Highlights of Egypt
Get ready to discover the history and ancient ruins of Egypt. From the vibrant and bustling cities to the awe-inspiring pyramids, there will be no lack and amazement on this Egyptian journey. Learn about one of the most modernized, yet ancient civilizations and become wonderstruck as you experience their accomplishments first hand. A combination of superb accommodations and old world exploration is sure to leave you with lasting memories of some of the world's most fascinating cities.
Trip Type: Adventure, Cultural, Family, Romance & Honeymoon
Day By Day
Day 1 – Welcome to Cairo, Egypt
On arrival at Cairo Airport, please make your way through immigration formalities. Once you have collected your luggage and made your way through customs, please look for our local representative who will be holding a sign with your name on it.
Once you have collected your luggage, you will board your vehicle for your private transfer to your hotel in Giza - an approximate drive of 1 hour & 10 minutes (dependent on traffic volumes). Check into your hotel and spend the remainder of the afternoon / evening at leisure.
Starting Accommodation: Four Seasons Residence Hotel
Day 2 – Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis & Sakkara
This morning you will be met at the lobby of your hotel for your full day private tour. Begin with Memphis - the ancient capital of Egypt in Pharaonic times, and the chosen city of the God Ptah. Here you will see the marvellous Alabaster Sphinx and the Colossus of Ramses II. Proceed to Sakkara, the vast Necropolis of Ancient Memphis, where you will see the famous Step Pyramid of Zoser, the first tall building known to mankind.
Travel to The Pyramids of Giza. The pyramids of Giza are perhaps the only true rival to the Great Sphinx when one thinks of ancient Egypt and its architecture. The Valley of Giza, with its wonderful monuments, is truly a marvel of architectural prowess. The three largest pyramids located in the valley consist of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Kafhre and the Pyramid of Menkaura. Each Pyramid is a tomb dedicated to a different king of Egypt.
All three pyramids were built during the Third and Fourth Dynasty; these structures resulted from a monumental effort by the king (and his sons). The Pyramid of Khufu has a base which covers roughly a nine acre area (approximately 392,040 square feet). The Pyramid of Menkaura, unlike the other pyramids, has granite covering one tier of its base. The Pyramid of Khafre had a two-tiered base encased in granite.
Continue to The Sphinx, the largest single block sculpture of all time where you will visit the funerary Valley Temple to which the Sphinx stands guardian. The Sphinx was carved from one solid piece of limestone, and measures 50 meters (164 Feet) in length and 22 meters (72 Feet) in height. A stop for lunch will be made today (own account). Return to the hotel in the afternoon.
Starting Accommodation: Four Seasons Residence Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 – Private Coptic Cairo, Citadel, Mosques & Bazaar
Begin your visit with Coptic Cairo, the centre of Christianity in Cairo. Here you will visit the Hanging Church, dating to the late fourth and early fifth century. This basilica was named 'Al-Mu'allaqah' because it was built on top of the south gate of the Fortress of Babylon. Continue to Church of St. Sergius, dating back to the beginning of the 5th Century. This basilica is built on the cave in which the Holy Family stayed and is regarded by visitors as a source of blessing. As you stroll along, you will come to the recently restored Synagogue of Ben Ezra which is the oldest Jewish synagogue in Egypt. Despite the 45 Jewish families that remain in Cairo, the synagogue is no longer operational.
Drive to Mokattam Hill on which the 12th century fortress was constructed by Salahdin to protect Cairo from the Mongol threat. Within the Citadel walls you will visit the magnificent Alabaster Mosque, constructed by Mohamed Ali The Great in the 14th century. You will drive downhill to visit the huge School Mosque or 'Madrassa' built by Sultan Hassan also in the 14th century to be the largest Islamic Education center of its era. Then, on to the narrow streets and alleys that form the Khalili bazaars, where you can enjoy watching skilled craftsmen working with gold, silver, brass and where you can buy handmade souvenirs at bargain prices.
Starting Accommodation: Four Seasons Residence Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 – Egyptian Museum
The Egyptian Museum is the most important depository of Egyptian antiquities found anywhere in the world. It is home to artifacts from the Pharaonic and Greco-Roman periods, including the celebrated mummies of ancient Egyptian kings and Tutankhamen treasures. Sorted chronologically, as well as grouped by tomb, some additional highlights include statuettes of divinities, a rare group of Fayum mummy portraits and models of daily life. This tour of the museum will take you on an in-depth journey to discovering this ancient collection, housed in the first purpose-built museum building in the world.
Once the tour has ended, return to your hotel and the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.
Starting Accommodation: Four Seasons Residence Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 – Cairo to Aswan
This morning, enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you check out and meet your driver in the hotel lobby for your private transfer to Cairo airport and connect with your scheduled departure flight from Cairo to Luxor.
On arrival at Luxor Airport, you will be met by our representative for your private transfer by road to the boarding point of your cruise.
Starting Accommodation: Sonesta St. George
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Luxor to Esna
After an early breakfast cross the Nile to visit the Necropolis of Ancient Thebes, the city of the dead. Explore the Valley of the Kings lying protected by the high Gurna Hills surrounding it. Here you will visit the tombs of Egypt's splended Pharaohs. Cut deep into the rocky mountainsides, the magnificent tombs of spellbinding construction and decoration. Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, where her Divine Birth Novels can be Seen on the Walls of Her Temple, originally dedicated to the godess Hathor, deity of love and Beauty. The temple's 37 metre (121 Foot) - wide causeway leads to three huge terraced courts; the Temple of Hatshepsut is as intriguing as the Pharaoh-queen herself. Then to the two Singing Statues of King Aminophis the Third Known as the Colossi of Memnon facing the Nile.
Return to the boat and set sail for Esna as you enjoy lunch. This evening enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Party followed by dinner.
Starting Accommodation: Sonesta St. George
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Esna to Kom Ombo
After breakfast on board you will visit the Edfu Temple. The Temple of falcon-headed, Horus is one of the finest examples of Ptolemaic art in Egypt.
Return to the boat and sail to Kom Ombo. Enjoy lunch on board.
Late this afternoon visit Kom Ombo temple, which is dedicated to the hawk-headed god, Harwar and the crocodile god, Sobek. Return to the cruise for dinner and evening Galabeya party.
Starting Accommodation: Sonesta St. George
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Kom Ombo to Aswan
Enjoy breakfast on board. Upon arrival to Aswan you will visit the Old Dam now dwarfed by the New High Dam. This 20th century engineering miracle is one of the largest dams in the world and was built to safeguard Egypt against the high Nile floods. Continue to the Granite Quarries where an immense unfinished Obelisk illustrates the magnitude of the ancient Egyptian skill. Next visit the Temple of Philae, dedicated for the world's most Famous Goddess Isis and also represents three great civilizations - Egyptian, Greek and Roman.
Return to the boat for lunch. This afternoon board a typical Egyptian fellucca as you sail on the blue waters of the mighty Nile, among the lovely small islands of Aswan, and around the Elephantine. Continue sailing to explore the magnificent mausoleum of the Agha Khan, commanding an enchanting view of Aswan.
Return to the boat for afternoon tea. This evening you will be treated to Nubian Folkoric Show before dinner.
Starting Accommodation: Sonesta St. George
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – Abu Simbel Temple
Following disembarkation, you will be met by our representative for your private transfer to Aswan Airport for your onward bound flight to Abu Simbel.
Abu Simbel TempleYour Temple guide will give you a brief 10-15 minute talk on what you will see, thereafter you will be on your own for independent exploration for approximately 45 minutes. Following this time, meet your guide again and take a moment to purchase some souvenirs and ask questions about your amazing visit and, you will then be assisted to your vehicle and transferred back to the airport to connect with your departing flight.
Abu Simbel consists of two temples; that of Ramses II primarily dedicated to Re-Harakhte, and that of his wife, Nefertari dedicated to Hathor. Not only are these temples among the most magnificent monuments in the world but their removal and reconstruction was an historic event in itself. With the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s, the temples were threatened with submersion under the rising waters of the reservoir (Lake Nassar).
Between 1964 and 1966, a project sponsored by UNESCO and the Egyptian government disassembled both temples and reconstructed them on top of the cliff 200 feet above the original site. The most remarkable feature of the site is that the temple is precisely oriented so that twice every year, on 22 February and 22 October, the first rays of the morning sun shine down the entire length of the temple-cave to illuminate the back wall of the innermost shrine and the statues of the four gods seated there.
After your tour of the Abu Simbel Temple, you will be brought to the airport for your flight to Cairo. Once checked into your accommodation, you will have the afternoon/evening at your leisure.
Starting Accommodation: Four Seasons Nile Plaza
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 – Depart Cairo
This morning, enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you check out and meet your driver in the hotel lobby for your private transfer to Cairo airport, where you will connect with your scheduled departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Activites
Pricing
Package Level: Deluxe |
| Pricing for this package is on request. Please call a Swain Destinations Specialist to customize this journey. |
Terms and Conditions
Prices are per person, twin/double share in USD. All highlighted savings are reflected in the price. Price does not include airfare unless otherwise stated. Travel may be limited to certain days of the week. Hotels and tours remain subject to availability. Cancellation penalties and other booking or alteration restrictions may exist. Please note blackout dates may apply to Christmas, New Year and local special event periods. Pricing may increase over Holiday and special event periods and may not be reflected in price grid. Prices indicated remain subject to change without notice. Prices are not guaranteed until full payment is received and processed. CST #2012413-20 See our full Terms and Conditions:
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