Grand Tour of Egypt & Five-Star Nile Cruise

Day 1  Cairo    
Fly to Cairo and transfer to your riverfront hotel. Enjoy your first dinner with your group and Tour Manager.    

Day 2  Alexandria    
After an early breakfast, travel by first class rail to the port city of Alexandria and transfer to the hotel. Later, set out on a guided sightseeing tour to visit the highlights and hidden gems of Alexandria. Explore the city’s ancient catacombs, Alexandria lighthouse, Roman theatre and the impressive monolith, Pompey’s Pillar.    

Days 3-4  Cairo  
Today, leave Alexandria and drive to the historical site of El Alamein Battlefield, regarded as one of the significant British victories of World War II. After time to reflect at El Alamein, the excursion continues towards Cairo, stopping for a guided tour of the beautiful village of Wadi El-Natrun en route. Wadi El-Natrun is a desert valley and village with twelve lakes and a fascinating history. The next day, tour Egypt’s phenomenal pyramids, the city of Cairo and the Great Egyptian Museum. The most well-known is the Great Pyramid of Giza, the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to have survived modernity and remain largely intact. Learn about the Great Sphinx, one of the most recognisable statues in the world.    

Day 5  Cairo to Luxor    
Embark on a train journey through the heart of Egypt from Cairo to Luxor. Luxor has a rich history, with some of Egypt’s most important monuments, and was the site of the Ancient Egyptian city of Thebes.    

Day 6  Nile River    
Cruise Today marks the start of our splendid four night cruise along the Nile. Set sail along the historic river from Luxor to Aswan.  After lunch on board, disembark to explore the West Bank of the Nile by coach, including a guided tour of the spectacular Valley of the Kings.

Day 7  Nile River Cruise    
This morning, visit two of the Egypt’s most important sites on the East Bank, the ancient Karnak Temple complex and the striking Luxor Temple. In the afternoon, relax and soak up the atmosphere of the Nile.    

Day 8  Nile River Cruise    
After breakfast on board, arrive in the town of Edfu in Upper Egypt and tour the beautiful Temple of Edfu. Later, return to the ship for lunch followed by an excursion to the Kom Ombo Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk.    

Day 9  Nile River Cruise    
Today, sail to Aswan and enjoy views of the riverbanks from the ship. This afternoon, board a traditional wooden sailing boat for a relaxing trip to Kitchener Island, which was presented to Lord Kitchener in the 1890s as a reward for leading the Egyptian army’s successful campaigns in Sudan. Later, return for final dinner on board.  

Days 10-11  Aswan to Cairo    
Disembark the cruise ship early this morning for a short flight to visit the remarkable temple complex, Abu Simbel, one of Egypt’s most famous landmarks. After touring this unforgettable site, fly to Cairo and transfer to the hotel. The next day, enjoy a guided tour of the city.    

Day 12  Fly home