Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Cairo
Arrive in Cairo, meet and assist and transfer to the hotel, check in and overnight in Cairo. Overnight at the hotel. (No meals)
Day 2: Pyramids Tour
Breakfast at the hotel by your private guide and go visit the Pyramids and Sphinx, a must for any first time traveler to Egypt. Lunch included during the tour. After, visit the ancient Capital of Egypt "Memphis", dating from 3100BC along with the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest known of Egypt's 107 Pyramids, located in Sakkara. Overnight Cairo. [B, L]
Day 3: Cairo City tour
Breakfast, start the tour visiting the Egyptian Museum with its trove of treasures on display, then visit the Citadel of Saladin and the Old Cairo area offering a mix of Islamic and Christian Monuments. Lunch during the tour at local restaurant No visit to Cairo would be complete without trying your haggling skills in the Khan El-Khalily Bazaar and have a walk at Muiz Lldin Alah Street, Transfer to the hotel to have some rest. [B, L]
Day 4: Luxor - Old Winter Palace
Breakfast, transfer to Cairo airport , catch the flight to Luxor, arrival, meet and assist and transfer to Old Winter Palace hotel, Overnight at the hotel (B)
Day 5: SS Sudan Steam Ship
Breakfast, Transfer to the Steam Ship Sudan; boarding before lunch. Settle into your original Edwardian cabin, Gourmet lunch served on board.
Today you will be introduced to one of the largest and most impressive archaeological sites in Egypt, the Temple of Karnak. Under the command of the great Pharaohs, this awe inspiring ancient city was built over approx. 2000 years. Walking through this vast open air museum, you will be struck by the almost perfect illustrations that honor the Pharaohs and their Gods. Evening visit of the temple of Luxor. Your first night will be spent at the Port of Luxor. (B, L, D)
Day 6: SS Sudan Steam Ship
The steamship departs early for a day of discovery starting with the Valley of the Kings. Situated on the west bank of the Nile, this limestone valley houses the burial chambers of the great Pharaohs, powerful nobles - and later the royal spouses - of the 18th-21st dynasties. 63 magnificent temples of eternal life line the valley including Tutankhamen’s Tomb which was famously discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. The vibrant color and conservation of the hieroglyphics lining the tomb of Ramses III never ceases to captivate. At approx. 2.30pm, the Steam Ship Sudan will navigate towards Esna, 60km south of Luxor.
After passing through the lock at Esna, the ship with cruise under the star filled sky towards Edfu, a further 46km. Lunch and dinner served on board. Overnight at Edfu. (B, L, D)
Day 7: SS Sudan Steam Ship
A morning exploration of the Temple of Edfu. This sanctuary is considered to be one of the best preserved temples in Egypt. The site, built in honour of the falcon-headed sky god, Horus, whose eyes were the sun and the moon, was abandoned by the Roman Empire in 391 AD. The temple lay buried under a protective layer of sand until it was excavated by Tour guide Egyptologist, August Mariette, in the 1860s. Gourmet lunch served on board. Languidly cruise 145km south and unveil the pillars of Kom Ombo resting grandly on the banks of the Nile. Being a favored basking spot for crocodiles in ancient times, the temple at Kom Ombo was dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god. The temple dates back to 180BC during the Ptolemaic era, with notable Roman influences. Sunset over Kom Ombo and dinner on board. The steamship will remain docked at Kom Ombo overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 8: SS Sudan Steam Ship
The Steam Ship Sudan gracefully navigates a further 48km south, past fertile fields and sandy river banks, to reach Aswan at the end of the Nile Valley. It is here where ancient Nubia begins.Today marks your discovery of the Temple of Philae, the domain of the Goddess Isis, the universal mother who reigned over life, death and resurrection. Philae was one of the most important shrines of ancient Egypt and Nubia until 550AD when the Byzantine Emperor, Justinian, ordered its closing after 4000 years of worship. The temple was dismantled and rebuilt on Agilika Island (just south of Aswan) due to the construction of the crucial irrigation system, the High Dam. Before dining on board, you will have time to explore the Aswan markets where you will find indigo, saffron and other treasures. There is an option for the evening entertainment - the ‘Light and Sound’ show which illuminates the Temple of Philae. Overnight on board in Aswan (B, L, D)
Day 9: Abu Simbel - Aswan Old Cataract hotel
Here marks the end of your Cruise journey. Breakfast on board. Transfer to Aswan airport, fly to Abu Simbel , visit the temples there, fly back to Aswan, transfer to Old Cataract hotel in Aswan, Overnight in Aswan (B)
Day 10: Cairo - Alexandria
Breakfast, Transfer to Aswan airport, Flight to Cairo, arrival Cairo Early breakfast, upon which you will board a private van to Alexandria for a three-hour drive, Transfer to Four Seasons San Stefano Hotel, Overnight in Alexandria. (B)
Day 11: Alexandria
Breakfast, Today we visit Alexandria Library, Catacombs, Pompeii Pillar, Montazah Palace. Have a sea food lunch , Transfer to Four Seasons San Stefano Hotel, Overnight in Alexandria. (B, L)
Day 12: Cairo
Breakfast, Check out from the hotel, drive back to Cairo, upon arrival transfer to the hotel, Overnight Cairo (B)
Day 13: Cairo
Free Time in Cairo, Overnight Cairo (B)
Day 14: Departure
Breakfast, as per your international flight departure time meet for transfer to Cairo Airport. (B)