Compare 9 Day Classic Egypt with 3 Day Nile Cruise by Gate 1 Travel vs Cairo, Nile Cruise & Hurghada Holiday by Memphis Tours

DAY 1, Monday - Depart for Egypt
Depart for Egypt

DAY 2, Tuesday - 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. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by a light dinner
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Wednesday - 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 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 one huge piece of limestone. Next, visit a shop where you can view a quick demonstration of how the papyrus paper is made from the papyrus grass. Browse the collection of artwork on display. Leisure time this afternoon, or join the optional tour of the Egyptian Museum. Tour the museum, a neoclassical building located on Tahrir Square that houses the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts
Optional: Half Day Egyptian Museum with lunch (PM)
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Thursday - Flight to Aswan, Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple
Today, fly to Aswan, an ancient frontier town. Upon arrival, take a tour 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. Take a tour to Philae Temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. Arrive by motorboat and marvel at the Temple's beautiful island location. On the way back to the hotel, stop at a local perfume shop. During your visit, you can watch the creation of perfumes. Select a fragrance and choose from a wide selection of glass bottle containers. Afterward, check into your hotel in Aswan. Afternoon at leisure, or join the optional Aswan Felucca Ride and enjoy a relaxing ride aboard a felucca, the traditional sailboat of Egypt used along the Nile
Optional: Aswan Felucca Ride (PM)
Overnight: Aswan
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Friday - Nile Cruise Embarkation
Spend the morning at leisure, or join the optional to Abu Simbel temples. A 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. Later, embark on your ship for an unforgettable cruise on the legendary Nile River. After lunch aboard the ship, spend an afternoon at leisure
Optional: Abu Simbel by Bus (AM)
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Saturday - Kom Ombo & Edfu Temples, Cruise to Luxor
This morning, tour the imposing Greco-Roman Temple of Kom Ombo, that is dedicated to Horus, the Sky God, and Sobek, the Crocodile God. Admire the fascinating detailed reliefs on the walls. Later, visit the stunning Temple of Horus in Edfu, considered one of the best preserved of all the Egyptian temples. The temple is dedicated to the falcon god Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris. Its extravagant design and sheer size is an indication of the country's prosperity at the time. This afternoon, the ship sails via Esna to Luxor, known in ancient Egyptian times as the city of Thebes
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7, Sunday - Temples of Karnak & Luxor
View the magnificence of the Luxor West Bank on this morning's optional tour that includes the Valley of the Kings & Temple of Hatshepsut along with Colossi of Memnon. 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 longest-reigning female ruler. Visit an alabaster factory, where you can view a demonstration of grinding alabaster the old fashion way. Browse the extensive collection of alabaster pieces. Conclude the tour at the Colossi of Memnon: two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Return to the ship for lunch. In the afternoon, take a sightseeing tour of the East Bank of Luxor. 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. Afterward, head to Luxor Temple to admire the colossal statues of the great pharaoh Ramses II
Optional: Excursion to the West Bank (AM)
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Monday - Disembarkation, Flight to Cairo
This morning, after disembarking your cruise ship, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo with remainder of the afternoon at leisure or join the optional Half Day Coptic Cairo with lunch. 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, tour The Church of St. George, a Greek Orthodox church built atop the north tower of the old Roman fortress of Babylon. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel
Optional: Half Day Coptic Cairo with lunch
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Tuesday - Depart Egypt
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast