Cairo

Capital City of Egypt

Journey to the Giza Plateau to see one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, as we explore the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chefren and Mykerinus. Then we’ll sojourn to the famous Sphinx and associated Valley temple.

After a short trek to Sakkara we will see the world’s first pyramid, designed by the priest Imhotep for the Pharaoh Djoser. We will also have time to explore the onsite Imhotep Museum which commemorates his legacy in medicine and architecture.

Egyptian Museum

We are hopeful that at the time of our visit, the new Grand Egyptian Museum will be open. But if not, we will still visit to the world-renowned Egyptian Museum in Tahrir square, which will make these characters of history come alive.

See the famous king, Rameses the Great, and marvel at the incredible treasures of the boy king Tutankhamun.

The Necropolis Complex of Sakkara
It is estimated there are over 5,000 burial sites in this area. It was also the location of the first pyramid built in Egypt known as the step pyramid, which was designed by the famous priest and architect, Imhotep.

Nile River

Edfu & Kom Ombo

As we cruise up the Nile in our own rooms on a private boat, we will visit the well-preserved Ptolemaic Temple dedicated to Horus at Edfu. Then, we’ll sail to Kom Ombo to see the unique Temple of Sobek, dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god, and Horus the falcon-headed god—one of the most revered Egyptian gods.

Cruising down the Nile River

While on the cruise ship, we will see the incredible sites around the city of Luxor (ancient Thebes). These include the New Kingdom Temple(s) of Karnak, which remains the largest religious complex in the world. Some 2.7 kilometres away along the Avenue of the Sphinxes we stop off to see the impressive Temple of Luxor. We will also see the Ptolemaic Temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo.

Luxor

Ancient Thebes

While in Luxor we will take trips to see the extraordinary Valley of the Kings where 60+ underground tombs were excavated—adorned for the burial of the Egyptian Pharaohs. This includes entry to the most-famous of all—the tomb of Tutankhamun. The famous temples of Karnak and Luxor will be visited here.

After a visit to the restored Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut—the first female pharaoh of the New Kingdom—we’ll take a quick trip to the massive Colossi of Memnon, which are all that remain of the temple of the 18th dynasty king, Amenhotep III.

Rameses II

While at Luxor, a side trip will take us to the Ramesseum, just one of the legacy temples built for Rameses II—arguably Egypt’s most famous pharaoh. Then, we’ll move on to Medinet Habu, which is the mortuary temple of his son, Rameses III. This complex represents a change in hieroglyphics style and impressive colours that have not been weathered despite the many centuries that have passed.

Aswan

Lake Nasser & Abu Simbel

Around Aswan, we will visit the famous High Dam, which despite interrupting the flow of the mighty, life-giving Nile river, created the huge lake Nasser whose waters power Aswan’s hydroelectricity system. We will take a trip to the unfinished obelisk in the red granite quarries of Aswan. This in-situ obelisk, when finished would have weighed over 1,090 tonnes/1,200 tons, and it gives us insights as to how the Egyptians carved these massive objects with little more than hand tools. Objects carved in this quarry made their way downstream to Cairo some 230 kilometers away.

Abu Simbel Temples

A day trip through the arid Egyptian desert will take us to the temples of Rameses II and his wife Nefertari at Abu Simbel. These stunning temples were carved into the sides of small limestone hills. As Lake Nasser was created and flooded due to the construction of the High Dam, UNESCO removed and reconstructed them piece by piece at a higher level so that they were not lost to history.

CMI Staff

At all locations you will be accompanied by CMI staff, local guides, and security staff who will explain the history of the sites and keep you in step with local customs.

Registrations Now Closed

We hope you enjoy the tour!