Egypt, Cairo

Nefertiti, Lady of Grace 5^*

Arrival in Cairo.

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and is also known as Umm al-Dunia ("Mother of the World"). It is the most populous city in Africa. In spite of its somewhat antiquated appearance, which makes you feel like you've travelled back in time, you quickly get attached to the charm of Cairo and its inhabitants.

The capital is the first step in your trip to Egypt, and your journey of discovery through its cultural treasures...

Group transfer to the hotel.

Settle in for your overnight stay at the five-star hotel (local standards).

Breakfast.

Visit to the Giza Plateau, symbol of ancient Egypt, with the famous pyramids of: Kheops, (the largest built around 2650 BC), one of the 7 wonders of Antiquity and the only one to have stood the test of time. For over 40 centuries, it was the tallest man-made monument, standing 146 metres high.
Khephren, the pyramid of Khephren appears higher than that of Kheops, but in reality it is slightly lower, due to its steeper angle of inclination and its location on slightly higher ground.
Mykérinos, the tomb of King Mykérinos, is much smaller than the other two pyramids, standing 66 metres high,
The Sphinx (lion with Pharaoh's head), enigmatic guardian of the tombs and temple, faces east to protect the tombs from looters. It is 73 metres long and 20 metres high, carved from a single block of stone.

Then you'll visit a papyrus institute. You can buy papyrus, but it's not compulsory. You'll see a demonstration of how papyrus is made. The papyrus stalk is peeled and cut into strips, which are then soaked in water for 6 hours to soften them. They are then criss-crossed and pressed. The sugar and starch contained in the stalks solidify the whole into a soft, resistant material, said to be tearproof. Once dry, papyrus is ready to be used as a medium for writing or painting.

Lunch during the excursion.

Visit to the National Museum of Antiquities, whose treasures range from the prehistoric age to the Roman period.
Among other things, you'll see the famous Tutankhamen's Treasure. Home to over 250,000 pieces, it is one of the world's largest museums. It allows visitors to discover the history of ancient Egypt over 5 millennia.

Transfer to the Cairo railway station and board the train in a 1ʳᵉ class sleeper compartment (local standards).

Dinner and overnight on the train.

Please note: The train journey between Cairo and Luxor offers a travel experience with simple comforts.

Depending on the day and time of arrival, it is not always possible to take the train between Cairo and Luxor. It is also possible to make the journey by plane.

Breakfast on board.

Arrival and transfer to your cruise ship.

Set off for the Nile crossing and a trip to the Theban Necropolis. The incredible Valley of the Kings where you will visit two tombs belonging to kings and one belonging to a queen. From the 18th dynasty onwards and throughout the New Empire, the pharaohs were no longer buried in temples or monuments dedicated to their last journey.
Thutmose I and all the pharaohs who followed him decided to be buried on the other side of the Nile, on the West Bank - the land of the afterlife. Colossal monuments, such as the pyramids, and even the Mastabas used during the Old Kingdom ceased to be used. Instead, vaults were dug into the rock and access to them was strictly closed and hidden. Perhaps the main reason for this was to avoid grave robbers.

Stop at the Colosses of Memnon, the only funerary monuments of Amenophis III. They are known for their imposing architecture, and these vestiges of an ancient civilisation were visited by emperors and travellers from all ages. 18 m high and weighing 1300 tons, they were named Colossi of Memnon by the Greeks after the legend of the Oracle of Memnon.

Lunch on board the five-star ship (local standards).

Optional activity to be booked and paid for on-site with our local representative:
The Temple of Medinet Habou: Medinet Habou is the Arabic name of the site that the Egyptians called Djemé. The Mortuary Temple of Rameses III is the most accomplished example of monumental art under the New Kingdom. The last great builder of Ancient Egypt, the pharaoh reopened the great construction sites, abandoned since Ramses II, and built the vast royal temple of Medinet Habu, south of the Theban necropolis. Ramses III was to build his Ramesseum, the most important collection of Ancient Egyptian remains after Karnak, on the site of one of the primitive sites of the Theban religion, closely associated with the cult of Amun.

Breakfast

Free time on the boat during your journey to Edfu.

Lunch on board.

Trip to the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus. One of the largest and best-preserved temples in ancient Egypt. Erected in 237 BC by Ptolemee III, and completed 180 years later, in 57 BC, under the reign of Ptolemee XII, on the site of a temple dedicated to Thutmose III (18th dynasty). It is dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god, son of Isis and Osiris. You enter the temple through the great pylon decorated with large, raised images of the king and the gods, heading towards the courtyard with walls depicting the various rituals performed by the king. There are two large black granite falcons, representing the God Horus, which guard the entrance of the temple.

Sail to Kom Ombo.

Dinner and overnight stay on the 5-star ship (local standards)

Breakfast on board

Visit to the Ptolemaic Temple of Kom Ombo. Two temples constructed in the same temple, which is pretty unique for Ancient Egypt. It was built during the Ptolemaic period (dynasty of the Ptolemies, Greco-Roman period) on the site of a temple from the New Kingdom (dedicated to Thutmose III, 18th dynasty). It is located on the top of a hill, 15 metres above the Nile. The most surprising feature is that it is consecrated to 2 different gods: the Falcon God Haroeris, "Great Horus", sometimes called "Horus the Elder" and Sobek, the Crocodile God. Duality is everywhere in this temple: it has two entrances, two parallel corridors, and symmetrically arranged rooms on either side of these corridors, which all lead to the double sanctuary. Sculpted columns display shimmering colours on the esplanade in front of the entrance. The small building to the right of the entrance is the Hathor Chapel; it is home to several crocodile mummies.

Lunch on board.

Sail to Aswan.

Dinner and overnight on the 5-star ship (local standards)

Breakfast on board.

Free morning on the boat

Lunch on board the five-star ship (local standards).

Optional activity to be booked and paid for on-site with our local representative:

- Abu Simbel, an exceptional site, located 260 km south of Aswan, with a great temple that was saved by UNESCO in 1969. The Colossi of Ramesses, the largest in Egypt, are sculpted directly into the cliff. They are consecrated to the most famous gods of Pharaonic Egypt: Amun-Ra, Ramesses and Ptah.
The Great Temple dedicated to the God Amun-Ra, the Temple of Hathor.

- Mini-cruise in a felucca, and Kitcher's Garden. A felucca is the only way to reach the left bank and the Kitchener or Elephantine Islands, real gems of the river. Enjoy the breeze while you sail along the calm, blue waters of the ancient Nile. Stop on Kitchener Island and visit its famous botanical garden, where the most beautiful varieties of plants and trees attract many birds. You'll marvel at the royal palms, sycamores and ebony trees in this sumptuous floral park.

- Sound and Light at the temple of Philae

Dinner and night on board

Breakfast on board.

Visit the Temple of Philae located on the island of Agilka, nicknamed the "Pearl of the Nile". After the construction of the Aswan High Dam by President Nasser in the 1960s, the island of Philae, upstream from the first waterfall of the Nile, was completely covered by water. With UNESCO's support, work was undertaken to dismantle the monuments of Philae piece by piece and to reassemble them on the neighbouring island, 400 metres downstream. Philae was entirely dedicated to Isis. This temple of the Ptolemaic period (Ptolemaic dynasty, Graeco-Roman period), has kept its Naos, the stone tabernacle which housed the statue of the God.

Stop in a jewellery store. Gold, silver, and semi-precious stones such as lapis-lazulis abound in jewellery representing scarabs, Ankhs, cartouches, the eye of Horus etc.

Lunch on board.

Sail to Edfu.

Free time on the boat.

Dinner and overnight on board the five-star ship (local standards).

Breakfast on board

Day of sailing and free time on the boat.

Lunch on board.

Dinner and overnight on board the five-star ship (local standards).

Breakfast on board.

Luxor, the ancient Thebes, the city of the hundred gates of the God Amon, capital of Upper Egypt and of the entire country during the 18th dynasty.

The day will be devoted to a visit to one of the two world-famous temples, both dedicated to the god Amun-Ra, master of the gods and Lord of the Theban triad: the Temple of Karnak. The most theological temple ever built here, over 2000 years the faith of mankind has paid homage to the same god: Amun. The greatest kings (Sethi I, Ramses II, Thutmosis III, Ramses III) succeeded one another here.
The name "Karnak" means visit to an alabaster sculpture workshop. In ancient Egypt, alabaster was highly prized, used for everyday accessories such as ointment and perfume vases, but also for canopic vases containing the organs of the deceased, extracted during the mummification rite. It's easy to work and produces objects of beautiful transparency; cut into thin sheets, alabaster is sufficiently transparent to be used as glass for small windows.

Optional activities to be paid for on site:

The temple of Madinet Hannu and the temple of Luxor were built to glorify the god Amun Re, who celebrated the anniversary of their marriage with his wife Mut every year. The procession left the temple at Karnak and followed the banks of the Nile to Luxor. Construction of the latter dates back to the reign of the two pharaohs Amenhotep III and Ramses II. Two obelisks adorned the entrance: they were donated to France in 1831 by Mehemet Ali. It is possible to visit Luxor Temple at night

Lunch on board.

Afternoon at leisure.

Dinner and overnight on board 5* (local standards)

Breakfast on board.

Transfer and time to settle in at the hotel.

Lunch.

Afternoon spent relaxing on the beaches of the Red Sea.
Discover stunning sea beds, coral reefs and multicoloured fish.

Dinner and overnight stay at the five-star hotel (local standards).

Breakfast.

Free day at the hotel located on the Red Sea.

Optional activity to be booked and paid for on site with our local representative:

-Snorkelling and dolphin day: Sea trip with several stops to discover the coral reefs of the Red Sea. Snorkelling with flippers, mask and snorkel. Enjoy a boat cruise to areas of the sea where dolphins can be found, with the opportunity to swim with them.

Safari and Quads: Opt for a change of scenery in the calm of the desert by leaving in a 4X4, crossing the dunes and visiting the Bedouins, quad biking, trying their traditional meals, a North African-style show, dancing under the stars and making unforgettable memories (Scarf and glasses not included)

Overnight stay at the five-star hotel (local standards).

Breakfast.

Free day at the hotel located on the Red Sea.

Optional activity to be booked and paid for on-site with our local representative:

Mahmya (Giftun Island): Set off by boat to spend the day on Mahmya Island at the most beautiful natural reserve in the region, where rocks, sand, blue sky, turquoise sea and snorkelling await. Lunch on the island (drinks not included)

Diving session or beginner's lesson: Go scuba diving to create unforgettable memories, Learn how to take underwater photos and videos. Two dives per day, French-speaking instructor. Last dive 24 hours before the return flight. Lunch on board (Drinks included)

Overnight stay at the5-star hotel (local standards).

Breakfast at the hotel.

En route to Cairo (approx. 6 h).

Lunch on the way.

Stroll through the Khan El Khalili souks, a bazaar built in the 14th century. It is highly colourful and has traditional goods in copper, mother-of-pearl inlaid wood, plus clothing embroidered with beads and gold and silver thread as well as a wide selection of North African handicrafts.

Arrive and settle into the five-star hotel (local standards).

Breakfast

Visit of the Salahdin Citadel and the Mehmet Ali Mosque (built between 1830 and 1849, it is so white that it is nicknamed "alabaster mosque") with in the center of the courtyard the great clock, gift of the French king Louis Philippe to Mehmet Ali.
Its Belvedere offers a panorama on the city of Cairo

Lunch during the visit

Departure for the visit of the Coptic quarter** of Cairo. The Christian religion was introduced by St. Mark around 45 A.D. and thus a Coptic community - Coptic being a term specifically referring to Christians in Egypt - began to develop. The Coptic Quarter is best known for having a large number of churches in a very small area.

St. Sergius Church is one of the oldest Christian churches, built around the 3rd or 4th century AD. The church was named St. Sergius in honor of a former war general who converted to Christianity. The Christians built a church on this very spot because it is believed that the Holy Family took refuge in this place, where a cave was located before.

The Church of Saint Mary or Hanging Church is a very beautiful monument. It is accessed by stairs preceded by a corridor where there are mosaics depicting biblical scenes. This church is nicknamed the Hanging Church because it is built above the trunks of palm trees that support it like stilts. The interior is richly decorated, in the main room, a Coptic icon, shows the Virgin Mary with Jesus in her arms. One has the impression that she follows us with her eyes when we go around her.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel 5* (local standards)

Breakfast.

Depending on your flight schedule, group transfer to Cairo airport. Assistance with check-in and boarding formalities, then take-off.

Tips: 'bakchich'! A word you'll soon be familiar with! It's easy to say no to a solicitor, but it's a way of rewarding work and service well done. Gratuities for guides are never included. It is at the discretion of each individual.

A paying connection accessible throughout the boat may be offered. However, we cannot guarantee the quality of the connection during your stay

The luggage allowance for domestic flights is 23 kg per person in the hold and one small bag of up to 7 kg in the cabin. Any additional kilos will be charged locally.

Accommodation is in accordance with local standards.

Please note: The train journey between Cairo and Luxor offers you a travel experience with a basic level of comfort.

The level of screening at Egypt's airports can be high and random depending on the number of tourists, so the guide will plan ahead as much as possible.

As traffic can be heavy in Cairo, journey times can be long.

On excursions, you will be grouped with other participants.
This package includes periods of free time during which you can wander around at your leisure. However, transfers are at your own expense.

Optional extras are subject to a supplement, payable on site to your guide or local representative.

The order of the visits can be modified to take account of local requirements (navigation time, passage of locks), but the visits listed will be carried out.

The pace of visits can be quite long (see all the visits included in the day-by-day details), which means waking up very early in the morning (outside the boat's navigation periods)

Egypt is a cultural destination

PLEASE NOTE: For those booking the "hotel only" package (without international flights), please let us know your flight details as soon as possible via the contact form in "Help and contact" at the bottom of the page, so that we can organise your transfers.