Unveiling of Ancient Nubia

Our Egypt tour commences with a visit to the Egyptian Museum, situated in central Cairo, which houses an impressive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the famous Tutankhamun exhibit. Accompanied by a knowledgeable Egyptologist guide, who is passionate about Egyptian history, you'll gain a wealth of insights into the country's fascinating past. Next, we head to Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo, to explore the Sphinx and the three great pyramids of Egypt. The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), towering at 500 feet and 750 feet wide at its base, is a remarkable man-made structure built with enormous stone blocks and a hard limestone casing. The smaller pyramids of Khafre (Chephern) and Menkaure (Mycerinus) are equally impressive, offering a breathtaking sight as they rise majestically from the desert landscape. You'll even have the opportunity to climb right inside the pyramids if you so desire. In the evening, we'll transfer to the station to board the overnight sleeper train to Aswan, which takes around 12 hours. Overnight: On board train Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Upon our arrival in Aswan this morning, we'll transfer to our hotel located on the banks of the Nile River, which is at its most picturesque here, with cascading rapids, lush green islands, and feluccas sailing back and forth. Aswan is a melting pot of African and Middle Eastern cultures, which you can experience by strolling through its bustling markets. Aswan is also part of the ancient Nubian region, which encompassed parts of present-day southern Egypt and northern Sudan along the Nile River. Many descendants of the Nubian people still reside here, and we'll have the opportunity to visit a local Nubian village to witness their colorful houses, simple way of life, and enjoy a traditional lunch. This afternoon, we'll continue our tour with a visit to the Temple of Philae, a stunning island complex dedicated to the goddess Isis, which was saved from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. We'll reach the temple via a scenic boat ride. The evening is free for you to explore Aswan's spice and general markets or walk along the popular Corniche, which runs along the Nile River. You may also choose to take a camel ride to St. Simeon's Monastery on the far bank of the Nile. If you've opted for the Abu Simbel excursion, it's best to retire early tonight to prepare for an early start tomorrow morning. Overnight: Aswan hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, you have the option to embark on an early start for a drive to Abu Simbel, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These magnificent temples built by Ramses II are one of Egypt's most popular highlights and attractions. For those who choose not to visit Abu Simbel, you can explore Aswan's markets, stroll along the Corniche on the riverbanks, or visit the Nubian Museum, which boasts a fascinating collection covering the development of the Nubian people in the region. At lunchtime, we'll board our traditional Nile felucca to enjoy an afternoon sailing down the Nile. Sailing down the Nile on a felucca is one of the most delightful experiences in Egypt. As you drift past, you'll witness local rural Egyptian life on the riverbanks. Our Nubian crew will sail the boat and entertain you, as well as preparing meals for you. Our separate facilities boat will join us from time to time during the day and dock with us at night. This boat is equipped with a toilet, showers, and a hygienic kitchen where the crew will prepare a delicious dinner. Tonight, you'll spend the night on the deck of the boat, with mattresses, blankets, and mosquito nets provided. If you choose to upgrade your felucca sailboat trip, you'll spend tonight in Aswan and rejoin the group tomorrow morning when they leave the Felucca at Kom Ombo. All other touring remains the same. Overnight: On board felucca Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After having breakfast on-board, we'll say goodbye to our felucca crew and visit the nearby Edfu temple before continuing our journey north to Luxor. Luxor was built on and around the ancient site of Thebes and is home to the largest concentration of ancient ruins in the Nile Valley, if not the world. The City of the Dead, with its mortuary temples and rock-hewn tombs, lies to the west of the Nile, while the Temples of Luxor and Karnak are located to the east. This evening, we'll take a walking tour of the smaller Luxor Temple, which is located in the heart of the city and beautifully illuminated at night. Overnight: Luxor hotel Meals: Breakfast

This morning, we'll cross the Nile to the West Bank of Luxor to begin our tour. The Valley of the Kings, home to dusty tombs that are still revealing their secrets, is one of the world's most significant archaeological sites. Our tour will include several of these pharaonic tombs, as well as the temples of Queen Hatshepsut and Madinat Habu, and the colossal statues of Memnon. For an even more spectacular view, a Hot Air Balloon flight (Optional excursion) over the West Bank of the Nile is available this morning. You'll need to rise early to catch the sunrise as the balloon ascends. The afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy the amenities of your luxurious 5-star hotel on the Nile River. You may also choose to explore Luxor further, browse the local market, visit the Mummification Museum, or take a felucca trip to Banana Island. If you're interested in delving deeper into Egyptian history, additional sightseeing is available, such as the Rammesseum, Workers Village, and Valley of the Queens on the West Bank of the Nile. Your tour guide will be happy to arrange any extra visits for you, although additional costs will apply to cover transportation, entrances, and the guide's services. Overnight: Luxor hotel Meals: Breakfast

You'll have a free morning to spend at your leisure today. After lunch, we'll visit the immense temple complex at Karnak, which was once the religious center of Thebes and Upper Egypt. The complex was connected to Luxor by a vast avenue lined with sphinxes, and a canal linked the entire complex to the Nile, where the sacred boats of the god Amun would sail. Upon entering through a smaller sphinx-lined avenue built by Ramesses II, you'll arrive at the massive pylon entrance. Inside the vast courtyard are three chapels dedicated to the gods Amun, Khous, and Mut. The remarkable Hypostyle Hall boasts 134 towering columns, each adorned with scenes of gods and pharaohs, and hieroglyphic inscriptions cover the walls. Later this evening, we'll transfer to the station to board the overnight sleeper train back to Cairo, which takes approximately 9 hours. Overnight: On board sleeper train Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we'll arrive back in Cairo and transfer to our hotel. Most of the day is free for you to explore Cairo as you wish, or you may choose to take one of the optional tours. These tours include a city tour of Cairo, which visits Coptic Cairo, the Citadel, and the Mohamed Ali Mosque, or a half-day tour to Saqqara, Dashour, and Memphis to learn more about the history and evolution of pyramid building. Another option is a full-day trip to the World Heritage Site of the Valley of the Whales at Wadi Rayan, located outside Cairo in the desert. In the late afternoon, we'll take a guided walk through the back streets and bazaars in central Cairo. We'll pass through the enormous Bab al-Futuh gateway and explore streets devoted to metalwork, spices, pottery, fabric, jewelry, and anything else you can imagine as we gradually enter the more touristy Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. We'll have time for a break to try some tea and perhaps enjoy an early dinner of Egyptian dish, Kushari before returning to our hotel. Overnight: Cairo hotel Meals: Breakfast

Today, you have free time to engage in any last-minute sightseeing or shopping before we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. Meals: Breakfast