Elegance of the Nile with Luxury Gold
Photo: Esna Temple
See the best of Egypt on this 11-day guided tour. Enjoy an afternoon in Cairo before joining an Egyptologist for an exclusive visit to the Pyramids of Giza, where you’ll walk inside one of its caverns and see the Sphinx. At the Egyptian Museum, gaze upon priceless treasures taken from the tomb of the country’s most famous pharaoh, Tutankhamun. See the Temple of Luxor during a VIP, after-hours visit, exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site free from other tour groups. See the Valley of the Kings, where Tutankhamun is buried. Choose to sail the Nile on a felucca, a traditional wooden boat, or visit Aswan Market for a shopping spree. Sip on tea at the Cataract Hotel, where Winston Churchill once dined. And visit the Esna Temple, a striking waterfront structure.
Inclusions:
- Magnificent Stays at Hand-Picked Hotels
- Curated Experiences
- Connect and make long-lasting memories with Local Experts
- Extraordinary Dining
- Custom Coach with 2x the legroom
- Travel Concierge
- Door to Door Transfers
- Smaller Groups
- Full-service Porterage
Photo: Map of the itinerary
Day 1: Cairo at Leisure
Welcome to enchanting Egypt, where the ancient and modern world weave together in a rich tapestry of colors and captivating sites. On arrival in Cairo, you will be met at the airport and escorted to your hotel which has welcomed numerous heads of state over the years. Bask in the luxuries of your room before joining your Travel Concierge and fellow travelers for a celebratory Welcome Drink toasting to your Egypt luxury tour at the hotel.
Day 2: Giza Sightseeing
Embarked on a coveted experience to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the great Pyramids of Giza. Step inside to visit their guardian Sphinx and admire the hieroglyphs etched on the walls while your Travel Concierge, a knowledgeable Egyptologist, guides you through their fascinating history. Continue your travels through the lands of the ancients at Sakkara to see the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the first pyramid the Egyptians built more than 4,700 years ago. At nearby Memphis, the famous capital of ancient Egypt, stand beneath the colossal statue of Ramses II and the great Alabaster Sphinx.
Day 3: Join your Cruise in Luxor
Jet off to Luxor – famed for its ancient treasures and grand monuments – to delve further into Egypt’s history in Karnak, the largest temple complex ever built by man. Walk through the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, past the statue of Rameses II, to stand in awe among the huge columns of the vast Hypostyle Hall taking in how this daunting site was the most important place of worship in Egypt for nearly 800 years. This afternoon, board your stylish and spacious cruise ship, the River Tosca, for your luxury cruise on the Nile. Get your bearings relaxing with a cocktail in the lounge, browsing the cozy library, or taking a cooling dip in the swimming pool. In the evening, enjoy a gala reception and dinner.
Photo: Karnak Temple
Day 4: The Temple of Hathor and Luxor
Your first full morning on the Nile finds you visiting the 1st century B.C. Temple of Hathor. Explore the complex – one of the best-preserved temples in all of Egypt – to view rare images of Cleopatra VII and Caesarian, the son of Julius Caesar, and witness the Dendera Light, which some historians believe depicts an ancient electric lightbulb. Then personalize your time in Luxor, finding your flow in a relaxing yoga class on the sun deck as you pass by Luxor temples. Or, gain an inside perspective meeting the boat captain in his engine cabin to learn about how he navigates along this powerful river. This evening you have the privilege to enjoy an after-hours, VIP visit of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Temple of Luxor.
Day 5: The West Bank and Valley of the Kings
Journey to the West Bank to stand in awe of the Colossi of Memnon – the gigantic twin stone statues of Amenhotep III that dominate the desert landscape. Venture to the Temple of Hatshepsut, only recently reopened, honoring Egypt's first female pharaoh. Your discovery of powerful sites culminates in the Valley of the Kings at the burial place of Tutankhamun. Gain a unique perspective of the area meeting a family on a tour of their village. Hear stories of local life and the importance of family contribution before you have the opportunity to watch them bake traditional sun bread for the community. Savor a taste of warm bread, paired perfectly with a cup of tea, before joining in the fun at an Egyptian dinner and lively galabeya party.
Day 6: A Felucca Around Kitchener’s Island
Your exploration of compelling sites continues visiting the unique double-temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to both the crocodile-headed Sobek and the falcon god, Horus the Elder. Then, begin your return voyage along the Nile. Sit back and relax as stunning sites unfold before you on your cruise to Aswan. Curate your afternoon stretching out on a Nile felucca, a traditional sailboat, for a peaceful ride around Kitchener's Island known for its tropical plants and palm trees. Or, visit the lively Aswan Market and shop for local products such as clothes, herbs, spices and souvenirs. Sit down for a leisurely colonial-style afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel before the evening's indulgent dinner aboard the ship and an Egyptian belly dancing performance.
Photo: Private sail around Kitchener's Island
Day 7: Aswan and High Dam
Begin your day marvelling at the modern engineering of Aswan High Dam and the ancient Granite Quarries where one of Queen Hatshepsut's 3500- year-old obelisks lies abandoned in the bedrock. Cross the Nile by motorboat to walk amidst the ancient columns of the immaculately preserved Philae temple complex that was moved stone-bystone to its current location. This evening, savor dinner of classics such as baba ghanoush and chicken tangine accompanied by a Nubian folklore show and live music.
Photo: Nile Cruise Dinner with Nubian Folklore
Day 8: Relax upon the Nile
Relish a relaxing morning on board or opt for a Locally Available Experience to view Abu Simbel’s fabulous temples carved out of the cliff side by Rameses II and later transported out of the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Revel in your afternoon return voyage passing green, fertile land and distant arid desert while riverside residents swim, bathe, work and play along its shores. Dive into an area of your interest, choosing to learn about the powerful women in Egypt’s history such as Queen Cleopatra, Queen Hatshpsut and Nefertiti from an Egyptologist. Or, enjoy an on-deck cocktail demonstration and sampling of a delicious drink made from local herbs and ingredients some of which have been used since the time of the pharaohs.
Day 9: From Esna to Luxor
Unveil more of Egypt’s treasures visiting the wellpreserved Esna Temple. Take your time inside this fascinating and highly decorated building dedicated to the ram-headed God Khnum, the God of creation. Note how because parts of the temple were built during different eras, you can still see the carvings the Romans added in the 3rd century AD. Reflecting upon the morning’s beguiling sites, sit back and observe everyday life in rural Egypt as you float downstream to Luxor, often referred to as the world’s greatest open-air museum. In the evening, enjoy one last dinner on board your luxury cruise indulging in a delicious Celebration Dinner toasting to all you’ve experienced aboard the River Tosca.
Day 10: Luxor to Cairo
This morning fly to Cairo to visit the towering Alabaster Mosque, commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha and get acquainted with the city taking in incredible hilltop views from the imposing Citadel of Salah El-Din, home to Egypt's rulers for more than seven hundred years. Tempt your senses and enjoy a bit of shopping at the dazzling Khan El Halili bazaar, a major souk in the historic center of Islamic Cairo, where stained glass lamps sit alongside handmade carpets, and the aroma of traditional spices fills the air. Cap off your day in Cairo with a visit to the Egyptian Museum to witness the priceless treasures recovered from the Tomb of Tutankhamun and the most extensive collection of Pharaonic antiquities in the world.
Photo: Tomb of mummy Pharaoh tutankhamun in tombs at valley
Day 11: Depart Cairo
It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers, as you wake early for your transfer to Cairo Airport and conclude your luxury tour from Cairo.
