Fly with Air France via Paris from one of 8 UK airports into Cairo, or directly with British Airways from London Heathrow. Arrive late evening and transfer* to the your Hotel.
Three Night Stay: Cairo
Today explore Cairo at your leisure or alternatively, take an optional** tour, choose from: a half day tour of Saqqara; a half day Islamic Cairo tour; or a half day Coptic Cairo tour. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow guests for a cocktail reception including hot and cold canapés, an introductory lecture on Egypt with your Egyptologist, and detailed information on your itinerary.
Meals: Breakfast
A highlight today is our tour of the remaining 7th Wonder of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza. Marvel at the sight of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the largest pyramid. Enter the amazing Solar Boat Museum and view the original funeral boat of King Khufu. Your visit to Giza ends at the famous Sphinx, carved from a single limestone block. This afternoon enjoy some relaxing time at the hotel before your highlight dinner with a local Egyptian family. Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to Cairo International Airport for an early morning private charter flight direct to Abu Simbel where you will board our luxurious cruise boat. Late afternoon we tour Egypt’s most revered temples which are sure to be the highlight of your trip. These stunning temples were built by Pharaoh Ramesses II as a lasting monument to himself and his beloved Queen Nefertari. Arguably the greatest indulgence of any Pharaoh, the breathtaking façade consists of four gigantic statues of the Pharaoh seated on his throne; each statue is 20 metres high. Tonight see an unmissable ‘Sound and Light’ show played out in front of these magnificent temples. Board the Jaz Omar El Khayam for a three night cruise of Lake Nasser. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
N.B The flight between Cairo and Abu Simbel has a baggage restriction of 15kg per person, additional baggage to a maximum of 5kg per person will be transported by land to meet you on arrival into Aswan on Day 7 and charges may apply for any baggage in excess of these limits.
Take in the amazing views of the Kasr Ibrim Temple as you sail past. It once stood on a cliff high above the Nile which is now an island due to the formation of Lake Nasser. It is the only major Lower Nubian archaeological site to have survived the flooding without having to be relocated. Next, visit Nubia’s oldest temple, The Temple of Amada before moving on to the Temple of Derr, the only rock cut temple in Nubia. We finish off the morning’s sightseeing with the Tomb of Penut and then head back to enjoy a leisurely lunch whilst sailing to Wadi El Seboua. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning tour Wadi El Seboua, originally the site of two New Kingdom Egyptian temples and these were relocated four kilometres west to avoid flooding from Lake Nasser. The new Wadi El Seboua site is now home to two other Nubian temples which were relocated here: - the Greco-Roman temple of Dakka which is dedicated to Thoth; and the never completed Egyptian-Roman temple of Meharakka. Return to the boat to enjoy lunch as we cross the Tropic of Cancer on our way to Aswan where the boat moors for the night. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Disembark and visit Kalabsha Temple, a tribute to the Lower Nubian sun god Mandulis. Next we travel to the Aswan High Dam completed in 1970 after ten years of work; it is Egypt’s lifeline, providing irrigation and electricity for the whole country. From the top of the High Dam you can gaze across Lake Nasser, the huge reservoir created when the dam was built, to Kalabasha Temple in the south and the huge power station to the north. We continue by motorboat to explore the Temple of Isis at Philae. Built in the third century BC and known as the ‘Jewel of the Nile’, this temple complex is located on an island in the Nile and was dedicated to the goddess Isis. It features well preserved temple buildings, courtyards, reliefs and murals. Check into your 5-star luxury Nile River cruise boat, then journey by motorboat to a traditional, local Nubian village, passing Elephantine Island and the Mausoleum of Aga Khan. Re-board the Jaz Minerva or the Jaz Legacy for your three night Nile cruise. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sail to Kom Ombo Temple dedicated to Sobek, God of Fertility and Horus, the Solar War God. We then cruise to Edfu and visit the magnificently preserved Temple of Horus, the Falcon God. Unique amongst the temples of Upper Egypt, the temple is located on the west bank of the Nile, which is normally dedicated to the afterlife. Impressive features of this temple are the carvings and hieroglyphics that cover nearly every surface. Set sail as the boat continues to Luxor where it moors for the evening. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you can take an optional hot air balloon flight** over the West Bank, this is to be booked on tour and will be at your own cost. This morning we cross to the west bank of the Nile and explore one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Our first stop is the Colossi of Memnon, two massive quartzite statues which once flanked the entrance to Amenhotep III’s mortuary temple. Next visit the imposing Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the longest ruling female pharaoh. Our final stop is the Valley of the Kings, the ancient city of the dead, where magnificent tombs were carved into the desert rocks. We enter the tomb of Tutankhamen before returning to Luxor. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning explore the awe inspiring Karnak Temple, this was built over a 2000 year period by the great pharaohs of Egypt and is the largest ancient religious site in the world. Next we visit Luxor Temple; here you can see the ruins left not only by the Ancient Egyptians, but also other civilizations including the Greeks and the Romans. This afternoon travel by air conditioned coach to the Hurghada.
Two Night Stay: HurghadaMeals: Breakfast
Today is a SCENIC FREECHOICE day where you choose what you’d like to do from the following Scenic FreeChoice inclusions: enjoy a relaxing massage; a snorkeling trip including lunch; or a morning cruise on a glass bottom boat. This evening enjoy our private, traditional Bedouin dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
The morning is free to spend at your own leisure before we transfer you to the airport for your flight to Cairo. On arrival, transfer your hotel.
Two Night Stay: Cairo Meals: Breakfast
This morning we visit the incredible Egyptian Museum, home of the greatest collection of Ancient Egyptian antiquities in the world. The tour includes Tutankhamen’s collection of treasures from his tomb and access to the Mummies Room. This afternoon is a SCENIC FREECHOICE afternoon where you choose what you’d like to do from the following Scenic FreeChoice inclusions: a half day tour of Saqqara; a half day Islamic Cairo tour; or a half day Coptic Cairo tour. This evening enjoy our exclusive farewell dinner in the Palace at the Cairo Marriott Hotel including a private folklore show. Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
Transfer* to Cairo International Airport for your early morning flight back to the UK, either directly to the UK, or via Paris with Air France to one of 8 UK airports. Alternatively, choose an extension in Jordan.
Meals: Breakfast
**Optional tours are at your own cost and must be booked before departure.
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
Brochure: IS/EGY/GBP1011
Tour code: UNNC.1