Jewels of the Nile Tour

FROM $3610.00 per person Twin Share

One of Ancient Kingdoms Holidays most popular Egyptian holidays, combining a fabulous Nile cruise with time to explore Cairo’s many highlights including the Pyramids and Cairo Museum. Ancient Kingdoms offers you Egypt in all its glory, from the golden treasures of the Pharaohs to the colossal temples of Upper Egypt in Luxor and Aswan.

Private Holiday with Nile Cruise
9 Days ex Cairo

Preferred Departures:

Platinum Class/ Super Deluxe Class: Sunday
Deluxe/Historical – Saturday
First Class – Monday
Value Class – Thursday
Cruises may operate in reverse

Please note: The Single Room price displayed above is for a single room in conjunction with other travellers. A solo traveller may incur a supplement

Highlights:

• Wake to the inspiring view of the sun rising over the Pyramids of Giza
• See the first of these great monuments at the Step Pyramid of Sakkara
• Cruise around the enchanting islands of Aswan on a traditional felucca boat
• Marvel at the treasures in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo

Day 1: Cairo

You will be met by our representative prior to passing through immigration. Soak up the atmosphere of Cairo as you are transferred to your Pyramids area hotel. Option to upgrade to Pyramids view room. Supplement applies

Day 2: Cairo (B)

A day to remember! Meet your Egyptologist for your private tour. This morning you will be picked up from your hotel for your full day private sightseeing tour of the Pyramids and Cairo Museum. Discover the famous Pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic figure of the nearby Sphinx. The Cheops Pyramid, reckoned by the Greeks to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World is especially interesting since its interior burial chambers are open for inspection by the public. Not far from the Pyramids, you will also see the Great Sphinx of Giza hewn from natural yellowish limestone and standing 65 feet high. This afternoon visit the Egyptian Museum where you can view the glittering treasures of ancient Egypt. ( subject to the new museum being open) – If it is not open we will instead visit the Museum of Ancient Civilisation..

Day 3: Cairo – Luxor (BLD)

Fly to Luxor and embark on your cruise along the life-giving Nile. After lunch begin exploring one of the world’s greatest open air museums – Thebes. Visit the magnificent Luxor Temple, follow the Avenue of the Sphinx to the Temple complex of Karnak. This gigantic site was added to by approximately 30 different Pharaohs, which goes some way to explaining its size and grandeur.

Day 4: Luxor – Esna – Edfu (BLD)

Cross the Nile to the West Bank. Today is full of highlights including the Necropolis of Thebes and the Valley of the Kings, home to the tombs of the Theban Ruler’s including Tutankhamun. An upgraded ticket to the Valley of the Kings including entrance to boy king Tutankhamun’s Tomb and to Ramses VI Tomb, which has less visitors and allows for easier access.

Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and see the famed Colossi of Memnon facing the Nile. This afternoon sail to Esna and cross the lock.

Innovative Bonus: Entry into Tutankhamun and Ramses VI included

Day 5: Edfu – Kom Ombo – Aswan (BLD)

Today visit Edfu where remains from the Old Kingdom can be viewed, as well as the Temple of Horus – one of the holiest of the Egyptian pantheon of gods. Sail to Kom Ombo and visit Kom Ombo Temple, which was shared by the two Gods, Sobek (with the head of a crocodile) and Horus (who has the head of a falcon), was built in the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 BCE. See the beautiful preserved murals and bas relief whose inscriptions provide important information on language, myth and religion during the Greco-Roman period in ancient Egypt. Later sail to Aswan.

Day 6: Aswan (BLD)

Visit the Aswan Dams at the end of Lake Nasser and the beautifully restored Temple of Philae. Dedicated to the goddess Isis (the mother of Horus) an international effort relocated the entire temple complex to save it from being submerged by the creation of Lake Nasser. Later sail by felucca around the lush islands of Aswan.

Day 7: Aswan – Cairo (B)

Disembark from your cruise, fly back to the capital for a transfer to your city hotel. Conveniently located in the centre of Cairo, you can spend the remainder of the day at leisure while you soak up the local culture and atmosphere. Optional ½ day or overnight visit to Abu Simbel (Supplement applies)

Day 8: Cairo (B)

Meet your guide and begin your exploration of Egyptian history and culture. Head to Coptic Cairo. Visit the famous Coptic Museum which is built on the site of the Roman fortress of Babylon, constructed about 30BC. Inside the fortress are several Coptic churches and the richest collection of Coptic art in the world. Also visit Ben Ezra Synagogue which stands in a pleasant shady garden in the centre of Cairo. It contains a number of artefacts including the manuscript known as the ‘Atlas of Moses’. After a lunch break take a walk through Old Cairo with your guide. Start at Bab El Futouh and stroll through Al Moez Street visiting and viewing the magnificent Islamic architectural heritage including mausoleums, mosques, Sabils, and medieval houses that date from the Fatimid and Mamluke Eras. Rest and reenergize with a refreshing drink at Fishawy Café (Optional) amidst Khan El khalili bazaars. Resume the trek through Al Moez Street ending by Bab Zweilla and tent makers before returning to your hotel.

Day 9: Cairo (B)

Departure transfer to the airport.