Pharaonic Egypt: rail & cruise along the Nile

Cairo

Day 1: Cairo calling

Welcome to Egypt! Are you ready for an adventure through one of the oldest civilizations of humankind along the fascinating scenery of the world's longest river? You have come to the right place then. Egypt with its enigmatic charm welcomes you, and so does our friendly representative upon your arrival at the airport in Cairo. Get a feeling of this global hub as you are being transferred to your hotel. Once there, you can make sure everything is A-ok with your individual itinerary over a delicious welcome drink with your tour manager and then enjoy the rest of the day as you like. Feel free to dip your toe or more into the universe that is Cairo, just make sure you are ready to emerge again by tomorrow morning, for you are about to see some wonders of the world.

Cairo - Giza - Aswan

Day 2: The mystique of Cairo

Today, you'll get a full taste of Cairo and then some. After a first savory breakfast at the hotel, you will check out and proceed to Giza Plateau. It's time to see something truly miraculous, a real wonder of the world, in ancient times and still today, the Great Pyramids of Cheop, Chefren and Mykerinus. Admire the architectural marvel and feel the history come to live surrounded by these up to over 4.000 years old testimonies to human culture. And don't forget about the mysterious Great Sphinx. Have a tasty lunch over all these breathtaking experiences, before you'll proceed to visit the Egyptian Museum and its many Pharaonic residents, including legendary child king Tutankhamen.

From the ancient Egypt and its deities it is then time to move on to trace some of Christianities' oldest footprints at Coptic Cairo with Ben Ezra Synagogue and famous Hanging Church. Conclude this religious journey with Islamic Cairo with its many historical mosques and sites and Cairo's old (and definitely bustling) bazaar Khan El Khalili. From here, you'll move on to Giza train station to get onboard a charming sleeper train for some well-deserved rest after today's ride through time and religion. Enjoy dinner aboard before falling asleep to the gentle rattling of your ride to Aswan.

Aswan

Day 3: Story-telling stones

Enjoy breakfast aboard as you arrive in Aswan and move on afterwards to your next moving home for the next few nights, a beautiful Nile River cruise ready to bring you to Egypt's highlights as you enjoy wonderfully scenic views of the Nile. After embarkation and a first delicious lunch aboard it's time to explore Aswan. On the menu today are the impressive High Dam, vital for Egypt's economy, and the Philae temple complex devoted to goddesses Isis and Hathor. Visit afterwards the source for many of Egypt's great ancient monuments, the Aswan stone quarries. Situated here is the largest known ancient obelisk, the ironically enough yet still Unfinished Obelisk. After those interesting, yet probably slightly dusty experiences, you'll be happy to hear today's trip leads you back to your cruise for a refreshing dinner and an afterwards leisurely evening and night on board. 

Aswan - Edfu - Esna

Day 4: Spotting the falcon at Horus Temple

It's time to make some progress sailing up that beautiful Nile. Over breakfast your reliable cruise ship will sail you towards Kom Ombo for your first stop of the day. Here, you learn about the unique design and fascnating history of the double temple of Kom Ombo from the Ptolemaic dynasty. Back on your cruise you can take in the landscape passing by as you're sailing towards Edfu over lunch. Pay the falcon god Horus a visit at the best-preserved cult temple in Egypt, the Edfu Horus temple and discover its historical importance up close. Wet your whistle with some tasty afternoon tea back on your floating home of these days before dinner as you sail towards Esna for the night.

Esna - Luxor

Day 5: Royal times in the Valley of the Kings

Anchors aweigh in today's early morning, when your delightful Nile cruise ship will bring you towards Luxor, the city of palaces. This metropolis of ancient Egypt surely is a who's who of Pharaoic royalty for you to meet upon your visit of the royal cemetery situated on the west bank of Luxor. In the amazing Valley of the Kings 62 Pharaos lay buried in elaborately decorated tombs as it was the principal burial place of major royal figures of Egypt's New Kingdom for over 500 years. One of those figures was Queen Hatshepsut, whose mortuary temple lies close to the Valley. Here you can follow the footprints of this influential ruler of her time in the 15th century BC, considered to be maybe the first known great woman of history. If you aren't too awestruck by now, you may be after the next royal highlight, the two massive testimonial stone statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. After all these awe-inspiring encounters, you will resort back to your beloved cruise to not only digest those memorable impressions but also the quality meals you have come to know and love by now. 

Luxor - Cairo

Day 6: Legendary Luxor

One day just wasn't enough to discover all of Luxor's magic, so today you will cross the Nile to explore the east bank of Luxor. But first, enjoy one last breakfast aboard your cruise ship and then say goodbye to your floating home for the past few days, as it is time to disembark. Proceed then to see the Karnak and Luxor temples. Dubbed as maybe the world's greatest open air museum for the temple complexes' location in the midst of the city, this vast area of temples, obelisks and chapels will throw you right back through time. The rest of today you are free to explore some of Luxor's charm on your own, for example with a sailing trip on the peaceful Nile with a traditional felucca boat to beautiful Banana Island. In the evening it will be time to say your goodbyes to the fascinating city of Luxor and head to the train station. Here you will catch a comfortable sleeper train that will bring you smoothly through the night back to Cairo in private compartements not without providing you a delicious dinner aboard. 

Cairo

Day 7: Continued Cairo

Enjoy breakfast aboard your sleeper train as you roll back into Cairo, for you surely weren't done with this multifaceted city in the beginning of your Egyptian journey. After your transfer to your hotel, all of today is set aside for you to explore this magnificent city in whichever way you like. Your tour manager will have many interesting optional tours for you to choose from like a visit to the Step Pyramid of King Zoser in Sakkara and Memphis. Or are you fed up with ancient culture? Dive into the rich and vibrant modern side of this intercultural and interreligious hub that never sleeps and get a different feeling of Cairo all on your own. Just make sure to enjoy one last sumptuous dinner at your hotel, as it is your last night here in captivating Cairo.

Cairo

Day 8: Carrying home the spell of Egypt

Today your journey unfortunately must end already. Your voyage to the enchanting Egypt has brought you to many fascinating sites, gotten you in touch with age-old civilizations, charmed you with fascinating landscapes along the country's Nile lifeline of deserts and banks and showed you the diverse character of its capital and people. Savor one last breakfast and soak up your Egyptian experience during some free time before you will be transferred to the airport for your departure. However, the charming spell of Egypt might summon you back one day.