11-Day Egypt Tour from Aswan with Nile Cruise and Red Sea Snorkeling

• Our tour starts not in Cairo, but rather in Aswan.
• We spend the day sightseeing and sleep in our cabin on the cruise ship. Dinner is included after today's tour. Aswan is the smallest and most relaxed of the major tourist destinations along the Nile River. There, we will visit two attractions: the High Dam and the Temple of Philae.
• High Dam and Temple of Philae:
  • Construction of the High Dam became a key objective of the government following the Egyptian Revolution of 1952. The ability to control floods, provide water for irrigation, and generate hydroelectricity was seen as pivotal to Egypt's industrialization.
  • The Temple of Philae was the last ancient temple built in the classical Egyptian architectural style, approximately 690 BC. A major multinational UNESCO team relocated the Temple of Philae after the flooding of Lake Nasser.

Tour Schedule Information:

Please note that this tour (Day 1) begins only on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Cruise Ship Amenities:

Also note that breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included on the cruise ship, as are a swimming pool, different fun activities, and live entertainment.

• Day Trip to Abu Simbel:

  • Before the cruise ship leaves Aswan, we go on a day trip to the temples of Abu Simbel. There, we are provided with a guided tour. The twin temples were originally carved out of the mountainside in the 13th century BC, during the 19th dynasty reign of the Pharaoh Ramesses II. They serve as a lasting monument to the king and his queen Nefertari and commemorate his victory at the Battle of Kadesh. Their huge external rock relief figures have become iconic.
  • After the tour, we will have breakfast, which is provided near Abu Simbel.
  • We then return to the ship. It starts sailing along the Nile River after lunch.

• Evening Visit to Kom Ombo:

  • In the evening, we disembark the cruise ship. Within walking distance from where it docks is an ancient temple called Kom Ombo. There, we are provided with a guided tour. Kom Ombo is an unusual double temple constructed between 180-47 BC. It is atypical because everything is perfectly symmetrical along the main axis.

Cruise Ship Amenities:

Please note that breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included on the cruise ship, as are a swimming pool, different fun activities, and live entertainment.

• Horse Carriage Ride to Edfu Temple:

  • Today starts with a horse carriage ride to an ancient temple called Edfu. There, we are provided with a guided tour. This is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, built between 237 and 57 BC.
  • We then return to the cruise ship and continue sailing along the Nile River.

• Disembarkation in Luxor:

  • We disembark again in Luxor in the late afternoon. This evening's tour highlights are the Luxor Temple and the Old Market.
  • The day ends with dinner and a belly dancing show on the cruise ship.

• End of Cruise and Sunrise Balloon Ride:

  • Our cruise ends this morning, and our luggage is taken to the hotel.
  • Just in time for sunrise, we enjoy a balloon ride over the archaeological site of Luxor.

• Exploring Luxor's West Bank:

  • Afterward, we are taken to the west bank. There, we have breakfast.
  • Next to the restaurant is the Colossi of Memnon, where we see two massive stone statues.
  • We are then taken to the Valley of the Kings, where we see four ancient tombs of Egyptian kings, also known as pharaohs, including that of the much-revered Tutankhamun.
  • Next, we are taken to Deir el-Bahri, where we see a complex of mortuary temples and tombs.
  • Afterward, we are taken to Deir el-Medina, where we see an ancient village.
  • Next, we are taken to the Tombs of the Nobles, where we see the burial places of some of the ancient city's powerful courtiers.
  • Afterward, we are taken to a memorial temple called Ramesseum. Lunch follows.
  • Next, we are taken to a mortuary temple called Medinet Habu.
  • Lastly, we are taken to the Valley of the Queens, where we see 3 ancient tombs of Egyptian queens, including that of the much-revered Nefertari.

Note on Balloon Ride:

Children under 6 years old are not allowed to ride on hot air balloons.

• Visit to Karnak Temple: Before leaving Luxor, we are taken to Karnak Temple. There, we are provided with a guided tour. Karnak comprises a vast mix of decayed temples, chapels, pylons, and other ancient buildings.
• Lunch in Qena and Visit to Dendera Temple Complex:

  • Following Karnak Temple is lunch in the city of Qena.

  • Afterward, we will visit the Dendera Temple Complex. Dendera was a site for chapels from the beginning of ancient Egyptian history. The whole complex, surrounded by a hefty mud-brick enclosed wall, covers 40,000 square meters.

• Arrival in Hurghada:

  • The day ends in the coastal city of Hurghada. Hurghada is home to a very charming marina area filled with shops and restaurants.

Note on Abydos Option:

Note that upon request, we can also take you to the sacred city of Abydos.

It is not included on our standard tour because it is very far out of the way.

The detour would be made from Qena.

Abydos includes a royal necropolis where early pharaohs were entombed.

• Snorkeling in the Red Sea:
  • After snorkeling in the colorful waters of the Red Sea, we spend the remainder of the day exploring a resort town called El Gouna.
• Exploring El Gouna:
  • El Gouna's buildings were designed by many influential European and American architects. They were meant to resemble the type of traditional architecture found in the Egyptian countryside generally and in Nubian villages especially. El Gouna is also known for its nice beaches, countless yachts, and environmental friendliness.

• Flight to Cairo and Sightseeing Tour:

  • We take an early-morning and quick flight from Hurghada to Cairo.
  • Immediately upon arrival, we start sightseeing.
  • Places to visit today are as follows: the Cairo Citadel, Mosque of Ibn Tulun, Abdeen Palace, and Khan el-Khalili bazaar.

• Nile Cruise on Felucca:

  • Following our sightseeing tour, we enjoy a Nile cruise on a 'felucca' (a type of small boat).

• Evening in Zamalek:

  • The day ends with a drive to a neighborhood called Zamalek.
  • Upscale nightspots are found in and around this area.

• Day Trip Itinerary:
  • Firstly, we will visit a royal necropolis called Dahshur.
  • Afterward, we will explore the ruins of Memphis.
  • Next, we will head to a vast site called Saqqara, where we will crawl inside the ancient burial grounds.
  • Last but definitely not least are the world-renowned Giza Pyramids.
• Giza Pyramids Tour: There, we are provided with a guided tour. Additionally, we will go camel riding to explore the area.

• Flight to Sharm El-Sheikh and Sightseeing Tour:

  • We take an early-morning and quick flight from Cairo to Sharm El-Sheikh.
  • Immediately upon arrival, we will start sightseeing.
  • Places to visit today are the Mustafa Mosque, the old/central market, Mashyia Street, and SOHO Square.

• Desert Adventure:

  • After the sightseeing tour, we are taken into the desert.
  • There, we ride a quad.
  • Next, we visit a tribal Bedouin camp.
  • Then, we go camel riding.
  • Finally, we have a traditional dinner accompanied by a fire show. Dinner is included on this evening's tour.

• Nightlife in Naama Bay:

  • The night ends in Naama Bay, where we find the best nightlife Sharm El-Sheikh has to offer.

• We go on a day trip today, visiting Ras Muhammad National Park by boat. Lunch and snorkeling are included on today's tour. More than 220 species of coral are found in the park area, 125 of which are soft coral. Ras Muhammad is also home to more than 1,000 species of fish.
• Not least, the wreckage of the SS Thistlegorm, located off the park's coast, is definitely a highlight of the tour.

• Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Sharm El-Sheikh.