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General Description
A fascinating 8-day journey combining the ancient history of Cairo and its pyramids with an unforgettable Nile cruise. The itinerary features visits to the most iconic temples of Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan, complete with domestic flights and full board on the cruise.
Detailed Itinerary
City of Origin - Cairo
Arrival, assistance, and processing of the entry visa, transfer to the hotel, and accommodation.
Cairo - Giza Pyramids - Accommodation and Breakfast
We will start the day with breakfast and a scheduled visit to the complex of the Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus. The Pyramid of Cheops, or the Great Pyramid of Giza, was the tallest building on Earth for 3,800 years and is the country's main tourist attraction. The mysteries of its creation, its historical and religious significance, and its durability through the ages make this pyramid the premier modern esoteric attraction. After visiting the pyramids, we will head to the famous Sphinx created by Pharaoh Chephren. In ancient times, it was painted in vivid red colors, although the passage of time has stripped it of its nose and beard. It was already semi-buried up to its neck in Napoleon's time, and even then, its lack of a nose was evident. However, the beard is located in the British Museum in London. Once 3 hours have passed since the visit to the Giza funerary complex, the excursion ends and we return to the hotel, with the option to continue with the optional excursion to the NEW GEM MUSEUM.
Cairo - Luxor - Domestic Flight - Nile Cruise
After breakfast, a free day in Cairo at your disposal, with the option to book an optional excursion paying its extra cost: the Full Day City Tour with lunch included, to explore Cairo in all its daytime splendor starting with the Citadel of Saladin. He was one of the most powerful rulers in the Islamic world, as he was the Sultan of Egypt and Syria, and his domains included Palestine, Yemen, the Hejaz, Libya, and Mesopotamia. The Citadel was the seat of government in Egypt for the 700 years following its construction (from the 13th to the 19th centuries) and is a fortress strategically placed on hills in the center of Cairo, perfect for controlling the view of the horizon. Currently, its interior is a museum and home to mosques such as the famous Mosque of Muhammad Ali or the Alabaster Mosque. Once outside the citadel, we will have the opportunity to explore the Khan el-Khalili market further to buy memories and souvenirs. Next, we will visit the Coptic quarter. According to the flight schedule, transfer to Cairo airport to take the flight bound for Luxor, followed by a transfer to the boat upon arrival.
Luxor - Esna - Edfu - Nile Cruise - Full Board
Our first stop will take us to the sepulcher of the famous Valley of the Kings and the Theban Necropolis. In this mysterious place, we can explore some of the tombs of the kings and various Egyptian pharaohs of the New Kingdom. This site houses the famous tomb of Tutankhamun (currently under archaeological investigation). Afterwards, we will visit the Deir el-Bahari temple in the vicinity of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. This one-of-a-kind temple, commonly called "the northern convent," is a monument dedicated to the female pharaoh who spent the longest time on the Egyptian throne, fostering an era of prosperity and glory. During our trip to the Karnak temple complex, we will visit the Colossi of Memnon. These statues, weighing over 720 tons each, are the last vestige of Egypt's largest temple, which was dedicated to Pharaoh Amenhotep III. These statues tell the story at their base of the god who causes the annual flooding of the Nile River, "Hapy." Being in an area affected by these floods, the temple of Amenhotep III has completely disappeared, and the statues have suffered millennia of deterioration during which their legend has grown. One of these legends stated that the statues announced the sunrise by "singing" in the mornings. This effect was probably produced by the evaporation of water escaping through the cracks in the statue caused by earthquakes. Subsequent attempts by the Romans to restore the colossi eliminated this effect and left their faces unrecognizable today. We continue the tour and arrive at the second most visited place by tourists in Egypt: the religious complex of Karnak and its temples are one of the places of greatest historical value in Egyptian history. This is due to the way such temples were built at the time. They were constructed starting with the central sanctuary and then the outer areas. Because the main temple (of Luxor) is dedicated to the god Amun-Ra (god of creation and the sun), many pharaohs expanded the temple with new monuments to honor the principal god of the Egyptian pantheon. Once the visit is finished, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included, we will return to the cruise heading towards Esna.
Esna - Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan - Nile Cruise - Full Board
Our first stop will be the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the god Horus, whose construction began in 237 BC and was completed in 57 BC. This is the second largest temple in Egypt, surpassed only by the Temple of Amun-Ra in Karnak, and is the best-preserved temple from the Hellenistic period of the Egyptian Empire. This temple remains relatively intact because it fell into disuse following an edict issued by Theodosius I, which prohibited the worship of other gods in the Christian Roman Empire. Consequently, the relief carvings of the temple were ravaged by Christians, and the sands and mud of the Nile began to bury the temple for centuries to a depth of up to 12 meters below the surface. In 1798, barely the temple pylons were visible, and a French expedition in 1860 began to clear the temple of sand. Today, the temple features a paved parking lot and modern lighting for nighttime exploration. Later, we will be taken to the Temple of Kom Ombo by sailing a bit further down the river. This temple is unusual because its construction was done with symmetry relative to a central axis. This was done to equally honor both gods of the Egyptian pantheon: Sobek, the crocodile-headed god of fertility, and Haroeris, also called "Horus," the falcon-headed god of royalty in the sky, war, and hunting. Contemporary efforts to protect the temple from the waters of the Nile River have revealed a strong Roman influence in the temple, including the discovery of a bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
Aswan - Nile Cruise - Full Board
We arrive in Aswan in the early morning for the OPTIONAL visit to Abu Simbel. This complex houses the temple of Pharaoh Ramses II and the temple of Nefertari, who was his favorite wife. Construction of the temple of Ramses II began in 1264 BC and ended in 1244 BC. Both temples were dismantled in 1964 and reconstructed at a higher elevation and 200 meters further away from their original site due to the construction of the Aswan Dam. We will visit the Temple of Philae; this temple was on an islet of the same name that became submerged beneath the waters of the Aswan Dam. However, UNESCO sponsored the relocation of the temple dedicated to the goddess Isis to the nearby Agilkia islet. This temple venerated one of the most important goddesses of the Egyptian pantheon; however, the Roman Emperor Justinian converted the temple complex into a Christian church dedicated to Saint Stephen. This historical stop features the most modern vestige of a hieroglyphic inscription, dated to the year 394, which recounts an invocation to the Kushite god Mandulis. Additionally, the temple walls bear the last text written in Demotic Egyptian, dated to the year 452. After this unmissable visit, we can later enjoy a ride on a type of Egyptian sailboat called a felucca to end the day.
Aswan - Cairo - Domestic Flight - Breakfast and Lunch
After breakfast and disembarkation, we will be transferred to Aswan airport to take the return flight to Cairo, and we will transfer to the hotel.
Cairo - City of Origin
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to head to the city of origin.
City of Origin - Cairo
Arrival, assistance, and processing of the entry visa, transfer to the hotel, and accommodation.
Cairo - Giza Pyramids - Accommodation and Breakfast
We will start the day with breakfast and a scheduled visit to the complex of the Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus. The Pyramid of Cheops, or the Great Pyramid of Giza, was the tallest building on Earth for 3,800 years and is the country's main tourist attraction. The mysteries of its creation, its historical and religious significance, and its durability through the ages make this pyramid the premier modern esoteric attraction. After visiting the pyramids, we will head to the famous Sphinx created by Pharaoh Chephren. In ancient times, it was painted in vivid red colors, although the passage of time has stripped it of its nose and beard. It was already semi-buried up to its neck in Napoleon's time, and even then, its lack of a nose was evident. However, the beard is located in the British Museum in London. Once 3 hours have passed since the visit to the Giza funerary complex, the excursion ends and we return to the hotel, with the option to continue with the optional excursion to the NEW GEM MUSEUM.
Cairo - Aswan - Nile Cruise - Full Board
Picnic breakfast or buffet depending on the flight schedule, transfer to Cairo airport to take the flight bound for Aswan. Upon arrival, transfer to the boat. Check-in is starting from 14:00 hrs. Later, we can enjoy a ride on a type of Egyptian sailboat called a felucca and, at the scheduled time, visit the Philae Temple.
Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Nile Cruise - Full Board
In the early morning, possibility of departure for the optional visit to Abu Simbel (paying its extra cost). This complex houses the temple of Pharaoh Ramses II and the temple of Nefertari, who was his favorite wife. Construction of the temple of Ramses II began in 1264 BC and ended in 1244 BC. Both temples were dismantled in 1964 and reconstructed at a higher elevation and 200 meters further away from their original site due to the construction of the Aswan Dam. Sail towards Kom Ombo. Arrival at sunset to visit the Kom Ombo Temple. Sail towards Edfu. Overnight on board.
Edfu - Esna - Luxor - Nile Cruise - Full Board
Our first stop will be the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the god Horus, whose construction began in 237 BC and was completed in 57 BC. This is the second largest temple in Egypt, surpassed only by the Temple of Amun-Ra in Karnak, and is the best-preserved temple from the Hellenistic period of the Egyptian Empire. This temple remains relatively intact because it fell into disuse following an edict issued by Theodosius I, which prohibited the worship of other gods in the Christian Roman Empire. Consequently, the relief carvings of the temple were ravaged by Christians, and the sands and mud of the Nile began to bury the temple for centuries to a depth of up to 12 meters below the surface. In 1798, barely the temple pylons were visible, and a French expedition in 1860 began to clear the temple of sand. Today, the temple features a paved parking lot and modern lighting for nighttime exploration, and we will return to the cruise heading towards Esna. Sailing towards Esna; after passing through the lock (a construction that allows boats to adapt to an 8-meter water level difference when passing a dam), arrival in Luxor. Depending on the boat's sailing schedule, visits may take place this afternoon. Overnight on board.
Luxor - Cairo - Disembarkation
Breakfast and check-out at 8:00 hrs. Our first stop will take us to the sepulcher of the famous Valley of the Kings and the Theban Necropolis. In this mysterious place, we can explore some of the tombs of the kings and various Egyptian pharaohs of the New Kingdom. This site houses the famous tomb of Tutankhamun (currently under archaeological investigation). Afterwards, we will visit the Deir el-Bahari temple in the vicinity of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. This one-of-a-kind temple, commonly called "the northern convent," is a monument dedicated to the female pharaoh who spent the longest time on the Egyptian throne, fostering an era of prosperity and glory. During our trip to the Karnak temple complex, we will visit the Colossi of Memnon. These statues, weighing over 720 tons each, are the last vestige of Egypt's largest temple, which was dedicated to Pharaoh Amenhotep III. These statues tell the story at their base of the god who causes the annual flooding of the Nile River, "Hapy." Being in an area affected by these floods, the temple of Amenhotep III has completely disappeared, and the statues have suffered millennia of deterioration during which their legend has grown. One of these legends stated that the statues announced the sunrise by "singing" in the mornings. This effect was probably produced by the evaporation of water escaping through the cracks in the statue caused by earthquakes. Subsequent attempts by the Romans to restore the colossi eliminated this effect and left their faces unrecognizable today. We continue the tour and arrive at the second most visited place by tourists in Egypt: the religious complex of Karnak and its temples are one of the places of greatest historical value in Egyptian history. This is due to the way such temples were built at the time. They were constructed starting with the central sanctuary and then the outer areas. Because the main temple (of Luxor) is dedicated to the god Amun-Ra (god of creation and the sun), many pharaohs expanded the temple with new monuments to honor the principal god of the Egyptian pantheon. After this unmissable visit, we will be transferred to Cairo, transfer to the hotel, and accommodation.
Cairo - Free day in Cairo - Accommodation and Breakfast
After breakfast, a free day in Cairo at your disposal, with the option to book an optional excursion paying its extra cost: the Full Day City Tour with lunch included, to explore Cairo in all its daytime splendor starting with the Citadel of Saladin. He was one of the most powerful rulers in the Islamic world, as he was the Sultan of Egypt and Syria, and his domains included Palestine, Yemen, the Hejaz, Libya, and Mesopotamia. The Citadel was the seat of government in Egypt for the 700 years following its construction (from the 13th to the 19th centuries) and is a fortress strategically placed on hills in the center of Cairo, perfect for controlling the view of the horizon. Currently, its interior is a museum and home to mosques such as the famous Mosque of Muhammad Ali or the Alabaster Mosque. Once outside the citadel, we will have the opportunity to explore the Khan el-Khalili market further to buy memories and souvenirs. Next, we will visit the Coptic quarter, have lunch, and return to the hotel.
Cairo - City of Origin
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to head to the city of origin.
What's in the Package?
Price Includes
- 4/3 nights Nile Cruise on a full board basis (drinks not included).
- 3/4 nights Cairo on a bed and breakfast basis.
- Visits, entrance fees, and transfers as per the itinerary.
- Airport assistance.
- Spanish-speaking guide during the visits.
- Domestic flights Cairo / Luxor – Aswan / Cairo in economy class, taxes included, with a 23 kg baggage allowance.
Not Included
- Meals, drinks, or any other expenses not mentioned as included.
- Insurance.
- International flights.
- Country entry visa: $40, mandatory payment at destination.
- Tips: $45 p.p. (per person), mandatory payment, excluding guide tips.