Egypt and the nile I
tour highlights
Explore ancient Egypt and the majestic Nile River from Luxor to Aswan on this incredible 9-day, 8-night tour.
Visit the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, along with the well-preserved tombs in the Valley of Kings near Luxor. Discover the magnificent temples at Karnak and Luxor and the incredible Abu Simbel Temples near Aswan. Breathtaking antiquities await as you wander through the Egyptian Museum, including the treasured golden mask of the young King, Tut Ankh Amun. Learn the history of the Egyptian gods, ponder the beauty of hieroglyphics and learn more about Egyptian culture as you cruise aboard a luxury riverboat along the Nile River. This is a journey not to be missed!
Itinerary
B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner
Day 1: Welcome to Egypt - Arrive Cairo; Transfer to Hotel
Welcome to Cairo Egypt!! Travelers will arrive at Cairo International Airport (CAI). A Royal Egypt Travel tour manager will meet each traveler upon arrival and assist through the immigration process, proceeding forward to collect luggage at baggage claim. Your transfer from the airport to the hotel in private, air-conditioned coach is provided. The remainder of the afternoon/evening will be at your leisure.
Overnight Cairo: 2 nights
Optional Excursion: Sound & Light Show at Giza Pyramids - VIP Ticket
Day 2: Memphis, Saqqara, Great Pyramids and Sphinx (B, L)
After breakfast, the tour manager will greet the group and provide an overview of the planned itinerary. After the meet & greet, we will depart for a morning excursion to Memphis and Saqqara, followed by Egyptian jewelry & essence oil shopping. Lunch is included at a local restaurant in Giza. Then, we will make an afternoon visit to The Great Pyramids and Sphinx, with Khufu solar ship museum and camel ride included. The afternoon concludes with a stop at a local Egyptian cotton store, then we will return to hotel with the remainder of the evening at your leisure.
Optional Excursion: Entry to Great Pyramid
Day 3: Fly Cairo to Luxor; Embark on Nile Cruise - Karnak and Luxor Temples (B, L, D)
After breakfast, the group will depart for a morning flight from Cairo to Luxor. Upon arrival in Luxor, we will settle into the accommodations on the Nile cruise ship, then enjoy lunch on-board. Following lunch, we will depart for an afternoon excursion to Karnak Temple, a Papyrus Institute and Luxor Temple. The day ends with an early evening carriage ride through Luxor and then return to the cruise ship for dinner. Remainder of the evening at your leisure, with evening lounge entertainment provided by the cruise ship.
Overnight Sonesta Cruise Collection: 4 nights
Day 4: Hot Air Balloon Ride; Valley of the Kings & Queens, Begin Nile Sail (B, L, D)
The day begins with an early morning hot air balloon ride over the West Bank of Luxor. Following this amazing excursion, the group will return to the cruise ship for breakfast, then depart for a visit to the Valley of the Kings/Queens and the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. We will then transfer back to the cruise ship to begin sail to Esna via the Esna Lock. Lunch will be provided on-board, followed by a variety of activities including an afternoon tea, Captain’s welcome cocktail party and evening entertainment. Dinner is on-board.
Day 5: Sail Edfu to Kom Ombo; Temple of Edfu and Temple of Kom Ombo (B, L, D)
We begin our day with breakfast on-board then take a morning excursion to the Temple of Edfu. After personal time for shopping and exploring Edfu, the group will transfer back to the cruise ship to continue sailing to Kom Ombo. Lunch will be on-board, followed by an afternoon excursion to the Temple of Kom Ombo. Dinner is on-board followed by an Egyptian Galabeya party, where we will party the night away in authentic Egyptian attire!
Day 6: Sail Aswan; Aswan High Dam, Granite Quarries and the Temple of Philae - Felucca Sail (B, L, D)
After enjoying breakfast on-board, we depart for a morning excursion to the Aswan High Dam, Granite Quarries and the Temple of Philae. Following this visit, we will return to the cruise ship to enjoy lunch, followed by an afternoon Felucca sail around Kitchener’s Island and Agha Khan. The afternoon cruise ship activities include a Captain’s tea and a Nubian folkloric show, followed by dinner on-board.
Day 7: Disembark in Aswan; Fly Aswan to Abu Simbel, Abu Simbel Temples; Fly Abu Simbel to Cairo (B)
Our day begins with breakfast on-board then we disembark the cruise ship and transfer to Aswan Airport for a morning excursion to Abu Simbel. Upon arrival in Abu Simbel, the group will visit the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Hathor and Nefertari. We will also have time to visit a few of the Nubian bazaars as we make our way back to the coach. We will then transfer back to Abu Simbel airport for a short flight to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo, the group transfers to the hotel, where remainder of afternoon/evening will be at your leisure.
Overnight Cairo: 2 nights
Day 8: Egyptian Museum, Citadel, Mosques and Khan El-Khalili Bazaar (B, D)
After breakfast, the group departs for a morning excursion to the Egyptian Museum, The Citadel of Salah Al-Din, Mosque of Muhammad Ali and Khan El Khalili Bazaar. We will then return to the hotel for lunch at your own leisure, an afternoon refresher and/or to begin preparing for return trip to the US. The evening will conclude with a farewell dinner for the group at a local restaurant in Cairo.
Day 9: Farewell to Egypt - Depart Cairo; Transfer to Airport
Sadly, this amazing tour has come to an end! Each traveler will transfer from hotel to Cairo International Airport for return flights to the US. The tour manager will arrange airport transportation for each person based upon scheduled flight departure times.
** ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE **
