The Essence of Egypt is a 13 day tour of Egypt. Included are 6 nights at a 5* Hotel in Cairo, a Deluxe 5-day Nile Cruise with all meals from Luxor to Aswan and 2 nights in Alexandria at a hotel facing the Mediterranean Sea. The group is escorted in Egypt, by a highly proficient Egyptologist, to the pyramids of Cairo, through the Egyptian Museum, to the tombs of the Valley of Kings and the Temples of the Nile. We have included all required tipping. This tour provides Best Value for those who require excellent hotel accommodation and prefer to see the major sites of Egypt at a moderate pace. 

Includes: All airport/hotel/cruise transfers in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Alexandria, modern A/C coaches, 5* hotels, Five day 5* Nile cruise, meals as indicated, English speaking, university qualified Egyptologist guide/s, Guided tours with entry fees, Entry visa to Egypt for Australian/New Zealand/ UK, All Tips and portage. 

ITINERARY

Day 1, Wednesday: Cairo  [D]
Arrival in Cairo. You are met and assisted by our qualified representative, Assistance through passport control formalities and luggage retrieval, followed by transfer to your hotel in Cairo for 3 nights. We meet at 7.30 for introductions
 
Day 2, Thursday: Pyramids & Sphinx  [BD]
After breakfast departure to the site of the ancient capital at Memphis and the Stepped Pyramid of Zoser at Saqqara. After a break for lunch at a local restaurant  continue to the Pyramids on the Giza Plateau and the Sphinx. We allow ample time for a camel ride, entry to the pyramid tunnels and other attractions. Evening at leisure at your resort-style hotel.
Optional: Attend the Pyramids Sound & Light Show: Add $60

Day 3, Friday: Cairo  [BD]
We start the day with a visit to the Egyptian National Museum and, after lunch, continue to the Citadel of Salah al Din, one of the world’s greatest fortifications, and the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. 
 
Day 4, Saturday: Nile Cruise- Luxor [BLD]
Morning transfer to Cairo airport for our flight to Luxor. We are met on arrival and transferred to our 5* Nile cruise ship for 4 nights with all meals included. After lunch on board we visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak. An evening at leisure in Luxor provides time to visit the Souq where you may purchase an Arabic outfit for the ship’s Dress-Up party.

Day 5, Sunday: Nile Cruise- Luxor  [BLD]
We cross to the West Bank after breakfast and visit the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Kings where we enter three ancient tombs, and the amazing Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Remainder of the day at leisure in Luxor. The ship sails. Evening entertainment on board as provided by the ship.

Day 6, Monday: Nile Cruise  [BLD]
We disembark when the ship reaches Edfu and visit the Temple of Horus. The ship sails. We disembark again as the ship reaches Kom Ombo where we visit the Temple of Sobek-Haroeris. The ship sails towards Aswan. Evening entertainment on board as provided by the ship.

Day 7, Tuesday: Nile Cruise- Aswan  [BLD]
The morning is at leisure in Aswan
Optional: Early morning departure to Abu Simbel by road.  Add $140
Return to the ship for late lunch. Spend a few hours in the afternoon sailing the Nile in a traditional felucca.

Day 8, Wednesday: Aswan  [B]
After a leisurely breakfast we disembark from the ship. Visit the Aswan High Dam- an engineering marvel of modern Egypt, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Philae on the Island of Isis. Evening transfer to Aswan airport and flight to Cairo.
 
Day 9, Thursday: Old Cairo  [BD]
A late breakfast and midday visit to one of Cairo’s historic mosques and the Coptic Churches. Stroll through ancient Islamic Cairo from Bab El Fotuh to the exotic Khan El Khalili Bazaar.

Day 10, Friday: Alexandria  [B]
We transfer by coach and drive the Desert Road to El Alamein. We visit the Allied War Cemetery and the War Museum, then continue to Alexandria. Our hotel is in the heart of the city facing the Mediterranean Sea. Remainder of day at leisure.
 
Day 11, Saturday: Alexandria  [B]
A guided tour visits to the Alexandrian Catacombs, the Fort Qaitbay Citadel, the Library and the Roman Amphitheatre.  

Day 12, Sunday: Cairo  [BD]
After breakfast check-out and return to Cairo We deviate to Natrun where we visit the ancient Monastery of Deir Anba Bishoi, then continue to our hotel in Cairo. Remainder of the day at leisure.
 
Day 13, Monday: Departure  [B]
Transfer to Cairo airport for onwards flight