Egypt Explored by Nile Cruise - Ciconia Travel

Uncover the rich history that lies along the banks of the Nile.
Turn every stone over from Cairo, Luxor to Dahab and everything in between. Walk in the footsteps of the Pharaohs at the Pyramids while tracing the path of the infamous Nubians along the Nile. Then jump on board your 5-star Nile Cruise to sail in style! Roam the chaotic Bazaars and savour the unique flavours of all the spectacular Egyptian treats. Discover the eternal treasures by countless civilizations.

15 Days
Cities
Country
Discovery
Star Hotels
Around People
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Welcome to Egypt! At the Cairo terminal keep your eyes peeled for the Ciconia  sign for your transfer to the hotel. Freshen up and meet in the lobby around 6:00pm for an informal meeting with your guide and other tour members. Afterwards you have free time to start exploring vibrant Cairo or board a cruise for an optional group dinner.
  • Included Activities: Welcome Meeting
  • Optional Activities: Group Dinner on Cruise
  • Meals: 

Prepare your lenses for the breath-taking, world-famous Pyramids and the Sphinx. Face all their 4,600-year glory and embrace the only remaining Ancient Wonder of the World. After everyone had their dose of awe, we head out to Sakkara for sightseeing. The first capital of ancient Egypt is famous for the step pyramid built in 2700 B.C. Later in the afternoon, board the bus to Luxor and check into our premium hotel by the Nile.
  • Included Activities: Sightseeing Pyramids & Sakkara
  • Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, depart for the vast Karnak Temple Complex. It’s one of the most important religious centres of ancient Egypt with its marvellous temples. Your Egyptologist guide will enlighten you with the most intriguing stories and mythologies fuelling such creations for millennia. In the afternoon drive to Aswan for overnight stay.
  • Included Activities: Sightseeing Temple of Karnak
  • Optional Activities: Nubian Dinner
  • Meals: Breakfast

Time to explore Aswan, famed for its skilled artisans and the Unfinished Obelisk. Take a short motorboat ride to reach the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, divine mother of the pharaohs. The temple is set beautifully on an island in the middle of the Nile. Early in the morning you can join the optional trip to the gorgeous Abu Simbel, an iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a must-do for all keen on history and mythology. Later in the afternoon, embark your 5-star Nile cruise.
  • Included Activities: Sightseeing Aswan & Philae Temple
  • Optional Activities: Abu Simbel
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a chill-day sailing down the Nile, watching beautiful scenery and waving to the locals swimming and fishing. Whilst absorbing the stunning temples along the coast, sit back and enjoy the relaxing breeze. Have a dip in the pool on-board and bathe under the sun.
  • Included Activities: Cruise on the Nile
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Time to bid farewell to our fancy Nile cruise. Start off the day with a visit to the Kom Ombo Temple dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek. Next stop will be Edfu, home to one of the largest and best-preserved temples in Egypt. Dedicated to the falcon god Horus, the temple was built over 180-years from 237 BC to 57 BC. As you get your dose of marvel, ride to Luxor and check into the hotel. After a refreshing break, brace for the Luxor Temple, dedicated to the great god Amun. The temple was built on top of a smaller structure dating back to 14th century BC!
  • Included Activities: Sightseeing Edfu & Komombo, Luxor Temple
  • Meals: Breakfast

The West Bank of the Nile awaits with the incredible Valley of the Kings. Also known as “City of the Dead”, it’s home to fancy royal tombs carved into desert rocks and filled with treasures for the Pharaoh afterlife. As you’d expect, here lied the famous mummy of Tutankhamun III. Rising out of the desert plain in a series of terraces, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut is the next stop. As you try to break the spell of ancient wonders, drive to Cairo for overnight stay.
  • Included Activities: Sightseeing Valley of the Kings, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
  • Optional Activities: Hot Air Ballooning
  • Meals: Breakfast

The journey continues with one of the most important museums dedicated to the ancient world. Egyptian Museum of Cairo houses around 120,000 ancient Egyptian relics and antiquities. Then roam around Cairo stopping by the Citadel of Saladin, Mosque of Mohammed Ali, the Hanging Church and the world-famous Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Make sure to wear your haggling hats and brace for the mayhem!
  • Included Activities: Sightseeing Cairo, Citadel of Saladin, Mosque of Mohammed Ali, Hanging Church & Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
  • Meals: Breakfast

Following an early breakfast, head out to the Red Sea paradise of Dahab. Pack your swimsuit close and ready for a dip in the sea. You’ll get plenty of swimming, snorkeling, diving and sunbathing. The perfect way to relax after a week of cultural discovery.
  • Meals: Breakfast

Today our Dahab experience starts with an optional snorkeling trip to the famous Blue Hole. Here you can snorkel off the shore, swim along colourful fish and experience the beauty of the coral reefs. Dahab is renowned for being one of the best diving destinations in the region, offering an unforgettable experience to divers of all levels. Depart for St. Catherine in the evening at 22:30 start the ascend to Mt. Sinai, where you’ll witness the spectacular sunrise which blankets the surrounding peaks in gold, unveiling one of the best views in Egypt.
  • Included Activities: Sightseeing & Overnight in Mt. Sinai
  • Optional Activities: Snorkeling at Blue Hole, Bedouin BBQ Dinner
  • Meals: Breakfast

Start off the day with a visit to the beautiful St. Catherine Monastery before you drive back to Dahab. Free time to rest up and recharge after the hike. Get to improve your waterskiing or wake boarding skills and ride the waves to cool off.
  • Included Activities: Sightseeing St. Catherine Monastery
  • Optional Activities: Water Sports
  • Meals: Breakfast

Just lay back and relax by the golden beaches. Soak in the sun and the breeze to recharge. Have long swims, enjoy local tastes and get your dose of the Red Sea. When you’re ready for some adventure, hop on camel trekking for a bumpy ride.
  • Optional Activities: Camel Trekking
  • Meals: Breakfast

Another day to relax under the sun and cool in the sea. If you have energy to spare, why not try out some water sports or attractions. Alternatively you can browse the bazaars and markets to practice your bartering skills and collect the best souvenirs. Cherish your final day by the Red Sea under the Egyptian sun.
  • Optional Activities: Scuba Diving
  • Meals: Breakfast

After spending your morning in Dahab, hop on board the coach for a long and scenic drive to Cairo. Have a final tour of the bustling markets or a group dinner with your travel mates.
  • Meals: Breakfast

Have your final breakfast on us and start bidding farewells to your travel mates. Check-out of the hotel in Cairo (11:00am) and catch the transfer to the airport at the end of your tour. Time to start counting days for your next adventure with Ciconia!
  • Meals: Breakfast

SERVICES

Accommodation

5 and 4 star hotels, 5 star Nile Cruiser

Airport Transfer

From Cairo Airport to the Cairo Hotel on day one and return transfer

Meals

14 Breakfasts | 2 Lunch | 3 Dinners

Transportation

Air-conditioned non-smoking coach or mini-bus | Donkey (Valley of the Kings)

Guide

Services of experienced Eqyptologist guides

HOTELS

THE OASIS HOTEL PYRAMIDS - CAIRO

The hotel is located very close to Pyramids of Giza, The Egyptian Museum and Great Sphinx. Hotel offers a sundeck, swimming pool, tennis court, gym and fitness center.

STEIGENBERGER HOTEL - LUXOR ( or similar )

This 5 star hotel, located in the heart of Luxor by the Nile River, provides an outdoor pool, fitness centre and sauna. All rooms feature air-conditioning and satellite TV.

DAHAB PARADISE HOTEL - DAHAB

This beautiful hotel located by the Red Sea features an outdoor pool and a panoramic view of the Sinai Mountain. All of the rooms are air-conditioned and have balcony with a spectacular view.

DATES AND RATES

DEPARTURE
RETURN
STATUS
TWIN ROOM
SOLO ROOM

HIGHLIGHTS

Aswan
Aswan

Sunniest city of Egypt and a popular touristic stop for many cruises. The local market here is an excellent place to do some shopping and the best place to find Egyptian fresh spices.

Cairo
Cairo

With the Great Pyramids of Giza, ancient temples, magnificent monuments, and the Egyptian Antiquities Museum, Cairo offers an experience of a lifetime.

Dahab
Dahab

“Gold” in Arabic, the city’s name was inspired from the golden sands by the Red Sea coast. Dahab offers Oceanside dinners and crystal-clear waters for diving and snorkeling.

Edfu
Edfu

Edfu has the most complete and best-preserved temple in Egypt, the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus, which was constructed between 237 BC and 57 BC

Giza
Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and the only one still remaining to this day. An absolute must see.

Kom Ombo
Kom Ombo

Kom Ombo means ‘hill of the gold’ crowned with Temple of Komombo. The temple is unusual as one side is dedicated to the god Haroesis and the other side to Sobek.

Luxor
Luxor

A top travel destination in Egypt with a wealth of historic monuments and buildings bringing Egypt’s fabled past to life. Luxor is called the world’s greatest open air museum.

Philae Temple
Philae Temple

This beautiful temple complex is one of the most picturesque in all of Egypt. It sits on Aglika Island just south of the old Aswan Dam.

Sakkara
Sakkara

The oldest complete stone building complex in history was built as Djoser's step pyramid and it is located in Sakkara.

Unfinished Obelisk
Unfinished Obelisk

The 42m long obelisk was left unfinished when some cracks appeared, but had this obelisk been completed, it would have been the heaviest, weighing nearly 1100 tons!