The Best of Upper & Lower Egypt
Full Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Cairo where you will be met by our Egypt Tours and Travel tour manager, who will meet and assist. Later you will be transferred to your hotel, The luxurious Cairo Marriott Towers, and Casino Hotel. Nile view room. Overnight stay.
Day 2
Meet with your Egypt Tours tour guide. Drive to visit the Pyramid of Maidum, originally a seven-stepped pyramid that was later enlarged to an eight-stepped pyramid. The steps were filled in and a smooth outer facing turned it into a true pyramid. This massive structure is surrounded by the debris from the casing that collapsed. The Maidum Pyramid is thought to have been started by Huni, the last ruler of the 3rd Dynasty, and completed by his son Sneferu. Sneferu was the first 4th Dynasty Pharaoh (2613 - 2494 BC). A little north from the Maidum Pyramid, you will find the remains of the Seila Step Pyramid, which is built of limestone and is thought to be from the 2nd Dynasty. In the afternoon, drive to Dhashur and visit the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid. Sneferu is thought to have been the constructor of these pyramids, as well to have built the Pyramid of Maidum. His son Cheops also continued to construct the pyramids. After your visit, transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3
Meet with your Egypt Tours tour guide. Drive to Memphis on the edge of the western desert, the capital of the ancient kingdom, and one of the most important cities throughout the history of ancient Egypt. Continue the tour with a drive to Sakkara, the vast necropolis of ancient Memphis. In the afternoon, drive to the Pyramids of Giza. Cheop's Pyramid and the largest of the three, Giza was built in the 4th Dynasty about 2690 BC and is one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Enjoy a camel ride around the Pyramid Plateau. Later, continue the tour to the Sphinx, carved from a single piece of stone. It is a lion with a pharaoh's head thought to be a portrait of the Pharaoh Chephren. Visit the Solar Boat Museum where you can see and admire boats that were built by the ancient Egyptian and are miraculously in perfect shape. Transfer to your hotel. In the evening, you will be taken by your Egypt Tours tour manager to attend the magnificent Sound and Light Show at the Giza Plateau. Later travel back to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4
You will be met by your Egypt Tours tour manager and taken to Cairo Airport for your early flight to Abu-Simbel. Upon arrival at Abu-Simbel Airport, embark on your deluxe cruise, the M/S Eugenie. Visit the Simbel Temples, a symbol of the international campaign for the salvaging of the Nubian monuments, the Temple of Ramses II, and his beloved wife Nefertari. A welcome cocktail will be served in front of the two temples, followed by a candlelight dinner on board the cruise ship that overlooks the impressive temples. Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Enjoy the spectacular temples of Abu-Simbel and eat breakfast while sailing to Kasr Ibrim. Then arrive at Kasr Ibrim, the sole vestige of the distant past of Nubia found in its original location. During the Pharaonic Period, this hill was dominated by a Citadel throughout the Medieval Era and the summit of the hill was dominated by a Cathedral. Sail to Amada. Visit the Temple of Amada of the XVIIIth Dynasty, built during the reign of Thotmosis III, Amenophis III, and Thotmosis IV. The Hemi-Speos of Derr dedicated by Ramses II to the rising sun and the Tomb of Penout, Viceroy of Nubia. A relaxing afternoon sail to Wadi el Seboua. Overnight on-board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
Morning visit to Wadi el Seboua. The Temple of Wadi el Seboua was dedicated by Ramses II to the two gods Amon Ra and Ra Harmakis. The Temple of Dakka, was dedicated to the god Thot of divine wisdom, lord of time and science, master of literature. Visit the Greco-Roman Temple of Meharakka. Sail to Aswan. Overnight on-board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
Visit Kalabsha Temple with its pharaonic aspect, remodeled into a Greco-Roman style, and dedicated to the god Mandoulis. You will also visit the Hemispeos of Beit el Wali, erected by Ramses II at the beginning of his reign, and Kiosh of Kertassi, erected to honor the goddess Isis. Disembark your cruise ship in Aswan, where you will be met and transferred to your deluxe hotel, the Historical Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan. Pyramid view room, in the Palace section. Balance day of leisure. Overnight stay at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8
You will be met by your Egypt Tours guide and escorted to embark your Super deluxe cruise ship for a classic 4-night Nile cruise. The Oberoi Philae or similar category. Later, visit the impressive Nubian Museum, which showcases the history, art, and culture of Nubia. Visit "Felucca" the Elephantine Island, the Mausoleum of Agha Khan, and the Botanical Gardens. Cocktail reception. Overnight on-board your cruise ship.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Image Source: Marc Ryckaert
Day 9
Visit the ancient Granite Quarries, the High Dam, and Temple of Philae. Cruise to Kom-Ombo. Visit the Ptolemaic Temple of Kom-Ombo, dedicated to two gods: the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-headed god Haroeris. Sail to Edfu. Overnight onboard your cruise ship.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10
Visit the Temples of Horus (237 BC), the best-preserved Egyptian temple in existence. Sail to Luxor via Esna. Overnight on board ship.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11
Cross to the West Bank of the Nile and visit the necropolis of ancient Thebes. Explore the Valleys of the Kings and Queens where tombs of 64 Pharaohs and 57 Queens have been discovered. Enter some of the most remarkable burials such as King Tut’s Tomb, and Ramses the six’s Tomb, Dier El-Madina. Also, visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Karnak which took over 1500 years to build and is considered the world's largest religious complex. Continue to the Temple of Luxor, started by Amenhotep III, and completed by Ramses II. Overnight on-board your Nile cruise ship.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12
Disembark your cruise ship, where you will be met by your Egypt Tours guide and transported to your accommodations at The Old Winter Palace hotel. Later you will be met by your Egypt Tours guide and taken to visit the Valley of the Nobles and the Seti First Tomb. Travel back to your hotel. In the evening, you will be taken to attend the magnificent Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple. Later return back to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13
Visit the Tomb of Nefertari. A fabulous sight know as the most beautiful tomb in the Valley of the Queens, it has some of the most vibrant colors that you will ever see. Check-out from your hotel. In the early evening, you will be transferred to Luxor Airport for your flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival at Cairo Airport, you will be met with your Egypt Tours tour manager and transported to your hotel, the luxurious Marriott Mena House Hotel. Pyramid view room. Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14
Meet with your Egypt Tours guide. Start your tour by visiting the Egyptian Museum famous for its antiquities from Egypt's Pharaonic period, dating back some 50 centuries including the fabulous treasures of King Tut-Ankh-Amon. In the afternoon, take an excursion to Old Cairo, visiting the very old Coptic Churches, and the oldest Jewish Synagogue of Beni Ezra. Continue your tour to visit the Citadel of Salah-El-Din, the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammad Ali, and the Medieval Bazaars of Khan-el-Khalili, where you can bargain for your jewelry, hand-tolled copper, and authentic leather items. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 15
Meet with your Egypt Tours tour guide. Drive to Fayoum, Egypt's largest oasis, overlooking Lake Qaron, a popular spot for hunting and fishing. Visit Wadi El-Hitan (whale Fossils). Next visit the remains of the Temple and Pyramid of Amenhat III and Qasr Qarun. A Ptolemaic Temple (323 - 30 BC), it is a well-preserved temple from the Greco-Roman era. Early evening, drive back to Cairo to stay overnight at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 16
A day of leisure for last-minute shopping, or for relaxing by your hotel pool. Overnight at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 17
You will be met by your Egypt Tours tour manager, and transferred to Cairo Airport, where you will be helped with your check-in for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Also Included: All taxes, service charges, port charges, and entrance fees to sights mentioned included as well. Private car sightseeing and private car transfers in Cairo.
**If any modifications or changes are needed to package, that will be accommodated at an extra cost.
Extensions & Optional Tours: Extra days and optional tours to sites are available upon request.
The Best of Upper & Lower Egypt
Price
$6989
Single Supplement
$1489
Interested?
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