Description

Full Itinerary

DAY 1:  CAIRO
You will arrive in Cairo and be transferred to the hotel.
Overnight:  Cairo

DAY 2:  CAIRO – MEMPHIS – SAKKARA – CAIRO
The day will start with a visit to Memphis, the home of a colossal Statue of Ramsses II and the Alabaster Sphinx. The tour then continues to the “Cemetery City” of Sakkara where one can view the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest of all the Pyramids. Finally the tour will visit the Great Pyramids of Giza and the mystical Sphinx, the image that immediately pops into one’s head if thinking of Egypt.
Overnight:  Cairo  (B)

DAY 3:  CAIRO
In the morning you will take a tour of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo exhibiting as one of the highlights treasures recovered from Tut-Ankh-Amun’s tomb. The afternoon will be at your leisure, perhaps you could get some shopping done. In the evening you will attend a fascinating Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids.
Overnight:  Cairo  (B)

DAY 4:  CAIRO
A change of pace today as the focus temporarily turns of the Egyptian gods of old to a more modern faith. You will explore Old Cairo and visit the Hanging Church and the Church of the Holy Family. Then the tour will continue to the Ben Ezra Synagogue, the legendary site where the Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses amongst the bulrushes. The afternoon will then again be at your leisure.
Overnight:  Cairo  (B)

DAY 5:  CAIRO – LUXOR
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Cairo Airport for the flight (cost of flight not included) to Luxor.  On arrival in Luxor, you will be transferred to the hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight:  Luxor  (B)

DAY 6:  LUXOR
Today you will be entirely at your leisure to explore Luxor, one of the world’s greatest open-air museums. Optional tours are available should you wish for something more structured. We suggest taking an unforgettable hot-air balloon excursion over the ruins of Thebes.
Overnight: Luxor  (B)

DAY 7:  CAIRO – LUXOR – NILE CRUISER – KARNAK & LUXOR TEMPLES
It is finally time to start the cruise portion of this tour and you will be transferred to your Nile Cruiser. The tour will visit Karnak Temple, a complex dedicated to Amun Ra. Its impressive features are probably the most overwhelming of all the Egyptian monuments. Thereafter you will visit Luxor Temple discovered beneath the shifting desert sands.
Overnight: Nile Cruiser  (BLD)

DAY 8:  LUXOR – WEST BANK – VALLEY OF THE KINGS – ESNA
This morning you will take a bus tour to the West Bank and visit Thebes Necropolis and the Valley of Kings. The valley is a vast City of the Dead for generations of Pharaohs, where magnificent tombs were carved into the desert rocks. Many of the tombs were richly decorated and filled with treasures for the afterlife but unfortunately very few were unvisited by grave robbers during ancient times. The most famous of the sixty-two tombs is the tomb of Tut-Ankh-Amun unearthed by Howard Carter. Later you will visit Deir al-Bahri where the Temple of Hatshepsut was built for the only woman who ruled Egypt. Then a little later in the day you will see the Colossi of Memnon which is all that remains of the Temple of Amenophis, destroyed by the annual flooding of the Nile. The cruise then continues to Esna, crosses the lock, and continues onto Edfu.
Overnight: Nile Cruiser  (BLD)

DAY 9:  EDFU – KOM OMBO – ASWAN
The day’s first highlight is taking a horse-drawn carriage through Edfu to the famous and best preserved ancient Greek-built temple. Horus Temple dedicated to the falcon God was built on a rise to escape the annual flooding of the Nile. The cruise then continues to Kom Ombo where the Temple of Sobek and Haroeris will be visited. The temple of Sobek is dedicated to the crocodile god whilst the temple of Haroeris is dedicated to the falcon-headed god.
Overnight: Nile Cruiser  (BLD)

DAY 10:  HIGH DAM – PHILAE TEMPLE – FELUCCA RIDE
Today you will visit the High Dam, a huge rock-fill dam, which captures the world’s longest river. Travel by motorboat to Agilika Island and visit the reassembled Philae Temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. The temple has a majestic aura, particularly at sunset when it almost seems like it turns to gold. In the afternoon you can enjoy a Felucca ride during which you might catch a glimpse of the lush Botanic Gardens on Kitcheners Island, Elephantine Island, and Aga Khan’s Mausoleum on the west bank (view only, no visit).
Overnight: Nile Cruiser  (BLD)

DAY 11:  ASWAN – ABU SIMBEL – ASWAN
You will disembark after breakfast and be transferred to Aswan Airport for the flight (cost of flight not included) to Abu Simbel.  Then you will board a bus to tour the Abu Simbel temples (approx. 1 hour).  The Abu Simbel Temples were cut from the rock and shifted to higher ground as the waters of Lake Nasser began to rise following the completion of the Aswan High Dam. After the excursion ends you will be transferred back to the airport for the return flight to Aswan (cost of flight not included). On arrival you will be transferred to the hotel.
Overnight:  Aswan  (B)

DAY 12:  ASWAN
Today you will have the day at leisure to explore Aswan on your own. The beautiful Nile-side setting of Aswan offers serenity so you could just relax. Alternatively, optional tours are available and we suggest a tour of the Nubian Museum (price not included).
Overnight:  Aswan  (B)

DAY 13:  ASWAN
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Aswan Airport for the flight to Cairo. (cost of this flight not included). (B)

Rates on request, please e-mail: travel@itt.co.za 

All rates will be converted at time of final payment according to ITT’s bank selling rates.  Please double check the final ZAR amount with us on day of payment.  All services are subject to availability time of booking and subject to the General Terms and Conditions of ITT Inspirations Travel & Tours (PTY) LTD.

 ITT Inspirations Travel & Tours
Email:  travel@itt.co.za  
l  Tel: +27 (0)31 266 0030
www.itt.co.za