Absolute Egypt
This 13-day comprehensive tour of Egypt will bring you up close and personal to all of Egypt's most famous sights
ABOUT THIS TRIP
This 13-day comprehensive tour of Egypt will bring you up close and personal to all of Egypt's most famous sights
12 NIGHTS
23 MEALS
Special Lunches
Full Board Meal Plan Aboard Cruise
TRANSPORT
Cruise
Welcome to Cairo! On arrival at Cairo International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check in. Cairo, called Al-Qahirah in Arabic, with a population of 17 million, is not only Africa’s largest city but the political and cultural center of the Arab World. Cairo’s old quarters retain their ancient charm with many streets still known by descriptions given to them by medieval chroniclers. Modern Cairo’s architecture is distinguished by Ottoman and later European influences, especially in commercial architecture, particularly as the city’s population boomed during the 19th century.
Overnight in Cairo
Spend the day on the Giza Plateau home of Egypt’s signature attractions: the Great Pyramids, proclaimed by the Greeks to be among the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. A single pyramid is built of 2,300,000 blocks, each weighing an average of two and one–half tons. In the face of such immensity, one cannot help but feel the wonder and awe that so many writers & artists have sought to convey over the centuries. This morning see the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the timeless Great Sphinx of Giza, which dates from the time of Chephren (2620BC). Hewn from natural yellowish limestone & standing 65 feet high & 187 feet long, this unforgettable statue combines the head of a Pharaoh with a lion’s body.
Overnight in Cairo
This evening, return to Giza on your own for a spectacular Sound & Light show. Nothing compares to seeing the Pyramids and the Sphinx illuminated at night; the visual effects as well as dramatic commentary make for an unforgettable evening. The show begins with the story of the Sphinx who has been the vigilant guardian of the City of the Dead for five thousand years. The show depicts the story of the building of the Pyramids of Cheops, Kephren, Mykerinos and relates the history of great and famous figures of ancient Egypt such as Nefertiti, Thutmosis IV, Akhnaten and Tut Ank
This morning visit the world-renowned Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. Accompanied by your certified Egyptologist, you’ll stroll through the halls highlighting each historical period of this ancient land. Admire the world’s greatest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the golden treasures of Tutankhamun’s tomb (not included) and the Mummy Room, where more than 20 pharaohs lie in state. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure on your own in Cairo or perhaps enjoy an optional tour.
Overnight in Cairo
Take a half day tour to visit the old churches, Coptic monasteries, Coptic Museum & the Ben Ezra Synagogue. Go to Old Cairo, the oldest district in the Egyptian capital, which was formerly the City of Phas built br Amr Ibn ElA’as. In later centuries, Romans built the fortress Babylon in the area, remnants of which still exist. Later, Old Cairo became the center of Christianity in Egypt, with as many as 20 churches built within an area of one square mile. Only five of these historic churches remain today, nestled between many other ancient monuments that decorate the quarter. The Coptic Museum was founded in 1910 by Marcus Simaika Pasha, and is the most recently-built of Cairo's major museums. The museum is home to one of the richest collections of Coptic Christian art in the world, featuring antiquities of the Coptic period (300-1000 AD). Around 16,000 pieces are displayed in the museum, arranged where possible in a chronological order. The Ben Ezra Synagogue, located in Cairo center, was built by chief rabbi in Jerusalem Abraham Ben Ezra in the late 9th century within the walls of the Fortress of Babylon (as Old Cairo was known in ancient times). The basilica-style temple is home to a Jewish heritage library, which includes a Torah on gazelle skin dating back to the fifth century BC and an "Atlas of Moses" manuscript.
This morning you will be transferred back to Cairo Airport for the flight to Aswan. On arrival in Aswan you will be met and escorted for embarkation on the Nile cruise ship, your floating hotel for the next few days. After lunch, enjoy a tour visiting the High Dam. Just north of the border between Egypt and Sudan lies Aswan High Dam, a huge rock filled dam which captures the world's longest river, the Nile, in the world's largest artificial reservoir, Lake Nasser. The dam, known as “Sadd El-Aali” in Arabic, was completed in 1970 after 10 years of work. Then visit the Unfinished Obelisk, located in the Northern Quarry, still lies where a crack was discovered as it was being hewn from the rock. This obelisk would have been the largest ever erected if it hadn't cracked before it was fully quarried. Tools left by its builders have given archaeologists much insight into how such work was performed. You will also enjoy a short trip on a motorboat to Philae Temple, which will bring you to a magnificent vista of the island, before landing at what would have been the ancient quay on the south side. The temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis and has many legends connected to it. The most well-known legend tells the story of how Isis found the heart of Osiris here after his murder by his brother Seth.
Overnight on board
This morning transfer to Aswan airport to board a flight to Abu Simbel. Upon arrival in Abu Simbel you will be transferred to the temple grounds where you willl visit the Temple of Ramses and Temple of Queen Nefertari. Not only are these two temples among the most magnificent monuments in the world, their removal and reconstruction was an historic event in itself. These two temples were originally 280km away from Aswan and were threatened by submersion in the waters of Lake Nasser. It was then decided that the temples were to be moved to their new present day location. After touring you will be transferred back to the airport for a short flight back to Aswan.
Optional: Sound and Light Show at Philae Temple: 65, min 1 paxSound & light show at Philae Temple recounting such legends against the magnificent backdrop of the floodlit monuments, a truly magical experience.
This morning enjoy breakfast on board while cruising to Kom Ombo; enjoy a short walk to the twin Temples of Sobek and Horus. One is dedicated to the crocodile-god, Sobek, and the other to the falcon-god, Horus the Elder. There are clear depictions of ancient medical instruments on one wall. Kom Ombo's Greco-Roman style Temple of Sobek built for the Crocodile God stands serenely on a hilltop, the site offers an incredible view of the Nile. In ancient times, sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank near here, and hundreds of mummified crocodiles were found in the vicinity. Then sail on to Edfu.
Dinner and overnight onboard.
Disembark at Edfu; a "caleche" ride will take you through the town to the Temple of Horus, the Falcon God. The Temple of Horus is the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt and the second largest after Karnak. Built from sandstone blocks, the huge Ptolemaic temple has a massive entrance pylon covered with traditional scenes of the king smiting his enemies before Horus. This afternoon, visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temples. Karnak was erected in 1928 BC as a small shrine dedicated to Amun, god of Thebes. The Temple comprises three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples - all constructed over 1300 years. The three main temples of Mut, Monthu, and Amun, are enclosed in enormous brick walls, with the temple of Amun at the center. Karnak is now the largest and oldest temple compound on earth. Many festivals were celebrated in Thebes. The Temple of Luxor was the center of the most important one, the festival of Opet. Built largely by Amenhotep III and Ramses II, the temple served as a setting for the rituals of the festival, which was held to reconcile the human aspect of the ruler with his divine office. The procession of images of the current royal family began at Karnak and ended at Luxor temple.
Overnight on board
The history and drama of the Temple of Karnak are presented in an unforgettable show at the huge complex of Karnak.
Today cross the newly constructed Luxor Bridge to visit the Valley of the Kings, which includes the tombs of the Theban rulers, Seti I and Tutankhamen. The Valley of the Kings in Upper Egypt is home to many pharaonic tombs of the New Kingdom, including those of King Tutankhamun and Ramses the Great. Each king's formal name and title is inscribed in his tomb, which are also adorned with his images and statues. Most of the tombs were cut into the limestone following a similar pattern: three corridors, an antechamber, and a sunken sarcophagus chamber. Explore several amazing Royal Tombs. Continue on to Deir el Medina, with its small Ptolemaic temple. This is the ancient village of the workers who built the pharaohs’ tombs and also is home to the beautifully preserved Tomb of Sennedjem.After lunch tour the mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, the only woman Pharaoh to rule ancient Egypt. The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th dynasty was built just north of the Middle Kingdom temple of Mentuhotep Nebhepetre, amid the bay of cliffs known as Deir El-Bahri. In ancient times the temple was called Djeser-djeseru, meaning the sacred of sacreds. The female pharaoh chose to build her temple in a valley sacred to the Theban Goddess of the west, on a direct axis with Karnak Temple of Amun on the East Bank.Then, proceed to the Valley of the Queens to visit the burials of some royal consorts and offspring. The Valley of the Queens (Biban Al-Harem) has between 75 and 80 tombs. These tombs belong to queens of the 18th, 19th and 20th Dynasties. Among these is the famous tomb of Nefertiti, one of the five wives of Ramses II. Nefertari was said to be Ramses’ favorite wife, and her tomb is regarded by many as the most beautiful in Egypt. End the tour with a panoramic stop at the Colossi of Amenhutep III named the colossi of Memnon by the Greeks.
Overnight on board
Today you will be transferred to Luxor airport for your flight to Sharm El Sheikh where you will be met and escorted to your hotel.
Overnight in Sharm
Enjoy the crystal-clear waters, deep sea diving, colored fish, snorkeling, fishing, golfing, the sunny sandy beaches and the water sports, camel ride, desert safari and Bedouin tent.
Overnight in Sharm
Start early this morning and drive nearly 3 hours to St. Catherine village to visit the famous Byzantine Monastery of Saint Catherine, which has been in existence in the depths of the Sinai desert since the 6th century (542 AD). Moses Well can still be seen near the monastery as well. Afterwards drive to Dahab village where lunch will be served.
Overnight in Sharm
Today you will be transferred back to the airport for your flight back to Cairo. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel for check in.
Overnight in Cairo
After breakfast embark on a full day excursion to Alexandria widely known as the Pearl of the Mediterranean. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC Alexandria has historically been a place of learning and attracted poets and writers for thousands of years to its famous seaside library the “Bibliotheca Alexandrina”. Alexandria is also home to the Pharos Lighthouse one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Largely because of its unique cosmopolitan roots, Alexandria differs widely from the rest of the country, especially Cairo. Explore the Alexandria National Museum comprised of more than 1800 archaeological pieces that narrate the Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Coptic, Islamic, and modern history of Egypt. One display features pieces picked up from the seabed at Abu Kir Bay and the eastern harbor near the Qaitbay Citadel. The Alexandria Museum is number 27 in the series of historic and archaeological museums across Egypt. You will have a panoramic view of Fort Qaitbay, built in the 1480s by Sultan Qaitbey, at the site of Alexandria's ancient lighthouse. Remnants of the lighthouse can be seen in the construction of the old fort. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the lighthouse was an astonishing 125 meters high, containing some 300 rooms for workers. Then visit the new Alexandria Library built in 2002 to commemorate the great library of the 3rd Century BC which formed the cornerstone of ancient intellectual life. Shaped like a massive, partly hidden, tilted disc rising up from the Mediterranean, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina evokes the image of a rising sun, a source of light and enlightenment. Aside from a library displaying books on 7 levels that form a “pyramid of knowledge,” the cultural complex also includes other specialized libraries, museums, exhibition areas, education centers, and an international conference center.
Overnight in Cairo
Today you will be transferred back to Cairo International Airport for your onward flight.
