs, including the mysterious Tutankhamun II.
Then head to the temple of Hatshepsut. Sitting under the solemn statues of Hatshepsut, examine the relief frescoes and elegant architectural style of the temple.
On your way back to the cruise, stop by the Colossi of Memnon, the statues of Amenhotep III. After having lunch on board, you will set sail to Edfu via Esna Lock. Enjoy the night cruise.
Tour Edfu in the morning. Visit the temple of Horus, the falcon-headed god.
Have lunch on board and cruise to Kom Ombo, to see the temple of Sobek. In this temple, you will see some mummified crocodiles, which were thought to guide the souls of deceased pharaohs to Osiris, the god of underworld.
Head back to your cruise before sunset and enjoy the dinner on board and spend the night at Aswan.
Start your Aswan day trip with the Temple of Philae, one of the three well-preserved relics from the Ptolemy age. The temple is dedicated to Isis, the goddess of love and fertility.
Appreciate the unfinished obelisk that lies in an ancient quarry, it shows how the ancient Egyptians built this amazing obelisk.
After lunch, you will ascend to the top of Aswan Dam, and marvel at the spectacular scene from the viewing platform. Experience a felucca ride to Kitchener's Island (botanical garden). Then return to the cruise for dinner and stay overnight in Aswan.
Check out from the cruise and head to Aswan airport for your fly home or to your next destination.
Hand-picked Hotels
Price Includes
Price from: $1,789 (tour code: gh-eg-1)
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