See the pages of history books come to life in this mythical country in the Middle East. Hieroglyphics, mummies, tombs and the Great Sphinx become a reality when visiting Egypt and you will see them all and much more with Gate 1 Travel. This country has skyrocketed into popularity recently and there is no better time to visit this country than now. Your itinerary consists of the best experiences of Egypt including the Pyramids of Giza, Cairo, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Aswan and more. Join us as we navigate the Nile and land of the pharaohs.
Experience a luxurious Nile River cruise on the MS Esplanade. This ship has 5-star accommodations and includes a pool, bar, spa, laundry, boutique, restaurant and much more. Cabins include an LED TV with satellite channels, safe, individually controlled air conditioning and internet connection. You will be whisked away from place to place all while admiring the spectacular scenery of the Nile Valley passing by. Imagine visiting some of the oldest temples in the world by day such as Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor, and returning to your luxurious ship at night to eat, rest and relax. It is a true dream vacation.
Cairo: Your Gateway to the Secrets of Egypt
Welcome to a city that is a true mix of ancient and modern, in the capital of the country: Cairo. While in Cairo, perhaps explore independently or join the optional half day Egyptian Museum and Citadel tour. The museum contains the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts and has more than 120,000 items on display! Some of the most famous items include actual mummies of Ancient Egyptian royalty and King Tutankhamun artifacts, including his infamous death mask. Continue to the Saladin Citadel of Cairo, a UNESCO World Heritage site and medieval Islamic fort. The site is located near the city’s center and is famous for its fresh breeze and grand views of the city.
Visit the most famous attraction in the country and one of the most recognizable landmarks in the entire world; the Pyramids of Giza. Giza is located on the west bank of the Nile River and you’ll be surprised by how close the complex is to the city, in fact it is basically surrounded by it. The Great Pyramid is the oldest and biggest of the three pyramids in the complex and was built for the pharaoh Khufu. The other two smaller pyramids are called Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure. The Great pyramid is part of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and they are the oldest and only surviving site on the list. After exploring the immense pyramids, continue onto the Sphinx that guards the Giza plateau. This half-lion, half-human is constructed out of a single-piece of limestone and sits in a reclining position. Enjoy some of the most beautiful and magnificent sites of Egypt here and take it all in because there is nothing else on Earth quite like it!
Luxor: Ancient Thebes In Real Life
The ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, current day Luxor, was once the capital when pharaohs ruled the land in the 16th -11th century BCE. You will be brought to Luxor via your deluxe river cruise ship and you are free to either explore at your own pace or join the optional tours to Valley of the Kings, burial site of pharaohs from around 1539-1075 BCE, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, with its unique 3 terrace designed, and the Colossi of Memnon, the two large stone statues of king Amenhotep III guarding the whole site. Included tours bring you to see the East bank of Luxor, which include the magnificent Temples of Karnak, including the Great Temple of Amon, an ancient temple dedicated to the king of the gods. Also visit Hypostyle Hall, 134 massive sandstone columns and Luxor Temple, the site of an ancient temple dating back to 1400 BCE. Also see the avenue of the Spinxes, a row of Sphinx statues connecting Luxor and Karnak temples.You are sure to see all that Luxor has to offer when you book your Egypt tour with Gate 1 Travel.
Nile River Cruise: Ultra-Sophistication from Aswan to Luxor
Your deluxe cruise takes you on the 5-star MS Esplanade river boat. The Esplanade will take you to can’t miss locations along the Nile including the cities of Luxor, Karnak, Edfu, Aswan, the towns of Komombo and Edfu and so much more. Optional tours while on board include a tour of Abu Simbel by bus, the ancient sites of Luxor including Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon and a Felucca sail boat ride. Your cruise will be truly unforgettable with exploration of these fascinating sites while at port and sailing effortlessly down the Nile while you relax and enjoy your ship and onboard amenities on your luxurious ship.
Edfu & Kom Ombo: History Alive
Visit the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in the entire country in Edfu. This temple was dedicated to the Egyptian god Horus, the falcon-headed god, who you can see depicted around the temple. There are many well-preserved statues and hieroglyphics here so pay attention to the intricate details of the temple. The site was built more recently than others you’ll visit, around 237 BCE, and took 180 years to build. The temple itself was buried in sand, rubble and part of Edfu village and was excavated in the 19th century. This site is truly marvelous and highlights the prosperity the country enjoyed in the time period it was built.
Next up, enjoy the town of Kom Ombo, that itself is simply an agricultural town located on the east bank of the river in the south. The town is most famous for the Temple of Kom Ombo, an unusual looking double-sided temple dedicated to the worship of both Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. The temple was built this way in order to separate the two gods’ places of worship, because they were known to be brothers yet enemies but worshipped in the same temple. For this reason, the complex has two entrances, two courts and so on. Picture yourself here in the days of the pharaohs and visiting this place to worship the gods!
Aswan: An Engineering Marvel
Aswan is an ancient frontier city made famous by the High Dam of Aswan, an engineering miracle from the 1960s that brought the Nile’s devastating floods to an end. Arrive by motorboat to the island location of Philae Temple. This temple is dedicated to the goddess Isis, the mother of Horus and the wife of Osiris. Afterward, stop at a local perfume shop, which are famous in Aswan. Here you will learn about the creation of the perfumes and hear more about the healing effects of certain oils. Perhaps explore the local Aswan market (souk) where you can find almost anything, from souvenirs to clothing to spices and much more. If you have free time, satisfy your thirst with a local Egyptian drink such as mint or hibiscus tea at a local café.
Abu Simbel: A Site Completely Relocated
Abu Simbel is an optional tour with your itinerary. You will get there by bus because it is around 170 miles outside of Aswan. This unforgettable sight may just become the highlight of your trip. This easily recognizable site was actually saved from the waters of the Aswan High Dam and had to be completely reconstructed in its present location. It is as close to the original as possible with even the temples facing the exact same direction. The site is comprised of two temples: the Great Temple and the Small Temple, both created during the time of Ramses II for him and his wife Queen Nefertari. Step outside of the temples and admire the majestic seated statues of Ramses II. Proceed to the Temple of Hathor to view the murals with images of the goddess Hathor and Queen Nefertari.
Uncover the countless wonders of Ancient Egypt and the Nile River with Gate 1 Travel on a deluxe cruise ship. When you do, you’ll close each remarkable day in luxury accommodations, delight in local cuisine, and gain in-depth insight from local guides who call this destination home. Join us!
Please Note: Sightseeing varies per itinerary.
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