WONDERS OF EGYPT

Your Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrive in Cairo

   After touching down in Cairo make your way to the hotel, where you’ll meet our Local Insider, who will accompany the group throughout the trip. You’ll gather as a group in the evening for a chance to get to know your fellow travellers over a welcome dinner. Be sure to get a good night’s sleep ahead of an action-packed day at the pyramids tomorrow.

   Accommodation

   Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir Cairo

   Activities Included

   • Welcome dinner

   Optional Activities

   • Airport transfer
2. Day 2 Walk like an Egyptian at the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx

   Explore two of the most iconic landmarks in Egypt today – the Sphinx and the Giza Pyramids, the largest of which is the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. It’s worth taking your time to fully appreciate these colossal feats of human endeavour. Later on you’ll continue the historical theme with a visit to the Egyptian Museum before returning to Cairo to explore Khan El Khalili bazaar and stopping for lunch at a local restaurant. This evening is free to spend at your leisure, or you can join an optional floating dinner at a restaurant on the Nile.

   Accommodation

   Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir Cairo

   Activities Included

   • Sphinx and Giza Pyramids visit
   • Egyptian Museum entry
   • Khan El Khalili bazaar visit
   • Lunch at a local restaurant

   Optional Activities

   • Dinner at a floating restaurant incl. Oriental show
3. Day 3 Wander through Moez Street and discover Cairo’s architectural masterpieces

   After breakfast this morning you’ll explore Cairo further, starting with the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Then it’s onto the awe-inspiring Citadel of Saladin, a towering medieval fortification dating back to the 12th century. Finally, you’ll discover the old-world atmosphere of El Moez, one of the oldest streets in Cairo, lined with ancient mosques, madrasas and city gates, alongside buzzing shops and street vendors. After a well-earned lunch at Abu Tarek restaurant, including Egypt’s national dish, koshari, you’ll be transferred to the train station to hop aboard the overnight sleeper to Luxor. You’ll dine and sleep in your train cabins, before waking up 560km (311mi) south.

   Accommodation

   Sleeper train

   Activities Included

   • National Museum of Egyptian Civilization entry
   • Citadel of Saladin visit
   • Moez Street visit
   • Lunch at Abu Tarek restaurant
   • Dinner on sleeper train
4. Day 4 Explore the temples of Karnak and Luxor on the Nile’s east bank

   No trip to Egypt would be complete without visiting several of the inspiring temples that form an integral part of the country’s heritage, starting with Karnak Temple. This majestic 4,000-year-old site, in a complex spanning more than 100ha (247 acres), is believed to be the largest religious building in the world – larger, even, than some entire ancient cities. Afterwards you’ll return to Luxor and check into our hotel on the Nile, before heading back out to explore Luxor Temple, one of the most historical structures in Egypt and a Unesco World Heritage Site.

   Accommodation

   Hotel Sonesta St George

   Activities Included

   • Karnak Temple visit
   • Luxor Temple visit
5. Day 5 Discover the Valley of the Kings

   Today you explore the west bank of the Nile, starting early as we head to the Valley of the Kings, the royal burial ground of many pharaohs during the New Kingdom (1539BCE-1075BCE). Venture into the tombs of Ramses V and VI before moving on to the temple of Hatshepsut, a striking tribute to one of the first female pharaohs. Next, stop by the Colossi of Memnon – two 18m (59ft) tall stone monuments depicting Pharaoh Amenhotep III – before hopping on the cruise ship for lunch and to begin our journey down the Nile. Dinner is served onboard, and you can also choose to join an optional return to Karnak Temple for an evening sound and light show.

   Accommodation

   Semiramis II cruise ship

   Activities Included

   • Valley of the Kings visit
   • Ramses V and VI tomb entries
   • Hatshepsut Temple entry
   • Colossi of Memnon visit
   • Lunch and dinner onboard cruise

   Optional Activities

   • Karnak Temple Sound & Light Show
6. Day 6 Work on your haggling skills in the Souq of Luxor

   After breakfast, you’ll have some time to explore for yourself before a late-morning walk of the vibrant Souq of Luxor, where for centuries traders have sold spices, textiles, perfumes and jewellery. Shop for souvenirs, put your haggling skills to the test and enjoy a refreshing hibiscus tea, known as karkade as an optional extra. Head back to the ship at noon and set sail on your journey towards our next stop, Edfu.

   Accommodation

   Semiramis II cruise ship

   Activities Included

   • Souq of Luxor walking tour
   • Lunch and dinner onboard cruise
7. Day 7 Explore the Temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo

   Your first stop this morning is the Temple of Edfu, built between 237BCE and 57BCE, it’s relatively young by Egyptian temple standards and therefore extremely well preserved. On your return to the ship, you’ll sail to Kom Ombo, home to another impressive ancient temple. Overlooking the Nile, it comprises two symmetrical temples split down the middle. Explore here for a couple of hours before setting off on the last leg of your cruise, to Aswan.

   Accommodation

   Semiramis II cruise ship

   Activities Included

   • Temple of Edfu visit
   • Kom Ombo Temple visit
   • Lunch and dinner onboard cruise
8. Day 8 Kayak on the Nile and explore the islands of Aswan

   Upon arrival at Aswan you'll hop off the boat to explore the gorgeous island temple complex of Philae. Then it's time to swap your cruiser for a kayak as you get the chance to paddle down the famous waters of the Nile. You'll refuel with lunch back onboard the ship, before switching vessel once more, this time opting for a traditional felucca boat, most commonly found sailing down the Nile. You'll then continue on to a Nubian Village by motorboat, where you'll get an insight into traditional cultures that have existed along the Nile for centuries, before having high tea at the Old Cataract Hotel. You'll then enjoy your last group dinner aboard the cruiser, and you also have the chance to book an optional light and sound show back at Philae temple, or join a nighttime city tour of Aswan.

   Accommodation

   Semiramis II cruise ship

   Activities Included

   • Philae Temple visit
   • Kayak on Nile
   • Felucca sailing and high tea at the Old Cataract
   • Visit to Nubian village
   • Lunch and farewell dinner onboard cruise

   Optional Activities

   • Philae Temple Sound & Light Show
   • Aswan city tour by night
9. Day 9 Depart from Aswan

   The time has come to pack your bags and bid farewell to your fellow travellers, although you do have the option to book one final day trip to the famous rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel. Those who have pre-purchased the Abu Simbel day trip depart early this morning and will need to ensure that their flight home is later today, as the site is around four hours each-way from Aswan by bus, alternatively, clients can also arrange this visit by domestic flights. Otherwise, the Nile cruise finishes after breakfast at around 9am, although guests could still stay on board till noon, without use of their cabins. After that, you can either head to the airport for your flight home or, alternatively, continue your adventures elsewhere.

   Activities Included

   • Departure transfer to Aswan Airport (ASW)

   Optional Activities

   • Abu Simbel day trip