Egypt, Cairo

An in-depth exploration of Egypt 5^*

Arrival in Cairo. Cairo is one of the world's largest metropolises, stretching along both banks of the Nile. Greeting on arrival and assistance with entry formalities. Transfer to your hotel. Check-in and dinner at leisure. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for a visit to the GUIZEH plateau and its incredible pyramids and the Sphinx : Kheops (the largest of the three, built around 2650 BC), is one of the 7 wonders of Antiquity and the only one to have stood the test of time. Khephren: the pyramid of Khephren appears to be higher than that of Kheops. In reality, it is slightly lower, due to its steeper angle and its location on slightly higher ground. Mykerinos, the tomb of King Mykerinos, is much smaller than the other two pyramids, standing at a height of 66 metres (entrance to a pyramid not included). Lunch in a tourist restaurant.

The afternoon will be dedicated to visiting the sites of Memphis and Sakkarah. South of Cairo, Memphis is now little more than a palm grove containing a few blocks, stelae and statues, including an enigmatic alabaster sphinx. Next, we will continue to the site of Saqqara and its famous Step Pyramid, which was built around 2700 BC for the pharaoh Djoser by the architect Imhotep. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport and flight to Luxor in Upper Egypt. Arrival, transfer to the port of embarkation and installation in the ship's cabins. Lunch on board.

Visit to the temple of Karnak. The most theologically significant building ever constructed here, over 2,000 years ago, was erected in homage to the same god: Amon. Some of the greatest kings, including Sethi I, Ramses II, Thutmose III and Ramses III, have ruled from here. Next stop: Luxor Temple. It was built to glorify the god Amun-Re, who celebrated the anniversary of his marriage to his wife Mut each year. A procession would leave Karnak Temple and follow the banks of the Nile to Luxor Temple. Luxor Temple was constructed during the reigns of two pharaohs: Amenhotep III and Ramses II. Return to the boat. Dinner and overnight on board.

Breakfast on board. Free morning, at your leisure to discover Luxor or relax on the boat. Lunch on board. Sailing towards Esna. Dinner and overnight on board.

Breakfast on board. Departure for a visit to the splendid Temple of Horus at Edfu. This masterpiece of balance and architectural elegance is one of the best preserved sites in all of Ancient Egypt, and a fine example of Ptolemaic art from the Greco-Roman period. You enter the temple via the great pylon, decorated with huge reliefs showing the king and the gods, to the courtyard, whose walls depict the various rites performed by the king. Return on board and continue the cruise to Kom Ombo. Free time on board. Lunch on board.

Late afternoon visit to the temple of Kom Ombo, just a 5-minute walk away: This temple, the only one of its kind in Egypt, is isolated on a promontory on the banks of the Nile. Dating from the Greco-Roman era, it brings together two superb sanctuaries: one dedicated to Sobek, the Crocodile God, and the other to Horus, the Falcon God. Built during the Ptolemaic period (Greco-Roman era), it stands on the site of a New Kingdom temple dedicated to Thutmose III of the 18th Dynasty.

Dinner and overnight on board.

Breakfast on board. Visit to the temple of Philae. Following the construction of the Aswan High Dam by President Nasser in the 1960s, the island of Philae, located upstream from the Nile's first cataract, became fully submerged. With the help of UNESCO, the Philae monuments were dismantled piece by piece and reassembled on a neighbouring island 400 metres downstream. The island of Philae was entirely dedicated to Isis, and the temple, which dates from the Ptolemaic period, has preserved its naos, the stone tabernacle that housed the statue of the deity. Return on board. Lunch and dinner on board. Night on board.

Breakfast on board. Free morning (optional visits available). Lunch on board. Mini cruise and Kitchener Botanical Gardens. The only way to reach the left bank and the Kitchener or Elephantine islands, the real jewels of the river. Let yourself be lulled by the breeze and sail through the calm blue waters of the age-old Nile. Stop at Kitchener Island and visit its botanical garden. Late afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight on board.

Breakfast on board. Free morning (optional visit offered) Lunch on board. Sailing towards Luxor. Free time on the boat. Dinner and overnight on board.

Early in the morning, you will pass through the lock and continue sailing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner and overnight on board. Arrival in Luxor in the late afternoon.

Breakfast on board. Transfer to Hurghada and settle in at the hotel (approx. 5 hours). Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon at leisure to relax on the beaches of the Red Sea. You can discover the marvellous seabed and multicoloured fish. Free day on an all-inclusive package at the hotel on the shores of the Red Sea. Accommodation at the hotel, optional excursions (boat trip, snorkelling, diving, safari, etc.) to be arranged with our local representative. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Accommodation and meals at the hotel. Free days. Opportunity to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities. Optional activities and excursions available. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Hurghada airport for your domestic flight to Cairo. On arrival, you will be met by a representative and then depart for a leisurely stroll through the souk of Khan el Khalili, the perfect opportunity to pick up your last souvenirs. Lunch in a local restaurant, then return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your return flight.