Egypt

Egypt: Cairo, a Nile Cruise and the Red Sea

Three nights in Cairo, seven on the Nile, then four all-inclusive in Hurghada

Egypt

Egypt: Cairo, a Nile Cruise and the Red Sea

The complete trip for a first time in Egypt: the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, seven nights' cruising on a superior 5* boat (local rating) between Luxor and Aswan, then four all-inclusive nights in Hurghada, in a 5* hotel whose beach opens straight onto a coral reef. You fly home from Hurghada; a version returning via Cairo is also available (from €2,201 per person).

When

Oct to April

Price

From 2 083€ excl. flights

(based on 2 people sharing)

How long

14 nights

Ideal length

Cairo

Days 1-3

The trip begins with three nights in Cairo, in a 5* hotel near the pyramids: Saqqara, the Giza plateau and the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Day 1

Arrival in Cairo

Flight to Cairo. Welcome on arrival by our French-speaking representative, help with visa formalities and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2

Saqqara and the pyramids of Giza

Visit Saqqara: the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the pyramid of Teti with its intact burial chamber, then a mastaba with reliefs of birds and animals. Lunch in a typical restaurant, then the Giza plateau, its three pyramids and the Sphinx.

Day 3

The Grand Egyptian Museum and Khan el-Khalili

Visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum, close to the pyramids, with Tutankhamun's treasure and the monumental statues of the pharaohs. Lunch in town, then explore the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Optional, payable locally: Coptic Cairo (€45) or Saladin's citadel and Islamic Cairo (€55).

1 / 4

From Luxor to Aswan

Days 4-8

Board in Luxor for seven nights on the boat. It sails up the Nile via Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo to Aswan, at the gates of Nubia.

Day 4

Flight to Luxor and boarding

Flight to Luxor, transfer to the cruise boat and settling in on board. Dinner and night at the quay.

Day 5

The temple of Karnak – Esna

Visit Karnak temple and its hypostyle hall of giant columns. An afternoon's sailing: the banks of the Nile slip slowly by as far as Esna, reached at tea time.

Day 6

Edfu and Kom Ombo

Visit the temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best preserved in Egypt. After lunch on board, sail to Kom Ombo and visit its double temple, dedicated to Sobek the crocodile and Horus the falcon. Sail overnight to Aswan.

Day 7

Aswan: the High Dam and Elephantine Island

Leave for the Aswan High Dam and its view over Lake Nasser, then the unfinished obelisk, left in its granite quarry for nearly 3,500 years. A felucca ride around Elephantine Island.

Day 8

Aswan – optional Abu Simbel

In the morning, an optional excursion to Abu Simbel, by coach or plane. For those staying in Aswan, a free morning or extra visits with the guide. After lunch, the boat heads back towards Luxor.

1 / 5

Back to Luxor

Days 9-10

A day's sailing, then the west bank at Thebes before leaving the Nile.

Day 9

Sailing back to Luxor

A full day's sailing towards Luxor, best spent on the upper deck: feluccas, palm trees, mud-brick houses in the fields and, beyond the banks, the desert.

Day 10

Luxor: Medinet Habu and the west bank

Arrive in Luxor and leave for the west bank. Visit Medinet Habu, the mortuary temple of Ramesses III, one of the largest in the Theban necropolis and one of the few to have kept its colours, then continue the visits in the necropolis.

1 / 3

Hurghada and the Red Sea

Days 11-15

Four hours' drive across the desert and the Red Sea comes into view. Four all-inclusive nights in a deluxe room, with the coral a short swim from the beach.

Day 11

Luxor – Hurghada

Drive to Hurghada (280 km, about 4 hours). Arrive at the 5* hotel for lunch and check in. Free afternoon at the beach, all-inclusive.

Day 12

Hurghada: the coral reef

A free all-inclusive day. The coral reef can be reached straight from the hotel beach: a mask and snorkel are all you need.

Day 13

Hurghada, free day

A second all-inclusive day of rest, between the beach, the pool and the Red Sea.

Day 14

Last day in Hurghada

A free all-inclusive day until departure. Depending on the flight plan: dinner then transfer to the airport in the evening, or dinner and night at the hotel.