Day 1: Arrival in Cairo; Airport Pick-up
Best of Egypt Welcome to Egypt, one of the oldest countries in the world. On your arrival at Cairo airport, please get to the arrival hall under the guidance of sign instructions, where our local representative will be waiting for you and glad to be at your service. He/she will help you handle your visa on arrival, purchase a SIM card if you need, and go through the customs. After picking up your luggage, the local representative will escort you to the hotel by a private car and assist you to check in. Activities Suggestion: Having an investigation, we select the hotel near the Giza Pyramids for you. It’s quite near, which allows you to see them in your hotel and take great pictures. Also, the soon-to-open Grand Egyptian Museum is just across the street from the hotel, you can walk 10 minutes to see the exterior. If you arrive early and have enough time, you may take a taxi to the old Coptic area and take a leisurely stroll there. It is a good place to learn the daily life of the locals. There are also many historical heritages there, including the beautiful cathedrals like Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue. Accommodation: Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo (5 stars)
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Day 2: Cairo: Visit Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum & Enjoy Dinner Cruise
At the appointed time, our English-speaking Egyptologist guide will pick you up at the hotel lobby and accompany you to explore the world famous Giza Pyramids. It mainly consists of Pyramid of Khufu, the largest among all and as high as a 40-floor-high building; Pyramid of Khafre, the best-preserved pyramid; Pyramid of Menkaure; and the Great Sphinx with human’s head and lion’s body. We will also not miss the Valley Temple there, where many stone pillars with delicate carvings stand. To make this trip more interesting, we will arrange you a camel ride for about 30 minutes, from the panoramic viewing spot to the foot of the pyramid. ★ Privilege of Our Guests:It will be a perfect picture on a ride of camel walking across the golden desert, with the majestic Pyramids behind you. However, the camel men by the Pyramids are the most cunning people in Egypt. We are familiar with the Pyramids, as well as the camel men. They try a variety of means to deceive visitors; for instance, they do not give change and not go to the designated place as agreed. They may also make visitors staying on the camel without tip, and change their words of using Egyptian pound into British pound. Don't worry about such a trap! As our guest, you never need to cope with these carking guys, for we have arranged everything in advance. You can start your Pyramids adventure briskly on the camel we have booked for you. Enjoy the 30-minute ride with only your sunglasses and fully charged camera! Afterwards, we will continue to visit the Egyptian Museum, which features artifacts from the Pharaonic period including an exhibition dedicated to the Tutankhamen treasures of gold and jewelry. In the evening, we will serve you 2-hour dinner cruise on the Nile River. After then, you will be transferred back to the hotel. ★ Privilege of Our Guests:1. There is a good news that the Grand Egyptian Museum, which will be the world’s largest-scaled, is about to open this year after over 10 years of construction. Most of essences in the original Egyptian Museum, including the national treasure - Tutankhamun's gold mask, will then be on exhibition there. Don’t worry! If the new museum officially opens when you travel to Egypt, we will show you around it instead. We give our promise to show you the best all the time! 2. Not only does Egypt have deserts and ancient sites, but it also has a lively nightlife. Tonight, you will enjoy a dinner in an elegant cruising restaurant on the Nile River, which also includes a live belly-dancing and folklore show. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo (5 stars)
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Day 3: Cairo to Aswan; Visit High Dam, Temple of Philae & Unfinished Obelisk; Board Nile Cruise
After breakfast, the driver will transfer you to Cairo airport and help you board a flight to Aswan. Upon arrival, our local guide will pick you up, transfer you to the dock and help you check into the Nile Cruise at around 12:00. After lunch onboard, we will lead you to explore the highlights of Aswan city, including the High Dam, Temple of Philae, the Unfinished Obelisk and Aswan Market. After, we will send you back to the cruise for dinner and overnight stay. ★ What's Make Us Different:Aswan Market: “Aswan” means "trade" in ancient Egyptian, so the market is filled with nice goods, and the prices are cheaper than in Cairo. If you would like to get some souvenirs, Aswan Market is a good place. Again, never forget to bargain! Apart from a variety of souvenirs, colorful but nameless spices, sweet fruits and delicious local cuisine are served. You'll find some snacks worth trying, including Hamaam (roasted pigeon stuffed with rice and spices), Koshary (a street snack mixed with rice, macaroni and ketchup), Falafel (fried meatball with beans and vegetables), Egyptian Sandwich (filled with beef liver, pickled cucumber and cheese), and Fried Chickpea. Egypt's national drink, freshly squeezed sugarcane juice, is the most welcomed. Come and try it! Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: M/S Concerto Nile Cruise (5 stars)
Luxury Nile Cruise
Temple of Philae
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Day 4: Visit Abu Simbel Temple, Kom Ombo Temple; Kom Ombo to Edfu
Early in the morning we will depart by an air-conditioned vehicle to Abu Simbel, which is around 3 hours’ drive away. On arrival, pay a visit to the Temple of Abu Simbel. The colossal Temple of Abu Simbel was built by Ramses II about 3,300 years ago out of a sandstone rock cliff and lately saved from inundation of the Nile water. Nearby, is the small Temple of the Pharaoh’s most loved wife Nefertari, dedicated to the goddess Hathor. After these visits, drive back to Aswan and return to the Nile Cruise before lunch time. Later, the cruise ship will set sail to Edfu, with a stop by Kom Ombo Temple dedicated to the gods Sobek and Haeroris. Tonight, stay on the cruise docked by Edfu. ► How amazing! Are barley and wheat so magical? Kom Ombo Temple has another identity of hospital. It is said to be the earliest hospital and obstetric department all over the world, as you can see old medical tools and also the scene of childbirth on murals there. What is more inscrutable is that the ancient Egyptians invented a method to identify the sex of fetuses. They placed a barley seed and a wheat seed on two empty plates, respectively. A pregnant woman didn't eat or drink in the morning after getting up, and then she urinated in the two plates. If the barley sprouted, it was a boy; if the wheat germinated, it was a girl. If both the two seeds sprouted, there would be a pigeon pair! This may be a legend, but why not try? Just barley and wheat seeds are needed anyway! Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: M/S Concerto Nile Cruise (5 stars) Abu Simble Temple
Temple of Kom Ombo
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Day 5: Visit Edfu Temple, Edfu to Luxor; Visit Karnak Temple & Luxor Temple
After having breakfast on the ship, disembark to visit Edfu Temple, the best-preserved temple in Egypt dedicated to the Sky God Horus with eagle’s head and human’s body. We will take the local “Ferrari” - horse carriage to Edfu Temple, neither drive a car nor walk. It will spend about 10 minutes for a one-way trip. After that, go back to have lunch while the ship sails towards Luxor, known as the greatest open-air museum in the world. On arrival, our locally based guide will escort you to explore its East Bank, including the Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. In the end, you will be transferred back to the Nile cruise. ► Trevelling in Egypt with Movies - Karnak Temple As the largest temple complex worldwide, Karnak Temple is undoubtedly the highlight today. Most magnificently, the column hall is composed of 132 giant columns, each of which is more than 20 meters (66 feet) high with a circumference of over 10 meters (33 feet). A column requires 6 adults to encircle over. This is also the setting for the famous detective movie Death On the Nile, in which the killer stands on a petal-shaped chapiter and pushes a boulder down... Thus, the question is, what flower is carved on the chapiter? Someone believe it is lotus, the national flower of Egypt; but some others think it is papyrus flower, which was commonly applied in ancient Egyptian architecture. Please see it yourself to reveal the answer! Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: M/S Concerto Nile Cruise (5 stars) Luxor Temple
Temple of Karnak
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Day 6: Luxor: Visit Valley of Kings, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu; Luxor to Cairo
Breakfast will be served onboard at 07:00 and please check out after breakfast. Then the guide will pick you up and show you around the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of Luxor. Valley of Kings is the burial site of Pharaohs from 17th Dynasty to 20th Dynasty. On site, all visitors will be allowed to go inside three of these tombs to pay a visit. For you to have a better understanding of Egypt’s history, we have included two more fascinating tombs, tomb of Ramesses V & VI (KV9) & tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62). Later, we will head to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut is the first female pharaoh of Egypt and the temple was built on a cliff with three levels. After, make a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon. We will end today’s sightseeing at the Medinet Habu, the most important mortuary temple for Rameses III. Then, the guide will transfer you to Luxor airport for you to take a flight back to Cairo. When arriving in Cairo, our local driver will transfer you to the hotel to stay overnight. ★ Privilege of Our Guests:1. Who is the most famous king in Valley of the Kings? Tutankhamun is the best-known king not only in the Valley of the Kings, but also in whole ancient Egypt. Why him? Tutankhamun ascended the throne of pharaoh at 9 years old, and he died at his 19; none of great achievements had he made. He is renowned completely because of his mausoleum, the only one of 62 tombs that has not been robbed by grave robbers in the Valley of the Kings! More than 5,000 burial objects are well preserved, exquisite and luxury. If you have been to Egyptian Museum in Cairo, you must be deeply astounded by the exhibition of Tutankhamun on the second floor, with priceless gold mask, gold coffin, gold chair, etc. on display. Tutankhamun’s tomb is denoted as KV62, requiring extra fee for a visit. Never mind, it has been included in this itinerary for you. Our guide will narrate more stories and secrets about the tomb excavation. The mummy of Tutankhamun is preserved right in the innermost chamber. Follow us to see the young pharaoh who seems to be alive! 2. Medinet Habu - An Underrated Temple Medinet Habu is also known as the Temple of Ramesses Ⅲ, near Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. For most tour groups are not there, the temple is quiet and mysterious. Most murals in the temple still retain gorgeous colors, while particularly, the murals were deeply carved. As the tale says, the king was worried that these murals could be easily erased by successors. Thence it is proved that the murals have been well preserved indeed. Other kings punished the enemy by cutting off their left hands, but from a famous mural there, you can see that how Ramesses Ⅲ treated his enemy. He cut the only “unique” part of a man. You can certainly guess what it is. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo (5 stars)
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Day 7: Departure from Cairo; Airport See-off
As this Egypt itinerary ends today, our driver will transfer you from the hotel to the airport according to your departure flight schedule. We wish you a safe and comfortable journey home! If you want to visit other global destinations, we will also be very glad to serve you. Meals: Breakfast
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