Egypt 8-Nights Cairo, Nile Cruise, Abu Simbel&Balloon From Cairo

Day 1: Cairo Arrival Transfer and overnight in Cairo/Giza hotel

1. 1h
   Welcome to Cairo, Egypt!
   Egypt Gift Tours English speaking driver will be waiting for you outside the arrival hall holding a sign with your name, and he will accompany you to the hotel by an air-conditioned vehicle. At the hotel, the representative will assist you to check-in and review your holiday itinerary to confirm pick-up times for each tour. If your flight lands early, then you could take a first look at the pyramids with an amazing sound and light show, or perhaps head into downtown Cairo for a Nile dinner cruise and show (optional).

Day 2: Tour to Giza Pyramids, Saqqara and Overnight first class sitting train to Luxor

1. Saqqara Pyramid
   3h · Admission ticket not included
   Have your breakfast and check out with your luggage.
   This morning, your private guide will pick up you for a full day tour of the pyramids at Giza and Saqqara. Start in chronological order, as it were, by visiting the step pyramid of Saqqara; the first capital of ancient Egypt, this is the oldest pyramid in Egypt 4800 B.C, built by King Djoser, before exploring the famous pyramids at Giza;
2. The Pyramids Of Giza
   3h · Admission ticket not included
   Stop for lunch break (optional) then, continue visiting the Giza Plateau to explore the world famous pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, Mycrenos and Sphinx; these structures that have stood tall for 4500 years. Discover the beauty of the Sphinx, one of the largest monolith statues in the history of mankind, enjoy the views and take remarkable pictures.
3. Giza
   10h
   In the evening, transfer to the train station to take the overnight first class sitting train to Luxor

Day 3: Arrive Luxor and Transfer to Nile Cruise-Luxor East Bank

1. Luxor
   4h
   Egypt Gift Tours licensed representative will meet and assist you at Luxor Railway station to be transferred by A/C vehicle to your 5 stars Nile Cruise to check in before lunch. Have lunch on board.
   
   Note: If your arrival to Luxor is so early, so we might start the tour directly upon arrival since the cruise check-in time at 12:00 and we don’t want our guest to waste their time waiting at the lobby for check-in.
2. The Karnak Temple
   1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
   Then, start your tour by visiting the largest temple ever; Karnak temple built through 2000 years and covering an area of about 63 acres.
3. Luxor Temple
   1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
   Proceed to visit Luxor Temple, where ancient Egyptian, Christian, and Islamic features are exhibited. Admire its obelisk and statues. Back to the cruise, dinner on board and overnight in Luxor.

Day 4: Hot Air Balloon-Luxor West Bank-Sailing to Edfu

1. 3h
   Begin with an early morning pick up from the cruise(around 5 to 5:30 am) to experience the exciting Hot Air Balloon ride over the River Nile and Egypt’s most famous ancient monuments in the West Bank of Luxor for about 30-45 minutes flight. Enjoy the sun illuminating the sky of the open air museum city(Luxor) over the great temples and mountains below.
2. Valley of the Kings
   1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
   Breakfast and start your wonderful day by driving to the West Bank to explore the Theban Necropolis by visiting the Valley of the Kings, where the pharaohs from the New kingdom carved their tombs in the mountains aiming to hide their treasure and protect their mummies.
3. Temple of Hatshepsut
   1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
   Then to the Mortuary temple of the famous queen Hatshepsut at El Deir El Bahari. Listen from your tour guide to the story of the first female Pharaoh who managed to rule Egypt for more than 22 years.
4. Colossi of Memnon
   10m
   End your tour in the West Bank by a photo stop in front of the gigantic statues of Memnon.
5. Esna Lock
   5h
   Return back to the Cruise by noon to have your lunch. Start sailing down the River Nile to cross Esna Lock. Overnight in Edfu.

Day 5: Edfu Temple-Kom Ombo Temple-Aswan

1. Edfu Temple
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   After your breakfast, enjoy Horse Carriage ride with your tour guide to visit the temple of Horus at Edfu which is considered to be the most complete and the best preserved of all the Egyptian temples. Back to the cruise.
2. Nile River Valley
   5h
   Relax on the deck watching the unique landscape and admire the scenery of the Nile river while sailing to Kom Ombo. Lunch on board. Afternoon tea on the sundeck.
3. Kom Ombo Temple
   1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
   Late in the afternoon, stop at Kom Ombo city where to visit the unique double temple of Sobek, the crocodile God and Horus, the Falcon God. Return to the cruise and have dinner followed by folkloric party operated by the cruise staff and tour guides. Continue sailing to Aswan for overnight.

Day 6: Abu Simbel trip (Sharing a group in a bus or minibus)

1. Aswan
   4h
   Around 4 to 4:30, your guide will pick you up for Abu Simbel trip(sharing a small group in a bus or minibus), to drive for about 3 to 4 hours.
2. Abu Simbel Temple
   1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
   Visit one of the most impressive places in Egypt; the rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel with their unique design built for King Ramesses 2nd and his beloved Queen Nefertari.
3. Aswan
   4h
   Drive back to the Cruise, and arrive around 2 to 2:30 pm to have your lunch.
   Free afternoon, you might like to visit the Nubian village(optional). Dinner on board and Nubian show. Overnight in Aswan.

Day 7: Aswan Tour and Overnight first class sitting train to Cairo

1. Aswan High Dam
   45m · Admission ticket not included
   Check out after breakfast. Discover with your guide the highlights of Aswan and listen to the story of the Nubian immigration. Start your tour by visiting the High Dam; achieved in 1960 to protect Egypt from the flood and generate electric.
2. Temple of Philae
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   Proceed to visit Philae temple; the Graeco Roman Temple dedicated to goddess Isis using a small motorboat to get there.
3. Aswan
   14h
   Later on, you will be transferred to your Aswan Railway station to take your evening first class sitting train back to Cairo.

Day 8: Arrive Cairo and free Day

1. Cairo
   10h
   Arrive at Giza train station where you will be met and assisted by our representative. He will transfer you to your hotel for free time to stay at your hotel in Cairo. Or choose one of our optional tours, and don’t miss a day on your holiday.

Day 9: Cairo – Fly Back Home

1. 3h
   Breakfast, and check out, then our representative will escort you to the airport for departure according to your flight details.

Pickup details

Cairo International airport
All hotels in Cairo or Giza

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Essentials for the excursion: Passport, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen.
• Your passport copy is required after booking for a government permission before the travel date
• Please, provide us your flight details (flight number, airline and arrival or departure time), when possible before travel date.
• You will need to carry cash for the Tipping to The guides, drivers and cruise crew.
• You will need to pay all the entrance fees to the sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary by card
• Other languages are available with extra charge upon your request
• Child rate applies only when sharing 2 paying adults.(maximum 1 child in one room).
• A child from 5 to 11 years old accompanied by one adult will be treated as an adult.
• A child less than 6 years not allowed for the balloon trip.
• If your arrival to Luxor is so early, so we might start the tour direct upon arrival as Cruise check in at 12:00.
• Sometimes due to sailing conditions on the River Nile, Nile Cruises itineraries schedule and sailing time maybe updated. We assure that our clients will see all what is on their itineraries but maybe in different order.
• Camera is not allowed for the balloon trip, but you can use your cellphone to take pictures.
• If the balloon cancelled due to bad weather, you will be refunded with 30$ per person.
• If Abu Simbel trip cancelled due to bad weather, you will be refunded with 30$ per person.
• It is available to upgrade the sitting train to a sleeping one with extra charge upon your request.
• If you want to have your own room, then you need to book for a single person.
• If you are traveling in a group of 3 people, you will enjoy one triple room.
• If you are traveling in a group and wanted to have your own room, then do a separate booking for a single person.
• Passports copies are required for hotel booking, the cruise line company, Abu Simple and Hot air balloon trip permissions