Wonders of Ancient Egypt

Visit Egypt

Day 1

Welcome to Cairo

Delve into the antiquities of Egypt on this epic journey which begins in the effervescent Egyptian capital.

As you transfer to your hotel for a day at leisure, you��ll feel the intoxicating buzz of this lively city – the perfect introduction to an unforgettable opportunity to learn about Egypt’s ancient past and exciting present. You may choose to relax after your trip, or experience the energy of Cairo for yourself at the Khan El-Khalili souk where the sounds and smells are almost overwhelming.

Day 2

Admire the Wonders of Giza

Immerse yourself during a full-day excursion to the old kingdom of Egypt.

See the Colossus of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx at Memphis. Visit the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, then marvel at the Great Pyramid of Giza and the mighty Sphinx.

Day 3

Fly to Luxor and Embark on Your Nile Cruise

Fly to Luxor this morning and embark on a guided tour of the Karnak Temple Complex, before boarding your cruise in time for lunch.

Later, marvel at Luxor's Temple and visit the Luxor Museum to see an astounding collection of archaeological treasures, including items from Tutankhamun’s tomb. Your Stays with Stories experience takes you on a cruise along the Nile, which continues to play a crucial role in Egyptian economy and biodiversity.

Day 4

Explore Ancient Dendera

Pay tribute to the Goddess Hathor at Dendera Temple, a soaring structure built around 330 BC.

  Beautifully preserved and elaborate in its design, every inch of this impressive sand-coloured structure is mesmerising and you’ll see many of its halls, shrines and unique features such as the sun dial and replica Dendera zodiac, tracing the images of Taurus and Libra.  You’ll learn about Dendera’s role as one of the major capitals of ancient Upper Egypt before sailing to Kom-Ombo for the night.

Day 5

Journey to Aswan

Today, we travel to Aswan, which for centuries held the important strategic role of being Egypt’s southern frontier and gateway to the rest of Africa.

Today it is a tranquil, modern city, most known for its High Dam, Nubian villages and Philae Temple, built to honour Egyptian goddess Isis. We arrive in time for dinner, watching the buzz of the city from the comfort of our boat.

Day 6

The High Dam and More in Aswan

During your sightseeing in Aswan, you’ll see how the ancient Egyptians chose a stunning place to honour the goddess of love and you’ll learn how the Temple of Isis on Philae Island.

Later, meet the wonderful ladies of a local Women owned co-operative on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience. Our final stop today is a visit to the High Dam, the world’s largest embankment dam which ended the cycle of flood and drought along the Nile River.

Day 7

Onwards to Philae and Kitchener’s Island

Today could see you join a once-in-a-lifetime Optional Experience to Abu Simbel, carved into a solid rock cliff in Egypt’s Nubian Valley.

As you approach the Great Temple, you’ll marvel at the four-seated colossi on either side of the entrance and the elaborate engravings depicting great victories and paying homage to the gods. Later, you’ll set sail in a traditional felucca around the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener's Island, a haven for rare exotic birds and unusual plants.

Day 8

Off to Ancient Kom-Ombo

We visit the roofless Temple of Kom-Ombo, a highlight along the Nile, where we’ll learn how the temple was built to honour two gods, Horus the Elder and Sobek.

The Temple has a perfectly symmetrical design, the two sides mirroring each other with one side dedicated to the crocodile god, the other to the falcon god. You’ll learn all about the mythical link and why the Nile crocodile was of such importance to the ancient Egyptian priests.

Day 9

Sail to Stunning Luxor

Watch how the river gives life to an arid landscape and the people who live within it as you sail down the Nile towards Luxor, once an ancient Egyptian capital.

Head to the Sundeck for the best views and thrilling experience of passing through Esna Lock before continuing your journey.

Day 10

Disembark and Fly to Cairo Connect with Locals

Disembark at Luxor to explore the fascinating complex of mortuary temples and tombs, including Queen Hatshepsut's Temple, the Colossi of Memnon and the Valley of the Kings.

Connect With Locals as you enjoy a traditional Be My Guest experience. Fly to Cairo and enjoy an evening at leisure to soak up the buzzing atmosphere for which the city is famous.

Day 11

Discover Colourful Cairo Dive Into Culture

The buzz of Cairo is undeniable, and you’ll get to feel it first-hand as you embark on an unforgettable sightseeing tour through the effervescent Egyptian capital.

History buffs will love the visits to the Hanging Church of St. Mary and the Sultan Hassan Mosque in Old Cairo, built 700 years ago as a spiritual hub for the region. You’ll also see the Alabaster Mosque and Citadel of Cairo, a medieval Islamic-era fortification which served as the seat of the Egyptian government for almost seven centuries. Later, you’ll head to the celebrated Egyptian Museum, where you’ll Dive into Culture and discover the museum’s unbelievable array of artefacts, from mummies and sarcophagi to jewellery and King Tutankhamun’s treasures.

Day 12

Farewell Cairo

Our expedition at its end, say a fond farewell to your newfound friends.

Dining Summary

11 Breakfast (B)

7 Lunch (L)

7 Dinner (D)

Be My Guest

Luxor: Enjoy an exclusive Be My Guest encounter on the banks of the Nile where your hosts, the El Boerey family, will share their stories about family life in a typical Luxor village. Savour a local culinary tradition of warm mint tea and freshly baked local bread with honey.

Dive Into Culture

Cairo: Enjoy a visit to Cairo’s Egyptian Museum, home to a remarkable collection of Egyptian antiquities including the world-famous ‘Mask of Tutankhamun’.

Iconic Experience

Giza: Enjoy a day gazing at the Great Pyramids of Giza and its treasures - the Step Pyramid of Saqqara and the Colossus of Rames II.

Karnak: Stand amid a vast forest of columns in the largest temple complex known to man as your Egyptologist explains the significance behind it. Walk the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, see the of Rameses II and the Hypostyle Hall.

Luxor: Spend the day discovering the wonders of the Luxor Museum.

Dendera: At the Temple of Hathor, see a rare depiction of Cleopatra and Caesarian.

Aswan: Admire the picturesque setting of Aswan and its iconic sites as you embark on a sightseeing tour of the city. Learn about the beautiful Temple of Isis and the contentious construction of the Aswan Dam.  

Kitchener's Island: Sail around Kitchener's Island and its Botanical Gardens in a traditional felucca. 

: Take a short boat ride to Philae Island, located between the old and new Aswan Dams, where you’ll have a short tour. You'll then be seated in a Roman style theatre for a retelling of the perennial Nile flood, and of the goddesses Isis and Hathor, to whose worship the temple was originally dedicated.

Kom Ombo: Discover the temple of Kom-Ombo and discover the wonders of the duo gods Horus the Elder and Sobek.

Valley of the Kings: Discover the ancient history behind the final resting place of Egypt's Pharaohs and Queen Hatshepsut's Temple at the Valley of the Kings.

Cairo: Spend your day enjoying the sights of the Hanging Church of St. Mary or embark on a journey to see the ancient Citadel and the Alabaster Mosque. 

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Aswan: Wander off the beaten tracks in Aswan as you meet the wonderful ladies of a local Women owned co-operative. Their mission is to ensure a garbage free world and they are using waste and natural material like bamboo or palm trees to create fine handicrafts. The organisation is providing a hub of support and comfort for over 300 women who may live in poverty or suffer from loneliness, and want to become financially independent. Thanks to their newly learnt skills, they have now been able to provide the main source of income for their family. This experience is advancing Global Goal 5: Gender Equality.

Must-see Highlights

Explore Luxor and Cairo with an Egyptologist

Visit the temples of Karnak, Luxor Museum, the temple dedicated to Goddess Hathor at Dendera, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Isis on the island of Philae, the Temple at Kom-Ombo, Queen Hatshepsut's Temple and the Colossi of Memnon in Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo

View the Step Pyramid in Sakkara, the Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan, the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener's Island, the Citadel, Alabaster and Sultan Hassan Mosques in Cairo

See the Ramses II statue and Alabaster Sphinx in Memphis, the Sound and Light show in Giza

Sail in a felucca across the Nile

Stays With Stories

Cairo: Nile cruises emerged in the early 19th century as travellers sought to explore Egypt's ancient wonders by boat. The Nile has always played a crucial role in Egyptian life from the transportation of goods, to enriching wildlife. Take in the cultural and historic significance of the Nile as you drift along the famous river during your overnight cruise.

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