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Pyramids & the Nile

Egypt

7 nights 12 Departures Available

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The pyramids of Giza are the country’s most photographed monuments, the timeless Nile is its most vital asset. These two icons of Egypt come together on a tour of tombs, temples, and treasures

Overview

An ideal introduction for a first-time visit to Egypt, this tour is a taster of its antiquities, taking you by air and river cruiser to visit the major sites of the cities and the Nile. With a hotel stay in Cairo and a four-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan, packed into just seven nights away, on the most spacious and modern vessel, the first-class MS Hamees.

 Accompanied by an Egyptologist and local guides, the journey is bookended by Cairo, where discovery begins at the Pyramids of Giza and the epic, enigmatic Sphinx, rising from the desert sands; continues to ancient Memphis and Saqqara; and returns to the city to visit the ‘Citadel of Saladin’, esteemed Egyptian museum, where King Tutankhamun’s exhibition still remain and the highlight of the trip, taking you to the long awaited new Grand Egyptian Museum! Two days of exploration in Luxor reveal its vast and splendid temples and the Valley of the Kings, with Tutankhamun’s tomb among generations of former and following pharaohs. Cruising upstream on the Nile, the ship navigates the Esna Lock to visit the Temple of Khnum, and sails to a view of Kom Ombo’s twin temples enroute to the river islands, Nubian culture, and High Dam of Aswan, which created Lake Nasser.

Highlights

  • Visit the Pyramids and Coptic Cairo
  • Explore the Grand Egyptian Museum
  • 4-night cruise on the River Nile
  • Discover Luxor and Karnak Temples
  • Wander around Valley of the Kings
  • See Kom Ombo around sunset
Pyramids & The Nile Map 2023

Itinerary

Day 1 - Fly to Cairo

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

Day 2 - Visit the Giza pyramid complex and the Saqqara Step Pyramid

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.
(B, L)

Day 3 - Explore the Egyptian Museum and the Citadel of Cairo

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)

Day 4 - Fly to Luxor and visit Karnak

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.
(B, L, D)

Day 5 - Enjoy an optional hot air balloon ride and visit the Valley of the Kings

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.
(B, L, D)

Day 6 - Walk to the Temple of Khnum before cruising to Kom Ombo

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.
(B, L, D)

Day 7 - Visit Lake Nasser for a boat trip and later sail by felucca

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.
(B, L, D)

Day 8 - Fly home from Aswan

Transfer to Aswan airport for your return flight to London Heathrow via Cairo.
(B)

Notes:

Whilst the vessel carries more, sightseeing will be limited to 25 guests.

Temple, tomb and pyramid visits are on foot with steps and uneven surfaces.

The programme may be altered due to navigational factors with locks, water levels or to enhance your experience at certain sites.

Reviews

Accommodation

Here is a list of the accommodation you can stay in for this tour. Occasionally we use alternative hotels, or have a choice of hotels to choose from which will be detailed when booking.

Crowne Plaza West Cairo Hotel, Cairo, Egypt, Exterior

Crowne Plaza West Cairo Arkan Hotel

A first-class hotel in the heart of Sheikh Zayed with 178 rooms and a selection of restaurants, bar, pool, sauna, gym and WiFi (free). 178 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.

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Vessels

Mövenpick MS Hamees Vessel, Egypt, Exterior

Mövenpick MS Hamees

Refurbished in 2018, this lovely vessel has spacious public rooms, and a restaurant with a combination of waiter and buffet service. Evening entertainment, lounge, bar, gift shop, laundry, a large panoramic sundeck with plunge pool and WiFi (free/limited). 70 air-conditioned outside cabins (233 sq. ft.) with private facilities, hairdryer, safe and mini-fridge. All cabins have picture windows except the Lower Deck and the two Main Deck single cabins (161 sq. ft.), which have portholes.

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Optional Extras

Customize your tour by adding optional excursions or extend your journey with our curated add-on extensions.

Optional Excursions

Hatshepsut Temple with Hot Air Balloon

Luxor Hot Air Balloon Excursion

Take to the skies above Luxor in a hot-air balloon and enjoy panoramic views of the world's greatest open-air museum. Leaving at sunrise, enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of the sun rising over the east bank of the Nile, illuminating the land of the ancient Pharaohs on your scenic flight over Egypt's iconic monuments, this experience promises to be one of the highlights of your journey, as you drift over the Valley of the Kings & Queens, getting a bird’s eye view off the tombs and the Nile delta in a hot air balloon.

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Stay Extra Nights...

Add extra nights to your tour at the starting or ending hotel.

- Travel Guides -

You can find out more about the county on the travel guide.

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