Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included. If you arrive early there are plenty of things to see and do in this amazing city. Visit the Saladin Citadel of Cairo one of the most popular attractions in the city, or to really get a feel for the place, get lost in the bazaars and join the locals for a coffee in a local cafe.
Catch an early morning flight to Aswan. Opt to explore the busy Aswan market or visit the beautiful Philae Temple. Later, enjoy dinner with the group at the hotel.
Early in the morning, drive to the famed temples of Abu Simbel for a guided tour. Later, board our river cruise ship for the night.
Spend your day floating down the Nile on a spacious river boat with a guided tour of Kom Ombo Temple en route. Relax on the outside decks with a drink, watching the passing desert sands and enjoying the scenery Following breakfast, we set sail. Before too long it is time for our first shore excursion, with a visit to Kom Ombo, a temple dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god. It still contains an ancient mummified crocodile.
Continuing cruising the Nile, relaxing and taking in the desert scenery while observing daily life along the river. Arrive to Luxor in the evening. On the evening of day 5 our boat will moor overnight just outside of Luxor.
However, please note that sometimes the ship is directed to arrive in Luxor earlier on day 5 and therefore, the free time on board on this day will be swapped with the activities on day 7. Day 7 will then become a free day to explore Luxor on your own.
After breakfast the group will leave for the West Bank to meet our student-guide at the Funtasia Project Center. Together we will bike through the village to visit the community. The group will then return to the centre to learn about the Planeterra project at this location over tea with our guide. Afterward, enjoy a guided visit to the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, and have lunch with a local family on the West Bank of the Nile. On the way back to the hotel stop at an Alabaster factory and watch as the manufacturer's own hands mold, shape, and reshape the rocks until they end up with stunning sculptures, statues, candle holders, etc. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. After checking in to our hotel, our day starts with a visit to the G Adventures-supported Planeterra project in Luxor and then a guided visit to the exciting ancient sites located on Luxor's West Bank and the famed Valley of the Kings. Today, you will eat a traditional lunch in a local family home, visit an Alabaster factory, and spend the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure.
Enjoy an excursion to the magnificent temples of Karnak and Luxor. In the afternoon, use free time to explore the bazaar, museums or opt to take a guided tour of the temples of Habu, Ramsseum and Deir El Medina.
Catch a flight back to Cairo in the morning. Stop for a tour inside the monasteries of Wadi Natrun en route to the historic Mediterranean city of Alexandria. Enjoy a free afternoon at your leisure to explore.
Spend the day exploring this ancient seaside city, including Pompey's Pillar, the catacombs, and the new Alexandria Library. In the afternoon opt to explore the city further on a guided tour, or see the sights at your own pace. It's up to you! We have plenty of time to explore all the incredible sites this ancient city has to offer. Founded by Alexander the Great around 331BC, Egypt's only Mediterranean city is characterized by a distinctly European atmosphere and a refreshing sea breeze. Don't miss the chance to enjoy an optional seafood dinner at one of the city's many outdoor seaside restaurants this evening.
Head back to Cairo and explore the treasures of the Egyptian Museum. Enjoy lunch at your leisure in one of the many local restaurants in the area. Afterwards, pay a visit to Khan el-Khalili, a famous bazaar and souk in the historic center of Cairo. The remainder of the evening will be at your leisure.
Embark on a guided tour of the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Enjoy a visit to the Papyrus institute??home to the world's largest collection of papyrus documents. In the afternoon take advantage of free time to explore more of Cairo on your own. We begin with one of the key highlights of any visit to Egypt, the Great Pyramids of Giza. While once located in remote desert, they now touch the suburbs of modern Cairo. Also visit the mysterious Sphinx, with its lion's body and man's face.
