Best of Egypt

Trafalgar Tours
Date: 
Various Departure Dates Available
Region: 
Africa/Middle East/Egypt
Duration: 
9 Days
Price: 
From $1900
Sub Description 2: 
Was $2150, now from $1900! Great Member Savings!

Prepare to be astounded by the larger-than-life scale of Giza's Great Pyramids, the Temple of Luxor, and the Valley of the Kings. Cruise the Nile and watch a blood-red sunset in Aswan.

Sightseeing Highlights
  • Luxor: Visit the Valley of the Kings, the Medinet Habou and the Temples of Luxor and Karnak.
  • Aswan: Felucca ride across the Nile. Visit the Botanical Gardens, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk.
  • Cairo: Sightseeing includes the Citadel, Alabaster Mosque, Sultan Hassan Mosque and Egyptian Museum.
  • Memphis: See the Ramses II statue and the Alabaster Sphinx.
  • Sakkara: Marvel at the Step Pyramid, the oldest in the ancient world.
  • Giza: Visit the Great Pyramids and Sphinx.
  • Visit the Temples at Edfu, Kom-Ombo and Philae.
Dining Highlights
  • 4 buffet breakfasts in Cairo
  • All meals on the Nile Cruise (see day-by-day itinerary)
Features: 

First Class Travel Highlights

  • All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
  • Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard.
  • The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors.
  • A Trafalgar Bonus All internal flights from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo, plus all airport transfers are included.
  • A qualified local city guide on tour.
  • Accommodation includes twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
  • Airport transfers are provided on Day 1 and Day 9.
  • A stylish wallet, tour documents and map book journal.

A fabulous Nile Cruise is included

  • A highlight of this tour is a cruise along the legendary River Nile on board the latest and most luxurious of all ships, the superb the MS Giselle or MS Sapphire.†
  • 5-star features of the the MS Giselle or MS Sapphire are fully air-conditioned, luxury two-berth cabins with en suite bathroom, full size bath, shower and toilet. There is a TV with video channels, music system, hair dryer, internal telephone and mini-bar.
  • On-board facilities of this superb vessel include a swimming pool and sun deck which runs the length and width of the ship, salon, two bars, a lounge for relaxing, dancing and folklore entertainment, a large restaurant serving Egyptian and international cuisine, and two gift shops.

† Note: At certain times a similar cruise ship of the same category as the the MS Giselle or MS Sapphire may be used. Note: On occasion there may be the possibility of a slight alteration in the itinerary due to the sailing conditions on the Nile, domestic air schedules, religious holidays or any other unforeseen circumstance. In any case all included visits will be operated. † Note: At certain times a similar cruise ship of the same category as the the MS Giselle or MS Sapphire may be used. Note: On occasion there may be the possibility of a slight alteration in the itinerary due to the sailing conditions on the Nile, domestic air schedules, religious holidays or any other unforeseen circumstance. In any case all included visits will be operated. † Note: At certain times a similar cruise ship of the same category as the the MS Giselle or MS Sapphire may be used. Note: On occasion there may be the possibility of a slight alteration in the itinerary due to the sailing conditions on the Nile, domestic air schedules, religious holidays or any other unforeseen circumstance. In any case all included visits will be operated.

Day by Day: 

Day 1- Arrive Cairo
Trafalgar meets you on your arrival at Cairo Airport and transfers you to your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure to discover the amazing contrasts of ancient and modern Egypt. 

Hotel: Fairmont Heliopolis Cairo

Day 2- Cairo – Luxor – Nile Cruise (4 nights)
A morning flight from Cairo to Luxor on the River Nile. On arrival, the rest of the morning is free before we board our luxury cruise ship for lunch. Later, we visit the grand Temple of Luxor which dominates the town and also the gigantic temple complex at Karnak. Explore the mighty temple of Amun with its mass of obelisks, pylons, colossi and courts. Plus marvel at the remains of the amazing Avenue of the Sphinx, which once stretched between the Temples of Karnak and Luxor. Later, we return to our cruise ship for dinner. (Buffet breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) 

Cruise ship: MS Giselle or MS Miriam (4 nights)

Day 3- Nile Cruise: Luxor – Edfu
Today's highlight is a visit to the Valley of the Kings. Secluded in the Theban Hills, it is where the New Kingdom pharaohs were buried in dramatically shafted tombs built into the hillsides. Next we visit the Temple of Medinet Habou and on to the breathtaking Deir el-Bahri, Queen Hatshepsut's impressive temple. Later, we return to the ship and sail for Edfu. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Day 4- Nile Cruise: Edfu – Kom-Ombo
This morning we visit Edfu to see Egypt's best-preserved cult temple, which was dedicated to the falcon god Horus. Then we continue our tranquil cruise along the Nile arriving at Kom-Ombo. Why not relax on deck and watch primitive villages on the banks of the river glide by? They have changed little in a thousand years. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Day 5- Nile Cruise: Kom-Ombo – Aswan
We visit the roofless Temple of Kom-Ombo, which was built for the falcon and crocodile gods. From here we cruise to Aswan to take a memorable felucca ride across the Nile to visit the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener's Island. The felucca is the traditional craft of Egyptians who have sailed in them down the centuries. An amazing sight is a blood-red sunset, commonplace in Aswan, with the distinctive sails of dozens of feluccas silhouetted against the setting sun. (Brerakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Day 6- Aswan – Cairo (3 nights)
We disembark to explore the High Dam. Then we visit the Temple of Isis on the Island of Philae and the massive Unfinished Obelisk. Afterwards, there is a once in a lifetime opportunity to take an optional excursion to the mighty Sun Temple of Abu Simbel, flanked by four giant stone statues of Ramses II.
The temple was reclaimed from the dam and reconstructed in its present and unforgettable location. Finally, we transfer to the airport for the return flight to Cairo. (Breakfast) 

Hotel: Ramses Hilton (3 nights)

Day 7- Cairo sightseeing
Today we enjoy a full day of sightseeing which will include the Citadel, the spectacular complex dominating Cairo's skyline. From here we make a visit to the Sultan Hassan Mosque and Mohammed Ali's Alabaster Mosque with its highly decorated and ornate interior. In old Cairo we will visit the Hanging Church of St. Mary above the old water gate. Also we will visit the Egyptian Museum, home of King Tutankhamun's priceless treasures, discovered by Howard Carter in the Valley of the Kings in 1922. This evening, there is time on your own to do as you please. You may wish to visit a traditional Egyptian folklore show. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 8- Cairo – Pyramid Excursion
Today is full of amazing highlights. First we will drive to Memphis where we see the limestone Colossus of Ramses II and the giant Alabaster Sphinx. Next we continue to Sakkara where the Step Pyramid heralded the start of the pyramid age. From here prepare yourself for a breathtaking experience, as we marvel at one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Great Pyramids of Giza, and the Sphinx, which casts its enigmatic gaze across the sands of the desert. Your evening is at leisure (Buffet breakfast)

Day 9 - Depart Cairo
This morning there's time to bid farewell to this unforgettable country and new-found friends as we transfer you to the airport for your return flight home. (Buffet breakfast)

Please Note
Ships or cruise itineraries on the Nile may vary occasionally according to seasonal circumstances, however, visits to sights and highlights will not be affected.

Free airport transfers:
Transfers will be provided for passengers who have advised Trafalgar of their flight details.

Please Note: Optional Abu Simbel Excursion
A once in a lifetime opportunity! Enjoy this four-hour excursion including flights to Abu Simbel, site of the Temple of Ramses II with its four great statues of the pharaoh himself. Also see statues of his queen, Nefertari, on the facade of the Temple of Hathor.

For more information call today on:

(au) 1300 795 866 (nz) 0800 423 018