Enjoyable Cairo and Nile Cruise Luxury Tour

Today, after a delicious breakfast at your hotel, you will begin your wonderful tour of the most important archaeological sites in Cairo and Giza. You will meet one of Egypt's best tour guides from the Cairo Top Tours team at your hotel. Your tour will start your adventure by exploring the impressive city of Memphis, the capital of ancient Great Egypt. This city was a precious historical gem that had a unique geographical location on the borders of Cairo Governorate. This famous city was founded around 3100 BC by the powerful King Menes. Memphis was known in ancient times as the 'White Wall' or 'Inb-Hajj' for its magnificent temples dedicated to the famous King Ptah, the Lord of Arts and Crafts.

The delicate alabaster Great Sphinx of Memphis is the largest admirable single statue ever discovered in ancient Egypt, weighing approximately 80 tons. It is believed to depict the famous King Amenhotep II or King Ramesses II and symbolizes power and wisdom. You will see the dazzling statue of Ramses II, which was discovered with great difficulty in 1820 by the Italian explorer Giovanni Battista Caviglia, who dug a deep hole in the ruins of the massive ancient temple to find this statue.

You will visit the old-standing city of Saqqara. It is considered an open book that tells the story of ancient Egyptian civilization across different eras. It is the only necropolis in all of Egypt that houses diverse tombs from the beginning of Egyptian history to its end. It also houses relics from the famous Greek and Roman eras, as well as tombs filled with intricate landscapes and unique colored inscriptions.

The ancient Egyptians began establishing Saqqara more than 3,000 years ago. This period is considered the most glorious era of the Old Kingdom, when the first and most important revolution in the art of construction and architecture occurred when the brilliant engineer Imhotep constructed the dazzling funerary complex of King Djoser from stone instead of brick. He thus became the first person to construct a building entirely of stone. Saqqara contains approximately 30 pyramids, 15 of which are dedicated to the king, while the rest are religious pyramids or pyramids for queens, in addition to the magnificent Nile tombs.

You will visit the massive Pyramids of Giza, which still hold many secrets and mysteries. One of the surprising things is that the temperature inside the pyramid remains moderate, at around 20 degrees Celsius, even though the temperature outside is extremely high. Seismic activity has been observed to decrease significantly near important pyramid research areas, with a significant decrease in continental weather. You will see the dazzling Great Sphinx, perched on a high hill between the pyramids of Khufu and Khafre in the Giza Pyramids area. It faces the ancient Nile River to the east, like a legendary guardian, protecting the tombs of Egypt's three great pharaohs. Many historical studies estimate the Great Sphinx's age at approximately 4,500 years BC, making it one of the oldest stone statues in ancient human history.

You will see the Valley Temple of King Khafre, whose facade features two delicate statues of King Khafre. At the beginning of the entrance is a hole covered in glass and surrounded by solid iron, due to the belief that if you place a coin inside and make a wish, it will come true. This pit contained 6 beautiful statues that are currently in the Egyptian Museum. The statue is of King Khafre, surrounded by 5 other statues that express the precision and skill of the ancient Egyptian sculptor. The pit was known as the temple's hiding place to protect it from looting and theft.

After the guide finishes his detailed explanation of all these important archaeological sites, we will return you to your luxury hotel again.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

You'll be driven to the airport early on the third day of your journey so you can board a domestic aircraft to Luxor. You will be welcomed upon arrival and taken onboard the luxurious 5-star Steinberger MS Minerva Nile cruise.

You will be led to experience the stunning Luxor East bank tours during the afternoon. You may see the magnificent Karnak Temple and the Luxor Temple nearby, which both exhibit the glorious history of Egypt.

We will return to the cruise ship for dinner and afternoon tea following our day trip to Luxor. On board, we'll stay the night.

A day consists of three meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Following breakfast, our next destination will be Luxor West Bank Tours. Touring the Temple of Hatshepsut and its mortuary temple, along with the gigantic statues of Memnon at the Colossi of Memnon Museum, will provide you with an enjoyable experience that is sure to be memorable.

As we sail to Edfu by crossing the Esna lock, let's enjoy lunch and afternoon tea

On board, a delectable meal will be served.

Overnight on board in Edfu

Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

After having breakfast onboard, you can go to the Temple of Horus in Edfu, which is considered one of the most spectacular temples in Egypt and has been standing since the Ptolemaic era.

After having lunch back on the ship, we will proceed to Kom Ombo, where we will explore the combined temple dedicated to the deities Sobek and Harris.

Once you have had breakfast on board, your Aswan day tours will begin with a visit to the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the grand Philae Temple, which served as the central location for the worship of the goddess Isis in ancient Egypt.

On board the ship, you will be served lunch and dinner, and you will subsequently spend your night on the ship in Aswan.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

On this day, you will return to Cairo once more. Once breakfast is finished, you can alight from the Steinberger MS Minerva Nile Cruise and spend some time at leisure in Aswan. We will schedule your local flight to Cairo once you have been taken to Aswan international Airport, When you arrive, a member of our staff will meet you at the airport and drive you to your Cairo hotel.

Hotel stay the night in Cairo.

Dining: Breakfast

The first stop of the day will be the Egyptian Museum, where visitors can see the world's largest and most valuable collection of Egyptian artifacts, including the intact treasures of the Golden Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Another recommended location is the Citadel of Saladin, featuring the Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque, which offers stunning panoramic views of the centuries-old mosques, minarets, and domes of Islamic Cairo. You can see how beautifully decorated its massive construction is.

Our recommendation is for the Cairo tours, which will guide you to the Coptic area of Cairo. You will visit the ancient Roman fortress of Babylon, the Hanging Church suspended over its old towers, and the Church of St. Sergius, which is also referred to as the Cavern Church or the Holy Family Church. It's an incredible chance to witness some of the most significant and iconic landmarks in Cairo.

During your Coptic Cairo tour, you will visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue, which is believed to be where the Pharaoh's daughter found Moses in a basket in the Nile. This ancient synagogue is one of the oldest in the city and is a remarkable example of the city's fascinating history.

Optional tour of the Sound and Light show in Giza

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Alexandria is considered the second-largest and one of the most famous cities in Egypt. It's rich with Roman ruins, the library of Alexandria, and the lighthouse.

You will be visiting some of Rome's most iconic landmarks, such as Pompey's Pillar, which is made from pink granite that can only be found in this city. Additionally, you will experience the lively and energetic atmosphere of the city.

Qaitbay Citadel a crucial stronghold constructed in the 15th century, is an iconic Egyptian fortress that plays a significant role in safeguarding both the nation and the Mediterranean Sea shoreline.

The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa consist of three levels of tombs and chambers that have been carved out of the underground rock. These underground passageways are from the Roman period and provide an intriguing insight into the past of this ancient society.

The Bibliotheca of Alexandria, which is a renowned ancient library and educational hub, is one of the places you will be visiting. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to explore two significant historical landmarks: the Alexandria statue commemorating the unknown soldier and the statue of Alexander the Great.

As you drive down Cornish Avenue, you will see the city below you as you cross over the Stanly Bridge, which is a stunning landmark in modern Alexandria.

We will eventually return to Cairo by driving.

Overnight in the hotel

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Following your breakfast, you will be escorted to Cairo International Airport for your ultimate departure, concluding a fascinating and extended 10-day adventure in Egypt.

Meals: Breakfast