Land of the Pharaohs

Highlights

• Egypt in style
• Tombs & temples
• Leisurely Nile cruise
• Denderah, Abydos and Nag Hammadi
• Imhotep Museum, Saqqara
• Choice of accommodation

Day 1 - Arrive Cairo
A warm A&K welcome on arrival into the Egyptian capital. Transfer to your luxury hotel, and take the rest of the day to settle in at your leisure.
Four Seasons at the First Residence, Deluxe Room (Platinum) or Fairmont Nile City, Deluxe Room (Gold)

Day 2 - Design Your Cairo
This morning, walk through 7,000 years of history at the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, including the treasures of Tutankhamun and the Mummy Room. Cairo has much to offer: ancient monuments, glittering mosques, imposing citadels, a labyrinthine bazaar and old Coptic churches. Design your own afternoon with a choice of the following activities: a tour on foot through the attractions of Islamic Cairo, and then a search for treasure in the colourful aisles of the Khan El Khalili bazaar; or a visit to old Coptic Cairo including the Coptic Museum (B,L).
Four Seasons at the First Residence, Deluxe Room (Platinum) or Fairmont Nile City, Deluxe Room (Gold)

Day 3 - Cairo
Your second full day in Cairo includes a visit to the necropolis of Sakkara and the impressive new museum of Imhotep. Continue on to the 4,500-year-old Pyramids of Giza, built for Pharaohs Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus on the Giza Plateau. The Great Pyramid is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence. Just to the east lies the legendary Sphinx, whose human face is thought to represent that of Chephren, acting as the guardian of the Pharaoh's enormous funerary monument. Continue to the Solar Boat Museum to view the 43m re-assembled funerary boat of King Cheops. Found in 1954, it has been hailed as the single most important archaeological find in Egypt since the Tomb of Tutankhamun (B,L).
Four Seasons at the First Residence, Deluxe Room (Platinum) or Fairmont Nile City, Deluxe Room (Gold)

Day 4 - Cairo - Aswan
An early flight south to board the idyllic Sanctuary Sun Boat III moored at a private dock in Aswan. Before boarding, there is the option of visiting the colossal temples of Abu Simbel* beside Lake Nasser - one of Egypt's most awe-inspiring sights. In the afternoon, sail around the islands by felucca, seeing Lord Kitchener's Island and the Agha Khan mausoleum as you pass. Join the Captain this evening for complimentary cocktails and canapés (B,L,D).
Sanctuary Sun Boat III, Promenade Deck Cabin (Platinum) or Nile Deck Cabin (Gold)

Days 5-10 - Nile Cruise
The next six days are spent on the Nile with daily forays in the company of your Egyptologist. See the highlights of Aswan, including the High Dam and the Philae Temple; the temple of Kom Ombo on a glorious bend in the river; the Pharaonic temple of Horus at Edfu, the most completely preserved of its kind; and the Greco-Roman Temple of Khnum at Esna. Reaching Luxor there is much to see, including the Valley of the Kings & Queens and Ramses's Tomb; Hatshepsut's Temple, a monument to Ancient Egypt's only female pharaoh; and the temples of Luxor and Karnak, as well as the astonishing tombs of El Asasif. Unique inclusions on this cruise are the ancient highlights north of Luxor: Qena and Nag Hammadi, the holy centre of Abydos and the Temple of Hathor in Denderah (B,L,D).
Sanctuary Sun Boat III, Promenade Deck Cabin (Platinum) or Nile Deck Cabin (Gold)

Day 11 - Luxor - Cairo
Fly back to the Egyptian capital and enjoy the afternoon at leisure (B).
Four Seasons at the First Residence, Deluxe Room (Platinum) or Fairmont Nile City, Deluxe Room (Gold)

Day 12 - Depart Cairo
Farewell Egypt as you depart from Cairo (B).

& Moment
Visit the Ptolemaic Temple of the Goddess Hathor in Denderah. This wonderfully-preserved temple complex is a rare sight to behold, with its massive stone roof, dark chambers, underground passages and towering columns inscribed with hieroglyphs. Hathor was the goddess of pleasure and love, and is usually represented as a cow, or a woman with a cow's head. She was the beneficent deity of maternal and family love, of beauty and light; the Greeks associated her with Aphrodite.

Abu Simbel Extension
One of Egypt's major highlights, the massive temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari were painstakingly moved stone by stone in 1964 to escape the rising waters of Lake Nasser. To ensure our guests enjoy the magnificence of this site in unrivalled style, A&K has its own office, Egyptologist and vehicles on site. The three and a half hour tour includes business class flights, A&K transfers, sightseeing with a private A&K guide, and entrance fees. This highly recommended add-on is best included on day four of the 'Land of the Pharaohs' itinerary, day eight of 'Nile in Style' journey, or day four of our 'Egyptian Sojourn'.

Itinerary departs on a Wednesday.

Note: Cruise available in reverse direction from Luxor to Aswan.

*Abu Simbel extension extra charge applies.

A&K Special Inclusions
A&K airport welcome assistance with luggage - transportation by private air-conditioned chauffeur drive, complete with bottled water - Your own uniformed A&K English speaking guide or Egyptologist conducts the sightseeing and is your key contact on the ground - Breakfasts are included and certain other meals - Entry to Mummy Room at Egyptian Museum, Cheops Pyramid, Ramses Tomb and the tombs of El Asasif - Local beers, wines and soft drinks on the Nile Cruise - Small group sightseeing during Nile Cruise.

Pricing
As a guide, this 12 day suggested luxury holiday in Egypt will cost from $5,955 per person based on two adults sharing and is subject to availability.