Visit the must-see sights, such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings, and the temples of Karnak, Luxor and Abu Simbel. In the neighbouring country of Jordan, the ancient Nabataean city of Petra awaits, as do the ruins of Roman civilisation in Jerash and Amman.
Day 1. Arrive Cairo
On arrival in Cairo be met and transferred to your hotel. Tonight meet your fellow travellers and your Egyptologist, who will also be your personal Tour Director, at a Welcome Reception.
Day 2. Alexandria
Travel to Alexandria, which was built in 332 BC by Alexander the Great. See the ancient catacombs and the spectacular pink granite Pompey’s Pillar, before heading to the Bibliotheca, the new library of Alexandria. Built to capture the spirit of the original Bibliotheca, the library is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to research and education. Later, check-in to your hotel, then enjoy dinner at King Farouk’s Office.
Day 3. Alexandria
This morning, visit the Roman Amphitheatre and spend time exploring the spectacular Montazah Summer Palace gardens. Later, travel along the beautiful Corniche to Qaitbay Citadel, overlooking the azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Day 4. Alexandria, El Alamein, Cairo
Today, travel back to Cairo via the port town of El Alamein. Here, in 1942, the Battle of El Alamein signalled an important turning point in the Second World War, when the Allies stopped Nazi Germany from taking control of Egypt. Visit the 9th Division Australian Army Memorial and Commonwealth War Cemetery. Then learn more about this important campaign at the El Alamein war museum. Tonight in Cairo, enjoy a delicious dinner at a favourite local restaurant, La Bodega.
Day 5. Cairo
This morning after breakfast, a city tour of Cairo takes in the Old City, where you’ll gain an insight into the history of this fascinating destination; the amazing Citadel of Saladin, built on a limestone hill overlooking the city. Your tour will also take in the bustling Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, these large markets form part of Cairo’s important shopping district. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then visit the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, one of Cairo’s must-see attractions. The museum is home to Egypt’s most revered antiquities, the treasures of legendary King Tutankhamun. Included in your visit is entry to the famed Mummy Rooms.
Day 6. Cairo, Abu Simbel, Aswan, Embark Ship
This morning transfer to the airport and board your included flight to Abu Simbel. Here, see the spectacular temples of Ramesses II, the third pharaoh of the nineteenth dynasty, and his beloved Nefertari. Following your discovery of Abu Simbel, join your included flight to the riverside town of Aswan where you’ll board the luxurious Moon Goddess and begin your exciting four night cruise along the Nile. Later this afternoon, board a traditional felucca and see the Mausoleum of the Aga Khan, the Botanical Gardens and more as you sail the Nile and its tributaries around Aswan. Tonight enjoy a delicious dinner on board as well as a Nubian Cultural Show.
Day 7. Aswan, Kom Ombo
Start today with a hearty breakfast on board, then visit the mighty Aswan High Dam. Completed in the early 1970s, the dam has been crucial to controlling the flow of water down the Nile, creating agricultural opportunities as well as generating hydro-electricity. You’ll also visit the Russian friendship monument, built to commemorate Russia’s involvement in the construction the dam. Visit the Unfinished Obelisk and take a small boat to Philae Temple. After a busy morning of sightseeing relax with lunch on board, depart Aswan and cruise to the Temple of Kom Ombo. Tonight enjoy the festivities of the Captain’s Welcome Cocktail Party.
Day 8. Edfu
This morning after breakfast in Edfu, travel to the Temple of Horus, the second largest temple in Egypt after the temple of Karnak, and also one of the country’s best-preserved temples. This afternoon your ship will cruise north, taking in the best views of the Nile Valley as you relax on board your luxury floating hotel and take advantage of the generous onboard facilities. Tonight enjoy a fun and exciting Galabeya Party.
Day 9. Luxor, Karnak Temple
Rising to another beautiful morning on the Nile, you may like to take advantage of the opportunity to go hot air ballooning over the East Bank, a once in a life-time opportunity (weather permitting, own expense). Later in the day, visit the Karnak Temple complex, a vast area consisting of ruined temples, chapels, pylons and other buildings. Today the site is a giant open air museum, telling stories of an ancient civilisation. Later, continue to the Luxor Temples an area that has been home to three different religions over the centuries. Standing like beacons on the banks of the Nile, with their large striking columns, the temples greet guests as they step ashore in Luxor.
Day 10. Disembark Ship, Luxor, Valley of the Kings
This morning after disembarking your river ship travel to the Valley of the Kings, a large area where tombs were constructed for notable pharaohs of the New Kingdom. Later, visit the equally impressive Valley of the Queens, home to approximately 80 tombs. Tonight you have the choice of three restaurants to dine in with our Dine Around Dinner. Be awestruck by an imaginative fusion of light and sound as the Karnak Temple complex comes to life during an evening sound and light show. Your experience begins with a horse-drawn carriage ride to Karnak, on the banks of the Nile. Watch in wonder as illuminations reflect off the ruins and water, lighting up the sky.
Day 11. Luxor, Cario
Today transfer to Luxor airport for your included flight back to the Egyptian capital. On arrival, check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to simply relax in the 40 acre verdant green gardens of the five-star Mena House Oberoi, the history of this property is reflected in the luxurious interiors.
Day 12. Great Pyramid of Giza, Memphis, Sakkara
After rising this morning to views of the pyramids, it’s the time you’ve all been waiting for. To get up close to the Great Pyramid and the Great Sphinx of Giza. Your visit to the Giza plateau is sure to be a highlight of your trip to Egypt. Marvel at one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the oldest and only one still standing today. For an iconic Egyptian experience perhaps take a ride camel across
the Giza Plateau. This afternoon, visit Memphis, Egypt’s first capital city. See the remarkable Statue of Ramesses II, believed to be 3200 years old, before re-boarding your coach and driving to Sakkara to see the very first pyramid. Best known as the Step Pyramid this one is the oldest of Egypt’s 97 pyramids. Tonight enjoy your last night in Egypt with a delicious dinner cruise on the Nile River.
Day 13. Cairo, Amman
This morning after breakfast, transfer to the airport for your included flight from Cairo to the Jordanian capital of Amman. On arrival transfer to your hotel, the luxurious Le Méridien, where tonight you’ll enjoy a Jordanian Welcome Dinner.
Day 14. Amman
Today enjoy a full day of touring in Amman. Start with a visit the to the ancient Roman Amphitheatre, once believed to seat 5000 people and still used today for theatre performances. Next it’s on to the Citadel and the Archaeological Museum. Located on the same site as the Citadel, the museum houses artefacts from the many archaeological sites in Jordan. Later, discover some of the ancient temples, including the Monastery and Orphanage in Jerash. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 15. Amman, Petra, Dine Around Dinner
Travel south along the 5000 year-old Kings Highway to Petra this morning. En-route, stop in Madaba and visit the contemporary Greek Orthodox church of St George, housing the oldest map in the world of the Holy Land. The map is a vivid sixth century Byzantine mosaic map on the floor of the church. Leaving Madaba, continue to Mt Nebo, from where it is believed Moses had his last view of the Promised Land. On arrival in Petra check-in to your hotel and tonight enjoy your Dine Around Dinner, choose from either the Al Saraya Restaurant, where you’ll experience a casual dining atmosphere, whilst enjoying sumptuous international cuisine. Or, perhaps Al Iwan Restaurant, a fine dining restaurant offering delicious Mediterranean cuisine. Later this evening, discover ancient Petra by Night, follow a path illuminated by thousands of candles through the Siq to a flood lit Khazneh (The Treasury). It’s a beautiful sight to behold and will be a memory that will stay with you forever.
Day 16. Petra
Today begins with a horse and buggy ride to the entrance of the legendary Siq, this vast 1.5 kilometre long gorge is the entrance to the ancient city of Petra and opens out to the remarkable Khazneh (The Treasury). The spectacular structure is carved into the side of a sandstone rock face, believed to have been built in the first century BC, and is one of Jordan’s best preserved ancient buildings. It has also featured in many movies including ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’.
Day 17. Wadi Rum, Dead Sea
After breakfast this morning, enjoy a short journey north of Petra to explore Little Petra. Located in a rocky outcrop, little Petra is an ancient city carved into the sandstone of mountains. Then join a two-hour jeep tour of Wadi Rum. The great British adventurer and spy, Lawrence of Arabia, based his headquarters here during his revolt against the Ottomans where he spent years traversing the Wadi Rum desert. As one of the world’s great desert landscapes, the Wadi Rum desert has been the inspiration for many movie sets including ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, ‘Red Planet’ and ‘Passion in the Desert’. Today explore this real life set. Later, your journey continues to your luxury accommodation at the Dead Sea. Famous as being the saltiest body of water in the world, the high salt content makes the water inhospitable to most animals, hence the name Dead Sea. It provides a unique floating opportunity for visitors to the Dead Sea, who can relax without sinking.
Day 18. Dead Sea
Today a short drive brings you to Bethany on the banks of the Jordan River, recognised by the Vatican as the site where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. Later, return to your hotel and share stories of your Majesty of Egypt and Jordan tour with your fellow travellers at a Farewell Dinner.
Day 19. Depart Dead Sea
Today your tour comes to a conclusion with a transfer to Amman Airport for your onward journey.
