18-Day Egypt Heritage Tour with Nile Cruise, Siwa Oasis and Sinai

• Meet your tour guide upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, where a representative will assist you with the arrival procedures and take you to your hotel. At the hotel, the tour manager will help with a smooth check-in and review your holiday itinerary with you to establish and confirm the pick-up times for each tour.

Enjoy welcome drinks.

Overnight in Cairo.

• Have breakfast and head to the Giza Plateau to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) and its three small pyramids. Continue exploring the rest of the Giza Plateau, including the sight of Khafre's (Kaphren) Pyramid, Khufu's son and the second-largest pyramid on the Giza site, the remains of the funerary temple, the Pyramid of Menkaure (Mykerinus), and three small pyramids.
• Proceed to visit the Great Sphinx, the head of a pharaoh with a lion's body, which dates from the time of Chephren.
• Visit the Valley Temple, which belongs to the pyramids of Chephren. This temple definitely served two functions: first, it was used for the purification of the mummy of the king before burial; second, it was used for carrying out the mummification process of the king. After visiting the pyramids, continue across the plateau for a photo opportunity of the three pyramids rising from the sands, with the Cairo skyline in the background. Have lunch at a local restaurant.
• Head to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, commonly known as the Egyptian Museum, in Cairo. It is home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities dating back about 5,000 years of art and is considered the world's largest and most valuable collection of Egyptian art. More than 250,000 original artifacts are presented, with a representative amount on display while the rest are kept in storage. The Egyptian Museum is filled with thousands of pharaonic artifacts, including the golden treasures of King Tutankhamun. Fascinating objects such as jewels, headdresses, alabaster vases, and toys from ancient Egypt are all on display. Many priceless statues and other artifacts kept in his tomb for more than 3,500 years before their discovery in 1922, when the tomb was excavated, can also be seen in the Egyptian Museum. It is one of the first stops on most people's itineraries when travelling to Egypt. This distinctive museum, which houses a vast store of priceless objects from earlier times to the Greco-Roman period, is worth seeing.
• Return to the hotel.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Overnight in Cairo.

• Enjoy a tasty breakfast at the hotel and visit the Step Pyramid of Zoser, the world's oldest major stone structure. It was built in the 3rd Dynasty (around 2630 BC) for King Djoser. Also see the Museum of Imhotep, a high official's tomb, King Titi's Pyramid, and King Unas's Pyramid from a distance.
• Transfer to Memphis, founded by King Menes. It was the capital of Old Egypt during the Old Kingdom and was considered a centre of rule and culture for over 3,000 years, the first capital of Egypt. The city reached a peak of prestige under the 6th Dynasty as a centre for the worship of Ptah, the god of creation and artworks. The Alabaster Sphinx that guards the Temple of Ptah memorialises the city's former power and prestige. The Memphis triad, consisting of the creator god Ptah, his consort Sekhmet, and their son Nefertem, formed the main focus of worship in the city. Memphis declined briefly after the 18th Dynasty with the rise of Thebes and the New Kingdom, and was revived under the Persians before falling firmly into second place following the foundation of Alexandria. Also see the Statue of Ramses II, which is 16 metres high, and the Alabaster Sphinx. Have lunch at a local restaurant.
• Proceed to Old Cairo to visit fascinating built wonders such as the Hanging Church, which was built in the 3rd and early 4th century in the Basilica style.
• Go to the Abu Sirga Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue, which dates back to the beginning of the 15th century AD. It was built in the Basilica style above the cave in which the Holy Family took refuge. End your tour in Cairo with a visit to Amr Ibn El-Aas Mosque, the very first mosque built in Egypt.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Overnight in Cairo.

• Have breakfast and enjoy a free day. (Optional tour)

(Meal: Breakfast)
Overnight in Cairo.

• Visit El Alamein. After that, move directly to Siwa Oasis, with around 5 hours of driving from Alamein to Siwa.
• Arrive in Siwa and have dinner.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Overnight in Siwa.

• Wake up early in the morning and be escorted to visit the Old City of Siwa (Shali), the Mountain of the Dead, and the Crocodile Tomb.
• Move on to visit Abu Sherouf, Cleopatra's Bath, and the Alexander Temple.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Overnight in Siwa.

• Move to Bahariya Oasis aboard a 4x4 Jeep.
• Have dinner on arrival.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Overnight in Bahariya.

• Head to the old village early in the morning and see the Tombs of the Nobles.
• Move to the White Desert and visit the quartz crystal at Crystal Mountain, as well as the petrified wood and volcanic rocks in the Valley of Agabat.
• Transfer back to Cairo.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Overnight in Cairo.

• Have breakfast and transfer to take the flight to Aswan.
• Visit the world-famous High Dam, an engineering miracle constructed between 1960 and 1970. It aimed to increase economic production by further regulating the annual river flooding, providing water storage for agriculture, and later generating hydroelectricity. The dam had a significant impact on the economy and culture of Egypt.
• Move to the Unfinished Obelisk. This obelisk is believed to belong to Queen Hatshepsut, one of the rulers of the 18th Dynasty and the royal wife of King Tuthmosis II. The Unfinished Obelisk is the largest known ancient obelisk, located in the northern region of the stone quarries of ancient Egypt in Aswan. It is unknown which pharaoh created this structure. It is nearly one-third larger than any ancient Egyptian obelisk ever erected. If finished, it would have measured around 42 m and weighed nearly 1,200 tons.
• Sail by felucca, an Egyptian sailboat, to the beautifully located Philae Temple on the island of Agilkia. See the temple that was removed from its original island of Philae, which lies submerged most of the year by the waters of Lake Nasser. The main Temple of Isis and its monuments were built between the 26th Dynasty and the Roman period.

Dinner on board.

Overnight in Aswan.
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• Have breakfast and enjoy a free morning. (Optional tour)
• Transfer to the cruise and sail to Kom Ombo. Visit the temple shared by the two gods Sobek and Haroeris in Kom Ombo, standing on high ground overlooking the Nile. The Temple of Sobek and Haroeris in Kom Ombo, also known simply as Kom Ombo Temple, dates from about 180 BC during the Ptolemaic era, with additions made in Roman times. The temple at Kom Ombo was also built under Ptolemy VI. Since this bend in the Nile was a favoured spot for crocodiles to bask in the sun and threaten locals, it is natural that the temple would be dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god. However, it is unusual in having a double dedication, as it also honours Haroeris, a form of the falcon-headed god Horus. The hypostyle halls were added under Ptolemy XIII (51-47 BC), while the Roman emperor Trajan (53-117 AD) added the forecourt and outer enclosure walls.
• Sail to Edfu and enjoy the disco party and dinner on board.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Overnight in Edfu.

• Sail to Edfu. Have breakfast served on board, then visit the majestic temple dedicated to Horus. Edfu Temple is the second-largest temple after Karnak and was known in Greco-Roman times as Apollonopolis Magna. The temple was dedicated to the falcon god Horus and was built during the Ptolemaic period.
• Enjoy the Galabya party and dinner on board.
• Head to Luxor.

Overnight in Luxor.
(Meals: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Lunch, Dinner)

• Have breakfast on board and cross to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings. It was created and used from approximately 1539 BC to 1075 BC. It contains some 60 tombs, starting with Thutmose I and ending with Ramses X or XI. The site's official name was The Great and Majestic Necropolis of the Millions of Years of the Pharaoh, Life, Strength, Health in The West of Thebes, or the Great Field. The most famous tomb is KV62, the Tomb of King Tutankhamun. Howard Carter made the discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922. Tutankhamun's tomb was the first royal tomb to be discovered that was still largely intact. Here, you will visit 3 tombs.
• Continue to explore the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El Deir El Bahar. Queen Hatshepsut was the first great woman in recorded history, the forerunner of such figures as Cleopatra, Catherine the Great, and Elizabeth I. The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut is the focal point of the Deir el-Bahri complex of mortuary temples and tombs located on the west bank of the Nile, opposite the city of Luxor. Hatshepsut was a female pharaoh. This temple was built on three levels in the form of balconies, devoted primarily to the worship of the god Amun and to performing funeral rites for the queen known as El Deir El Bahary.
• Proceed to the two colossal statues of Amenhotep III. The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. For 3,400 years, they have stood in the Theban necropolis across the River Nile from the city of Luxor. The original function of the Colossi was to stand guard at the entrance to Amenhotep's memorial or mortuary temple. Excursion to the Temples of Thebes. Have some free afternoon time.

(Meals: Breakfast, Afternoon tea, Lunch, Dinner)
Overnight in Luxor.

• Enjoy breakfast on board. Disembark and go for a hot air balloon ride (optional).
• Explore Karnak Temple, the largest place of worship ever built. In ancient Egypt, the power of the god Amun of Thebes gradually increased during the early New Kingdom. After the short persecution led by Akhenaten, it rose to its apex. In the reign of Ramesses III, more than two-thirds of the property owned by the temples belonged to Amun, as evidenced by the stupendous buildings at Karnak. Although badly ruined, no site in Egypt is more impressive than Karnak. It is the largest temple complex ever built by man and represents the combined achievement of many generations of ancient builders. The Temple of Karnak consists of three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples located about three kilometres north of Luxor, situated on 100 ha (247 acres) of land. Karnak is the site's modern name. Its ancient name was Ipet-isut, meaning "The Most Select (or Sacred) of Places."
• Move to Luxor Temple. Amenhotep III built it in the 18th Dynasty in the New Kingdom, and Ramesses II completed it during the 19th Dynasty. King Ramses II was the most famous king in the 19th Dynasty and ruled Egypt for about 67 years. It was dedicated to the great god Amun-Ra, his wife Mut, and their son Khonsu, representing the Theban triad. Enjoy visiting the Obelisk of Ramses II in front of the 1st Pylon. It was called "Ipet resyt", the Southern Opet or the Place of the Seclusion of Amun-Re. It was directly connected to the Temple of Karnak, the main cult centre of Amun-Re or Amun-Min, the sky god or the ithyphallic fertility god. Since its inception, Luxor Temple has always been a sacred site. After Egypt's pagan period, a Christian church and monastery were located here, and after that, a mosque, the 13th-century Mosque of Abu el-Haggag, was built and continues to be used today.
• Transfer to the hotel.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Overnight in Luxor.

• Have breakfast at the hotel and depart for Sharm El Sheikh by private A/C car.
• Arrive in Sharm El Sheikh, check in at your hotel, and enjoy a free day in Sharm El Sheikh. (Optional tour)

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Overnight in Sharm El Sheikh.

• Have breakfast and enjoy a free day in Sharm El Sheikh. (Optional tour)

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Overnight in Sharm El Sheikh.

• Have breakfast, transfer by car, and drive through the Sinai Desert to St. Catherine Monastery.
• Climb to the top of Mount Sinai to see the sunset in the evening.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Overnight in St. Catherine.

• Have breakfast, visit the monastery, and transfer from St. Catherine to Sharm Airport.
• Transfer by flight to Cairo.
• Arrive in Cairo and transfer to the hotel.

(Meal: Breakfast)
Overnight in Cairo.

• Have breakfast, and the representative will transfer you to the airport.

(Meals: Breakfast included)