Cairo & cruise on the Nile: The Land of the Pharaohs (port-to-port)

CroisiCruise: 10N PP

11 Days

Discover the hidden treasures of the Egyptian capital. From the Cairo Citadel to the bazaar district, learn all about the intellectual and cultural capital of the Arab world and its must-see Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Then, discover ancient Egypt, the cradle of all civilizations, which has fascinated humankind forever. Since the dawn of time, explorers, diplomats, writers, and painters have used the fertile banks of the Nile as inspiration for their work. Even today, we still seek the answers to the mysteries found within the pharaohs’ tombs. Over two thousand years of history are waiting for you on a cruise that promises exciting, spectacular, and unforgettable discoveries. Majestic temples, tombs, pyramids, and lively villages dot the Nile Valley landscapes from Luxor to Aswan. Wind down from your everyday grind and step way back in time on a cruise through Upper Egypt.

THE CROISIEUROPE DIFFERENCE

- All meals included - DRINKS INCLUDED with meals
- Refined local cuisine
- Headsets are included for excursions
- Official welcome from the captain and crew
- Tour leader or cruise director on board
- Onboard activities and/or lectures
- Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
- All port fees included

HIGHLIGHTS

- PRE-CRUISE EXTENDED STAY INCLUDED:

- Discover 2 sites listed as a UNESCO World Heritage: Historic Cairo and the Giza Plateau with its pyramids and mysterious Sphinx
- The Great Pyramid of Giza, the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
- Discover Saqqara Necropolis and visit the Pyramid of Teti
- The famous and colorful bazaar district of the capital
- Take a stroll in Coptic Cairo
- Visit the most beautiful sites of Upper Egypt: Karnak, Luxor, Edfu, Philae, Kom Ombo
- Spectacular Sound and Light Show at the Karnak Temple Complex (optional)
- Discover Abu Simbel (optional)
- Meet villagers in Aswan and Luxor and discover their culture and customs
- Enjoy a tuk-tuk ride in the heart of typical villages
- On board services from an Egyptologist and our CroisiEurope cruise director

- Itinerary Day 1: Cairo

Participation in today‘s activities will depend on your arrival time in Cairo. If you arrive before 1:00 p.m., your program will be: Join us for a visit of the Cairo Citadel. It was built between 1176 and 1207 by Saladin to protect the city from the Crusaders and ensure the supremacy of its army. This fortification offers a panoramic view on Cairo and the City of the Dead. Afterwards, we’ll visit the Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, the viceroy of Egypt regarded as the founder of modern Egypt in 1830. It was built with minarets and gathers all traditional characteristics of Cairo architecture from the Mamluk to the late Ottoman period. When looking at the ceiling of the praying area, you can admire the 52-meter-high central dome of the mosque. You will then settle into your 5 Hotel LS. Enjoy dinner in town before spending the night at the hotel. Day 2: Cairo

Join us for a visit of Saqqara, the former necropolis for the Ancient Egyptian capital which forms the largest group of Egyptian tombs of that era. The oldest tombstone of the necropolis dates back to the reign of Hor-Aha, the second pharaoh of the First Dynasty of Egypt. There, we will visit the Pyramid of Teti, the first pharaoh of the Sixth dynasty of Egypt whose sarcophagus still lies in the pyramid. The distinctive characteristic of this pyramid is that its walls are covered in Egyptians texts. Enjoy lunch before discovering the Great Pyramid of Giza, the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to have remained largely intact. This plateau is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage sites. Next to this magnificent monument you can see the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure as well as the mysterious Great Sphinx of Giza, a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human. It measures 73 meters (240 feet) long from paw to tail and 20.21 meters (66.31 feet) high from the base to the top of the head. We’ll then have diner in town and spend the night at the hotel. Optional excursion: Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids. Day 3: Cairo

Join us for a visit to the Museum of Cairo, home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities. With over 120,000 artefacts, the museum houses an unbelievable exhibit of the ancient Egypt's glorious reign such as mummies, sarcophagi, pottery, jewelry and of course King Tutankhamen's treasures discovered in 1922. After lunch, we’ll take a stroll in Khan el-Khalili, the bazaar district of Cairo. The market is famous for clothing, spices, traditional jewelry and perfumes made by local artisans.