Airport and transferred to our hotel. Check in starts from 2:00 PM. Balance of the day is free.

Overnight: Cairo Kempinski Hotel, Cairo (3 nights)

Our day starts with a fascinating tour of the over 1000 years of the city of Cairo. We start with the famous 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 Al Azhar Mosque and madrassah, the graceful Mohamed Ali Mosque and the ancient Citadel, a spectacular medieval fortress perched on a hill above the city. It was 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.  We walk through the streets reflecting aura of Arabian Nights before a complimentary hot lunch at a typical local restaurant depicting Cairo of the bygone days. After lunch, we walk around the maze-like Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, reputed to be the largest souq in the Arab world. Originally founded as a watering stop for the caravanserai in the 14th Century, the bazaar has now grown to vast proportions. (B, L)

Today we go back even further in time. We start 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, you may opt for a camel ride, offering a unique perspective of the pyramids as you traverse the golden sands like the explorers of bygone days. Next, we visit Memphis and the Saqqara Step Pyramid. Evening, an optional viewing of the spectacular Sound & Light Show at the foot of the Great Pyramids. (B)

An epic day ahead as we take an early morning flight to Abu Simbel to explore the massive temples of Abu Simbel*. Here, we visit the iconic monuments built by Ramesses II in ancient Nubia, which survives to the present day. Carved out of the mountainside in 13th century BCE, the Great Temple has four colossal statues depicting Ramses II and a smaller one that of Queen Nefertari. Enjoy the clear starlit skies of Abu Simbel. It will be just us and the massive statues of Ramses & Queen Neferatari.

Overnight: Seti Hotel, Abu Simbel (1 night) (B)

Abu Simbel played a historical unrelated role. When Aswan High Dam was being constructed, the temples were saved from the rising waters of the Nile thanks to the international campaign launched by UNESCO in 1960. It involved international technical experts who put their expertise together to physically move this temple to higher grounds so that it would not be impacted by the floods from the waters of Lake Nasser. Midmorning, we take a four-hour drive to Aswan and check in at our exclusive hotel. Balance of the day is free.

PM Optional Sound & Light Show at the Philae Temple.

Overnight: Movenpick Aswan Resort (Superior Nile View Room) (1 night) (B)

Morning, after breakfast, we have free time to explore this historical and beautiful city of Aswan on our own before we are transferred to our cruise boat. This will be our home for the next 4 days. After a delicious welcome lunch, we visit the High Dam, and later reach the Temple of Philae, which was erected during the Graeco-Roman period and is dedicated to goddess Isis. We end the day with a guided visit of The Unfinished Obelisk - made out of red granite and dedicated to god, Amun Ra.

Overnight: Nile Cruise, Aswan (B, L, D)

After a delicious breakfast served on board our ship, we join our Egyptologist tour guide to one of the most wonderful temples in Egypt, the Temple of Kom Ombo, where the two gods, Sobek & Haroeris were worshipped for a while. Enjoy lunch on the sun deck, watching the unique landscape of the great river Nile. Afternoon, enjoy chariot riding to Temple of Horus in Edfu, one of the most well preserved temples in Egypt. Lunch and dinner on board the boat. At times, the cruise boat has an Egyptian Folkloric Show party conducted by the cruise team.

Overnight: Nile Cruise, Esna (B, L, D)

After breakfast on our boat, we start with a magical tour in Thebes, by exploring the west bank of Luxor including Valley of the Kings, which was  the royal cemetery of the Theban kings of ancient Egypt and also the place where the Pharaohs were buried. We also visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari which is a wonderful piece of architecture of ancient Egypt. It was carved from the inside of a mountain. End the day exploring the Colossi of Memnon, belonging to king Amenhotep III. We are now berthed at the historical town of Luxor. Time permitting, we visit the Karnak Temples Complex. Culminate your Nile Cruise experience by visiting the Temple Of Luxor. After dinner on board the boat, you may take an optional tour to participate in the Luxor Sound & Light Show.

Overnight: Nile Cruise, Luxor (B, L, D)

Breakfast on board the boat. After a marvellous cruise on the Nile, we take our flight to Cairo and then drive along the beautiful Mediterranean coast for 3 hours to reach the historical, enchanting and august city of Alexandria. There are some 31 cities in 12 countries that have cities named after Alexander. Alexandria, was founded by none other than Alexander the great in 332 BCE just after the start of his Persian campaign. It was to be the capital of his new Egyptian dominion and a naval base that would control the Mediterranean region.

Overnight: Steinberger Cecil Hotel, (Standard City View), Alexandria (2 nights) (B)

The Steinberger Cecil Hotel is located in central Alexandria with great views over the Eastern Harbour and Mediterranean Sea. A 94 year old historical piece in Alexandria, many international leaders like Winston Churchill, Al Capone and Somerset Maugham have spent nights here. It boasts great views over the Eastern Harbour and Mediterranean Sea. Once home to the Great Library and the towering Pharos Lighthouse, both considered a wonder of the world in ancient times, Alexandria’s monuments show hints of its former glory. Next, we visit the majestic 15th century fortress of Quaitbay, located on the site where the Lighthouse of Alexandria once stood. Later experience beautiful Montazah Park and the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a massive library and cultural centre that aims to reclaim the mantle of its ancient namesake. (B)

Morning, continue with a visit of the Catacombs and National Museum in Alexandra. Discover Alexandria’s heritage with a visit to the Catacombs of Kom El Shokafa, Pompey’s Pillar and the Roman Amphitheatre. We also visit the National Museum before our scenic coastline journey back to Cairo. Balance of the day is free at Cairo. Evening, an optional Sound & Light Show at the Giza Pyramids.

Overnight: Kempenski, (Deluxe Madina Room) Cairo (2 nights) (B)

After seeing the various heritage sites in Egypt, we are treated to a visit of the recently and still partially opened GEM – the Grand Egypt Museum. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) Isn't simply a Museum, it's a destination in itself. The more than five-million-square-foot state-of-the-art museum has panoramic views of the Pyramids of Giza. It also houses the largest collection of artifacts from ancient Egypt. Afternoon is free to enjoy Cairo on your own or you may extend your stay at the GEM. Let the wonders of this ancient land captivate your senses and leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

Overnight: Cairo Kempinski Hotel, Cairo (2 nights) (B)

Our Journey, Egypt: A Journey Through Time comes to an end as we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight. Check out time is by 1100 hrs. Or extend your adventure with exciting small group cultural tours to nearby regions, including Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. Contact Bestway Tours & Safaris for ideas. (B)