From Nil River to Pyramids; Ancient Egyptian Monuments Tour - with Pegasus Airlines
DAY 1 ISTANBUL–HURGHADA–LUXOR
We meet at Sabiha Gökçen Airport International Terminal at 21:00, the day before the tour date, after completing ticket and baggage procedures, we depart with flight PC624 at 00:35 toward Hurghada. We arrive in Hurghada at 02:15 local time. After arriving, we will travel by private vehicle from Hurghada to Luxor, departing at 05:00 in the morning. The journey will take approximately 3 hours, and upon arrival in Luxor, there will be free time for breakfast. During the panoramic city tour, notable sights include Sphinx Avenue, Luxor Market, and the Mummification Museum. After the city tour, we move to the cruise ship. Upon arrival at the ship, check-in procedures are completed, and there is free time. Guests can optionally join the extra Luxor and Karnak Temples Tour organized by our guide. In this tour, we will see the Karnak Temple, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is the largest ancient complex ever built, surrounded by 20-meter-high mud brick walls and containing many temples. This magnificent structure, built over 2000 years with additions by successive pharaohs, provides significant insights into Egypt's history and mythology. After exploring the Karnak Temple, we will visit the Luxor Temple, the largest open-air museum in the world, built by the 9th Pharaoh of the New Kingdom, dedicated to the chief Egyptian god Amon. Following this, we return to our river cruise. We then have dinner on the ship and overnight onboard.
Extra Karnak and Luxor Temple Tour: $90 USD (Per Person) (Transportation, admission fees, guide)
DAY 2 LUXOR–VALLEY OF THE KINGS–EDFU
After breakfast, there is free time. Guests interested can join an optional early morning Luxor Hot Air Balloon Tour, offering the opportunity to see Luxor from above at sunrise. Guests can also join an optional tour to the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and Colossi of Memnon. We cross a newly constructed bridge to the western bank of the Nile, the land of the dead. As we go west, four significant sights appear: Memnon Colossi on the roadside, the Valley of the Queens on the left, the Hatshepsut Temple in the center, and the Valley of the Kings hidden behind the mountains. The Memnon Colossi, originally part of the tomb of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, are now more significant due to limited remaining structures. According to Greek mythology, they were said to be the singing statues of Agamemnon from Ethiopia, which sang every morning and produced melodious sounds. In 3rd century AD, Emperor Septimius Severus restored the statues, sealing the holes that made them sing, rendering them silent. The most famous mortuary temple on the west bank is Hatshepsut Temple, dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut. Behind it is the Valley of the Kings—possibly Egypt's most intriguing area, with tombs built during the New Kingdom. Thieves and archaeologists have looted most tombs; we will only see the entrances. After the tour, we return to the ship and head towards Edfu, where we will visit the Edfu Temple dedicated to the falcon god Horus, well-preserved because it remained buried under the soil for a long time. The temple is decorated with murals depicting Egyptian mythology and features vibrant market stalls selling various Egyptian textiles, clothes, and souvenirs. After shopping, we proceed to our dinner and overnight onboard the ship.
Extra Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and Colossi of Memnon Tour: $90 USD (Per Person) (Transportation, entrance fees, guide)
Edfu Temple Hot Air Balloon Tour: $150 USD (Per Person)
DAY 3 EDFU–KOM OMBO–ASWAN
Our breakfast will be served on board. As always, perhaps the most magnificent feeling in life is watching the sunrise or sunset over the Nile. While our ship sails amidst banana plantations on the Nile, guests will enjoy this magical atmosphere from the deck. Upon reaching Komombo village, we will take a short walk to the Komombo Temple. This small temple, built on a hill, is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus. Its walls contain ancient medical and healing information from around 2000 BC, and we will learn about the Nilometer used to measure the water level of the Nile. After the tour, we return to the ship and continue towards Aswan, where we will have dinner and stay overnight onboard.
DAY 4 ASWAN
Very early in the morning, at 03:00, guests wishing can join an optional tour to Abu Simbel by private bus. After about a 3-hour journey, we will arrive at Abu Simbel. Here, we will visit the magnificent twin temples built for Ramses II and his queen Nefertari. Abu Simbel may be the most unforgettable part of your Egypt memories, as you witness the breathtaking sunrise in the endless desert.
Since the original site of the statues will be submerged under Lake Nasser, they were carefully dismantled and relocated to higher ground. This includes the temple of Ramses II and the one for his wife Nefertari, with thousands of stones carefully transported. After visiting Abu Simbel, we return to Aswan. Guests can optionally join the Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple Tour. In this elegant temple dedicated to Isis, you will feel the mystic atmosphere of the Nile among columns and bas-reliefs. After the Philae visit, we will go to the Unfinished Obelisk, the largest ancient obelisk in granite, where you will see the craftsmanship of ancient Egyptian stonemasons up close. We will then enjoy a relaxing felucca boat ride on the Nile. Lunch and dinner are on board the ship.
Extra Abu Simbel Tour: $145 USD (Per Person) (Transportation, entrance fees, guide)
Extra Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple Tour: $90 USD (Per Person) (Transportation, entrance fees, guide)
DAY 5 ASWAN – CAIRO
After breakfast on the ship, we will transfer to Aswan Airport for the flight to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo, we will do a panoramic city tour. The tour includes the Cairo Citadel, Muhammad Ali Mosque, Sultan Hasan Mosque and Complex, Ibn Tulun Mosque, the Baron Empain Palace, Sedat’s Tomb, Al-Azhar Mosque, the Museum of Islamic Art, the Egyptian Museum, Cairo Tower, Khan el Khalili Bazaar, Tahrir Square, and many other tourist attractions in the city. After the tour, there is free time. We will transfer to the hotel at the time informed by your guide. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 6 CAIRO – ALEXANDRIA – CAIRO
After breakfast, free time. Guests interested can join an optional full-day tour with lunch to Alexandria. During this tour, we will discover Egypt’s second-largest city, known as the “Pearl of the Mediterranean”. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria served as the capital of Greco-Roman Egypt and is home to the legendary Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The city was historically a hub of science and education, and since the 19th century, has been Egypt’s commercial and maritime center. You will spend an enchanting day in this captivating city, and after the tour, return to Cairo. You will not want to leave this charming city. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Afterward, we will transfer back to Cairo hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Extra full-day tour with lunch to Alexandria: $100 USD (Per Person) (Transportation, guide, lunch served as a lunch box)
DAY 7 CAIRO – ISTANBUL
After breakfast, we vacate our rooms. Guests interested can join an optional full-day tour with lunch to explore Cairo’s masterpieces (Giza Pyramids & Egyptian Museum & Al-Azhar University and Mosque & Khan el Khalili Bazaar). We will first visit the Giza Pyramids: Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure pyramids and the Sphinx. Our guide will provide detailed historical explanations and opportunities for photos. After the pyramids, we will visit jewelry, perfume, and papyrus shops. Then, we will visit the Museum of Egypt, which houses over 120,000 items of ancient Egyptian treasures, statues, and artifacts. Next, we will see Al-Azhar Mosque, built in 970 AD, and Egypt’s oldest university. We will then visit Khan el Khalili bazaar, one of Cairo's most lively areas, with numerous colorful shops. After the tour, we will transfer to the hotel. Guests can optionally join a dinner cruise on the Nile, enjoying an entertaining night with local food and entertainment as we see Cairo illuminated at night. After a busy day, we will transfer to Cairo Airport for our return flight. Our flight with Pegasus PC583 departs at 03:05 and arrives in Istanbul at 06:35. This marks the end of our wonderful tour.
Extra full-day tour with lunch to Cairo's masterpieces: $115 USD (Per Person) (Transportation, guide, lunch served as a lunch box)
Extra dinner cruise on the Nile with entertainment: $75 USD (Per Person) (Transportation, guide, dinner included)
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