Egypt Highlights & Nile Cruise
9 Days
from
$1,995 pp - Special Promotional Price for 2013*
Highlights:
Egypt
(Cairo, Nile)
Trip Start/End:
Cairo
/
Cairo
Experience the iconic ancient wonders of the land of the pharaohs with this 9 Day Egypt Highlights tour. Travel back in time, discovering the legendary sites that make Egypt one of the finest tourist destinations in the world. From an enchanting Nile cruise, private guided tours of Cairo, personal transfers and enjoyable group outings, you will encounter the absolute best that Egypt has to offer. Explore the timelessness of the Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum’s brilliant Tutankhamen exhibit and the bustling night bazaars of vibrant Cairo accompanied by your own Egyptologist. Travel to Aswan to discover the ancient temples of Philae, the High Dam and board your deluxe Nile cruiser. Voyage up the Nile while you explore the river's sensations; including the Valley of Kings & Queens, Karnak temple in Luxor and the ancient marvels in Edfu and Kom Ombo.
Featuring thousands of years’ worth of magnificent sites, riverside temples, ancient tombs and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, this 9 Day Egypt Highlight tour is a must for any world traveler. At such a remarkable price you’ll receive far more than your money’s worth of action, antiquities and memories of Egypt that will last a lifetime.
Request a quote or call Kensington to speak to our Egypt Destination Expert to learn more about various extensions and all the different ways of customizing your tour. Some examples are a day trip to Abu Simbel or finishing your vacation relaxing on the luxurious beaches of Sharm el Sheikh. All of our tours are available at 3, 4 and 5 star levels according to your preference.
NOTE: Travel in Egypt often involves early-morning starts, designed to avoid crowds and the hottest midday hours. It can be hot, especially in June, July and August, but there is virtually no humidity and evening temperatures cool off dramatically. Egypt is a moderate secular state, well used to hosting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. While you will want to avoid revealing clothing, loose shorts and short-sleeved shirts are fine for both genders on board your Nile cruise and for sightseeing.
Overview
| Day | Activities | Hotel |
- Day 1
- Cairo
| - Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Airport Assistance and Visa Service
| Le Meridien Pyramids (4.5*) Pyramids View (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 2
- Cairo
| - Private - Pyramids, Saqqara, Memphis Tour - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Lunch - Vehicle/Driver
- Sunrise/Sunset Desert Trekking (Horse/Camel) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
| Le Meridien Pyramids (4.5*) Pyramids View (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 3
- Cairo - Luxor - Nile
| - Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Air - Cairo - Luxor [Direct (1 hr)] - Economy
- Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Private - 1/2 d East Bank - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Cruise entertainment
- Dinner (included)
| M/S Farah Nile Cruise Cabin (B,L,D)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 4
- Luxor - Nile
| - Private - West Bank Tour 1 - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Lunch (included)
- Cruise entertainment
- Dinner (included)
| M/S Farah Nile Cruise Cabin (B,L,D)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 5
- Nile
| - Private - Edfu Horus Temple - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Lunch (included)
- Private - Kom Ombo Temple - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Dinner (included)
- Cruise entertainment
| M/S Farah Nile Cruise Cabin (B,L,D)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 6
- Aswan - Nile
| - Private - Kitchener Island, Aga Khan - Sailing
- Lunch (included)
- Private - 1/2 d High Dam, Philae, Obelisk - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Dinner (included)
- Cruise entertainment
| M/S Farah Nile Cruise Cabin (B,L,D)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 7
- Aswan - Cairo
| - Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Air - Aswan - Cairo [Daily - Direct (1.5 hr)] - Economy
- Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Private - 1/2 d Coptic Cairo (Ben Ezra Synagogue & mosques of old Islamic Cairo) (5hrs) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
| Marriott (4.5*) Deluxe (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 8
- Cairo
| - Private - 1/2 d Egyptian Museum Tour - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Lunch - Vehicle/Driver
- Private - Tahrir Square (Liberation tour) - Vehicle/Driver
- Cairo by Night - Vehicle Driver
| Marriott (4.5*) Deluxe (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 9
- Cairo
| - Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
| Depart (Int`l Airport)
|
| B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive |
Trip Itinerary
The Mighty Sphinx
Le Meridien Pyramids
Day 1: Cairo
Transfer to/from Cairo Airport in private vehicle with English speaking driver.
You will be met in the tunnel by an airport representative who will in turn facilitate the visa process ($15 per person - included in tour cost), escort you through customs and immigration, off to baggage claim and finally to passenger pick up. It is here that you will connect with our representative associate who will arrange airport transfer to your hotel.
Accommodation: Le Meridien Pyramids (4.5*) Le Meridien Pyramids resort is located twenty minutes from Cairo’s city centre, with a spectacular closeness to the Giza Pyramids, one of history’s greatest treasures and one of the Seven Wonders of the world. With 444 rooms, this hotel is the ideal combination of rich foliage blended with sultry sands and timelessness. From dining North American-style over Tex Mex dishes to closing off the night over traditional Arabic shisha, one can attain a true feel for Egypt while still retaining a level of comfort akin to home. Aside from Le Meridien offering resort-style facilities, from outdoor tennis courts kept lit at night to spa treatments, the distance to the city allows the curious traveler to discover the curving streets and bazaars that mark Cairo’s mysterious aura.
Ancient Egyptian Sphinx of Giza
Camel ride
Day 2: Cairo
Enjoy this tour which explores the relics of ages past, and includes visits to ancient Memphis, Saqqara and the Great Pyramids of Giza. Already millennia old by the birth of Christ, the elaborate statues and astonishing scale of these sites will amaze all who visit. This tour also features the famous Sphinx, whose constructor's still remains unknown, but its sheer beauty and allure has mystified the likes of Alexander the Great and Napoleon Bonaparte. This tour includes a private vehicle, a driver, and a highly trained Egyptologist, and entry to either Chephren (Khafre) or Menkaure (Mycerinus) pyramids, as well as the Solar boat. Entrance to the Pyramids come with an additional cost, and be aware that a limited number of people are allowed inside daily, so arrive early so you will not be disappointed.
Enjoy a buffet lunch at a great local restaurant.
Clients are picked up before sunrise ( or sunset) from hotel and transferred to the desert where they will meet their guide. The guide will lead you out into the desert on your choice of camel or horse, where you enjoy the sunset with a panoramic view of the Pyramids of Giza. This evening includes stopping for dinner at a Bedouin restaurant adjacent to the desert before returning to your hotel.
Accommodation: Le Meridien Pyramids (4.5*)
Nile
Luxor Temple II
MS Farah
Day 3: Cairo - Luxor - Nile
Transfer to/from Cairo Airport in private vehicle with English speaking driver.
Take your flight from Cairo to Luxor. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour.
Airport transfer with a private vehicle and English-speaking driver in Luxor.
Enjoy a private tour with a qualified Egyptologist guide exploring the East Bank of Luxor. Visit the most impressive temples of Karnak and Luxor, while learning about ancient Egyptian history from your own personal guide. Start your day with a visit to the Temples of Karnak. Walk along the Avenue of Sphinx to enter the complex as your guide explains how the massive facade was constructed. Continue to Luxor Temple which was once joined to the Temples of Karnak by a two-kilometre long Avenue of Sphinx, a portion of which marks the entrance to the temple. Your private guide will offer interpretation and guide you through the most important parts of the temples.
Enjoy an evening of entertainment including local music.
Accommodation: M/S Farah Nile Cruise Farah means happiness and joy in Arabic; and this is simply what the M/S Farah Nile Cruiser aspires. The Farah makes every guest happy and satisfied to have chosen this remarkable Cruiser for their trip along the Nile. Farah Nile cruise offers 60 cabins and 2 Royal Suites, all elegantly decorated in every detail from the handmade Egyptian cotton sheets to the natural dark wood furniture. The combination of modern, state of the art on-board amenities and beautiful color palettes make the Farah Nile Cruiser one of Egypt's finest vessels. Everything aboard from the staff to the spacious rooms and facilities has been designed to tickle ones very senses and enhance comfort.
Colossus of Memnon
Day 4: Luxor - Nile
Transfer to the West Bank and explore the West Bank of the ancient Thebes. Visit the Valley of the Kings to see the royal tombs of King Tutankhamun and Ramses, the sixth. This is followed by a visit to the Temple of Madinat Habu and a stop at the Colossus of Memnon.
Enjoy an evening of entertainment including local music.
Accommodation: M/S Farah Nile Cruise
Temple of Horus
Kom Ombo Temple
Day 5: Nile
Visit the Nile-side Temple of Horus, the falcon god, built in 230 BC by Ptolemy III. The Temple of Horus in Edfu (also known as the Temple of Edfu) is considered the best-preserved cult temple in Egypt. This is partly because it was built later than most: in the Ptolemaic era from 237 to 57 BC. Despite its later date, it reflects traditional pharaonic architecture and so provides an excellent idea of how all the temples once looked. Edfu is also very large: the second largest in Egypt after Karnak Temple.
Visit a unique Greco-Roman temple dedicated to two gods: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, the sun god. The Temple in Kom Ombo (also known simply as Kom Ombo Temple) dates from about 180 BC, during a period known as the Ptolemaic era, and had some additions built on to it during Roman times. It stands right on the bank of the Nile between Edfu and Aswan. The temple is unusual in that it is a double temple, with one side dedicated to the god Haroesis and the other side to Sobek. The design is almost perfectly symmetrical, with two side-by-side sanctuaries and two parallel passageways leading through the outer parts of the temple. The right side is dedicated to Sobek-Re (the crocodile god combined with the sun god Re), along with his wife (a form of Hathor) and their son Khonsu-Hor. Sobek is associated with Seth, the enemy of Horus. In the myth of Horus and Osiris, Seth and his followers changed themselves into crocodiles to escape. The ancient Egyptians believed that by honouring the fearsome crocodile as a god, they would be safe from attacks. The left side is dedicated to Haroeris, the "Good Doctor" (a form of the falcon-headed god Horus the Elder) along with his consort Ta-Sent-Nefer, the "Good Sister" (another form of Hathor).
Enjoy an evening of entertainment including local music.
Accommodation: M/S Farah Nile Cruise
Feluccas on the Nile
Day 6: Aswan - Nile
Enjoy a Nile adventure as you sail aboard a traditional, non-motorized felucca around Kitchener's Island, the Aga Khan Mausoleum and botanical gardens.
This 1/2 day tour begins with a visit to the impressive Aswan High Dam. The water which was collected behind created Lake Nasser, the world's largest artificial lake. View the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the Goddess Iris, on the island of Agilika, stopping at the “unfinished obelisk,” a practical demonstration of the methods used by ancient craftsmen to create impressive monuments.
Enjoy an evening of entertainment including local music.
Accommodation: M/S Farah Nile Cruise
Coptic Hanging Church
Cairo Marriott Hotel
Day 7: Aswan - Cairo
Airport transfer with private vehicle, and driver in Aswan.
Take your flight from Aswan to Cairo. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour and a half.
Transfer to/from Cairo Airport in private vehicle with English speaking driver.
Delve into the ancient Christian enclave of Cairo, with its Coptic iconography and architecture. Your private guide will also take you through the hanging church, Ben Ezra Synagogue. The synagogue was originally a Christian church, which the Coptic Christians of Cairo had to sell to the Jews in 882 AD in order to pay the annual taxes imposed by the Muslim rulers of the time. The synagogue was a place of pilgrimage for North African Jews and the site of major festival celebrations. Numerous restorations and renovations were made over the centuries, and the present building dates from 1892. It is a faithful reconstruction of the original, which had collapsed. During the reconstruction, a medieval Geniza (a hiding place for sacred books and worn-out Torah scrolls) was discovered, revealing thousands of original documents from the Middle Ages. Your tour also includes mosques of old Islamic Cairo -Ibn Toloun, Amr Ibn El As and Sultan Hassan.
Accommodation: Marriott (4.5*) The recently renovated Cairo Marriott Hotel, situated at the centre of the city, is surrounded by lush gardens and with a 19th century palace in its midst, on the Nile River. The grand hotel’s 1250 rooms are well appointed, with splendid views of the city and the Nile. One may take meals in any of the restaurants or cafes, which are reasonably priced and enjoyable, and feature especially hospitable staff. The city of Cairo is in itself a bustling source of amusement and history, including the Pyramids, though some guests prefer to stay on the hotel grounds and make use of the fitness centre or swimming pools.
Egyptian Museum, home of King Tut
A peaceful evening turns into days of protests
Khan Khalili Bazaar
Day 8: Cairo
Delve into the historical background of Egypt on a half day private tour with a trained Egyptologist guide through the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and its Mummy Room, which houses a priceless treasure of archaeological finds. This location holds the tomb of the King Tut, Egypt's most famous teenage King!
Enjoy a buffet lunch at a great local restaurant.
Learn more about Egypt’s modern history today with a private guided tour of Tahrir Square; the largest square in Modern Cairo. Adjacent to some of the major attractions including the Egyptian Museum, as well as other important institutions. The square was originally called Midan Ismailia Square, after the 19th-century ruler Khedive Ismail, who commissioned the new downtown district's 'Paris on the Nile' design. After the Egyptian Revolution of 1919 the square became widely known as Tahrir (Liberation) Square. Traditionally, it is the site for numerous major protests and demonstrations over the years, including the 1977 Egyptian Bread Riots, the March 2003 protest against the War in Iraq and the focal point of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution against former president Hosni Mubarak in Cairo. Your expert local guide will share stories with you about the people and what Cairo was like during their recent uprising.
During this evening tour, enjoy a delicious Egyptian dinner at Naguib Mafouz, located in the heart of the Khan Khalili bazaar in Cairo. Stroll down the newly opened Al Moaz Street and view the largest concentration of medieval architectural treasures from the Islamic world. Also included in this tour is entrance to Beit El Seheimy. Normally, this location would be closed to the public during the evening, but this exclusive tour allows for entrance inside. This tour includes a private vehicle, driver and english speaking guide.
Accommodation: Marriott (4.5*) Day 9: Cairo
Transfer to/from Cairo Airport in private vehicle with English speaking driver.
Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)
Accommodations
Le Meridien Pyramids
Deluxe Standard Room at Le Meridien Pyramids
Le Meridien Pyramids (4.5*) - Cairo
Le Meridien Pyramids resort is located twenty minutes from Cairo’s city centre, with a spectacular closeness to the Giza Pyramids, one of history’s greatest treasures and one of the Seven Wonders of the world. With 444 rooms, this hotel is the ideal combination of rich foliage blended with sultry sands and timelessness. From dining North American-style over Tex Mex dishes to closing off the night over traditional Arabic shisha, one can attain a true feel for Egypt while still retaining a level of comfort akin to home. Aside from Le Meridien offering resort-style facilities, from outdoor tennis courts kept lit at night to spa treatments, the distance to the city allows the curious traveler to discover the curving streets and bazaars that mark Cairo’s mysterious aura.
MS Farah
M/S Farah Nile Cruise - Nile
Farah means happiness and joy in Arabic; and this is simply what the M/S Farah Nile Cruiser aspires. The Farah makes every guest happy and satisfied to have chosen this remarkable Cruiser for their trip along the Nile. Farah Nile cruise offers 60 cabins and 2 Royal Suites, all elegantly decorated in every detail from the handmade Egyptian cotton sheets to the natural dark wood furniture. The combination of modern, state of the art on-board amenities and beautiful color palettes make the Farah Nile Cruiser one of Egypt's finest vessels. Everything aboard from the staff to the spacious rooms and facilities has been designed to tickle ones very senses and enhance comfort.
Cairo Marriott Hotel
Marriott (4.5*) - Cairo
The recently renovated Cairo Marriott Hotel, situated at the centre of the city, is surrounded by lush gardens and with a 19th century palace in its midst, on the Nile River. The grand hotel’s 1250 rooms are well appointed, with splendid views of the city and the Nile. One may take meals in any of the restaurants or cafes, which are reasonably priced and enjoyable, and feature especially hospitable staff. The city of Cairo is in itself a bustling source of amusement and history, including the Pyramids, though some guests prefer to stay on the hotel grounds and make use of the fitness centre or swimming pools.
Travel Info
Travel tips of Egypt
VISA/PASSPORT
A passport and visa are required for both US and Canadian citizens. Tourists can obtain a renewable thirty-day tourist visa on arrival at an Egyptian airport for a $15 fee, payable in U.S. dollars. Visitors arriving overland and/or those who previously experienced difficulty with their visa status in Egypt should obtain a visa prior to arrival. Processing generally takes 5 working days and is approximately US$30.
Please note obtaining a visa is your responsibility. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the Embassy of Egypt for the most up to date visa information.
HEALTH
Proof of yellow fever immunization is required if arriving from an infected area. Evidence of an AIDS test is required for everyone staying over thirty days, for the purpose of studying or working in Egypt. All passengers arriving in Egypt now undergo certain measures at the Cairo International Airport as a precaution due to the 2009-H1N1 virus. The passengers’ passports are examined and they are screened at immigration via infrared cameras. HEALTH Health insurance is required. Medical facilities are poor quality and not widespread. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/egypt.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Cairo (El Qahira).
Government: Republic.
Language: Arabic is the official language. English and French are widely spoken.
Religion: About 90% of the population follows Islam; the majority of the rest is Christian. All types of Christianity are represented, especially the Coptic Christian Church. There is also a small Jewish minority.
Time: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Friday in April to last Thursday in September).
Electricity: Most areas 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Certain rural parts still use 110 to 380 volts AC.
Telephone: Country code +20.
Mobile Telephone: Roaming exist with many international mobile phone companies. Coverage is limited to Cairo, Alexandria and along the north coast line of the Red Sea from Suez to Sharm el-Sheikh and the major towns along the Nile.
Internet: There are Internet cafes in the main cities, including Cairo, Alexandria, Dahab and Luxor. Tourists can also access the Internet in hotels.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $350). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of 30% of program price. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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