Beauties of the Nile and Hurghada

ITINERARY:

Day 01 – CAIRO

Welcome! Upon arriving at the airport, we will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Check the information boards in the hotel reception area for details of the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travelers.

Day 02 – CAIRO

Full-day visit where we explore the famous Pyramids of Cheops, Kefren, and Micerinos (tickets to go inside the pyramids are not included), and also the impressive Sphinx, which is sculpted from rock. Visit to the Egyptian Museum with its ancient art and where the treasure of the Lost Tomb of Tutankhamun is kept. Lunch included. Citadel of Saladin and the Alabaster Mosque. We will take a walk through the Coptic neighborhood where we visit the Hanging Church built above a Roman fortress.

Day 03 – CAIRO – ASWAN

Transfer to the airport early in the morning to depart by regular flight (included) to ASWAN. Arrival and transfer to the ship, embarkation procedures, and accommodation. In Aswan, you will visit the Red Granite Quarry, where the famous Unfinished Obelisk is located. We will observe the ingenious procedure used by the ancient Egyptians for the extraction of granite blocks. We will also visit the High Aswan Dam, a huge engineering work that retains the waters of the Nile. We will visit the beautiful Temple of Philae dedicated to the goddess Isis and located on a small island that can only be accessed by boat. Finally, we will enjoy a felucca ride on the river, typical fishing boats. Full board. Accommodation on board.

Day 04 – ASWAN

Full day in ASWAN, including a visit to the city and the Red Granite Quarry, where the famous Unfinished Obelisk is located. We´ll observe the ingenious procedure used by the ancient Egyptians for the extraction of granite blocks. We will visit the beautiful Temple of Philae dedicated to the goddess Isis and located on a small island that is only accessible by boat. After that, we´ll enjoy a felucca ride along the river, typical fishing boats. By felucca we will go to the picturesque NUBIAN VILLAGE, with its colorfully painted houses, its tourist and commercial life, lunch included. In the afternoon (including arrival on Felucca and a stretch of about 15 minutes of camel ride!) we will visit the Monastery of SAINT SIMEON, it was a large monastery in Roman times, then it was transformed into a caravanserail. We also pass by the modern Coptic church and the mausoleum of the Aga Khan (not visited). Afterwards, free time in our excellent hotel, where you can enjoy its large swimming pool and its facilities.

Day 05 – ASWAN – KOM OMBO – EDFU – ESNA – LUXOR

After breakfast we start our beautiful road stage following the Nile valley. Beautiful landscapes with the presence of the Nile, its immense palm groves, its small and very active populations. We stop next to the temple of KOM OMBO, overlooking the Nile River, dedicated to two deities: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. The temple is symmetrical and is divided into two identical parts, one dedicated to Sobek and the other to Horus. The temple is famous for its reliefs and hieroglyphs depicting daily life in ancient Egypt, as well as mythological and medical scenes. We also visit the impressive museum of the Crocodiles (several of them mummified). After that we continue to EDFU, we visit here one of the best preserved and most impressive temples in all of Egypt: the Temple of Edfu, also known as the Temple of Horus. Built 2300 years ago dedicated to Horus, the God of the sky. Lunch included. We continue to ESNA, its great temple is one of the few Egyptian temples that still retains its original roof, providing a unique view of the ancient architecture and original colors. The temple was buried under sediment and mud from the Nile for centuries, which helped preserve it from erosion and degradation. It was rediscovered in the 19th century. In Esna we can also see the restored caravanserai and from the outside we can see the floodgates on the Nile. We continue our route to LUXOR, arriving at the end of the afternoon. Night at hotel.

Day 06 – LUXOR

During our stay in Luxor we will get to know one of the most impressive ancient cities on the planet. Early in the morning, from our hotel we will take a private boat to cross the Nile River, with its peace and impressive views early in the morning, we go to the west bank. We visited the “Valley of the Artisans” Deir el-Medina, a little-visited place, here they lived and are the tombs of great builders and craftsmen who built and decorated the royal tombs of ancient Egypt. We will visit three tombs, their paintings show scenes of daily life at that time. After that, we visit the fantastic temple of Medinet Habu, the temple of Ramses II, large and magnificently preserved, its scenes of wars will surprise us. We stopped in front of the Colossi of the Memnon, two impressive statues of Amenhotep II. We will visit the VALLEY OF THE QUEENS where the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (Deir el Bahari) is located, considered the first woman to occupy the position of pharaoh. We also visit the famous VALLEY OF THE KINGS where the tombs of the main pharaohs are hidden. Among these tombs, composed of several rooms and corridors leading to the corresponding burial chambers (we include, in addition to the general admission, a ride in an electric cart to access the enclosure and tomb of Ramses -which requires additional entry-). Return to the east bank of Luxor. Free time for lunch.

In the afternoon we visit KARNAK, it housed the most important religious complex in Ancient Egypt, highlighting the immense temple of Amun-Ra, our guide will take us to the little-crowded temple of Khinsu. We will also visit the LUXOR MUSEUM, which shows us an impressive collection of objects and mummies found in this area. After dark we include the entrance to the LUXOR TEMPLE, its lighting makes it magical at this time. Time to walk in the commercial area (souk) near the temple.

Day 07 – LUXOR – DENDERA – HURGHADA

Free time in the morning stroll, shop or sightseeing in Luxor.
Will leave for DENDERA, one of the best preserved Egyptian complexes thanks to the fact that it remained buried by sand and mud until it was discovered in the mid-nineteenth century. The impressive enclosure of 40,000 square meters is surrounded by a burly brick wall eight to ten meters high. We are surprised by its walls and its immense doors. The temple is dedicated to Hathor, the goddess of love and fertility.
After the visit lunch included and continuation to the Red Sea, our highway crosses desert mountain ranges, interesting landscapes.
HURGHADA, arrival in the late afternoon. We are located in the most popular of Egypt´s resorts, its hotels stretch over a strip of almost 50 kilometers. Hotel accommodation on an all-inclusive basis.

Day 08 – HURGHADA

Full day in Hurghada. Free time during the morning to relax in the hotel facilities or go on your own to visit the large aquarium or the museum of Hurghada. After lunch (included), an excursion to get to know the area a little more. We will go to EL GOUNA, a short distance from Hurghada, we are in the most luxurious holiday town in Egypt. Numerous canals and lagoons were opened to access most of the residences by yacht, free time to walk around this exclusive place. After the center of Hurghada, we will stop next to its mosque (we will get to visit it) and walking we will go to the marina, a very touristic and lively area, with shops and restaurants. After free time, return to our hotel. Stay on an all-inclusive basis.

Day 09 – HURGHADA

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and end of our services.