Splendours of Egypt

Day 1 | Arrive in Cairo

Welcome to the timeless land of the pharaohs. On arrival at Cairo Airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel and have time to relax and sample the hotels amenities after your journey.

Hotel: Cairo Marriott & Omar Khayyam Casino

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

National Museum of Egyptian Civilization - Designed for those visitors with extra pre or post trip nights in Cairo or if flight arrives before midday on Day 1. Located in Old Cairo, visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) to see the 22 royal mummies and over 1500 artefacts on display. With exhibitions beginning with the predynastic period, followed by the Roman and Coptic periods, until modern day Egypt. The museum incorporates the array of different civilizations that contributed to Egypt’s rich and diverse history.

Adult: 65.00 USD

* This Optional Experience is designed for visitors arriving before 12 noon on Day 1 and must be booked in advance.

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Day 2 | Fly to Luxor, Cruise the Nile

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. This evening, get to know your Travel Director, a professionally trained Egyptologist, as well as fellow guests over a drink followed by dinner. The rest of the evening is at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)

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Day 3 | Exploring Dendera and on to Edfu

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.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)

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Day 4 | Edfu to Aswan

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.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)

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Day 5 | Aswan’s High Dam & Temple of Isis

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.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)

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Day 6 | Feluccas and High Tea

Throughout your journey you’ll have seen many feluccas sailing along the Nile. Now it’s your time 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 façade becomes the stage for tales of Isis, Hathor and the sacred Nile.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner

Hotel: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)

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Day 7 | Free Time and on to Kom Ombo

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 crocodileheaded Sobek and the falcon-headed Horus the Elder.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Abu Simbel Excursion By Air - Excursion to Abu Simbel from Aswan to visit the fabulous reconstructed temples of Ramses II and Nefertari. The journey by air takes approximately forty minutes in each direction and allows approximately seventy-five minutes at Abu Simbel to visit the temples and the impressive concrete dome. Prices are in USD. 

Adult: 395.00 USD

* Price subject to airline price fluctuations

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Day 8 | Cruising the Nile to Luxor

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.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Karnak Sound and Light Show - Enjoy the fabulous Sound and Light Show arranged in Luxor at Karnak Temple: While strolling along the ancient avenues of Sphinxes & halls of colossal columns, you will be hearing the tales of these ancient places. Prices are in USD. 

Adult: 55.00 USD

Aswan Museum on Elephantine Island - Sail through the islands of the First Cataract with your Local Nubian Expert, spotting vibrant birdlife and learning how the Nile has sustained civilisations for millennia. Moor at Elephantine Island to explore the Aswan Museum, housed in a villa once owned by the architect of the Old Aswan Dam, Sir William Willcocks. With a wealth of Egyptian relics and Nubian artefacts to explore, you'll gain insights into the history of Elephantine Island and see antiquities discovered during the construction of Aswan Dam.  

Adult: 39.00 USD

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Day 9 | Explore Luxor and fly to Cairo

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.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Cairo Marriott & Omar Khayyam Casino

Day 10 | Cairo Sightseeing

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 Tahrir Square, the focal point of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)*, home to a remarkable collection of ancient artefacts, including the treasures of Tutankhamun. *Subject to departure date and the museum’s full opening.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Cairo Marriott & Omar Khayyam Casino

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Nile Cruise & Dinner - Experience Cairo from a completely different perspective during a delightful evening dinner cruise on River Nile. Once on board enjoy a delicious buffet dinner with Cairo's illuminated skyline as a backdrop. Entertainment is provided in the form of a spectacular belly-dancing and folklore show. Not to be missed! Prices are in USD. 

Adult: 88.00 USD

* During Ramadan there will be no alcohol or belly dancers.

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Day 11 | Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza

Today you’ll head to Memphis, the famous capital of the ancient world. See the colossal statue of Ramses II and the Great Alabaster Sphinx. Continue to Sakkara to see the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest pyramid in the world, dating back to 2700 B.C. In the afternoon, it's on to Giza to explore the magnificent pyramids. Here you’ll come face-toface with the enigmatic Sphinx. During your visit, venture inside one of these ancient wonders to see the chambers where the pharaohs were sent to meet their gods in the afterlife.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Cairo Marriott & Omar Khayyam Casino

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Day 12 | Depart Cairo

Your wonderful journey ends with transfers to Cairo International airport.

Meals: Breakfast

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Full Day Alexandria (Designed For Those Visitors With Extra Pre Or Post Trip Nights In Cairo) - Embark on a full day exploration of historic Alexandria. Your sightseeing tour shows you the National Museum, the well preserved Roman Amphitheatre, Roman Catacombs, Quayet-Bey Fortress from the outside and Pombey’s Pillar. Prices are in USD. 

Adult: 155.00 USD

* This excursion is only available to guests who have purchased extra nights in Cairo before or after their tour.

* This Optional experience is priced at $155 per person when there are two or more participants. If there is only one participant the cost is $310 per person.