Egypt, Cairo

360° Egypt Tour 5^*

Arrival in Cairo.

Cairo, one of the world's largest metropolises, stretches majestically along both banks of the Nile. This vibrant and historic city is a fascinating blend of cultures, architecture and history, offering a unique experience for travellers.

On arrival, you will be greeted by an assistant (who may or may not speak English) for entry formalities.

Afterwards, an English-speaking Egyptologist guide will take over and accompany you for the duration of your stay (except in Hurghada).

Enjoy a group transfer to your hotel.

Overnight stay in a 5-star hotel (local standards).

Arrival in Cairo.

Cairo, one of the world's largest metropolises, stretches majestically along both banks of the Nile. This vibrant and historic city is a fascinating blend of cultures, architecture and history, offering a unique experience for travellers.

On arrival, you will be greeted by an assistant (who may or may not speak English) for entry formalities.

Afterwards, an English-speaking Egyptologist guide will take over and accompany you for the duration of your stay (except in Hurghada).

Enjoy a group transfer to your hotel.

Overnight stay in a 5-star hotel (local standards).

Breakfast at the hotel.

Set off to visit the Giza Plateau and its incredible pyramids:
The Great Pyramid of Giza (the largest of the three, built around 2650 BC), one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one to have withstood the test of time. For more than 40 centuries, it was the highest monument built by man at 146 m high.
Khephren: the Pyramid of Khephren or Khafre looks taller than Giza, but in reality it is slightly smaller. The tilt angle is more emphasised, and it sits on slightly higher ground which is what creates this impression.
Menkaure: the tomb of King Menkaure. At a height of 66 m, it is much smaller than the other two pyramids.
The Sphinx: a lion's body with a Pharaoh's head. Its role was to guard the entrance of the tomb against pillagers. It measures 73m long and 20m high*

Lunch during the visit

The afternoon will be spent exploring the sites of Memphis and Saqqara. Memphis, located in the southern region of Cairo, is now a palm grove where a number of stone blocks, tablets, and statues are situated, including the renowned alabaster sphinx. The capital of the Old Egyptian Empire was founded by King Menes around 3000 BC. The next stop is Saqqara, where you will see the famous Step Pyramid, built around 2700 BC for the pharaoh Djoser by the architect Imhotep.

Dinner and overnight stay at a 5-star hotel (local standards)

Breakfast.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Luxor, Upper Egypt.
Arrival, transfer to the port and settling into the ship's cabins.

Lunch on board.

Free afternoon on the boat

Dinner and overnight stay on board the 5-star ship (local standards)

Breakfast on board.

Set off to visit the left bank of the Nile, Thebes, where the tombs of pharaohs from the 18th to the 20th dynasty can be found.
The itinerary includes a visit to the Valley of the Kings, where you will have the opportunity to view three tombs. From the 18th Dynasty onwards and throughout the New Kingdom, the pharaohs were no longer buried in temples or monuments devoted to their final journey. Thutmose I and all subsequent pharaohs elected to be interred on the west bank of the Nile, a location deemed sacred and associated with the afterlife. The construction of colossal monuments, such as the pyramids or even the mastabas used during the Old Kingdom, ceased. Instead, vaults were dug into the rock and access to them was strictly secured and hidden. One can reasonably assume that this was done to avoid attracting the attention of grave robbers.

Visit to the temple at Medinet Habu also known as the Temple of Ramesses III. The temple is reminiscent of a castle. It is beyond doubt that this is one of the most spectacular funerary temples. A visit to Egypt would be incomplete without a stop at the impressive and historically significant Ramesses site. Ramesses III aimed to reinstate Egypt's former glory while simultaneously immortalising the legacy of his renowned ancestor. He began to build his jubilee temple as soon as he acceded to the throne, and it has remained one of the largest in the necropolis of Thebes. The vast ancient fortress built by Ramesses never fails to captivate visitors. It is a truly impressive structure, both in terms of its sheer size and the splendour of its design. It is one of the few remaining examples that still displays its original colours.

On the way back, there will be a photo opportunity at the Colossi of Memnon: 2 giant twin statues carved in sandstone, witnesses to the past splendours of the temple of Amenhotep III.

Lunch on board.

Sail for Esna.

Dinner and overnight stay on board the 5-star ship (local standards)

Breakfast.

Sail to Edfu.

Lunch on board

Set off in a horse-drawn carriage to visit the splendid Temple of Horus in Edfu. This architectural masterpiece, renowned for its balance and elegance, is one of the best-preserved sites in all of Ancient Egypt. It serves as a prime example of Ptolemaic art from the Graeco-Roman period. You enter the temple via the grand column, which is adorned with imposing figures of the monarch and deities, and proceed towards the courtyard, where you observe the walls depicting the rituals performed by the king. Two large black granite falcons representing the god Horus are positioned at the entrance to the temple.

The cruise continues to Kom Ombo.

Dinner and overnight stay on board the 5-star ship (local standards)

Breakfast.

Visit to the Temple of Kom Ombo in the morning: isolated on a promontory along the Nile, this unique temple in Egypt dating from the Greco-Roman era includes two superb sanctuaries, one dedicated to Sobek, the Crocodile God, and the second to Horus, the Falcon God. Construction of the temple started during the Ptolemaic period, on the site of a New Empire temple. The temple is situated on a hilltop 15 metres above the Nile.
The most notable aspect is that the temple is dedicated to two distinct deities: the falcon god Haroeris, also known as "Great Horus" or "Horus the Elder", and Sobek, the crocodile god. The temple is designed with duality in mind, featuring two entrances, two parallel corridors, and symmetrically arranged rooms on either side of these corridors, which all lead to the double sanctuary. The esplanade in front of the entrance features a series of sculpted columns displaying vibrant colours.

Sail to Aswan, the capital of Nubia.

Lunch on board.

Next, visit to the Philae Temple.

Visit to the Papyrus Institute.

Dinner and overnight stay on board the 5-star ship (local standards)

Breakfast on board.

Free morning.

Lunch on board.

Felucca Mini Cruise and Aswan Botanical Garden. The only way to reach the left bank and the Kitchener or Elephantine Islands, real gems of the river. Enjoy the breeze while you sail along the calm blue waters of the ancient Nile.

Stop off at Kitchener Island and visit the botanical garden

Late afternoon free.

Dinner and overnight stay on board the 5-star ship (local standards)

Breakfast.

Free day on the ship.

Lunch on board.

Sail to Esna

Dinner and overnight stay on board the 5-star ship (local standards)

In the early morning, the boat passes through the lock.

Breakfast on board.

Visit to Karnak Temple. This temple is one of the most distinctive in Egypt, with a remarkable history of over two millennia and a dedication to an impressive number of gods. One of the most prominent deities, Amun, has been the focal point of worship since the temple's inception. All of the most prominent pharaohs were involved in the temple's continued construction. The name Karnak, which means 'fortress', dates back to the period of the Muslim conquest.

Lunch on board.

A visit to the Luxor Temple, constructed to honour the god Amun-Re, who held a yearly celebration in honour of his wedding anniversary with his wife Mut. The procession departed from Karnak Temple and proceeded along the Nile to Luxor. The latter was constructed during the reign of two pharaohs, Amenhotep III and Ramesses II.

Return to the ship. Free time to spend however you like.

Dinner and overnight stay on board the 5-star ship (local standards)

Breakfast on board before disembarking.

Bus transfer to Hurghada (between 4 and 5 hours) and check-in at your 5-star hotel (local standards)

Lunch.

Free day with all-inclusive package

Free day on an all-inclusive package

Breakfast

Transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Cairo

Visit to the Citadel of Saladin and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, featuring a large clock in the centre of the courtyard gifted to Muhammad Ali by the King of France Louis Philippe. The Belvedere commands a panoramic view of the city of Cairo

Lunch during the visit

Stroll through the Khan El Khalili souks, a bazaar built in the 14th century. It is highly colourful and has traditional goods, but also offers a fabulous choice of gold, gold thread and silver jewellery and a selection of oriental handicrafts.

Settle in at the hotel

Dinner and overnight stay at the five-star hotel (local standards)

Breakfast.

Visit the National Museum of Antiquities, where you will have the opportunity to view a remarkable collection of artefacts spanning from the prehistoric era to the Roman period. You will get to see the famous Tutankhamun, along with a number of other remarkable exhibits. The museum boasts an impressive collection of over 250,000 items, making it one of the largest in the world. It enables visitors to gain insights into five millennia of Egyptian history.
Lunch during the trip.

Set off to visit Coptic Cairo. The Christian religion was introduced by Saint Mark around 45 AD, marking the beginning of the Coptic community – a term specifically referring to the Christians of Egypt. The Coptic area of Cairo is renowned for its concentration of churches within a relatively small geographical area. • The Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church is one of the oldest Christian churches and was built around the 3rd or 4th century AD. The church was named Saint Sergius in homage to a former war general who converted to Christianity. Christians built a church on this very spot because it is believed that the Holy Family took refuge here when it used to be a cave.
The Saint Virgin Mary's Church or the Hanging Church is a particularly beautiful monument. It is accessible via stairs preceded by a corridor with mosaics depicting biblical scenes. This church is nicknamed the Hanging Church because it is built on palm tree trunks which support it like stilts. The interior is lavishly decorated. In the main room, there is a Coptic icon depicting the Virgin Mary with Jesus in her arms. It feels like she's following you with her gaze as you walk around her.

Overnight stay at a 5-star hotel (local standards)

Breakfast

Depending on flight times, you will be transferred as a group to the airport.

Assistance with check-in formalities

A local English-speaking Egyptologist guide will accompany you for the entire duration of the stay (except in Hurghada).

Tips: "baksheesh"! This is one word you'll pick up quickly! While it's easy to ignore such requests, you could say that this is part of the local tradition and rewards a job or service well done. Tips for guides are never included. It is left to everyone's discretion. (different from mandatory service fees)

There may be a pay-for internet connection that is available throughout the boat. However, we cannot guarantee the quality of the internet connection that will be available during your stay.

The baggage allowance for domestic flights is 23 kg in the hold per person, and a small cabin bag, 7 kg max. Any additional kilos will be subject to a supplementary charge at the airport

There can be a lot of random, extensive checks at the airport in Egypt depending on the number of tourists, which is why the tour leader plans the schedule ahead as much as possible.
The excursions are in groups, with other participants.
This package includes free time to wander around at your leisure. However, you are responsible for paying for any transport journeys.

Optional excursions are subject to a supplement, payable on site to your guide or local representative.

A sim card can be purchased on site from the local representative and/or guide for €7.

Due to the high volume of tourists, the airport in Egypt may conduct a number of extensive checks, which is why the tour leader advises arriving early whenever possible.

The tour itinerary may be amended due to local conditions (travel time, passing through locks, etc. however, stated tours will take place).

The pace of the visits can be quite intensive (see all the visits included in the day-by-day itinerary details), which means waking up very early in the morning (outside the ship's sailing periods).

Egypt is a cultural destination.

PLEASE NOTE: For those booking the hotel only package (without international flights): please inform us of your flight details as soon as possible via the contact form located in the “Help and Contact” section at the bottom of the page, so that we can organise your transfers.