Best of Egypt

Day 1
Welcome to Cairo
Welcome to Cairo, Egypt’s dynamic capital and the start of your journey through the land of the Pharaohs. After your airport transfer, take time to unwind and get settled. Later, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers over a drink. It’s your first chance to connect and get a feel for this extraordinary city.

Day 2
Fly to Luxor and Embark on Your Nile Cruise Stays With Stories


Day 3
A Day to Explore the Valley of the Kings Connect with Locals
Journey to the final resting place of Egypt’s Pharaohs, immersing yourself in the ancient history of Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. Visit the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and the Grand Temple of Luxor. Connect With Locals as you enjoy a traditional Be My Guest bite to eat of freshly baked bread with honey and mint tea in the archaeological paradise that is Luxor's West Bank.

Day 4
Journey to Ancient Kom-Ombo
Sail upstream to Kom-Ombo, where life remains much as it was a thousand years ago. Standing at the threshold of the imposing Temple of Kom-Ombo on the banks of the Nile, you’ll imagine visitors over the centuries arriving to pay homage to the gods Horus the Elder and Sobek. Tour the Temple, learning all about its ‘double’ and perfectly symmetrical design for the duo of gods – one side dedicated to the crocodile god, the other to the falcon god. After a captivating encounter with the ancients, we enjoy a traditional Egyptian dinner on our cruise boat. Watching the sun set over the shimmering Nile, we’ll don our galabeas and toast to legends of the past and new friends.

Day 5
Onwards to Aswan
Set sail on a traditional felucca across the mighty Nile to voyage around the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener’s Island. On arrival explore the Aswan Dam, built to curb the periodic flooding of the Nile. Our next stop is the Temple of Isis, followed by a visit to the Unfinished Obelisk, lying semi-carved from the solid bedrock.

Day 6
Disembark and Fly to Cairo
Enjoy a morning at leisure or perhaps 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. Later this afternoon fly back to Cairo.

Day 7
Discover Colourful Cairo
Discover the layers of Cairo’s history as you take in views of the Old Citadel before stepping inside the Alabaster Mosque. Visit the Hanging Church of St. Mary, a landmark of Egypt’s Christian heritage, then enjoy free time for lunch. Later, stand before Tutankhamun’s legendary treasures with an Egyptologist, a showcase of Egypt’s ancient wonders.

Day 8
Admire the Wonders of Giza
The Great Pyramids of Giza beckon today and we have an opportunity to embark on a soul-stirring encounter with its treasures – the Colossus of Ramses II, the Step Pyramid of Saqqara and the enigmatic Great Sphinx. Be mesmerised by the intricate art of Egyptian carpet weaving as you meet the skilled artisans of a local weaving school during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. This evening, gather with your Travel Director and fellow travellers over a drink and snacks to mark your final night in Egypt.

Day 9
Farewell Cairo
Our epic journey at its end, we say farewell to newfound friends.

Dining Summary
8 Breakfast (B)
4 Lunch (L)
4 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
Luxor: Spend the day discovering the wonders of the Luxor Museum.
Luxor: Visit the Temple of Amun and the formidable Avenue of the Sphinx where you can discover the remnants of ancient Thebes.
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.
Kom Ombo: Discover the temple of Kom-Ombo and discover the wonders of the duo gods Horus the Elder and Sobek.
Temple of Philae: Enjoy a day filled of wonder at the Temple of Isis.
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. 
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.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
Cairo: Be mesmerised by the intricate art of Egyptian carpet weaving as you meet the skilled artisans of a local weaving school. This ancient and traditional Egypt art is one of the oldest in the country, and only few schools have been safeguarding the traditional weaving methods on wooden looms, using silk and cotton, and natural dyes. More than carpets, they come to life as unique works of art. This experience advances UN Global Goal 11: Resilient Cities and Communities.
Must-see Highlights
Explore Luxor and Cairo with an Egyptologist
Visit the Temple of Amun, Luxor Museum, Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut's Temple and the Colossi of Memnon in Luxor, the Temple of Kom-Ombo and the Temple of Isis on the island of Philae
View the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan, the Citadel, Alabaster and Sultan Hassan Mosques in Cairo and the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx at Giza
See the Ramses II statue and Alabaster Sphinx in Memphis and the Step Pyramid in Saqqara
Sail in a 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.