Egypt - Cairo Néfertiti la parfaite est arrivée 5*

Arrival in Cairo.

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and is also known as Umm al-Dunia ("Mother of the World"). It is the most populous city in Africa. In spite of its somewhat antiquated appearance, which makes you feel like you've travelled back in time, you quickly get attached to the charm of Cairo and its inhabitants.

The capital is the first step in your trip to Egypt, and your journey discovering its cultural treasures...

Transfer to the hotel.

Settle in for your overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast.

Visit to the Giza Plateau, the symbol of ancient Egypt, with the famous pyramids of : Kheops, (the largest built around the year 2650 BC), and one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one to have withstood the test of time. For more than 40 centuries, it was the highest monument built by man at 146 m high.
Khafre: the Pyramid of Khafre looks taller than Giza, but in reality it is slightly smaller. The tilt angle is more emphasised, and it sits on slightly higher ground which is what creates this impression.
Menkaure: the tomb of King Menkaure. At a height of 66m, it is much smaller than the other two pyramids.
The Sphinx (lion with the head of Pharaoh), the enigmatic guardian of the tombs and the temple. It faces towards the east to protect the tombs from plunderers. It is 73 metres long and 20 metres high and was carved from a single block of stone.

Then you will stop at a papyrus institute, where you will see a demonstration of its manufacture. The papyrus stem is peeled and cut into strips, which are then soaked in water for 6 hours to soften them. Then they are intertwined and pressed. The sugar and starch in the stalks solidify the whole into a soft and resistant material, reputed to be tearproof. Once dry, the papyrus is ready to be used as a medium for writing or painting.

Lunch during the excursion.

Visit to the Egyptian Museum where treasures dating from the prehistoric age to the Roman period can be seen.
You will see the well-known Tutankhamun, among other treasures. It has over 250,000 items and is one of the largest museums in the world. It helps visitors discover the history of Ancient Egypt through 5 millennia.

Transfer to Cairo station, board the train in a 1st class sleeper compartment (local standards).

Dinner and accommodation on the train.

Breakfast on board.

Arrival and transfer to your cruise ship.

Set off for the Nile crossing and a trip to the Theban Necropolis. The incredible Valley of the Kings where you will visit two tombs belonging to kings and one belonging to a queen. From the 18th dynasty onwards and throughout the New Empire, the pharaohs were no longer buried in temples or monuments dedicated to their last journey.
Thutmose I and all the pharaohs who followed him decided to be buried on the other side of the Nile, on the West Bank - the land of the afterlife. Colossal monuments, such as the pyramids, and even the Mastabas used during the Old Kingdom ceased to be used. Instead, vaults were dug into the rock and access to them was strictly closed and hidden. Perhaps the main reason for this was to avoid grave robbers.

Stop at the Colosses of Memnon, the only funerary monuments of Amenophis III. They are known for their imposing architecture, and these vestiges of an ancient civilisation were visited by emperors and travellers from all ages. 18 m high and weighing 1300 tons, they were named Colossi of Memnon by the Greeks after the legend of the Oracle of Memnon.

Lunch on board.

Optional activity to be booked and paid for on site with our local representative:
The Temple of Medinet Habou: Medinet Habou is the Arabic name of the site that the Egyptians called Djemé. The Mortuary Temple of Rameses III is the most accomplished example of monumental art under the Ramessides. The last great builder of Ancient Egypt, the pharaoh reopened the great construction sites, abandoned since Ramses II, and built the vast royal temple of Medinet Habu, south of the Theban necropolis. Ramses III was to build his Ramesseum, the most important collection of Ancient Egyptian remains after Karnak, on the site of one of the primitive sites of the Theban religion, closely associated with the cult of Amun.

Breakfast

Free time on the boat during your journey to Edfu.

Lunch on board.

Trip to the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus. One of the largest and best preserved temples in ancient Egypt. Erected in 237 BC by Ptolemee III, and completed 180 years later, in 57 BC, under the reign of Ptolemee XII, on the site of a temple dedicated to Thutmose III (18th dynasty). It is dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god, son of Isis and Osiris. You enter the temple through the great pylon decorated with large, raised images of the king and the gods, heading towards the courtyard with walls depicting the various rituals performed by the king. There are two large black granite falcons, representing the God Horus, which guard the entrance of the temple.

Sail to Kom Ombo.

Dinner and overnight stay on the boat.

Breakfast on board

Visit to the Ptolemaic Temple of Kom Ombo. Two temples constructed in the same temple, which is pretty unique for Ancient Egypt" It was built during the Ptolemaic period (dynasty of the Ptolemies, Greco-Roman period) on the site of a temple from the New Kingdom (dedicated to Thutmose III, 18th dynasty). It is located on the top of a hill, 15 metres above the Nile. The most surprising feature is that it is consecrated to 2 different gods: the Falcon God Haroeris, "Great Horus", sometimes called "Horus the Elder" and Sobek, the Crocodile God. Duality is everywhere in this temple: it has two entrances, two parallel corridors, and symmetrically arranged rooms on either side of these corridors, which all lead to the double sanctuary. Sculpted columns display shimmering colours on the esplanade in front of the entrance. The small building to the right of the entrance is the Hathor Chapel; it is home to several crocodile mummies.

Lunch on board.

Sail to Aswan.

Dinner and overnight on board.

Breakfast on board.

Free morning on the boat

Lunch on board

Optional activity to be booked and paid for on site with our local representative:

** - Abu Simbel**, an exceptional site, located 260 km south of Aswan, with a great temple that was saved by UNESCO in 1969. The Colossi of Ramesses, the largest in Egypt, are sculpted directly into the cliff. They are consecrated to the most famous gods of Pharaonic Egypt: Amun-Ra, Ramesses and Ptah.
The Great Temple dedicated to the God Amun-Ra, the Temple of Hathor.

Mini-cruise in a felucca, and Kitcher's Garden. A felucca is the only way to reach the left bank and the Kitchener or Elephantine Islands, real gems of the river. Enjoy the breeze while you sail along the calm, blue waters of the ancient Nile. Stop on Kitchener Island and visit its famous botanical garden, where the most beautiful varieties of plants and trees attract many birds. You'll marvel at the royal palms, sycamores and ebony trees in this sumptuous floral park.

- Sound and Light at the temple of Philae

Dinner and night on board

Breakfast on board.

Stop and admire the Low and High Dam of Aswan which controls water levels in the Nile. These "pharaonic" constructions offer spectacular panoramic views of the vast Lake Nasser.

Visit the Temple of Philae** located on the island of Agilka, nicknamed the "Pearl of the Nile". After the construction of the Aswan High Dam by President Nasser in the 1960s, the island of Philae, upstream from the first waterfall of the Nile, was completely covered by water. With UNESCO's support, work was undertaken to dismantle the monuments of Philae piece by piece and to reassemble them on the neighbouring island, 400 metres downstream. Philae was entirely consecrated to Isis. This temple of the Ptolemaic period (Ptolemaic dynasty, Graeco-Roman period), has kept its Naos, the stone tabernacle which housed the statue of the God.

Stop in a jewellery store. Gold, silver, and semi-precious stones such as lapis-lazulis abound in jewellery representing scarabs, Ankhs, cartouches, the eye of Horus etc.

Lunch on board.

Sail to Edfu.

Free time on the boat.

Dinner and overnight on board.

Breakfast on board

Day of sailing and free time on the boat.

Lunch on board.

Dinner and overnight on board.

Breakfast on board.

You will explore ancient Thebes, the city of a hundred gates of the God Amon, capital of Upper Egypt and of the entire country during the 18th dynasty.

The day will be devoted to touring one of the two world-famous temples dedicated to the god Amun-Ra, the chief of the gods and Lord of the Theban triad: The Temple of Karnak. The most theological temple ever built here over 2000 years, the faith of men has paid homage to the same god: Amun. The greatest kings (Seti I, Ramesses II, Thutmose III, Ramesses III) succeeded one another.
The name "Karnak" which means visit to an alabaster sculpture workshop. In Ancient Egypt, alabaster was highly prized, used for everyday accessories such as vases of ointments or perfume, but also for canopic vases, containing the organs of the deceased, extracted during the mummification rite. It is easy to work with and results in objects with wonderful transparency. Cut into thin sheets, alabaster is transparent enough to be used as glass for small windows.

Optional activities available which must be paid on site:

The Temple of Madinat Hannu and the Temple of Luxor were built to glorify the god Amun Re who celebrated his wedding anniversary with his wife Mut every year. The procession would leave the Karnak Temple and walk along the banks of the Nile to Luxor. The construction of the latter dates back to the reign of the two pharaohs, Amenhotep III and Ramesses II. There used to be two obelisks at the entrance; they were given to France in 1831 by Mehemet Ali; one is still in situ, the other stands on Place de la Concorde in Paris.

Lunch on board.

Afternoon free.

Dinner and night spent on board.

Breakfast on board.

Transfer and time to settle in at the hotel.

Lunch.

Afternoon spent relaxing on the beaches of the Red Sea.
Discover stunning sea beds, coral reefs and multicoloured fish.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast.

Free day at the hotel located on the Red Sea.

Optional activity to be booked and paid for on site with our local representative:

-Snorkelling and dolphin day: Sea trip with several stops to discover the coral reefs of the Red Sea. Snorkelling with flippers, mask and snorkel. Enjoy a boat cruise to areas of the sea where dolphins can be found, with the opportunity to swim with them.

• Safari and Quads: Opt for a change of scenery in the calm of the desert by leaving in a 4X4, crossing the dunes and visiting the Bedouins, quad biking, trying their traditional meals, a North African-style show, dancing under the stars and making unforgettable memories (Scarf and glasses not included)

Overnight stay at the hotel

Breakfast.

Free day at the hotel located on the Red Sea.

Optional activity to be booked and paid for on site with our local representative:

• Mahmya (Giftun Island): Set off by boat to spend the day on Mahmya Island at the most beautiful natural reserve in the region, where rocks, sand, blue sky, turquoise sea and snorkelling await. Lunch on the island (drinks not included)
• Diving session or beginner's lesson: Go scuba diving to create unforgettable memories, Learn how to take underwater photos and videos. Two dives per day, French-speaking instructor. Last dive 24 hours before the return flight. Lunch on board (Drinks included)

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

En route to Cairo.

Lunch on the way.

Stroll through the Khan El Khalili souks, a bazaar built in the 14th century. It is highly colourful and has traditional goods in copper, mother-of-pearl inlaid wood, plus clothing embroidered with beads and gold and silver thread as well as a wide selection of North African handicrafts.

Arrive and settle into the hotel.

Breakfast

Trip to the Citadel** of Saladin and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali (built between 1830 and 1849; it is so white that it is nicknamed the "Alabaster Mosque"). There is a large clock in the centre of the courtyard which was a gift from the King Louis Philippe of France to Muhammad Ali.
The Belvedere commands a panoramic view of the city of Cairo

Lunch during the trip

Set off to visit Coptic Cairo. The Christian religion was introduced by Saint Mark around 45 AD and this is how the Coptic community - Coptic being a term specifically referring to the Christians of Egypt - began to develop. The Coptic area in Cairo is best known for having many churches in a very small area.

The Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church is one of the oldest Christian churches, built around the 3rd or 4th century AD. The Church was named Saint Sergius in homage to a former war general who converted to Christianity. The Christians built a church on this very spot because it is believed that the Holy Family took refuge here when it used to be a cave.

Saint Virgin Mary's Church, or the Hanging Church, is a very beautiful monument. It is accessible via stairs preceded by a corridor with mosaics depicting biblical scenes. This church is nicknamed the Hanging Church because it is built above palm tree trunks which support it like stilts. The interior is lavishly decorated. In the main church, there is a Coptic icon depicting the Virgin Mary with Jesus in her arms. She seems to follow you with her gaze as you walk around her The Ben-Ezra Synagogue is a true architectural masterpiece. From the outside, there is nothing exceptional about it, but it is the inside which makes it all the more interesting; it's quite simply incredible.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast

Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Cairo airport. Assistance with check-in and boarding formalities, then take-off

Tips: "bakchich"! This is one word you'll pick up quickly! While it is easy to ignore canvassers, you could say that it is part of the local tradition and rewards a job or service well done. Guide tips are never included. It is left to everyone's discretion.

Accommodation is according to local standards.

The excursions are in groups with other participants.

This tour includes periods of free time during which transfers are not guaranteed and will be at your expense.

The itinerary for visits may be changed due to local conditions (travel time, passing through locks, etc. but stated tours will take place)

Optional extras are at an additional cost, to be paid for with your guide or local representative

The visa is obligatory and a fee applies (30 euros for the visa + 40 euros obligatory service fee, i.e. 70 euros, to be paid on site in cash). For passport holders, the visa is issued on arrival in Egypt. For holders of identity cards, the visa is stamped, on arrival, on a form provided by the local authorities. It is essential that before departure, travellers take two passport photos, which will be attached to this form.

For passport holders, the visa is issued on arrival in Egypt. An Egyptian consulate can also provide it before your departure. For holders of identity cards, the visa is stamped, on arrival, on a form provided by the local authorities. It is essential that before departure, travellers take two passport photos, which will be attached to this form.

Passport holders (service and diplomatic passports) must apply for a biometric visa at the relevant Egyptian embassy or consulate prior to arrival in Egypt. Otherwise, they will not be issued with a visa on arrival.