12D9N ANCIENT EGYPT

Upon arrival, start the tour in a beautiful and peaceful quarter of the city of Cairo, Coptic Cairo. Visit the most famous Coptic Christian Church and one of the oldest in Cairo, The Hanging Church. It was built on the southern part of the Roman Fortress in Old Cairo. The church is unique and has a wooden roof in the shape of Noah's Ark. Next stop to the 12th-century Citadel of Saladin, a hilltop fortress commissioned by Saladin, and step inside the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, a multi-domed sanctuary built in the Ottoman style.

This morning travel South from Cairo to one of the districts in Red Sea, Hurghada. Known for its clear waters and white sand beaches. The city is also home to many Coptic Orthodox churches and monasteries. Visit El Dahar ( Hurghada Old Town ) and a visit to the souk. 

Today enjoy a free day at leisure. You may wish to take up an optional excursion on a Red Sea Submarine tour, a quad bike excursion on the desert at your own expense. You can relax on the sandy beach or go shopping at Sekalla High Street.

Optional: Red Sea Submarine tour  

               : 4W Desert Safari 

Departs from Hurghada to the East Bank of Luxor and explore the magnificent Karnak Temple – a massive complex of shrines, obelisks, where the Egyptian God Amun and other deities were worshipped, follows by a visit to Luxor Temple, the largest and most significant religious center in ancient Egypt. Interestingly, there once stood two impressive obelisks, while you still can see one of them here, the other one is in Paris now. Transfer to the dock and board your vessel, where you will be staying for the next 4 nights as you relax and enjoy the scenery along the famous River Nile.

Note: Overnight cruise may not stop at the stated city port and is subject to the cruise schedule

This morning, another discovery of Luxor's sight-seeing awaits you. Travel to the West Bank and visit the Valley of the Kings, where tombs were built for the pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt. Continue on to the Temple of Hatshepsut, a mortuary temple built Queen Hatshepsut during the 18th century in the New Kingdom , lastly pass by the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Return to the ship and continue cruising on to Edfu via Esna Lock.

Note : Esna 

This morning, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage to visit the beautiful and well-preserved Temple of Edfu, which is dedicated to Horus, god of kingship and the sky. Return to the ship and continue sail along the Nile. Sail to Kom Ombo and visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to two gods – the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus. Transfer back to your boat as you continue sail south towards Aswan. 

An early morning departure with a trip to the Abu Simbel (UNESCO World Heritage Site) by coach. The twin temples of Abu Simbel were originally carved out of mountainside in the 13th century, be impressed by these majestic temples and also one of the world's most breath-taking monuments. Travel back to Aswan ,take a boat ride to Agilkia Island and make your way to the the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis. A photo stop at the High Dam, an embankment dam built across the Nile in Aswan, before returning to your ship for lunch. You may wish to take up an optional tour to visit the Nubian villages or a felucca ride on the Nile.

Optional: Nubian Village, Felucca ride

After breakfast, your 4 nights cruise come to an end. Disembark from the ship and transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Cairo. After your arrival, visit the famous Egyptian Museum which houses the largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities in the world. explore the cultural side of Khan el-Khalili, an enchanting souk ( bazaar ) in the heart of the old city , here you will have the chance to buy last minute souvenirs .You may want to relax at a local coffee shop and enjoy the environment. A stop by the Papyrus Institute to understand the making of papyrus and enjoy the art on them. 

Start the day with a trip to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one remains till today, the Great Pyramids of Giza, built by three generations of Pharaohs: Khufu , Khafre and Menkaure. Not to be missed is the Great Sphinx of Giza, the legendary guardian statue with the body of a lion and the head of King Chephren. Have a camel ride experience and take some memorable photos along the compound of the Great Pyramids .Pay a visit of a perfume factory for local fragrances bottled in unique blown glass perfume bottles before continue to the Saqqara Necropolis and see the Step Pyramid of Djoser.

Bid Cairo farewell and head to the airport for your flight back to Singapore.