Emeralds of Egypt, Egypt
Experience Overview
The luxury Emeralds of Egypt tour offers an unsurpassed journey into the jewels of what the country has to offer. From the must-see bucket list destinations such as the Pyramids of Giza, Valley of the Kings, and luxury Nile Cruise to the secret side of Egypt that most visitors fail to experience, this Signature Journey is the ultimate in memory-making exploration.
Sample Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrive Cairo
Arrive at Cairo International Airport where you’ll be met by our Airport representative. Enjoy a private, air-conditioned transfer to your superbly located 5-star Marriot Mena House hotel. Here you can rest your weary head in rooms that overlook the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing today—The Great Pyramid of Cheops. Enjoy the opportunity to meet and bond with the other members of your group.
DAY 2
In Cairo
Today is a true combination of exploration, culture, and iconic country landmarks. After an early breakfast we hit the road for the easy journey to Memphis. Thousands of years older than its Tennessee namesake, this is home to the second largest sphinx in Egypt and a plethora of towering statues, including that of Rameses II. This UNESCO site will captivate you like no other, not only because of its awe-inspiring history, but the way your guide brings the tales to life. Memphis dates back over 5,200 years, and is the oldest capital city in Egypt. Feast your eyes on amazing antiquities and prized possessions of many pharaohs and kings.
We have plenty of time to explore the Pyramids of Sakkara, an incredible necropolis that’s home to the oldest of all of the country’s tombs—the Step Pyramid. And at more than 7,000 years old this takes experiencing history to a whole new level! Prepare to gaze in wonder when you enter these sacred tombs, laying a privileged eye upon inscriptions chiseled out by craftsmen not simply of yesteryear, but of an age that we today can only dream of.
Returning to Cairo our journey into the peculiarities of ancient Egyptian history continues with a visit to the Great Pyramid.
We enjoy a leisurely lunch in the splendor of the 139 Restaurant at our hotel, excellent fortification for the adventure that lies ahead. Because late in the afternoon will see us take to the saddle for an unrepeatable camel ride in the shadows of the iconic Giza pyramids. Your own “ship of the desert” will gently transport you around this historic site as the sun slowly sets—and don’t worry, you’ll have ample opportunities to take photos. Dinner is taken in the hotel’s top rated Italian restaurant, Alfredo’s, and then the rest of the night is your own to enjoy the hotel facilities or simply flop into bed after this full day of exploration.
DAY 3
Fly Cairo / Hurghada
After breakfast we head to Cairo International Airport for the flight to the Red Sea resort city of Hurghada. Our luxury hotel, the Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh, is directly on the beach and provides ample opportunity to unwind. The rest of the day is free to enjoy at your leisure—laze by the pool or perhaps enjoy some of the many beach activities. If you have the energy there are many shops, restaurants, and bars on your doorstep to explore. Dinner is taken in the hotel’s sumptuous restaurant.
DAY 4
In Hurghada
After an early breakfast we leave the hotel for a full day on the water. Our comfortable boat transports us to some of the best snorkeling and swimming spots in the Red Sea. Prepare to be blown away by the vivid colors of the reef, fish, and corals. All snorkeling gear and life jackets are provided, and there’s ample room under cover to escape the sun when you need to.
We take lunch on heavenly Island of Mahmya, an eco-tourism haven boasting azure blue waters and powder-soft white beaches. We linger awhile to soak up the atmosphere, take advantage of the plethora of activities on offer, or just lie back and enjoy some well-deserved R&R.
After a full day you’ll be glad to hear that dinner is taken in the hotel, giving plenty of time to pack up ready for the mind-blowing adventure that awaits us tomorrow.
DAY 5
Hurghada / Luxor
A great breakfast sets us up for the day before boarding our comfortable transport for the 3 ½ hour trip to the legendary city of Luxor. Our base for the next 5 nights is the truly luxurious Oberoi Zahara, a boat that offers the ultimate in comfort and facilities as we explore the region that’s home to what are surely the some of the jewels in Egypt’s crown.
We lunch on board before heading to the breathtaking wonder that is Karnak Temple. Everything you’ve seen so far will pale as you gaze in awe upon the rows and rows of hieroglyphic carved columns, towering statues, and endless sphinxes. The fact that this awe-inspiring structure dates back to 2055 BC is almost incomprehensible, and is an incredible example of just how advanced the ancient Egyptians really were.
We also visit the fascinating Luxor Museum where you can feast your eyes on one of the best archeological collections in all of Egypt. And thanks to the inside information of your White Pyramids guide you’ll be whisked to the highlights on show, with tales of ancient history bringing alive the wonders—not simply of yesteryear—but of a time thousands of years in the past where Pharaohs walked the earth, the sun god, Ra, was worshipped above all else, and riches beyond our wildest imagination were entombed for millennia along with their mummified owners.
Dinner is aboard our sumptuous craft and we fall asleep gently rocked by the unfathomable waters of the mighty Nile.
DAY 6
On Board Cruise
Today the West Bank beckons, and after an early breakfast we head to what is perhaps one of the most famous locations in all of Egypt—The Valley of the Kings. Many superlatives have been used to describe these archaic tombs, but nothing can prepare you for experiencing it for yourself. Discover more about the journey of the rich and powerful as they passed from this life to the next, and, of course, you get the chance to visit the tomb of perhaps the most famous king of all, Tutankhamun.
The temple of Rameses III, Madinat Habu, and the huge twin statues Colossi of Memnon continue to enthrall as your journey through Egyptian history continues. It’s a full morning and we’ll be glad to return to our boat for a delicious lunch as we sail to Quina. Here we visit what many consider to be one of the best temples in all of Egypt, the Dendarah Temple of Hathor.
One of the lesser visited of Egypt’s temples, we wander unencumbered by crowds. Soak up the sacred atmosphere, pose for photos beneath enormous columns, and creep along the secret passage that snakes beneath massive stone structures above.
The evening is spent aboard our boat, with dinner served and some welcome time to relax.
DAY 7
On Board Cruise
After breakfast we head to the Valley of the Nobles, where more than 400 tombs nestle in the foothills of the towering rocky landscape. Once again, this is a location many miss as they whizz from place to place. But for us—on the road lesser traveled—we get to revel in what are some of the most awe-inspiring royal tombs decorated with cryptic passages taken from the Book of the Dead.
We head to yet another site most tourists fail to see—the village of Dei El Madina. Just over the ridge from the Valley of the Kings this is the site where those who dug these mighty tomb lived. The superbly preserved village was home to those who sweated their lives digging the burial chambers of the rich, and provides a very different aspect of the realities of life in ancient Egypt.
Next up is the Temple of Hatshepsut, the temple of one of the first female Pharaohs of the same name. This striking architectural masterpiece with its dramatic sheer cliff backdrop is a fitting tribute for the ‘queen who ruled as a king’. After lunch we visit another “must-see”, Luxor Temple. There’s plenty of time to explore, including the famed Avenue of Sphinxes. At 3km long you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for the cartouche of Cleopatra, bestowed when she visited the temples with Marc Antony—or, more easily, ask your tour guide to point it out for you.
Our day is rounded off with a cocktail reception and live music in the club lounge on our boat, followed by dinner and time to relax, perhaps with a glass of your favorite tipple at the well-stocked lounge bar.
DAY 8
On Board Cruise
Today we enjoy a more leisurely start, with both breakfast and lunch taken on board. After lunch we head to Edfu, where our next sensory fix is more than satisfied by a visit to the impressive Ptolemaic Temple of Horus. This mighty structure was completed somewhere between 230 to 57 BC. It’s one of the largest temples in all of Egypt and, most importantly, is incredibly preserved. This is thanks to the wonders of the desert sand, which filled and covered the structure following the banning of the pagan cult that worshipped there. Today it’s possible to visit once again, thanks to excavation works that began back in the mid 19th century.
DAY 9
On Board Cruise
After breakfast (at your leisure) we sail towards Aswan, and the world-famous structure that is the High Dam. This was completed in 1970 and not only provides a constant supply of renewable energy for the whole country but, even more importantly, ended the cycle of drought and floods that plagued the Nile region.
We then take a motorboat ride to the Temple of Philae. Truly impressive, it was constructed to honor the goddess of Isis and stands on an island in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam. We then head to the enormity that is the Unfinished Obelisk. This fascinating monolithic monument lies in a bed of granite and was commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut over 3,500 years ago. Had it been finished it would’ve been around a third larger than any other previously erected obelisk.
Dinner and overnight is once again aboard our luxurious water-going palace.
DAY 10
Fly Aswan / Cairo
We wave goodbye to the boat that’s been our home for the past few days, heading towards the wonder that is Abu Simbel. This incredible complex of enormous temples dedicated to Rameses II was rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser in the 1960s, thanks to a herculean effort sponsored by UNESCO. The gargantuan statues of Rameses at each of the entrances to the temples are gloriously imposing, and wonderful examples of the splendor of ancient Egyptian architecture.
After a morning’s exploration we drive back to Aswan where we enjoy refined French cuisine for lunch in the iconic setting of the 1902 Restaurant, a pure gem located beneath a grand Arabian dome by a Qualaun crypt. Fortified, we head to the airport for our flight to Cairo.
Get ready for a tour of what is one of the most amazing of all the Islamic thoroughfares in the city, El-Moez Street. This provides the ultimate experience to discover one of the oldest civilizations on the planet. Tread ancient pathways, marvel at the myriad of mosques, and perfect your bartering techniques within the every-changing alleyways of Kahn el Khalili souk. After shopping till we drop, we shrug off the chaos of outside for the air conditioned nirvana that is the Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant.
Following a satisfying dinner we transfer to the luxury Four Seasons First Residence.
DAY 11
In Cairo
After breakfast we visit what is probably to most fascinating collection of ancient artifacts on the planet—The Egyptian Museum. With an almost overwhelming number of exhibits on offer, your experienced guide will ensure you don’t miss the ‘must-see’ attractions, including the eerily compelling Royal Mummy Room. Here you’ll get a true insight into the psyche of the nobles who walked the Earth thousands of years ago, and the 70-day process that achieved what is still revered as the most effective manner of preserving the human body.
We lunch at the wonderful open air restaurant of Andrea New Giza, return to our hotel for Overnight.
DAY 12
Cairo / Alexandria
We rise early for breakfast before the 2 ½ hour journey to Alexandria. Here we dele into the largest and most important burial site in Egypt, the Greco tombs of Kom El Shuqafa (Hill of Treasures). These date back to the 2nd century AD and encompass a mixture of Pharaonic, Hellenistic, and Roman decorative art. We take time to experience the impressive, 30-meter-high column that’s known as Pompey’s Pillar before a well-earned leisurely lunch at the Fish Market Restaurant.
We then head to our hotel, Steigenberger Cecil Hotel, Overnight.
DAY 13
In Alexandria
After breakfast we head to the amazing spectacle that is the Lost Palace of Cleopatra. Just offshore, an island called Antirhodos was home to the famous queen’s palace. But following an earthquake and tsunami its splendors were forever doomed to reside in a watery grave, lost until 1998 when French archeologist, Franck Goddido discovered its remains. We take a tour dive to visit the incredibly preserved remains—something that few ever experience and an ethereal wonder that will remain with you for life.
Lunch is taken at the Greek Club, with its wonderful seafood and classic Greek dishes, before a visit to the Alexandria Library. This was one of the largest and most significant in the ancient world, and the most famous library of classical antiquities.
DAY 14
Alexandria / Cairo
We breakfast early before the drive back to Cairo. Here we take a fascinating tour of Old Cairo (also known as Coptic Cairo) and the medieval Islamic fortification that is the Citadel of Cairo. Located near the center of the city, it stands on the summit of Mokattam and benefits from stunning views. We explore the mosques and museums of this preserved historic site before heading to explore Old Cairo (also known as Coptic Cairo). This rich historic area has been inhabited since the 6th century BC and has periodically been under Roman rule, Islamic, and Christian.
We lunch at Azhr Park, an incredible verdant city park that was transformed in 2005 from a city rubbish dump to what is now listed as one of the world’s sixty great public spaces—an incredible testament to what humans can do when they put their mind to it.
Our home for the night is the landmark Hilton Heliopolis Hotel, a fitting location for our final afternoon and traditional “last supper” with the lifelong friends you’ll have made on this tour.
DAY 15
Depart Cairo
Enjoy a final breakfast before boarding your transfer to Cairo International Airport. Here you can relax in the airport lounge before catching your international flight home.
CREATE AN EXPERIENCE
Let's Make Memories Together
The voyage does not finish once you have left. We’ll transport you to a world of wonders and create amazing memories that will last long after you’ve returned home.
Away from the regular tourist traps, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind, authentic experience. A sensation created in an energizing setting that will be yours and yours alone. We will make this happen because old travels are great ones. The world’s wonders are within your grasp.
