Cairo, Abu Simbel and Jewels of the Nile

Take in the lights of Cairo as you sail down the Nile on a felucca boat. In the evening, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the boarding point. Climb aboard the felucca and make yourself comfortable. This traditional boat is used on the river and its open, narrow design makes it perfect to take in the views. As you sail on the water, your guide will point out interesting landmarks and tell you about their historical and cultural significance. Then, sit down for a five-course meal of Middle Eastern delicacies with the soothing sound of a lute playing in the background. As you enjoy dinner, soak in beautiful views of the passing scenery. After the cruise winds up, head back to your hotel. (Duration: 2 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: five-course dinner, drinks on own account; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy)

Explore Cairo with your private guide on this engaging tour. Drive towards the Giza Plateau to the Grand Egyptian Museum. It is home to more than 100,000 artifacts ranging from statues and mummies to jewelry and mosaics. On display are objects from the tomb of Tutankhamun. You’ll also come across sculptures of Pharaoh Khufu who built the Great Pyramid and Nefertiti, wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten. Next, head to The Citadel of Saladin, perched atop Mokattam Hill, which contains some of the best examples of Islamic architecture. Walk through the courtyards to view the Al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque and Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Take in views of the historic quarter and its minarets, before visiting the centuries-old Khan El Khalili bazaar. Stroll through this bustling, vibrant market replete with stalls selling antiques, handicrafts and spices. Shop for souvenirs such as earrings with intricate designs and hand-painted pottery to wrap up your tour. (Duration: full day; Time: 0900 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Entry fees are included; Meals included: no; Fitness level: easy)

Begin the day with a tour of Giza’s pyramids, constructed about 4,500 years ago. These monumental tombs, erected by pharaohs Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, were filled with everything each ruler would need to sustain himself in the afterlife. Built in 2560 BC, the UNESCO-listed Great Pyramid is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Then, get up close to the gigantic Sphinx, one of Egypt’s most famous landmarks. It features a lion’s body and a human head adorned with a pharaoh headdress. Next, drive to Memphis, ancient Egypt’s first capital, founded after the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. In the open-air Mit Rahina Museum, see a colossal statue of Ramesses II and the Alabaster Sphinx, sculpted from a single piece of white gypsum. Continue to the village of Sakkara, where you’ll find the Step Pyramid of Djoser. Surrounding the Step Pyramid, is a funerary complex, which contains tombs of high officials, halls and courts. Later, return to your hotel in Cairo. (Duration: full day; Time: 0900 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Entry fees are included; Please note that admission into the pyramids is not included; Meals included: no; Fitness level: easy.Please note that private vehicles are not permitted inside the Pyramids complex. Guests will be required to use the designated shuttle service, which departs from the reception area. The shuttles will operate on a hop-on, hop-off basis across five designated stops within the complex, ensuring convenient access to key points of interest.)

Watch the sound and light show in the Nubian village of Abu Simbel and immerse yourself in its rich history. As you take your seats at the main temple, on the banks of Lake Nasser, you will observe the façade dominated by four colossi of Ramesses II. Be mesmerized by projections that show intricate hieroglyphics and how the temples once looked. Built by Ramesses II, more than 3,000 years ago, the twin temples are splendid examples of ancient Egyptian art. While the great temple is dedicated to the gods Amon-Ra and Re-Horakhty, the small temple is dedicated to Nefertari for the worship of goddess Hathor. You will see its exterior adorned with massive statues of the king and his favorite Queen Nefertari. Here, she is depicted as Hathor, the goddess of beauty, with the horns of a cow, a solar disc and two plumes. Watch the illuminated structure and listen to interesting tales before the show winds up. (Duration: 1 hr; Time: 1800/1900/2000 hrs; Shared activity; Private transfers; Entry fees are included; Fitness level: easy; Operates subject to 5 ppl confirmed)

Explore the UNESCO-listed rock cut temples of Abu Simbel. You will be picked up in a private vehicle and driven to the magnificent twin edifices that overlook Lake Nasser, one of the largest manmade lakes in the world. Along the way, listen to your guide’s interesting narrative about the efforts that were made to save these historic monuments from flooding by relocating them to higher ground. The Great Temple of Ramesses II, dedicated to the pharaoh Ramesses the Great, is distinguished by the four colossal statues at the entrance. Walk around the inside of the building and take a closer look at the numerous statues, huge pillars, and bas-relief depictions of battle scenes. Nearby, is the smaller Temple of Hathor, dedicated to Queen Nefertari, the chief consort of Ramesses the Great. See the bas-relief imagery of the king and queen making offerings to various deities, before it is time to head back. Please note that the guide is not allowed to explain the site inside the temple and will therefore share all his knowledge with you outside before you enter. (Duration: half day; Time: 0900/1200 hrs; Private activity with a local guide & private transfers; Fitness level: easy; Entry fees are included)

Experience the history and culture of the Upper Egypt region as you sail on the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Board the comfortable cruise ship at Aswan, settle in and then enjoy lunch at the main restaurant. Afterward, hop into a motorboat for a short ride to the awe-inspiring Philae Temple complex that sits on Agilika Island. Accessible only by boat, this temple complex was relocated block by block to prevent it from being submerged in the flood waters of the new Aswan Dam. You could then stop at the impressive new dam that supplies water for irrigation and electricity generation. Back onboard, spend the afternoon relaxing on deck while the ship sails along smoothly. Relish a gourmet dinner before you retire for the night. The next day, enjoy a hearty breakfast buffet. For lunch, there is a barbecue buffet with a live grill. In the evening, step ashore to explore Kom Ombo Temple, known for its unique double design dedicated to two deities — the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris. Wind up the day with traditional cuisine and music followed by a fun Galabia party in the lounge bar as the vessel sails to Edfu. On the third day, visit the Ptolemaic Temple of Edfu, dedicated to Horus and Hathor. Back onboard, head to the ship’s main restaurant for a private cooking class. At Luxor, visit the sprawling Karnak Temple complex, built in honor of the god Amon. You will also see the famous Luxor Temple. In the night, there is a gourmet dinner followed by a belly dancing show and tanoura performance in the lounge bar. On the fourth day, have an early breakfast before you checkout and disembark to visit the West Bank highlights : The valley of kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon. (Duration: four days/three nights; Private activities; Private transfers; Meals included: yes (all onboard meals); Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Entry fees and guide included)

Embark on an immersive three-night cruise on the Nile River. Journey through the land of the pharaohs and experience Egypt at a leisurely pace. Glide along as you gaze at dramatic desert landscapes and learn about Egyptian culture. The onboard Egyptologist offers informative audio-visual presentations about the sites you’ll visit. Luxury vans are arranged at each stop for sightseeing. In Aswan, take in the Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple, dedicated to Isis, Osiris and Horus. At Kom Ombo, tour the unique double temple, a Graeco Roman edifice dedicated to the falcon-headed Horus and Sobek, the crocodile god. See an array of inscriptions, known as the ‘Sacred Drama’ at the Temple of Edfu, the country’s most well-preserved archaeological site. In Luxor, descend into the underground mausoleums in the Valley of the Kings, a royal burial ground. View the Colossi of Memnon and visit Luxor and Luxor and Karnak temples, to conclude your voyage along ancient Egypt’s lifeline. (Duration: 4 days/3 nights; Shared activity & transfers; All entry fees are included; All meals are included, please inform us of any food allergies in advance.)

Explore the ancient temples of Hathor and Osiris. In the morning, your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Luxor and escort you to Dendera to see the Temple of Hathor, the goddess of love and joy. Note the depictions of Cleopatra VI on the temple walls, which are prime examples of Ptolemaic Egyptian art. Discover the numerous other structures within the temple complex, such as the Temple of the Birth of Isis and a Christian Basilica. Then travel to Abydos, one of the oldest cities of ancient Egypt. Here you will find the Temple of Osiris. Construction on the temple began under King Seti I and was completed by King Rameses II. Take your time to view the paintings of the gods and pharaohs on the walls. Admire the frescoes, considered to be among the most beautifully preserved in Egypt, before heading back to your hotel. (Duration: full day; Time: 0900 hrs; Travel time to activity: 1.5 hrs to Dendera, 1.5 hrs to Abydos and 3hrs back to Luxor; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: no; Entry fees are included; Fitness level: easy)

Marvel at ancient Thebes and the Nile from above on this tour. You will be transferred to the launch site for your hot air balloon ride very early in the morning. Your unforgettable experience begins as the light of dawn bathes the sky in a rich glow. Shortly after take-off, you will have a constant view of the Valley of the Kings as the altitude increases. Soar over Queen Hatshepsut’s tomb and the sphinxes guarding the stairs. The journey continues through the landscape lined with sugar cane fields and palm trees. Watch the pink and orange hues of the Egyptian sunrise light up the sky, with the towering Colossi of Memnon below. The mud brick houses with flat palm roofs on the banks of the Nile are also clearly visible from the balloon basket. Take in the special atmosphere of gliding as the balloon moves high above dusty desert roads before gradually losing altitude and landing gently. (Duration: 2 hours incl. transfers (balloon ride 25 to 40 min; Pick up at the hotel: 3:45 a.m. (summer)/5:00 a.m. (winter); Group activity (up to 24 people per basket); Private transfer; Physical demand: Easy. Please note that some sections have to be covered on foot; The implementation of the Tour is weather dependent.)