Grand Tour of Egypt

Overview

The complete Egypt programme. Three nights in Cairo with the pyramids, Saqqara and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Fly to Aswan for Philae and a full excursion to Abu Simbel, then three nights sailing north to Luxor with Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings and Karnak along the way. Cross the Eastern Desert to Hurghada for three nights on the Red Sea before a final night in Cairo. Guided throughout by a licensed Egyptologist, with all domestic flights and transfers arranged.

Indicative programme — final itinerary and price confirmed on request.

Highlights

• Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara and the Grand Egyptian Museum
• Full excursion to the rock temples of Abu Simbel
• Three-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor
• Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and Karnak
• Three nights all-inclusive on the Red Sea in Hurghada
• Farewell dinner cruise on the Nile in Cairo

Day by day

1. Day1

   Arrival in Cairo

   Meet & assist inside Cairo International Airport and private transfer to your hotel. Evening at leisure.

2. Day2

   Giza, Saqqara and Memphis

   The Giza plateau with the three pyramids and the Sphinx, then Saqqara's Step Pyramid and the open-air museum at Memphis with the colossus of Ramesses II. Lunch included.

3. Day3

   Grand Egyptian Museum and Islamic Cairo

   Morning in the Grand Egyptian Museum. Afternoon at the Citadel, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali and Al-Muizz Street, ending at Khan el-Khalili.

4. Day4

   Fly to Aswan

   Morning flight to Aswan. Visit the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Isis at Philae. Check in to your hotel on the Nile; sunset felucca sail around Elephantine Island.

5. Day5

   Abu Simbel and embarkation

   Early departure by road, about three hours, to Abu Simbel for the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Nefertari, relocated stone by stone in the 1960s. Return to Aswan and board your cruise ship. Dinner on board.

6. Day6

   Kom Ombo and Edfu

   Sail north to Kom Ombo for its double temple, then continue to Edfu and the Temple of Horus by horse-drawn carriage. Overnight sailing towards Luxor.

7. Day7

   Luxor, both banks

   Pass through the Esna lock to Luxor. West Bank: the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Afternoon at Karnak and Luxor Temple. An optional hot-air balloon flight can be booked for dawn the next morning.

8. Day8

   Luxor to Hurghada

   Disembark after breakfast and drive across the Eastern Desert to Hurghada, about four hours by private vehicle. Check in to your all-inclusive resort for three nights.

9. Day9

   Red Sea at leisure

   A free day at the resort. Optional desert safari or introductory diving lesson.

10. Day10

    Giftun Islands snorkelling

    Boat trip to the Giftun Islands with snorkelling over the reef and lunch on board.

11. Day11

    Back to Cairo

    Fly to Cairo. Afternoon in Coptic Cairo: the Hanging Church, the Church of St Sergius and Ben Ezra Synagogue. Farewell dinner cruise on the Nile with live entertainment.

12. Day12

    Departure

    Transfer to Cairo International Airport for your flight home.