Ahlan wa Sahlan! Welcome to Cairo, Egypt’s capital and the ‘City of a Thousand Minarets’. On arrival at Cairo International Airport (CAI), your Luxury Escapes Egypt Tour Coordinator will meet you and take you via private transfer to the five-star Giza stay Marriott Mena House and soak up pyramid views directly from your room.
Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
Marriott stay with pyramid views
In the morning, meet your private Egyptologist and spend the day exploring the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.
Discover the Grand Egyptian Museum where you visit the grand staircase and the galleries. Before leaving, enjoy a set lunch at Zooba Restaurant, the museum’s hip onsite eatery.
Nearby, explore the ancient pyramids, the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World built 4,500 years ago for Pharaohs Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus on the Giza Plateau. You will also see the legendary Sphinx, the guardian of the pyramids.
In the evening, indulge in a welcome dinner at the hotel before spending the rest of the night at leisure.
Marriott stay with pyramid views
Start the day with breakfast before heading to Cairo International Airport (CAI) in a private air-conditioned vehicle for your flight to Luxor (LXR). Often described as the world’s largest open-air museum, Luxor is your gateway to the Nile.
On arrival, take a private transfer to start your cruise on the Sanctuary Cruise Sun Boat IV. Enjoy with other guests on board a welcome Zaffa, a traditional Egyptian celebration.
After lunch on the cruise, explore the East Bank of the River Nile and visit the ancient Luxor Temple, the oldest in Egypt and the Karnak Temple, once the largest and most important religious complex in Egypt.
Meet back on the cruise for afternoon tea in the lounge, before being greeted by the Boat Manager in the evening with freshly prepared canapés, complimentary Egyptian wine and local beer, followed by a gourmet dinner.
Travel time: Flight – approx. 1-hour
Nile River Sanctuary Cruise
Today, enjoy a tour of Luxor’s West Bank and visit the Valley of the Kings, home to the tombs of Tutankhamun, Ramses VI and Seti I. These intricately designed burial sites have captivated archaeologists for over a century.
Next, visit at least one tomb in the Valley of the Queens and the Temple of Hatshepsut, set low against towering cliffs before passing by the famed Colossi of Memnon, built to depict King Amenhotep III and rumoured to sing at dawn.
Return to your cruise for lunch as it begins to sail to the next destination. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Nile River Sanctuary Cruise
Get a glimpse into Hellenistic Egypt when you arrive in Edfu and visit the Temple of Edfu, Egypt’s largest and best-preserved Pharaonic temple dedicated to Horus, the falcon god.
Head back to the cruise where it sails to the ancient settlement of Kom Ombo. In the meantime, enjoy lunch and participate in an Egyptian cooking lesson.
On arrival in Kom Ombo, visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, a unique double temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god and Horus, the falcon god. Wonder at the detailed inscriptions throughout the remains of the temple’s gateways and chapels.
Return to the cruise and get ready to dress up in traditional Egyptian galabeya for an Egyptian night and dinner.
Nile River Sanctuary Cruise
Today you arrive in Aswan and embark on a motorboat ride to the majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilika. Get a glimpse at historic sites that were relocated during the construction of the nearby dam. A short journey away is the huge Unfinished Obelisk, made from a single piece of red granite, giving you an insight into how these monuments were constructed.
After lunch on board, if weather permits, you can ride on a felucca, a type of sailboat, around Elephantine Island, Lord Kitchener’s Botanical Gardens and the Agha Khan Mausoleum.
On the final evening on the cruise, enjoy a farewell gala dinner with a Dervish show and belly dancer performance.
Nile River Sanctuary Cruise
Enjoy breakfast on board before checking out and transfer to Aswan International Airport (ASW) to embark on your flight to Abu Simbel. Upon arrival, enjoy a half-day tour of the Abu Simbel Temples, built by Ramses the Great. There are two main temples, with the Great Temple featuring the four seated colossal statues at the front.
Return to Abu Simbel International Airport (ABS) and head back to Cairo. Your Luxury Escapes Tour Coordinator will be waiting at Cairo International Airport (CAI), with a private transfer to Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Travel time: Flight – approx. 3 hours
Abu Simbel visit
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence stay
Start the morning with a visit to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, showcasing famous and well-preserved artefacts from prehistoric times to the present day from ancient Egyptian civilization. Visit the Mummies Hall, where there are 20 royal mummies, including Hatshepsut, Thutmose III and Seqenenre Taa II.
After lunch, visit the Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan, notable for being one of Egypt’s largest and architecturally exquisite mosques. Alongside the building is the Refaie Mosque, containing the tombs of a saint, a companion of the Prophet, Egypt’s last royal family and the last Shah of Iran.
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence stay
Your Egypt adventure finishes after one last breakfast. Bid farewell to Egypt’s dazzling treasures and transfer to Cairo International Airport (CAI) where you meet your Luxury Escapes Tour Coordinator who will assist with boarding for your departure.
