Egypt Spectacular: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan & More

Upon arrival into Cairo International Airport, you will be met by Goway's local representative and transferred to your hotel. You will be presented with full documentation if required, including domestic airline tickets. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.

Today you will be taken on a full day tour that will first take you to the Pyramids and Sphinx which were reckoned by the Greeks to be one of the seven wonders of the world. A single pyramid is built of 2,300,000 blocks, each weighing an average of two and a half tons. In the face of such immensity, one cannot help but feel the wonder and awe that so many writers and artists have sought to convey over the centuries. The Cheops Pyramid is especially interesting since its interior burial chambers are open for inspection by the public. Not far from the Pyramids is the Great Sphinx of Giza, which dates from the time of Chephren (2620BC).
Hewn from natural yellowish limestone and standing 65 feet high and 187 feet long, this unforgettable statue combines the head of a Pharaoh with a lion's body. You will then head off to Memphis which served as the capital of Upper and Lower Egypt some 5,000 years ago during the 1st Dynasty. Menes, the first pharaoh of this dynasty, built a great white-walled palace and the Temple of Ptah here. Then onto Sakkara, one of the most exciting historical and archaeological area in all of Egypt, situated about 12 miles South West of Cairo. The site is dominated by the famous step pyramid of King Zoser. It was the first pyramid to be built in ancient Egypt, preceding those at Giza by many centuries and is the work of the famous pharaonic architect, Imhotep.
You will have the opportunity to stop for lunch at a local spot during the day.

Today, you will transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your ship, your floating hotel for the next 5 days as you cruise up the Nile. In an unforgettable excursion, visitors drive to the Luxor Temple. Many festivals were celebrated in Thebes. The Temple of Luxor was the center of the most important one, the festival of Opet. Built largely by Amenhotep III and Ramses II, the temple served as a setting for the rituals of the festival, which was held to reconcile the human aspect of the ruler with his divine office. The procession of images of the current royal family began at Karnak and ended at the Luxor temple.

Karnak was erected in 1928 BC as a small shrine dedicated to Amun, god of Thebes then. The Temple of Karnak comprises three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples - all constructed over 1300 years. The three main temples of Mut, Monthu and Amun, are enclosed in enormous brick walls, with the temple of Amun at the center. Karnak is now the largest.

Breakfast on board at the sun deck. Visit the West Bank Necropolis, the burial ground of the Pharaohs - the Valley of the Kings - where Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen in 1922. Proceed to the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, the only woman Pharaoh to rule ancient Egypt. End the tour by a panoramic stop at the Colossi of Amenhutep III named the Colossi of Memnon by the Greeks. After the visit, you will be offered a cold wet towel and a chilled drink.

Seated menu Lunch on board. Sail to Esna and tea time on the sundeck with variety of seasonal fruits and ice cream. Dinner during sailing on the Sundeck. Tonight the Dahabiya will dock at a small island close to Esna city where you can enjoy watching the clear sky and the noise of silence. Overnight on the way to Esna near El Hegz Island.

Start your Sailing experience with the sunrise and enjoying the beautiful sights and scenes of the Nile. Breakfast on board while crossing Esna lock. Sail to Edfu and Lunch during sailing on the Sundeck with the view of the Egyptian countryside and villages on the way to Edfu. This afternoon, visit one of the best preserved temples of the Greco - Roman era, that of Horus at Edfu. Experience the horse drawn carriage ride back and forth to the temple.

After the visit, you will be offered a cold wet towel and a chilled drink. Then afternoon tea and refreshments will be served on the Sundeck while sailing to Al Ramady Island. Dinner will be on board followed by the traditional Rababa musicians show. Overnight besides Al Ramady island near Edfu.

Today will be dedicated to a long relaxing sailing starting from Sunrise heading to Aswan. Breakfast will be served on the Sundeck. Sail to Sheikh Fadl Island and lunch on board while enjoying the panoramic view of Kom Ombo Temple. Tea time and dinner will be served while docking on El Sheikh Fadl Island. Tonight the Dahabiya staff will be your entertainers, they will dress their traditional costume (Galabeya) and will teach how to dance like an Egyptian. Sail to Aswan after dinner and overnight on board.

Arrive to Aswan in the early morning and enjoy breakfast on board. Visit the High Dam and then proceed with a short motorboat ride to visit the majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilika. After the visit, you will be offered a cold wet towel and a chilled drink.
Lunch on board.
Dinner and overnight on board in Aswan.

Disembark from your ship after breakfast and transfer to Aswan Airport for your flight back to Cairo (optional Abu Simbel for own account). Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for the night.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Today you will be collected from your hotel after breakfast in time for a full day tour of Cairo. The Egyptian Museum is the most important depository of Egyptian antiquities anywhere in the world. It features artifacts from the Pharaonic and Graeco-Roman periods, including the celebrated mummies of ancient Egypt's king and Tut Ankh Amun treasures.

The Citadel situated on a highly visible spur of the Mokattam Hills of Old Cairo, was the nerve center of Egypt for almost 700 years. Construction of the grand structure began in 1176 and was completed by Muhammad Ali Pasha, ruler of Egypt in the late 19th century.
Mamluk sultans and Turkish governors resided in the Citadel, which is among the worlds most splendid monuments of medieval warfare. Facing the Citadel is the Mosque of Sultan Hassan, built between 1356 and 1363 and perhaps the most majestic monument of Arab architecture in Egypt and the Mosque of Al Rifai was constructed in two phases over the period between 1869 and 1912, when it was finally completed.
The tour also includes a visit to Khan ElKhalili, known as the Turkish bazaar during the Ottoman period, was built in 1382 by Emir Djaharks ElKhalili, in the heart of what was then Fatimid City. Until this day, the bazaar is a center of trade and communion in the city, and offers a wide array of antiques, handcrafts of gold, silver and copper as well as numerous old coffee shops and local restaurants which attract both Egyptians and tourists alike.

Today you will be transferred to Cairo Airport in time for your onward flight.