Inclusions:

• 9 day tour starting and ending in Cairo with Insight Vacations.
• Visit 6 cities across 1 country.
• 4 night luxurious Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan
• Cairo to Luxor included flight, Aswan to Cairo included flight
• Enhanced cleaning and safety protocols with an on-board well-being director
• Premium and spacious coaches with “business class” legroom and massive picture windows for the best viewing.
• Accommodation carefully selected for style, authenticity and location
• A range of included premium dining experiences to savour the flavours of each location visited
• Airport transfers included
• Complimentary coach and hotel WiFi
• Personal radio headsets to enhance your sightseeing experiences
• A range of included sightseeing and experiences as per the itinerary.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo
Welcome to the timeless land of the pharaohs. On arrival at Cairo International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Stay – Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino

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, your home for the next four nights. After lunch on board, take a walk through the Luxor Museum, witness ancient artefacts and see two royal mummies. This evening, get to know your Travel Director, a professionally trained Egyptologist, as well as fellow guests over a welcome drink followed by dinner. The rest of the evening is yours at leisure, enjoy dinner on the ship before relaxing in its lounge or in the comfort of your room.
Cruise – MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)

Day 3: Valley of the Kings to Edfu
This morning 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 were buried, including Hatshepsut, Amenhotep I and Tutankhamun. Experience the renowned local hospitality of Egyptians during a visit to the village of Geziret Bahirat. Connect with the community and share bread with the Bahirat family, whilst they regale guests with their fascinating stories of daily life. 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.

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.

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 about traditional sailing practices. As the sun starts to fade, enjoy high tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel. The likes of Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie stayed at this pretty venue, and Christie supposedly wrote “Death on the Nile” from the hotel itself.

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 and travel 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. Perhaps soak up the African atmosphere in the Nubian bazaar or visit one of the many points of interest nearby, such as the Botanical Gardens, Elephantine Island and the Aga Khan Mausoleum. Later, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo for the night.
Stay- Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino

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. Explore Cairo with Insight Choice. Choose to explore Cairo Citadel and see the Great Alabaster Mosque. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on Qursaya Island, home to the first large scale initiative to clean the Nile. ​Later, you will have free time to enjoy as you wish. In the evening, take your seats at the magical Sound and Light Show at the Great Pyramids which literally illuminates the history of Giza—an unforgettable introduction to the world of ancient Egypt.

*Please note the visit to the Egyptian Museum will be replaced with a visit to the new Grand Egyptian Museum upon its opening in 2022. This state-of-the-art museum has panoramic views of the Pyramids of Giza and is the largest archaeological museum in the world. It will house the greatest collection of artifacts from ancient Egypt, including all 5,000 objects found inside King Tutankhamun’s tomb.

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 the 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 pyramid in the world. Enjoy free time in the afternoon.

Day 9: Depart Cairo
Your wonderful journey ends with transfers to Cairo International airport.