Egypt Grand Tour

• Enjoy the sights of Alexandria and visit the world-famous El Alamein WW2 cemetery
• Marvel at the awe-inspiring Giza Pyramids and Sphinx in Cairo
• Visit the Egyptian Museum and witness Tutankhamun’s golden mask
• Travel like a local on a sleeper train from Cairo to Aswan
• Witness the breath-taking temples of Abu Simbel
• Embark on a scenic 3-night Nile cruise, visiting Egypt’s incredible temples along the way
• Discover Luxor and the Valley of the Kings and Queens and the Karnak Temple

ITINERARY

DAY 1 UK to Cairo
Depart the UK on your scheduled flight to Cairo. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

DAY 2 Cairo
Breakfast & Lunch

The past and present intertwine in Cairo, a sprawling city stepped in millennia of history. African in location but Middle Eastern in its cultural leanings, Egypt’s traditions, food, and history offer a unique experience as you embark on today’s full-day city tour. Gain an insight into Egypt as a professional Egyptology guide leads the way, with your first stop at the mighty Giza Pyramids. Inspiring movies, books and conspiracy theories, these six iconic pyramids tower over the desert landscape, with the Great Pyramid standing taller than the Statue of Liberty. Explore these amazingly constructed structures, built using techniques beyond their time, then marvel at the massive half-lion, half-human form of the Sphinx, as it guards the temples and tombs of Ancient Egypt. Explore the country’s history at the Egyptian Museum, where unbelievable exhibits showcase over 120,000 artefacts, including Egypt’s earliest hieroglyphic engravings and its most iconic relic – Tutankhamun’s gleaming golden mask.

DAY 3 Cairo to Alexandria
Breakfast & Lunch

After checking out of your hotel, visit Coptic Cairo which is the old town of the city with the Babylon Fortress, the Hanging Church and other historic sites. In the afternoon transfer to Alexandria.

DAY 4 Alexandria
Breakfast & Lunch

A full day tour in Alexandria visiting El Alamein, famous for the most decisive battle of the Second World War campaign in North Africa. Visit the Battlefield Cemetery and Military Museum.

DAY 5 Alexandria to Cairo
Breakfast & Dinner

Visit the impressive Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the library built to keep alive the centre of learning, which was Alexandria’s world-famous Ancient Library. Explore Fort Qaitbey, built beside the sea out of the ruins of the legendary Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. It now guards the harbour of this great city. Visit the lush, extensive gardens of the 19th century Montazah Palace, covered with all kinds of attractive trees and shrubs and walkways lined with palm trees. In the afternoon transfer from Alexandria to Cairo. Have a meal before embarking on your overnight train to Aswan, a fascinating opportunity to travel as the locals do!

DAY 6 Aswan
Breakfast

Transfer from Aswan train station to your hotel. Have some time to relax in the morning. In the afternoon visit the Nubian Kalabsha Temple located on an island on Lake Nasser near the Aswan High Dam.

DAY 7 Nile River Cruise
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Transfer from your hotel to board your Nile River Cruise ship. After lunch onboard, enjoy your first excursion, and witness a pioneering example of hydro-engineering on the banks of the River Nile at the High Dam. Later, gain a fascinating insight into ancient Egyptian stone-work techniques with a visit to the Unfinished Obelisk in the Northern Quarries. Finally, take in the splendid Temple of Philae, built in 690 B.C in honour of the goddess of health and marriage; known as the last temple of classical Egyptian design, marvel at the domineering Pylons embellished with traditional hieroglyphs from its new position upon Agilkia Island, having been rescued from a watery grave on Philae Island during the dramatic flooding of Lake Nasser. Return to your vessel, for dinner onboard and your first night on the Nile.

DAY 8 Nile River Cruise
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Early this morning, visit the iconic temples of Abu Simbel. Intricately carved into a golden sandstone cliff overlooking the Nile, wonder at the mesmerising 66-foot seated figures of King Ramses, before returning to the boat. This afternoon, glide along the Nile and sail into Kom Ombo for an unforgettable visit to the impressive Temple of Kom Ombo. Unique in its design, the symmetrical rooms, courts, and halls were identically duplicated and dedicated to two sets of gods: Sobek, the god of fertility, and Haroeris, the god of the sky.

DAY 9 Nile River Cruise
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Pass through the Esna Lock and soak in incredible views as you sail towards the ancient settlement city of Edfu, disembarking for the chance to visit the Temple of Horus. Guarded by gargantuan granite statues of Horus, enter through the towering gateway, and discover the halls and chambers of this spellbinding ode to the gods which was once concealed under a blanket of sand. Upon arrival in Luxor, you will have the afternoon free to explore the city, relax or take in the optional Sound & Light Show in Karnak Temple (at an additional cost).

DAY 10 Luxor
Breakfast

After breakfast, disembark the cruise ship. Cross over to the west bank of Luxor, where you will visit the Valley of the Kings. From here continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, a magnificent memorial temple built into the cliffs of this sacred valley. On the return, stop at the Colossi of Memnon, massive twin statues, the gatekeepers of the valley. Check into to your Luxor hotel.

DAY 11 Luxor
Breakfast

Visit the east bank of Luxor including the expansive Karnak Temple scattered across a 200-acre site, and the strikingly graceful Luxor Temple. Enjoy some time at leisure in the afternoon.

DAY 12 Luxor to UK
Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight.

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