Cairo – Luxor – Nile by Dahabiya – Aswan
Anytime (although note that it can be very hot in the northern hemisphere high summer)
12 Day/11Night
Starting from £4,104 per person based on local guide in each location or £4,865 per person with Egyptologist guide throughout
Includes: sightseeing mentioned below with Egyptologist guide, staying in 5 * hotels
Accommodation: 5 * hotel, and luxury dahabeya
Soul of Egypt - Luxury Private Egyptian Culture and History Tour
(Please keep in mind that this is a 5-star program with the greatest 5* hotels in Egypt. We work with all hotel categories. Hence you have the option to downgrade your accommodation to suit your budget)
If you’d like to visit Egypt for adventure, culture and heritage please contact us for more information and your preferred dates of travel.
Highlights
- Cairo - Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza and Saqqara, and Pharaonic history including the Egyptian Museum’s treasures with the Tutankhamun display.
- Aswan - Aswan High Dam and Isis temple at Philae temple. Note the temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel are optional.
- Luxor - Valley of the Kings (3 tombs and King Tut) Queen Hatshepsut’s mortuary Temple, Luxor Temple, and Karnak Temple
- Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples
- 4 Nights Dahabeya Voyage - on full board basis with Egyptologist guide and sightseeing
Itinerary
You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your luxury boutique hotel.
Early arrivals can take an evening dinner cruise on the Nile or enjoy the spectacular sound and light show at the pyramids.
Accommodation: Villa Belle Epoque for 3 nights on B & B Basis
The Villa Belle Epoque is famous for being a haven of tranquillity offering guests the comfort of today with the elegance of a bygone era. As one of Egypt’s top boutique hotels its pool, sundecks and patios are surrounded by Mediterranean fruit trees and the Acacia Restaurant is renowned for its award-winning chefs and delicious cuisine.
Embark on a day filled with archaeological wonders as we visit the renowned Egyptian Museum, home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts, including the iconic treasures of Tutankhamun. (Note: new museum scheduled to open mid 2024)
Then explore the ancient district of Cairo, to witness the architectural splendour of the citadel of Saladin, an impregnable fortification that served as a symbol of power throughout history.
Accommodation: Villa Belle Epoque
Meal plans: Breakfast included
Options for Lunch: Zeeyara Restaurant – elegant Egyptian cuisine in the heart of Old Cairo (optional – prebook)
Embark on an awe-inspiring journey to the Giza Plateau, where the Great Pyramids of Giza, the last surviving ancient wonder of the world, await our exploration.
With your specialist Egyptologist guide you will also encounter the enigmatic Sphinx, a guardian of vast historical significance. Moving on, unravel the mysteries of the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Sakkara, an architectural marvel dating back to the 27th century BC – and only opened recently after 50 years renovation.
Accommodation: Villa Belle Epoque
Meal plans: Breakfast included
Options for Lunch: 9 pyramids lounge for a taste of Egypt’s culinary heritage – prebook
Option in Evening – Sound and Light Show
Continuing your expedition to the ancient heart of Egypt, you will board a flight to Luxor, where you’ll explore the remnants of the colossal Karnak Temple, one of the largest temple complexes in the world and a testament to the grandeur of the New Kingdom.
Luxor Temple, a striking site of worship dedicated to the Pharaohs, awaits your exploration, showcasing phenomenal columns, decorations, and statues.
Accommodation: Al Moudira or Marsam Both options evoke a bygone era and are famous for their boutique atmosphere and cuisine.
Meal plans: Breakfast included
Options for Lunch: Sofra – delicious Egyptian cuisine in gardens beside the Nile
Delve further into history with your expert Egyptologist guide as you explore the West Bank. You’ll encounter the remarkable mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, an iconic female Pharaoh, nestled amidst towering cliffs and learn about the Matriarch System in Ancient Egypt.
The Valley of the Kings is a vast royal burial ground, and here you will see some of the intricately decorated tombs of the ancient Pharaohs.
Later on today, visit the colossal statues of Memnon, guardians of the nearby funerary temples.
Accommodation: Al Moudira or Marsam
Meal plans: Breakfast included
Options for Lunch: Marsam excluded
Today you will board your Dahabeya for a Nile voyage upstream to Aswan.
Your first stop takes you to the prodigious Habu Temple, a temple complex dedicated to Pharaoh Ramesses III – famous for impressive reliefs and intricate designs.
Following this, board the majestic Dahabeya, a traditional Egyptian sailing boat, an exquisitely crafted vessel for the remainder of your journey.
Your comfortable Dahabeya is a sailboat with a maximum of 8 beautiful cabins. Dahabeya is the best way to explore the River Nile and its treasures as you glide past villages, fishermen and wildlife – little changed since the days of the Pharaohs. You will visit the main sites with a specialist guide, but travel by Dahabeya has advantages which the larger cruise ships don’t have – no draft means you can explore the islands and visit villages. A Dahabeya voyage offers peace and serenity and the ability to stop where the larger boats cannot for unforgettable sunsets, campfires and camaraderie.
Accommodation: Nun or Nut Luxury Dahabeya
Meal plans: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The Nuun and Nuut Dahabiyas are two gorgeous twin sailboats that reflect both a traditional classic design and mode of travel with modern comfort.
The 6 charming rooms and 2 spacious suites are charming and the sun deck with its seating areas and chaise longs is a lovely place to enjoy the wonderful Nile views while relaxing, watching the sunset, or enjoying the sun and pleasant breeze.
The professional crew will take care of all your needs on board and the chefs will cook fresh culinary specialties for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Sail the Nile on the Nuun and Nuut in a tranquil, gentle manner, avoiding crowds and visiting unique sites such as the Temple of Haroeris and Sobek and Gebel El Silsila – places that many larger cruises can’t access. Discover off-the-beaten-track sites along the Nile, along with famous sites and hidden gems of ancient Egypt.
Today, you will venture into the ancient ruins of El Kab, a rare gem tucked away in the Egyptian countryside. Here, witness monumental structures and captivating rock-cut tombs, providing fascinating insights into the lives of ancient Egyptians.
Accommodation: Nun or Nut Dahabeya
Sailing further along the serene Nile River, you disembark in Edfu, home to the majestic Edfu Temple, dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus.
Continue onto Pissau Island, an enchanting oasis where you can immerse yourself in the serene beauty of nature.
Accommodation: Nun or Nut Dahabeya
Today you will encounter the picturesque quarries of Silsila, a site renowned for its ancient stone extraction and its captivating rock-cut temples.
Continuing the voyage, reach Kom Ombo, a unique double temple dedicated to Horus and Sobek, offering a captivating glimpse into the religious practices of the ancient Egyptians.
Accommodation: Nun or Nut Dahabeya
As the journey reaches its pinnacle, disembark from the vessel to embark on an inspiring exploration of the revered Isis Temple.
Immerse yourself in the enchanting aura of this ancient sacred site, where mythical stories intertwine with historical remnants.
Accommodation: Ben Ben or history and Agatha Christie lovers might prefer the historic Old Cataract Hotel (although note that this is a larger hotel not so much in keeping with the rest of the trip)
Continue the archaeological expedition by visiting the mesmerizing Unfinished Obelisk, a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of ancient artisans.
Proceed to the majestic High Dam,
a marvel of engineering that controls the mighty Nile River. Conclude the days adventures with a return journey to Cairo, taking with you cherished memories and deepened knowledge of Egypt’s rich cultural heritage.
Accommodation: Le Meridien Cairo airport
Bid farewell to the captivating land of Egypt as you board your return flight home.
Depart with a heart full of awe-inspiring experiences and a profound appreciation for the archaeological wonders that were discovered along this memorable journey.
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