Itinerary

Day 1 Cairo

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the hub of the country. Millennia of history have made it one of the most fascinating places in the world. The Egyptian Museum whose 107 halls feature huge statues on the ground floor, and small statues, jewels, Tutankhamon treasures and the mummies on upper floors. Other downtown sights include the Saladin Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, and Khan Khalili bazaar. Nearby Giza is famous for the Pyramids of Egypt, among the largest constructions ever built.

Transfer to/from Cairo Airport in private vehicle with English speaking driver.

You will be met in the tunnel by an airport representative who will in turn facilitate the visa process ($15 per person - included in tour cost), escort you through customs and immigration, off to baggage claim and finally to passenger pick up. It is here that you will connect with our representative associate who will arrange airport transfer to your hotel.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Le Meridien Pyramids resort is located twenty minutes from Cairo’s city centre, with a spectacular closeness to the Giza Pyramids, one of history’s greatest treasures and one of the Seven Wonders of the world. With 444 rooms, this hotel is the ideal combination of rich foliage blended with sultry sands and timelessness. From dining North American-style over Tex Mex dishes to closing off the night over traditional Arabic shisha, one can attain a true feel for Egypt while still retaining a level of comfort akin to home. Aside from Le Meridien offering resort-style facilities, from outdoor tennis courts kept lit at night to spa treatments, the distance to the city allows the curious traveler to discover the curving streets and bazaars that mark Cairo’s mysterious aura.

Overnight at Meridien Pyramids.

Day 2 Cairo

Enjoy this tour which explores the relics of ages past, and includes visits to ancient Memphis, Saqqara and the Great Pyramids of Giza. Already millennia old by the birth of Christ, the elaborate statues and astonishing scale of these sites will amaze all who visit. This tour also features the famous Sphinx, whose constructor's still remains unknown, but its sheer beauty and allure has mystified the likes of Alexander the Great and Napoleon Bonaparte. This tour includes a private vehicle, a driver, and a highly trained Egyptologist, and entry to either Chephren (Khafre) or Menkaure (Mycerinus) pyramids, as well as the Solar boat. Entrance to the Pyramids come with an additional cost, and be aware that a limited number of people are allowed inside daily, so arrive early so you will not be disappointed.

Enjoy a personalized lunch with your guide at a great local restaurant.

Clients are picked up before sunset from hotel and transferred to the desert where they will meet their guide. The guide will lead you out into the desert on your choice of camel or horse, where you enjoy the sunset with a panoramic view of the Pyramids of Giza. This evening includes stopping for dinner at a desert camp before returning to your hotel.

Overnight at Meridien Pyramids.

Day 3 Cairo

This full day tour includes a private tour with your trained Egyptologist guide through the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and its Mummy Room, which houses priceless archaeological finds including the treasures of Tutankhamun and the Greco/Roman period. In the afternoon visit Saladin Citadel, a spectacular medieval fortress built by the renowned leader himself and dating back from the 12th century. Here you will explore the mosque and tomb of the Ottoman ruler Mohamed Ali, whom laid the foundation for the modern nation of Egypt. Later, on a walking tour, you will get to stroll through the fabled Khan Khalili bazaar, absorbing the sights, scents, exotic treats and energy of this ancient yet vibrant meeting place.

Enjoy a personalized lunch with your guide at a great local restaurant.

Experience a traditional Egyptian meal at Cairo's famous Abou El Sid restaurant.

Overnight at Meridien Pyramids.

Day 4 Luxor

Luxor, site of ancient Thebes, and the "world's greatest open air museum". Notable sights on the east bank include the Temple of Karnak and Luxor Temple. On the west bank is the spectacular Valley of the Kings. For a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the kings and powerful nobles, including Tutankhamun. The nearby Valley of the Queens is said to hold more than seventy tombs.

Transfer to/from Cairo Airport in private vehicle with English speaking driver.

Take your flight from Cairo to Luxor. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour.

Airport transfer with a private vehicle and English-speaking driver in Luxor.

Enjoy a private tour with a qualified Egyptologist guide exploring the East Bank of Luxor. Visit the most impressive temples of Karnak and Luxor, while learning about ancient Egyptian history from your own personal guide. Start your day with a visit to the Temples of Karnak. Walk along the Avenue of Sphinx to enter the complex as your guide explains how the massive facade was constructed. Continue to Luxor Temple which was once joined to the Temples of Karnak by a two-kilometre long Avenue of Sphinx, a portion of which marks the entrance to the temple. Your private guide will offer interpretation and guide you through the most important parts of the temples.

Enjoy a dazzling sound and light show which is projected on the walls of Karnak temple.

On the shores of the Nile, at the core of Luxor’s ancient soul, sits the Steigenberger Nile Palace. The regal structure stands tall. It begs come hither for curious visitors to witness the glory of the Egyptian Kingdom. The hotel’s 304 rooms and suites are designed to fit the lifestyles of those demanding a combination of comfort, contemporary decor, and panache. Quench your visual and cultural thirsts, with the option of stunning river views or an eyeful of lively streets and the courtyard. Enact gastronomic fantasies with Lebanese cuisine and succulent grilled meats. Wander the city and become immersed in burial places, temples, and museums. Or, pamper yourself with the numerous facilities offered at the Steigenberger Nile Palace, including a spa and swimming pools.

Overnight at Steigenberger Nile Palace .

Day 5 Luxor

This morning you will meet up with your guide and explore some of the most incredible sites of the country. You will visit the Valley of the Kings where you will have the chance to explore three tombs. For a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the kings and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom (the Eighteenth to the Twentieth Dynasties of Ancient Egypt). The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, opposite modern Luxor. Then it's off to the nearby Valley of the Queens and also the recently renovated mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut was the second pharaoh of the eighteenth dynasty of Ancient Egypt. She is generally regarded by Egyptologists as one of the most successful pharaohs, reigning longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty. The tour includes a visit to the huge Colossi of Memnon which are all that remain of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III.

Done in conjunction with the West Bank private tour. Enter the famous tomb of King Tutankhamen.

Enjoy an evening of star-gazing in the desert area which surrounds Luxor. During this evening stunning night sky activity learn about star formations, constellations, planets and other deep sky objects. This activity includes tea with the local Bedouins and a traditional Egyptian dinner.

Overnight at Steigenberger Nile Palace .

Day 6 Cairo

Airport transfer with a private vehicle and English-speaking driver in Luxor.

Take your early morning flight from Luxor to Cairo. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour.

Transfer to/from Cairo Airport in private vehicle with English speaking driver.

Delve into the ancient Christian enclave of Cairo, with its Coptic iconography and architecture. Your private guide will also take you through the hanging church, Ben Ezra Synagogue. The synagogue was originally a Christian church, which the Coptic Christians of Cairo had to sell to the Jews in 882 AD in order to pay the annual taxes imposed by the Muslim rulers of the time. The synagogue was a place of pilgrimage for North African Jews and the site of major festival celebrations. Numerous restorations and renovations were made over the centuries, and the present building dates from 1892. It is a faithful reconstruction of the original, which had collapsed. During the reconstruction, a medieval Geniza (a hiding place for sacred books and worn-out Torah scrolls) was discovered, revealing thousands of original documents from the Middle Ages. Your tour also includes mosques of old Islamic Cairo -Ibn Toloun, Amr Ibn El As and Sultan Hassan.

Enjoy a personalized lunch with your guide at a great local restaurant.

Enjoy a Nile River dinner cruise aboard the "Nile Maxim" or "Nile Pharoh", one of the most elegant cruising restaurants sailing the world's longest waterway. You'll enjoy top-class service aboard your Nile cruise, gliding past Cairo's illuminated skyline while you dine, and with entertainment provided by a spectacular belly-dancing and folklore show. The "Nile Maxim" is built in the style of a flat pharaonic barge, conjuring up images of ancient Egypt. As you drift along the River Nile, the house band performs your all-time favorite Western and Oriental tunes – with a twist! Choose from the set menu or go for the a la carte selection offering seafood, Lebanese and Chinese cuisines. Then sit back and relax while you enjoy a colorful belly dancing show with a folklore band, featuring the unforgettable tannoura spin, in keeping with Egypt's whirling dervishes tradition. Sample Set menu (subject to change without notice):

Selection of fresh breads, Salad bar, Grilled Chicken with herbs, served with rice and vegetables, Nougat glace, Sample A la Carte menu (subject to change without notice):

Tehina salad, Green spices salad, Fried Kofta, Fried shrimps, Different kinds of rice and macaroni, Special dessert menu. Includes pick up and drop off from your hotel.

The recently renovated Cairo Marriott Hotel, situated at the centre of the city, is surrounded by lush gardens and with a 19th century palace in its midst, on the Nile River. The grand hotel’s 1250 rooms are well appointed, with splendid views of the city and the Nile. One may take meals in any of the restaurants or cafes, which are reasonably priced and enjoyable, and feature especially hospitable staff. The city of Cairo is in itself a bustling source of amusement and history, including the Pyramids, though some guests prefer to stay on the hotel grounds and make use of the fitness centre or swimming pools.

Overnight at Marriott .

Day 7 Istanbul

Istanbul (Byzantium, and later Constantinople) is the world's 3rd largest city and Turkey's cultural and financial center. It is located on the Bosphorus Strait and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn. It extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) side of the Bosphorus, and is therefore the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents. In its long history, Istanbul served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330–395), the East Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922). The city was chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010. The historic areas of Istanbul were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.

Transfer to/from Cairo Airport in private vehicle with English speaking driver.

Take your flight from Cairo to Istanbul. The flight duration is approximately 2 hrs and 15 mins.

Airport transfer with your private car and driver.

This remarkable group tour takes you to a famous night club for a dinner including 1/2 bottle of wine per person at a famous night club, accompanied by a traditional Turkish show -for the performance of folk dancers, belly-dancers, with Turkish music bands, and singers.

Situated in the heart of downtown Istanbul, Yasmak Sultan (4*) neighbours celebrated museums, mosques, palaces shopping areas. Just a short walking distance from St.Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Grand Covered Bazaar, the centre of old city Istanbul awaits discovery. Hotel Yasmak Sultan brings a refreshing alternative to the typical Istanbul Hotel, pairing boutique style with elegant guest service. Friendly, multilingual staff looks forward to welcoming you to the Yasmak Sultan Hotel.

Overnight at Yasmak Sultan (4*).

Day 8 Istanbul

Enjoy a privately guided full day tour of Istanbul and see the most important sights. Visit the St. Sophia Church, the pride and glory of the Byzantine architecture (excluding the Gallery floor); the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles; Byzantine Hippodrome, where once chariot races were held; and the Grand Bazaar, world’s largest covered bazaar with 4000 shops. Visit Topkapi Palace, the famous residence of the Sultans (The Harem section is not included in the tour).

Overnight at Yasmak Sultan (4*).

Day 9 Istanbul

Enjoy a full day with your own private car and guide. Cross the Bosphorus by driving through the Intercontinental Suspension Bridge to go over the Asian side of Istanbul. A visit to Beylerbeyi Palace, the white marble summer residence of Ottoman Sultans used in the 19th century. Enjoy a cruise by boat on Bosphorus, the unique winding strait separating two continents.

Overnight at Yasmak Sultan (4*).

Day 10 Istanbul

Airport transfer with your private car and driver.

Depart from Istanbul airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.

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