Fascinating Egypt

Thursday 16 February

Meet at airport at 07:30 for flight departure to Istanbul at 09:25. Continuation flight from Istanbul to Alexandria at 15.50. Upon arrival in Alexandria at 17.00, following immigration control, meet with our representative, transfer to hotel in Alexandria for check in and overnight.

Friday 17 February

Early breakfast followed by a full day tour of Alexandria, the second largest city in Egypt with the largest port and beautiful Mediterranean beaches. Here we visit the Roman Amphitheatre, the gardens of Montazah surrounding King Farouk’s Palace, the Khom-el-Shuqqafa catacombs, the New Library as well as Pompeii’s Pillar. Lunch is included. Transfer to Cairo. Check in hotel for overnight.

Saturday 18 February

After breakfast, enjoy a full day excursion visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza as well as the Sphinx, followed by a visit to a perfume/papyrus factory. Lunch in a local restaurant followed by a visit to the Egyptian Antiquities Museum, housing the treasures found in the tomb of Tutankhamen. Return to hotel for overnight, or:

Evening Optional: Khan El Khalili Bazaar: wander through a maze of narrow, winding streets in this unique open-air bazaar. The sights, sounds and aromas of this ancient city surround you as you sample the exotic perfumes; visit shops filled with beautiful gold and silver jewelry and watch the local craftsmen as they work on brass and copperware items. Here you will find the vibrant life and colors of the city, unchanged by the passage of time. It may also be your time to try out the shisha.

Sunday 19 February

After breakfast embark on a full day visit to Memphis, the old capital of Lower Egypt, Sakkara Pyramids, and the Churches Complex. The Saqqara Pyramids are one of the earliest pyramids built. In Memphis lies the biggest statue of Ramses II. Lunch is included. Continue to visit the Churches Complex comprising of the Hanging Church of Holy Mary, a synagogue, an Orthodox church and chapel dedicated to St. George the Martyr as well as the ruins of the Roman fort of Babylon. Return to hotel for overnight, or:

Evening Optional 1: Sound & Light Show at Giza Pyramids The show depicts the story of the construction of the pyramids of Kheops, Kephren, and Mykerinos and relates the history of great and famous figures of ancient Egypt such as Thutmosis IV, Akhnaten, Nefertiti and Tutankhamen.

Evening Optional 2: Dinner on a Floating Restaurant with a folklore show including a belly dancer and Tannura (spinner).

Monday 20 February

Transfer to airport for flight to Luxor. Upon arrival in Luxor meet guide and after collection of luggage, immediate start to visit Karnak and Luxor Temples. Transfer to cruise and check–in at lunch time.  After lunch free time to relax and enjoy the facilities on board. Dinner and overnight.

Tuesday 21 February

Early Optional: Hot air balloon ride. Pick up at 4.30 to be on the balloon by sunrise!!

Breakfast followed by a visit of the West Bank including the Valley of the Kings – entrance to 3 tombs included. The magnificent reliefs and paintings on the walls tell us a lot about the afterlife of each King.  Stop to see the two Colossi of Memnon and in Deir el Bahari visit Hatshepsut Temple, the famous lady Pharaoh. Lunch. Sailing towards Edfu via the Esna lock. Free time to enjoy the facilities of the boat during the sailing time. Dinner and overnight on board.

Wednesday 22 February

Breakfast followed by a visit to Edfu Temple dedicated to Horus son of Isis and Osiris by horse drawn carriage. Lunch. Sailing continues to Kom Ombo, visit Kom Ombo Temple shared by two Gods Sobek and Haroeris. After dinner, join the fun on board at the Gallabiyah Oriental party wearing traditional Egyptian costumes. Sailing continues to Aswan. Overnight on board.

Thursday 23 February

Early visit by bus to the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel dedicated to King Ramses II and his Queen wife Nefertari. Return in time for lunch – followed by a visit of the High Dam, Egypt’s modern example of building on a monumental scale. Continue by a short motor-boat ride to the Temple of Philae on the island of Agilka. The temple is dedicated to Isis, sister/wife of Osiris and patroness of the Ptolemaic rule. Dinner and overnight on board.

Friday 24 February

Breakfast followed by disembarkation and transfer to Marsa Alam by bus.

Lunch on the way. Check in to hotel. Dinner and overnight in Marsa Alam.

Saturday 25th February

Optional day trip – diving and snorkeling at Marsa Alam

Breakfast. Free time to relax in the hotel or see what the resort has to offer. This exclusive resort enjoys amazing views of the Red Sea, perfect for those seeking sun, sea and solitude. This resort offers you the most modern comforts and sports and leisure facilities. Overnight at hotel.

Sunday 26 February

Transfer to Hurghada in the Red Sea

Breakfast. Check out from hotel in Marsa Allam and transfer to hotel in Hurghada.

Lunch on the way.   Free time at leisure to enjoy the facilities of the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Monday 27 February

Optional day trip – diving and snorkeling at Hurghada

Free time at leisure to enjoy the facilities of the hotel. Featuring a private beach and 3 swimming pools, including its own waterpark with 7 slides, the Swiss Inn Resort Hurghada is just a 10-minute drive from Hurghada Airport. Its water sports and diving centre provides gear for Red Sea scuba-diving, sea trips and wind surfing. This 5-star resort offers tennis and squash courts as well as a fitness centre.

Tuesday 28 February

Early morning transfer to Hurghada airport for flight to Istanbul departing at 3.45am.  Arrival in Istanbul at 7.45am.  Our flight to Malta departs at 6.35pm and lands at 7.05pm.

Itinerary may be subject to change, however, all the visits mentioned in the above itinerary will be executed.