Compare Taste of Egypt by Avalon Waterways vs Majestic Egypt Vacation – Pharaohs & Pyramids by Look at Egypt

Day 1: CAIRO, EGYPT

Welcome to Cairo, “Mother of the World”

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Day 2: CAIRO

Desert Sands and Secrets of the Sphinx

CLASSIC This morning take a close-up look at one of the World’s Seven Wonders and guardian of the great pyramids, the enigmatic Sphinx, and the Great Pyramid of Giza. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet, is the most colossal pyramid ever built, and of course enjoy the visit to the newly discovered Noble Tombs.

Afterwards, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.

CLASSIC Drive to Sakkara, a vast desert necropolis built for kings and nobles, and its “Stairway to the Sky,” the oldest of all pyramids. Also admire the special tomb of Mary Roca and the Step Pyramid of King Zoser.

(Breakfast)

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Day 3: CAIRO

Ancient Cairo, a Boy King, and the Christ Child

CLASSIC Enjoy a guided visit to the now-famous Tahrir Square and visit the Egyptian Museum. Peruse King Tutankhamun’s fabulous treasures and many other priceless artifacts of ancient Egypt.

CLASSIC Drive to walled city of Old Cairo, with Saladin’s 12th-century citadel, and the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali.

CLASSIC Drive to “Coptic Cairo” to Abu Serga Church, not only the oldest church in Egypt but built on the spot where the Holy Family stopped and rested towards the end of their journey to Egypt. Proceed to visit the hanging church, which dates back to the fourth century, built on the remains of an old Roman Babylon fortress. Walk to see Cairo’s oldest Jewish synagogue, founded in the 9th century.

* Note: upon its opening, the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza will replace Cairo’s Egyptian Museum for this itinerary.

(Breakfast)

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Day 4: CAIRO–LUXOR (EMBARKATION)

The World’s Greatest Open-Air Museum

Fly 300 miles up the Nile Valley to Luxor to embark on your Nile River cruise.

CLASSIC See the stunning monuments of Luxor and Karnak, ancient cities whose combined populations swelled to more than one million. Walk among the pillars of the colossal Temple of Amun Ra and along the Avenue of the Sphinxes for an experience you will treasure for a lifetime.

Consider an Optional Guided Excursion to enjoy the sound and light show in Karnak Temple.

This evening enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LUXOR

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

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Day 5: LUXOR–EDFU

Royal Resting Places of Kings and Queens

CLASSIC Venture to the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens on the west bank of the Nile where generations of pharaohs and nobles were entombed in Cliffside crypts. See where 63 royal tombs have thus far been discovered, of which one was virtually intact—the splendid tomb of Tutankhamun discovered in 1922.

CLASSIC Visit Deir El-Bahri, Queen Hatshepsut’s monumental rock temple. Stop for pictures at the two Colossi of Memnon guarding the valleys.

DISCOVERY This evening enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN EDFU

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

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Day 6: EDFU–KOM OMBO–ASWAN

Egyptian Gods of the River and Sky

CLASSIC This morning visit Edfu Temple, also known as the Temple of Horus with its menacing black stone statue of the falcon god.

Enjoy a leisurely sail to Kom Ombo.

DISCOVERY Join an exclusive lecture on this ancient civilization by your Egyptologist.

CLASSIC Enjoy beautiful Kom Ombo for a short walk to its bluff-top twin temples. The right side is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek-Ra, while the left side is dedicated to the falcon god Horus.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ASWAN

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

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Day 7: ASWAN

Temples from Above and Islands Below

This morning, consider flying to Abu Simbel to join a Guided Optional Excursion of the huge massive sandstone temples (weather permitting).

CLASSIC Board a Felucca (traditional wooden sailing boat) and cross the blue waters of the Nile. En route, see the ancient water measurement system, “Nilometer,” on the Nile’s Elephantine Island. Visit Kitchener Island’s lush Botanical Gardens and the splendid Aga Khan Mausoleum on the left bank.

Join an Optional Excursion to the Sound and Light show in Philae Temple.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ASWAN

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

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Day 8: ASWAN (DISEMBARKATION)–CAIRO

Work in Progress and the Goddess Isis

CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Excursion at to explore the Granite Quarries that supplied ancient Egypt with its hard stones for the pyramids in Giza. See the famous unfinished obelisk, still remaining in the quarry.

CLASSIC Visit the gigantic Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970. Board a motor launch to the island of Agilika between the two dams. Visit the Temple Of Isis, which was dismantled from the submerged island of Philae and reassembled here.

Board your flight back to Cairo later today, and consider attending an Optional Dinner Cruise on the Nile to celebrate your Egyptian adventure.

(Breakfast)

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Day 9: CAIRO

Amazing Civilization and Marketplace Mazes

CLASSIC Start the day with a guided tour of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. No visit would be complete without time to experience the Royal Mummies’ Hall, considered the crown jewel of the museum.

CLASSIC Take in a full panoramic view of Cairo from the Nile River—on board a traditional wooden sailing vessel (Felucca). Then enjoy a typical Egyptian light lunch (Coshair or Falafel) with yummy ice cream in downtown Cairo.

CLASSIC Browse the maze of shops in the vast labyrinths of the Khan al Khali Souk bazaar and Medieval alleyways.

(Breakfast)

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Day 10: CAIRO

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(Breakfast)

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Day 1: Welcome to the Land of the Pharaohs - Egypt Arrival

On arrival at Cairo International Airport, you will be met by one of our representatives who hold a sign by your name he will help you to finish all your formalities and help you to get your visa after that he will escort you to your hotel by private vehicle. Delve into the antiquities of Egypt on this epic journey which begins in Cairo. Overnight in Cairo.

Day 2: Discover the Great Pyramids of Giza & Sakkara Pyramids & Tombs & Memphis

You will be picked up by your Egyptologist Guide to start your first-day tour in Egypt in your private vehicle, start by the Giza Pyramids Tour with The Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinus. Then proceed to visit the Great Sphinx, which dates back to the time of Chephren and visit the Valley Temple.

Move to visit the Step Pyramid of Zoser, the world's oldest major stone structure. It was built in the 3rd Dynasty for King Djoser. Then Proceed to have your lunch at a local restaurant. After that transfer to Memphis which was founded by King Menes, and was the capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom, it was considered to be a center of rule and culture for over 3000 years the first capital of Egypt, and see the Statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx of Memphis the ancient Capital of Egypt.

After that move to your hotel in Cairo.

Day 3: Discover Cairo Treasures The Egyptian Museum, Old Cairo & Khan EL Khalili Bazaar

After your breakfast at your hotel, your private guide will pick you up to start your tour exploring the highlights of Cairo start your day by visiting the Egyptian Museum Cairo's famous Egyptian Museum houses 165,000 Egyptian artifacts, but the priceless treasures of King Tutankhamun are the highlight. His six gilded coffins dominate the main hall, while his magnificent death mask is the star attraction. Your guide will introduce you to the museum's most important pieces before you have free time to explore at your leisure.

After that move to the Old Cairo or the Coptic Cairo as all people call it to visit the Old Churches of Egypt and learn about the Flee of The Holy Family to Egypt, it is a very spiritual place to visit, end your day by visiting the Old Bazaar of Khan ELkhalili enjoy the local life and local cafe then back to your hotel. overnight in Cairo.

Day 4: Cruising Down the River Nile - Discover Luxor East Bank

After breakfast at your hotel in Cairo and according to your flight time to Luxor, Look at Egypt tours' manager will escort you to the airport to fly to Luxor( 1-hour Flight) upon arrival your expert Egyptologist guide will be waiting for you to start your tour in the East bank of Luxor by visiting the complex of Karnak the biggest temple in Egypt was Known as Ipet-Isut (Most Perfect of Places) to the Ancient Egyptians, Karnak was dedicated to the city’s most powerful triad of god Amun, his consort Mut and their son Khonsu, the moon-god. Covering some 40 hectares (100 acres), Karnak is a vast site. For more than 1,500 years it was the most important religious and intellectual center in Ancient Egypt specially during the golden age of the empire.

Begun during the Old Kingdom, it became the national shrine from the 11th Dynasty, c.2134BC. The temple complex was expanded during the following centuries, with each pharaoh adding his own shrines and monuments to make his mark. Karnak was abandoned around the 4th century AD when the Egyptians turned to­ Christianity.

As ‘the Harem of the South’, as it was known, Luxor was connected to Karnak by a 3km long processional Avenue of Sphinxes (4th century BC), part of which is still visible, the rest of which is currently undergoing excavation. Eventually, it will be renovated in its entirety all the way to Karnak.

After your tour in the Karnak temple head to the Temple of Luxor was dedicated to the mighty Theban triad of Amun, Mut and Khonsu.

The core of the temple was built by Amenhotep III the grandfather of King Tutankhamun (1390–1352 BC), and even though it was embellished and expanded several times, its plan remains much simpler and more compact than the complex in Karnak.after that move to embark on your Nile cruise for four nights full board all meals on your cruise.

Day 5: Discover the Valley of The Kings & Temples on West Bank of Luxor

Your first visit of the day will be to the Valley of the Kings, the necropolis of the Pharaonic New Kingdom, including the famous tombs of the kings of ancient Egypt. Your next stop will be the amazing temple of Hatshepsut, the famous woman who ruled Egypt in the New Kingdom as a male king and was buried at Valley of the Kings, This temple was used as a monastery in the Christian era. This is why it is famous for the name “El Deir Al Bahry”, or the Western Monastery. Your last stop of the day will be at the gigantic Colossi of Memnon. These two 18 meters high statues are the only remaining items of the temple of Amenhotep III. During the Roman era, music was heard coming out of one of the statues that were attributed, by the Greeks.

Day 6: Treasures of the Pharaohs on the Nile -Temples of Edfu & Kom Ombo

After breakfast on board, your cruise will stop at the bank of the Nile to visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu, this temple is the best-preserved temple in Egypt. The building of the temple lasted about 800 years, the temple includes wonderfully decorated walls and stone capitals. After this visit back to your Nile cruise continue sailing towards Kom Ombo temple.

By the sunset, you will reach Kom Ombo visit a very unique temple in Egypt the temple of Kom Ombo that dedicated to two Gods Sobek the Crocodile and Hours the Falcon this temple took about 400 years to be completed also you will visit the crocodile museum that includes many Mummies of Crocodiles were found in the temples. Back to your cruise continue sailing to Aswan.All Meals on board.

Day 7: Explore Aswan Highlights The Temple of Goddess Isis in Philae Island

in the morning you have the chance to join an optional trip to Abu Simbel temples all upon request.

in your tour in Aswan visit the Philae island a complex of temples dedicated to Goddess Isis of Love in Aswan. Philae island must-see attraction in Aswan during your visit, after this active day back to your cruise By night, enjoy some folkloric show some entertainments, this is the last night on your Nile cruise. all meals onboard.

Day 8: From Aswan to Cairo by Air

After breakfast on your cruise on the cruise check out and fly back to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo, you will be transferred to your hotel for relaxing in Cairo.

Day 9: Final Departure End of Your Egyptian Adventure

This is the last day of your luxury tour in Egypt and according to your flight time Look at Egypt tours representative will escort you to the airport for final departure.

Ps. Hotel Check out is 12: 00 Pm and you can use the hotel facilities as you like.