Best of Egypt

Arrival Cairo  International Airport. Proceed thru customs/immigration into the arrivals hall and meet your driver/guide for transfer to the Hotel.

A vibrant, exhilarating, exotic, fascinating and welcoming city. Home to the best Pharaonic, Coptic and Islamic sights in Egypt, this city is where you never know what incredible, half-forgotten monument you might stumble across while wandering around. Enjoy the Nile view from your hotel room balcony, visit the capital's medieval markets by Khan El-Khalili, or walk down the Nile promenade. There are also plenty of cinemas, theatres and modern malls. Go for an opera or enjoy oriental music dance shows. Good for short breaks and long stays; you’ll get to see the Giza Pyramids, thousands of ancient artifacts in the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and much more.

Egyptian Museum: You'll tour 7,000 years of history at this museum which houses the largest collection of ancient Egyptian art in the world. Don't miss the treasures of the boy-king Tutankhamun, including his gold mask, the solid gold sarcophagus that held his mummy, and his beautiful throne.

Lunch is served at Le Pacha

Le Pacha 1901 is one of Cairo's landmark dining and entertainment venues. Originally a paddle boat from the turn of the century, Le Pacha was transformed into a nostalgic and magical location to reflect on Cairo's glorious history.

Begin your tour at the Citadel, a medieval fortress built in 1176 to protect the city from Crusaders, which sits high above Cairo on a limestone hill. Today, the Citadel complex houses mosques and museums, including the National Military Museum.

With its grand, soaring architecture and rich decoration, the Mosque of Sultan Hassan, completed in 1363, is one of the finest in Egypt and also houses the mausoleum where Sultan Hassan's sons are buried.

Next to the Mosque of Sultan Hassan, discover the much newer Refaie Mosque, completed in 1912 Prophet Mohamed, Egypt's last royal family and the last Shah of Iran.

Finally, visit the fascinating Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, reputed to be the largest bazaar in the Middle East. Originally founded as a watering stop for caravanserai in the 14th century, the bazaar has now grown to vast proportions.  Wander through the labyrinth of narrow streets to find workshops and stalls selling all manner of things from woodwork and glassware to leather goods and perfumes.

Move on to Sakkara, the former necropolis (cemetery) for the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis and the place where the very first pyramids were built as tombs for kings. Instead of the smooth sides featured on other pyramids, the pyramids here feature six steps on the outside, representing the pharaoh's stepladder to heaven. Discover the famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the first pyramid ever built and the world's oldest freestanding stone structure. You could also admire the beautiful tomb art at Sakkara, which gives great insight into the lives of the ancient Egyptians.

Lunch at 9 Lounge

The first veritable museum of civilization in Egypt, the newly inaugurated NMEC is located on the archaeological site of El-Fustat in Old Cairo, overlooking the Ain El-Seera Lake. The museum showcases Egyptian civilization from prehistoric times to the present day, using a multidisciplinary approach that highlights the country's comprehensive heritage. The collections are displayed in a core permanent exhibition of the principle achievements of Egyptian civilization, with six thematic galleries covering the Dawn of Civilization, The Nile, Writing, State and Society, Material Culture, Beliefs and Thinking and the Gallery of Royal Mummies. The museum also features temporary exhibition spaces, an auditorium, an education and research center, as well as an exhibition on the development of the modern city of Cairo. With such state-of-the-art facilities, the NMEC plays an important role in raising awareness of modern and contemporary Egyptian history and society, hosting events and temporary displays and exhibitions and providing an important center for the country's youth. With its various collections of objects and associated knowledge, spanning thousands of years, numerous cultures, ruling powers, systems of beliefs, religions, and aesthetic expressions, the NMEC offers an exceptional and unique visit through Egyptian history with the aim to connect the country's rich past to contemporary Egypt, focusing on shifts of values and major changes as well as hidden continuities and traditions up to the present day.

Enjoy breakfast and then meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel to start your trip to Alexandria.

Upon arrival at Alexandria, visit the Catacombs of Kom El Shugafa, the largest Roman burial site in Egypt and the final resting place for 300 individuals, whose tombs are cut into the bedrock in massive tiers, descending 35 meters (115 feet) into the ground. There is even a banquet hall where grieving relatives paid their last respects at a funeral feast. The artisans who built the tombs in the second century combined ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman motifs in a fascinating style. Next, visit the Roman Amphitheater - the only one of its kind in Egypt - and imagine the crowds of a bygone era cheering at a musical performance or a wrestling match. With room for 800 spectators on white, marble seats, the acoustics are such that if you stand on the stage and whisper, a person in the back row should be able to hear you.

After your tour, you are transferred by air-conditioned vehicle to your centrally-located hotel where your Tour Coordinator assists you with check-in.

Lunch today is at Four Seasons San Stefano and then the rest of your day is at leisure. Dinner on own. 

Breakfast is on offer at your hotel before check-out. From here, explore the marvelous city of Alexandria, beginning with the Fort of Qait Bay, the 15th century Mamluk fort that overlooks the entrance to Alexandria’s eastern harbor. Built on the foundations of the Pharos lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it incorporates both a castle and a mosque within its walls. Just north of Qait Bay lies the site of the famous underwater excavation where hundreds of pillars, statues and sphinxes have been found.

Next it’s on to Rosetta, one of the few remaining cities to boast houses (originally a fort) still in their original, 9th Century, Islamic architecture. Because of this, Rosetta is considered a large, open-air museum and is also where the famous Rosetta stone was found. Explore the Rosetta National Museum, which consists of four floors, to learn about the French invasion of Egypt, Napoleon’s expedition, and the British campaign.  Next discover the Rosetta Fort, a smaller copy of the Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria and constructed by the same Mamluk King.

Enjoy lunch at one of Alexandria's finest restaurants.

End your day by visiting the Bibliotheca Alexandrina which is not only a library, but an integrated cultural complex with museums, exhibition areas, educational centers and an international conference center. The principal objective of reviving the Bibliotheca Alexandrina is to establish a comprehensive research library with a unique collection and intention. The new library is designed as a modern state-of-the-art translation of the old, adequate for crossing the frontiers and meeting the challenges of the 21st century. It will certainly contribute to excellence in the research and advancement of human knowledge.

At the end of your tour, you are transferred back to your original hotel in Cairo. Dinner on own. 

This morning check out of the hotel after an early breakfast and transfer to the airport where you board your flight to LUXOR.

Once an Ancient Egyptian capital, is known today as the world's "greatest open-air museum." From the tomb of Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings and the magnificent sunset views at the majestic temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor to the exciting and fun Nile cruises, Luxor is the perfect choice for culture vultures. Luxor is divided by the Nile into two areas commonly called the East Bank and West Bank which were considered in Ancient Egyptian times as symbolizing respectively Life and Death.

On arrival you will be met for transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to the Sanctuary Sn Boat IV for the next 4 Nights

Board your five-star-deluxe Nile cruise boat - and receive a warm welcome from the crew. 

Sanctuary Sun Boat IV  ensures a distinct sense of being in storied Egypt. Its contemporary-yet-classic design displays the highest levels of luxury and chic. Elegance is elevated with rich teak flooring, Egyptian marble and hand-painted decorative details to fashion an exceptional ambiance. Neutral-toned textiles complement the soft fabrics draped artfully over beds - it's these distinct touches which create an environment a world away from traditional river-cruise cabins. With just forty rooms on board it feels like you're in an intimate floating palace where the softly-lit lounges are as suited to socialising as quiet romance. Interesting textures and natural materials ensure a distinguished aesthetic, while ceramic ornaments and delicately etched metalwork set an elegant tone. Head to the upper sun deck where you're promised iconic tableaus in high-definition, cool cocktails and cool shade, and radiant sunshine as you take a dip in the river-view pool.

After lunch on board, visit the West Bank of Luxor to explore the Valley of the Kings. You also have the chance to visit at least one tomb in the Valley of the Queens and visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. On the way back to the river Nile, pass by the famed Colossi of Memnon, known in Ancient Greek times for their haunting voices at dawn.

This evening you are greeted by your Boat Manager for a welcome reception. The Manager reviews your cruise program for the upcoming days. Enjoy Egyptian wine and beer with a selection of freshly-prepared canapés, followed by a gourmet dinner. A folkloric show and a Whirling Dervish show follow.

After breakfast on board, begin your day with a visit to the Temple of Karnak.

Karnak Temple: Visit the Temple of Karnak, built over more than a thousand years by generations of Pharaohs.  The great "Hypostyle Hall" is an incredible forest of giant pillars, covering an area larger than the whole of Notre Dame Cathedral

Lunch is served in the lounge whilst you sail to Esna.

After Lunch, your Egyptologist guides you round the Greco-Roman Temple of Khnum at Esna. The beautifully preserved Great Hypostle Hall was built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius; it was excavated from the silt that had accumulated through centuries of annual Nile floods and is about nine meters lower than present-day street level.

Afternoon tea is served as you cruise to Edfu and, later, enjoy a gourmet dinner.

With its gentle hospitality, this southern Egyptian city, a frontier town in ancient times, is a place to simply relax and enjoy an atmosphere that is as much African as it is Middle Eastern. The Nile is at its most beautiful here, flowing around huge granite rocks and palm tree-studded islands, so take a stroll along the riverfront to watch sailboats etch the sky. Walk to the souq in town to buy spices, scarves and baskets, and then view the gorgeous sunset over tea on the terrace of the Old Cataract Hotel, a popular winter resort since the 19th century. When evening comes, enjoy a Nubian dance performance at the town’s cultural center. Aswan’s name comes from the Nubian phrase assy wangibu (“too much water”) and this is the place to learn about Nubian culture, as many Nubians resettled here after their lands were flooded during the building of the High Dam.

Following breakfast, explore the Temple of Edfu.

Lunch is served as you cruise to Kom Ombo and, after, visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile-god Sobek. The temple stands at a bend in the Nile where in ancient times sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank.

Later, afternoon tea is served in the lounge and you have the chance to take part in an Egyptian cooking lesson as you sail to Aswan.

Tonight's dinner on board is an Egyptian Night costume party for all guests, with a chance to dress up in traditional Egyptian galabeyya. Dinner is a lavish buffet of Egyptian specialties.

A breakfast buffet is served on board and the morning is yours to enjoy at leisure.

A breakfast buffet is served on board and the morning is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Enjoy lunch on board, followed by a short motorboat ride to visit the majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilika. Next proceed to the Granite Quarries, which supplied the ancient Egyptians with most of the hard stone used in pyramids and temples. Here you see the Unfinished Obelisk, located in the northern region of the stone quarries.

Next take a ride on a felucca (a typical Egyptian sail boat) around Elephantine Island, Lord Kitchener's Botanical Gardens and the Agha Khan Mausoleum (weather permitting, life jackets will be provided). 

Afternoon tea is served on board and your farewell dinner is a gala dinner, with white-gloved waiters serving gourmet cuisine. A folkloric show and a Whirling Dervish show follow.

Start the day with breakfast and check out, before your transfer to Aswan Airport where you take your domestic flight to Abu Simbel. Meet your representative inside the arrival terminal who then escorts you to the Temple of Abu Simbel by private air-conditioned vehicle and introduces you to your resident Egyptologist.

Abu Simbel: The two temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel are each fronted by colossal statues up to 20 meters high, and are famed as the most impressive monuments remaining of Ancient Egypt in modern times. Recently the temples were threatened by the waters of Lake Nasser, and with the help of a UNESCO campaign they were cut into blocks, raised piece by piece, and reassembled in a new position higher up the hillside.

Return flight to Aswan this morning - balance of day at leisure or optional tours available. 

Enjoy breakfast, check out from your hotel and transfer to Aswan Airport for your flight to Sharm El Shaikh.

Upon arrival, your Tour Coordinator meets and transfers you by air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel for check in. The rest of the day is at leisure.

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the main jetty in Sharm El Sheikh to board your (private) snorkeling boat. Set off for a full day in Ras Mohamed National Park, one of the world’s most renowned underwater paradises.

Lunch is served on board and at the end of your trip, return to you hotel.

Overnight: The Four Seasons

Meal Plan: B,L

Collect your breakfast box and meet your guide for an early transfer to St. Catherine’s Monastery. Constructed by order of the Emperor Justinian between 527 and 565, the monastery is reputedly built on the original site of the famous Burning Bush of the Old Testament. After your visit to the monastery, you are driven to Wadi El Raha for a light, simple lunch.

After lunch, arrive at the base of Mount St. Catherine and begin your ascent. Please note that you will have the option of riding a camel until you reach the stairs, where you must then continue on foot to the top of the mountain. After reaching the top of the mountain, enjoy the sunset and gaze at the beautiful views. Upon descent to the base of the mountain, you are driven back to your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh.

Overnight: The Four Seasons

Meal Plan: B,L

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.

Your Tour Coordinator is on hand to assist you with check-out procedures. Transfer to Cairo International Airport, where you are assisted through customs. From there, board your onward flight.