Classic Egypt with Nile Cruise

Arrival Note: Once your flight lands in the Cairo Airport, our local representative will meet you with a great welcome in the arrival hall. He/she will assist you with your visa on arrival, money change, and local SIM card purchase if needed. After that, you will be accompanied to go through customs, collect the luggage, and then be escorted to your hotel by a private car to check in.

►  Activities Suggestion:
You might have a good rest in the hotel to ease the fatigue of a long-haul flight. The location of our handpicked hotel is perfect, from which you can see the famous Giza Pyramids. Just relax in the pool, enjoy a great meal in the restaurant, or take your first picture of the pyramids under the sunset. In addition, the hotel is across the street from the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is not yet officially open. However, visitors can still admire the graceful exterior and large statues at the entrance. If you're interested, it's just a 10-minute walk!

Accommodation: Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo (5 stars)

Today, we will set off to explore the landmark Pyramids of Giza, consisting of Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, all of which show us the wisdom of ancient Egyptian. Then, we will visit the Great Sphinx with lion's body and man's head. In Giza pyramids area, a 30-minute camel ride will be arranged for you.

★ Privilege of Our Guests:
Camel Ride: Everyone desires to ride a camel around the pyramids like those in posters. However, be careful with the wily camel man. Scams are everywhere: they don’t let you off the camel until you pay more, increase the price agreed immediately, and overcharge, not only making you lose money but also destroying your travel mood. But as our valued customers, you don’t have to negotiate with these people and we have already arranged everything for you. Take your camera and start your camel ride tour at the pyramids!

Perfect Photos: Our experienced guides have been to the pyramids more than 100 times and they are knowledgeable and familiar with everything here. They will help you find good locations to capture the perfect pictures, like taking a picture of a group of 5-6 pyramids or photographing with the Great Sphinx.

Next, we will proceed to visit the Step Pyramid of Sakkara, the oldest of its kind with 6 tiers. And the nearby noble mausoleums. After that, we will pay a visit to Dahshur to see the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid.

►  Were the Pyramids Built by Aliens?
Everyone who witnesses the pyramids might wonder how did the ancient Egyptians build these magnificent structures thousands of years ago without any modern tools? What if they were built by aliens as the legend goes? So what are the facts? Today let’s take you to reveal!

This afternoon we are going to visit the Step Pyramid, the first pyramid of ancient Egypt. Unlike the classic smooth-sided pyramid, the pyramid-like structure is made up of six steps or flat platforms. Then we will head to Bent Pyramid, the ancient Egyptians’ first attempt to build a triangular pyramid. It was originally built at an angle of 54 degrees, and then changed to 43 degrees, making it a bending shape, which proves to us that the perfect pyramids were built by the ancient Egyptians instead of by aliens. It is a great wonder created by our human ingenuity!

Tip: Both the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid are free to visit inside, but the passageways are relatively narrow and stuffy. Please visit according to your physical condition.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo (5 stars)

In the morning, we will first visit the Egyptian Museum with rich collections of ancient artifacts, such as Tutankhamun’s gold mask and the mummies. Afterwards, we will move to Salah El Din Citadel, a typical Islamic fortress witnessing medieval warfare. Here, you will also be guided to watch Mohamed Ali Mosque and other fortifications. At the end of the day, we will spend time strolling at the old Coptic area followed by Khan El Khalili Market, the most prosperous outdoor bazaar in this capital city. You will also have a chance to enjoy a cup of authentic Egyptian coffee in the centuries-old El Fishawy Café.

★ Privilege of Our Guests:
1. The Grand Egyptian Museum: Taking more than 10 years and costing over 1 billion dollars, the Grand Egyptian Museum will finally open to the public this year. It is said that most of the treasures of the Egyptian Museum will be transferred to the new museum. Nevertheless, there is also a saying goes that to ensure the two museums are worth visiting, some treasures may be kept on each side. Don’t worry, we will certainly carefully evaluate both museums and offer the best arrangement for you if the new museum is open.

2. Try Egyptian coffee: Khan El Khalili Market features Cairo’s oldest El Fishawy Café with a history of 200 years and even the famed Egyptian novelist, Naguib Mahfouz, Nobel-Prize winner was one of the regulars. We will arrange a special coffee experience for you, to taste a cup of authentic Egyptian coffee here. Perhaps you can taste a different life insight!

►  Want to See What the Pharaoh Khufu Looks Like?
Yesterday we visited the first and only surviving seven wonders of the ancient world, the Pyramid of Khufu, which is also the tallest, largest and most famous pyramid on the planet. You must wonder what its owner looks like. Luckily, the statue of King Khufu is preserved in the Egyptian Museum. However, you must miss it without a guide. Why? Because it was so small, only 7cm (2.8 inches) tall. The statue was carved out of ivory, with the name of King Khufu engraved on its feet. Then why is Khufu's Pyramid 138 meters (453 ft.) tall, while his statue is only 7 cm tall? Someone says it is about religion, while others say it is related to the king's beliefs. Our professional Egyptologist tour guide will offer you an accurate answer.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo (5 stars)

In the morning, you will be transferred to the airport to board the flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, our local guide will meet you at arriving hall of Luxor airport and send you to board your Nile Cruise at 12:00. After lunch, our local guide will escort you to the east bank of Nile to visit Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex around the world, and Luxor Temple with majestic construction. After the visits be finished, we will send you back to your Nile Cruise. Overnight on cruise in Luxor.

At the entrance to Karnak Temple is a long Avenue of Ram lined with sphinxes with the head of a ram. The ancient Egyptians believed that the ram is the incarnation of the sun god. A small statue of Ramses II stands under each ram to receive the blessing of the sun god. Unfortunately, most of the statues are damaged and only one is complete. If you are interested, look for it! It is on the left side facing the gate, under the second stone statue near the gate.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: M/S Concerto Nile cruise (5 stars)

A morning onshore exploration of the Valley of the Kings in the west bank of Nile will lead you to marvel at the tombs of 64 pharaohs with luxurious ornaments, exquisite murals and glorious ceilings. Normally, tourists can only visit three of these tombs with a main ticket. But you will visit two more spectacular tombs - KV9 and KV62.

►  KV62 - the Tomb of Tutankhamun: Why Is It the Only One Not Stolen?
At present, 63 tombs have been discovered in the Valley of the Kings but most of them have been looted by tomb robbers. The only well-preserved one is Tutankhamun's Tomb which was never discovered by robbers. So why? Thanks to King Ramses VI, for some reason, he built his tomb on top of Tutankhamun's. The unfriendly act left us with a complete KV62 and over 5,200 astonishing treasures.

As our honored guests, we especially arrange for you to visit the legendary tomb. In addition, Tutankhamun's mummy is still preserved in the innermost chamber of the tomb! Follow your guide and have a look!

Next is to tour the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a funerary temple for this female pharaoh to commemorate her great achievements. Our last stop of Luxor west bank is the Colossi of Memnon for the two gigantic stone sculptures of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. After finishing the guided sightseeing, we are sailing to Edfu. Overnight on cruise in Edfu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: M/S Concerto Nile cruise (5 stars)

In the morning, we will disembark the ship and visit the Temple of Horus, also namely Temple of Edfu, one of the most beautiful temples in Egypt decorated with traditional Egyptian elements. We will take a horse-drawn carriage traveling between the temple and the shore. Back to cruise for Lunch. Later, we will proceed to the Kom Ombo Temple, an unusual double temple dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris. Afterwards, we will continue our Nile Cruise to Aswan. Overnight on cruise in Aswan.

►  “WIFI" Symbol Found in the Temple of Edfu?
Edfu Temple is dedicated to the falcon-headed God Horus, hence it is also known as the Temple of Horus. It is the second-largest temple in Egypt and also the best-preserved one. How did it survive so well? On the one hand, it's relatively young compared to other temples, though with a history of over 2,000 years. On the other hand, it was covered by sand and silt for more than 1,000 years until excavated in 1860.

A large number of hieroglyphics are well preserved in Edfu Temple, topping all the temples. There are also lots of beautiful and interesting murals. Look at the picture above. The waiter is holding ice cream and WIFI! According to archaeologists, the WIFI was actually a basket of flowers sacrificed to Horus, and the ice cream may have been some kind of cold drink, as the ancient Egyptians had learned how to make and preserve ice! How great they were!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: M/S Concerto Nile cruise (5 stars)

After breakfast, your private guide and driver will pick you up from cruise and continue our Abu Simbel Trip then. We will spend almost 3.5 hours travelling to Abu Simbel in a comfortable private vehicle. Upon arrival, we will visit the Temples of Abu Simbel, one of the most impressive Pharaonic monuments. Then, we will go back to Aswan to board your cruise. Overnight on cruise in Aswan.

★ Privilege of Our Guests:
Why visit Abu Simbel so early in the morning? You may notice that most tours to Abu Simbel are arranged in the morning, and many group tours even require departing around 4:00am. There are two main reasons. One is that they have to catch the cruise in the afternoon as there is a 3.5-hour drive one way from Aswan to Abu Simbel. More importantly, the highway between Aswan and Abu Simbel is closed between 17:00 and 05:00 for security.

We have considerately arranged a private tour for you so that you can depart at around 7:00 to avoid getting up too early and the most crowded time.

Tip: Flights are available between Aswan and Abu Simbel. If you don’t want a longtime car ride, a flight is recommended. Please consult your Travel Consultant for more specific flight information.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: M/S Concerto Nile cruise (5 stars)

After breakfast on the board, please check out at about 08:00. Today, we will visit Aswan High Dam first and then head to the Temple of Philae with splendid buildings, life-like stone carvings and romantic fairy tales carved on the murals. The last scenic spots that we will visit is the Unfinished Obelisk, which is renowned to be the largest and heaviest obelisk if the project is completed. After then, you will be escorted to the airport for your flight to Cairo. When you arrive in Cairo airport, we will be waiting for you at the arrival hall and then transfer you to the hotel.

►  Why the Temple of Philae is the Most Beautiful Temple in Egypt?

1. The beauty of architecture: The Temple of Philae is the most special one among all the temples in Egypt as it was built on an island and surrounded by water, which you must reach by boat. The blue sky, the green lake, the white sailboat and the yellow temple form a beautifully natural picture.
2. The beauty of a goddess: The temple is dedicated to Isis, the goddess of love. A famous legend goes that her husband Osiris was deceived and killed by his brother Seth, and the body was dismembered into 14 pieces and thrown everywhere in Egypt. Isis went through difficulties to find all the remains and pieced them together. In the tears of the goddess, Osiris came back to life! They also had a son, Horus, the famous eagle god.
3. The beauty of unity: The temple of Philae was not built originally on the island, and it was almost completely submerged when the dam was built. In order to protect this famous world cultural heritage, experts from all over the world united together to cut, transfer and rebuild the temple, leaving the precious cultural heritage for all mankind!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo (5 stars)

After breakfast, our driver will help you check out of the hotel and send you to the airport for your homebound flight. Please feel free to contact your private travel consultant if you want to extend your journey. We wish you will have spent an enjoyable time with us!

Meals: Breakfast