Land of the Pharaohs: Egypt with Nile Cruise and Abu Simbel (March 8-18, 2027)
Land of the Pharaohs: Egypt with Nile Cruise and Abu Simbel (March 8-18, 2027)
TOUR PRICE: . To be established in January, 2026.
AVAILABILITY: SOLD OUT. Waiting list is also CLOSED. No further bookings accepted for this tour.
LAND OF THE PHARAOHS: EGYPT WITH NILE CRUISE (March 8-18, 2027)
DAILY ITINERARY:
Day 1: Departure from USA
Day 2: Cairo
At Cairo International Airport, your Tour Coordinator will be waiting to escort you to your hotel.
Mena House Hotel is one of the most unique hotels in Cairo, located just moments away from the wonders of the ancient world offering unmatched views of the Pyramids with its own rich and colorful history. Surrounded by 40 acres of verdant green gardens, the royal history of the hotel is reflected in the lavish interiors that are embellished with exquisite antiques, handcrafted furniture, original works of art and magnificent antiques. Recreation options at the hotel include a heated swimming pool and a fully-equipped Spa & Fitness center as well as seven restaurants & lounges.
Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel to start your tour. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) Complex is a cultural hub and includes one of the largest museums in the world displaying the heritage of a single civilization. The Museum contains over 100,000 artefacts, reflecting Egypt's past from prehistory until the Greek and Roman Periods. As you enter the museum, you can't miss the colossal statue of King Ramses II, nor the 87 huge royal artefacts exhibited at the grand stairs. These stairs lead up to an impressive 28-meter-high glass façade overlooking the pyramids of Giza. The GEM also hosts over 5,000 artefacts from the tomb of the golden Pharaoh Tutankhamun
At the end of your tour, you are transferred to your hotel.
Lunch & Dinner tonight is under your own arrangements.
Day 3: Giza
After breakfast, we begin with the legendary city of Memphis, which was founded in 3100 BC by Menes, the Pharaoh who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Memphis became the capital of the Old Kingdom and the heart of Egypt's busy import-export activity, with traders from around the world giving it a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Next, we 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.
We will then enjoy an included lunch, after which we will visit the Giza Pyramids.
The Great Pyramids of Giza are the only present-day survivors of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, built over 4,500 years ago as giant tombs for the mummies of the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, who were a father, son and grandson. The pyramids are truly monumental in scale, with the largest, Khufu's, constructed from over two million blocks. The pyramids were not built by slaves but by Egyptian peasants, whose labor in building the pyramids paid their taxes to the Pharaoh, who also fed, clothed and housed them.
Nearby sits the enigmatic Sphinx with the body of a lion and the face of a man wearing a royal head cloth, which workers may have based on King Khafre to guard his enormous funerary monument. About a thousand years after the Sphinx was built it was covered in sand until a young prince had a dream in which the Sphinx told him that if he cleared the sand away, he would become Pharaoh. This story is told on the 'Dream Stela' that was placed between the Sphinx's paws by King Tuthmose IV.
Breakfast and Lunch Included.
Giza Pyramids
Day 4: Cairo
Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel to start your tour. Begin your day by visiting 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 principal 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.
Next visit the Citadel, a medieval fortress perched high on limestone hills above Cairo, which was built in 1176 to protect the city from Crusaders. Today, the Citadel complex houses mosques and museums, including the National Military Museum.
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.
Enjoy lunch at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant Enjoy Dinner at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant Named after the Nobel-prize-winning Egyptian author, Naguib Mahfouz restaurant lies in the very heart of the Khan El-Khalili Bazaar making it a convenient, air-conditioned place to take a break from shopping. The coffee shop at the entrance offers drinks, snacks and shisha (water pipes), while the restaurant section offers a selection of chicken, meats and mouth-watering Middle Eastern mezzas (small appetizers). Please note that alcohol is not served here.
At the end of your tour, you are transferred to your hotel.
Dinner tonight is under your own arrangements.
Egyptian Museum
Day 5: Cairo-Aswan
Transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to Cairo Airport for flight to Aswan where you are met by your Tour Coordinator in the arrivals hall and transferred to your hotel.
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.
After an extensive renovation, the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan exudes its iconic heritage enriched with a contemporary design. Dive into the magnificent pool overlooking the Nile which links the two wings of the hotel. Indulge at the luxurious spa with a wide range of rejuvenating treatments. Embark on a voyage back to another century at the 1902 restaurant or relax at the terrace bar perched above the peaceful waters of the Nile.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Overnight at the Sofitel Old Cataract
Day 6: Aswan - Abu Simbel - Aswan
After breakfast, you will be met by your Tour Coordinator in the hotel lobby and transferred to Aswan airport by air-conditioned vehicle.
Board your 40-minute flight to Abu Simbel.
Discover the commanding twin temples of Ramses II and his wife, Queen Nefertari. The former’s façade is dominated by four 70-foot-tall statues of the pharaoh looking out over Lake Nasser, carved from a single piece of rock. Perhaps even more impressive, this entire site was disassembled and moved here to save it from the floodwaters caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
After your visit, board your return flight to Aswan
Upon arrival at Aswan Airport, you are transferred by air-conditioned vehicle to your awaiting cruise on the Nile Adventurer.
The elegant A&K Sanctuary Nile Adventurer has just 30 cabins (of wish our group has 17), offering a luxurious yet relaxed cruise on the Nile. Decorated in a contemporary style, the ship’s design combines modern Egyptian culture with seven thousand years of heritage. Add gourmet cuisine and sightseeing experiences with the country’s most experienced Egyptologists, this is a taste of genuine 5-star luxury on a timeless river. The Sanctuary Nile Adventurer seamlessly blends contemporary Egyptian culture with authentic character, a blend of East and West. The extensive sun deck areas, with their elegant teak floors, include private cabanas around the pool area, the perfect spot for relaxing while taking in the scenery. Sightseeing / excursions from the cruise are shared. Private touring is an option with an additional supplement. Entertainment on board. Exact entertainment schedules during your cruise are adjusted according to the needs of each group and the sailing schedules of the boat are subject to change. However, every cruise will include:
• A welcome ‘Zaffa’ which is traditional music with Egyptian drums and flutes.
• Folkloric shows, including a ‘Oud’ trio during teatime as well as a belly-dancing and dervish show after dinner.
• An Egyptian cooking lesson with our on-board chefs.
• A movie night.
• A colorful ‘Gallabiyah’ party which gives each guest the opportunity to dress up in traditional Egyptian dress and dance to Arabic music.
• A gala dinner with white-gloved waiters serving gourmet cuisine. Food & Beverage Menus are changed on a seasonal basis to enable the Chef to use the freshest ingredients at all times. However, the following is applicable to every cruise: Most meals are served in the restaurant. However, at least one barbecue lunch (while sailing) will be served on deck (weather permitting Mineral water, tea and American coffee are included with every meal. Please note: that the strength of the WI-FI signals unavoidably varies depending on geographical location, especially whilst sailing in the more remote areas of Upper Egypt.
Aswan’s temples have stood guard over the Nile since the seventh century BC, the golden totems of a region murmuring with millennia of history. At a private dock in this southern Egyptian city, step aboard your five-star Sanctuary riverboat to the sound of drums and flutes as you are greeted by a traditional Zaffa musical procession, based on a wedding march that predates Islam. After lunch, board a traditional felucca (weather permitting, and lifejackets will be provided) for a sail around Elephantine Island, declared a World Heritage Site on account of its many archaeological digs. Continue to Lord Kitchener’s Botanical Gardens, created by the World War I field Marshall in the 1890s, and the hilltop Agha Khan Mausoleum. Returning to your riverboat, take afternoon tea in the lounge to the accompaniment of an oud trio, playing the lute-like stringed instrument of that name. Relax onboard until the evening, when you join your Boat Manager and fellow guests for canapes, plus Egyptian wine or beer – the prelude to a gourmet dinner prepared by talented chefs.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 7: Aswan Sightseeing - Kom Ombo
After a buffet breakfast, your archaeological odyssey begins. A short trip by motorboat takes you to Agilika Island, set in the reservoir created by the Old Aswan Dam. The dam’s construction in 1902 led to the partial flooding of the nearby Philae temple complex, which was relocated to Agilika and painstakingly reassembled. Explore its monumental structures, known for their hieroglyphic reliefs, before visiting the Granite Quarries that supplied most of the stone used to build pyramids, temples and obelisks.
Back on board, luxuriate in a leisurely lunch and afternoon tea as you cruise to Kom Ombo. That evening, visit the magnificent Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek; in ancient times, the reptiles could be seen basking in the desert sun on the banks of the Nile. The day ends with a memorable dinner onboard, followed by a movie night – setting you up for the drama of Edfu Temple and Luxor the next day.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 8: Luxor West Bank
In the morning, your floating home cruises to Edfu, a city on the west bank of the Nile, where you disembark for a morning visit to the dramatic Temple of Edfu. One of the best-preserved shrines in Egypt, it was built between 237 and 57BC at the height of the Ptolemaic Kingdom’s powers and is dedicated to the deities Horus and Hathor. The inscriptions on its walls reveal much about language, myth and religion during the Hellenistic period in Egypt, including details of the temple’s construction.
Returning to the boat, relax over lunch as you sail to the city of Luxor. If you wish, join a cookery class introducing you to Egyptian ingredients and dishes, followed by afternoon tea. The thread of ancient Egypt unspools in Luxor (formerly the ancient city of Thebes). In every direction, the same “wonderful things” described by archaeologist Howard Carter upon his excavations in 1922 loom: the Temple of Luxor with its imposing obelisk; the iconic Valley of the Kings and the Queens, hidden away in the silent, rocky folds of the landscape. Explore the Temple of Luxor with your Egyptologist guide and learn about the god Amun, to whom it is dedicated. In the evening, enter into the spirit of local life as you dress in traditional galabeyya robes for an Egyptian Night on board your riverboat, featuring a lavish buffer dinner followed by music and dancing for everyone.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 9: Luxor West Bank
It’s time for the grand finale – the Valley of the Kings where, for nearly 500 years, some 65 rock-cut tombs and chambers were excavated for nobles and pharaohs. History hangs heavy in the air as you explore the royal burial site, followed by the nearby Valley of the Queens and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. On the way back to the Nile, you pass the Colossi of Memnon – two monumental stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, which stand at the front of the ruined Mortuary Temple and, in ancient times, were said to sing haunting melodies at dawn.
Your final archaeological showstopper is the Temple of Karnak, a complex of temples, pylons and chapels which you explore with your Egyptologist guide. Back on the boat, afternoon tea beckons. Your voyage concludes with a gala dinner complete with white-gloved waiters serving gourmet cuisine, plus a dervish show and belly-dancing.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Abu Simbel
Day 10: Luxor - Cairo
After an early breakfast, check out at 8am and prepare for your flight to Cairo.
Upon arrival at Cairo Airport, you are transferred by air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel.
Waldorf Astoria Heliopolis: Located in one of the most affluent districts of greater Cairo known for its unique architecture, great shopping and dining options; it is also easily accessible to Cairo’s main landmarks and very close proximity to the Cairo International Airport. Discover exceptional services and hospitality at the Waldorf Astoria including a rejuvenating spa, four carefully curated dining concepts each offering its own unique experience, and an elegant multi-purpose Grand Ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,600 guests. Rooms and suites are spacious with modern décor and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that let in an abundance of natural light.
Breakfast included.
Day 11: Return to USA
Your Tour Coordinator will escort you to Cairo International Airport by air-conditioned vehicle for final departure.
End of services.
Breakfast included