On the Pharaoh’s Footsteps

On the Pharaoh’s Footsteps

11-day tour including Nile Cruise from Luxor to Luxor

Thursday 05th September

Flight to Cairo

Meet your Tour Leader at Malta International Airport at 06:30hrs, in time for you Aegean Airlines flight to Cairo departing at 09:00hrs with transit in Athens. Arrival in Cairo at 19:20hrs local time. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel, check-in and overnight.

Friday 06th September

PYRAMIDS & EGYPTIAN MUSEUM (optional)

Breakfast at the hotel, meet your Egyptologist guide and depart for full day optional excursion. Start your tour visiting Giza Pyramids, pyramids of Cheops, of Chephren and Mycerinus, considered the most famous site in Egypt. Light lunch and, afterwards, you will visit the Egyptian Museum which collections exceed 120,000 masterpieces, ranging from the predynastic era to the Pharaonic and Greco-Roman periods. Drive back at the hotel and time at leisure. Overnight in Cairo.

Saturday 07th September

Flight to Luxor & embarkation

IN THE HONOR OF THE GODS (included)

Breakfast at the hotel, check-out and transfer to Cairo Airport in time for your Air

Cairo flight to Luxor. Upon arrival in Luxor, transfer to port and embarkation for Nile Cruise on Blue Shadow 1. This luxury ship will make your Nile cruise an unforgettable experience. You will not find a more comfortable and elegant way to follow in the footsteps of the Pharaohs. Savour oriental culinary delights and international specialities in the stylish ship restaurant and after lunch visit Luxor and Karnak Temples. The Temple of Luxor is one of the bestpreserved ancient sites in the world; it was dedicated to the great god Amun-Ra, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu together representing the Theban triad. Karnak is currently the second largest ancient religious site in the world; one of the most memorable spots at the Temple of Karnak is Hypostyle Hall, which today looks like a large courtyard filled with columns that touch the sky. Overnight in Luxor.

Sunday 08th September

SUNRISE HOT AIR BALLOON (optional)

THE VALLEY OF THE KINGS (included)

Take to the skies above Luxor in an optional hot-air balloon trip (weather permitting) and enjoy panoramic views of the world's greatest open-air museum. Leaving at sunrise, your

scenic flight over Egypt's iconic monuments promises to be one of the highlights of your journey down the river. Enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of the sun rising over the east bank of the Nile, illuminating the land of the ancient Pharaohs. Crossing to the west bank of Luxor, you can visit The Valley of the Kings and you will discover illustrated thoughts, ideas and the expectations for the afterworld on decorations. Visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, the only woman who got the Pharaoh title and the two monumental Memnon colossi. After lunch ship departs for Edfu, crossing Isna Lock. Enjoy the unique view of the historical east and west shore of Luxor. Overnight in Edfu.

Monday 09th September

HORUS TEMPLE (included)

In the small village of Edfu you will not find many cars and the only way to get to the Temple of Horus is by horse carriage. The Ptolemaic Temple of God Horus, built between 237 and 57 BC, one of the bestpreserved ancient monuments in Egypt. You will feel the history of ancient Ptolemaic and Roman sites with very exciting stories. Continue by Kom-Ombo to Aswan. Overnight in Aswan.

Tuesday 10th September

ROCK TEMPLES OF ABU SIMBEL (optional)

FELUCCA RIDE ON THE NILE (included)

From Aswan you can reach the Rock Temples of Abu Simbel (not included), near the border with Sudan.This temple complex was built in the 13th century BCE during the reign of the 19th Dynasty Pharaoh Ramesses II and his queen Nefertari. On your way back to the ship, enjoy the vastness of the Sahara Desert and its mirages. In the afternoon felucca trip to Kitchener Island with visit to the Botanical Garden that is home to thousands of birds and many exotic plants imported from many parts of the world like Far East India and Africa. It offers a beautiful and unique escape from the city. A true gem of Egyptian treasures. Overnight in Aswan.

Wednesday 11th September

ROMANTIC LANDSCAPE & PHILAE

TEMPLE (included)

Excursion to the imposing Aswan Dam on Lake Nasser and motorboat ride to Agilkia Island with its beautiful Philae Temple. It was originally located upon the island of Philae, "the end" in Ancient Egypt language, since it marked the southernmost boundary of the historic nation; the Temple was painstakingly taken apart and rebuilt on its current location when the Aswan Dam was constructed in 1960s. Overnight in Aswan.

Thursday 12th September

KOM-OMBO DOUBLE TEMPLE (included)

The ship sails from Aswan to Kom-Ombo. Once in Kom-Ombo you will discover a unique Temple for its dedication to two different deities: the local crocodileheaded god Sobek and the first "god of the Kingdom", the falcon-headed god Horus the Elder. Continue your journey to Edfu and overnight in Edfu.

Friday 13th September

SOUND & LIGHT SHOW (optional)

After breakfast, you will have the opportunity to explore Edfu on your own then sail to Luxor via Esna Lock. Discover the luxury of gliding along the river between the historic cities of Luxor and Aswan, enjoy your last cruising day, the Egyptian sun and the Nile riverscapes as you sit on the spacious sun deck sipping a cocktail. In the evening, you will have the opportunity to attend a “Sound & Light Show” at the Karnak Temple (not included); this temple remains one of the biggest achievements of Egypt, standing evident for their creative minds and brilliant, unmatched architecture. Overnight in Luxor.

Saturday 14th September

Disembarkation in Luxor

Breakfast on board and disembarkation. Transfer to Luxor Airport in time for your Air Cairo flight to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo, transfer to the hotel, check in and time at leisure. Cairo is famous for its own history, preserved in the fabulous medieval Islamic city and Coptic sites in Old Cairo. Though firmly attached to the past, Cairo is also home to a vibrant modern society. Do not miss the opportunity to visit the Khan El Khalili bazaar, one of the most famous and oldest bazaars in all of the middle east, dating back to 1382. Find exotic items here in the heart of Cairo such as spices, perfumes, jewellery, and all sorts of souvenirs.

Sunday 15th September

Return flight to Malta

Check-out and transfer to Cairo Airport in time for your return Aegean flight to Malta departing at 04:00hrs with transit in Athens. Arrival in Malta at 09:05hrs local time.

PRICE PER PERSON INCLUDE

• Return Aegean flights to Cairo, including 23 Kg

Checked-in Luggage & 8 kg Hand Luggage

• Return AirCairo flight to Luxor, including 23 Kg

Checked-in Luggage & 7 kg Hand Luggage

• All the transfers

• 2-night accommodation 5* Hotel pre-cruise in Cairo on B&B basis

• 7-night Nile Cruise on board of Blue Shadow 1 on FB basis

• Nile Cruise 6-Excursion Package

• 1-night accommodation 5* Hotel post-cruise in Cairo on RO Basis

• Tour Leader (subject to minimum number reached)

• Protection by the Insolvency Fund

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Online Visa $25

• Drinks on board of Blue Shadow 1

• Meals & drinks not mentioned in the itinerary

• Personal travel insurance

• Tips for Tour Guides & Drivers

• Gratuities at $10-$15 per person per night

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS

(subject to weather conditions)

• Giza Pyramids & Egyptian Museum, €85pp

• Sunrise Hot Air Ballon, €95pp

• Rock Temples of Abu Simbel, €90pp

• Sound & Light Show, €45pp

PANORAMIC WINDOW

PANORAMIC WINDOW

PANORAMIC WINDOW

Single rate available on request.