Great Egypt
Tour Cairo , Alexandria , Luxor , Aswan
Cruise The Nile and a Cruise on the Nubian Sea
The Wednesday Departure . All in 17 Days

This inclusive tour shows you the true grandeur of Egypt, from the Mediterranean shores in the north to " Nubia" , " the land of gold " in the south , with visits to the timeless monuments of cosmopolitan Cairo and Alexandria , a cruise to the temples along the Nile, and a voyage to the ancient sites on the vast inland sea of Lake Nasser in Nubia. It's all of Egypt in 17 days. Abu Sir Pyramids Fields are closed for now . In some cases they may appear - in error - on some of our web page

Compare with the 10 Day version . Add Alexandria , check out the 18-day edition.
Add Denderah or the 20 Day edition . Add a Red Sea Extension

Day 1- CAIRO -Wednesday or Saturday-Weekly -Year Round
This tour starts weekly in Cairo, on Saturdays, and Wednesday, year round. Complimentary visa will be issued upon arrival for citizens of : Australia, USA, Canada , Japan and EU. Your passport must be valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of arrival. Upon arrival, we escort you to your hotel. Welcome local pastries awaits you in your room. ( More cruise images)

Visa will be issued upon arrival.
As you exit the gate, you will pass through a door or two , down some stairs , then walk for 2-5 minutes , until you pass the duty free shops, at the end of a wide corridor , you will see the security officers. There you will be met by a local representative, who will be holding a sign with the name you prefer to use for the sign .
Our local representative will then take your passport to obtain a stamp from the cashier / bank window and escort you to speak with the passport officer. He will escort you through another last check on your passport as you exit the passport control, into customs area, he will assist you in collecting your luggage and clearing customs . After exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort you (private vehicle) to the hotel

DAY 2 - CAIRO - Thursday (cBL)
Today we see Cairo's major sights: the Egyptian Museum, including the Mummies room, Giza Pyramids, the Solar Boat Museum housing the oldest known Royal Barge that was found next to the Great Pyramid of Cheops, and was supposed to be ready for the Mighty Pharaoh in his "after Life" journey !. We tour as well the enigmatic Sphinx. Evening Sound & Light show at Giza.

Add Extra Night : To add Memphis , Sakkara , Coptic Cairo and more, please click here

DAY 3 - CAIRO/ Alexandria - Friday (BD)
Fly back to Cairo, from Cairo Airport we go on to Alexandria by private air conditioned vehicle and private chauffeur , dinner is included at your hotel , subject to availability : First Class : the Cecil Hotel with the old world charm. Deluxe : Hilton , Sheraton or Palestine Montazah Hotel.

DAY 4 - Alexandria & Wadi El Natroun Monasteries / Cairo - Saturday (cBL)
Full day tour of the Greco Roman Museum, the Catacombs, the Roman Amphitheater, Qayet Bey Fortress housing recovered items from the French Fleet & Napoleons Flag Ship " L'Orient", sunk by the British & Admiral Nelson, east of Alexandria.

In Alexandria a brief stop at : Qayet Bey Fortress housing recovered items from the French Fleet & Napoleons Flag Ship " L'Orient", sunk by the British & Admiral Nelson, east of Alexandria.

Qayet Bey Fort was built on the same site of the ancient wonder of the world : the famous Alexandria Light House. A brief stop at " El Selsela" the site of the Underwater reserve where Cleopatra Place was discovered, as well as Caesar Kiosk. Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the Crown Jewels Museum, then its off to the new site for the Alexandria Library before heading to Wadi El Natroun monastery almost midway to Cairo , where early Coptic Christians retreated here to escape the Roman persecution in the 4th century AD. The Egyptian Pope of Alexandria is always chosen from the Monks of wadi El Natroun. Reach Cairo early evening and your hotel. Time permitting we 'll visit the new museum in Alexandria , the building was originally built in 1926 for the US consulate in Alexandria and is a masterpiece in 1920's architecture & Mediterranean style buildings.

DAY 5 : OLD CAIRO- Ottoman Cairo Home Hosted Dinner - Sunday (BL)
Coptic Cairo :The treasure filled Coptic Museum, churches & Synagogue are our goal this morning. After which we tour the former Royal palace of Abdeen, where Sadat welcomed Nixon in the 70's , Nixon was the first American president to visit Egypt since Roosevelt made a brief visit during W.W.II

We enjoy lunch at the famous El Khan restaurant then embark on a walking tour of the legendary 12th century district of Khan El Khalili including the Caravanserai: Wekalet el Ghouri & the 15th century Ottoman style house of Beit El Kritlya ( Gayer Anderson Museum).

Complimentary Dinner is included at a local home:
Meet the locals, you may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family ( T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town):
This evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people of Cairo l! You'll be invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected.

Of course, you may enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.

DAY 6 - ASWAN/ NUBIAN CRUISE - Monday (cBLD)
After an early breakfast, we drive to the airport for the flight to Aswan,( or Abu Simbel) where we board our lake cruiser. Complimentary welcome fruit basket in ear cabin. After lunch aboard, we visit the Temple of Kalabsha, originally constructed in Pharaonic style, but later remodeled in Greco-Roman style and dedicated to the god Mandoulis. Next we visit Beit el Wali, a work of Pharaoh Ramses the Great, followed by a stop at Kertassi Kiosk, dedicated to the goddess Isis. We dine aboard our floating hotel.

DAY 7 - LAKE NASSER CRUISING - Tuesday (BLD)
Lake Nasser, Egypt's great man-made inland sea formed by the waters held behind the Aswan High Dam. As we head south towards Wadi el Seboua, you have time to relax on deck, take a dip in the pool, read up on Egyptian history, and get to know your fellow travelers.

DAY 8 - WADI EL SEBOUA, DAKKA & AMADA Wednesday (BLD)
Our first port of call is at the Temple of Wadi el Seboua, dedicated by the mighty Ramses the Great to two of ancient Egypt's most powerful gods. Our next stop is Dakka Temple, followed by a visit to Amada and the tomb of Penout, the powerful viceroy of Nubia, one of ancient Egypt's richest regions. Known as the "Land of Gold," Nubia was famous for the stream of gold, ivory, precious stones and minerals which made their way from Africa to Egypt via the Nubian Nile. We dock at Kasr Ibrim, where we dock for the night.

DAY 9 - KASR IBRIM & ABU SIMBEL - Thursday (BLD)
As the sun brightens the lake shore we gaze at the citadel of Kasr Ibrim, a once-mighty fortress which time and weather have rendered fragile, the only structure of its kind still extant in Nubia. We learn about the history of Nubia and this fortress, then, after lunch, set sail for Abu Simbel. Arriving at the great temple, we have time to explore its colossal facade and surroundings before enjoying dinner and spectacular sound-and light show with the temple as our backdrop.

DAY 10 - ABU SIMBEL / ASWAN / LUXOR - Friday (BD)
Get up early today to enjoy the extraordinary vision of the temple of Abu Simbel at dawn, when the sacred sunlight penetrates deep into its holy of holies as its architect intended. The morning sun bathes the ruddy stone in golden light, providing perfect conditions for photography. We fly to Aswan, ( all domestic air fare is included ) and connect to Luxor and your hotel. Deluxe : Sonesta St. George or the Old Winter Palace. First : Sofitel , Hilton Sheraton or similar , Afternoon complimentary guided tour of the Luxor Museum.Then on to visit the new & old "Qurna" or Gurnah" : In Ancient times as well as in a more recent history, the locals populated the West Bank and lived in series of villages near the tombs they built for their kings & queens. The largest of these villages is Gurnah or Qurna , these villages continue to grow in population in spite of the damage caused to the nearby tombs, the house are an example of the traditional Egyptian rural homes, the houses are usually built of mud break mixed with straw, the New Gurnah was designed by the famous Hassan Fathy , author of " Architecture for the Poor", we conclude the afternoon by a visit to the nearby Nobles Tombs , can not guarantee which ones will be open as they are rotated , but you may visit : tomb of Rekhmire , Senoufer , or Ramose .
Evening Sound & Light show at Karnak. Dinner is included at your hotel.

DAY 11: LUXOR , DENDERAH - NILE CRUISE - Saturday (BLD)
Breakfast is included at the hotel . Lunch box is included for Denderah excursion.
We drive inland to tour Denderah & Abydos Temples. Among the best preserved in Egypt. This temple as a sight to hold. Indiana Jones would have felt at home, with the massive stones & underground passages :

DENDERAH IN A DAY

We'll travel to Denderah to visit the Temple of Hathor, one of the best-preserved in all of Egypt, and also one of the most important. In the ancient beliefs, Hathor was the consort of the god of daylight, ruler of the west, and protector or the underworld. In the manner of wise desert wayfarers, we'll leave before dawn to take advantage of cool temperatures. Our air-conditioned van will take us through timeless Nile-side villages, where life revolves around the irrigation and harvest of crops. Finally, we'll reach the temple precincts. We'll take note of the unusually deep tombs, and pass under the celebrated Zodiac, in a chapel dedicated to Osiris. (Denderah is the traditional site of his rebirth.) Our full day will also include a visit to Abydos, traditional home of Osiris, god of the underworld, and a stopping point on the journey of wayfaring souls. We'll enjoy a box lunch, and return to Luxor late in the afternoon .

Back to Luxor we check-in on board your Nile Cruise in time for a delicious lunch.
Afternoon tea is served on sundeck. Dinner and dance on board.

DAY 12 : LUXOR , EDFU - NILE CRUISE - Sunday (BLD)
Today we have a full day touring:
This morning we cross the Nile to the West Bank : tour of the hidden ancient "Workers village " or Deir El Medinah, the first known "Workers Village" these were the true creative heroes who built the temples & tombs for the mighty Pharaohs of the Nile Kingdom.

Deir El Medinah is on Luxor's west bank you get a totally different perspective on ancient Egyptian life, at the ancient workers' settlement of Deir el-Medinah. While most of the imposing stone monuments and sites of Egypt honor the lives and after-lives of royalty, Deir el-Medinah gives us unique and surprising insights into the ordinary citizens who constructed and decorated the tombs.

Here we'll see the excavated homes shared by laborers with their domestic animals. These quarters were surprisingly large, with three good-sized rooms, courtyard, kitchen, and even storage cellars. While ancient Egypt might not have been a workers' paradise, we'll see that artisans and builders were highly regarded in their community. We are proud to be the only operator to offer regular visits to this singular ancient settlement in its tour and cruise programs.

We also tour the magnificent tombs in the Valley of the Kings including King Tut's Tomb, and the great temple of Queen Hatshepsut , and the Colossi of Memnon before we head back to the cruise for lunch.
The gigantic Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, and the mighty Temple of Luxor are our goals in the afternoon. Afternoon tea served on deck. As we sail to Edfu , where we dock for the night.
Complimentary Egyptian sweets & pastry.

DAY 13 : EDFU & ESNA /ASWAN - Monday (cBLD)
In Edfu, climb aboard horse-drawn carriages, and clip-clop through the town to the temple of Horus, Egypt's best preserved. Re-embarking, we cruise to Kom Ombo visit its twin temple. Evening finds us in Aswan .

DAY 14 - NILE CRUISE - ASWAN - Tuesday (cBLD)
Morning visit to Aswan dam, the unfinished Obelisk, and the Island temple of Philae , dedicated to the Ancient Goddess ISIS , before heading for our Nile Cruiser in time for lunch, complimentary fruit basket & bottle of mineral water (awaits you in your cabin), afternoon sailing on the Nile by felucca. . Evening Nubian Folklore show on board.

DAY 15 -CAMEL CARAVAN - ASWAN -CAIRO - Wednesday (cBLD)
After breakfast, check out . A short Camel Caravan and ride to a Nubian Village for a visit with the locals!! followed by a return flight to Cairo and Transfer to hotel.

DAY 16 -CAIRO - Thursday(cBLD)
Full day at leisure, explore Cairo on your own ,or just relax .

DAY 17 - Giza , Memphis , Sakkara and Dahshour - Friday (BL)
In the morning, we visit the Ancient Capital of Egypt Northern Kingdom Memphis and the Royal Necropolis of Sakkara, including the Step Pyramid of Zoser & Nobles tombs / Mastabas. After lunch at a local restaurant , on to another half-day tour that takes us to Dahshour, the newly-opened pyramid field south of Cairo: DAHSOUR - we'll motor to the edge of Cairo, to Dahshour, the newly-opened pyramid field south of Cairo. We visit the great pyramid of Senfru, father of Cheops, and other structure:

The "Discovery" of Dahshour:
For almost half a century, the great field of huge pyramids near the desert village of Dahshour, 25 miles south of Cairo, has been off limits to the public. Confined within the perimeter of a military base were many pyramids, including the great 4500-year-old pyramid built by Senfru, father of Cheops. Senfru's pyramid, the largest in Egypt until his son built Giza's Great Pyramid, is rhomboidal in shape: it tapers more distinctly on its upper half. All the pyramids were coated in thick plaster at one time. Most have lost these protective, decorative sheaths, but Senfru's--miraculously--is still in place.

DAY 18 - DEPARTURE Saturday (B)
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home.

RATES are per person

For Christmas, New Year, Easter, please add:15% supplement.
Private Guide on board the CRUISE : Supplement $250 per person.

Rates include:

• All transfers in Egypt.
• Guided sightseeing as listed including all entrance fees.
• Hotel and cruise accommodations as per itinerary including al taxes .
  
  
• All shore excursions on board the cruise as listed, including all entrance fees.
  
• Complimentary welcome drink upon arrival on board the Nile Cruise.
  
• Complimentary welcome fruit basket on board the Nile Cruise.
  
• Large bottle of water ( per person ) delivered to you cabin daily while you are on board the Lake Nasser & the Nile Cruise.
  
• Tea or coffee an bottled water with each / every meal while you are on board the Lake Nasser & the Nile Cruise.
  
• Meals as listed including cB = Continental Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner.
• Domestic airfare within Egypt "Y" class.
• Complimentary visa will be issued upon arrival for citizens of Australia, USA, Canada , Japan, Singaporean & EU . Your passport must be valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of arrival.

Not included:

• Tips.
• Insurance of any kind
• International air fare Please ask us about our special air deals to Cairo.

Dining Room Reservations: Meet other passengers :

YOU will not require any, our dining rooms do accommodate all our guests in one seating, one less thing to worry about while you are on the Nile. Enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere with several different languages being heard at dinner

Sample Deluxe ships on Lake Nasser :

The Ships

The M.S. Kasr Ibrim was named after the ancient citadel on Lake Nasser, the only Nubian monument that still exists in its original location. The Kasr Ibrim citadel, standing on a high bluff overlooking the river valley, was adapted to suit the needs of its diverse occupants throughout the ages. Likewise, the M.S. Kasr Ibrim provides an epic setting for international travelers, while commemorating the citadel as an enduring link with Egypt's distant past.
Relax in the ship's spacious lounge areas, its restaurant or bars. On deck you will find a shaded area, a mosaic-lined swimming pool and deckchairs to make the most of idle luxury. Kasr Ibrim's facilities also include a sauna, steam bath, exercise equipment, state-of-the-art water filtration systems, and is fully air-conditioned.
Service is thoughtful and friendly; the cuisine is superb. Each day we anchor beside one of Lake Nasser's historic sites, where a launch will take you ashore to explore.

Cabins

M.S. Kasr Ibrim was launched in September 1997. The ship is 79 meters long, with just 55 cabins for maximal comfort, and 10 luxurious suites. The interior décor reflects the Art Deco style of the 1920's.
The ship fifty-five spacious cabins measure 22.75 m2, each with an ensuite bathroom (bath, shower, washbasin, w.c. and hairdryer). There are seven 29 m2 junior suites; two 59 m2 Royal suites and one 140 m2 Imperial suite (all ten suites have bathrooms with jacuzzi, shower, washbasin, w.c. and hairdryer).

The Executive Deck has 12 twin-bedded cabins, each with a private balcony (total space 22.75 m2). The Executive Deck cabins (400 numbers) are available at an additional surcharge per cabin and per night.

The Upper Deck has 18 twin-bedded cabins each with a private balcony (total space 22.75 m2). A guaranteed allocation to one of the Upper Deck cabins (300 numbers) is available at an additional surcharge per cabin and per night.

The Main Deck has 18 twin-bedded cabins each with a private balcony (total space 22.75 m).

The Lower Deck has 7 twin bedded cabins without balconies (22.75 m); these can also be used for triple occupancy.

M.S. Eugenie

The Eugenie was proudly named to evoke an historic event in Egypt's recent past: the grand opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, attended by the crown heads of Europe including the Empress Eugenie of France. The completion of the Suez Canal marked Egypt’s passage into modernity, and a new era of international trade and interaction.

Likewise the Eugenie, the first ship to sail Lake Nasser, launched a new era of tourism, offering travelers fresh vistas of Egypt’s natural beauty and archeological treasures. Lake Nasser extended the boundaries of Egypt’s touristic possibilities, while the Eugenie reminds us of this ancient country’s endless capacity for renewal.

The M.S. Eugenie was constructed in 1993 in the style of a turn-of-the-century Nile steamship. It is 74 meters long, with just 52 cabins for maximal comfort, and two luxurious suites. Each cabin has an ensuite bathroom with shower, washbasin, w.c. and hairdryer.

The Eugenie’s facilities include a sauna, steam bath, exercise equipment, sun decks, a swimming pool, air-conditioning and state-of-the-art water filtration systems.

The Upper Deck has 22 twin-bedded cabins each with a private balcony (total space: 21m2). Cabins 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311 and 315 are ‘executive cabins’ available at an additional surcharge per cabin and per night.

The Main Deck has 20 twin bedded cabins, also with private balcony (21m2) and two single bedded cabins, also with private balconies (cabins 201, 202).

The Lower Deck has 8 twin bedded cabins without balconies (21m2); these can also be used for triple occupancy.

Sailing ( Subject to change )

Aswan / Kalabsha to Wadi El Seboua 11 hours
Wadi El Seboua to Amada 4 hours
Amada to Kasr Ibrim 2.5 hours
Kasr Ibrim to Abu Simbel 4 hours

More Choices:

• Add a Red Sea Extension .
• Add Memphis , Sakkara and the Zoser Step Pyramid
• Compare with the 10 day version,
• The In-depth 20-Day Version
• Add air fare from JFK : 15 days version
• Compare with the Alexandria Edition ,
• The 18-day edition with extended stay in Cairo .
• Add the best preserved temple in all of Egypt : the mighty Denderah Temple complex
• Click here for : Thursday arrivals : Board the cruise in Luxor