DAY 1: Arrival Cairo
- Ahlan wa sahlan The grandeur and glory of Egypt await as you arrive at Cairo International Airport and take your transfer to the spectacular Four Seasons Cairo at The First Residence, tucked between lush gardens on the western bank of the Nile.
- Steeped in ancient mystery, buzzing with modern vibrancy, cosmopolitan Cairo is a city alive with culture. Fed by the lifeline of the glittering Nile River, Egypt&rsquos capital is known as the &lsquoCity of a Thousand Minarets&rsquo thanks to its spectacular collection of preserved Islamic Caliphate architecture.
- Enjoy the day at your leisure to relax and enjoy your timelessly elegant surroundings, before savouring a sumptuous welcome dinner at your luxurious hotel.
- Meal: Dinner
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DAY 2: Cairo City Tour
- After a delicious buffet breakfast, meet your resident Egyptologist tour guide. The study of ancient Egyptian language, history and architecture has obsessed archaeologists and linguists for centuries, and Egyptology has become a respected discipline across the world.
- Waste no time mining your guide&rsquos expert knowledge as you head to Cairo&rsquos National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation. This landmark institution covers great swathes of the nation&rsquos history from prehistoric times to the present day. The museum&rsquos crown jewel is the fascinating Royal Mummies&rsquo Hall, which displays embalmed pharaohs from Egypt&rsquos distant past, including the remains of celebrated figures Hatshepsut, Thutmose III and Seqenenre Taa II.
- Enjoy a set menu lunch at Le Pacha 1901, an astounding floating palace moored on the bank of the great Nile, then return to your accommodation for an afternoon of leisure.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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DAY 3: Cairo, Full Day Pyramids Tour
- Today, experience one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, with a full day dedicated to the extraordinary pyramids.
- Begin with the legendary city of Memphis, founded almost 5,000 years ago by the Pharaoh Menes, who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Memphis became the capital of the Old Kingdom and the heart of Egypt&rsquos busy import-export activity, with traders from around the world giving it a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
- Visit the necropolis of Saqqara, where the very first pyramids were built as tombs for kings. Instead of the smooth sides featured on other pyramids, these stepped pyramids represent the pharaoh&rsquos stepladder to heaven. Discover the famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest known pyramid in Egypt and the world&rsquos first freestanding stone structure.
- Enjoy a lunch of traditional Egyptian cuisine at 9 Pyramids Lounge and relax in Bedouin-style seating overlooking the spectacular pyramids of Giza.
- The Great Pyramids of Giza are the only present-day survivors of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, built over 4,500 years ago as giant tombs for Pharaohs Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. Truly monumental in scale, the largest of these ancient structures is estimated to have taken over two million blocks to complete.
- Nearby rests the enigmatic Sphinx, watchful guardian of the colossal funerary monuments. Covered by the desert sands, about a thousand years after its construction a young prince had a dream in which the Sphinx promised him the title of Pharaoh if he cleared the sand away. See the story for yourself, carved on the famed Dream Stele placed between the Sphinx&rsquos great paws.
- Return to your luxurious accommodation in Cairo for another evening spent in Egypt&rsquos vibrant capital.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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DAY 4: Full Day Cairo City Tour
- This morning pay a visit to the Citadel of Cairo, a medieval fortress perched high on limestone hills above Cairo. Built in the 12th century to protect the city from crusaders, today the citadel complex houses various historic sites, including the National Military Museum and the Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali.
- Delve further into Cairo&rsquos Islamic history when you stop at the incredible Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan. With its soaring heights and rich decoration, this is one of the finest mosques in Egypt. Next door, discover Refai Mosque, completed in 1912 and housing the tombs of an Islamic saint, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, Egypt&rsquos last royal family and the last Shah of Iran.
- Enjoy a set lunch overlooking expansive Cairo at Sky Rim, then continue to the Egyptian Museum. Wander through 7,000 years of history as you peruse the world&rsquos largest collection of ancient Egyptian art. Explore the many priceless antiquities with your private Egyptologist guide and uncover the treasures of Tutankhamun, from his golden mask to his solid gold sarcophagus and regal throne.
- Return to your hotel late this afternoon with the rest of the evening at leisure.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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DAY 5: Cairo - Luxor - Nile River Cruise
- Transfer to Cairo International Airport (CAI) for your included flight to Luxor (LXR), where you will be transferred to your luxury vessel for your four-night Nile River cruise.
- En route, visit the majestic Temple of Luxor, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient sanctuary often called the world&rsquos greatest open-air museum.
- Continue to your vessel and check in to your comfortably furnished room. Elegant interiors, opulent cabins, serene surroundings and lavish, freshly prepared meals - all complemented by daily sightseeing along the river &ndash make a luxury cruise along the Nile an unforgettable experience.
- Partake in a filling lunch onboard and enjoy a welcome zaffa - a traditional band procession that pairs wooden-framed bendir drums, horns and a mesmerising dance of flaming swords.
- Later, set out to explore the West Bank of Luxor and uncover the fabled Valley of the Kings. Witness the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, then take the chance for an optional visit to one of the ancient tombs of the Valley of the Queens. On your return, pass the famed Colossi of Memnon, built to depict King Amenhotep III in a resting position and known for the mournful sounds theyre said to make at dawn.
- Back onboard, enjoy afternoon tea in the lounge and meet your boat manager over canapes and refreshments. Tonight, indulge in a memorable gourmet dinner beneath the stars.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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DAY 6: Nile River Cruise
- After an energising buffet breakfast, set sail for the East Bank and the Karnak Temple Complex. Spend the morning digging into the vast collection of temples, pylons and historic landmarks. Take your lunch onboard your luxury cruiser and glide further along the Nile.
- You may wish to enjoy an optional luxury hot air balloon flight over the Luxor skies, catching the breeze that sweeps the Nile and taking a new view of the ancient city. Your pilot will guide you as you spot notable landmarks and learn more about the area&rsquos rich history.
- Back aboard your vessel, enjoy a refreshing afternoon tea and laze in the Egyptian sun, then savour a mouth-watering dinner and cosy movie night.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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DAY 7: Nile River Cruise
- After breakfast, spend the morning exploring Egypt&rsquos largest and best-preserved Pharaonic temple &ndash the Temple of Edfu. Built to venerate ancient Horus, god of the Sun &ndash later identified by the Greeks as Apollo &ndash the site is a breathtaking glimpse into Hellenistic Egypt.
- Back onboard, get hands-on with an aromatic Egyptian cooking lesson and reap the fruits of your labour over lunch as you cruise onward to the millennia-old agricultural settlement of Kom Ombo, positioned on a bend in the river where sacred crocodiles once basked in the sun. Follow your guide to the unique double temple, dedicated to both Sobek, the crocodile god of fertility, and Haroeris, the falcon god of the sky.
- Return to your vessel and continue towards Aswan. In the evening, partake in an "Egyptian Night" party, with the chance to don traditional Egyptian jellabiyas &ndash loose-fitting garments associated with the Nile Valley &ndash and enjoy a lavish buffet of local delicacies.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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DAY 8: Nile River Cruise - Aswan
- Following breakfast aboard, visit the island of Agilika and the historic sites it holds. Marvel at the enormity of granite quarries and survey the gargantuan Unfinished Obelisk, then meander through the majestic Philae Temple Complex and study the storied walls of the Temple of Isis.
- Enjoy a delectable lunch back onboard before taking to the water in a traditional felucca &ndash a unique wooden boat used along the Nile for centuries. Sweep by Elephantine Island, Aswan Botanical Gardens and the Agha Khan Mausoleum, before taking afternoon tea to the melodious sounds of an oud trio.
- Mark your final evening cruising the Nile with an extravagant farewell gala dinner. White-gloved waiters and fine dining service are accompanied by a belly dancing performance and hypnotic whirling dervish show.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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DAY 9: Nile River Cruise - Aswan - Abu Simbel - Cairo
- After one more buffet breakfast out on the waters of the Nile, disembark and transfer to Aswan International Airport (ASW) for your flight to Abu Simbel.
- A UNESCO World Heritage-listed complex hewn entirely out of stone, Abu Simbel was constructed under the command of Ramses II - one of Egypts longest-ruling Pharaohs &ndash and stands as one of the most enduring symbols of Egypt. Wander through the two mighty temples, including the Great Temple of Ra-Harakhte - flanked by massive statues and dedicated to Queen Nefertari.
- These magnificent temples were moved in the 1960s when the creation of Lake Nasser threatened their existence. Organised by UNESCO, the relocation of these structures remains one of the greatest feats of preservation in history.
- Later, take a flight back to Cairo, where you will be transferred to your luxury hotel. The rest of the afternoon is yours for the taking, whether you wish to explore Cairos vibrant street life or settle in for indulgent comfort at your accommodation.
- Meals:Breakfast, Lunch
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DAY 10: Cairo - Departure
- Savour one more breakfast, then collect your luggage and depart for Cairo International Airport (CAI). Say goodbye to Egypt&rsquos dazzling treasures and colourful culture as your journey comes to a close.
- Meal: Breakfast
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