Compare 15 Day Classic Egypt with Hurghada & 7 Day Nile Cruise by Gate 1 Travel vs Cairo, Nile Cruise & Hurghada Holiday by Memphis Tours

DAY 1, Wednesday - Depart for Egypt
Depart for Egypt

DAY 2, Thursday - Arrive in Cairo
Welcome to Egypt, one of the world's greatest ancient civilizations. Arrive in Cairo and transfer to your hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Drink and orientation meeting with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers at approximately 6 PM, followed by a Welcome Dinner
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Friday - The Pyramids & Sphinx of Giza
After breakfast, visit the Pyramids of Giza, built during the 3rd and 4th dynasties of the Old Kingdom. These monumental undertakings stand as a marvelous testimony to the almost unbelievable skill and determination of their builders. Get a close-up view of the Great Pyramid, built for the Pharaoh Khufu, as well as the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure. Not too far from the Pyramids, see the great Sphinx of Giza, the legendary statue with the head of a human and the body of a lion, amazingly carved out of a huge piece of limestone. Leisure time this afternoon, or join the optional tour to Sakkara with lunch. In Sakkara, site of hundreds of tombs, view the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser. Next, visit a carpet school before heading back to your hotel
Optional: Sakkara Pyramids with lunch (PM)
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Saturday - Flight to Hurghada & City Tour
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the resort city of Hurghada, on the coast of the Red Sea. Upon arrival, have lunch at your hotel. In the afternoon, embark on a city tour. Discover the traditional old town and the new, modern city. View the old port, shipyard, Great Mosque, and Church of St. Mary. Visit the Hurghada Grand Aquarium to view Red Sea marine life up-close and gain insight into the ecological environment of the Red Sea. Afterward, return to the hotel in time for dinner
Overnight: Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5, Sunday - Full Day in Hurghada
Today is yours to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. After lunch at the hotel, spend the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps, visit the local bazaars to shop for souvenirs and practice your bargaining skills. This evening, join the optional Music and Cabaret Show with Dinner. Experience an unforgettable evening of cultural performances and delectable Moroccan food
Optional: Music and Cabaret Show with Dinner
Overnight: Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6, Monday - Drive to Luxor, Nile Cruise Embarkation, Temples of Karnak
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive to Luxor. Embark on the Nile cruise and have lunch on board. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Temples of Karnak, dating back over 3,000 years. Walk along the avenue of the Sphinxes and marvel at the Hypostyle Hall with its 134 massive sandstone columns, afterwards visit a shop where you can view a quick demonstration of how the papyrus paper is made from papyrus
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7, Tuesday - Cruise to Edfu
View the magnificence of the Luxor West Bank on this morning's optional excursion. Begin with a visit to the UNESCO listed Valley of the Kings, the necropolis of Thebes and admire the tombs of ancient Egypt's rulers. Next, head to the Temple of Hatshepsut, a colonnaded structure surrounded by cliffs and learn about the life of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt's famous female ruler. Visit an alabaster factory, where you can view a demonstration of grinding alabaster the old-fashioned way. Browse the extensive collection of alabaster pieces. Conclude the tour at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep II. Return to the ship for lunch, and begin sailing towards Edfu
Optional: Excursion to the West Bank (AM)
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Wednesday - Temple of Kom Ombo
Spend the morning at leisure. After lunch on the ship, tour the imposing Greco-Roman Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Horus, the sky god and Sobek, the crocodile god. Admire the fascinating detailed reliefs on the walls. Return to the ship and continue sailing onward this afternoon
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Thursday - Philae Temple, Aswan High Dam
This morning, take a tour to Philae Temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. Arrive by motorboat and marvel at the Temple's beautiful island location. Continue to the spectacular Aswan High Dam, an engineering miracle when originally constructed in the 1960s. The dam brought an end to the Nile's devastating floods. Afterward, visit a cotton shop. Return to the ship for lunch. This afternoon, join the optional Nubian Village visit. Board a motorboat and cruise along the Nile River to a Nubian village. Along the way, admire the sweeping views over the river. Upon arrival, visit a traditional Nubian village in Aswan. Get an insight into the culture, history, and lifestyle of one of Africa's oldest civilizations. Enjoy a drink at one of the colorful rural houses, nestled amongst the natural scenery. Walk through the local market to get a taste of the unique culture and traditions
Optional: Nubian Village Visit (PM)
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Friday - Cruise to Aswan
Spend the morning at leisure, or join the optional to Abu Simbel temples. An early morning bus ride from Aswan transports you back in time to the mighty Temples of Abu Simbel, reclaimed from the floodwaters of the Aswan High Dam and totally reconstructed in the present location. The site is dominated by the looming twin temples of Ramses II and his wife Queen Nefertari. It is one of the most recognizable ancient sites of Egypt. Afterwards, drive back to Aswan. Choose to relax the rest of the evening, or take part in the optional Aswan Felucca Ride. Enjoy a relaxing cruise aboard a felucca, the traditional sailboat of Egypt used along the Nile
Optional: Abu Simbel by Bus (AM)
Optional: Aswan Felucca Ride (PM)
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Saturday - Edfu Temples, Cruise to Luxor
Spend the morning at leisure, later in the afternoon visit the stunning Temples of Horus in Edfu, considered one of the best preserved of all the Egyptian temples. It was built during the Ptolemaic times and was completed over a 180-year period. The temple is dedicated to the falcon god Horus, son of Isis and Osiris. Its extravagant design and sheer size is an indication of the country's prosperity at the time. Return to the ship for dinner, and continue sailing onward this evening
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12 Sunday - Dendera Temple, Cruise to Karnak, Luxor Temple
This morning, set out on an excursion to Dendera Temple, one of the best preserved temple complexes in Egypt, located on the west bank of the Nile, approximately 40 miles away from Luxor. Explore the Temple of Hathor, dedicated to the wife of god Horus. Marvel at the spectacular ceiling painting in the main hall, displaying stars, planets, and symbols of the Roman zodiac. The colors seen throughout the temple complex are original, and amazingly vibrant. Visit the temple crypt, and climb the staircase up to the roof, learning about Egypt's Ptolemaic period along the way. In the afternoon, head to Luxor Temple to admire the colossal statues of the great pharaoh Ramses II. Later, visit a perfume shop and learn how these scents are made
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13, Monday - Disembarkation, Flight to Cairo, Coptic Cairo
This morning, after disembarking your cruise ship, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo. After lunch, spend the afternoon exploring Coptic Cairo. This area is the original home of the Coptic Christians, one of the world's oldest Christian denominations. Here, visit the Hanging Church, that was built in the 7th century. Admire the courtyard and interior with its elaborate wooden screen, marble pulpit and icons. Proceed to Abu Serga, a 5th-century Coptic church and hear how the church was built over the site of a cave, believed to have sheltered the Holy Family during their flight into Egypt. Then, visit St. George church, one of the finest examples of Greek Orthodox churches in Egypt
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 14, Tuesday - Full Day in Cairo
Spend the day at leisure in Cairo, or join the optional Egyptian Museum & Khan El Khalili bazaar with lunch. Begin with a visit to the Egyptian Museum, a neoclassical style building located in Tahrir Square that houses the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. After lunch, continue to Khan el Khalili bazaar to browse vibrant displays of fabrics, handicrafts, and antiques. Tonight, enjoy dinner and bid farewell to your Tour Manager
Optional: Egyptian Museum & Khan El Khalili with lunch (AM)
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 15, Wednesday - Depart Egypt
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast