Highlights
For many, the highlight of this tour is the legacy of the Pharaohs: the Great Pyramids and Sphinx, Karnak, Tutankhamun’s treasure and the ubiquitous hieroglyphics. Others enjoy the more contemporary aspects like the life-giving waters of the Nile itself, or the on-board Galabea Party.

Hotels
While in Cairo your hotel is the deluxe, river front Cairo Marriott hotel, housed in a former palace in the heart of the city, with six acres of lush, tranquil gardens. Your traditional Nile cruiser has comfortable cabins, bars, shops, a restaurant and swimming pool.

Fellow Passengers
Most passengers are attracted to this tour by the prospect of seven days aboard a luxury Nile cruiser, with ever-changing scenery and frequent stops at ancient monuments. It certainly suits those with an interest in ancient history who wish to experience Egypt in a relaxed and refined way.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

• 7 night Nile cruise on the MS Miriam or MS Giselle (or similar)with all cruise boat gratuities included
• Deluxe hotel with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Scheduled air travel between Cairo and LuxorSightseeing by air-conditioned coach
• Insight’s professional multi-lingual Egyptologist/Tour Director accompanies youServices of Insight’s Representative in Egypt
• Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack

Excursions & Sights

• Visit Mohammed Ali Mosque and enjoy stunning views over Cairo from the Citadel
• Tour the awesome Karnak Temple with its vast Hypostyle hall
• Visit the Temple of Hathor in Dendara
• See the Colossi of MemnonVisit the Temple of Horus at Edfu
• Tour the Temple of Sobek at Kom Ombo
• Visit the unfinished obelisk in the granite quarries & see Aswan High Dam
• Sail on a ‘felucca’ around Aswan’s Botanical gardens
• Visit the Rameses II statue & alabaster Sphinx in Memphis
• See the Sakkara Step Pyramid of King Zozer - the oldest in the world

Guided City Tours

• In-depth sightseeing tour with audio headset in Cairo. Orientation tours in Luxor & Aswan

Complimentary Transfers

• Complimentary arrival and departure transfers between Cairo airport and your Insight tour hotel

Quality Dining & Entertainment

• Egyptian dinner and Galabea Party with entertainment while cruising (HD)
• 11 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 7 Lunches (L) and 6 Dinners (D), plus bottled water or tea or coffee with included lunches and dinners whilst cruising

13 Days ~ Egypt

Tour Pace
While you might find hustle and bustle in the bazaars of Cairo, it is certainly not to be found aboard your luxury Nile cruiser. With seven nights to relax while you glide down the Nile, this tour could quite possibly be one of the most graceful vacations you will ever experience.

DAY 1 – MON – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Cairo.

DAY 2 – TUE – ARRIVE CAIRO
Welcome to the timeless land of the Pharoahs, a vast treasure trove of history and antiquities. On arrival in Cairo, you are met and transferred to your hotel.
Hotel: Marriott.

DAY 3 – WED – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast there is a detailed pre-tour briefing with your Tour Director. Then commence your exploration of Cairo with a visit to the Citadel for breathtaking views over the city. Salah El Din started the Citadel in the 12th century, but it owes its present outline to Mohammed Ali, whose great Mosque you visit next.This afternoon visit the Egyptian Museum, an unrivaled warehouse of Pharaonic treasure. Among the many exhibits are the fabulous artifacts recovered by archeologist Howard Carter from the tomb of King Tutankhamun. Later, drive to the Pyramids to witness the magical Sound & Light Show which literally illuminates the ancient history of Giza - an unforgettable introduction to the world of ancient Egypt. (BB)

DAY 4 – THU – CAIRO – CRUISING
Fly to Luxor, on the banks of the Nile, to tour the Temple complex of Karnak, dedicated to the Sun-God Amon. Walk spellbound through the avenue of sphinxes into the vast Hypostyle Hall housing 134 giant columns. After boarding your cruise boat set sail for Dendara.
Ship: MS Miriam/MS Giselle (BB,L,D)

DAY 5 – FRI – CRUISING – LUXOR
Visit the Temple of Hathor in Dendara, one of the best preserved temples in Egypt and containing a rare depiction of Cleopatra and her son Caesarian, whose father was Julius Caesar. The cruise returns to Luxor around midday. Afternoon at leisure. In the cool of early evening enjoy a horse & carriage ride to visit the ancient Temple of Luxor. (BB,L,D)

DAY 6 – SAT – CRUISING – EDFU
Travel by air-conditioned coach to the West Bank of the Nile to see the Colossi of Memnon, and visit both the Temple of Hatshepsut and Valley of the Kings, where many illustrious Pharoahs were buried. Return to your cruise boat where you sail via the Esna Lock to Edfu, where there is free time on arrival. (BB,L,D)

DAY 7 – SUN – CRUISING – ASWAN
Visit the well-preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu, dedicated to the Falcon God. After exploring this fascinating site, your cruise continues to Aswan. Don your galabeas (traditional Egyptian attire), for a fun-filled Egyptian Dinner and Galabea Party. (BB,L,HD)

DAY 8 – MON – CRUISING – ASWAN
A full day of sightseeing includes a visit to the Aswan High Dam and Granite Quarries to see the enormous unfinished obelisk. Travel by motorboat to the Temple of Isis, rising from the waters of the Nile on the Island of Philae. Later, return to Aswan to sail in a traditional Nile felucca around Aswan’s Botanical Gardens. (BB,L,D)

DAY 9 – TUE – CRUISING – KOM OMBO
Spend the morning at leisure in Aswan or perhaps join the optional excursion by air to the temples of Abu Simbel, carved out of the rock by Rameses II. In the afternoon, sail to Kom Ombo to visit the only double temple of Egypt dedicated to two gods, the crocodile headed, Sobek and falcon headed Horus the Elder. (BB,L,D)

DAY 10 – WED – CRUISING – LUXOR
In the evening arrive back in Luxor where there is time for last minute shopping and sightseeing. (BB,L,D).

DAY 11 – THU – LUXOR – CAIRO
Disembark your cruise and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo. The evening is at leisure. Perhaps enjoy an optional dinner and entertainment.
Hotel: Marriott. (BB)

DAY 12 – FRI – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING
Drive to Memphis, the famous capital of the ancient world. Admire the colossal statue of Rameses II and the great alabaster sphinx. Continue to Sakkara to see the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest pyramid in the world, dating back from 2700 BC. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Giza where you see the enigmatic Sphinx and the magnificent Pyramids with a highlight visit inside one of these extraordinary creations! (BB)

DAY 13 – SAT – RETURN TO USA
The tour ends with transfers to Cairo airport. (BB)

Highlights
For many, the highlight of this tour is the legacy of the Pharaohs: the Great Pyramids and Sphinx, Karnak, Tutankhamun’s treasure and the ubiquitous hieroglyphics. Others enjoy the more contemporary aspects like the life-giving waters of the Nile itself, or the on-board Galabea Party.

Hotels
While in Cairo your hotel is the deluxe, river front Cairo Marriott hotel, housed in a former palace in the heart of the city, with six acres of lush, tranquil gardens. Your traditional Nile cruiser has comfortable cabins, bars, shops, a restaurant and swimming pool.

Fellow Passengers
Most passengers are attracted to this tour by the prospect of seven days aboard a luxury Nile cruiser, with ever-changing scenery and frequent stops at ancient monuments. It certainly suits those with an interest in ancient history who wish to experience Egypt in a relaxed and refined way.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

• 7 night Nile cruise on the MS Miriam or MS Giselle (or similar)with all cruise boat gratuities included
• Deluxe hotel with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Scheduled air travel between Cairo and LuxorSightseeing by air-conditioned coach
• Insight’s professional multi-lingual Egyptologist/Tour Director accompanies youServices of Insight’s Representative in Egypt
• Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack

Excursions & Sights

• Visit Mohammed Ali Mosque and enjoy stunning views over Cairo from the Citadel
• Tour the awesome Karnak Temple with its vast Hypostyle hall
• Visit the Temple of Hathor in Dendara
• See the Colossi of MemnonVisit the Temple of Horus at Edfu
• Tour the Temple of Sobek at Kom Ombo
• Visit the unfinished obelisk in the granite quarries & see Aswan High Dam
• Sail on a ‘felucca’ around Aswan’s Botanical gardens
• Visit the Rameses II statue & alabaster Sphinx in Memphis
• See the Sakkara Step Pyramid of King Zozer - the oldest in the world

Guided City Tours

• In-depth sightseeing tour with audio headset in Cairo. Orientation tours in Luxor & Aswan

Complimentary Transfers

• Complimentary arrival and departure transfers between Cairo airport and your Insight tour hotel

Quality Dining & Entertainment

• Egyptian dinner and Galabea Party with entertainment while cruising (HD)
• 11 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 7 Lunches (L) and 6 Dinners (D), plus bottled water or tea or coffee with included lunches and dinners whilst cruising