Egypt Deluxe Nile Cruise

Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel to start your tour. Sakkara is the former necropolis (cemetery) of the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis and the site where the very first pyramids were built as tombs for kings. Instead of the smooth sides seen on other pyramids, the pyramids here have six steps on the outside, representing the pharaoh's stepladder to heaven. Discover the famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the first pyramid ever built and the oldest freestanding stone structure in the world. You can also admire the beautiful tomb art at Sakkara, which gives a great insight into the life of the ancient Egyptians. The Great Pyramids of Giza are the only present-day survivors of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, built over 4,500 years ago as huge tombs for the mummies of the pharaohs Cheops, Khafre and Menkaure, who were father, son and grandson. The pyramids are truly monumental, with the largest - that of Khufu - built from over two million blocks. Contrary to popular belief, the pyramids were not built by slaves but by Egyptian peasants whose labour in building the pyramids paid their taxes to the pharaoh, who also fed, clothed and housed them. Nearby is the enigmatic Sphinx with the body of a lion and the face of a man wearing a royal headscarf, possibly modelled on King Khafre's, which the workers had to guard his huge funerary monument. About a thousand years after the Sphinx was built, it was covered with sand until a young prince had a dream in which the Sphinx told him that he would become pharaoh if he cleared away the sand. This story is told on the "dream stele", which was placed between the Sphinx's paws by King Tuthmosis IV.

Enjoy lunch at 9 Pyramids Lounge A spectacular and unique restaurant by Orascom Pyramids Entertainment with the most spectacular view of the Great Pyramids. Serving breakfast, lunch and drinks à la carte in a secluded, open picturesque location worthy of its name.

After lunch, continue to the New Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) Enter the visitor entrance through the main entrance where the "hanging obelisk" is located. This unique obelisk is suspended by four columns, standing on its pedestal, you can look directly into its interior, which contains the rare cartouche of King Ramses II that was hidden for more than 3,500 years. On your way inside, you will see the colossal statue of King Ramses II, made entirely of red granite, weighing 83 tonnes and standing more than 30 feet tall. Make your way to the grand staircase to find a rare collection of statues of famous pharaohs, including that of King Senusret I, among 55 artefacts depicting the 'Journey to Eternity'. End your visit with a walk through the commercial district with a variety of shopping and dining options. At the end of your tour, you will be transferred to your hotel. Dinner tonight will be at your own arrangements.

Meet your tour guide in the lobby of your hotel to start your tour. Experience 7,000 years of history at the Egyptian Museum, home to the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the world. Among the museum's main attractions are the treasures of the 'boy king' Tutankhamun, including his golden mask, the solid gold sarcophagus that contained his mummy and his beautiful throne. Relive the period of Roman rule in Egypt with a visit to the ruins of Babylon Fortress in the historic centre of Cairo. The fortress was originally built in 100 AD by Emperor Trajan to defend the borders of Trajan's empire.
According to tradition, the Church of St Sergius was built in a place where Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus rested on their journey to Egypt. It is located in the Roman fortress in Old Cairo and was probably built by Roman soldiers in the third or fourth century and later converted into a Coptic church by the Egyptians. The church, dedicated to the two holy soldiers Sergius and Bacchus, has been rebuilt and restored since the Middle Ages, but is still considered a model of early Coptic churches. The Hanging Church is so called because it sits "floating" on the fortress of Babylon, which the Romans built when they came to Egypt. This basilica-style church, believed to date back to the seventh century, was once the seat of the Coptic Patriarchate. Last but not least, visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue, which was built in the days of the once flourishing Jewish community in Egypt. Inside, the so-called "Geniza documents" were found, a treasure that is considered an unrivalled source of information about the life of the Jews in the Egyptian past. At the back of the temple, the coffer in which the infant prophet Moses was placed by his mother was reportedly found in a deep well.

Lunch today will be served at Abou El Sid Restaurant Abou El Sid is a unique and cosy restaurant and bar, decorated in the style of a traditional Egyptian house with authentic furniture and floor tiles. The excellent menu offers a delicious selection of Egyptian dishes, from a long list of mezzas (small appetisers) to traditional main courses such as veal.

After lunch, we continue to the fascinating Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, which is considered the largest bazaar in the Middle East. Originally founded in the 14th century as a harbour for caravanserais, today the bazaar has grown to enormous proportions. Stroll through the labyrinth of narrow alleyways and find workshops and stalls selling everything from woodwork and glassware to leather goods and perfumes.

Enjoy dinner at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant Named after the Egyptian Nobel Prize winner, Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant is located in the heart of Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, making it a convenient, air-conditioned place to take a break from shopping. The café at the entrance offers drinks, snacks and shisha (water pipes), while the restaurant area offers a selection of chicken, meat and delicious Middle Eastern mezzas (small appetisers). Please note that no alcohol is served here.

At the end of your tour you will be taken to your hotel.

Transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to Cairo airport.
With its gentle hospitality, this southern Egyptian city, which was a frontier town in ancient times, is a place to simply relax and enjoy an atmosphere that is both African and Middle Eastern. The Nile is at its most beautiful here, flowing around huge granite boulders and palm-fringed islands, so take a walk along the riverbank to watch sailboats etching the sky. Stroll to the souq in town to buy spices, scarves and baskets, then watch the beautiful sunset over tea on the terrace of the Old Cataract Hotel, a favourite winter resort since the 19th century. When evening falls, you can enjoy a Nubian dance performance at the city's cultural centre. The name Aswan is derived from the Nubian phrase assy wangibu ("too much water") and this is the place to learn about Nubian culture, as many Nubians were resettled here after their land was flooded during the construction of the High Dam.

On arrival at Aswan Airport, you will be taken to your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle.

After an extensive renovation, redesigned by French interior designer Sybille de Margerie, Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan exudes its iconic heritage with a modern design. Dive into the magnificent pool overlooking the Nile that connects the two wings of the hotel. Indulge in a wide range of rejuvenating treatments at the luxurious spa. Take a trip back in time to another century at the 1902 restaurant or relax at the terrace bar overlooking the tranquil waters of the Nile.

1 night in the 5★ Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, Nile Wing Luxury Room – Details about the hotel

Transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to your forthcoming cruise.

Optional excursion to Abu Simbel by aeroplane. Discover the imposing twin temples of Ramses II and his wife, Queen Nefertari. The façade of the former is dominated by four 70-foot-high statues of the pharaoh looking out over Lake Nasser, carved from a single piece of rock. Perhaps even more impressive is that this entire complex was dismantled and moved here to save it from the flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan Dam. After your visit, board your return flight to Aswan.

3 nights on board the 5★ The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Cabin – Details about the ship

Oberoi Zahra Luxury Cabin - Double Room

Oberoi Zahra Luxury Cabin - Double Room

Once an ancient Egyptian capital, today it is known as the "largest open-air museum in the world". From the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings and the marvellous sunsets at the majestic temples of Karnak and Luxor to the exciting and entertaining Nile cruises, Luxor is the perfect choice for culture lovers. Luxor is divided by the Nile into two areas, commonly referred to as the East and West Bank, which symbolised life and death in ancient Egyptian times.
Meet your tour guide in the lobby to start your tour. Hot Air Balloon: Enjoy a spectacular bird's eye view of the ancient monuments and modern villages of Luxor from the perspective of a hot air balloon. This is a unique way to see the main sights and natural beauty of the city as you will never see them from the ground. (A&K is committed to your safety but would like to remind you that participation in this activity is at your sole discretion. If at any time you do not wish to participate in any or all of the activities, please let your guide know).
At the end of your tour you will be taken to your hotel. Dinner tonight will be according to your own arrangements.

1 overnight stay at the 5★ Hotel Al Moudira Luxor, Junior Suite – Details about the hotel

El Gouna is a beautiful holiday resort on the Red Sea and consists of a multitude of islands connected by turquoise lagoons to form the shape of a star. The town has 10 kilometres of beach and award-winning architecture with hotels ranging from intimate guesthouses to five-star resorts. There are water sports facilities and an 18-hole USPGA championship golf course with a town centre full of shops, an arts village, restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

The Chedi, El Gouna The Chedi is an eco-friendly luxury holiday in Egypt's most attractive Red Sea resort, El Gouna. This boutique beachfront resort offers guests 82 elegant rooms and suites - a structure that blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings and architectural traditions of the region. The property offers a variety of facilities and amenities, including gourmet restaurants, tropical-style pools and beaches, fully equipped function rooms, fitness and activity areas and a tranquil spa.

3 nights at the 5★ The Chedi El Gouna, Beach Front – Details about the hotel

The days in El Gouna are at your free disposal.

Your travel coordinator will accompany you in an air-conditioned vehicle to Hurghada airport for your final departure.