9 Days Egypt Holiday with Felucca Journey

Welcome to Egypt and the start of your holiday! Arrive Cairo, included transfer to hotel and overnight.

Cairo – Aswan. Visit to the famous pyramids and huge Sphinx at Giza Plateau. Sole survivors from the ancient Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World, the pyramids are the planet’s oldest tourist attraction! Gaze in awe at Cheops (Khufu) – the largest of the three great pyramids. Constructed from over 2.5 million limestone blocks it is thought to have taken more than 20 years to construct. Continuing to Saqqara, we can explore the myriad tombs and temples at this site and see Zhoser’s step pyramid – constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh’s chief architect in 2700 BC! Later there is a chance to have dinner before the overnight sleeper train to Aswan.

Arrive and check into our hotel. This afternoon’s highlight is a leisurely boat trip to Agilika Island for Philae Temple for a guided tour of the romantic Philae Temple – dedicated to the goddess Isis. As the sun sets, free time to shop in the colourful souqs and markets or simply relax and watch an amazing sunset in Egypt’s southern most town straddling the River Nile.

Aswan – Nile felucca cruise. Optional early morning drive to Abu simbel, the famous the rock-cut temple of King Ramses II, the Great Builder. This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2 night voyage downstream on the River Nile. If sailing by felucca is not your style, consider upgrading to a 5 star luxury Nile Cruise with our Nile cruise upgrade.

Relax, go for a swim or just chill out in the sun on deck. Let your troubles melt away, as the felucca plies its route.

Kom Ombo – Edfu – Luxor. Disembarking near Kom Ombo, we enjoy a guided tour of the Temple of Kom Ombo – dedicated to the crocodile headed god – Sobek and the Temple of Horus at Edfu, before driving north to Luxor. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at its best. Enjoy some rest and relaxation. Tonight, an optional visit is available to the Temple of Luxor, alternatively enjoy the facilities of your hotel.

Luxor – Cairo. Take flight over ancient Luxor with an optional hot air ballon ride very early this morning before touring the West Bank of the Nile. An early start allows us to avoid some of the fierce midday heat as we venture to the tomb strewn Valley of the Kings. Highlights of the visit include the Colossi of Memnon, a massive pair of statues that stand silent against a historic backdrop, the Valleys of the Kings and the awesome colonnaded Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

The Valley of the Kings is studded with often highly decorated tombs, constructed to once house the regal sarcophagi enclosed mummies of the mighty pharaohs awaiting passage into the after-life. This afternoon after lunch and time to relax we visit the colossal Temple of Karnak, with its stone-columned Hypostle Hall. Tonight, we return by overnight sleeper train to Cairo.

Arrival into Cairo and hotel check-in. Later, we visit the famous Egyptian Museum, famed for the treasures of King Tutankhamun and his solid gold funerary mask. This afternoon is free – perhaps spend the remainder of the day exploring Cairo your way.

Hotel check out and included onward departure transfer to airport.