Day 1 - Arrive in Cairo
Arrive at Cairo International Airport. Transfer from airport to hotel.
Overnight in your hotel in Cairo.
Day 2 - Cairo - the Pyramids
A full day tour to Giza, Sakkara and Dashur. Travel with a private driver to visit the Giza Plateau. You will visit the nine pyramids at Giza including the three famous pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, and the Sphinx. Then you will travel to Sakkara and see the oldest pyramid in Egypt, the Step Pyramid of King Djoser. Finally, you will travel to Dashur and see the Red Pyramid, the first successful cased pyramid and the Bent Pyramid, one of the most unusual and well preserved pyramids in Egypt.
Overnight train to Aswan (or fly as an option).
Day 3 - Aswan and Nubian people
Visit Aswan, the peaceful island that houses Philae temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and involving over 800 years of construction and the important High Dam that forever changed the flood patterns of the Nile. You will then enter a Nubian village and experience firsthand their cooking techniques, including their unique method of making bread. Visit their homes and eat dinner with them. Take time to talk with the village elder about the Nubian society, its history and its future.
Overnight in a hotel in the Nubian village.
Day 4 - A day with the Nubian people
Visit the Nubia Museum. The idea for the museum first came about when many artefacts had to be moved due to the building of the High Dam. The museum shows the culture of Nubia through the ages. Your guide will explain about this important history.
Then, experience the traditional fishing methods still used by the Nubian people on the ancient Nile River. You will spend time learning this ancient craft with the Nubian people.
To finish the day take a camel ride with your Nubian guide around the Nubian village to get a unique perspective of its layout. Finally have dinner at a Nubian house and share stories about their culture and history.
Overnight in a hotel in Nubian Village
Day 5 - Aswan to Edfu
Enjoy the natural splendour of Elephatin Island and the Botanical Garden along with several other islands on the Nile in Aswan. Next, visit a Nubian school and learn about the Nubian language and its importance in the culture. Also, learn about Nubia's long history.
Then travel on the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. If you have a party of 6 people, we will travel by a dahabiya. If less than six people, we will use one of the Nile Cruise Boats.
Dahabiyas are beautiful open sailing vessels that were originally popular with the aristocracy. They provide a unique and more relaxing way of enjoying the Nile.
Overnight on the dahabiya or Nile Cruise Boat
Day 6 - Edfu & Luxor
Today you will visit Edfu, which houses the Temple of Horus, one of the most well preserved temples in Egypt. Then explore the island of Kom ombo featuring a temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god. Arrive in Luxor.
Overnight on the dahabiya or Nile Cruise Boat in Luxor
Day 7 - Luxor - East bank
Visit the East bank, including the stunning Luxor Temple whose main purpose was to provide a setting for one of the main festivals of Pharaonic Egypt and Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex ever built.
Overnight in a hotel in Luxor
Day 8 - Luxor - West bank
Visit the West bank by donkey, including the vibrantly coloured tombs of the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, the majestic Hatshepsut's Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon, two 1000 ton statues built to guard the Temple of Ahmenhotep III. (The donkey ride is seasonal depending on the weather)
Take an overnight train to Cairo
Day 9: Cairo
OPTIONAL A full day City tour. Travel with a private driver to visit the Islamic section of Cairo, including Salah el Din Citadel which includes the Mosque of Suleiman Pasha, The Alabaster Mosque, Joeh's Walls and Mohamed Ali Pasha Palace. The Citadel provides amazing panoramic views of Cairo. Then, you will travel to Coptic Cairo, where you will visit some of the oldest churches in the world, including the Hanging Church and Mar Girgis. Next, you will visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, which houses a magnificent collection of antiques dating from the Old Kingdom to the Greco-Roman period including the spectacular treasures of King Tutankhamon's tomb. Finally, you will have the opportunity to browse the world famous Khan el Khalily bazaar.
Overnight in a hotel in Cairo
Day 10: Departure
Transfer to the airport for the flight home.
