Pharaohs, Mummies & The Nile in Style

11 days /10 nights from
$8990
per person share twinFlights are additional

Pharaohs, Mummies & The Nile in Style

Discover the ancient wonders of Egypt on a small group carefully crafted tour, with Innovative Travel. Benefit from almost 35 years of designing safe holidays in Egypt, with the privileged partnership of Cairo based Director, Elhamy ElZayat, “the grandfather of Egyptian tourism”, and recipient of Queens Birthday Honour, the New Zealand Order of Merit. M.N.Z.M. The enduring partnership, in combination with New Zealand based Innovative Travel, a renowned Egyptian expert since 1990, enables full support at multiple levels, from our local Egyptian offices in 7 locations, with 24/7 back up.


Deal includes
✔ 6 nights accommodation
✔ 4 night Nile cruise on a Deluxe ship
✔ Daily breakfast
✔ Return Airport to hotel transfers
✔ Meet and assistance on arrival at Cairo Airport, PRIOR to immigration
✔ Egyptian visa on arrival
✔ Local representative airport assistance in Cairo, Luxor & Aswan
✔ Welcome dinner on Day 1
✔ Dinner on Day 2 at a local restaurant overlooking the pyramids
✔ All meals on the cruise (4 lunches & 4 dinners)
✔ Welcome bottle of wine on cruise
✔ High Tea at the Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel
✔ Dinner at the Cairo Marriott Hotel on Day 8
✔ Farewell dinner in Cairo on Day 10
✔ All touring and transfers in air-conditioned transportation
✔ Private English-speaking Egyptologist in Cairo and Luxor
✔ Sightseeing on the Cruise in small groups with English speaking guide
✔ Activities and entrance fees as per the itinerary
✔ Visit the Pyramids & Sphinx, Memphis & Sakkara
✔ Upgraded VIP Valley of the Kings ticket to include the tombs of Tutankhamun and Seti I
✔ Economy Class domestic flights Cairo/Luxor and Aswan/Cairo

International flights are additional

11 days / 10 nights
From $10,250 per person share twin
Travel: 10 Jan, 14 Feb, 28 Mar 25 

From $8990 per person share twin
Travel: 05 Sep 25

From $10,948 per person share twin
Travel: 10 Oct, 07 Nov 25

Itinerary Highlights

• Your Egypt experience begins, PRIOR to immigration when you will be met by a licensed representative, assisted with your Egyptian visa, and expressed through immigration
• Your seamless welcome experience continues with the benefit of our local representative, who will accompany your arrival transfer, passing on handy tips and assisting with your check in at the five-star Hyatt Regency Cairo West Hotel
• Meet your fellow travellers at a welcome dinner
• Experience the comfort of Deluxe hotels in strategic locations
• Savour sailing down the Nile aboard the stylish deluxe cruise ship, the Sonesta St George. Each cabin features floor to ceiling opening windows, in French balcony style
• A licensed Egyptologist guide throughout the programme, with a minimum of 8 and maximum of 16 participants.   (NOTE: If less than 8 participants, a dedicated local Egyptologist will guide at each location)
• Bonus: All tipping is included, for all included services

Itinerary

Day 1: Cairo 
Welcome to Egypt.   On arrival in Cairo, you will be met by our friendly local representative PRIOR to immigration to assist with your included Egyptian visa. No need to be concerned about jet lag with the Innovative Travel special express service through immigration. You will then be transferred in a private vehicle to the Hyatt Regency Cairo West Hotel.   Remainder of the day at leisure. A welcome dinner is included this evening, meeting your guide and fellow travellers.
We recommend arriving by 2pm to allow time for immigration and transfer to the hotel. (D)

Day 2: Cairo
Embark on a morning visit to the impressive site of the Pyramids. Construction began in 2690 BC, the Pyramids of Mycerinus, Chefren and the Great Pyramid of Cheops are the only survivors of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Face the mystical Sphinx, reputedly used as target practice by Napoleon’s troops. Lunch is in your own time. Continue to the ancient capital of Memphis and visit the Step Pyramids of Sakkara – the oldest surviving Egyptian pyramid.   Dinner this evening, is in a special restaurant, on the roof top bar, overlooking the pyramids. (B)(D)

Day 3: Cairo - Luxor
This morning visit the nearby GEM, Grand Egyptian Museum, dedicated to the boy king Tutankhamun. The museum is currently in a “soft opening” phase. See the grand statue of Ramses II, relocated from Tahrir Square dominating the foyer, plus many other ancient Egyptian wonders. The GEM has an excellent choice of cafes and gift shops, so perhaps take a coffee break during your exploration. Transfer to Cairo Airport and fly to Luxor. On arrival you will be assisted by our local Luxor Airport team and transferred to the Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel for an overnight stay. It was here that Howard Carter announced from the grand staircase, that he had discovered the tomb of boy king Tutankhamun. Dinner this evening is your choice at a range of restaurants in the hotel, or perhaps dine locally. (B) 

Day 4: Luxor
Optional visit (surcharge applies): This morning visit the Mummification Museum, dedicated to this ancient art of embalming applied to humans and for animals. The process is believed to have taken 70 days and involved a careful process. Here view ancient mummies, including that of General Amun el Thebes.

Later this morning transfer to embark via the centrally located, private dock for the Sonesta St George Nile cruise ship. This deluxe five-star ship offers the ultimate in comfort, elegance, and design. Featuring 47 deluxe cabins, each 22 sq. metres, with full French balcony sliding doors and Presidential Suites. As you embark, a welcome drink is included.
Facilities include: BBQ area on the top deck, outdoor pool with Sundeck bar, restaurant, bar, gym, spa, sauna and jacuzzi, (optional Spa treatments by appointment-surcharge applies), Wi-Fi.  
Cabin amenities feature: L’Occitane toiletries, welcome bottle of wine, tea & coffee tray refilled daily, a bottle of mineral water delivered daily.  
Tea, coffee, and mineral water included daily with all meals.
Option available to upgrade to a Presidential suite with full balcony.

This afternoon, visit the magnificent Luxor Temple, built in the 14th century BC by two kings – Amenophis III and Ramses II. Follow the Avenue of the Sphinx to the Karnak Temple complex and gaze in awe at this imposing monument housing precious relics of Ancient Egyptian dynasties.  (B)(L)(D)

Day 5: Luxor - Esna
Optional Hot Air Balloon Trip (surcharge applies)

Day 6: Esna - Edfu -  Kom Ombo
Early morning departure to Edfu, with a delicious breakfast aboard. Here visit the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples of the Greco-Roman era. Continue cruising to Kom Ombo and visit this Temple shared by two Gods – Sobek & Horus. The temple is perfectly symmetrical, ensuring neither God was offended. The collection of crocodile mummies held here is fascinating. Overnight in Kom Ombo, with the opportunity to view the sun setting over this spectacular temple. (B)(L)(D) 

Day 7: Kom Ombo - Aswan
Early morning sailing to Aswan. This morning take your local boat across to the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser at the time of the High Dam’s construction. Later visit the High Dam. Return for lunch on board and time to relax.   Mid-afternoon transfer to the Sofitel Old Cataract, base for Dame Agatha Christie as she penned “Death on the Nile”. Savour a High Tea whilst sitting on this famous terrace overlooking the Nile. Later return to the ship for dinner this evening, followed by a colourful Nubian Show. (B)(L)(D) plus high tea.

Day 8: Aswan - Cairo
Disembark this morning, with time to explore Aswan.

Optional Tours (surcharge applies):
Option 1: Nubian Museum (Minimum of 2 required)
After disembarkation meet your guide and transfer to the International Nubian Museum. The kings of Nubia ultimately conquered and ruled Egypt for a century. Known for its rich deposits of gold, Nubia was also the gateway for the incense trade, their rulers building cities, temples and their own royal pyramids. After your tour, time free to explore Aswan in your own time, before departing to the airport for your flight to Cairo. (Minimum of 2 required)

Option 2: Abu Simbel Tour
An early morning transfer from the cruise boat to Abu Simbel Airport. Depart on EgyptAir to Abu Simbel. On arrival be met by a local Egyptologist and join a small group tour to one of the most impressive archaeological sites in all of Egypt, not only for its historical significance, but for the great engineering success in moving these temples to their present location.  
Of all the temples of Egyptian antiquity, amongst the most spectacular and best preserved are the Temples of Abu Simbel. The master builder was Ramses II, one of Egypt’s greatest Pharaohs. The larger temple celebrates the Pharaoh himself while the smaller one honours his wife, Queen Nefertari.  
When the new Lake Nasser Dam was built in the 1960s, the temples were moved to save them from a watery grave. In an amazing feat of engineering, the temples were hewn into huge blocks of thirty tonnes each and relocated 180m further inland.  
Please wear sturdy footwear today, pack some snacks and water bottle. At the conclusion of your tour, transfer to Abu Simbel Airport, for your flight to Aswan, connecting to Cairo.

Disembark this morning, with time to explore Aswan. This afternoon transfer to Aswan Airport and fly to Cairo. On arrival our Cairo Airport team will meet and assist. Transfer to the Cairo Marriott Hotel where you are reserved for three nights. Dinner is included at your hotel this evening. (B)(D)

Day 9: Cairo 
Today you will explore this modern cosmopolitan capital with a rich heritage of cultural influences and echoes of ancient civilisations. This morning visit the magnificently curated National Museum of Ancient Civilizations. The Museum’s vision is to bring the rich tapestry of tangible and intangible Egyptian heritage to life within a vibrant cultural, artistic and scientific context. After your visit which spans many millennia, move downstairs to the Mummy Room, to view their spectacular Mummy exhibits, in your own time. Time for a coffee break before departing to Mohammed Ali Mosque, and the Citadel which dominates Cairo’s skyline. Continue to the Khan El Khalili Bazaar, open since the 1382, with time for shopping. Conclude your day on a rooftop bar, watching the sun set over Cairo’s skyline, with a local drink of wine, beer or juice included. Return to the Cairo Marriott Hotel. Dinner this evening own arrangements. (B)

Day 10: Cairo
Optional Activities (surcharges apply):

A farewell dinner is included this evening at a local restaurant. (B)(D)

Day 11: Cairo
Two departure transfers are available to the airport, including one early morning and one mid-morning. (B)