9-Day Journey to Ancient Egypt
$5,495
Number of Days: 9
Location: Egypt
Explore the Great Pyramids of Giza and other treasures of Egypt as you piece together the life and times of one of the world's greatest ancient civilizations. Cruise the ancient Nile in style like the pharaohs once did, disembarking at iconic sites along your route. Discover the Aswan islands, The Valley of Kings, and tour the famous Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, home to artifacts recovered from the great Tutankhamun's tomb. This will be an amazing journey with incredible history at every turn!
Daily Itinerary
Day 1
BEGINNING OF YOUR TOUR
Depart from USA or an overnight flight to Cairo, Egypt.
Day 2
CAIRO, EGYPT
Arrive in Cairo, where you will be met by your tour representative and transferred to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 3
PYRAMIDS OF GIZA
Begin the day with a visit to the infamous Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Among the ruins, view the Pyramid of Menkaure flanked by the Pyramids of Queens. The iconic Sphinx, a massive monolith carved into the shape of a lion with the head of a man, rests in front of the Pyramid of Khafre. Khufu Pyramid, the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza complex, towers 481 feet above the plateau. After leaving the ruins of Giza, travel to Memphis, the capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom. The city was founded in 3200 BC by King Narmer and boasts some of the oldest structures and statues on earth. Next, journey to Saqqara Step Pyramid, the world’s first pyramid. Dinner and overnight in Cairo. Lunch Included.
Day 4
EGYPTIAN MUSEUM/CAIRO
Step into history at the Egyptian Museum. Admire antiquities from Egypt’s Pharaonic period, dating back fifty centuries and including the fabulous treasures of King Tut-Ankh-Amon. Next, visit the Cairo Citadel, an imposing medieval fortress towering above the city. Explore the opulent Mohamed Ali Mosque, showcasing Ottoman architectural style from the early 19th century. Journey through the centuries with a visit to Old Cairo, a city dating back to the sixth century BC. The Hanging Church, perched above the Babylon Fortress, features intentional design elements from the seventh century and a long, fascinating history rooted in the third century. Then, visit Abu Serga Church, built on the site believed to house Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus during their time in Egypt. Explore Ben Ezra Synagogue, Cairo’s oldest Jewish synagogue. Tradition holds that the building is located on the site where baby Moses was drawn out of the water by the pharaoh’s daughter. Dinner and overnight in Cairo. Lunch Included.
Day 5
ASWAN/NILE CRUISE
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for a flight to Aswan. Take in the views and marvel at the high dam, one of the world’s largest embankment dams, stretching two miles across the Nile. Delight the senses and savor the unique experience of shopping at the spice market near the Nile River Valley. In the afternoon, step aboard the Movenpick for relaxing afternoon on the famed Nile River. Dinner and overnight aboard the Movenpick. Lunch included. Optional alternative: Nubian Village - Enjoy a felucca boat cruise down the Nile to a traditional Nubian village on Elephantine Island.
Day 6
KOM OMBO
Spend the day discovering Kom Ombo. Explore the Temple of Kom Ombo, a double temple dedicated to the worship of two gods—Sobek and Haroeris. Observe the stunning columns, unique inscriptions, and duplicate design features of this distinctive landmark. Continue cruising the Nile to Edfu. Dinner and overnight aboard the Movenpick. Lunch included.
Day 7
EDFU
After breakfast, disembark the Movenpick to explore the Temple of Horus in Edfu. The temple, dedicated to the Egyptian god Horus, is one of the best-preserved monuments of ancient Egypt, showcasing traditional Pharaonic architecture and providing a wealth of information about ancient life through its inscriptions and reliefs. Sail to Esna and cross the lock en route to Luxor. Dinner and overnight aboard the Movenpick. Lunch included.
Day 8
VALLEY OF THE KINGS/LUXOR
Travel across the Nile for a visit to the west bank. Admire the splendor of the Valley of the Kings. Many New Kingdom pharaohs and royalty were interred in extravagant tombs concealed by the mountains of this valley. Next, explore the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, the foremost female pharaoh. Marvel at the elaborate reliefs and exquisite architecture. Stand in the shadows of the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of Amenhotep III built to guard his mortuary temple. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to the beautiful Luxor Temple, built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II. Walk along the Avenue of Sphinxes, an ancient pathway lined with large statues of human-headed sphinxes, once connecting the temple of Luxor to the temple of Karnak. Wander through the enormous Karnak Temple Complex, the religious hub of Ancient Egypt. Gaze at the vast array of temples, chapels, and statues constructed over a span of 2,000 years. Transfer to Cairo for dinner and overnight. Lunch Included.
Day 9
CAIRO/USA
Transfer to Cairo airport for your return flight home with your luggage packed with keepsakes and your heart full of memories from your exploration of Egypt. NOTE: Schedule is subject to change due to various factors and your tour guide’s discretion.