Egypt in Depth  

Egypt, 11 Nights

Cruise Lake Nasser and the Nile and experience the sound and light show at Abu Simbel, perfect for a second visit to Egypt.

Highlights:

• Cruising Lake Nasser and the Nile
• Sound and Light show at Abu Simbel
• Medieval Cairo
• The Valley of the Kings
  

Day 1 - London/Cairo
Fly to Egypt's capital city, Cairo and check-in to your centrally located hotel the Fairmont Nile City for a three night stay.

Day 2 - Cairo
Enjoy a full day sightseeing in Cairo to admire the riches of Tutankhamun at the Egyptian Antiquities Museum and revere the ancient mummies in the Mummies Room. After a delightful lunch enter the world of medieval Cairo, visiting the imposing hilltop Citadel and the splendid 19th century Mosque of Mohammed Ali, with its soaring dome and graceful minarets and the Sultan Hassan Mosque. Then immerse yourself into the winding alleys of the Khan el Khalili Bazaar, the hub of everyday activity.

Day 3 - Cairo
Head south of Cairo to step amongst the ruins of Memphis and gaze at the stepped pyramid of Zoser I at Sakkara, the oldest stone structure in the world. The high point of today's sightseeing is your visit to the pyramids at Giza, the only survivor among the Seven Wonders of the World. View the famed guardian deity Sphinx and the Solar Boat Museum, housing two funeral barques discovered in 1954.

Day 4 - Cairo/Luxor
This morning you fly early to Luxor to join Sun Boat IV, spending the next four nights afloat. You are welcomed with chilled juices as you check in and then you visit the huge temple complex of Karnak. After lunch on board you visit the West Bank of Luxor, sightseeing includes The Valley of the Kings - where over 60 tombs have been discovered including the burial chamber of Tutankhamun and The Valley of the Queens - which houses 75 - 80 tombs from queens of the 18th, 19th & 20th Dynasties. Also visit the impressive cliffside Temple of Hatshepsut, built by Pharaonic Egypt's only female ruler, rising out of the desert plain in a series of terraces and enjoy a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon before returning to the boat for the captain's cocktail party.

Day 5 - Luxor/Dendarah/Luxor
Early morning sailing to Qena with buffet breakfast on board. This part of your cruise is off the beaten track and passes through some of the most beautiful scenery along the Nile. During the morning you shall visit the Ptolemic Temple of the Goddess Hathor at Dendarah. This wonderfully preserved temple is a rare sight to behold, complete with a massive stone roof, dark chambers, underground passages and towering hieroglyphs. Return to the boat for lunch whilst sailing back to Luxor. Afternoon tea is served on board before your afternoon visit to the many-columned temple of Luxor.

Day 6 - Luxor/Kom Ombo
Set sail in the early morning to Edfu passing by Esna and relax whilst enjoying the sights of the Nile. After a sumptuous lunch served on board explore the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the largest and most completely preserved temple in Egypt. Enjoy cruising the Nile onto Kom Ombo with free time to relax before a wonderful Egyptian themed dinner.

Day 7 - Kom Ombo/Aswan
See the crocodile mummies at the Temple of Horus at Kom Ombo jointly dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god and Horus. A delightful sailing leads you to Aswan and the Temple of Philae on Agilika Island and the unfinished Obelisk at the Ancient Granite Quarries. Experience a felucca cruise around the islands of Aswan, passing by the Botanical Gardens. Tonight's farewell gala dinner will be a formal affair, with white-gloved waiters serving gourmet cuisine.

Day 8 - Aswan
Transfer to join your three night cruise on board the M/S Eugenie, gateway to a world of history. After lunch visit the one of the largest Nubian temples, the Temple of Kalabsha. See the fine floral capitals at the Kiosk of Kertassi and the hemi-speos of Beit El Wali.

Day 9 - Aswan/Amada
Sail to Wadi El Seboua and sip a cocktail while passing the Tropic of Cancer. Visit the Temple of Wadi El Seboua, the Temple of Dakka and the Greco-Roman Temple of Meharakka. Rest and relax and enjoy the sailing to Amada.

Day 10 - Amada/Abu Simbel
Explore the temples of Amada, the oldest surviving monument on Lake Nasser. Sail to Kasr Ibrim the hilltop site of a Pharaonic citadel, here the guide will give a talk from the sundeck as entrance to the site is not permitted. Sail to Abu Simbel and visit the colossal cliffside statues of Ramses II and his beloved wife Nefertari. Savour the Sound and Light show followed by a candlelit dinner on board.

Day 11 - Abu Simbel/Cairo
After breakfast transfer to Abu Simbel Airport for your flight to Cairo via Aswan and your final night in Egypt at the Fairmont Towers.

Day 12 - Cairo/London
Fly early morning on your British Airways flight to London.

Pricing
At A&K all of our journeys are individually tailored to suit your needs and timescale. As a guide, this 12 day suggested luxury holiday in Egypt will cost from £2,700 per person based on two adults sharing with flights from the UK and subject to availability.