The Essence of Egypt is a 15 day tour of Egypt. Included are 6 nights at a 4* Hotel in Cairo, a 5* five-day Nile Cruise with all meals from Luxor to Aswan and two nights in Alexandria at a hotel facing the Mediterranean Sea. The group is escorted in Egypt by a highly proficient Egyptologist with guided visits to the pyramids of GizaCairo, through the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, 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, 4* to 5* hotels, domestic flights in Egypt, five-day 5* Nile cruise, meals as indicated, English speaking, university qualified Egyptologist guide, guided tours with entry fees, all tipping and portage. 

Not Included: Egyptian visa, personal expenses, optional excursions, meals other than those included, travel insurance which is obligatory, airport taxes of approx $146.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Tuesday: Departure
Depart from your capital city for your flight to Cairo

Day 2: Wednesday: Cairo    [D]
Arrival in Cairo. You are met by our qualified representative, assisted with formalities and luggage retrieval and transferred to your hotel in Cairo for 3 nights. We meet at 7.30pm for introductions
 
Day 3: 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 to 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 4: 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 5: 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 6: 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 7: 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 8: 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 9: 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 10: 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 Fotouh to the exotic Khan El Khalili Bazaar.

Day 11: 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 12: Saturday: Alexandria    [B]
A guided tour visits to the Alexandrian Catacombs, the Fort Qaitbay Citadel, the Library and the Roman Amphitheatre.  

Day 13: 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 14: Monday: Departure    [B]
Transfer to Cairo airport for onwards flight

Day 15: Tuesday: Arrival in Australia

Our hotels (or similar)
Cairo: Barcelo Pyramids Hotel
Cruise: MS Nile Bride
Alexandria: Windsor Palace