Treasures of Egypt

DAY 1 | 3 NIGHTS - Marriot Mena House

Welcome to Egypt! For thousands of years Egypt has been the playground of emperors and kings. Great civilisations have risen from its sandy interiors and the Nile continues to bring life to an otherwise barren land. Much of the scenery has barely changed since biblical times and the entire nation is wrapped in an ancient mysticism which has beguiled writers and romantics for centuries.

Overlooking the Great Pyramids of Giza, Mena House offers perhaps the finest views in all of Cairo.  We enjoy a welcome drink and raise a toast to a fabulous fortnight ahead!

DAY 2 | CAIRO

Visit two iconic ancient Egyptian sites this morning – the Giza Pyramids and the enigmatic Sphinx.  Explore the interior of one of the legendary pyramids & take in the panorama of the Giza Plateau on foot or from atop a camel before enjoying traditional Egyptian fare at a local restaurant.  This afternoon we enjoy a guided tour of the Civilization Museum, the only museum focusing on the first civilization in history and includes 22 modern state mummies from ancient Egypt. Return to Mena House for the remainder of the afternoon at leisure before a hosted Welcome Dinner.

DAY 3 | CAIRO

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is set to be the largest archaeological museum in the world,  and will house the complete Tutankhamun collection. If it is open we will spend the morning on a guided tour; if not we will visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities currently home to the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including treasures from Tutankhamun and items dating to 4000 BC. Enjoy a guided tour including access to the famous Mummy Room, housing the remains of many kings & queens of ancient Egypt, including Ramses II, Egypt’s longest‐ruling pharaoh. Return to our hotel for the remainder of the afternoon & evening at leisure ‐ indulge in the spa, take a swim in the pool & dine in your choice of restaurant.

DAY 4 | LUXOR | 2 NIGHTS - Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa

An early start today to tour of Old Cairo, enjoy lunch and then fly to Luxor | Old Cairo is the home of the oldest religious buildings in Egypt, with Amr Ibn Al‐Aas Mosque representing Islam, the  Hanging Church representing Christianity and Synagogue of Ben Ezra representing Judaism.  Afternoon at leisure on arrival in Luxor with a hosted dinner this evening.

DAY 5 | LUXOR

Travel to the West Bank of the Nile to explore the Valley of the Kings and its decorated tombs of the ancient Pharaoh Kings, including Tutankhamun’s tomb enclosed in 35‐century‐old walls.  Visit the enormous Temple of Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt’s first female pharaoh and the gigantic Colossi of Memnon that acted as the Guardians of the West Bank of Luxor before visiting the Valley of workers, where the artists who decorated the king’s tombs are buried.  Lunch in one of the famous local restaurants by the Nile before crossing back to the East Bank with the remainder of the day at  leisure to explore Luxor or relax by the pool on the banks of the Nile.

DAY 6 | NILE CRUISE | 5 NIGHTS - Traditional Dahabiya

Optional sunrise hot air balloon ride above the Valley of the Kings early this morning.

Today we board our Dahabiya ‐ a stunning traditional sailboat and our private floating hotel for the next 5 nights.  We will discover the Nile’s significant impact on ancient Egyptian civilization as we sail upstream from Luxor to Aswan.   We have exclusive use of our boat and will enjoy lunch and dinner on board.

DAY 7 | NILE CRUISE

After breakfast on the shores of Edfu we will board a horse & carriage and travel to the Temple of Horus, the Falcon‐headed God of the sky.  This stunningly well‐preserved & colourful structure is one of the largest in Egypt, built in 230BC by Ptolemy III it reveals what temple worship was like in ancient Egypt.  Back on board, we sail to Ğebel el‐Silsila ‐ an archaeological site on both banks of
the Nile & once the most important sandstone quarry in Egypt. It is one of the less frequented sites along the mighty Nile as larger vessels cannot reach this site (on our small Dahabiya we can!) | This evening we dine on traditional Egyptian food & enjoy Arabic Music and dancing ‐ time to break out your bespoke Gallabeyah or Belly Dancing outfit!

DAY 8 | NILE CRUISE

We first alight this morning to visit the Temple of Horemheb at Silsila, dedicated to the God Amon, & we explore the breathtaking caves that suround it | Later we stop at the Faris Coffee Shop, a  traditional local coffee house where locals drink tea & coffee, smoke the famous shisha & play dominoes ‐ an insight into traditional Arabic life.  Enjoy lunch as we sail to Bashir Island where you have the opportunity to swim before dinner under the twinkling stars.