Pyramids & the Nile

Fly from London Heathrow to Cairo for three nights at the premium Crowne Plaza Cairo.

Visit the stars of Egypt’s show, the pyramids of Giza and the magnificent monolith of the Sphinx; the Great Pyramid of Cheops listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the whole complex a UNESCO World Heritage site, as are the ruins around the Old Kingdom capital, Memphis, our next discovery, where we view the 4,700-year-old Step Pyramid of Saqqara.
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This morning, visit the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum, walk across the Grand Hall, housing the statue of King Ramesses II, 10 Statues of Senusret, Victory Column of Merenpetah and Ptolemaic King and Queen Statues, the extraordinary Hanging Obelisk, the remarkable Grand Staircase and the recently opened galleries hosting a wealth of artefacts. Travel to downtown Cairo for lunch and then discover the Egyptian Museum to view contents of King Tutankhamun’s tomb; continue to the medieval Citadel of Cairo, with its 19th century Mosque of Muhammad Ali. (B, L)

Take a morning flight to Luxor and transfer to the river to board the Mövenpick MS Hamees for a four-night cruise. Luxor was ancient Thebes when the astonishing east bank temples of Luxor and Karnak were built. Visit them today, and explore the hundred acres of temples, courts, colonnades, and obelisks, linked to each other by the two-mile Avenue of Sphinxes, and atmospherically bathed in lights at night.
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Optional Luxor hot air balloon (early morning start before sunrise, pre-bookable). Cross to the Nile’s west bank to visit the Valley of the Kings, containing the burial sites of more than sixty pharaohs. Among several tombs, we may visit those of Seti 1 or Tutankhamun (subject to viewing restrictions, at extra charge); view the monumental Colossi of Memnon, the statues soaring 60-feet high; and visit the tiered tomb of Queen Hatshepsut, descending 100metres into the rockface. Leave Luxor to sail to Esna.
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A short walk through Esna takes us to the Temple of Khnum. A Greco-Roman construction, its hypostyle hall is supported by 24 elaborate columns, each twelve metres high. Cruise to Kom Ombo for a sunset view of the ‘twin’ temples, dedicated to two gods, the crocodile-headed Sobek and falcon-headed Horus, and continue to Aswan.
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Visit the High Dam for terrific views over Lake Nasser; take a boat trip to the Philae Temple, saved from being submerged in the lake by moving it, block by block, to Agilika island; and return to Aswan for the Nubian Museum’s innovative display of the culture and heritage of Nubia’s ‘Land of Gold’ era. Afternoon sail by felucca or private boat to enjoy the tree-shaded paths, beautiful flowers and brightly plumed birds of Kitchener Island’s Botanical Gardens.
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Transfer to Aswan airport for your return flight to London Heathrow via Cairo.
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