Unforgettable Egypt: Pyramids, Temples, & Nile Magic

Description

Minimum number of people : 2

Discover the magic of ancient Egypt on a journey through the most significant historical sites of this stunning land, from the pyramids and Sphynx in Cairo to temples in Upper Egypt, cruising on the Nile and admiring Abu Simbel from Lake Nasser. This unforgettable journey into the heart of ancient Egypt will captivate you with its history and natural beauty. Your journey will start with a step back in time to vibrant Cairo, where you will uncover the secrets of the mighty pyramids and the Sphinx. Continue your journey to present-day Luxor, the former Thebes and the capital of ancient Egypt, where you will encounter temples, residences, and sanctuaries of pharaohs on the east bank of the Nile River and their tombs on the west bank. Then, embark on a romantic cruise along the Nile, sailing through the picturesque countryside that has sustained Egypt since ancient times, with numerous archaeological gems along its banks, including the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo. The cruise’s final stop is the vibrant Aswan, where you will sense special energy and visit the enchanting Philae Temple. Your impressions of the unfathomable skill of ancient Egyptians will be consolidated as you visit the temples of the Nubian kingdom and the famous Abu Simbel, with the temples of the mighty ruler Ramesses II and his beloved wife Nefertari.

Day 1: Arrival to Cairo

Upon your arrival at Cairo Airport, a representative from the RTS agency will be there to welcome you. They will transport you to your hotel, assist you with check-in, and help you settle in your room. You will also discuss the start of your tours for the following day. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2: Cairo – Sakkara – Luxor

On the second day, you will be exploring the pyramids. After an early breakfast and checking out of your hotel, your guide will be waiting for you at the hotel reception at the agreed-upon time. You will first head to the Giza Plateau with the pyramids, the only remaining wonder of the ancient world. This includes the Great Pyramid or the Pyramid of Khufu, which is the largest and oldest, and the slightly smaller pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure (entrance to the pyramids is subject to an additional fee). Adjacent to the pyramids is the mysterious Sphinx, a giant statue with the head of a pharaoh and the body of a lion. After visiting the pyramids, you will have lunch at a local restaurant. Then, you will continue your journey to Saqqara to see the Step Pyramid of Djoser, which served as a precursor to the Giza pyramids, and the Serapeum, an underground burial place for the sacred Apis bulls. Next, you will make a brief stop in Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, which is now an open-air museum. Here, you will be able to closely observe sphinxes and statues of pharaohs. After these tours, you will be driven to the Giza railway station, where your guide will assist you in boarding the Cairo-Luxor tourist sleeper train.

Day 3: Luxor

After breakfast on the train and your arrival in Luxor, a representative from the RTS agency will be waiting for you at the railway station. They will introduce you to your guide for the tours in Luxor, then, you will drive to visit Karnak, one of the largest and most impressive religious complexes in the world. It was built and expanded over 2,000 years during the reign of approximately thirty pharaohs. The Karnak temples include sanctuaries, halls, obelisks, statues, pools, and other structures. The main temple with monumental columns is dedicated to the god Amon. After touring the temples, you will be driven to the cruise boat on the Nile. The RTS agency representative will assist you with boarding the boat. You will have lunch on board; after lunch, there will be some time to rest. At the agreed-upon time, you’ll enjoy a pleasant walk with a guide along the Nile promenade and visit the Luxor Temple dedicated to the god Amon. The temple is dedicated to the sun god Amon, and its main entrance is adorned with one of the world’s largest preserved obelisks. In addition to impressive colonnades and reliefs, you will also have the opportunity to get up close to the large statues of pharaohs. From the Luxor Temple to Karnak, there is a recently discovered avenue of sphinxes; the most beautifully preserved ones are right by the temple.After the tour, you will return to the boat for dinner and overnight stay on board.

Day 4: Luxor – Edfu – Nile Cruise

After breakfast, your guide will be waiting for you at the reception at the agreed-upon time, and you will head to the west bank, where the sights of the afterlife are preserved, guarded by the giant statues of the Colossi of Memnon, representing the seated pharaoh Amenhotep III. You will visit the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which stands out with its unique design as it was carved into the rocky cliffs, combining classical Egyptian elements with modern and innovative forms and an impressive terraced structure that rises along the hill. In the Valley of the Kings, there are tombs where many pharaohs from the New Kingdom were buried, including Tutankhamun and Ramesses II. You will explore some exceptionally decorated tombs that depict rich symbolism, religious scenes, and hieroglyphic writing. After the tours, you will return to the boat for lunch. You will start sailing on the Nile, and from the deck, you will be able to observe exciting scenes of life along the Nile. Towards the evening, you will pass through the locks at Esna, where it is fascinating to watch the rising and lowering of the water level, and skilful vendors on boats will try to sell you jalabiyas (traditional Egyptian clothing) for the evening entertainment on the boat. After passing through the locks, you will continue sailing towards Edfu. Dinner and an overnight stay on the boat.

Day 5: Edfu – Kom Ombo – Aswan – Nile Cruise

After breakfast, at the agreed-upon time, the guide will transfer you by carriage or vehicle (depending on traffic) to visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. It was constructed during the reign of the Ptolemaic dynasty and the New Kingdom in a traditional style with columns, courtyards, and sanctuaries. A monumental tower marks the temple’s entrance, and the inner courtyard is surrounded by tall columns depicting gods and pharaohs. The reliefs portray mythological scenes, religious rituals, and ceremonies associated with Horus, the falcon god. Upon returning to the boat, you will have lunch on the deck and continue sailing towards Kom Ombo. At sunset, you will explore the unique double temple dedicated to two gods, Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroris, the falcon god. Intriguing reliefs depict ancient Egypt’s religion, culture, and healing practices. After the tour, you will continue sailing to Aswan with dinner and Egyptian entertainment. An overnight stay on the boat.

Day 6: Aswan

After breakfast, at the agreed-upon time, the guide will transfer you to the pier, and you will take a motorboat ride to visit the Philae Temple on Agilkia Island. The temple was relocated to this island during the construction of the Aswan High Dam and the creation of the artificial Lake Nasser. This magnificent temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, showcases the architectural and artistic prowess of ancient Egypt. Its impressive architecture and intricately carved reliefs represent a unique blend of Pharaonic, Hellenistic, and Roman influences. The temple is renowned for its grand collonaded facade, columns, detailed depictions of mythological scenes, religious rituals, and the life and rule of pharaohs. After the tour, you will return to the boat for lunch. In the afternoon, at the agreed-upon time, a representative from the RTS agency will be waiting for you at the reception and will take you on a felucca to Kitchener’s Island, with a botanical garden established in 1860. Here, you will be able to explore lush tropical vegetation and majestic trees that provide visitors with shade from the intense sun. You will return to the boat in time for dinner and spend the night on board.

Day 7: Aswan – Kalabsha – Abu Simbel

After breakfast, you will disembark from the cruise ship with the assistance of the RTS agency representative at the agreed-upon time. Then, along with your guide, you will proceed to a nearby port and take a boat to visit the temples on New Kalabsha Island near Aswan. There are two temples and a kiosk on the island, all of which were relocated there before the flooding of the area. Unlike the more touristy temples, here you can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere and immerse yourself even further in the lives of the pharaohs by observing the rich reliefs. The most famous among the three temples is the Kalabsha Temple, the only free-standing Nubian temple dedicated to Mandulis, the Nubian sun god. The temple boasts columns, reliefs, and statues depicting pharaohs and gods and goddesses of Egyptian mythology. The second smaller temple, Beit al-Wali, is carved into the rock and was built in honour of Pharaoh Ramesses II. Inside the temple, you will find exceptionally well-preserved colourful paintings. The Kiosk of Qertassi was originally located at the entrance to a quarry and was visible from afar. It is dedicated to the goddess Hathor, the protector of miners and quarry workers. After the tour, you will continue your journey on the desert highway to Abu Simbel. You will arrive just in time to visit the temples from a boat on Lake Nasser at sunset. Enjoy dinner and spend the night in a Nubian house in Abu Simbel.

Day 8: Abu Simbel – Aswan

Early in the morning (you will arrange the exact time with your guide), you will visit the temples in Abu Simbel to beat the crowds and explore the temples in peace. Both temples, built by Ramesses II and carved into the rock, were also relocated to higher ground to protect them from flooding. It is truly an almost unimaginable experience standing at the base of the magnificent statues of Ramesses II. The main temple of Ramesses II is dedicated to the gods Ra-Harakhty, Amon, and Ptah. It features a magnificent inner chamber adorned with intricately carved reliefs depicting war scenes, religious ceremonies, and other significant events. The smaller temple is dedicated to Queen Nefertari, the wife of Pharaoh Ramesses II, known for her exceptional beauty and important role in ancient Egypt’s politics and religion. This temple is renowned for its elegant reliefs depicting the queen and various goddesses who, unlike the warrior Ramesses II, worked for peace. After the visit, you will have breakfast at your Nubian house and then drive back to Aswan. Upon arrival in Aswan, a representative from the RTS agency will assist you in boarding the Nile cruise ship. After lunch, you will have free time to rest and observe the sailboats and the sunset on the Nile from the ship’s deck. Before dinner, you will also have enough time to stroll through Aswan’s market. Enjoy dinner and spend the night on the cruise ship. you will head to the airport for a flight to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo, the representative will assist you with the check-in at the hotel. You will then have dinner and stay overnight in the hotel.

Day 9: Cairo

After breakfast, your guide will be waiting for you at the hotel reception at the agreed-upon time, and you will conclude your exploration of ancient Egyptian culture with visits to two major museums. First, you will visit the National Museum, followed by the Museum of Egyptian Civilization. The National Museum houses a rich collection of artefacts from various periods of ancient Egyptian civilisation, including the famous treasures of the pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, which depict the rich history and culture of ancient Egypt. In the newer Museum of Egyptian Civilization, they have relocated mummies, sarcophagi, and burial offerings. After your museum visits, you will have lunch at a local restaurant. Then, you will explore the old part of the city, stopping at the Khan Al-Khalili market, where you can also visit Al-Hussein Mosque. Afterward, you will return to the hotel for dinner and spend the night there.

Day 10: Departure from Cairo

After breakfast, check out from the hotel (no later than 11:00) and enjoy some free time until your departure to the airport (typically 3 hours before your flight). At the agreed-upon time, a representative from the RTS agency will be waiting for you at the hotel reception. You will be driven to the airport, where they will assist you with the check-in for your flight.

This marks the conclusion of your trip with a flight to your chosen destination.

*Please note that we reserve the right to make program changes due to public transportation schedules, weather conditions, and other circumstances beyond our control.

Price

The price of the package per adult sharing a double room

• 2 persons : 1,749 €
• 4 persons : 1,399 €
• 6 persons : 1,249 €

Discounts for children: up to the completed 2nd year free of charge; for children from 2 to the completed 12th year, 50% of the package if they share a room with parents.

Supplement for a single room: 420 €.

Accommodation

• 3x overnight stay at the 4* (local category 5*) hotel in Cairo (half board).
• 4x overnight stay at a 5* Nile Cruise boat (full board).
• 1x overnight stay at the Nubian House in Abu Simbel (half board).
• 1x overnight on the sleeping train Cairo-Luxor (half board)

Location

Terms and conditions

Payment:

• 30% of the package price when the reservation is confirmed (with an additional 22 € for the registration fee)
• the remaining 70% to be paid at 15 days prior to departure

Cancellation:

• Cancellation is free of charge until 35 days prior to departure
• Afterwards 100% cancellation charges will apply

Included/not included

Included:

• 3x overnight stay at the 4* (local category 5*) hotel in Cairo (half board).
• 4x overnight stay at a 5* Nile Cruise boat (full board).
• 1x overnight stay at the Nubian House in Abu Simbel (half board).
• 1x overnight on the sleeping train Cairo-Luxor (half board)
• 2x lunch in Cairo, 1x lunch in Aswan.
• All transfers and sightseeing in the programme (except entrance fees to enter inside any of the pyramids and some thombs in the Valley of the Kings where there is an extra charge).
• English-speaking local guides for all sightseeing in the programme.
• Accompanying and assistance by an English-speaking representative from the RTS agency; assistance at airports and all check-ins/check-outs.
• 24-hour availability over the phone of an English-speaking representative from the RTS agency.
• Costs of arranging and organizing the journey.

Not Included :

• Any international flights.
• Any local flights.
• Entry visa to Egypt ($25).
• Personal expenses.
• Other sightseeing and transfers not included in the programme:
• Entrance fees to enter inside any of the pyramids and some thombs in the Valley of the
• Kings where there is an extra charge.
• Customary tipping (€60–80 per person).

Optional excursions (not included in the package rate):

• Hot air ballooning in Luxor = €95 per person, from 04:30 in the morning (with breakfast box) and returning at 07:30.
• Sound and Light Shows:
• Giza Pyramids = €45 per person.
• Philae Temple = €45 per person.
• Karnak Temples = €40 per person.

Further information

• Hotel address : Cairo, Egypt
• Duration : 10 days
• Contact details : botler@boticonline.com
• Minimum number of people : 2

Recommended equipment:

• Comfortable walking shoes.
• Bright-coloured, loose-fitting clothing made of natural materials for sightseeing.
• Warmer clothing for evenings/nights in the desert.
• Layered clothing for flexibility as temperatures can change rapidly due to the strong sun.
• A hat for sun protection, sunglasses, and high SPF sunscreen.
• A small backpack for water and personal essentials during walks and tours.

Agency

BOT SAS