Explore the splendours of Egypt on this 12-day tour. Cruise down the Nile and follow in the footsteps of Sir Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie for high tea at the Old Cataract Hotel. Continue down the Nile to Luxor, where you will see the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs — including the famous Tutankhamun — are buried. Later, break bread with a family in Geziret Bahirat, who will regale you with tales of local life. In Cairo, see the oldest pyramid in the world, the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, before travelling to see one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Pyramids of Giza. Here, stand face-to-face with the towering sphinx and later, see a sound and light show dance across the stones.
Locations Visited
Cairo, Luxor, Dendera Temple Complex, Edfu, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Giza
Countries Visited
Egypt
Travel Style
Regional
Accommodations
11 nights included
Age Requirements
Minimum age 5
Day 1
Welcome to the timeless land of the pharaohs. On arrival at Cairo Airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel where you’ll have time to unwind and explore its elegant amenities. Later, get acquainted with your Travel Director and fellow travellers over a drink, toasting the start of your Egyptian adventure.
Accommodation
Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino
Day 2
In the morning, fly to Luxor and visit the huge temple complex of Karnak. Walk through the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes to stand among the columns of the Hypostyle Hall. Later, transfer to your cruise ship, your home for the next seven nights. After lunch on board, take a walk through the Luxor Museum, witness ancient artefacts. In the evening, enjoy dinner on the ship and unwind at your leisure.
Accommodation
MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Take a short scenic flight to Luxor where you will begin your Nile Cruise.
Stand amid a vast forest of columns in the largest temple complex known to man, as your Egyptologist explains the significance behind it. Walk the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, see the of Rameses II and the Hypostyle Hall.
Visit the Luxor Museum and discover ancient artefacts.
Get to know your fellow travellers over a delightful drink followed by dinner.
Day 3
A day of legend and history awaits you today as you begin with a morning visit to the Temple of Hathor in Dendera. One of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, it contains a rare depiction of Cleopatra and her son Caesarion, whose father was Julius Caesar. At lunchtime return to your ship and enjoy a scenic journey via the Esna Lock to Edfu.
Accommodation
MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
At the Temple of Hathor, see a rare depiction of Cleopatra and Caesarian.
Day 4
You will start the day with breakfast, as you cruise along the Nile to Kom Ombo before continuing on to the city of Aswan. Famous for its archaeological sites, such as the Philae Temple Complex and the Temple of Isis, Aswan is a vibrant destination that portray an agreeable mix of ancient and contemporary Egypt. Indulge your culinary side during an Egyptian cooking demonstration or tea with the Captain for your Insight Choice experience. In the evening, enjoy a fun-filled Egyptian dinner and galabeya party.
Accommodation
MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Satisfy your curiosity and your taste buds over an Egyptian cooking demonstration with your talented onboard chef.
Ever wondered what it is like to be in the driver's seat? Enjoy a tour of the Captain's quarters and learn about how he sails through the Nile and how knowledge has been passed down through generations.
Learn about traditional Egyptian attire and immerse yourself in local culture at an Egyptian dinner and galabeya party.
Day 5
Today’s sightseeing includes a visit to Aswan's High Dam and granite quarries to see the enormous unfinished obelisk. Travel by motorboat to the Temple of Isis, rising from the waters of the Nile on the Island of Philae. Enjoy a retelling of the Nile flood and the stories of the goddesses Isis and Hathor in a Roman-style theatre. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the facilities on your cruise ship.
Accommodation
MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Visit Aswan's High Dam and Granite Quarries to ponder why the Unfinished Obelisk has been left in mid-creation for thousands of years.
Travel by motorboat to Philae Island and witness the majestic Temple of Isis rising from the waters.
Day 6
Throughout your journey, you’ll have seen many feluccas sailing along the Nile. Now it’s your turn to explore one for yourself. On board this traditional vessel, meet a local sailor who shares the history and techniques behind navigating this culturally significant boat. Visit the local women’s co-op on your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and see how scrap materials are transformed into fine handicrafts, supporting vulnerable women in the community. As the sun starts to fade, enjoy high tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel, just like Sir Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie once did. Round off the day with an atmospheric Sound and Light Show at Philae Island, where the temple’s illuminated facade becomes the stage for tales of Isis, Hathor and the sacred Nile.
Accommodation
MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Afternoon Tea
Dinner
On a traditional Nile felucca, meet a sailor and learn the art of sailing this ancient Nile craft. Visit the High Dam and Granite Quarries.
Follow in the footsteps of Sir Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie as you enjoy high tea at Aswan's famous Old Cataract Hotel, as the sun begins to set.
In Aswan, meet the women of a local women-owned co-operative whose mission is to support vulnerable women from the local villages to learn new skills and become financially independent. The organisation provides a hub of support and comfort for over 300 women who may live in poverty or suffer from loneliness and want to become financially independent. Thanks to their newly learnt skills, the women are now able to provide the main source of income for their family. The co-op also strives to reduce waste with a secondary mission to ensure a garbage-free world by using waste and natural material like bamboo or palm trees to create fine handicrafts. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.
Take a short boat ride to Philae Island, where the temple of Isis was carefully reassembled after the original site was submerged by the rising Nile. Enjoy a guided visit before the temple facade becomes a canvas for light and sound, recounting the myth of Isis and Hathor and the Nile’s sacred floods in a vivid display.
Day 7
With the morning free, perhaps join an Optional Experience to Abu Simbel? These temples overlook Lake Nasser and are made up of the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Hathor. Later, sail to Kom Ombo to visit the only double temple of Egypt, dedicated to two gods: the crocodile-headed Sobek and the falcon-headed Horus the Elder.
Accommodation
MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Visit the unique temple as it is the only double temple in Egypt.
Day 8
Your cruise continues along the bustling waters of the Nile. Enjoy the facilities on board and have your cameras at the ready for the sights, as you leisurely make your way to Luxor. In the evening, visit Luxor Temple, where you dock for the night.
Accommodation
MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Visit Luxor Temple, constructed approximately 1400 BC. Look to the top of the remaining Pylon of Ramses II and step into the ancient monument.
Day 9
This morning, disembark from your cruise and travel by coach to the west bank of the Nile. See the Colossi of Memnon and visit both the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings, where many pharaohs were buried, including Hatshepsut, Amenhotep I and Tutankhamun. Experience the renowned local hospitality of Egyptians, during a visit to the village of Geziret Bahirat. Connect with the community and share bread with the Bahirat family, whilst they regale guests with their fascinating stories of daily life. Later, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo.
Accommodation
Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino
Meals
Breakfast
See the massive stone statues of the Colossi of Memnon.
Embark on an experience with an Egyptologist to visit the mortuary Temple Hatshepsut.
Explore the Valley of the Kings, home to the magnificent tombs of Egypt's Pharaohs, with an Egyptologist.
Enjoy listening to stories of village life from local residents, when you visit a family home for a tasting of authentic Egyptian sun bread.
Enjoy your short flight returning to Cairo.
Day 10
This morning, ascend to the Citadel for sweeping views over the city. While here, visit the Alabaster Mosque, otherwise known as the Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, regarded as the founder of modern Egypt. Continue to the home of a remarkable collection of ancient artefacts, including the treasures of Tutankhamun.
Accommodation
Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino
Meals
Breakfast
Uncover Cairo’s rich heritage at the UNESCO-listed Citadel, a commanding fortress that shaped Egypt’s history for centuries. With your Egyptologist, step inside the Great Alabaster Mosque, where soaring domes, intricate stained glass and the tomb of Sultan Muhammad Ali create a moment of quiet reflection. From its hilltop setting, take in sweeping views over the city below.
With your Egyptologist, admire the remarkable treasures of Tutankhamun, including his iconic gold mask, gilded coffin and exquisite jewellery: priceless artefacts that shine a light on Egypt’s fascinating past.
Day 11
Today you’ll head to Memphis, the legendary capital of the ancient world. Once the heart of Egypt’s Old Kingdom, it was a flourishing centre of politics, religion and art. Marvel at the colossal statue of Ramses II and the Great Alabaster Sphinx, thought to represent Queen Hatshepsut. Continue to Sakkara to view the extraordinary Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest in Egypt, designed by the architect Imhotep around 2700 B.C. This afternoon, journey to Giza to come face-to-face with the enigmatic Sphinx. Gather at your hotel with your Travel Director and fellow travellers to share canapes and a drink, marking the end of your unforgettable journey.
Accommodation
Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino
Meals
Breakfast
Visit this famous capital of the ancient world to see the statue of Ramses II and the Great Alabaster Sphinx.
View the oldest pyramid in the world, the Step Pyramid of Zoser I, existing for over 4,500 years.
With your Egyptologist, meet the enigmatic Sphinx and venture deep inside one of the pyramids, to the chambers where the pharaohs went to meet their Gods in the afterlife.
Admire the remaining Wonders of the Ancient World as you explore through the Pyramids of Giza and the mighty Sphinx. Hear about Egyptian history as you walk through the National Archaeological Museum and learn the art of making papyrus paper out of reeds when you visit a Papyrus Institute.
Day 12
Your wonderful journey ends with transfers to Cairo International airport.
Meals
Breakfast
Title
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
"Koshari is our national dish, and it never disappoints. Believed to have originated in the 19th century, this vegetarian street food staple is made of rice, pasta, lentils, and chickpeas, topped with delicious fried onions and a spicy tomato-based garlic sauce."
"I love to share our Ancient Egyptian civilization and history with our guests and to explain all the details and stories related to Egyptian mythology so our guests can enjoy a very special guided vacation."
"The Abu Simbel Temples are utterly unique in scale, architecture, art and history. From one of the most prominent eras of Ancient Egyptian history, these magnificent structures emphasise how persistent and clever ancient Egyptian architects were to carve a mountain to make such incredible tributes for Egyptian deities."
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Trip Notes:
Terms & Conditions:
*Temporary changes to standard terms and conditions apply to bookings until further notice. In accordance with travel restrictions imposed by government advisories worldwide, Insight Vacations has temporarily suspended all guided vacations across the globe for trips departing up and until 30 November 2020. For any new bookings being made, we are temporarily offering a fee waiver on the land portion of the trip until 30 days prior to departure should guests wish to change their dates or travel to a different destination. Airlines may have different policies and penalty charges, which are the guest’s responsibility. This applies to land bookings only and does not apply to group bookings. If the guest chooses a trip or departure that is more expensive than the original, they are responsible for the difference in price; if the trip or departure is less expensive than the original, a future travel credit will be issued for the difference. Please note guests are responsible for any airline penalties imposed due to trip changes and/or cancellations. View full details, along with terms and conditions here.
Every effort is made to ensure accuracy of the enclosed content. Insight Vacations cannot be held responsible for typographical errors, or errors arising from unforeseen circumstances. Conditions apply. Policies are subject to change at any time.
