Tour 4 - Ancient Wonders of Egypt, the Nile and Istanbul

DEPART FROM THE U.S.

• Our journey begins today as we depart LAX International Airport on our way to Cairo Egypt, home of the Great Sphinx of Giza and Pyramids. Sit back relax and enjoy your flight. Get some rest…tomorrow you will be walking through Bible history!

• Meals: On Board
•    Accommodation: On Board

“AHLAN WA SAHLAN” – WELCOME TO EGYPT, LAND OF PHARAOHS”

• Today we arrive in Cairo Egypt. We will meet our tour escort and transfer to our hotel.  We check in and have dinner at the hotel.

• Meals:  Full Buffet Dinner at Hotel
• Accommodation: Cairo, Steigenberger Pyramids
•   Arrival Transfer:  Complimentary

MEMPHIS AND SAKKARA 

• After breakfast, we will meet your Egyptologist tour guide and start our Ancient Egypt exploration. We will depart in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle toward ancient Memphis, located south of Cairo.
• Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt’s Old Kingdom was founded around 3100 B.C. Visit the open-air museum featuring the colossal statue of Ramesses II, lying on its back in impressive preservation and the Alabaster Sphinx, smaller but beautifully crafted.
• A short drive through the countryside will bring us to the vast necropolis of Sakkara. Here we will explore the Step Pyramid of Zoser. This pyramid was built around 2686 B.C for Pharaoh Djoser and it is the oldest pyramid in the world. It is also considered the earliest large-scale stone structure in history.
  
• We will return to our hotel for dinner.
   

• After breakfast transfer to the Cairo airport and fly to Luxor. You can store your luggage at the Cairo hotel storage rooms before departing to Luxor for your 3 nights Nile Cruise.
• You will be met at the Luxor Airport and transfer to the cruise:
• Embarkation before lunch 12:30
• Lunch on board 12:30
• Felucca Ride 15:00
• Captain’s Welcome Cocktail 19:30
• Dinner on board 20:00
• Nubian Folkloric Show 21:30

• Wake-up call 06:30
• Breakfast on board 06:30
• Visit the High Dam, the Granite Quarries and the Temple of Philae 07:30
• Lunch on board 13:00
• Sail to Kom Ombo 13:30
• Afternoon Tea 17:00
• Visit Temple shared by two gods Sobek and Haeroris in Komombo 17:30
• Sail to Edfu 19:00
• Dinner on board 20:00
• Galabeya party 21:30

• Wake-up call 06:00
• Visit Horus Temple in Edfu 06:30
• Sail to Luxor 08:15
• Breakfast on board 08:30
• Lunch on board 13:30
• Whirling Dervish & Belly Dance Show 20:00
• Dinner on board 20:30
• Enjoy music in the lounge 22:00

• Wake-up Call 06:00
• Breakfast on board 07:00
• Disembarkation 08:00
• Visit the West Bank (Valley of kings & Queens, Hatshepsut) 08:00
• Visit Karnak & Luxor Temples 14:30
• Flight back to Cairo and transfer to the hotel for dinner.

PYRAMIDS / SPHINX / ENTER INSIDE THE GREAT PYRAMID / CAMEL RIDE / NEW GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM 

• After breakfast, we begin our journey at the iconic Giza Plateau to see the legendary Pyramids of Giza. We’ll explore the Great Pyramid of Khufu—the oldest and largest of the three, and the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World. Inside, we’ll walk through ancient passageways leading to the Grand Gallery, Queen’s Chamber, and King’s Chamber, experiencing the ingenuity of ancient Egyptian engineering.
• Next, we visit the Great Sphinx, a colossal limestone statue with a lion’s body and Pharaoh’s face, believed to represent Khafre. Standing for over 4,500 years, it remains one of Egypt’s most mysterious and enduring symbols.
• Discover the greatest collection of Pharaonic treasures in the world at the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum. Visit the world’s only Hanging Obelisk, a dramatic introduction to Egypt’s grandeur. Explore the Grand Hall and ascend the Grand Staircase Gallery, lined with over 60 significant artifacts.
• In the Main Galleries, spanning twelve halls, trace Egypt’s history from prehistoric times to the Roman era. Discover highlights like Tutankhamun’s gold mask, a colossal statue of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye, the grave mask of Amenemope, and a figurine of Pharaoh Khufu—an unforgettable journey through one of the world’s greatest civilizations.
• Dinner and Overnight at Cairo hotel.

SPEND YOUR FREE DAY IN CAIRO OR DEPART FOR ISTANBUL

• After breakfast you can either take one of our Optional Egypt day tours or head for Dubai and spend your free day in Dubai.

• Meals:  Breakfast and Dinner (or on Board)
• Accommodation:  Cairo, Steigenberger Pyramids or Istanbul, Taksim Square Hotel

• HISTORICAL ISTANBUL
   
  • Today we will experience a full-day Historical Istanbul tour.
  • Begin your tour with a visit to Topkapi Palace (Imperial Residence of Ottoman Sultans, with displays of priceless world-class collections of artifacts, jewelry and rare porcelain).
  • We will visit next the Blue Mosque (unique with its 6 minarets, and famous for its blue Iznik tiles).
  • We will head to the Hippodrome Square where ancient chariot races were held.
  • Next we will visit the St. Sophia Museum (built in 6th century, once was the largest Christian Church in the 
  • We will then enjoy a visit to the world famous Grand Covered Bazaar – home to over 4,000 shops offering traditional crafts and goods

BOSPHORUS

• Today we will enjoy a full-day Bosphorus and Asia shoreline tour.
• Begin your tour with a visit the Egyptian Spice Market where the air is filled with the aromas of spices, herbs, and teas. 
• We will then embark on a Bosphorus Boat Tour viewing the beauty of the European and Asian shorelines on either side.
• After lunch, we will visit the Palace of Beylerbeyi on the shore of the Bosphorus which is considered to be the most elegant of the late Ottoman places.

• Meals: Brekfast and Lunch
• Accommodation:   Istanbul, Taksim Square Hotel

• Transfer to Istanbul airport per your departure time. End of our services.