THE NILE ADVENTURER

Upon arriving at Cairo International Airport, you’ll be greeted by your local Egyptian tour manager and transferred to your hotel in Cairo. There will be time to settle in and rest after your flight.

Travel to the awe-inspiring Giza Plateau for a guided visit of the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus. Here you will also experience the famous Sphinx and Valley Temple. Then head to Sakkara, home to Egypt’s first pyramids, including the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser. Return to Cairo where you will stay overnight.

Visit Cairo’s National Museum which houses more than 250,000 Egyptian artifacts, including the famous Mummy Room and much of the gold-laden contents of King Tut’s tomb. Then, enjoy a tour of Historic Cairo, an UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s largest Islamic districts. Famous for its mosques, madrassas and fountains, this citadel was founded in the 10th century and became the center of the Islamic World, reaching its peak in the late 14th century. See the Saladin Citadel and the Alabaster Mosque. Head to Coptic Cairo for the Hanging Church and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. You’ll also have the opportunity to shop at the 700-year-old Khan el-Khalili Bazaar which features everything from handmade carpets and stained-glass lamps to sparkling silverware and gold artifacts.

A private, air-conditioned vehicle will transfer you to Cairo Airport for a short flight to Aswan. Visit the world famous High Dam, built in the 1960s to help regulate flooding of the Nile and preserve the surrounding ancient landmarks. At Philae, explore the Sanctuary of Isis, one of the last temples built in the classical Egyptian style. Started in 690 B.C., the cult of Isis continued here until 537 A.D. and was one of the last places where the goddess was worshiped. In the evening, the temple comes alive with a spectacular sound and light show. You will also see the Unfinished Obelisk, the largest known ancient obelisk. Then, enjoy an early dinner on board the cruise and stay overnight aboard the boat.

We’ll dock at Kom Ombo and visit the renowned Kom Ombo Temple rising over the Nile’s bank. Built from 189-47 BC, this temple features beautiful reliefs and decorated columns. Next, we’ll sail to Edfu and visit the Horus Temple. One of the most well-preserved monuments from ancient Egypt, the Horus Temple was built from 237-57 BC to commemorate the falcon-headed Horus, son of Isis and Osiris. The temple is famous for is beautiful courtyard, giant hieroglyphics and dazzling friezes. Finally, we’ll sail to Esna for dinner and stay overnight on board the boat.

Continuing on our Nile cruise, we’ll journey to Luxor and visit the Valley of the Kings on the west side of the Nile. In the times of ancient Thebes, people lived on the east side (where the sun rose) and were buried on the west side (where the sun set). Throughout these areas are an unknown number of hidden tombs (only around 60 have been discovered so far), including the famous tomb of King Tutankhamun. Visit the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, ancient Village of Deir el-Medina and Colossi of Memnon. Then, we will continue sailing and stay overnight in the modern city of Luxor.

Disembark from the cruise and visit the Temples of Karnak and Luxor on the east side of the Nile. The Luxor Temple was built around 1400 B.C. to worship Amun Ra, the King of the Gods. Follow the remains of the Avenue of Sphinxes, a one-and-a-half-mile statue-lined promenade that connects the Luxor Temple to Karnak Temple. Constructed over a period of 1500 years, this great complex was called “the most perfect of places” and served as the most important place of worship in all of Egypt. Covering nearly 200 acres, Karnak is the largest religious building ever made. While it’s hard to see all of it in one visit, be sure to explore the Great Temple of Amun, the Temple of Khonsu and the Temple of Ptah. After your visit, travel to the beach resort of Hurghada, where you will stay overnight.

Enjoy a full day of leisure on the Red Sea coast. Choose an optional marine tour such as diving/snorkeling among the Red Sea coral reefs. Other possibilities include windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing and more. Stay overnight in Hurghada.

Experience another full day of leisure in Hurghada with a wide variety of optional activities.

Transfer to Hurghada Airport for a return flight to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo you will be transferred to your hotel with the rest of the day to be enjoyed at leisure. Stay overnight in Cairo.

Enjoy leisure time in the morning followed by transfer to Cairo International Airport for your return flight home.