Pyramids, Nile, Hurghada (Red Sea)
Enjoy 7 nights of cruising, 4 nights in Cairo, and 3 nights in Hurghada.
This 15-day journey offers a comprehensive experience of Egypt’s most iconic sites.
You’ll start in Cairo with visits to the pyramids, the Sphinx, and the treasures of the National Museum. The trip then includes a Nile cruise, where you’ll explore Luxor, Aswan, and the historic temples of ancient Egypt. After the cruise, you’ll spend relaxing days in Hurghada on the Red Sea coast, with opportunities for snorkeling, diving, or simply enjoying the beaches. The trip concludes back in Cairo with visits to the famous Citadel and vibrant bazaars.
Trip Highlights:
- Cairo: Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara, Memphis, National Museum of Antiquities, Coptic Quarter, Citadel of Saladin, Khan El Khalili Bazaar.
- Luxor & Aswan: Valley of the Kings, Temple of Karnak, Luxor Temple, Philae Temple, Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu.
- Cruise along the Nile: Luxor to Aswan with visits to the temples of Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Abu Simbel (optional).
- Hurghada: Relaxation on the Red Sea coast, with optional snorkeling, diving, or safari adventures.
- Arrival in Cairo.
- Cairo is one of the largest metropolises in the world, spread over both banks of the Nile.
- Meet and greet upon arrival, and assistance with entry formalities.
- Transfer to your hotel.
- Check-in and overnight stay at the hotel.
Hotel: Le Passage Hotel & Casino * (or similar)
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Departure for a visit to the Giza Plateau and its incredible pyramids:
- Cheops (the largest of the three, built around 2650 BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one that has stood the test of time. It was the tallest monument built by man for over 40 centuries, with a height of 146 meters.
- Chephren, which appears taller than Cheops but is actually slightly shorter. Its sharper incline and higher ground give the impression of greater height.
- Mykerinos, the smallest of the three pyramids, standing at 66 meters.
- The Sphinx, a lion with a Pharaoh’s head, guarding the entrance to the tomb. It measures 73 meters long and 20 meters high.
- Lunch during the visit.
- In the afternoon, visit the sites of Memphis and Saqqara:
- Memphis, south of Cairo, is now a palm grove with scattered blocks, steles, and statues, including a mysterious alabaster sphinx. It was the capital of the Ancient Egyptian Empire, founded by King Menes around 3000 BC.
- Continue to the Saqqara site to see the famous Step Pyramid, built around 2700 BC for Pharaoh Djoser by the architect Imhotep.
- Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Tour options & excursions available: Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids
Hotel: Le Passage Hotel & Casino * (or similar)
- Breakfast.
- Visit to the National Museum of Antiquities, with treasures spanning from the prehistoric era to the Roman period, including the famous treasure of Tutankhamun. The museum houses over 250,000 pieces and is one of the largest in the world, offering a glimpse into 5,000 years of Egyptian history.
- Lunch during the visit.
- Visit to the Coptic Quarter in Cairo, where Christianity was introduced by St. Mark around 45 AD, leading to the development of the Coptic community (Copts are the Christian population of Egypt).
- St. Sergius Church: One of the oldest Christian churches, built in the 3rd or 4th century AD. It is believed that the Holy Family took refuge in a cave here.
- Hanging Church (St. Mary's Church), famous for its unique construction above palm trunks, with richly decorated interiors.
- Ben Ezra Synagogue, an architectural masterpiece with a stunning interior.
Tour options & excursions available: Baron Palace – visit this mysterious palace built by Baron Empain in 1904.
Hotel: Le Passage Hotel & Casino * (or similar)
- Breakfast.
- Transfer to the airport for your flight to Luxor, Upper Egypt.
- Upon arrival, transfer to the port and check-in to your cruise cabin.
- Lunch on board.
- Free afternoon.
- Dinner and overnight on board.
Hotel: M/S Pioneer * (or similar)
- Breakfast on board.
- Morning excursion to the West Bank of Luxor, the royal necropolis of Thebes:
- Visit the Valley of the Kings, an awe-inspiring burial site for many Egyptian pharaohs. The tombs are deeply carved into the limestone mountains and adorned with intricate wall paintings. The most famous tomb discovered here belongs to Tutankhamun.
- Explore the Temple of Medinet Habu, the funerary temple of Ramses III, an enormous and stunning structure built to commemorate the king’s reign.
- Stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III.
- Return to the ship for lunch.
- Sail towards Esna.
- Dinner and overnight on board.
Hotel: M/S Pioneer * (or similar)
- Breakfast on board.
- Visit to the Temple of Horus in Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, dedicated to the falcon god.
- Return to the ship and sail towards Kom Ombo.
- Lunch on board.
- Visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, unique for its dedication to two gods: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon-headed god. This temple is also known for its ancient surgical tools display.
- Return to the ship.
- Dinner and overnight on board.
Hotel: M/S Pioneer * (or similar)
- Breakfast on board.
- Visit to Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis. The temple was moved to its current location after the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
- Sail to Aswan, a beautiful and historic city located in the southern part of Egypt.
- Visit a Papyrus Institute to learn how this ancient material was made.
- Dinner and overnight on board.
Hotel: M/S Pioneer * (or similar)
- Breakfast on board.
- Free morning to explore Aswan at your leisure or take an optional excursion to Abu Simbel, a stunning temple complex built by Ramses II, known for its massive rock carvings.
- Lunch on board.
- Enjoy a felucca (traditional sailboat) ride to Kitchener’s Island, where you'll visit the beautiful botanical gardens.
- Free afternoon.
- Dinner and overnight on board.
Tour options & excursions available: Abu Simbel by bus
Hotel: M/S Pioneer * (or similar)
- Breakfast on board.
- Free day on the ship to relax.
- Lunch on board.
- Sail towards Esna.
- Dinner and overnight on board.
Tour options & excursions available: Sound and Light Show at Philae Temple
Hotel: M/S Pioneer * (or similar)
- Early morning sail through the Esna Lock.
- Breakfast on board.
- Visit the Temple of Karnak, a grand complex dedicated to the god Amun. This site was built over 2,000 years by various pharaohs, including Seti I and Ramses II.
- Return to the ship for lunch.
- Visit the Temple of Luxor, built to celebrate the annual marriage of Amun with his consort Mut. The temple was started by Amenhotep III and completed by Ramses II.
- Return to the ship.
- Free time to explore Luxor.
- Dinner and overnight on board.
Tour options & excursions available: Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple
Hotel: M/S Pioneer * (or similar)
- Breakfast on board.
- Transfer to Hurghada, the famous Red Sea resort.
- Lunch at the hotel.
- Free afternoon to relax on the Red Sea beaches or take part in water activities like snorkeling or diving.
- All-inclusive stay at the hotel.
- Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Tour options & excursions available: Desert Safari and Quad Ride
Hotel: Jasmine Palace Resort * (or similar)
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Free day with all-inclusive amenities at the hotel.
- Optional boat trips and water activities like snorkeling or scuba diving.
Tour options & excursions available: Mahmya Island Trip – A day trip to Mahmya Island, a beautiful natural reserve with clear turquoise waters perfect for snorkeling.
Hotel: Jasmine Palace Resort * (or similar)
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Free day with all-inclusive amenities at the hotel.
- Optional boat trips and water activities like snorkeling or dolphin watching.
Tour options & excursions available: Snorkeling with Dolphins – A boat trip with stops to snorkel and possibly swim with dolphins in their natural habitat.
Hotel: Jasmine Palace Resort * (or similar)
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Transfer back to Cairo.
- Visit the Citadel of Saladin and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, a striking white mosque often called the “Alabaster Mosque.”
- Visit the Khan El Khalili Bazaar, a colorful market offering everything from spices to jewelry.
- Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Hotel: Le Passage Hotel & Casino * (or similar)
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
Inclusions
- - Transfers by minibus or coach depending on group size.
- - Full board from Day 2 breakfast to Day 15 breakfast.
- - Excursions and visits mentioned in the program.
- - Land transport by vehicle appropriate for group size.
- - Organized evenings on the boat.
- - Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations included.
- - Local Egyptologist guide throughout the stay.
- - Assistance at airports.
- - Hotel taxes and service charges.
- - All-inclusive soft drinks in Hurghada.
Exclusions
- - Travel insurance (cancellation, assistance, etc.).
- - Drinks and bottled water.
- - Personal expenses and customary tips for guides and drivers.
- - Visa and service fee payable in cash upon arrival: €85 per person.
- - Optional excursions and extras.
