Frank Pimentel
frank@realhawaiitours.com
909-702-4919
Overview
Cruise Sightseeing:
- Karnak Temple
- Luxor Temple
- Memnon
- Edfu Temple
- Kom ombu Temple
- Aswan High Dam
- Philae Templ
- Philae Temple, High Dam, Botanical Island
- Abu Simbel Temples
- Luxor Temple, Luxor Museum
- Dendera Temple
Short itinerary
Quick route overview-
1
Day 1
Travel to Luxor, East Bank Nile Cruise Sightseeing ( Thursday)
- Early morning, arrive at Cairo International Airport to catch the flight to Luxor.
- Upon arrival, board the luxurious Nile Cruise for the next seven nights, sailing from Luxor to Aswan and back.
- After lunch, visit Luxor East Bank, starting with the outstanding Karnak Temple, the largest cult temple ever built in Ancient Egypt. Then, transfer to see the Luxor Temple.
- Dinner and overnight on board in Luxor.
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2
Day 2
West Bank Sightseeing & Sailing to Esna (Friday)
- After breakfast, explore the West Bank of Luxor, visiting the Valley of the Kings, the impressive Hatshepsut Temple at Deir El-Bahari, and the iconic Colossi of Memnon.
- Return to the cruise for lunch and start sailing towards Esna.
- Cross Esna Lock, then enjoy dinner and overnight on board.
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3
Day 3
Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples ( Saturday )
- After breakfast, visit Edfu Temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt.
- Sail towards Kom Ombo while having lunch on board.
- In the afternoon, visit the Kom Ombo Temple.
- Dinner and overnight on board while sailing to Aswan.
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4
Day 4
Aswan Sightseeing ( Sunday)
- After breakfast, visit Aswan High Dam, an engineering marvel built in the 1960s, and the beautiful Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis.
- Optional: Enjoy a visit to the Nubian Village or attend the Sound and Light Show at Philae Temple in the evening.
- Dinner and overnight on board in Aswan.
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5
Day 5
Free Day / Optional Tour to Abu Simbel (Monday)
- After breakfast, enjoy a free day to relax on board or explore Aswan at your own pace.
- Optional: Take an early morning trip to the Abu Simbel Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Lunch, dinner, and overnight on board in Aswan.
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6
Day 6
Sailing Back to Luxor ( Tuesday )
- After breakfast, start sailing back towards Luxor.
- Enjoy a relaxing day on board with lunch and dinner served while sailing.
- Overnight on board near Luxor.
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7
Day 7
Dendera Temple (Qena) (Wednesday)
- After breakfast, take a road trip to Dendera Temple, located in Qena, to explore the magnificent Temple of Hathor, known for its well-preserved colorful ceiling and astronomical depictions.
- Return to the cruise for lunch and enjoy your last evening on board with a farewell dinner.
- Overnight on board in Luxor.
-
8
Day 8
Departure from Luxor (Thursday)
- After breakfast, departure from the Nile Cruise.
- Transfer to Luxor Airport for your flight back to Cairo or your next destination.
Your Experience Map
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Meals: Full Board
Travel to Luxor, East Bank Nile Cruise Sightseeing ( Thursday)
- Early morning, arrive at Cairo International Airport to catch the flight to Luxor.
- Upon arrival, board the luxurious Nile Cruise for the next seven nights, sailing from Luxor to Aswan and back.
- After lunch, visit Luxor East Bank, starting with the outstanding Karnak Temple, the largest cult temple ever built in Ancient Egypt. Then, transfer to see the Luxor Temple.
- Dinner and overnight on board in Luxor.
Day 2
Meals: Full Board
West Bank Sightseeing & Sailing to Esna (Friday)
- After breakfast, explore the West Bank of Luxor, visiting the Valley of the Kings, the impressive Hatshepsut Temple at Deir El-Bahari, and the iconic Colossi of Memnon.
- Return to the cruise for lunch and start sailing towards Esna.
- Cross Esna Lock, then enjoy dinner and overnight on board.
Day 3
Meals: Full Board
Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples ( Saturday )
- After breakfast, visit Edfu Temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt.
- Sail towards Kom Ombo while having lunch on board.
- In the afternoon, visit the Kom Ombo Temple.
- Dinner and overnight on board while sailing to Aswan.
Day 4
Meals: Full Board
Aswan Sightseeing ( Sunday)
- After breakfast, visit Aswan High Dam, an engineering marvel built in the 1960s, and the beautiful Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis.
- Optional: Enjoy a visit to the Nubian Village or attend the Sound and Light Show at Philae Temple in the evening.
- Dinner and overnight on board in Aswan.
Day 5
Meals: Full Board
Day 6
Meals: Full Board
Day 7
Meals: Full Board
Dendera Temple (Qena) (Wednesday)
- After breakfast, take a road trip to Dendera Temple, located in Qena, to explore the magnificent Temple of Hathor, known for its well-preserved colorful ceiling and astronomical depictions.
- Return to the cruise for lunch and enjoy your last evening on board with a farewell dinner.
- Overnight on board in Luxor.
Inclusions
Luxury Accommodation:
- Thurs - Thurs : MS Upscale Nile Cruise – Outside Cabin – on full board
Transfers:
- Thurs : Transfer from Luxor Airport to Your Nile Cruise
- Thurs : Transfer from your Cruise to Luxor Airport to fly to Cairo
Sightseeing:
- Thurs - Thurs: 8 Days cruise Sightseeing as per program includes Guiding, Entrance fees, and A/C Bus model 2022
Not included:
- Visa $25
- Tipping
- International and Domestic flights
- any option tours
FAQ
Egypt is very safe to visit and the police, tourist police, and army are in prominence wherever you go, giving you a feel of being in secure surroundings. Egypt prides itself on its high safety record for tourists and will do all it can to maintain this.
Egyptian Arabic is the official and most widely spoken language in Egypt. English is taught in schools and is considered a secondary language that is most commonly used for tourism purposes.
The official currency of Egypt is the Egyptian Pound. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and upscale shops. There are also ATMs available at hotels and outside major banks dispensing local currency.
The best time to visit Egypt would be during the winter months, from October to April. The temperatures are mild and pleasant, although evenings can become quite cool. December through January are the peak tourist months so expect large crowds if travelling at this time. The best time to enjoy the beaches, without having to endure the large crowds of summer tourists, would be from March to May. Temperatures at this time are warm and tourist sites are not too crowded.
Egypt, being a predominantly Muslim country, is naturally conservative (not like the Gulf States or Saudi Arabia) but the average people are careful in what they wear. The dress code in Egypt for women is considered conservative by western standards and it is respectful to obey this code.
For men it is not really an issue -- normal trousers and shirt or T-shirt are fine -- but in Cairo it would not be acceptable to wear short shorts or a tank tops/sleeveless tops. In the resorts like Sharm El Sheik, Hurghada, Sinai, etc. -- shorts are fine and it is very open and flexible. This also applies to ladies for the beach areas, but going into the market area in Hurghada, for example you may be more comfortable in trousers. Generally for men in Cairo or any city that is not on the sea side, remain with trousers (at tourist sites long loose shorts) or jeans and T-shirt , as even in Cairo, local people do not feel comfortable seeing a man in shorts. In Sea Side areas it's ok to walk in shorts, but once you enter a local restaurant or market, it's better to be more covered.
For the vast majority of travelers to Egypt, a valid passport and a travel visa is required. A visa can easily be purchased at the airport when you arrive. The cost for a single-entry, 30-day tourist visa is $25 (or equivalent in Euro), must be paid in cash (no credit or debit cards accepted), and your passport must be valid for at least six months. Citizens of all European countries, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, South Korea, Macedonia, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine and United States can obtain a visa upon arrival. (Egypt does allow visa-free access for certain countries such as Bahrain, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Lebanon, Macao, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia.) Visas can also be purchased beforehand through Egypt’s Visa e-Portal: https://visa2egypt.gov.eg. Forty-one different nationalities are eligible to purchase the e-visa, however, it’s far easier to simply buy the visa at the airport.
As with most European and North American countries, tipping is graciously accepted in Egypt. A 10% tip at restaurants and to guides and drivers is standard. Unfortunately, at major tourist sites like the Pyramids of Giza or the tombs of the Valley of the Kings, touts aggressively hustle for tips by allowing you to take photos in areas where it’s clearly posted as prohibited (such as inside the tombs). Please refrain from perpetuating this problem by not paying to take pictures.
Egypt has a voltage supply of 220V and the plugs are the 2-round pin type that are common throughout Europe.
As noted previously, Egypt is a Muslim country, therefore alcohol is not readily available outside of tourist areas and western-style hotels/resorts. Beer and wine is available for purchase on all Dragonfly Kite Safaris.