Treasures of Ancient Egypt

Meet us in Cairo, Egypt, to begin your holiday. Enjoy the evening at leisure.

Please note:
- You will receive information upon check-in regarding times for touring the following day.
- Hotel information will be confirmed in your travel documents sent 4-6 weeks prior to travel.

Overnight: Hotel Oasis Pyramids or similar, Cairo

Meals included: None

After breakfast, join your Egyptologist guide for a visit to the enigmatic Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza.

At 152 metres high and 228 metres wide at its base, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the only survivor of the Seven Great Wonders of the ancient world. It is a breathtaking structure built from enormous stone blocks with a white limestone covering. Along with the smaller pyramids, the sight of these huge structures is unforgettable.

Next, visit the pyramid of Chephren. The best preserved of the three main Giza Pyramids, the top part still retains the original facing of smoothly-finished stone, giving an idea of how the pyramids would originally have appeared. Beside the pyramid of Chephren, you will see the Great Sphinx, carved out of a natural rocky outcrop. The lion's body stretches 45 metres. Afterwards continue to the pyramid of Mycerinus, the smallest of the three pyramids and partly dressed with pink granite slabs.

Following the tour of the pyramids, you will visit Memphis, one of the most important cities in Egypt. From the 3rd millennium BC, this 'City of the Dead’ was the capital of ancient Egypt when King Menes unified upper and lower Egypt. Then continue visiting the Pyramids of King Zoser in Saqqara. It was the first real pyramid to be constructed in ancient Egypt; it is the most ancient surviving monument and the oldest stone building in history.

Overnight: Hotel Oasis Pyramids or similar, Cairo

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, enjoy a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum of antiquities in Cairo. It's the richest museum of Egyptian antiquities in the whole world, containing pharaonic treasures from over 5,000 years ago. The building is rectangular with a large rotunda on the ground floor containing massive exhibitions.

Afterwards, proceed to visit the massive mediaeval Salah El-din citadel, a mediaeval Islamic-era fortification in Cairo against the Crusaders. Explore this ancient fortress and marvel at its brilliant domed ceilings, suspended lights and commanding views of the city. The citadel houses the Alabaster mosque of Mohamed Ali Pasha.

Afterwards, drive to Old Cairo and visit the Coptic Cairo, a part of Old Cairo which encompasses the Babylon Fortress, the Hanging Church, The Greek Church of Saint George and many other Coptic churches and historical sites. It is believed in the Christian tradition that the Holy Family visited this area and stayed at the site of Saints Sergius Church (Abu Serga).

In the evening, enjoy time at leisure. 

Overnight: Hotel Oasis Pyramids or similar, Cairo

Meals included: Breakfast

Today starts your safari desert experience (approximately 700 kilometres) where your Egyptologist guide will escort you to Siwa Oasis via the El-Alamein Road.

Siwa Oasis is one of Egypt's best western desert oases with its thousands of palm trees and gorgeous hot springs. This evening you'll enjoy a traditional dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Overnight: Ghaliet Ecolodge or similar, Siwa

Meals included: Breakfast; Dinner

Today, visit the Mountain of the Dead, containing thousands of graves cut in the bedrock, where inscriptions help date the oldest graves for researchers and scholars. Next, visit spectacular organic shapes of 13th-century mud-brick Shali Fortress, the old city and castle in the heart of the Siwa Oasis. Built from kershef (chunks of salt from the lake just outside town, mixed with rock and plastered in local clay), the labyrinth of huddled buildings was originally four or five storeys high and housed hundreds of people.

Continue your visit to what has become known as Alexander the Great's spectacular Temple of The Oracle. Previously the famous Temple of Amun, the Temple of the Oracle was renamed after his visit to consult the famous oracle during Alexander's Egyptian conquest. Continue on to The Mountain of the Dead (Jabal el Mawta) to see various archaeological monuments and countless ancient tombs.

In the late afternoon, check-in to your hotel for a magical sunset view over the desert.

Overnight: Ghaliet Ecolodge or similar, Siwa

Meals included: Breakfast; Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy relaxing and swimming at the famous Cleopatra Pool, a natural bubbling spring, one of many found throughout the oasis, although this is the best known. The water that comes from this spring is so clear that it would be invisible if it were not in constant motion. It fills a natural stone pool perfect for bathing, swimming, and relaxing. Enjoy a dip in a cold or hot natural pool that has refreshed many a traveller for thousands of years. Discover the desert's famous Salt lakes, the largest of which have a depth of about 4m and 95% salt concentration. The clear blue hyper-saline water of Siwa Salt Lake makes it perfect for a relaxing float, and has been found to be therapeutically beneficial for many ailments.

This afternoon, take the opportunity to enjoy a desert safari (optional).

Optional Tour: 4x4 Safari
Minimum 4 people per vehicle, maximum 6 people.
In the afternoon embark on a 4x4 desert safari. Drive on the dunes, visit Fossils Mountain, enjoy sand boarding and watching the sunset from the highest place with a glass of Siwa traditional tea. Have an evening swim in the freshwater lakes of Bir Wahed, then a quick dip in the hot spring before returning to the hotel. This evening, enjoy a traditional dinner. See online Important Information for pricing.

Overnight: Ghaliet Ecolodge or similar, Siwa

Meals included: Breakfast; Dinner

Today, travel to Alexandria (approximately 600 kilometres). Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure in this amazing Egyptian city.

Founded and named for Alexander the Great in 331 BC, it was once home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the great lighthouse and ancient library. Take time to explore the Greco-Roman architectural marvels alongside the history of Islamic and early Christian icons. Discover today's bustling souks, busy markets, and make sure to take a stroll along the Alexandria Corniche to immerse yourself among the vibrant cafes and seaside atmosphere of this age-old port city.

Overnight: Hotel Radisson Blu or similar, Alexandria

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, your tour guide will meet you at the hotel to escort you for a tour of Alexandria before journeying to Cairo (approximately 200 kilometres).

Visit Pompey Pillar, one of the remains of Roman antiquities that still exist today in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, and is one of the oldest and highest memorial columns in the world.

See the Library of Alexandria (entrance not included), it is considered one of the most important modern archaeological sites in Egypt. It contains several important museums that convey the entire history and heritage of Alexandria. Visit the famous Catacombs Kom Elshakafa, the largest-known Roman burial site in Egypt and one of the last major works of construction dedicated to the religion of ancient Egypt. See the Qaitbay Citadel (entrance not included), an ancient fortress which was built by Sultan Qaitbay to protect Alexandria from the attacks of the Ottoman fleet. The Ottomans, however, succeeded in controlling Egypt, and the castle remained a great impact visited by tourists to discover the rooms of the fort and admire the most beautiful pictures in this huge fort.

Afterwards, arrive at your hotel for the evening. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Optional Upgrade: 5-Star Dahabiya Sailboat Upgrade
Upgrade to a 5-star Dahabiya sailboat for a classic and traditional cruising experience on the Nile River.
Enjoy the chance to walk around riverside villages, visit local markets and explore ancient monuments along the Nile. Explore smaller sites and islands that others don’t see with an Egyptologist guide. Onboard, you'll also delight in chef-prepared meals with Egyptian and Mediterranean-inspired flavours. Please see the current pricing in Important Information.

Please note: If choosing the Dahabiya Sailboat upgrade, you will fly from Cairo to Aswan in the late afternoon and stay in a 4-star hotel in Aswan.

Overnight: Hotel Oasis Pyramids or similar, Cairo

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, check out and be transferred to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Aswan.

Upon arrival, enjoy a guided tour of the Aswan High Dam, an embankment dam built across the Nile in Aswan, between 1960 and 1970.

Later, visit the beautiful Temple of Philae, dedicated to the worship of the Goddess of Love, Isis. Take a short motorboat ride to visit the majestic temple on Philae Island, a rocky formation in the middle of the River Nile and an ancient pilgrimage centre for the cult of Isis. This sacred site was revered from the Pharaonic era up to the Greek, Roman and Byzantine periods. Afterwards, transfer to the ship to begin the three night 4-star cruise along the beautiful Nile River.

Lunch will be enjoyed onboard. In the evening, enjoy walking through the Aswan markets and Aswan Cornish. Once back on board, enjoy a traditional dinner.

Please note:
• Due to flight scheduling and availability, customers may be required to depart to Aswan on the evening of Day 9. Flight times will be indicated on your arrival in Egypt.
• If you have chosen to upgrade your cruising experience, you'll board the 5-star Iris Dahabiya sailboat (or similar).

Overnight: MS Coral II ship or similar

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

After breakfast, relax on board or join an optional tour to Abu Simbel (2.5-3 hours each way).

Once back onboard, enjoy lunch while your ship sails to Kom Ombo. Visit the Temples of the Gods Sobek and Haroeris dedicated to both the crocodile god Sobek, and the falcon-headed god Horus.

Back to the cruise, sail to Edfu and, at night, enjoy the Galabeya Party (traditional Egyptian costume) on board.

Optional Activity: Abu Simbel
Early this morning, travel by coach from Aswan to the impressive Abu Simbel temples. Carved into the mountainside here, travellers may recognise the four colossus statues of Ramses II guarding the Great Temple. The site is renowned for its historical significance and remarkable relocation in the 1960s, when it was saved from the rising waters of the Nile thanks to an international campaign launched by UNESCO. Please see current pricing in Important Information.

Overnight: MS Coral II ship or similar

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

After breakfast, join the tour guide for a visit to the extraordinary Temple of Horus at Edfu. The Temple of Horus was the 'home' and cultural centre of the falcon god Horus of Behdet (the ancient name for Edfu). Return onboard sail pass by Esna city and sail to Luxor. Enjoy lunch on board before transferring to the East bank of Luxor to visit the amazing, Luxor Temple and the biggest temple in the world Karnak Temple, dedicated to the worship of Almighty God of the New Empire 'God Amun'.

Enjoy a belly dance and Egyptian folk dance (Tanoura) show onboard.

Overnight: MS Coral II ship or similar

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

After breakfast, disembark and be transferred to the West Bank of Luxor for a touring of the Valley of the Kings, known as the ‘Gateway to the Afterlife’.

The ancient Egyptians built impressive tombs for their pharaohs, of which the most famous can be found in the Valley of the Kings.

Rising out of the desert plain in a series of terraces you will also see the Temple of Hatshepsut - often referred to as the Pharaoh Queen. On the way back to the river Nile, the road passes by the famed Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III. In the late afternoon, check-in to your hotel.

Overnight: Lotus Hotel or similar, Luxor

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, transfer to Hurghada and enjoy the next 3 nights in an all-inclusive resort on the Red Sea coast. Today's travel is approximately 300 kilometres.

Overnight: Golden Beach Resort, Hurghada or similar

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Today, enjoy a free day at leisure to soak in the sun, or engage in some holiday resort activities like windsurfing, kitesurfing, yachting, scuba diving and snorkelling (not included).

Stunning coral reefs and turquoise waters, perfect for windsurfing, made Hurghada a busy resort town. Within easy reach of the stunning Giftun Islands and the Eastern Arabian Desert, Hurghada has seen enormous amounts of development in the past decade. Enjoy some of the world's best diving and snorkelling sites just offshore (not included).

Overnight: Golden Beach Resort, Hurghada or similar

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Enjoy today at leisure. Take the chance to join some extra activities like a grand safari, submarine or boat trip bookable at the resort (not included).

Overnight: Golden Beach Resort, Hurghada or similar

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

This morning, be met and transferred to Cairo (approximately 500 kilometres).

Upon arrival check into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Your adventure concludes at the end of the tour. Please make your own arrangements for your onward journey. Afterwards, you may choose the optional activity to visit the brand new Grand Egyptian Museum.

Optional Activity: Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
Visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest archaeological museum complex in the world that hosts more than 100,000 artefacts. For the first time ever, King Tutankhamun's entire treasure collection is on display alongside artefacts from pre-historic times through Egypt’s many thousands of years. Return transfers, entry ticket and guide included. Please see current pricing in Important Information.

Overnight: Hotel Oasis Pyramids or similar, Cairo

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, enjoy a last breakfast before checking out of the hotel and making your own onward travel arrangements from Cairo, Egypt.

None

Meals included: Breakfast