Showcasing Ancient Egypt

Today embark on your introduction to ancient Egypt as you step into antiquity with a private tour of the Pyramids of Giza, the only surviving member of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the enigmatic Sphinx. Later dive even deeper into the stories of these ancient lands as you discover either the newly inaugurated Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), offering a glimpse into the glittering treasures of ancient Egypt during its soft opening phase; OR the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) which displays around 50,000 artifacts showcasing Egyptian Civilization from prehistoric times to the present days.

Select & Mix Optional Experience:
* Solar Barge and walk inside a pyramid

This morning take the train to the Mediterranean coast and Alexandria, a city founded with a unique blend of Egyptian and Greek cultures. Take an orientation tour including Pompeii’s Pillar, the catacombs, and National Museum.

Day at leisure or choice of Select & Mix Experiences:

Transfer to Cairo and take a flight to Aswan. Your guide will meet you upon arrival and travel with you in a private vehicle to your hotel for check in. Once refreshed, your guide will escort you through Aswan’s fascinating markets, where the aromas and crafts will help you to gain a sense of Nubia. For those who want a personalised experience with some locals, join a table at a café to try a game of Tawlah - an ancient form of backgammon.

Day at leisure or your choice of one Select & Mix Experience:

Following checkout from your hotel your guide and private driver will take you to board your Nile cruise boat. After lunch depart with your small guided group for a tour the restored Philae Temple, dismantled and reassembled block by block to rescue it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Next, visit the lake itself and the Aswan Dams before returning to your cruise ship for the evening.

A day to remember today as you cruise down the life-giving Nile, watching as children swim and wave to you and farmers work the fertile land alongside the river. This ribbon of life is the reason that civilisation has flourished here for millennia and this is clear to see as you watch locals going about their everyday activities with the harsh desert just beyond the fringes. Later in the day, stop for a visit at the fascinating Kom Ombo Temple replete with bas reliefs depicting both the day-to-day and the more fantastical aspects of ancient Egyptian life. Continue your cruise stopping at Edfu for the night.

This morning explore Edfu Temple, one of the most complete Temples in Egypt, before continuing your cruise to Luxor, home of one of the ancient world’s largest open air museums. Marvel at the Temple complex of Luxor then walk the Avenue of Sphinxes to the incredible Karnak Temple Complex, a huge series of temples, chapels, and other buildings which was added to by approximately 30 pharaohs over many centuries. Return to your cruise ship for dinner and a Galabia party in the evening.

Disembark your cruise and travel to the fascinating Valley of the Kings, where Howard Carter discovered the tomb of the boy-king Tutankhamun after years of digging in the desert. Visit a selection of the tombs of the pharaohs and the sites of the West Bank before returning to your cruise ship for an afternoon at leisure.

Innovative Bonus: Entry into Tutankhamun and Ramses VI included

Day at leisure or a Select and Mix Experience:

Select & Mix Optional Experiences:
* Howard Carters House and Madinat Habu
* Half day tour to Dendara
* Felucca lunch cruise
* Special Entry to Seti I or Nefretari Tombs

Depart Ancient Egypt and drive through the mountains to for some time to relax and unwind at your resort, resting on the edge of the sparkling Red Sea.

Day at leisure or your choice of Select and Mix Experience:

Morning spent relaxing at your Red Sea resort before flying to Cairo (Option to extend for those interested in more diving or time relaxing on the Red Sea). Upon arrival into Cairo, your guide will meet you and, along with your private driver, take you to your hotel for check in. There will be time in the afternoon for a Select & Mix Experience should you choose.

Select & Mix Optional Experiences:
* Walk eat and Chat – Foodies tour of Cairo
* Cooking Class

A guided morning exploring Cairo’s skyline from the Citadel, built by the famous Saladin, and then wander through bustling Khan el Khali markets. Afternoon at leisure or choose to explore more of Cairo with another Select & Mix Experience:

This morning you will be transferred to Cairo Airport for your onward flight.

• Fast Track meet and assistance prior to immigration at Cairo Airport

• Private Airport Transfers
• Airport departure assistance
• Accommodation in chosen class with private facilities:

  2N Cairo Pyramids area; 2N Alexandria; 2N Aswan; 3N Nile Cruise; 2N Luxor; 2N Hurghada; 2N Cairo downtown area

• Daily Breakfast
• All meals included on cruise
• Personal driver in private A/C vehicle in Cairo; A/C transportation on Nile Cruise Sightseeing
• Private sightseeing with Egyptologist Guide in Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan and Luxor;

  Group sightseeing with English speaking Egyptologist Guide on Nile Cruise

• Domestic Flights; Cairo/Aswan and Hurghada/Cairo
• Your choice of 3 Select & Mix Experiences
• Upgraded entry to the Valley of the Kings including entrance to Tutunkhamun's and Ramses VI Tombs
• Entrance Fees
• Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

• International airfares
• Optional tours and excursions
• Port Taxes and fuel surcharges
• Porterage
• Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Personal Expenses
• Departure taxes
• Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
• Visas (unless specified)
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above

Cruise schedules may operate in reverse.

The day-by-day Nile Cruise itinerary may vary according to the cruise boat confirmed.

Itineraries may be changed without notice due to river flows, local or other conditions and these changes are beyond the responsibility of Innovative Travel or our local operators.