Wonders of Ancient Egypt

Day 1
Welcome to Cairo
Delve into the antiquities of Egypt on this epic journey which begins in the effervescent Egyptian capital. As you transfer to your hotel for a day at leisure, you’ll feel the intoxicating buzz of this lively city – the perfect introduction to an unforgettable opportunity to learn about Egypt’s ancient past and exciting present.

Day 2
Admire the Wonders of Giza
Meet your Travel Director early this morning and immerse yourself during a full-day excursion to the old kingdom of Egypt. See the Colossus of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx at Memphis. Visit the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, then marvel at the Great Pyramid of Giza and the mighty Sphinx.

Day 3
Fly to Luxor and Embark on Your Nile Cruise Stays With Stories
Fly to Luxor this morning and embark on a guided tour of the Karnak Temple Complex, before boarding your cruise in time for lunch. Later, marvel at Luxor's Temple and visit the Luxor Museum to see an astounding collection of archaeological treasures, including items from Tutankhamun’s tomb. Your Stays with Stories experience takes you on a cruise along the Nile, which continues to play a crucial role in Egyptian economy and biodiversity.

Day 4
Explore Ancient Dendera
Pay tribute to the Goddess Hathor at Dendera Temple, a soaring structure built around 330 BC.  Beautifully preserved and elaborate in its design, every inch of this impressive sand-coloured structure is mesmerising and you’ll see many of its halls, shrines and unique features such as the sun dial and replica Dendera zodiac, tracing the images of Taurus and Libra.  You’ll learn about Dendera’s role as one of the major capitals of ancient Upper Egypt before sailing to Edfu for the night.

Day 5
Journey to Aswan
Today, travel to Aswan, which for centuries held the important strategic role of being Egypt’s southern frontier and gateway to the rest of Africa. Today it is a tranquil, modern city, most known for its High Dam, Nubian villages and Philae Temple, built to honour Egyptian goddess Isis. Arrive in time for dinner, watching the buzz of the city from the comfort of your boat.

Day 6
The High Dam and More in Aswan
During your sightseeing in Aswan, you’ll see how the ancient Egyptians chose a stunning place to honour the goddess of love and you’ll learn about the Temple of Isis on Philae Island. Your final stop today is a visit to the High Dam, the world’s largest embankment dam which ended the cycle of flood and drought along the Nile River.

Day 7
Onwards to Philae and Kitchener’s Island
Today, you could join a once-in-a-lifetime Optional Experience to Abu Simbel, carved into a solid rock cliff in Egypt’s Nubian Valley. As you approach the Great Temple, you’ll marvel at the four seated colossi on either side of the entrance and the elaborate engravings depicting great victories and paying homage to the gods. Meet the members of a local women-owned cooperative on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Later, you’ll set sail in a traditional felucca around the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener's Island.

Day 8
Off to Ancient Kom-Ombo
Visit the roofless Temple of Kom-Ombo, a highlight along the Nile, where you’ll learn how the temple was built to honour two gods, Horus the Elder and Sobek. The Temple has a perfectly symmetrical design, the two sides mirroring each other with one side dedicated to the crocodile god, the other to the falcon god. You’ll learn all about the mythical link and why the Nile crocodile was of such importance to the ancient Egyptian priests.

Day 9
Sail to Stunning Luxor
Watch how the river gives life to an arid landscape and the people who live within it as you sail down the Nile towards Luxor, once an ancient Egyptian capital. Head to the sundeck for the best views and thrilling experience of passing through Esna Lock before continuing your journey.

Day 10
Disembark and Fly to Cairo Connect with Locals
Disembark at Luxor to explore the fascinating complex of mortuary temples and tombs, including Queen Hatshepsut's Temple, the Colossi of Memnon and the Valley of the Kings. Enjoy a traditional Be My Guest experience. Fly to Cairo and enjoy an evening at leisure to soak up the buzzing atmosphere for which the city is famous.

Day 11
Discover Colourful Cairo Dive Into Culture
The buzz of Cairo is undeniable, and you’ll get to feel it first-hand as you embark on a sightseeing tour through the Egyptian capital. Visit the Hanging Church of St. Mary in Old Cairo, a landmark of Egypt’s Christian heritage. You’ll also take in views of the Citadel, a medieval Islamic-era fortification that served as the seat of the Egyptian government for almost seven centuries, and visit the Alabaster Mosque. Later, with an Egyptologist, visit an unparalleled collection of ancient artefacts, from mummies and sarcophagi to jewellery and treasures linked to King Tutankhamun. As the day winds down, join an optional Nile River dinner cruise, drifting past Cairo’s illuminated skyline. Enjoy a delicious meal on board, paired with live entertainment, including a traditional belly dancing performance, for a memorable evening on the water.

Day 12
Farewell Cairo
Our expedition at its end, say a fond farewell to your newfound friends.

Dining Summary
11 Breakfast (B)
7 Lunch (L)
7 Dinner (D)
Be My Guest
Luxor: Enjoy an exclusive Be My Guest encounter on the banks of the Nile where your hosts, the El Boerey family, will share their stories about family life in a typical Luxor village. Savour a local culinary tradition of mint tea and freshly baked local bread with honey.
Iconic Experience
Giza: Enjoy a day gazing at the Great Pyramids of Giza and its treasures - the Step Pyramid of Saqqara and the Colossus of Rames II.
Karnak: Stand amid a vast forest of columns in the largest temple complex known to man as your Egyptologist explains the significance behind it. Walk the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, see the of Rameses II and the Hypostyle Hall.
Luxor: Spend the day discovering the wonders of the Luxor Museum.
Dendera: At the Temple of Hathor, see a rare depiction of Cleopatra and Caesarian.
Aswan: Admire the picturesque setting of Aswan and its iconic sites as you embark on a sightseeing tour of the city. Learn about the beautiful Temple of Isis and the contentious construction of the Aswan Dam.  
Kitchener's Island: Sail around Kitchener's Island and its Botanical Gardens in a traditional felucca. 
: Take a short boat ride to Philae Island, located between the old and new Aswan Dams, where you’ll have a short tour. You'll then be seated in a Roman-style theatre for a retelling of the perennial Nile flood, and of the goddesses Isis and Hathor, to whose worship the temple was originally dedicated.
Kom Ombo: Discover the temple of Kom-Ombo and discover the wonders of the duo gods Horus the Elder and Sobek.
Valley of the Kings: Discover the ancient history behind the final resting place of Egypt's Pharaohs and Queen Hatshepsut's Temple at the Valley of the Kings.
Cairo: Explore the vast collection of ancient artefacts, from royal treasures to everyday objects that reveal life in Egypt thousands of years ago. Discover statues, jewellery and mummies, with some of the most famous pieces linked to the legendary Tutankhamun.
Cairo: Spend your day enjoying the sights of the Hanging Church of St. Mary or embark on a journey to see the ancient Citadel and the Alabaster Mosque. 
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
Aswan: Wander off the beaten tracks in Aswan as you meet the wonderful ladies of a local Women owned co-operative. Their mission is to ensure a garbage free world and they are using waste and natural material like bamboo or palm trees to create fine handicrafts. The organisation is providing a hub of support and comfort for over 300 women who may live in poverty or suffer from loneliness, and want to become financially independent. Thanks to their newly learnt skills, they have now been able to provide the main source of income for their family. This experience is advancing Global Goal 5: Gender Equality.
Must-see Highlights
Explore Luxor and Cairo with an Egyptologist
Visit the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, the temples of Karnak, Luxor's Temple and Museum, the temple dedicated to Goddess Hathor at Dendera, the Temple of Isis on the island of Philae, the Temple at Kom-Ombo, the Valley of the Kings and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo
View the Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan, the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener's Island, the Citadel and the Alabaster Mosque in Cairo
See the Ramses II statue and Alabaster Sphinx in Memphis, the Sound and Light show in Giza
Sail in a traditional felucca across the Nile
Stays With Stories
Cairo: Nile cruises emerged in the early 19th century as travellers sought to explore Egypt's ancient wonders by boat. The Nile has always played a crucial role in Egyptian life from the transportation of goods, to enriching wildlife. Take in the cultural and historic significance of the Nile as you drift along the famous river during your overnight cruise.