Deities of Ancient Egypt

We begin with a visit to the enigmatic Sphinx and the three greatest pyramids in Egypt. The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) stands at a staggering 500 feet high and 750 feet wide at its base, a breathtaking man-made structure built from enormous stone blocks with a white limestone covering. Although the limestone covering has been stripped away over the years to expose the inner block structure, the sight of these huge structures towering over the desert remains unforgettable. You'll also have the chance to climb inside the pyramids if you wish, but please note that your guide cannot accompany you due to limited availability of tickets for the Great Pyramid. After the pyramids, we'll head into downtown Cairo to explore the sprawling Egyptian Museum, home to the famous Tutankhamun exhibit and an extensive collection of other ancient Egyptian artifacts. Our experienced local Egyptologist guides will accompany you on this tour and all of your other sightseeing tours, sharing their wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm about Egyptian history and their country in general. In the evening, we'll transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Aswan, where we'll be met and transferred to our hotel overlooking the Nile. Overnight: Cairo 5-star hotel Meals: Breakfast

As we wake up this morning, we're greeted by one of the most stunning stretches of the Nile in Egypt, with the river dotted with islands and felucca sailing boats. Aswan itself is a fascinating blend of African and Middle Eastern cultures, which can be experienced by strolling through the bustling markets or walking along the Corniche on the banks of the river. You also have the option to visit the Nubian Museum, which boasts a collection of artifacts from the Nubian people. This morning is free for you to explore at your own pace. After checking out of our hotel, we'll board our Nile Cruise boat for lunch before embarking on our organized sightseeing tour in Aswan in the afternoon, which includes a visit to the stunning Temple of Philae. Dedicated to Isis, this beautiful island temple was saved from the rising waters of Lake Nasser and can only be reached by a scenic boat ride. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, or you may choose to take a camel ride through the sands on the far bank of the Nile to St. Simeon's monastery. For those interested, there is also an early morning optional visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Abu Simbel, built by Ramses II. This incredible site was completely dismantled and rebuilt when Lake Nasser was flooded, making it a truly remarkable feat of engineering and architecture. Overnight: Nile Cruise Boat Meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Today, we'll spend the day leisurely sailing down the Nile, taking in the stunning scenery and observing rural Egyptian life as it passes us by. Our first stop is at the picturesque riverside temple of Kom Ombo. This unique temple is actually a double temple, with one side dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and the other to Horus, the falcon-headed Sky God. Continuing our journey along the Nile, we'll arrive at the Temple of Horus in Edfu. This stunning temple is one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in Egypt, dedicated to the god Horus and famous for its intricate carvings and impressive size. We'll spend the night in Edfu, enjoying the peaceful ambiance and magnificent views along the Nile. Overnight: Nile Cruise Boat Meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

This morning, we'll explore the Temple of Horus, considered the best-preserved temple in all of Egypt. Adorned with intricate paintings and inscriptions in the Coptic language, this ancient monument is truly a sight to behold. Afterward, we'll continue our journey along the Nile, passing through the lock at Esna before arriving in Luxor. Luxor, built on and around the ancient site of Thebes, boasts the greatest concentration of ancient ruins in the Nile Valley, if not the world. To the west, across the Nile, lies the City of the Dead, featuring impressive mortuary temples and rock-carved tombs. To the east, we'll find the Temples of Luxor and Karnak, both grand structures with rich histories and fascinating stories to tell. In the evening, we'll take a walking tour of the smaller Luxor Temple, located in the heart of the city and beautifully illuminated by colorful lights at night. Overnight: Nile Cruise Boat Meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

We'll begin our morning by crossing the Nile to explore Luxor's West Bank, where the Valley of the Kings is located. This ancient burial site still reveals its secrets today and is considered one of the most significant archaeological sites globally. Our tour includes a visit to several Pharaonic tombs, as well as the temples of Queen Hatshepsut and Medinat Habu, and the colossal Colossi of Memnon. (optional excursion)For those seeking an even more breathtaking view of the West Bank, a spectacular hot air balloon flight is available this morning, offering a sunrise view from high above the desert landscape. After lunch, we'll tour the massive temple complex at Karnak, which once served as the religious center of Thebes and Upper Egypt. The avenue leading to Luxor is lined with sphinxes, and the entire complex is connected to the Nile via a canal through which the sacred boats of the god Amun were transported. Upon entering through a smaller sphinx-lined avenue built by Ramesses II, we'll come across the immense pylon entrance. Inside the grand courtyard, you'll find three chapels dedicated to the gods Amun, Khous, and Mut. The remarkable Hypostyle Hall features 134 towering columns, each adorned with images of gods and pharaohs, while hieroglyphic inscriptions decorate the walls. Join us on this unforgettable journey through ancient Luxor, where you'll discover the secrets of Egypt's rich history and marvel at its awe-inspiring landmarks. Overnight: Luxor 5-star hotel Meals: Breakfast

Following a leisurely morning, we'll depart from the Nile Valley and make our way to the stunning Red Sea resort of Hurghada. Upon arrival, we'll check into a luxurious 5-star resort where you'll enjoy a 'soft all-inclusive' stay, including all meals, soft drinks, and snacks. Please note that alcoholic beverages are not included in this package. Overnight: Hurghada - 5-star resort Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today is a free day for you to unwind and soak up the sun at the Red Sea. Hurghada is renowned worldwide for its scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities, attracting divers from all corners of the globe to discover the rich marine life of the Red Sea. Other adventurous activities available include windsurfing, kitesurfing, glass-bottomed submarines, quad biking, camel rides, and sea fishing trips. Our local representative based in Hurghada is available to help arrange any activities you may be interested in. The city itself boasts an interesting marina and old town that is well worth exploring. If you want to extend your stay in Hurghada, we can book extra nights at the resort for you. Please contact us for more information and pricing details. Please note that adding extra nights in Hurghada means leaving the group and missing out on the remaining activities in Cairo. You can either choose to finish the tour in Hurghada or fly back to Cairo to complete the itinerary. Please contact us for personalized pricing and further information. Overnight: Hurghada 5-star resort Meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

This morning, we'll drive back to Cairo, which will take approximately 5 hours. Alternatively, an upgrade to an internal flight is available upon request. Upon arrival, we'll check into a centrally located hotel in the city. In the late afternoon, we'll embark on a guided walk through the backstreets and bazaars of Old Cairo. We'll pass through the enormous Bab al-Futuh gateway and explore streets dedicated to metalwork, spices, pottery, fabric, jewelry, and anything else you can imagine as we gradually make our way to the touristy Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. We'll take a break to enjoy some refreshing mint tea and a shisha pipe while perusing souvenirs of our time in Egypt, making this a perfect final opportunity to pick up some treasures to take home. Overnight: Cairo 5-star hotel Meals: Breakfast

Today, you have free time to do some last-minute sightseeing or shopping before we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. If your flight departs in the afternoon or evening, you can opt for a half-day tour of Coptic Cairo and the Citadel, or you could take another half-day tour to learn more about the evolution of pyramid building at Saqqara, Dashour & Memphis. These tours are all available today. Alternatively, if you want to extend your stay in Cairo, you can add extra nights and take a day trip to the charming colonial city of Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast or a trip into the desert outside Cairo to see the World Heritage Site of the Valley of the Whales at Wadi Rayan. The possibilities are endless, and our local representative is on hand to help you plan your perfect final day in Egypt. Meals: Breakfast