Egypt in a Week
Taba Edition

Here's the best of Egypt in 9 days : a good look at Cairo and a 5-day cruise along the Nile.
And ending in Taba on the Red Sea

Tour Starts DAILY in Cairo - Arrive any day of the week .

Compare with the  9 day edition , the 10 days with extended stay in Luxor or Aswan
Add Petra A La Indiana Jones , or ' Dendera & Abydos Temples . Add Abu Simbel
Start from Madrid Spain ? Go fishing for a day on Lake Nasser

Honeymooners , Private Parties ? Ask for a Private Cruise

DAY 1 - CAIRO Tour Starts DAILY in Cairo - Arrive any day of the week .
Our representative greets you at the airport and whisks you to your hotel. Visa fee is included and will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for : Australian, NZ, American,EU , Canadian, Singaporean & Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo.

DAY 2 - CAIRO (BL)
On your first full day in Egypt we show you the Egyptian Museum, including the "Mummies Room" , the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Valley Temple .

DAY 3 - The Culture of CAIRO (cBL)
Today we’ll explore deep into the heart of Cairo, and get to know its daily rhythms, its spirituality, its history, and its modern diversions.
We’ll start early, with a visit to a local market ( Souk Khoddar), with an immense variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables on offer, both familiar and exotic. Please note that the market is not set up daily, so it is not guaranteed that you'll be able to see it.

On to the legendary 12-century Khan El Khalili bazaar district , with it's maze of alleys, caravanserays. You’ll see that shopping in Cairo goes far beyond a supermarket experience. Be prepared for whispers, gestures, shouting, and controlled chaos. It’s all part of the bargaining process, engaged in by women in traditional modest garb as well as others in Western dress.

Visit the Citadel of Saladin, and the Mohammed Ali Mosque, made of alabaster.

Then it’s on to the Museum of Islamic Art, with its tapestries, textiles, swords and other objects exemplifying one of the world’s great decorative traditions. We’ll continue to the Gayer-Anderson House, a serene and classic domestic oasis, right down to its central fountain and exquisite furnishings. Our visit is also a journey into a vanished way of life—the residence is actually two traditional medieval Cairo houses restored by an English physician to a former king. We’ll stop for lunch at a restaurant where Cairenes go, then visit the Bab an-Nasr, the Gate of Victory in Cairo's old walls. You’ll even see graffiti that survives from soldiers of Napoleon and of the British Empire, among the many who passed this way.

DAY 4 - LUXOR ! (BLD)
We fly : Add $ 200 for upgrade to business class ( subject to availability), to LUXOR ( or Aswan) and board our Nile cruiser in time for a delicious lunch. Complimentary welcome fruit basket awaits you in your cabin .The gigantic Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, and the mighty Temple of Luxor are our goals in the afternoon. We'll return in time for the afternoon tea served on deck. You'll have a chance to explore your ship before dinner.

DAY 5 - LUXOR , EDFU (BLD)
We tour today as well the magnificent tombs in the Valley of the Kings including Tut-Ank-Amon's tomb and the great temple of Queen Hatshepsut, we stop at the Colossi of Memnon on the way back to our cruise.

Queen Nefertari's tomb will be closed for urgent repairs. , that's why we are visiting instead the Ancient Worker's village at Deir el Medinah

The Queen for whom the sun shines :
Long before Cleopatra humbled the ruler of Rome, an Egyptian queen held power over the heart and soul of Ramses, Egypt's greatest pharaoh. In the 12th century BC, a brokenhearted Ramses built a grand funerary tomb for Queen Nefertari, "the Beautiful one," in the Valley of the Queens. It's been exquisitely restored with the aid of an American endowment, and is among the rarest sights in all Egypt: the only great tomb ever built by a pharaoh for his late queen. Artistically, it is the closest thing you could ever come to see the original Ancient Egyptian art in all of its glory and finesse.
Because of its fragile nature, only a limited number of visitors are allowed entry each day. We are the only company to include a visit to Nefertari's tomb in our daily program. Because of the limited access we must rise early for our visit, appropriate as Ramses named Nefertari "the one for whom the sun shines."

Afterward, we'll continue on Luxor's west bank to 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 sail in the afternoon we cruise to Esna to go through the locks , and on to Edfu where we dock for the night. In the evening , we'll celebrate in Egyptian style, dressed in galabias, the flowing national costume, a galabya will be delivered to your cabin with our compliments)

DAY 6 - EDFU, KOM OMBO (BLD)
We moor in Edfu, climb aboard horse-drawn carriages, and clip-clop through the town to the Temple of Horus, Egypt's best-preserved temple. Re-embarking on our Nile cruiser, we enjoy lunch as we sail further south upriver .
We disembark downstream at Kom Ombo to visit its twin temples of Haroeris, the sun god, and Sobek, the crocodile god, the continue our voyage to Aswan, while we party after dinner with music& dance.

DAY 7 - CAMEL CARAVAN, NUBIAN VILLAGE , ASWAN (BLD)
First we tour Aswan dams, then on to the new Nubian Museum then the awesome Aswan dams, and next an ancient granite quarry complete with an unfinished obelisk. Then we go by motor launch to the Island temple of Philae , dedicated to the Ancient Goddess ISIS :

The Mystery of Isis

Two millennia ago the Mediterranean world was enthralled by the mystery of Isis:

"I, Isis, am all that has been, that is or shall be; no mortal man hath ever seen me unveiled."

Called Aset by the ancient Egyptians, the goddess was a Madonna in the Mediterranean tradition that stretches far, far back to the primitive Mother Goddess from Anatolia, home to some of the oldest human communities on earth.

Isis was the powerful and quick-witted protector of her son Horus, the Sun God. Ancient peoples throughout the Mediterranean regarded Isis and Horus as the perfect Madonna and Child. Another legend says she was also the mother of the fertility god Min who, judging from the depiction of him on temple walls, needed no help from Viagra!

Because of her wisdom and skill at protection, she was admired as a good magician capable of healing the sick and protecting the dead in their journey to the Underworld.

Isis is portrayed regally, as a queen seated on a throne (which may be the meaning of her name), often holding her son Horus as a baby. Other images show her with broad, magnificent gilded wings able to protect the world.

Isis, the great Mother Goddess. Come explore her mystery in timeless Egypt when you Travel in Style!

In the afternoon we enjoy a leisurely sail by graceful felucca on the Nile.
For those who are interested : a short camel caravan & ride is included( almost a half hour ride) to visit a local Nubian Village.

Our farewell dinner this evening is a buffet of Egyptian specialties, followed by a show featuring oriental performers, including of course a belly dancer.

DAY 8 - ASWAN , CAIRO (BD)
Board our return flight to Cairo. In the afternoon, wander through the city on your own, or do your last-minute shopping.

A 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 dinner in a quiet restaurant with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.

DAY 9 - CAIRO-Sharm El Sheikh (B)
Our local staff escorts you to Cairo Airport to board your flight to Sharm El Sheikh , and your hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure.

DAY 10 - SHARM EL SHEIK FULL DAY EXCURSION BY BOAT (BL)
Full day trip by boat (from 09:00 am till 17:00 PM):

Tiran Island:
We sail northeast along the Aqaba gulf for about 2 hours until we get to the blue lagoon, it's not only perfect for for snorkeling and diving but it's perfect for the children as well .
We enjoy the water while lunch is being prepared, reboard our boat and continue sailing towards Ras Nosrani for some snorkeling over one of the most beautiful corals, we will stop in Shark's Bay before we head back.

Lunch is usually an oriental buffet such as sea food rice, fish fillet, mix salads and desert and soft drinks during the trip. Full day tour: 09 AM - 17 PM

DAY 10 - Departure -Sharm El Sheikh (B)
After breakfast , our representative escorts you in a private air-conditioned vehicle /private chauffeur to Sharm El-Sheikh Airport or Taba border crossing. Bon Voyage . Ened of our service
Extend your stay in Sharm ? Please click here

RATES per person in USD

For the Ultra Deluxe Moon Goddess, Star Goddess , Radamis , Royal Lotus & Amarco :

Please add 20 % to the listed deluxe rates

Private touring on board the cruise: At no additional charge with a minimum of 4 paying adult guests, otherwise : Please add $150 per person for the full cruise/shore excursions.

Rates includes

• All domestic airfares and transfers within Egypt. Add $ 200 for upgrade to business class ( subject to availability)

• A complimentary home hosted family dinner in Cairo.

• All transfers in Egypt. Air conditioned sedan / van .

• Bottled water ( one per person) delivered to your cabin daily while you are on board the cruise.

• Tea or coffee /bottled water with each meal while on board the cruise.

• Hotel accommodation with tax & service charges.

• Visa fee , visa will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for : American,EU , Canadian & Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo.

• Nile Cruise with all meals & shore excursions.

• Complimentary welcome fruit basket awaits you in your cabin.

• Complimentary galabya on board the cruise for the costume party.

• Preset menu meals including B = Breakfast, (or cB, Continental Breakfast) L = Lunch, D = Dinner .

• All guided sightseeing as per itinerary including all entrance fees. On board the cruise you'll be part of an average 10-15 English speaking group.

Not included:

• International airfares to or from Cairo.
• Tips.
• Travel Insurance (we'll be glad to send you the flyer upon request).

Click here for the 14 -day edition with one week in Hurgada or El Gouna on the Red Sea:
A "Dream Come True" tour. 14 days , Cairo and the Pyramids. A Nile Cruise of course, and a beach resort at Hurgada or El Gouna, on the Red Sea. Including the welcome Zaffa (procession that will resemble an Arabian/Egyptian wedding party) with a troupe of dancers and musicians dressed with the Egyptian typical clothes, welcoming guests by singing and dancing Egyptian Folklore).

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.

Do we get sea sickness while sailing the Nile ?
This is river sailing, so do not expect any waves , no rough seas ! Your Nile cruises is actually a floating hotel that moves from place to place along the Nile. Actual cruising times are short and pleasant.

Extend your stay one night in Abu Simbel :

Abu Simbel:

Ramses the Great's huge desert temple at Abu Simbel marked the southern border of the pharaoh's dominions.

Rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser by an international effort, it is a marvel of sacred engineering.

Twice a year ,and only then the sun penetrates to the Holy of Holies, illuminating the stone figures of Ramses and Nefertari. We've planned our visit to maximize your Abu Simbel experience.

Rising before dawn, we drive along the shore of Lake Nasser, watching the sky lighten and the sacred sun rise above the horizon. We reach the temple while the air is clean, clear and cool, and the sun's light still golden‹just right for photographs. We explore the huge temple by ourselves, admire its ancient aura and artistry, then retire to a comfortable hotel for refreshments. Just as planeloads of visitors arrive to throng the temple we begin our leisurely drive back along the shore to Aswan, arriving late afternoon.

On board the ultra deluxe Radamis II -Movenpick Nile Cruise

On board the ultra deluxe Radamis II -Movenpick Nile Cruise