Wonders of Egypt
Incredibly, after gazing upon the illustrious pyramids, this trip only gets better. Further up the Nile, your cruise ship is poised to take you to royal tombs and breathtaking temples.
8 nights from £2550pp
Call us on 01756 706505 (+44 1756 706505) to discuss this holiday
Wonders of Egypt Itinerary
Day 1 Welcome to Cairo.
Your complimentary, private transfer takes you to your local departure airport. Welcome to Egypt. A country rich in wonders and mystery, you’ll start in vibrant Cairo. A representative will meet you at the airport, before you are transferred to your hotel. Later, you will meet your Travel Director who is a qualified Egyptologist, as well as fellow travellers for a welcome drink. Meals: Locations: Cairo
Day 2 Fly to Luxor, Cruise the Nile.
In the morning, 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. One of the most luxurious vessels on the Nile, it will be your home for the next four nights. After lunch on board, take a walk through the Luxor museum and witness ancient artefacts and two royal mummies. The evening is yours at leisure, enjoy dinner on the ship before relaxing in its lounge or in the comfort of your room.(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Locations: Cairo, Luxor, Giza
Day 3 Valley of the Kings to Edfu.
This morning, disembark from your cruise and 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, including Hatshepsut, Amenhotep I and Tutankhamun were buried. In the afternoon, visit a family home and witness the making of authentic Egyptian sun bread. You’ll be able to find out more about local life in the village and why baking this delicacy is so important to the family. 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.(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Locations: Giza, Memphis
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: the crocodile-headed Sobek and falcon-headed Horus the Elder. In the evening, enjoy a fun-filled Egyptian dinner and galabeya party on board your ship.(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Locations: Aswan, Cairo, Luxor
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 the art of sailing this ancient craft. As the sun starts to fade, enjoy colonial-style high tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel. The likes of Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie have stayed at this pretty venue, and Christie supposedly wrote “Death on the Nile” from the hotel itself.(Breakfast / Lunch / Afternoon Tea / Dinner) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner Locations:
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 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. Located in a village in Nubia, they are found in Upper Egypt. Otherwise, spend the morning as you wish. There are many points of interest to enjoy; the Botanic Gardens, Elephantine Island, the Aga Khan Mausoleum, or soak up the African atmosphere in the Nubian bazaar. Later, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo for the night.(Breakfast) Meals: Breakfast Locations: Aswan, Cairo
Day 7 The Egyptian Museum and Citadel
Begin your city sightseeing with your Egyptologist at the world-famous Egyptian Museum. Starring among its attractions is the amazing treasure recovered from Tutankhamun's tomb. Sightseeing continues at the Citadel where you will enjoy breathtaking views over the whole city. Salah El-Din started the Citadel in the 12th century, but it owes its present outline to Mohammed Ali, whose Great Alabaster Mosque is the next stop. Later, you will have free time to enjoy as you wish. In the evening, take your seats at the magical Sound & Light Show at the Great Pyramids which literally illuminates the history of Giza — an unforgettable introduction to the world of ancient Egypt.(Breakfast) Meals: Breakfast Locations: Aswan
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 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 2686 B.C., making it the oldest in the world. Enjoy free time in the afternoon.(Breakfast) Meals: Breakfast Locations: Cairo, Giza, Aswan
Day 9 Depart Cairo.
It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers as your journey comes to an end. A transfer will take you to Cairo International airport for your onward flights. On arrival at your home airport, your driver will greet and escort you to your waiting car for your private transfer home.(Breakfast) Meals: Breakfast Locations: Cairo
Tour Highlights
Authentic Dining
- Luxor: Enjoy listening to stories of village life when you visit a family home for a tasting of authentic Egyptian sun bread.
- Nile Cruise: Dress in traditional attire and join the fun at an Egyptian dinner and galabeya party.
- Aswan: In true tradition, just like Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie before you, enjoy high tea in true colonial English-style at Aswan's famous Old Cataract Hotel, as the sun begins to set.
- Dining Summary: 8 Breakfasts (B), 4 Lunches (L), 1 Afternoon Tea (AT) and 4 Dinners (D), all with bottled water plus tea or coffee.
Insight Experiences
- Aswan: On a traditional Nile felucca, meet a sailor and learn the art of sailing this ancient Nile craft. Visit the High Dam and Granite Quarries.
Top Rated Highlights
- Cairo: Guided by your Local Expert, gaze upon the most recognisable symbols of ancient Egypt: the full-faced funeral mask, gold coffin, gilded throne and precious jewellery – Tutankhamun's treasures. Sightseeing includes sweeping vies over the city from the Citadel and a visit to the Great Alabaster Mosque.
- Giza: If only these walls could talk! Oh, but they do at the audio visual Sound & Light Show at the Great Pyramids.
- Giza: With your Egyptologist, meet the enigmatic Sphinx and venture deep inside one of the pyramids, to the chambers where the pharaohs went to meet their Gods in the afterlife.
- Memphis: See the statue of Rameses II along with the Alabaster Sphinx.
- Sakkara: View the oldest pyramid in the world, the Step Pyramid of Zoser I, existing for over 4,500 years.
- Cairo: Take a short scenic flight to Luxor where you will begin your Nile Cruise.
- Karnak: Stand amid a vast forest of columns in the largest temple complex known to man, as your Egyptologist explains the significance behind it. Walk the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, see the of Rameses II and the Hypostyle Hall.
- Luxor: Visit Luxor Temple.
- West Bank: See the massive stone statues of the Colossi of Memnon.
- West Bank: Embark on an experience with an Egyptologist to visit the mortuary Temple Hatshepsut.
- West Bank: Explore with an Egyptologist the Valley of the Kings which is home to the magnificent tombs of Egypt's Pharaohs.
- Kom Ombo: Visit the unique temple as it is the only double temple in Egypt.
- Philae Island: Travel by motorboat to Philae Island and witness the majestic Temple of Isis rising from the waters.
- Aswan: Enjoy your short flight back to Cairo for your final night.
Price Includes
Included Insight Services
- Our highly-skilled Travel Director and certified Egyptologist will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned coach with onboard washroom. Alternate vehicles without onboard washroom may be used on occasion.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will enchant you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- 4 night Nile cruise aboard your mid-size cruise ship featuring air-conditioned cabins with private facilities, on either MS Medea, MS Miriam, MS Giselle, MS La Boheme or similar. Please note that gratuities are not included for the Travel Director, Nile Cruise staff, Drivers and Airport Escorts.
- Included economy class flights between Cairo/Luxor and Aswan/Cairo with transfers between airports and hotels.
- Complimentary transfers from/to Cairo Airport are available on arrival and departure days, or with additional accommodation booked through Insight Vacations.
Dates and Prices
2021 Departures £ prices per person based on 2 people sharing
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