The cradle of one of the oldest recorded civilizations in the history of mankind. Egypt attracts attention and evokes imagination – from the vast pharaonic treasures to the wonders of the Pyramids. Egypt has long been a popular and easy combination with the countries of Africa south of the Sahara. Let this ancient country take your breath away at each turn of the corner!
HIGHLIGHTS OF EGYPT (7 Days)
DAY 1 — Arrive in Cairo where you will be assisted through customs and transferred to your hotel.
DAY 2 — This morning visit Memphis, capital of the Ancient Kingdom and Sakkara, the vast necropolis of ancient Memphis.
This afternoon drive to the legendary Pyramids of Giza. Here you will find Cheops’ Pyramid, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and the Sphinx, carved from a single piece of stone!
DAY 3 — Visit the Egyptian Museum, famous for its antiquities from Egypt’s pharaonic period, which dates back some 50 centuries, including the fabulous treasures of King Tut.
This afternoon visit Old Cairo, the Coptic Suspended Church and the oldest Synagogue of Ben Ezra. Continue your visit to old Islamic Cairo to see the famous Citadel of Saladin, and the medieval bazaars of Khan el-Khalili where you can bargain for papyrus and exotic perfumes.
DAY 4 — Transfer to the airport for your flight to Aswan. You may want to take the Option to Abu Simbel, where the colossal Temples of Ramses II and Nefertari were rescued from the rising water of Lake Nasser.
Visit the Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient Granite Quarries, the Old Dam and new High Dam. This afternoon sail a felucca to the Elephantine Island, the Mausoleum of Agha Khan, and the Botanical Gardens of Lord Kitchener.
DAY 5 — Transfer to the airport for your flight to Luxor. Cross the Nile to visit the Necropolis of Ancient Thebes. Explore the Valleys of the Kings and Queens. Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
DAY 6— This morning visit the Temples of Karnak and Luxor, and the famous Avenue of the Sphinx. The Temple of Karnak took over 1500 years to be built and is considered the world’s largest religious complex. Depart for Cairo.
DAY 7 — Time to depart this ancient land.
HIGHLIGHTS OF EGYPT WITH NILE CRUISE (9 Days)
DAY 1-3 — As ‘Highlights of Egypt’
DAY 4 — Transfer to the airport for your flight to Aswan. You may want to take the Option to Abu Simbel. After boarding your cruise ship, sail a felucca to the Elephantine Island, the Mausoleum of Agha Khan, and the Botanical Gardens of Lord Kitchener.
DAY 5 — Visit the Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient Granite Quarries, the Old Dam and new High Dam.
Cruise to Kom-Ombo. Visit the Ptolemaic Temple, which was dedicated to two gods; the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-headed god Haroeris. Sail to Edfu.
DAY 6 — Visit the Temples of Horus (237 BC), the best preserved Egyptian temple in existence. Sail to Esna and visit the Temple of Khnum. Sail on to Luxor.
DAY 7— Cross the Nile to visit the Necropolis of Ancient Thebes. Explore the Valleys of the Kings and Queens. Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
Visit the Temples of Karnak and Luxor, and the famous Avenue of the Sphinx.
DAY 8 — Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo.
DAY 9 — Depart this ancient land.
NOTE: The cruise itinerary may be scheduled as Aswan/Luxor or Luxor/Aswan at the tour operator’s discretion. Components of the itinerary are identical regardless of the direction traveled.
There are 3 night and 6 night cruises also available. You may want to try the Abu Simbel Cruises which are available on Lake Nasser. Enjoy 3 or 4 nights cruising between Aswan or Luxor and Abu Simbel where you can visit the temple and marvel at the feat accomplished in moving this ancient site.
RED SEA EXTENSIONS
World renown for its incredible diving, the Red Sea offers an infinite variety of brilliantly-hued fish, corals and rare marine life. You have a choice of Hurghada, long famous for water sports, ie: swimming, sailing and diving in beautiful, clear water OR Sharm el-Shiekh a resort with moderate year round climate. Your days are filled with golf, relaxing on the beach, swimming, sailing and exploring the underwater treasures.
ACCOMMODATION: There is a large range of fine hotels and cruise ships available.
THE IDEAL ADVENTURE EXTENSION FOR EGYPT IS … KENYA OR TANZANIA
