Cairo+Alex + Nile cruise Asw-Luxor

Arrival in Cairo on a regular flight of one of the international airlines. After going through the formalities and collecting luggage at the airport, meeting at the airport with a representative of White Sky Travel. Transfer and check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the Azal Hotel or similar.

Immediately after breakfast, we will have a full day excursion to the Pyramids of Giza. Guarded by the Great Sphinx, the pyramids are the most famous landmark of Egypt, one of the seven wonders of the world. This is an ideal place to get acquainted with the ancient past of Egypt. We will admire the panoramic view of the pyramids of Cheops, Khafre and Menkaure, visit the Great Sphinx, with the head of a pharaoh and the body of a lion, whose history goes back to the time of Khafre. In the afternoon, we will proceed to the old step pyramid in the Saqqara necropolis, and then visit the world's first monumental stone building, King Zoser's step pyramid, built by the engineer Imhotep. In addition, you will see one of the magnificent Mastaba (burial chambers) Ptah Hotep, Idut or Mereruka. Before starting the return trip to the hotel, we will stop at the Papyrus Institute, where we will get acquainted with the most popular souvenir products from Cairo and Egypt. Overnight at the Azal Hotel or similar.

City tour, Egyptian Museum with lunch. In the morning around 08.00 after breakfast, the guide will pick us up from the hotel to the Cairo Museum - the largest repository of ancient Egyptian art. The collection includes about 160 thousand exhibits from all historical periods of Egypt. The museum houses a rare collection of 5,000 years of art, considered the largest and most precious collection of Egyptian culture in the world. The exhibition halls display a huge number of unique artifacts made of gold and jewelry that were placed in the tombs more than 3,500 years ago. Today we will also visit the Coptic region, where a huge number of Christian monuments are located on a small plot of land, including the Jewish synagogue of Ben Ezra, the ruins of an ancient fort known as Babylon, the famous Hanging Church and a unique Coptic museum, dedicated to this almost extinct culture. At the end of the program, we will enjoy the atmosphere of old Cairo at the Khan el Khalili market. Overnight at the Azal Hotel or similar.

After an early breakfast, transfer to Alexandria, a city founded in 332 BC. Alexander the Great. After the transfer, we will visit Pompey's Column - the most famous surviving ancient monument, located in the Alexandrian acropolis. Then we will go to the catacombs, the largest Roman cemetery consisting of three levels carved into the rock. In the afternoon, visit the Kite Bight citadel located on the ruins of one of the seven wonders of the world, an ancient lighthouse in Alexandria. And at the end, a visit to one of the largest libraries of antiquity - the Library of Alexandria. It was considered one of the main scientific centers and the most extensive repository of knowledge of the ancient world.

Return to Cairo. Boarding the train to Aswan, compartment. Dinner on the train.

*Possible accommodation in Cairo upon arrival and morning flight to Aswan (from 120 US$ per person), specify the cost at the time of booking.

Breakfast on the train. Arrival in Aswan. Transfer to the Nile cruise category 5 *, on board meals "full board", drinks for an additional fee.
Accommodation in single or double cabins, all cabins with a window and amenities. This is a full hotel room, only on a cruise ship.
Examples of cruise ships: Blue Shadow or similer (optional Movenpick)
In the evening excursion program with a English-speaking guide:
Visit to the Aswan Upper Dam, a gigantic modern project built under Gamal Abdel Nasser, started in 1960 with the help of the USSR. Transfer to Philae island. The history of the Philae Temple Complex dates back to the era of the three Ptolemaic temples. The temple complex is dedicated to the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis, who was the wife of Osiris. Returning to the ship, our excursion will continue to the famous Unfinished Obelisk. This is the heaviest piece ever carved by the Egyptians, estimated to weigh 1168 tons. Dinner and overnight on the ship.

After breakfast, free time on the ship until noon.
(Option: Excursion to Abu Simbel from US$ 120 per person not including entrance fees for a group of 2 people):
Early in the morning we go by car to the true pearl of Nubia - the temple in Abu Simbel, located almost on the border with Sudan, 280 km south of Aswan. Along with the pyramids of Giza and the temples of Luxor, they are among the most outstanding monuments of ancient Egyptian architecture. The temple complex of Abu Simbel, located near the water, met the rising sun.
The large temple is dedicated to the victory in the war against the Hittites. Since the troops of the pharaoh were patronized by 3 gods - Amon Ra, Harmakis and Ptah, Ramses II ordered to depict them, as well as himself, in huge facade statues. The temple was built in such a way that twice a year, on February 22 and October 21, you can observe how the first ray of the sun penetrates through the entrance portal into the sixty-five-meter long passage leading to the sanctuary, and illuminates the statues of Amun-Ra and Pharaoh Ramses II. A remarkable fact is that the light never falls on Ptah, the god of darkness.
In the afternoon, we leave for Edfu, on the way we visit Kom Ombo, located 43 kilometers from Aswan. The unique architectural complex is the only double temple formed from two separate temples and is dedicated to the god of war Horos, the elder brother of Osiris and the god of fertility Sebek. Bas-reliefs depicting scenes of pharaohs worshiping various gods are depicted on the walls of the temple. The unique image of the first surgical instruments on the wall of the temple proves that the Egyptians were well versed in medicine and human anatomy. Lunch on the ship transfer to Edfu. Overnight and dinner on the ship.
Dinner and overnight on the boat.

After breakfast on the ship, our journey will continue to the Temple of Horos in Edfu. A cult temple was built in honor of the god Horus Bekhgtetsky, which is now one of the best preserved ancient Egyptian structures. The construction of the temple began in 237 BC. e. and continued for about 200 years.
Further, our journey will continue north along the Nile to the city of Luxor. Lunch on the ship.
Upon arrival atLuxor we will visit the largest temple complex in Egypt - the Karnak Temple since 1979, included in the UNESCO heritage list. The most significant building of the entire complex is the temple of Amun-Ra with its 10 pylons, the largest of which is 45 meters high. In addition to the pylons, there is a columned hall, the construction of which was completed during the reign of Ramses II.
Luxor Templeone of the UNESCO heritage sites is located on the right bank of the Nile. The temple complex is dedicated to the god Amun and its construction began with the ruling XII Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom. One of the temple's notables is the alley of Sphinxes that leads to the main entrance, formerly called the "Sacred Way". Dinner and overnight on the ship.

After breakfast, we will check out from the ship and continue our exploration of Luxor.One of the oldest cities in Egypt, Luxor is located on the east bank of the Nile, around the city the most important archaeological sites and historical monuments of architecture are located.
The famous Valley of the Kings was built around 500 BC. e. and is known for its tombs of the pharaohs (there are as many as 63 of them). It was included in the UNESCO heritage list in 1979. Three tombs of the kings of Ramses are presented for visiting.
On the West side of the Nile near the Valley of the Kings is the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, which belongs to the Woman Pharaoh. This is one of the most famous female rulers in the history of Egypt. The Temple itself, carved into the rocks, has three terraces at different levels, interconnected by ramps. The famous story that happened in 1922, when Howard Carter found the tomb of Tutatkhamun after the opening of which all the participants involved in the excavations died under strange circumstances, gave rise to rumors about the curse of the pharaohs. Thanks to the famous film "The Mummy", the Valley of the Kings and Luxor itself has become a place of attraction for tourists from all over the world. Then transfer to the flight to Cairo / Sharm Al Sheikh, depending on the continuation of the program. Transfer to Hurghada is possible on request
White Sky Travel thanks you and will provide a timely transfer to the airport.