Day 1 Saturday
Upon arrival at Cairo International airport you will be met by a Busabout representative who will guide you through formalities at this somewhat chaotic airport! You’ll be transferred to your hotel to the sounds of horns as the cars, trucks, buses, mopeds, donkeys and pedestrians all fight for space on the overcrowded roads. Overnight – Hotel, Cairo.
Day 2 Sunday
After breakfast your Busabout Egyptologist will take you to visit the Great Pyramids at Giza where you can view the Pyramid of Cheops, the only remaining wonder of the ancient Seven Wonders of the world. Next you’ll be taken to the world-famous Egyptian Museum. Here you’ll be taken on an included guided tour of the museum where amongst thousands of artifacts you can see the funerary treasures of King Tutankhamen – this is sure to be a highlight of your trip.
Overnight – Hotel, Cairo (Breakfast)
Day 3 Monday
Spend the day at leisure in Cairo or book one of our great value optional excursions such as a day trip to Alexandria, the renowned capital of the Ptolemies. This evening you’ll board our overnight sleeper train to Aswan. The train offers comfortable reclining seats with plenty of legroom.
Overnight – Train (Breakfast)
Day 4 Tuesday
We’ll have an early arrival into Aswan today and get straight into visiting the areas aray of ancient sights. This morning you have an included tour, visiting the Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and the Philae temple. After a short break for lunch you’ll head off on included Felucca ride around the Botanical gardens.
Overnight – Hotel, Aswan (Breakfast)
Day 5 Wednesday
This morning you have free time to explore Aswan or take one of our optional excursions to Abu Simbel to visit the Behemothic temple of Ramese II – the most awe-inspiring temple in ancient Egypt. You’ll have the choice of visiting by air or bus, depending on your budget – this will be a highlight of your trip! As if that wasn’t enough for one day, at lunchtime you’ll be joining our five-star Nile cruise. No need to rough it on a Felucca with no facilities, with Busabout you get to cruise the Nile in Style! Enjoy the famous Egyptian hospitality, relax in the bar, chill out in your air conditioned cabin or sunbathe on the upper deck next to the pool – the choice is yours.
Overnight - on board five star cruise boat (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Day 6 Thursday
This morning you have free time to explore Aswan, or perhaps take our optional excursion to visit a Nubian Village, approximately 90 minutes motorboat cruise along the Nile. After lunch onboard you’ll set sail up the mighty River Nile. First stop will Ombo to visit its unusual double temple dedicated to Sobek – the crocodile God and the falcon God Horus the Elder. We’ll then continue our luxury cruise to Edfu where we’ll spend the night.
Overnight - on board five star cruise boat (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Day 7 Friday
After breakfast today we’ll visit the Temple of Horus – the falcon God. This is not only the best preserved ancient temple in Egypt, but also the second biggest after Karnak. It was uncovered from a huge mound of sand in 1860 and dates back to 237bc. You’ll then continue your cruise to Luxor, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Luxor temple. Built by Amenhotep III around 1370bc this temple was dedicated to Amon-Re, king of the Gods and his consort, Mut. This fascinating temple has been used almost continuously for worship ever since. This evening you have a chance (time permitting) to enjoy a sound and light show at Karnak temple where amongst the avenues of Sphinxes and halls of colossal columns you’ll hear tales of ancient Thebes.
Overnight - on board five star cruise boat (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Day 8 Saturday
Today you’ll have an early start to avoid the blistering midday heat, and head off into the Theban mountains to visit the astonishing pharonic tombs of the Valley of the Kings. These exquisitely decorated tombs housed the sarcophagi encased mummies of over 60 pharaohs, most famously that of the child king Tutankhamen. You’ll then head to the temple of Hatshepsut, the extolled female pharaoh, and the Colossi of Memnon. These massive quartzite statues that once guarded the entrance to the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III now make an awe-inspiring sight as they stand virtually alone in a field on the road to the valley of the kings. You’ll then conclude your visit to upper Egypt with a visit to the temple of Karnak, the largest ancient religious site in the world. This afternoon you’ll be escorted to the airport for your inclusive flight back to Cairo.
Overnight – Hotel, Cairo (Breakfast)
Day 9 Sunday
After breakfast today you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.(Breakfast)