Tour Overview
Travelers have been marveling at Egypt's wondrous antiquities for thousands of years - even the ancient Greeks and Romans were awed by them. But today, a visit to Egypt is more than an immersion in past glories. The clamorous present is ever-present: Mud-brick villages sprout TV antennae, stone and glass high-rises tower over ancient monuments and pop music from boom boxes counterpoints the call to prayers. Nearly all of Egypt is desert, but the small part that isn't - the valley of the Nile River - is vital to the nation (95% of the population lives within a few miles of the Nile's banks). Most tours of Egypt, whether by cruise, via train, on a bus or in a private car, never stray too far from the river's shores. Egypt is the largest country in the Arab world, and among African nations, is second in population only to Nigeria (Cairo, the continent's most populous city, alone has 16 million people). Kenya, today regarded by many as the ‘jewel of East Africa’ has magnificent wildlife and scenery and an incredibly sophisticated tourism infrastructure. It is a startlingly beautiful land, from the coral reefs and white sand beaches of the coast to the summit of Mount Kenya, crowned with clouds and bejewelled by strange giant alpine plants. Above all, Kenya is a place for safaris. Between these two extremes is the rolling savannah that is home to game parks such as Amboseli, the Masai Mara, Samburu and Tsavo; the lush, agricultural highlands with their sleek green coat of coffee and tea plantations; and the most spectacular stretch of the Great Rift Valley, the giant scar across the face of Africa. One-tenth of all land in Kenya is designated as national parks and reserves. Over 50 parks and reserves cover all habitats from desert to mountain forest, and there are even six marine parks in the Indian Ocean.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Cairo, EgyptArrive Cairo International Airport. Your local representative will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel for check-in.
Intercontinental Semiramis Hotel
Day 02: Cairo
Buffet breakfast at hotel. Your Egyptologist will meet you at the hotel to escort you on an unforgettable tour of the Great Pyramids of Giza. The only present-day survivors of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, they are among the world’s greatest tourist attractions and never lose their ability to inspire and overwhelm visitors. Your tour today includes an opportunity to enter inside one of these fabulous monuments and explore the mysteries of its ancient past for yourself. No trip to Egypt would be complete without a ride on a “ship of the desert”, and so you will have an opportunity to mount your individual camel for a short ride across the sands of Giza to the Sphinx. Enter the temple of the mysterious Sphinx, an ancient figure shrouded in legend and mystery. Your Egyptologist will enthrall you with the tales told of this fascinating figure.
Experience Egypt’s long and rich history in our exciting double tour to the city of Memphis and the necropolis of Sakkara. At vast Sakkara, you will see the famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the first freestanding stone structure in the world. Our Egyptologist will guide you to some tombs belonging to the nobles of the past. They show the beauty and excellence of Ancient Egyptian art on their walls and give an insight in the daily life of Ancient Egypt. At the site of Memphis, you will see the ancient capital that once stood as a flourishing metropolis during the time of the Pharaohs. The place is thickly surrounded by lush palm groves and bushes, isolating the site of the old city from modern civilization. Return to the hotel and enjoy the balance of your day at leisure.
Breakfast
Intercontinental Semiramis Hotel
Day 03: Cairo
Buffet breakfast at hotel and full day of sightseeing in Cairo. The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities: Your Egyptologist will escort you today on a fascinating tour of 7,000 years of Egyptian history with a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. The Museum houses the world’s greatest collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, including 12 rooms filled with golden treasures from the world-famous tomb of the boy-king Tutenkhamun. Coptic Cairo: Your Egyptologist will guide you today round the highlights of Coptic Cairo. There you will find the remains of the old Fortress of Babylon, built at the time of the Romans in Egypt to protect the country from invading enemies. The walls of the fortress enclose the Church of St. Sergius, which is built on a crypt considered to be one of the resting places of the Holy Family during their flight to Egypt 2,000 years ago. You will also see the “Hanging Church”, supported by only one column, and boasting incredible paintings inside. Visit the Synagogue of Ben Ezra, from the time of the once thriving Jewish community in Egypt under the leadership of Rabbi Ben Ezra. Inside were discovered the so-called “Geniza Documents”, which showed an unparalleled source of information about life of the Jews in Egypt’s past. You will also enter the Coptic Museum, which displays a wonderful collection of medieval statues, bells, bone carvings, frescoes, icons and colorful textiles. Islamic Cairo: Tour the Islamic Cairo, including the beautiful and graceful Mohamed Ali Mosque and the ancient Citadel, a spectacular medieval fortress perched on a hill above the city. Originally built by Salah El-Din in 1176 to fortify the city against the Crusaders, the Citadel was modified and enlarged over the centuries by subsequent rulers and today is a complex of three mosques and four museums. Proceed to the fascinating Khan El-Khalili Bazaar – reputed to be the largest bazaar in the Middle East. Originally founded as a watering stop for caravanserai in the 14th century, the bazaar has now grown to vast proportions. As you wander through the labyrinth of narrow streets you will find workshops and stalls selling all manner of things from woodwork, glassware and leather goods to perfumes, fabrics and Paranoiac curiosities.
Return to the hotel this evening and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Breakfast
Intercontinental Semiramis Hotel
Day 04: Cairo - Aswan
Buffet breakfast at your hotel in Cairo and check-out. Transfer to the Cairo Domestic Airport for your flight to Aswan. There is also an option to take a short flight to Abu Simbel to visit the temples of Ramses II and his Queen Nefertari (additional fees apply). Upon arrival in Aswan, transfer to your 5-star deluxe Nile cruise boat, the “Nile Adventurer”, moored in private dock in Aswan. Lunch will be served on board. This afternoon, your Egyptologist guide will escort you to visit the Aswan High Dam, Egypt’s contemporary example of building on a monumental scale. Take a short motorboat ride to visit the romantic and majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilka. Next proceed to the Granite Quarries, which supplied the ancient Egyptians with most of the hard stone used in pyramids and temples, and still hold a huge unfinished obelisk. Upon return to your cruise, a relaxing afternoon tea will be served in the lounge. Tonight you will be greeted by your Boat Manager, who will introduce you to the boat staff and review on-board facilities and your cruise program for the next few days. Complimentary Egyptian wine and local beer will be served, together with a selection of canapés. Gourmet menu on board. Overnight on board in Aswan.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Nile Adventurer Day 05: Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Esna
Breakfast buffet on board, while you cruise to Kom Ombo. Visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile-god Sobek. The temple stands at a bend in the Nile where in ancient times sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank. Return to your boat for lunch on board, while you cruise to Edfu. This afternoon, explore the largest and most completely preserved Pharaonic – albeit Greek-built – temple in Egypt, the extraordinary Temple of Horus at Edfu. Afternoon tea will be served while you cruise to Esna. Tonight’s dinner on board will be an “Egyptian Night” costume party for all guests, with a chance to dress up in traditional Egyptian “galabeyas”. Dinner will be a lavish buffet of Egyptian specialties, followed by oriental music and dancing for everyone. Overnight on board in Esna.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Nile Adventurer
Day 06: Esna - Luxor
Breakfast buffet on board, while you cruise to Luxor. Begin your day with a visit to the West Bank of Luxor to explore the Valley of the Kings, a vast City of the Dead where magnificent tombs were carved into the desert rocks, decorated richly, and filled with treasures for the afterlife by generations of Pharaohs. You will also have the chance to visit at least one tomb in the Valley of the Queens. Rising out of the desert plain in a series of terraces, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (Ancient Egypt’s only female Pharaoh) merges with the sheer limestone cliffs that surround it, as if nature herself had built this extraordinary monument. On the way back to the river Nile, your road passes by the famed Colossi of Memnon, known in Ancient Greek times for their haunting voices at dawn. Lunch on board. This afternoon your Egyptologist will guide you on a tour of the East Bank of Luxor, starting with the strikingly graceful Temple of Luxor dedicated to the god Amun. Proceed to the Temple of Karnak, built over more than a thousand years by generations of Pharaohs. The great “Hypostyle Hall” is an incredible forest of giant pillars, covering an area larger than the whole of Notre Dame Cathedral. Return to your cruise for afternoon tea on board. Tonight’s farewell dinner will be a formal gala dinner, with white-gloved waiters serving gourmet cuisine. Overnight on board in Luxor.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Nile Adventurer
Day 07: Luxor - Cairo - Nairobi, Kenya
Very early breakfast buffet on board, and check out. Transfer to Luxor Domestic Airport for you scheduled flight to Cairo. Arrive Cairo, you are met and transferred to the Fairmont Towers Hotel where a dayroom is arranged. This evening transfer to the Cairo International Airport for your outbound international flight (not included) to Nairobi, Kenya.
Breakfast
Dayroom at Fairmont Towers Hotel
Day 08: Nairobi
Arrive Jomo Kenyatta International. Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you are met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the day at leisure. Meals are on your own accont.
Nairobi Safari Club Day 09: Nairobi - Maasai Mara Game Reserve
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Wilson Airport for your scheduled flight to Maasai Mara Game Reserve. You will be met at the Mara Airstrip and transferred the short distance to your camp in the Maasai Mara for the next three nights.
This afternoon take your first game drive in the Maasai Mara in search of its famous inhabitants. Return to the lodge for dinner and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mara Serena Lodge
Day 10: Maasai Mara National Park
You have the whole day to enjoy the sights and sounds of Maasai Mara on your early morning and late afternoon game viewing drives. The jewel in Africa’s crown, Maasai Mara is host to the most spectacular array of wildlife. Her 320 square kilometers of open savannah, woodlands and tree-lined rivers creates an eco-system that supports huge numbers of bird and mammal species. The western border of the park is the spectacular Siria Escarpment, and together with the acacia dotted plains, creates scenery of stunning beauty. Lion are found in abundance throughout the park, as are elephant, giraffe, a variety of gazelle species and zebra. Cheetah and leopard are also regularly seen and, if lucky, you may also find rhino. Game viewing is never dull in the Mara, and patience is often rewarded with unique sightings: a pride of lion stalking their prey; a solitary leopard retrieving its kill from the high branches of an acacia tree; male wildebeest sparring to attract females into their harem; or even a herd of elephant protecting their young from opportunistic predators.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mara Serena Lodge
Day 11: Maasai Mara National Park
You have another full day to enjoy the splendors of the Maasai Mara. There will also be the option to take a balloon safari or visit to Rusinga or Mfangano Island on Lake Victoria (additional fees apply). The afternoon is available for a game viewing drive and/or other activity in the Mara whether or not you take the optional adventure.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mara Serena Lodge
Day 12: Maasai Mara - Nairobi - Depart
After a leisurely breakfast you will bid the lodge staff farewell and transfer to the Mara Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the Carnivore Restaurant for lunch. Thereafter, proceeding on to the Nairobi Safari Club where you can relax in your dayroom up until 6:00PM. Rest of afternoon is at leisure with dinner on your own arrangements. This evening transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward departure.
Breakfast
Dayroom at Nairobi Safari Club
**NOTE: A 4NT Nile Cruise (Luxor - Aswan) option is available on the Nile Adventurer, Monday departures. If interested, please ask your Adventure Consultant for a full 13-day itinerary and pricing.
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