Classic Egypt: Cairo, Luxor & Aswan

Upon arrival into Cairo International Airport, you will be met by Goway's local representative inside the customs and immigration area holding a sign board with your name on it. After being assisted with immigration formalities, you will be transferred to your hotel. You will be presented with full documentation required, including domestic airline tickets by your representative when you arrive.

The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.

Cairo, the Triumphant City, is the glorious capital of Egypt, the cradle of civilization and the beacon of religion. It is the largest city in the Middle East and Africa, and lies at the centre of all routes leading to and from the continents of Asia, Africa and Europe. Greater Cairo extends on the banks of the River Nile to the south of its delta. Here the Nile divides into two tributaries, the Rosetta and the Damietta. It is the city where the past and present meet. On its East Side stands the evidence of 2000 years of Islamic, Christian Coptic and Jewish culture still flourishing to this day. On its West Side lies the Ancient Egyptian city of Memphis (Giza), the renowned capital of the Old Kingdom and the site of the Pyramids, the only wonder of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World surviving. Indeed, a journey through Cairo is a journey through time, a journey through the history of an immortal civilization.

Today, you will visit Cheops' Pyramid, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and the Sphinx, the great god-lion sentinel. Built over 35 centuries ago, the towering pyramids were erected to preserve bodies and treasures for afterlife. You'll continue on to Memphis, the first capital of ancient Egypt, and Sakkara, the ''City of the Dead'', to see the step pyramid of King Zoser and the Wall of Cobras.

Today, you will transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your ship, your floating hotel for the next 5 days as you cruise up the Nile. This morning, cross the Nile to Luxor's West Bank where you will explore the astonishing and extensive New Kingdom city of "Thebes". Sightseeing includes the Valley of the Kings and Queens, the Colossi of Memnon and two huge seated statues of Amenhotep III. After lunch, visit the Luxor and Karnak Temples, a holy city of pylons, hypostyle halls, colossal statues and obelisks built over many centuries, dedicated to the God Amon Ra, his consort Mut and their son Khonsu.

Luxor is a city often been called "world's greatest open air museum", with the number and preservation of monuments in the area, it is unparalleled to anywhere in the world. Luxor is actually composed of three different areas: the city of Luxor - located on the east side of the Nile, the town of Karnak, located just north of Luxor, and Thebes which is on the west side of the Nile across from Luxor.

Early in the morning sail to Edfu via Esna lock. The small town of Edfu is situated on the west bank of the Nile, 56 km south of Esna and 105 km north of Aswan. Today, Edfu is an important centre for sugar production and pottery making. The site of Edfu was known as Wetjetser hor (classical name Apollinopolos Magna), the place where the god Horus was worshipped and the ancient mythological battle between Horus and his traditional enemy, Seth, took place.

An exhilarating carriage ride takes you through town to the Temple of Horus, the Falcon God. Continue sailing to Kom Ombo to visit the Graeco Roman style Temple of Sobek. Standing serenely on a hilltop, the site offers an incredible view over the Nile.

The main monument at Edfu is the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus on the edge of the town. The temple is perhaps the best preserved in all of Egypt and ranks second behind Karnak, simply because of its immense size. At the temple's entrance stand two large black granite statues of Horus who is depicted as a falcon. The elaborate carvings on the walls of the temple are beautiful as if carved just yesterday. Inside the temple is a small sanctuary where the priests of the day offered the best parts of the animals to the gods.

Kom Ombo is located on a bend in the Nile River about 50 km north of Aswan. Located on the east bank, Kom Ombo is home to an unusual double Temple of Sobek built during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The temple is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris (Horus the Elder). Despite being badly damaged, the temple is a beautiful sight as you approach from either direction on the river, particularly as sunset nears and the colours change.

This morning's sightseeing includes Aswan's High Dam, the ancient Granite Quarries and the Temple of Philae. After lunch, sail around Elephantine Island and the Botanical Gardens.

Aswan, Egypt's sunniest southern city and ancient frontier town, is located about 81 miles south of Luxor and has a distinctively African atmosphere. Its ancient Egyptian name was Syene. Small enough to walk around and graced with the most beautiful setting on the Nile, the pace of life is slow and relaxing. Days can be spent strolling up and down the broad Corniche, watching the sailboats etch the sky with their tall masts or sitting in floating restaurants listening to Nubian music and eating freshly caught fish.

Disembark from your ship after breakfast and transfer to Aswan Airport for your flight back to Cairo, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for the night.

Today you will visit the Egyptian Museum, the most important depository of Egyptian antiquities anywhere in the world. It features artifacts from the Pharaonic and Graeco Roman periods, including the celebrated mummies of ancient Egypt's kings and King Tutankhamun's treasures.
Next you will visit the Citadel which is situated on a spur of the Muqattam Hills and dominates Cairo's skyline. This was the nerve center of the city and all of Egypt for almost 700 years. Its construction was initiated in 1176 by Saladin and completed by Muhammad Ali. Mameluke sultans and Turkish governors later on made it their residence, building palaces and mosques within the Citadel walls. Facing the Citadel is the Mosque of Sultan Hassan, built between 1356 and 1363 and perhaps the most majestic monument of Arab architecture in Egypt.

This morning, after breakfast, you will be transferred to Cairo Airport for your departure flight.