• Handpicked 4 & 5 star hotels in great locations
• Superior dining in top rated restaurants
• Daily breakfasts & many relaxed morning starts after 9am
• 24/7 personal service – knowledgeable Travel Director & expert Driver
• ‘Business Class’ style coaches with extended legroom*
• Insider Access, Insightful Encounters and Insight Choice experiences
• Local discovery led by Local Experts
• Porterage, plus tips and gratuities at hotels and restaurants, is included

Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrive in Cairo
Welcome to the timeless land of the pharaohs. On arrival at Cairo Airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel and have time to relax and sample the hotels amenities after your journey. Hotel: Cairo Marriott & Omar Khayyam Casino

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES: National Museum of Egyptian Civilization – Designed for those visitors with extra pre or post trip nights in Cairo or if flight arrives before midday on Day 1. Located in Old Cairo, visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) to see the 22 royal mummies and over 1500 artefacts on display. With exhibitions beginning with the predynastic period, followed by the Roman and Coptic periods, until modern day Egypt. The museum incorporates the array of different civilizations that contributed to Egypt’s rich and diverse history. Adult: 65.00 USD *This Optional Experience is designed for visitors arriving before 12 noon on Day 1 and must be booked in advance

Day 2 | Fly to Luxor, Cruise the Nile In the morning, meet your Travel Director and fly to Luxor and visit the huge temple complex of Karnak. Walk through the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes to stand among the columns of the Hypostyle Hall. Later, transfer to your cruise ship, your home for the next four nights. After lunch on board, take a walk through the Luxor Museum, witness ancient artefacts and see two royal mummies. This evening, get to know your Travel Director, a professionally trained Egyptologist, as well as fellow guests over a welcome drink followed by dinner. The rest of the evening is yours at leisure, enjoy dinner on the ship before relaxing in its lounge or in the comfort of your room. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Hotel: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES: Karnak Sound and Light Show – Enjoy the fabulous Sound and Light Show arranged in Luxor at Karnak Temple: While strolling along the ancient avenues of Sphinxes & halls of colossal columns, you will be hearing the tales of these ancient places. Prices are in USD.  Adult: 55.00 USD

Day 3 | Valley of the Kings to Edfu This morning travel by coach to the west bank of the Nile. See the Colossi of Memnon and visit both the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings, where many pharaohs were buried, including Hatshepsut, Amenhotep I and Tutankhamun. Experience the renowned local hospitality of Egyptians during a visit to the village of Geziret Bahirat. Connect with the community and share bread with the Bahirat family, whilst they regale guests with their fascinating stories of daily life. Visit Luxor Temple which was unearthed by Mariette in the 1860s, before returning to your cruise ship and sail via the Esna Lock to Edfu, for your overnight stay. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Hotel: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)

Day 4 | Kom Ombo to Aswan In the early morning sail to Kom Ombo to visit the only double temple of Egypt dedicated to two gods. Discover the Temple, learning all about its ‘double’ and perfectly symmetrical design for the duo of gods – one side dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god, the other to Horus the Elder the falcon god. Indulge your culinary side during an Egyptian cooking demonstration or tea with the Captain for your Insight Choice experience. This evening, enjoy a fun-filled traditional Egyptian themed dinner and galabeya party on board your ship. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Hotel: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)

Day 5 | Aswan’s High Dam and Nile Felucca In the morning, visit the Aswan High Dam and granite quarries, to see the enormous unfinished obelisk. Travel by motorboat to the Temple of Isis. Rising from the waters of the Nile on the Island of Philae, it was the last temple built in the classical Egyptian style. Later, on a traditional Nile Felucca, meet a sailor and learn about traditional sailing practices. As the sun starts to fade, enjoy high tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel. The likes of Sir Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie stayed at this pretty venue, and Christie supposedly wrote “Death on the Nile” from the hotel itself. Return to Philae Island, this evening, for the atmospheric Sound and Light Show, where the temple’s illuminated facade brings ancient myths to life in a vivid display across the Nile. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner Hotel: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES: Life on the Nile – A chance to get up close with the wildlife of the world’s most famous rivers. Learn from your local Nubian expert how the Nile has been the centre of life for ancient civilizations and local wildlife as you travel by boat around the islands of first cataract. Watch out for colourful native birds, different species of herons, kingfishers, sunbirds, and other wildlife that thrive in the marsh grass along the riverbanks whilst taking in the unique views of the Sahara sand dunes. Adult: 30.00 USD

Day 6 | Aswan and Back to Cairo In the morning, disembark your cruise ship and enjoy time at leisure in Aswan. Why not join an optional experience and travel by air to the magnificent Temples of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel? These temples overlook Lake Nasser and are made up of the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Hathor. Otherwise, spend the morning as you wish. Perhaps soak up the African atmosphere in the Nubian bazaar or visit one of the many points of interest nearby, such as the Botanical Gardens, Elephantine Island and the Aga Khan Mausoleum. Later, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo for the night. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Cairo Marriott & Omar Khayyam Casino

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES: Abu Simbel Excursion By Air – Excursion to Abu Simbel from Aswan to visit the fabulous reconstructed temples of Ramses II and Nefertari. The journey by air takes approximately forty minutes in each direction and allows approximately seventy-five minutes at Abu Simbel to visit the temples and the impressive concrete dome. Prices are in USD.  Adult: 395.00 USD * Price subject to airline price fluctuations.

 Day 7 | Cairo Sightseeing Begin your city sightseeing with your Egyptologist by exploring the Cairo Citadel, a medieval Islamic-era fortification that served as the seat of the Egyptian government for almost seven centuries, and visit the Great Alabaster Mosque. Later, visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)*, the home for many of Egypt’s ancient treasures, including the remarkable collection from Tutankhamun’s tomb. *Subject to departure date and the museum’s full opening. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Cairo Marriott & Omar Khayyam Casino

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES: Nile Cruise & Dinner – Experience Cairo from a completely different perspective during a delightful evening dinner cruise on River Nile. Once on board enjoy a delicious buffet dinner with Cairo’s illuminated skyline as a backdrop. Entertainment is provided in the form of a spectacular belly-dancing and folklore show. Not to be missed! Prices are in USD. Adult: 88.00 USD * During Ramadan there will be no alcohol or belly dancers.

Day 8 | The Great Pyramids of Giza
Gain a deeper understanding of the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World during a visit to Giza with your Egyptologist. Meet the enigmatic Sphinx, crouching at the foot of the Chephrenís Causeway and venture inside one of the magnificent Pyramids. Nearby lies Memphis, capital of the Old Kingdom, where you can see the colossal statue of Ramesses II and the great Alabaster Sphinx. Continue to Sakkara to view the Step Pyramid of Zoser, which dates back to 2686 B.C., making it the oldest pyramid in the world. Meet the skilled artisans at a local weaving school for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Enjoy free time in the afternoon. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Cairo Marriott & Omar Khayyam Casino

Day 9 | Depart Cairo Your wonderful journey ends with transfers to Cairo International airport. Meals: Breakfast

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES: Full Day Alexandria (Designed For Those Visitors With Extra Pre Or Post Trip Nights In Cairo) – Embark on a full day exploration of historic Alexandria. Your sightseeing tour shows you the National Museum, the well preserved Roman Amphitheatre, Roman Catacombs, Quayet-Bey Fortress from the outside and Pombey’s Pillar. Prices are in USD.  Adult: 155.00 USD * This excursion is only available to guests who have purchased extra nights in Cairo before or after their tour. * This Optional experience is priced at $155 per person when there are two or more participants. If there is only one participant the cost is $310 per person.