Luxury Holiday to Egypt

You’ll begin your Egypt holiday in the capital, Cairo, which sits on the Nile. This colourful city and its surrounds are full of impressive historic gems and architectural monuments, most notably the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, which you will see on a guided tour. Visit the ancient city of Memphis and the cemetery of Sakkara, where the very first Pyramids were built. These legendary structures, which are thousands of years old, are truly monumental.

Your base for two nights is the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza, which is by the river and not far from the Pyramids and other attractions such as the citadel and bustling markets. Relax in between sightseeing with gourmet cuisine and a visit to the spa.

After seeing Cairo and its landmarks, you will fly to Aswan, to board your cruise for four nights, the Oberoi Philae Luxury Nile Cruiser. Glide down the Nile towards Luxor and discover the secrets of ancient Egypt in style, from spacious cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows to make the most of the river views and passing scenery, to fine food and exceptional service. In between sightseeing, indulge in the spa, or relax on a lounger on deck – you can even take in a movie in the movie theatre.

On the first day of your Nile cruise, you will board the Oberoi Philae at approximately midday and enjoy lunch onboard. In the afternoon, see the fascinating artefacts of Nubia at the Nubian Museum, which were excavated when the High Dam was built in the 1960s, to save them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Many temples were also relocated to higher ground.

Back aboard, end the day with a cocktail reception and dinner before your first night on the boat.

After breakfast this morning, you will have the chance to visit the Philae temple and the High Dam. The vast High Dam took over ten years to build from 1960, and you can find out more about the feats of its construction at the visitor’s pavilion. The Philae temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, dates from 380 BC and was relocated after the building of the dam to the island of Agilkia in a UNESCO-led project that took eight years, during which the island was landscaped to look like Philae.

Following lunch back onboard, your next sight is the imposing twin temple of Kom Ombo, which was built in the 2nd and first centuries BC. One side is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, the other to the falcon god Horus.

On your return to the boat, relax over tea in the lounge, followed by dinner, as you sail on to Edfu, where you will moor for the night.

Today, you will visit the temple of Edfu, an intricate complex which took 25 years to build, with construction beginning in 237 BC. Buried under sand for more than 2,000 years, this is one of the largest and best-preserved temples in Egypt and a real must-see.

The rest of the day is at leisure onboard, as the boat crosses the Esna Lock on its way towards Luxor.

Today, it’s an early start to visit the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile, and its mighty temples and monuments, as well as the tombs of Tutankhamun, Ramesses VI and Seti.

After lunch back onboard, this afternoon will be spent in Luxor and the temples of Karnak and Luxor. Luxor spreads out on the east bank of the Nile and the temple of Karnak sits on the northern end, occupying five acres of land. Buried for more than a thousand years, excavation began in the mid-19th century and its restoration is continuing today. The Luxor temple is a large temple complex dating from 1400 BC and was known as the ‘southern sanctuary’. It reflects Luxor’s huge importance as a political and religious centre. 

Back on the boat, it’s time for a final dinner and night onboard in Luxor.

After breakfast and disembarking the Oberoi Philae, you will be taken to Luxor airport for a short flight to Cairo, followed by a road transfer to Alexandria. Known as the Pearl of the Mediterranean, this is where Cleopatra made her home with Mark Antony, creating a ruling powerhouse with links to Europe and the Mediterranean. Alexandria has been a draw for travellers since it was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC. In the 19th century, it grew from a sleepy fishing village into a vibrant port, and offers a wealth of attractions. 

See the sights of Alexandria on a guided tour, including the National Museum, the Citadel of Qaitbay, which houses a castle and a mosque, and the Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi mosque, one of the city’s largest religious monuments. You’ll also get to see the Roman amphitheatre, the only one of its kind in Egypt, and the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the largest Roman burial site in the country, which has over 300 tombs cut into the rock.

Spend the night at the gorgeous Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, where you can relax on the sands of the private stretch of beach reserved exclusively for guests.

The final leg of your Egypt journey takes you back to Cairo. On your return, discover the city on a guided day tour. Take in centuries of history at the dazzling Egyptian Museum, which houses the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the world. Among its many highlights are the treasures of the legendary boy-king Tutankhamun, such as a gold mask. Stroll the bustling bazaars, some of which are said to be the largest in the Middle East, to find some unique souvenirs of your trip.

After a lunch stop, it’s time for a walking tour down the main street of Old Cairo between the fortified gates in the north and south walls of the historic cities, passing Islamic monuments, listed buildings galore and busy markets along the way.

Relax back at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza on your final night, relaxing by the pool and taking in the panoramic views over the city skyline.