Egypt: Cairo, Nile Cruise and Abu Simbel - Hayes & Jarvis (2024)

Your Egyptian vacation begins in Cairo. You will be driven from the airport to your hotel in a private vehicle.

Cairo, Egypt’s capital is a fascinating centuries-old repository of cultural and historical legacy. Situated along the great River Nile and the magnificent Sahara Desert in close vicinity, the city has preserved the splendour of its famed ancient civilisation, mediaeval Islamic culture, and 19th-century colonial past. Along with iconic landmarks like Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, you can also explore the Grand Egyptian Museum, Tahrir Square, popular marketplaces like Khan El Khalili, and visit the Cairo Tower for a spectacular view.

Personalised Felucca Dinner Cruise on the Nile

Experience the evening lights of Cairo on a felucca boat ride on the Nile. You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the boarding point. Take your seat on this traditional riverboat whose open, slender design makes it ideal to admire the scenery around you. As you cruise along the river, your expert guide will draw your attention to several interesting landmarks and explain their historical significance. This will be followed by an exquisite five-course Middle Eastern dinner, which you can savour while listening to the soothing sounds of a lute and enjoying the surrounding views. After the cruise, you will be driven back to your hotel.

Personalised Cairo City Tour incl. Museum, Citadel & Bazaar

Discover the assorted treasures of Cairo on this exciting tour with a private guide. You will be driven past Tahrir Square to the Egyptian Museum, which is home to over 1,00,000 artefacts, including mummies, statues, mosaics, and jewellery. A massive statue of King Ramses II, and items from Tutankhamun's tomb including his famed solid gold mask and golden belt are some the lovely exhibits you can expect to see here. The museum also houses the sculptures of Pharaoh Khufu, who built the Great Pyramid, and Nefertiti, Pharaoh Akhenaten's wife.

Your next stop is the Citadel of Saladin on Mokattam Hill. The structure is a remarkable example of Islamic architecture. Stroll through the courtyards admiring the impressive fortress and its towering minarets, and visit the mosques of Al-Nasir Muhammad and Muhammad Ali Mosque within the premises. The tour ends with a visit to the historic Khan El Khalili bazaar. This bustling, vibrant marketplace, packed with spice, antique, and handicraft shops, is the perfect place to pick up mementos such as intricate earrings and hand-painted pottery.

Personalised Tour to Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis & Sakkara

Your day begins with a tour of the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza. This, along with two other giant tombs, were built by pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, respectively. These 4,500-year-old UNESCO-recognised heritage structures famously contain a variety of things each ruler would require in the afterlife. Next up is another iconic symbol of the ancient Egyptian civilisation, the Great Sphinx. The statue has a lion's body and a human head that sports a pharaoh's headdress. You will want to take several pictures here before heading for Memphis.

After Upper and Lower Egypt were unified, Memphis was established as the first capital of ancient Egypt. Drive to Memphis’ famous outdoor Mit Rahina Museum to view a colossus of Ramesses II and the Alabaster Sphinx, which is said to be carved from a single piece of white gypsum. Round off your day at Sakkara village, where you will see the Step Pyramid of Djoser. A funerary complex with tombs of high officials, courts and halls surrounds the pyramid. After the tour, you will be driven back to your hotel in Cairo.

You will be driven in a private vehicle from your hotel to Cairo airport, where you will board your flight to Abu Simbel. The duration of the flight is about 2.5 hours.

Bordering Sudan, Abu Simbel is a tranquil Nubian village near Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser. Its renowned rock temples, the Temple of Hathor and the Great Temple of Ramses II are major attractions among travellers who stop by the village on their cruises to Luxor or Aswan. In the 1960s, in an extraordinary engineering feat, this ancient monument dedicated to Pharaoh Ramesses II was relocated to its current location to avoid flooding from the newly built Aswan dam. Lake Nasser surrounds this historic structure and offers a stunning cerulean blue view, which travellers routinely enjoy from cruise boats.

Sound & light Show at Abu Simbel Temple

Take in the rich history of the Nubian village of Abu Simbel with an immersive sound and light on the banks of Lake Nasser. As you sit down at the main temple, you will see its façade is dominated by four colossal statues of Ramesses II. Mesmerising projections depicting intricate hieroglyphics and the temples in their original forms will take you back in time.

The twin temples, built over 3,000 years ago, are stunning examples of ancient Egyptian architecture. The great temple is dedicated to the gods Amon-Ra and Re-Horakhty, while the smaller temple of Nefertari — the king’s favourite queen — is for worshipping the goddess Hathor. Enormous statues of the monarchs adorn the structure’s exterior. You get to see this great illuminated structure and hear some fascinating stories before the show comes to an end.

You will be driven in a private vehicle from your hotel in Abu Simbel to your hotel in Aswan. The duration of the trip is about three hours.

The serene atmosphere of Aswan is possibly inspired by the tranquillity of the Nile River, which perhaps is at its widest and most gentle stretch near this city. The river, separated by picturesque views of Nubian villages on one side and a desert landscape on the other, is punctuated with little islands of palm trees and granite hills.

There’s plenty to pursue here. Sail down the Nile on a relaxing felucca ride and stop at a nearby Nubian village. Hike through the UNESCO-listed Philae Temple complex to explore the historic temples and appreciate their elegant architecture. There’s also the famous Aswan Dam on the Nile, and to its north lies the city’s vibrant, thriving marketplace. Relish local delicacies such as seafood, falafel, and stew-like Fattah accompanied by fresh minty shai (tea).

Group Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple

Enjoy a mesmerising sound and light show at Philae Temple, which is among the most revered archaeological sites in Egypt. This audio-visual presentation, unfolding against the backdrop of the temple’s beautiful architecture, will take you back in time through a masterful fusion of light, music, and storytelling.

Listen to the narrator recounting history, legends about pharaohs and Egyptian deities, and ancient customs while admiring the illuminated temple's beauty. As the show culminates, the experience leaves you with a greater understanding of the temple’s historical and cultural significance.

Personalised Tour of Elephantine Island & Aswan Museum

The tour takes you to the historic Elephantine Island and the Aswan Museum, renowned for its rich collection of archaeological artefacts. Your exploration begins at the Temple of Khnum on Elephantine Island. You can view the excellently preserved hieroglyphics and reliefs honouring Khnum, the ram-headed deity of the island. Delve into the place’s history as you stroll along the Nilometer, an ancient structure built to measure the Nile’s water level. Your guide will explain how this innovation was vital in forecasting the annual flooding and how it affected people’s livelihoods.

Next up is a visit to a Nubian village. Wander through the bustling maze-like streets with bright-coloured houses. Get acquainted with the region’s culture and local customs. Round off your tour at the Aswan Museum, which houses a vast collection of artefacts such as sarcophagi, statues, and reliefs from different eras of Egyptian history.

Personalised Tour of a Nubian Village

Visit a vibrant Nubian village near Aswan and get acquainted with their culture and lifestyle. You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and taken to one of the hamlets of the Nubian settlements on the West Bank of the Nile. Wander through the village streets lined with vividly coloured houses and buildings sporting handmade art.

Your local guide will tell you interesting facts about the Nubian language, culture, and people. Afterwards, relish a traditional cup of tea and sample some of the local delicacies. If you like, you can indulge in some refreshing mud and sand therapy, or enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Nile before returning to the hotel.

You will be driven from your hotel to Aswan pier in a private vehicle.

Set out on a cruise on the world’s longest river, the majestic Nile, the keeper of ancient civilisations and their spectacular monuments for centuries. As your riverboat journeys upstream from Aswan to Luxor, observe the changing colours of the river and the magnificent landmarks along its banks.

While the riverine islands and Philae Temple are interesting sights to explore in Aswan, several significant monuments are spread across the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens on the West Bank of the Nile near Luxor. During this scenic cruise, you will see fishermen at work, and may also spot plovers, egrets, snipes, Glossy Ibis, and even the mighty Nile Crocodile.

Option 1 - Farah Nile Cruise: Highlights from Aswan to Luxor (4 Days/ 3 Nights)

Learn about the history and culture of the Upper Egypt region, as you cruise the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Step aboard your cruise ship at Aswan, make yourself comfortable, and have lunch in the main restaurant. Afterwards, take a quick motorboat ride to Agilika Island’s breathtaking Philae Temple complex, which can only be reached by boat. The complex was moved block by block to prevent it from going underwater when the new Aswan Dam was built. You can also visit this impressive dam before returning. Back on the ship, relax on the deck while the ship makes it way to your next stop.

Begin the next day with breakfast, followed by a live grill and barbecue buffet for lunch. Explore the Kom Ombo Temple in the evening, which is renowned for its unusual double design that honours the falcon god, Horus and the crocodile god, Sobek. End your day with a traditional meal and music before joining a lively Galabia celebration in the lounge bar while the ship heads toward Edfu.

A visit to the Ptolemaic Temple of Edfu is on the cards for day three. This will be followed by a private cooking class at the ship’s main restaurant after you return. At Luxor, marvel at the magnificent Karnak Temple complex, which is dedicated to the god Amon, and the famous Luxor Temple. Enjoy a gourmet dinner in the evening along with a belly dance and tanoura performance in the lounge bar.

Opt for an early breakfast on the fourth day before checking out and disembarking to explore the highlights of the West Bank - Colossi of Memnon, Valley of the Kings, and the Temple of Hatshepsut.

Option 2 - The Oberoi Zahra: Highlights from Aswan to Luxor (4 Days / 3 Nights)

Explore the land of the pharaohs and uncover the essence of Egyptian culture on this immersive three-night Nile River cruise. Savour the scenic views you glide along the Nile. The onboard Egyptologist’s educational audio-visual presentations will give you interesting information about the sites being visited. At each stop, luxury vans will arrive to take you sightseeing.

While in Aswan, visit the Philae Temple and the impressive Aswan High Dam. One of the highlights here is the unusual double temple at Kom Ombo. This impressive Graeco-Roman structure is dedicated to the falcon god, Horus, and the crocodile god, Sobek. At the Temple of Edfu, admire the ‘Sacred Drama,’ a renowned set of inscriptions. This temple is considered as Egypt's best-preserved archaeological site.

Next, head for the underground mausoleums of The Valley of the Kings, a royal burial site in Luxor. Add the Colossi of Memnon, and the Luxor and Karnak Temples to your travel list before wrapping up your cruise experience.

You will be driven in a private vehicle from Luxor pier to your hotel.

Located by the Nile River, the incredible scope and splendour of Luxor deserve to be experienced first-hand. It is the site of Thebes, the capital of the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. The city also boasts the renowned Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, which contain royal tombs, the most notable being that of Ramses VI. The striking paintings and ancient hieroglyphs gracing Ramses VI’s royal tomb are an incredible sight.

The city houses several monuments and temples of historical significance, such as the Luxor Temple and the Karnak Temple. The priceless exhibits of the Luxor Museum make it worth a visit. The Tombs of the Nobles, with more than 400 tombs belonging to aristocratic families from the Greco-Roman era, is also highly recommended.

Personalised Tour of the Hathor Temple in Dendera & the Osiris Temple in Abydos

Spend a memorable day at the ancient temples of Osiris and Hathor. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in the morning and take you to the Temple of Hathor, the goddess of love and joy. Admire the depictions of Cleopatra VI on the temple walls, which are beautiful examples of Ptolemaic Egyptian art. You will also get to explore the Christian Basilica and the Temple of the Birth of Isis that are located within the complex.

Next up is the ancient city of Abydos, where you will get to visit the famed Osiris Temple. The construction of this temple began under the reign of King Seti I, while King Ramses II oversaw its completion. Marvel at the frescoes of gods and pharaohs, which are regarded as among the best preserved in Egypt, before returning to your hotel.

Group Hot Air Balloon Flight over Ancient Thebes & the Nile

This incredible experience gives you an aerial view of the Nile and the historic city of Thebes. You will be taken to the hot air balloon launch site early in the morning. Watch the warm dawn light illuminate the sky while you gear up for a memorable journey over Thebes. Once you take off and begin ascending, you will be able to see the Valley of the Kings.

As you soar past Queen Hatshepsut’s tomb, the line of sphinxes guarding the steps can be spotted. You will also see sugarcane fields with palm trees dotting them. Admire the majestic sight of the Colossi of Memnon gleaming in shades of orange and pink as the sunrise lights up the sky. Glide past dusty desert roads, and flat rooftop houses with adobe walls and palm canopies on the banks of the Nile River. Savour and capture these diverse sights before heading back to the landing point.