Overview
Itinerary
Board your plane for a morning flight across the desert to Aswan. Visit the Aswan High Dam and the granite quarries, where one of Queen Hatshepsut's obelisks lies abandoned in the bedrock. Then cross the Nile by motorboat to the well-preserved Philae temple complex, moved stone-by-stone to its current location following the construction of the High Dam.
Your Journey, Your Way. Choose to stretch out on a Nile felucca, a traditional sailboat, for a peaceful ride around Kitchener's Island. Alternatively, visit the lively Aswan Market and shop for local products such as clothes, herbs and souvenirs.
In the late afternoon, join the likes of Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie before you for a colonial-style afternoon tea on the terrace of the Old Cataract Hotel. Once on your stylish and spacious river cruise ship enjoy a Highlight Dinner, accompanied by a Nubian folklore show and live music. (B/L/AT/D) Stay: River Tosca.
The morning is at leisure to relax or explore, or maybe take a Locally Available Experience by air to visit the amazing temples of Abu Simbel? These extraordinary temples were carved out of the cliffside by Rameses II and later transported, in an amazing feat of modern engineering, out of the rising waters of Lake Nasser. At lunchtime, set sail for the temple at Kom Ombo – a glorious sight as you approach by river. Unique in Egypt, it is dedicated to both the falcon-headed Horus and the crocodile god, Sobek.
Your Journey, Your Way. Choose to learn about the powerful women in Egypt's history such as Queen Cleopatra and Nefertiti from an Egyptologist. Alternatively, relax on the sundeck for a cocktail demonstration and sample a delicious drink made from local herbs and ingredients. Then, drift past irrigated fields and palm-fringed villages to dock at Edfu. As evening falls, don your galabeyas, which are traditional Egyptian attire, for a fun-filled Egyptian dinner and galabeya party. (B/L/D)
Across the Nile, to the west of the city, lies the necropolis of ancient Thebes. Stop for a photo of the Colossi of Memnon; these two giant seated figures of Amenhotep III once guarded his mortuary temple. In the nearby Valley of the Kings, the Egyptian kings planned to meet their gods in the afterlife. Visit some of their tombs, then continue to the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of the rare female pharaohs. Next, visit a family home and witness the making of authentic Egyptian sun bread.
Return to Luxor for your final highlight, Karnak, the largest temple complex built by man. Walk through the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, past the statue of Rameses II, to the vast Hypostyle Hall, housing 134 giant decorated columns. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Cairo. You will check in to your five-star hotel for an evening at leisure. (B) Stay: Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence.
Trip Inclusions
- Giza: Join your Egyptologist to explore the impressive city of Giza, where you meet the enigmatic Sphinx and proceed deep inside one of the Pyramids. Admire the hieroglyphs etched on the walls and the covert chambers where great pharaohs met their gods.
- Cairo: Walk through the Egyptian Museum in the company of your Travel Concierge, a knowledgeable Egyptologist, who will guide you through the most extensive collection of Pharaonic antiquities in the world, including the priceless ancient treasures from the Tomb of Tutankhamun.
- El Omraniya: Watch in wonder as the Pyramids of Giza are brought to life against the night sky by a mesmerising presentation of sound and light. Hear the ancient tales of Egypt as these spectacular monuments are illuminated by giant scale projections.
- Aswan: Marvel at the monumental engineering of Egypt, ancient and modern. See the 3500-year-old unfinished obelisk of Hatshepsut, an unrivaled example of the advanced construction of the Pharaohs, and take in the Aswan High Dam, responsible for creating the enormous Lake Nasser.
- Philae Island: Cross the Nile by motorboat and visit the immaculately preserved Philae temple complex. Walk amidst the ancient columns of this Nubian monument site, rescued from devastation by UNESCO when it was moved stone by stone from the flood plains of the Aswan High Dam.
- Kom Ombo: Arrive at Kom Ombo on the banks of the Nile, a unique double temple that is dedicated to two gods. See the mummified crocodiles that were in honour of Sobek and the identical temple made for Horus, the falcon-headed god.
- Esna: Visit the well preserved Esna Temple, dedicated to the god of creation, the ram-headed Khnum. Parts of the temple were built during different eras and it appears this was the first shrine built during the reign of Thuthmosis III.
- Luxor: Approach the Temple of Luxor along the Avenue of Sphinxes and see the ancient stones. Look to the top of the remaining Pylon of Ramses II and step into the ancient monument.
- Valley of the Kings: Venture to the Necropolis with your Egyptologist and discover the resting place of many Pharaohs. See the royal tombs and visit the Temple of Hatshepsut with its pillared porticoes and vibrant reliefs, making it one of the world's most striking architectural masterpieces.
- West Bank: Pause to view the spectacular Colossi of Memnon. These enormous twin statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III sit 60 feet above the plain and dominate the landscape with their 720-tonne masses. Gaze upon the breathtaking scene they create.
- Karnak: Stand amid a vast forest of columns in the largest temple complex known to man. The most important place of worship in Egypt for nearly 800 years, Karnak is an extraordinary sight, presided over by the archaeologically magnificent Temple of Amun.
Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Kitchener's Island: Cruise on the Nile in an elegant wooden felucca as the winds ease you around the botanical vistas of Kitchener's Island. Admire the lush greenery of the Island of Plants as your drift through the afternoon aboard your traditional vessel.
- Aswan: Visit the lively Aswan Market and shop for local products. Traders sell a wide variety of Egyptian and African goods such as dried hibiscus flowers, Ancient Egyptian souvenirs, spices and carpets.
Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Kom Ombo: Learn about the roles of powerful women in Egypt's history from an Egyptologist, including famous leaders such as Queen Cleopatra, Queen Hatshpsut and Nefertiti.
- Kom Ombo: Relax on the sundeck for a cocktail demonstration and sample a delicious drink made from local herbs and ingredients, some of which have been used since the time of the pharaohs such as Sugar Cane Juice and Roselle.
- You will be escorted by one of our fine Travel Concierges and certified Egyptologist, handpicked to serve as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- At every hotel, you'll be treated to seamless baggage handling, with prompt delivery inside your room.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels. See Notes in the pricing panel for exemptions.
- Complimentary, private airport transfers are included on start and end dates, when flights are included within the itinerary and when additional accommodation has been booked through Luxury Gold. Guests will be transferred with fellow Luxury Gold Travellers that arrive on the same flight. Complimentary port transfers are included when cruise travel is included within the itinerary. Transfers to train stations or alternate hotels, in the same start or end city of the itinerary, may be requested but are not guaranteed.
- Aswan: Enjoy afternoon tea on the shaded terrace of the Old Cataract Hotel as you gaze over the waters of the Nile River. Soak up the afternoon as Winston Churchill, Princess Diana, and Agatha Christie have done before you.
- Enjoy a Restaurant Dinner accompanied by a Nubian folklore show.
- Don your finest traditional Nile Valley galabeya for a night of dancing and games on the river. Enjoy a relaxed Egyptian dinner and take the opportunity to unwind and spend an informal evening with your Travel Concierge and cruise companions.
- Luxor: Visit a family home and witness the making authentic Egyptian sun bread.
- Our customised luxury coaches are sanitised before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customised luxury coaches.
- Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19. All Travelling Concierge's and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
- We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'Elegance of Egypt' Reviews
Our tour of the museum with Hany was truly informative and at times moving. His knowledge of Cairo as a city and of the history the pyramids brought our experience to life. From start to finish the land excursions were never to be forgotten.
Our accommodation was at the Conrad Hilton, where we also planned to extend our stay to conclude our Egyptian Odyssey. However, this plan was changed due to several reasons. In our opinion, we suggest the use of the Conrad Hilton be reconsidered, as we believe it is letting down the quality service of the tour.
The reception was unwelcoming, the concierge was preoccupied and unable to assist with our inquiries, the lock on the hotel room door was broken, the cutlery was unwashed (sticky and unwashed), the air conditioner was noisy, and when we went to visit the pool we advised the ground staff there was water all over the toilet floor and we were asked if there was a problem. So based on this, not to spoil our vacation, we opted to change hotels prior to the conclusion of our holiday.
All pickups, all transfers, all drivers and all hosts arranged through Luxury Gold and Global Journeys were exceptional in their conduct at all times. We were made to feel welcome and safe at all times.
The River Tosca cruise from Aswan to Luxor was definitely a highlight. The three nights were not long enough and it is possible we will come back to do a longer cruise. The staff were just beyond words with their help and conduct. Our guide Khaled Ezzat brought the Ancient Egyptian world to life for us, and his passion, communication skills and willingness to share knowledge was outstanding. High praise all round for our excursion guides, drivers and Tosca staff - they were truly wonderful. The food onboard the Tosca was amazing - the level of hygiene to be complemented.
We will have no hesitation in recommending Luxury Gold and Global Journeys to anyone. They are first class companies to deal with. Madeline Lewis, who coordinated our holiday was on point every step of the way, and nothing was ever too much trouble. For that we thank her very much.
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Luxury Gold. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Luxury Gold. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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