Legacy of the Pharaohs: Giza to Abu Simbel

After breakfast, meet your private Egyptologist guide and travel to the celebrated Giza Plateau.
Begin at the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the largest pyramid at Giza and the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. Continue to the Pyramid of Khafre and the smaller Pyramid of Menkaure while learning about Old Kingdom engineering, royal burial practices and ancient Egyptian beliefs concerning the afterlife.
Visit a panoramic viewpoint offering memorable views over the entire pyramid complex. Continue to the Great Sphinx, the monumental limestone guardian featuring the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh.
Depending on the final confirmed package, the visit may also include the Valley Temple of Khafre or optional entry inside one of the pyramids.
Return to the hotel after completing the tour.

Enjoy breakfast before meeting your private guide for an exploration of Egypt’s extraordinary archaeological heritage.
Visit one of Cairo’s principal antiquities museums, selected according to the confirmed programme. Explore royal statues, funerary objects, jewellery, monumental sculptures and archaeological discoveries spanning thousands of years of ancient Egyptian history.
Continue with a cultural introduction to Cairo. Depending on the final arrangement, the experience may include historic Cairo, Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, Islamic landmarks or selected sites within Coptic Cairo.
Walk through atmospheric streets and traditional markets while learning how Pharaonic, Coptic, Islamic and modern influences have shaped Egypt’s capital.
Return to the hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer privately to Cairo International Airport for your economy-class domestic flight to Luxor.
Upon arrival, meet the local representative and begin exploring Luxor’s East Bank with your Egyptologist guide.
Visit the vast Karnak Temple Complex, developed over many centuries by successive rulers. Walk through monumental pylons, sacred courtyards, towering obelisks and the magnificent Great Hypostyle Hall, filled with enormous decorated columns.
Continue to Luxor Temple, an elegant riverside sanctuary associated with royal ceremonies and the ancient Opet Festival. Admire its statues, courtyards, obelisk and columned halls.
Later, transfer to your Nile cruise vessel, complete embarkation formalities and settle into your cabin. Enjoy dinner onboard and prepare for the voyage through Upper Egypt.

After breakfast onboard, cross to Luxor's West Bank, the ancient burial ground of Egypt's pharaohs and nobles.
Begin your exploration at the Valley of the Kings, where elaborately decorated royal tombs reveal fascinating stories of ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife. Visit selected tombs while your Egyptologist explains their remarkable artwork and historical significance.
Continue to the magnificent Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of Egypt's most distinctive temples, dramatically built against the towering limestone cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. Before returning to the cruise, stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two colossal statues that have stood for more than 3,000 years.
Return to your cruise and begin sailing south through the Nile Valley while enjoying the ever-changing scenery from the sundeck.

Wake up to another beautiful morning on the Nile and enjoy breakfast onboard.
Arrive at Edfu, where you'll visit the magnificent Temple of Horus, regarded as one of the best-preserved temples in all of Egypt. Explore its impressive entrance gateway, towering columns and beautifully preserved sanctuary dedicated to the falcon-headed god.
Continue sailing towards Kom Ombo, where you'll discover the unique twin temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, the falcon god. Admire its fascinating symmetrical design, ancient carvings and riverside setting before returning to your cruise.
Spend the evening relaxing onboard as your ship continues towards Aswan.

After breakfast, arrive in the charming riverside city of Aswan.
Visit the beautiful Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and situated on picturesque Agilkia Island. Reach the temple by motorboat and admire its elegant columns, courtyards and intricate hieroglyphic carvings while learning about its remarkable relocation following the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
Later, enjoy a relaxing traditional felucca sailing experience on the Nile, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding islands, desert landscape and lush botanical gardens.
Return to your cruise for your final evening onboard.

After an early breakfast, disembark from your cruise and travel overland to Abu Simbel, one of Egypt's most spectacular archaeological treasures.
Explore the magnificent Great Temple of Ramses II, famous for its four colossal statues carved directly into the mountainside. Nearby, visit the beautifully preserved Temple of Queen Nefertari, dedicated to Ramses II's beloved queen and the goddess Hathor.
Learn the fascinating story of how both temples were carefully relocated to higher ground during the construction of the Aswan High Dam, preserving them for future generations.
After the tour, return to Aswan and check in to your hotel for a relaxing evening.

After breakfast, transfer privately to Aswan International Airport for your domestic flight back to Cairo.
Upon arrival, meet your local representative and continue to your hotel near Cairo Airport. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, enjoying the hotel's luxury facilities before your departure.

Enjoy breakfast before checking out of your hotel.
At the scheduled time, transfer privately to Cairo International Airport for your onward journey, taking home unforgettable memories of Egypt's ancient pyramids, magnificent temples, the legendary Nile and the extraordinary monuments of Abu Simbel.