Egypt, Cairo

Nubian pearls tour 5^*

Arrival in Cairo.

Cairo, one of the world's largest metropolises, stretches majestically along both banks of the Nile. This vibrant and historic city is a fascinating blend of cultures, architecture and history, offering a unique experience for travellers.

On arrival, you will be greeted by an assistant for entry formalities.

Then, your English-speaking Egyptologist guide will take over and accompany you for the duration of your stay.

Take advantage of a group transfer to your hotel.

Overnight stay in a 5-star hotel (local standards).

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before exploring the Giza Plateau and its majestic pyramids: The Great Pyramid, Khufu's, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World and the largest of the three (built around 2650 BC). For 40 centuries, it was the tallest human building at 146 metres. Khafre: the Pyramid of Chephren, or Khafre, looks taller than Khufu's, but in reality it is slightly smaller. It only seems taller because its tilt angle is more emphasised, and it sits on slightly higher ground.
The Pyramid of Menkaure is the smallest of the three, standing at just 66 metres high, but it is no less impressive for its meticulous architecture and historical significance.
The Sphinx, the lion with a Pharaoh's head, protects the entrance to the tombs from looters. It is 73 metres long and 20 metres high.

Enjoy lunch near the pyramids before heading off to the historic sites of Memphis and Saqqara. Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, was founded by King Menes around 3000 BC. Today, only a few ruins remain, including a mysterious alabaster sphinx.

Then, press on to Saqqara to admire its famous step pyramid, built around 2700 BC. It was built for the pharaoh Djoser by the architect Imhotep.

End the day with dinner and an overnight stay in a five-star hotel (local standards).

After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Luxor in Upper Egypt, a city with a wealth of history and culture.

On arrival, a group transfer will take you to the port of embarkation, where you will board your five-star (local standards) cruise ship.

Once you've settled into your cabins, you can relax and enjoy lunch on board.

The afternoon is free for you to familiarise yourself with the ship's facilities or simply relax before starting your journey on the Nile.

End your day with dinner and an overnight stay on board.

Enjoy breakfast on board before setting off to explore the left bank of the Nile, home to Thebes and the eternal tombs of the pharaohs of the 18th to 20th dynasties.

Explore the fascinating Valley of the Kings, where you will visit three tombs. From the 18th Dynasty onwards and throughout the New Kingdom, the pharaohs were no longer buried in temples or monuments devoted to their final journey. Thutmose I and all the pharaohs who followed him decided to be buried on the other side of the river, on the west bank of the Nile - the land of the afterlife. No more colossal monuments, such as the pyramids, or even the Mastabas used during the Old Kingdom were erected; instead, vaults were carved right into the rock and access to them was strictly secured and hidden. The main reason for this change being undoubtedly to combat grave robbers.

Discover the Temple of Medinet Habu, dedicated to Ramesses III, which stands like a majestic castle and is one of Egypt's most spectacular funerary temples. you cannot miss visiting this imposing and monumental site. Ramesses III, hoping to restore Egypt's greatness and immortalise the name of his prestigious ancestor, undertook the construction of this jubilee temple as soon as he ascended the throne. This temple, one of the largest in the Theban Necropolis, captivates visitors with its immensity, striking splendour and rare frescoes, which retain their vibrant colours.

On the way back to the boat, stop off to admire the Colossi of Memnon, two imposing twin sandstone statues that bear witness to the past splendour of the temple of Amenophis III. Enjoy lunch on board, then sail to Esna. Round off your day with dinner and an overnight stay on board the boat.

Enjoy breakfast before setting sail for Edfu.

After lunch on board, ride in a horse-drawn carriage to explore the magnificent Temple of Horus at Edfu. This stately edifice, with its elegant and balanced design, is one of the best-preserved sites in ancient Egypt. It is a superb example of Ptolemaic art from the Graeco-Roman period. Enter the temple through the great pylon decorated with imposing reliefs representing the king and the gods, then walk through the courtyard with walls depicting the various rites performed by the king. Two imposing black granite falcons, incarnations of the god Horus, watch over the entrance to the temple.

Resume your cruise towards Kom Ombo, where you will spend the evening having dinner and enjoying an overnight stay on board.

Enjoy breakfast before a morning visit to the Kom Ombo Temple, just a few minutes away. Perched on a promontory on the banks of the Nile, this unique Egyptian temple dating from the Graeco-Roman era is home to two magnificent sanctuaries: one dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and the other to Horus, the falcon god.

Built in the Ptolemaic era on the site of a New Kingdom temple dedicated to Thutmose III, it towers 15 metres above the Nile. Its most remarkable feature is its dedication to two distinct deities: Haroeris, "Horus the Great" or "Horus the Ancient", and Sobek, the crocodile god. This temple is perfectly symmetrical, with two entrances, two parallel corridors and symmetrically arranged rooms, all leading to a double sanctuary. Brightly coloured sculpted columns adorn the esplanade in front of the entrance, and a small building to the right is home to the chapel of Hathor and several crocodile mummies.

Sail to Aswan, capital of Nubia, and have lunch on board.

Then, visit the Temple of Philae, dedicated to Isis. Following the construction of the Aswan High Dam by President Nasser in the 1960s, the island of Philae was submerged. Thanks to UNESCO, the monuments of Philae were dismantled piece by piece and reassembled on a nearby island 400 metres downstream.

Round off your day with a visit to the Papyrus Institute.

Dinner and overnight stay on board.

Have breakfast on board. Free time.

Enjoy lunch on board before embarking on a mini felucca cruise, a once-in-a-lifetime experience to discover the left bank and the Kitchener or Elephantine islands, true gems of the Nile. Let the gentle breeze lull you as you enjoy a peaceful cruise on the blue waters of the ancient Nile.

Stop off on Kitchener Island and visit its charming botanical gardens, a haven of peace and lush greenery. Enjoy the late afternoon at leisure to continue your discoveries or relax on board.

End the day with dinner and an overnight stay on board the boat.

Start the day with breakfast on board and enjoy a free day to explore Aswan, relax on the boat or take part in optional activities.

Lunch is served on board. After lunch, set sail for Esna, a historic city on the banks of the Nile.

End the day with dinner and an overnight stay aboard the boat, replenishing your energy for new adventures the next day.

In the morning, cross the Esna lock before having breakfast on board.

Visit the majestic Karnak Temple, an extraordinary religious site built over 2,000 years. There, great kings, such as Seti I, Ramesses II, Thutmose III and Ramesses III, paid homage to the god Amun. The name "Karnak", which means "fortress", dates back to the Islamic conquest.

After lunch on board, discover the Luxor Temple, built to celebrate the god Amun-Ra and his wife Mut. Every year, a procession left the temple at Karnak for Luxor along the banks of the Nile. The temple was built during the reign of the pharaohs Amenhotep III and Ramesses II.

Return to the boat and enjoy some free time to relax or explore the surrounding area.

Conclude the day's activities with dinner and an overnight stay on board, allowing for a well-rested start to the next day's itinerary.

Enjoy breakfast on board before preparing for your transfer to Luxor airport. Then fly to Cairo.

After lunch, explore the Egyptian capital, starting with a visit to the citadel of Saladin el-Ayyubi and the Muhammad Ali Mosque. Built between 1830 and 1849, this mosque is so white that it was nicknamed the "alabaster mosque". The courtyard houses a large clock, a gift from the French king Louis Philippe to Muhammad Ali Pasha. The belvedere of the citadel commands an exceptional panoramic view of the Egyptian capital.

Next, stroll through the Bazaar of Khan el-Khalili, a colourful place dating back to the 14th-century. Within the myriad of very diverse souks, you'll find traditional wares, a fabulous selection of gold and silver wire jewellery, and a range of Middle Eastern handicrafts.

Finish the day by settling into your five-star (local standards) hotel in Cairo for a well-deserved night's rest.

Have breakfast before setting off for a day of sightseeing.

Explore the National Museum of Antiquities, whose treasures span the prehistoric age through to the Roman period. Admire Tutankhamun's famous treasures among the more than 250,000 items on display. This museum, one of the largest in the world, allows visitors to discover the history of ancient Egypt over five millennia.

Enjoy lunch during your visit.

Then, explore Cairo's Coptic Quarter. The Christian religion was introduced by Saint Mark around 45 AD and this is how the Coptic community began to develop - Coptic being a term specifically referring to the Christians of Egypt. This picturesque district is particularly renowned for the astonishing number of churches it contains for such a small area.

Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church, one of the oldest Christian churches, was built around the 3rd or 4th century AD. It is named Saint-Sergius after a former war general who converted to Christianity. It is believed that this church was built on the site of a grotto where the Holy Family took refuge.

Saint Virgin Mary's Church, also known as the Hanging Church, is a magnificent monument. It is reached by stairs and a corridor decorated with mosaics depicting biblical scenes. It is nicknamed the Hanging Church because it is built on top of palm trunks that support it like stilts. The interior is lavishly decorated. In the main room, there is a Coptic icon depicting the Virgin Mary with Jesus in her arms. Their gaze seems to follow you as you walk around the icon.

End the day with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel

Enjoy breakfast.

Depending on flight times, you will be transferred as a group to the airport.

You will receive assistance with check-in formalities

A local English-speaking Egyptologist guide will accompany you for the entire duration of your stay.

Tips: "baksheesh"! This is one word you'll pick up quickly! While it's easy to ignore random solicitors, it is however customary for services and rewards a job well done. Tips for guides are never included. It is left to everyone's discretion.

There may be a pay-for internet connection available throughout the boat. However, we cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of the connection that will be available during your stay.

The luggage allowance for domestic flights is 23 kg in the hold per person, and a small cabin bag, 7 kg max. Any additional kilos will be subject to a supplementary charge at the airport

Accommodation is rated according to local standards.

The level of control at the airport in Egypt can be high and random depending on the number of tourists, which is why the tour leader advises arriving early enough.

Because traffic can be heavy in Cairo, journey times can be long.

The excursions are in groups, with other participants.
This package includes free time to wander around at your leisure. However, you are responsible for paying for any transfers made during these times.

Optional excursions are subject to a supplement, to be paid on site to your guide or local representative.

The pace of the visits can be quite intensive (see all the visits included in the day-by-day itinerary details), which means waking up very early in the morning (outside the ship's sailing periods)

Egypt is a cultural destination

PLEASE NOTE:
For those booking the "hotel-only" option (without international flights), please inform us of your flight details as soon as possible via the contact form located in the "Help and Contact" section at the bottom of the page, so that we can organise your transfers.