Day 01: Arrive Cairo

Ahlan wa sahlan (welcome in Arabic)! We are warmly received at Cairo Airport and transferred to our hotel. Check in starts from 2:00 PM.

Overnight: Kempinski Cairo Hotel/Cairo Marriott (Nile Deluxe Room), Cairo (3 nights)

Day 02: Cairo & Giza

Today we go back in time, starting with a visit to the most famous of the Egyptian sphinxes, the Great Sphinx of Giza. We discover the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops). Completed around 2600 BC, this pyramid was 146m/478 ft high and consisted of more than 2 million limestone blocks with each weighing over 2 tons. Experience the Chephren and Mycerinus pyramids. For an added touch of adventure, opt for a camel ride, offering a unique perspective of the pyramids as you traverse the golden sands like the explorers of old bygone days. Next, we visit Memphis and the Saqqara Step Pyramid, the world's first great stone structure. (B)

Day 03: Cairo

Our day starts with a fascinating tour of 7,000 years of Egyptian history including visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. A brief stop will also be made at Tahrir Square before diving into Islamic Cairo, home to one of the largest and densest concentrations of historic architecture in the Muslim world. We see the graceful Mohamed Ali Mosque and the ancient Citadel, a spectacular medieval fortress perched on a hill above the city. Originally built by Salah El-Din in 1176 ACE to fortify the city against the Crusaders. The Citadel is now a complex of three mosques and four museums.  Our last stop is the maze-like Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, reputed to be the largest souq in the Middle East. Founded as a watering stop for the caravanserai in the 14th Century, the bazaar has now grown to vast proportions. We will have a hot Egyptian lunch at Old Cairo. Evening, an optional viewing of the spectacular Sound & Light Show at the foot of the Great Pyramids. (B, L)

Day 04: Cairo/Luxor (Flight) Start Nile Cruise

A short flight to Luxor, where we are transferred to our boat, home for the next five days. Over this stretch we will enjoy an essential Egypt experience: cruising on the Nile. Watch rural life along the river banks and visit some of the world’s most impressive ancient sites. Cost of all offshore excursions mentioned including ground transportation, entrance fees and an English-speaking group tour guide are included in your tour cost. Afternoon, we explore the massive Karnak Temple Complex which is composed of three temples, (the size of about 10 cathedrals!) The immense courtyard, the great hypostyle hall with 134 colossal columns and the six monumental entrances are relics of pharaohs eager to leave behind marvelous testimonials to their name. Head to the Temple of Luxor, built by Amenophis III and Ramesses II. The first complex boasts a great courtyard and chapel that once served as a storehouse for boats, whilst the second hall includes an immense entrance and colonnade, a courtyard crowned with tall columns.

Overnight: Acamar Nile Cruise/Minerva Nile Cruise (4 nights) (B, L, D)

You can also cruise the Nile using a Dhabiya (a traditional boat). These are small boats and offer an intimate aura – details available at: https://bestway.com/countries/egypt.php

Day 05: Nile Cruise Luxor/Edfu

Today we visit Karnak and Luxor temples. A place of pilgrimage for nearly 4,000 years, Karnak continues to overshadow many of the modern wonders of the world. This city of temples was built over the course of 2,000 years and dedicated to the Theben triad of Amon, Mut and Khonsu. This sprawling complex is composed of three temples, and takes up the space of about 10 cathedrals! The immense courtyard, the great hypostyle hall with 134 colossal columns and the six monumental entrances are relics of pharaohs eager to leave behind marvelous testimonials to their name. Nearby Luxor temple complex was the largest and most significant religious centre in ancient Egypt, and is said to be where pharaohs were crowned. Its vast Great Colonnade Hall, with its 28 towering columns, will take our breath away. (B, L, D)

Optional: An early morning Hot Air Balloon safari over Luxor available @ US$ 195 per person.

Day 06: Nile Cruise Edfu/Kom Ombo

Another exciting day on the Nile as we explore the Necropolis of Ancient Thebes* The highlight is a visit to the Valley of the Kings, a vast City of the Dead where magnificent tombs were carved into the desert rocks, richly decorated, and filled with treasures for the afterlife by generations of pharaohs. As we wander the tombs, we’ll be astonished by how well-preserved the paintings are – as if they were done recently, and not thousands of years ago! We will also see the impressive Queen Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon.  Sail to Esna, where we have the unique experience of seeing the crossing of the Esna Lock. (B, L, D)

Day 07: Nile Cruise Kom Ombo/Esna/Aswan

Morning, discover the meticulously-preserved Greek built Temple of Horus. This temple, built during the reigns of six generations of Ptolemy, is not only the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt, but also the second largest after Karnak. Afternoon, we sail and visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile-god Sobek and Haroeris. It stands at a bend in the Nile where, in ancient times, sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank, and we can even find some mummified crocodiles on display. (B, L, D)

Day 08: Aswan/Cairo (Flight)

After breakfast we disembark the cruise boat and explore Aswan including the famous and imposing Aswan High Dam, the romantic Philae Temple located on the island of Agilka and the botanical garden. Afternoon, we have a felucca (traditional boat) sailing around the Elephantine Island before taking the evening flight to Cairo. An optional Air excursion to Abu Simbel is possible on this day. This optional excursion includes airfare Aswan/Abu Simbel/Aswan and costs $ 520 per person.

Overnight: Kempinski Cairo Hotel/Cairo Marriott (Nile Deluxe Room), Cairo (2 nights) (B)

Day 09: Cairo & GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum)

Interested in experiencing the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)? While the official opening date of the GEM has not yet been announced, the museum is partially open, and guests can view many of the artifacts already there. We are thrilled to offer an optional introductory visit to the GEM for interested guests. This tour will include a visit to the well-known obelisk that has been moved here, and the colossal statue of Ramses II. See the Grand Staircase from the outside, as well as Merenbetah and some statues from the Batlimos era. Afternoon free to enjoy Cairo on your own. (B)

Day 10: Depart Cairo

Bid farewell to Egypt as we are transferred to the airport in time for our departure flight. Or, continue your adventure with add-on excursion to the coastal city of Alexandria, the beautiful desert landscapes of Jordan and beyond. Contact Bestway Tours & Safaris for details and ideas. (B)

Optional Excursion/Extension

Abu Simbel Excursion (Day 8)

Experience the one-of-a-kind temples of Abu Simbel, famous for both the four colossal statues of Ramses II that guard its entrance as well as for the feat of modern engineering that saved the temples from the rising waters of the Nile in 1968. This half-day trip is by air from Aswan. It includes a guided tour of the Abu Simbel temples and all the transfers required. This excursion is taken immediately after arrival in Aswan on Day 8. The other sights in Aswan will be visited once you are back in Aswan (Cost is US$ 520 per person including airfares from Aswan/Abu Simbel/Aswan).

Optional Upgrade

Cruise the Nile by luxury dahabiya boat

Recover the romance of centuries past on a luxurious dahabiya boat. These romantic vessels echo the designs of 19th century sailboats and provide an exclusive experience, with generally only 4 to 6 cabins per ship. They are large enough to be more than comfortable on the water, but small enough to drop anchor in less-visited spots. Upgrades are available starting from US$ 1120 per person sharing Double/Twin. Inquire with us for details!

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 2 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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