Upgraded – Egypt: Cairo, Alexandria & Nile Cruise

Our tour begins today in Cairo, Egypt's vibrant capital, situated on the banks of the River Nile. This sprawling metropolis offers a fascinating blend of modern architecture, ancient monuments, and labyrinthine streets. Cairo offers some of Egypt's finest Pharaonic, Coptic-, and Islamic landmarks, providing an unforgettable introduction to the country's rich history and culture. For those arriving on time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting.

For those who wish, there is also the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Cairo at any time. If you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will leave a note at the front desk and will share any essential information as soon as you catch up. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive at Cairo International Airport (CAI), which is around a 45-minute drive from our hotel, depending on traffic conditions. As part of our Upgraded range, we also offer a complimentary transfer to those who have made pre-tour accommodation arrangements through us, regardless of their arrival day.

This morning, we travel the short distance to Giza to visit the Pyramids and the Sphinx, which are among the most impressive man-made wonders in the world. Accompanied by a local guide, we'll explore the pyramid complex, including the iconic Sphinx, a crouching lion with a human head carved from a single mass of rock, and the magnificent Granite Temple. Continuing our journey into ancient Egypt, we’ll head to the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, home to more than 100,000 artefacts from the period. Highlights include ornate jewellery, intricately decorated caskets, towering granite statues and mummified remains. All twelve galleries are now open to the public, including the remarkable treasures of Tutankhamun.

A destination in its own right, the Grand Egyptian Museum has earned international acclaim for both its vast collection and striking architectural design. Following our guided tour, we'll have free time to enjoy lunch at one of the museum's many restaurants. We'll return to our hotel in the afternoon, with time to relax and freshen up before heading out in the evening for a welcome dinner featuring authentic Egyptian cuisine, providing the perfect introduction to the country's rich culinary traditions.

Departing after breakfast, we'll set off on a three-hour drive to the historic coastal city of Alexandria. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria was once a premier intellectual and cultural centre of the ancient Mediterranean. It was also home to one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: the over 100-metre-tall Lighthouse of Alexandria. With its rich layers of history, the city continues to attract visitors from across the globe.

On arrival, we'll make our way to the beautiful Montaza Palace Gardens, a sprawling royal estate set along the Mediterranean coast. Once the summer residence of Egypt's royal family, the grounds are known for their elegant architecture, landscaped gardens, and sweeping sea views, offering a relaxing introduction to Alexandria's coastal charm.

This afternoon, we'll visit the revived Bibliotheca Alexandrina, built in 2002 as a tribute to the ancient Library of Alexandria, which was once considered the largest library of its kind in the world before its loss in antiquity around 391 AD. We'll also explore the fascinating archaeological site of the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, renowned for its remarkable blend of ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman architectural styles. Descending 35 metres underground, the catacombs offer a unique insight into Egyptian life within a truly diverse cultural landscape.

For those who'd like to join, our tour leader will lead a sunset walk along the picturesque Corniche before dinner. Our base for the next two nights is the historic five-star Paradise Inn Le Metropole. First opened in 1902, this elegant heritage hotel blends classic charm with modern comforts, and breakfast is often served (weather permitting) at the open-air rooftop restaurant overlooking the ocean.

This morning, we'll continue our exploration of Alexandria and its colourful past. Our day begins with a short drive to the Roman Amphitheatre, once an impressive open-air theatre capable of seating more than 700 people, along with simpler galleries designed for the wider public. Today, the site gives us a fascinating glimpse into Roman Alexandria, with elegant columns and beautifully preserved Roman mosaics decorating the floors of the extensive complex. We'll also visit the nearby Villa of the Birds, named after its remarkable mosaics, dating back to the 2nd century, depicting a variety of birds, including a peacock, a parrot,- and pigeons. These exceptionally well-preserved artworks provide a unique insight into the luxury and artistry of ancient Alexandria.

Following our visit, we'll continue to Pompey's Pillar, a magnificent 27-metre-high granite column carved from a single piece of red Aswan granite -one of the city's most iconic relics of the Roman era. Before returning to our hotel in the afternoon, we'll visit Qaitbay Fort on Pharos Island. Built in the 15th century by the Mamluk Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaitbay, the fort sits in the exact spot once occupied by the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria. After lunch, we'll return to our hotel, where the remainder of the afternoon is free for you to explore more of the city at your own pace.

Today, we’ll return to Cairo and spend the afternoon exploring the vibrant Khan El Khalili Bazaar, one of the world's oldest and most iconic marketplaces.

We’ll discover the Al Attarin spice market and the El Sagha gold market, wandering through the lanes of colourful stalls, enticing scents and layers of history. Along the way, we’ll learn more about traditional Egyptian foods from local vendors and pause for tea at one of the area’s historic cafes.

Next, we’ll continue exploring the city with a walking tour through the heart of Islamic Cairo, heading to the Khan El Khalili district and Moez Street, which is something of an open-air museum of medieval Islamic architecture. Our day of cultural immersion continues with a visit to an Arabic calligraphy workshop, where we’ll get a fascinating introduction to the history, styles, and techniques of the celebrated art form. We’ll get hands-on experience using traditional and contemporary tools to create our own handwritten piece while exploring the relationship between Arabic calligraphy and modern design.

After a busy day spent exploring the city, we’ll head to a local family home where we’ll receive a warm welcome and get prepared for an authentic Egyptian cooking class. Working alongside our hosts, we’ll learn how to prepare a selection of traditional Egyptian dishes before gathering together to enjoy the meal we’ve cooked up. This memorable activity gives us the invaluable opportunity to connect with local culture and get to know Egyptian culinary traditions in an intimate and meaningful setting.  

Tonight, we stay at Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir, located in the historic Tahrir Square, right in the heart of the city. Overlooking the renowned Egyptian Museum, it’s the perfect base from which to explore Cairo's rich cultural heritage and iconic landmarks. You'll also find a good variety of cafes and restaurants in the local area, so it’s a great opportunity to sample Cairo’s thriving culinary scene. 

This morning, we take a short 90-minute flight from Cairo to Aswan in preparation for our Nile cruise, which departs tomorrow. 

Upon arrival in Aswan, we’ll visit the Temple of Philae, an island-based ancient temple complex dedicated to Isis, the ancient Egyptian goddess of health, marriage, and wisdom. Saved from the rising waters of the Nile and carefully relocated to Agilka Island, this temple is celebrated for its grand decorative pylons, elegant columns, and some of the finest stone carvings in Egypt. We’ll reach the island by motorboat, giving us the chance to soak in views of the Nile before we explore this archaeological masterpiece.

Heading back to the mainland, our next stop is the Unfinished Obelisk, the largest known ancient obelisk, which remains within its original granite quarry in Aswan. Here, we’ll learn about the remarkable skill and precision of ancient Egyptian craftsmen and gain insight into the techniques used to carve and transport these enormous monuments. 

This evening, we’ll join a local Nubian family for dinner. We’ll get a taste of traditional Nubian hospitality and have the chance to discover the customs, traditions and daily lives of the Nubian people as we tuck into an authentic dinner cooked for us by our hosts. As the night progresses, we’ll hear stories and music, and be treated to traditional dancing, giving us a fun and unique insight into the warmth, creativity and vibrant spirit of the Nubian culture. 

Our hotel tonight is the Sonesta Nouba Hotel. Continuing our theme of cultural immersion, this five-star hotel beautifully reflects the heritage and artistry of the Nubian region with its distinctive décor and traditional furnishings. 

We have an early start this morning as we drive south to Abu Simbel, one of Egypt’s most iconic sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE, the two rock-cut temples were relocated 61 metres/200 feet higher to protect them from flooding caused by the Aswan High Dam.  

We’ll have around two hours to explore the temples, including the imposing 20-metre/65-foot statues of Ramesses II, before returning to Aswan in the early afternoon to board our premium Nile cruise boat, our home for the next three nights. The journey involves a long coach ride of approximately 290 kilometres/180 miles each way, but the chance to see this remarkable site makes it well worth the journey. 

The recently renovated Premium MS Nile cruise ship accommodates up to 120 guests in 60 spacious river-facing suites. Each cabin features an en-suite bathroom, large panoramic windows and comfortable furnishings with warm wood tones. The ship also offers several lounges and bars, a number of restaurants, shops, evening entertainment and a top deck swimming pool with beautiful views over the Nile. 

During our time on board the cruise ship, we'll enjoy all meals in the main restaurant on a full-board basis, allowing us to relax and take in the views while we eat. Please note that alcoholic beverages are not included and will be at your own expense. 

After settling in onboard, we’ll have an opportunity to take a relaxing felucca ride between the nearby islands on the River Nile. 

Today starts with an early morning visit to a local market, where we’ll soak up the vibrant atmosphere and watch daily life as locals shop for fresh produce and , spices, This gives us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the local culture and see the everyday rhythms of life along the Nile. 

We'll continue our journey to the Temple of Kom Ombo, located approximately 45 kilometres north of Aswan on the banks of the Nile. Built around 181 BC during the Greco-Roman period, this unique temple provides us with fascinating insight into ancient Egyptian beliefs and architecture. 

We'll discover that the temple is dedicated to two gods, Horus the Elder, the god of protection, and Sobek, the crocodile-headed god associated with fertility and the waters of the Nile. The temple's unusual design features two identical sections, one in the north and one in the south, with each section dedicated to one of these deities. 

As we explore the temple, we'll see beautifully preserved reliefs and ancient carvings that reveal stories of religious practices and daily life from this fascinating period. We won't miss the Crocodile Museum beside the temple, where we can see mummified crocodiles discovered at the site and learn more about the important role of Sobek and crocodiles in ancient Egyptian culture.

As part of our Nile cruise, this morning there is a scheduled two-hour stop at the Temple of Edfu. Unfortunately, the only way to get from the dock to Edfu Temple is by locally owned and controlled horse-drawn caleches. We've received feedback that the condition and treatment of these horses falls well below the standards set out in our Animal Protection Policy and efforts to support improvements have been unsuccessful. We encourage our passengers to opt-out of the visit this morning so as not to endorse these poor welfare standards. If you’d like to visit the temple, please speak to your tour leader who can arrange this for you. 

Today, we’ll continue to Luxor to explore the spectacular Karnak Temple, one of Egypt's most impressive ancient sites, built over 2,000 years with the earliest sections dating back to around 2055 BC. Our guided visit will uncover the highlights of this vast temple complex before we return to the ship. We’ll then have time to relax and enjoy our final afternoon onboard. 

Later this evening, there’s the option to experience the captivating Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple, bringing the history of this extraordinary site and ancient Egypt vividly to life. Alternatively, visit the Luxor Museum or Luxor Mummification Museum, both open until 9pm and offering fascinating insights into Egypt’s rich heritage. 

We’ll disembark this morning and dive into our last full day in Egypt, exploring Luxor’s West Bank and some of the most fascinating sites of ancient Egypt. At the Valley of the Kings, we’ll enter three royal tombs, chosen on the day as some are periodically closed for conservation, and discover the beautifully preserved paintings and hieroglyphics that reveal ancient Egyptian beliefs and funerary traditions. We’ll also visit Tutankhamun’s tomb before continuing to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, dramatically set within a natural amphitheatre and dedicated to one of Egypt’s most famous rulers, who reigned for 21 years. We’ll stop at the towering Colossi of Memnon, once guardians of the entrance to the funerary temple of King Amenhotep III, and visit Medinet Habu Temple, an important New Kingdom site offering further insight into ancient Egypt. 
 
For lunch, we’ll enjoy a special home-cooked meal with a local family, sampling traditional dishes prepared from family recipes and experiencing genuine Egyptian hospitality. It’s a chance to connect with local culture and get a glimpse of everyday life in Luxor before we leave this beautiful city behind. We’ll then check in to the Sonesta St George Hotel, with time to relax before our farewell dinner at El Sahaby Restaurant or a similar local venue, where we’ll raise a glass to our journey through Egypt.