13-Day Egypt & Turkey Grand Tour

After breakfast, join your private Egyptologist guide for an awe-inspiring exploration of the Giza Plateau. Witness the monumental Pyramids of Giza, built around 2600 BC as eternal resting places for pharaohs. Marvel at the Great Pyramid of Khufu, an engineering marvel that stood as the world's tallest man-made structure for millennia. Stand in the shadow of the enigmatic Great Sphinx, a mythical guardian carved from bedrock. Next, visit the groundbreaking Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a state-of-the-art facility showcasing 5,000 years of Egyptian heritage, including the complete Tutankhamun collection. Following a local lunch, explore the remarkably preserved Valley Temple, crucial for ancient embalming and purification rites. In the afternoon, transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Aswan.

• Giza Pyramids Complex — Explore the enduring legacy of the 4th Dynasty pharaohs, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu and its surrounding structures.
• Great Sphinx of Giza — Admire the iconic lion-bodied, human-headed guardian, a symbol of royal power and protection.
• The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) — Discover one of the world's largest museums dedicated to a single civilization, housing countless treasures including the Tutankhamun collection.
• The Valley Temple — Gain insight into ancient Egyptian funerary rituals at this well-preserved site near the Sphinx.

Following breakfast and hotel check-out, embark on a tour of Aswan's significant landmarks. Visit the Aswan High Dam, a monumental 20th-century engineering feat that created Lake Nasser and transformed Egypt's agricultural landscape. Next, uncover the mysteries of the Unfinished Obelisk, a colossal ancient project abandoned in the granite quarry, offering clues to ancient stone carving techniques. After a local lunch, journey to the serene Agilkia Island to explore Philae Temple. This exquisite sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Isis was meticulously relocated to save it from the Nile's rising waters. Later, transfer to your luxurious Nile cruise ship for check-in and settle into your cabin.

• Aswan High Dam — Learn about this modern wonder's immense impact on Egypt and its creation of Lake Nasser.
• The Unfinished Obelisk — Witness an ancient quarry site where a massive obelisk, intended for Queen Hatshepsut, lies unfinished, revealing carving methods.
• Philae Temple — Explore the beautifully preserved Temple of Isis on Agilkia Island, a testament to international conservation efforts.
• Nile Cruise Check-in — Board your floating hotel and begin your relaxing journey up the Nile River.

Today offers an early start to visit the awe-inspiring Abu Simbel temples. These colossal rock-cut sanctuaries, carved dramatically into the sandstone cliffs, were built by Pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BC to glorify himself and his beloved Queen Nefertari, and to honor the gods. Marvel at their impressive scale and the sophisticated engineering that permitted their relocation to save them from Lake Nasser. Return to your cruise ship to enjoy lunch and an afternoon of relaxation as you sail.

• Abu Simbel Temples — Experience one of Egypt's most magnificent ancient sites, dedicated to Ramses II and Nefertari, famous for its solar alignment.

Your Nile cruise continues its journey. This morning, disembark to visit the unique Temple of Kom Ombo, perched gracefully on the riverbank. This rare 'double temple' is dedicated to two distinct deities: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris (Horus the Elder). Its symmetrical design and intricate carvings offer exceptional insights into ancient Egyptian religion and medicine. Later, explore the majestic Temple of Edfu, arguably the best-preserved cult temple in Egypt. Dedicated to the falcon god Horus, its impressive pylons, courtyards, and detailed reliefs vividly recount the cosmic battle between Horus and Set. Return to your cruise for all meals and savor the peaceful sailing.

• Temple of Kom Ombo — Discover this unique double temple, with dual sanctuaries for Sobek and Horus, offering fascinating details on ancient practices.
• Temple of Edfu — Step into a nearly complete ancient Egyptian temple dedicated to Horus, brimming with mythological narratives and well-preserved architecture.

After a final breakfast onboard and disembarkation, your guide will lead you to Luxor's fabled West Bank, the ancient 'City of the Dead.' Your first stop is the iconic Valley of the Kings, the burial ground for New Kingdom pharaohs like Tutankhamun and Seti I. Descend into several elaborately decorated tombs, marveling at vibrant scenes from funerary texts. Next, visit the magnificent Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a stunning architectural triumph carved into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. This terraced temple commemorates one of Egypt's most powerful female pharaohs. Conclude your West Bank exploration with a stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues guarding the funerary temple of Amenhotep III. After these incredible discoveries, you'll transfer to your hotel in Luxor.

• The Valley of the Kings — Explore the legendary necropolis and enter select tombs of pharaohs, adorned with intricate depictions of the afterlife.
• Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut — Admire the striking terraced architecture of this unique temple dedicated to Egypt's prominent female ruler.
• Colossi of Memnon — See the imposing twin statues of Amenhotep III, silent sentinels guarding the entrance to his former mortuary temple.