A trip to Egypt and the Red Sea allows for lots of pre- and post-diving adventure! Explore the Nile Valley, Cairo's markets, the Egyptian museum and the nearby pyramids and Sphinx, all with an English-speaking local guide.
You'll begin your tour in Cairo with the Giza Pyramids.Then you'll fly to Luxor to be amazed by the Temple of Karnak, the Valley of Kings; the Valley of Queens, and experience Upper Egypt as it's meant to be seen, from the Nile itself on a four-night luxury cruise to Aswan.
Cairo Highlights:
- The Egyptian Museum, including the golden mask of King Tutankhamen
- The Great Pyramids of Cheops (Khufu) – The Great Pyramid is situated in Giza and is one of the Seven Wonders on the World. Cheops, the second Pharaoh of the IVth Dynasty, built it. It once rose to a height of 146 meters. Owing to natural wear and tear, however, its present height is only 137 m.
- The Sphinx – The Sphinx is one of the most famous monuments of ancient Egypt. It stands as a guardian of the ancient necropolis.
Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise Highlights:
The Temple of Karnak
Built in the 20th century B.C., it is the biggest of the ancient Egyptian temples and was the seat of the god Amun, and the administrative capital of the country. A visit to the temple begins at the sacred quay, decorated with a Nilometer showing flood levels of the Nile and then passes through an avenue, bordered by statues of ram-headed sphinxes, to the temple itself. Inside the temple there is an open courtyard with a smaller temple on the left-hand side. Then there is a large hypostyle hall, built during the reigns of Seti I and Rameses II, containing 134 pillars, twelve of which are topped with capitals in the form of open papyrus flowers.
The Luxor Temple
Built by Amenhotep III as a private residence for god Amun, but Rameses II later added statues of himself to either side of the temple: two seated and two standing. Inside there is an open coutyard built by Rameses II, comprising a pillared colonnade; and a second courtyard by Amenhotep III with pillars decorated with papyrus designs. The Luxor Museum contains a remarkable collection of ancient Egyptian sculpture found during the course of restoration at the Karnak and Luxor temples.
 The Valley of the Kings
This site contains a large number of tombs of the Kings and Pharoahs, including the tombs of: Seti I, Rameses II, Horemheb and Tutankhamun, which was the only tomb to be discovered more or less intact.
The Temple of Edfu
This temple dates to the Ptolemaic period and is the largest and most complete of the different temples situated along the banks of the Nile. It is located in the city of Edfu. It was a center of the cult of Horus.
The Temple of Kom Ombo
The double temple dates to the Ptolemaic period and its inscriptions contain references to the Ptolemies and to the Roman Emperors, Domitian, Trajan, and Caracalla.
Detailed Itinerary
The tour has been structured around our Red Sea liveaboard and includes your flight between Cairo and Luxor, air-conditioned coach transfer from Aswan to Marsa Ghalib, and flight from Hurghada or Marsa Alam back to Cairo.
Travel to Egypt
- From North America, depart on Friday night from JFK on EgyptAir to arrive in Cairo on Saturday morning, or book one of the many flight options via Europe departing Friday or Saturday - whatever is convenient for you.
- You can arrive anytime on May 15 or 16 (many flights via Europe arrive late at night). You will be met by the local tour director and transferred to your hotel.
Liveaboard Diving on board MV Blue Melody
May 21 – 28 (Friday – Friday) 6 days of 3-4 dives a day. (No night diving in Marine Parks of Daedalus, Rocky, or Zabargad)
Land Tour of Egypt
- May 15 (Saturday) Early arrivals enjoy dinner at Studio Misr restaurant overlooking the Citadel and illuminated mosque of Muhammed Ali with your host, Greg Hamman. Hotel overnight.
- May 16 (Sunday) Full day tour of Ancient Cairo and Memphis including Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Necropolis & Step Pyramids of Sakkara and
the Alabaster Statues of Ramses II in Memphis. Hotel overnight.
- May 17 (Monday) Morning flight to Luxor. Guided tour of the jaw-dropping Temple of Karnak and the Temple of Luxor, and embarkation on Nile Cruise ship (Sonesta Nile Goddess or similar). Dinner on board. Overnight in Luxor.
- May 18 (Tuesday) After breakfast cross to the West Bank of the Nile: Visit Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Afternoon sail to Esna to cross the Lock and arrive Edfu for overnight.
- May 19 (Wednesday) After breakfast visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu then sail to Kom Ombo. Afternoon visit to the Temple shared by two Gods Sobek and Haroeris and overnight in Kom Ombo.
- May 20 (Thursday) After breakfast sail to Aswan to visit the High Dam and the Temple of Philae. Afternoon view of the Elephantine Island by felucca (sailing boat) & the Agha Khan Mausoleum. Overnight in Aswan.
- May 21 (Friday) Optional excursion to Abu Simbel. Breakfast, check out and transfer to Marsa Ghalib to board MV Blue Melody.
Return to Cairo
- May 28 (Friday) Afternoon transfer to airport for return flight to Cairo.
- May 29 (Saturday) Private guided tours in Cairo to visit the Egyptian Museum, Citadel of Saladin, Mohamed Aly Alabaster Mosque, The Hanging Church, Abu Serga Church
and Khan El Khalili Bazaars. Lunch
included. Back to hotel for free time and overnight.
- May 30 (Sunday) Transfer to airport for return flight home.
Itinerary subject to modification.
Included:
- 4 nights Cairo Le Meridien Pyramids (May 15-17 & May 28-30)
- 2 full day guided tours of Cairo and environs, including the Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, Citadel and Khan El Khalili Bazaar (lunch and dinner at own expense)
- Breakfast daily (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included on Nile cruise)
- 4 night Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan
- Domestic airfare (Cairo to Luxor, Hurghada or Marsa Alam to Cairo), airport meet & greet and all required transfers, including Aswan to Marsa Ghalib
- English speaking guide throughout, entrance fees
- Land tour gratuities included
Not included:
- Airfare from/to US to Cairo (Arrive anytime May 15 or 16)
- MV Blue Melody liveaboard tariff of $1795
- Optional excursion to Abu Simbel if desired
- Egyptian Visa ($15 upon arrival)
- Travel Insurance (required for this expedition)
- Dinner during land touring
- Single rooms on the tour are available for a supplement of $800, or we are happy to match you with a roommate.
Deposit:
A $500 deposit is due upon booking. Balance due 90 days prior to departure.
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