Pyramids, Luxury Nile Cruise and the Red Sea

Take a private Egyptian cooking class followed by dinner in Cairo. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to a market in downtown Cairo. Walk through a maze of alleyways and stalls. Take in the vibrant market culture as you make your way to the venue. Arrive and meet your friendly chef. Then, get started on your cooking lesson. Follow along as the expert instructor guides you through the preparation of traditional dishes. As you cook, learn about local herbs and spices, family recipes, and ancient culinary traditions. Sit down to savor the delicious dishes before you head back to your hotel. (Duration: half day; Time: afternoon/evening; Private activity & transfers; Entry fees included; Meals included: dinner; 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.)

Immerse yourself in a captivating sound and light show at Philae Temple. As you enter one of Egypt’s most revered archaeological sites, you will see the temple’s magnificent architecture that serves as the backdrop for the audio-visual presentation. Be transported to the ancient world of Philae Temple via a seamless blend of sound, light and storytelling. Hear the narrator recount the interesting history and legends associated with the site. Listen to stories about Egyptian gods and goddesses, pharaohs, and ancient rituals, intricately woven together with evocative music. Admire the illuminated temple and take in its beauty as you gain a deeper understanding of its cultural and historical significance before the show ends. (Duration: 3 hrs; Time: 2000/2100 hrs; Shared activity; Private transfers; Entry fees are included; Fitness level: easy)

Discover the ancient Elephantine Island and the archaeological treasures housed in the Aswan Museum. Head to the Temple of Khnum, where you can explore the well-preserved reliefs and hieroglyphs that honor Khnum, the ram-headed god of Elephantine Island. Delve into its history as you walk along the Nilometer, an age-old device that is used to measure the water levels of the Nile. Your guide will tell you about how this ingenious invention played a crucial role in predicting the annual flooding of the river and its impact on the livelihoods of the people. Next, venture into a vibrant Nubian village. Stroll through the labyrinthine streets adorned with colorful houses, and learn about local traditions and culture. Conclude your tour at the Aswan Museum. View an extensive collection of artifacts, including statues, reliefs, and sarcophagi from various periods of Egyptian history. Gain insight into the island’s rich archaeological heritage before returning to Aswan. (Duration: half day; Time: 0900/1400 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Entry fees are included; Meals included: no; Fitness level: easy; Please wear comfortable walking shoes)

Take in the ancient city of Aswan, from the water, as you travel down the Nile on a traditional felucca boat. In the evening, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the boarding point where your felucca awaits. This narrow boat is specially used on the Nile and its open design is perfect to take in panoramic views. As you sail on the river, your guide will point out the landmarks of Aswan and their historical significance. Soak in the scenery while sipping on a drink. Then, sit down for a four-course lunch of Middle Eastern delicacies. After your cruise winds up, head back to your hotel. (Duration: 2 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: four-course lunch, tea/coffee and juice; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy)

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)

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. 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)

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend visiting Hurghada, the main town set on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. The city offers warm weather, an array of water sports, and bustling nightlife. You could go scuba diving or snorkeling to see vibrant coral reefs and the marine life that inhabits them. Experienced divers can explore shipwrecks such as SS Thistlegorm, a British cargo ship sunk by the Germans in World War II. Above the water windsurfing, kiteboarding, and jet skiing are available. For a less adventurous option, explore the surrounding islands and beaches on a leisurely boat tour. You can also take a submarine tour to view underwater life through the vessel’s large portholes. Visit the old town of El Dahar to browse the souqs and have a snack at a traditional Egyptian coffee shop. Browse the collection of 2,000 artifacts at Hurghada Museum or stroll through the Hurghada Grand Aquarium, the largest in Egypt, for close-up views of sharks, turtles, and rays. Later, admire the two 40m tall minarets at Al Mina Mosque, the largest mosque in the region. Hurghada Marina Boulevard has plenty of restaurants and shops where you can find gifts and souvenirs. (Duration: full day; This is an unguided, independent activity; Entrance fees, transfers and meals are not included; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)