CLASSICAL EGYPT PROGRAM
Egypt, a country linking northeast Africa with the Middle East, dates to the time of the pharaohs. Millennia-old monuments sit along the fertile Nile River Valley, including Giza's colossal Pyramids and Great Sphinx as well as Luxor's hieroglyph-lined Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings tombs. The capital, Cairo, is home to Ottoman landmarks like Muhammad Ali Mosque and the Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities
Day 01 Arrival Cairo
Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, Excel Travel representative welcomes you and assists you through the immigration process. Modern air-conditioned coaches take you to your hotel in Cairo. Your representative will ensure a smooth hotel check-in.
Overnight at the hotel in Cairo
Day 02 Cairo / full Day Pyramids, Museum, Khan El Khalili
Buffet breakfast at the hotel then start a full day guided tour to visit one of the Seven Wonders
The great Pyramids of Giza; (Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus) were reckoned by the Greeks to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A single pyramid is built with 2.300.000 blocks, each weighing an average of two and a half tones. In the face of such immensity, one cannot help but feel the wonder and awe that so many writers and artists have sought to convey over the centuries. The Cheops Pyramid is more interesting, because its interior burial chambers are open for inspection by the public. Not far from the Pyramids is the Great Sphinx of Giza, which dates from the time of Chephren (2620 BC). Hewn from natural yellowish limestone and standing 65 feet-high and 187 feet-long, this unforgettable statue combines the head of a Pharaoh with a lion's body. A quick visit to papyrus institute or a perfume shop can be arranged after the visit. Then drive to the hotel to refresh & check out.
Lunch can be served in an oriental/Indian/Chinese restaurant and then drive to the Egyptian Museum for another unforgettable tour.
Egyptian Museum; was established by the Egyptian government in 1835. The present museum building was built in 1900, in the new classical style by the French architect Marcel Dourgnon. The museum exhibited collections now exceed 120,000 objects ranges from pre-historic era to the Greco Roman period. It has 107 halls, and the ground floor houses huge statues. The upper floor houses small statues, jewels, Tutankhamen treasures. The museum also comprises of a photography section and large library.
After the visit of the museum a short drive through the downtown will take you to Khan El Khalili bazaars; which is one of the most famous worldwide with its amazing narrow alleyways. The visitor can discover small restaurants and workaday cafes where Egyptians & non-Egyptians come to smoke water pipes and enjoy some of to smoke water pipes and enjoy some of the traditional Egyptian drinks in the cafes scattered around the area.
Drive back to your hotel& overnight in Cairo
Optional tour can be booked to enjoy the spectacular sound & light show by the Pyramids
Day 03: Cairo – Luxor - Cruise
Breakfast in the hotel, check out and transfer to the airport for your flight to Luxor. Meet & assist, and transfer to the Nile cruise
11:00 Check-In
12:30 Lunch on board
15:00 Visit East Bank (Karnak & Luxor Temples)
20:00 Dinner on board & overnight in Luxor
Day 04: Luxor – Esna - Edfu
06:00 Breakfast on board
07:00 Visit West Bank - Valley of the Kings, and Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
13:00 Lunch on board
13:00 Sailing to Edfu via Esna
20:00 Dinner on board & overnight in Edfu.
Day 05: Edfu – Kom Embo - Aswan
07:00 Breakfast on board
08:00 Visit Horus Temple in Edfu
10:00 Sailing to Kom Ombo
12:30 Lunch on board
15:30 Visit the Temple shared by two gods Sobek & Haeroris in Kom Ombo
17:00 Sailing to Aswan
19:30 Dinner on board & overnight in Aswan
Day 06: Aswan
07:00 Breakfast on board
08:00 Visit the High Dam, the Temple of Philae
12:30 Lunch on board
15:00 Felucca on the Nile around Kitchener island
19:30 Dinner on board & overnight in Aswan
Day 05: Aswan - Cairo
Disembarkation after breakfast, and transfer to Aswan or Aswan airport for a flight takes you to Cairo. Transfer from Cairo airport to the hotel
Overnight in Cairo
Evening at leisure whereby an optional tour can be booked to enjoy your dinner & Cairo by night while cruising the Nile & watching the folkloric show.
Day 08: Cairo – Final Departure
Breakfast in the hotel, and check out
Transfer to Cairo international airport for your final flight back home