Essential Egypt
(10 nights) Price from £1315
3 nights Cairo + 7 nights Nile Cruise
The perfect introduction to Egypt combining a stay in Cairo with a cruise along the Nile - perfect for those who wish to experience as much of the rich history of ancient Egypt as possible.
1. Friday (Cairo)
Depart London Heathrow with the scheduled flight service of Egypt Air. Arrive in Cairo and transfer to your chosen hotel for overnight.
2. Saturday (Cairo)
Optional full day excursion to the iconic Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza. After lunch visit the famous Step Pyramid and decorated tombs of Saqqarah.
3. Sunday (Cairo)
Optional full day city tour starting with a visit to the fascinating Egyptian Museum, to see the country’s most valuable treasures. After lunch continue to the ancient Citadel before shopping in the famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar.
4. Monday (Luxor)
Fly to Luxor with the domestic scheduled flight service of Egypt Air. Arrive in Luxor and transfer to your chosen Nile boat.
5. Tuesday (West Bank)
After breakfast leave by coach for the West Bank to visit two or three of the stunning tombs in the Valley of the Kings and at least two more in the Valley of the Queens. Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon, a pair of enormous statues.
Set sail for Edfu.
6. Wednesday (Temple of Horus)
After breakfast visit to Temple of Horus, the falcon God. In the afternoon sail via Kom Ombo to Aswan
7. Thursday (Aswan)
After breakfast visit the High Dam of Aswan. See the ancient granite quarries and the Unfinished Obelisk before continuing to the Island of Philae, with its stunning Temple of Isis. After lunch sail on the Nile in a traditional felucca around Kitchener’s Island.
8. Friday (Abu Simbel)
Optional excursion to Abu Simbel with its magnificent Temples, perhaps the most awe-inspiring of the temples. Optional evening excursion to Sound & Light
Show at the Temple of Isis at Philae
9. Saturday (Kom Ombo)
After breakfast, sail to Kom Ombo to visit the temple dedicated to the two gods, Haroeris and Sobek.
10. Sunday (Luxor & Karnak Temples)
After breakfast, visit the stunning Temple of Karnak.
An avenue of Sphinxes links this temple to the Temple of Luxor, the next stop on your itinerary. Optional excursion to Sound & Light Show at Karnak Temple
11. Monday (Return to UK)
Breakfast followed by disembarkation and flight back to UK (via Cairo)
What is included in the price of your holiday:
3 nights stay in Sofitel Le Sphinx hotel in Cairo (click here for details) based on bed & breakfast; 7 nights Nile cruise staying on the M.S Nile Premium boat based on full board including, breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea (click here for details).
Scheduled return flights with Egypt Air from London Heathrow to Cairo, domestic flights from Cairo to Luxor, returning to the UK from Luxor (via Cairo). Private transfers in air-conditioned car from airports in Egypt to accommodation. Excursions as detailed above (excluding optional excursions), accompanied by a fully qualified English-speaking Egyptologist.
Some people prefer to visit Cairo after their Nile Cruise, in which case you would depart from the UK on a Monday, returning on a Thursday. The price of your holiday remains the same regardless of the order in which you choose to visit the destinations.