Great Pyramids & Full-Board Nile Cruise - LUXURY
Duration: 0 Nights
Tour Operator: Exoticca
Group size: 2 - 9
Prices From:
Tour Overview
Walk in the footsteps of the Pharaohs on a fascinating city and cruise experience in Egypt. Discover the secrets of the Great Pyramids in Cairo and unearth the history behind the iconic Valley of the Kings. Spend 3-nights under the stars on a Full-Board Nile River Cruise and delight in the sights of Aswan, atmospheric Kom Ombo, eternal Edfu and the magical Temples of Luxor.
Places You'll See
Countries:
Cities & Attractions:
Itinerary
Day 1: UK/Ireland - Cairo
Location: UK/Ireland - Cairo
Accommodation Name: Sheraton Cairo
It's time to unearth the secrets of Ancient Egypt and get to know the vibrant culture of Egypt's most emblematic cities. Arrive at your departure airport ready to check-in for a flight to Cairo. Touch down in Cairo and transfer to the hotel. Once you've settled in the remainder of the day is free at your leisure to get to know the sights and sounds of Cairo, in the shadow of the Great Pyramids! Go shopping at the local souk or sample the national cuisine. We recommend an optional Pyramids Sound and Light Show.* Overnight stay in Cairo.
* Optional Pyramids Sound and Light Show: Experience the iconic Great Pyramids at night, as they are lit with dancing lasers and visuals, accompanied by atmospheric music. The perfect way to kick-start your Egyptian adventure!
Please note: Take into account your arrival time before choosing the optional pyramids sound and light show. If you arrive in the evening you will not be able to attend.
If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: Sheraton Cairo
Meals: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel. Get to know the Egyptian capital today with a tour of Cairo's most emblematic sights. Begin at the Giza plateau, home of the three Great Pyramids, built over 4,500 years ago and one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Explore the pyramids and learn about their fascinating history as you walk in the footsteps of the pharaohs. Continue to the Great Sphinx and the Temple of the Valley to unearth more secrets of Ancient Egypt before visiting the Egyptian Museum. This world-renowned museum is home to the largest collection of jewels, relics and statues from the golden age of the pharaohs. End the day with a walk through the lively Khan el Khalili neighbourhood, home to the largest bazaar in the city. Overnight stay in Cairo.
Day 3: Cairo - Aswan
Location: Cairo - Aswan
Accommodation Name: Esmeralda Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Aswan, situated on the Nile River and known for its great importance to the Ancient Egyptian civilization. Upon arrival, head to the river to enjoy a cruise on a traditional felucca boat to see the Nile Falls. Watch life along the Nile as you travel along the river. Afterwards, continue to the Granite Quarry, home to an unfinished ancient obelisk and the High Dam of Aswan. Transfer to the port to board your Nile Cruise Boat, your home for the next three nights. Get settled in your cabin and enjoy the views of the river. In the afternoon you have the chance to enjoy an optional excursion to the Island of Philae.* Dinner and overnight on board.
* Optional Island of Philae Excursion: Discover the historic island of Philae, in the reservoir of the Old Aswan Dam. It is home to the ancient ruins of the Temple of Isis and offers a fascinating insight into life and beliefs in Ancient Egypt.
Day 4: Aswan - Kom Ombo
Location: Aswan - Kom Ombo
Accommodation Name: Esmeralda Nile Cruise
Full-board on board. If you're an early riser, you have the chance to enjoy an optional excursion to Abu Simbel, home to many rock-carved temples.* Today, navigate northwards towards Kom Ombo. Upon arrival explore the twin Temples of Haroeris and Sobek and see the amazing Nilometer, used to measure the rising and falling levels of the Nile, an important life source in Egypt. Afterwards, visit a unique Crocodile Mummy museum, home to a number of mummified crocodiles. Return to the ship and enjoy relaxing on board. Overnight on board.
* Optional Excursion to Abu Simbel: Visit these amazing temples, carved on the western cliff of the desert by Ramses II in the Xl century BC. See the iconic 20-metre high statues, dedicated to the god Amon Ra, and the Temple of Nefertari, dedicated to the goddess Hathor.
Day 5: Edfu - Luxor
Location: Edfu - Luxor
Accommodation Name: Esmeralda Nile Cruise
Full-board on board. Dock in Edfu today to enjoy a ride in a traditional Egyptian carriage to arrive at the Temple of Edfu in style! Spend some time exploring the temple, dedicated to the Egyptian god of Horus. It's one of the best-preserved monuments in the country as its imposing structure has been protected by the desert sands. Back on the ship, continue to Luxor where the ancient heart of Thebes awaits you. Here, discover the Temple of Luxor, constructed by the two great pharaohs, Amenhotep II and Ramses II. Return to the ship. Overnight on board.
Day 6: Luxor
Location: Luxor
Accommodation Name: Jolie Ville
Meals: Breakfast
Breakfast on board. Continue your discovery of the ancient city of Thebes today as you head to the world-famous Valley of the Kings, where the tomb of Tutankhamon was discovered, revealing the riches of the ancient pharaohs. It is here that the most powerful and influential kings of Ancient Egypt were buried. After exploring the site, continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, an imposing terraced structure, located below towering cliffs. Bid farewell to this world of ancient kings and queens as you cross the river into modern-day Luxor. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure. Overnight stay in Luxor.
Day 7: Luxor - Cairo
Location: Luxor - Cairo
Accommodation Name: Sheraton Cairo
Meals: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel. Set off early in the morning to visit the Karnak Temple Complex, home to a vast array of decayed temples, chapels, pylons, and other ancient buildings. Explore the ruins as you soak up the unique atmosphere and let your imagination run wild as you learn about life in Ancient Egypt. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to Cairo. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free at your leisure. We recommend an optional excursion to the Saladin Citadel.* Overnight stay in Cairo.
* Optional Excursion to Saladin Citadel: Visit the Alabaster Mosque and medieval fortification of Saladin Citadel, perched atop a hill in central Cairo and dating back to the 12th-century. Learn about the importance of the site to Egypt's Islamic heritage before walking through the Coptic Neighborhood, home to various churches.
Day 8: Cairo - UK/Ireland
Location: Cairo - UK/Ireland
Meals: Breakfast
Breakfast * at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the UK/Ireland. Arrive in the UK/Ireland and end your trip.
* Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.
What's Included
-
Meals
4 breakfasts and Full-Board on Esmeralda Cruise.
-
Visits and entrances fees as indicated in the itinerary.
-
4 nights accommodation in Luxury category hotels and 3 nights on board the Esmeralda Cruise. **
-
International flights: UK/Ireland - Cairo; Cairo - UK/Ireland.
-
Transfer in an air conditioned vehicle.
-
Internal flights: Cairo - Aswan; Luxor - Cairo. *
-
All air taxes and fuel surcharge.
-
English-speaking guide.
-
Departures from main UK/Ireland airports.
-
ATOL Protection.
Your Peace of Mind Options
-
Low Deposit
Exoticca requires a deposit of 20% to secure a place on this tour, and the final balance is not due till 60 days before departure..
-
Secure payments
All payments to TourHub are deposited into an externally regulated Trust account.