Egypt: Pyramids, Temples and 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 and you will have to use the designated shuttle service, which departs from the reception area; The shuttles operate on a hop-on, hop-off basis across five designated stops within the complex, ensuring convenient access to key points of interest)

The sound and light show at Karnak Temple highlights the fascinating history of ancient Thebes. As you walk through the illuminated complex, the sovereigns narrate their life stories accompanied by haunting music. Learn about the city that was the capital of Egypt during the period of the Middle and New Kingdoms, and how it was a religious and intellectual hub. Listen to poetic recitations about the birth of the Karnak Temple and the achievements of some of the pharaohs. Known as Ipet-Sut, ‘The Most Esteemed of Palaces’, Karnak’s magnificence was enhanced over more than 13 centuries by successive pharaohs. You will also gain insight into the royal family of the 18th Dynasty, who made Amun-Ra the state god. Hear legends about prominent Egyptian rulers including Thutmose I, II and III, and Queen Hatshepsut. Finally, take your seat at the Great Sacred Lake and watch the last act which wraps up the spectacle. (Duration: 2 hrs; Time: 1900/2015/2130/2245 hrs; Shared activity; Private transfers; Entry fees are included; Fitness level: easy; Operates subject to 5 ppl confirmed)

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); Private transfer; Pick up at the hotel: 0345 hrs (summer)/0500 hrs (winter); Group activity (up to 24 people per basket); Fitness level: easy; Please note that there will be some walking involved; This tour is weather dependent)

Discover the culture and heritage of ancient Egypt on this four-night cruise on the Nile River. Begin your adventure at Luxor where you will board the ship. Check into your comfortable accommodations before enjoying a guided tour of the east bank temples. You will visit the sprawling Karnak Temple complex, built in honor of the god Amon, and the famous Luxor Temple where the creator god Amun is the deity. After a sumptuous dinner and entertainment onboard, enjoy a good night’s rest. The next day, after breakfast, head to the west bank where you will see the Valley of Kings with its rock-cut tombs, Hatshepsut Temple, and the massive stone statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. Return to the ship for lunch and take in the riverside scenery as you sail towards Edfu. You could relish afternoon tea and later mingle with fellow guests at the captain’s cocktail reception before dinner. On the third day, head to the Ptolemaic Temple of Edfu, dedicated to Horus and Hathor. You will also 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 a fun Galabia party as the vessel sails to Aswan and drops anchor for the night. On the penultimate day of your cruise, visit the impressive High Dam that supplies water for irrigation and electricity generation. You will then see 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 dam. Before returning to the ship, stop by the massive, unfinished obelisk located in the northern stone quarries. After lunch onboard, go sailing around Kitchener’s Island in a traditional felucca as you enjoy views of the Aga Khan mausoleum. Dinner and an engaging Nubian show marks your last night on the cruise ship. In the morning, disembark after breakfast and head to your next destination. (Duration: five days/four nights; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: yes (all onboard meals); Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Entry fees and guide included)

Experience the wonders of ancient Egypt on a 4-night Nile River cruise. Sail from Luxor to Aswan and trace the history of one of the world’s greatest civilizations. Immerse yourself in the rhythms of daily rural life, learn about the country’s rich history and get up close with its cultural treasures. Soak in the riverbank scenery, as the onboard Egyptologist offers information about the sites. Luxury vans are arranged at each port for sightseeing. In Luxor, tour the 2,000-year-old Karnak Temple complex as well as the even older Luxor temple and Valley of the Kings, where you’ll explore tombs with intricate and colorful hieroglyphics. View the Colossi of Memnon and visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, before sailing to Esna. At the Temple of Edfu, see an array of inscriptions known as the ‘Sacred Drama’. While in Kom Ombo, tour the unique double temple dedicated to Horus and Sobek. Finally, sail into Aswan, a busy market town. Here, visit the Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple and Botanical Garden before wrapping up your voyage. (Duration: 5 days/4 nights; Shared activity & transfers; All entry fees are included; Meals included: yes; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance.)