EGYPT – Nile Cruise 5* – EASTER 2025

DAY 1 - 12.04.2025 Otopeni – Cairo

Arrival at Henri Coandă Bucharest-Otopeni Airport at 22:00 and meeting with the group’s tour leader. Attendance at the meeting is MANDATORY for the proper conduct of the group program.

DAY 2 - 13.04.2025 Cairo – Included Old City Tour

Boarding the Tarom flight to Cairo, RO101, departing from Otopeni at 00:45. Arrival in Cairo at 02:30 local time. Transfer and accommodation at a 5* hotel in Cairo. Breakfast. After a rest break, we begin exploring Cairo, where we will have the opportunity to discover the Citadel, whose history dates back to 1176, when it was built as a fortification by the Ayyubid Sultan Saladin. This fortification included the royal palace, towers, and a thick defensive wall. Over the years, the structures were damaged, rebuilt, and extended with new monuments, including, in the 19th century, the Alabaster Mosque—the most beautiful religious edifice in the Egyptian capital. This mosque is located within the Salah El Din Citadel (Old City). In this area, we will also visit one of the largest mosques in the world, the Madrassa Mosque, built by Sultan Hassan.

We will then take a short stroll through Khan El Khalili Bazaar, a labyrinth of crowded, noisy, and colorful streets, where the aroma of spices surrounds and entices you. Here, after some intense bargaining, you can buy everything from soap and spices to gold, semi-precious stones, toy camels, and alabaster pyramids.

In the evening, dinner and accommodation at a 5* hotel in Cairo.

DAY 3 - 14.04.2025 Cairo – Tour of the Pyramids, Sphinx, and Egyptian Museum

Breakfast at the hotel. The day begins with an exterior visit to the Pyramids of Giza. The fascinating history of Ancient Egypt will take us back in time 2750 years before Jesus Christ to explore these grand monuments: the Pyramids of Cheops, Khafre, and Menkaure (exterior), as well as the Sphinx with the Mortuary Temple.

The day continues with a traditional visit to the Perfume Palace, where we will delight in the scents specific to Ancient Egypt (lotus, papyrus, desert secret, etc.) and can purchase beautiful bottles and precious containers for storing these essences.

We proceed with a visit to the Papyrus Workshop, where we will learn about the ancient techniques of manufacturing this early writing medium. Here, you will have the chance to purchase painted papyrus, typical of ancient Egyptian art.

In the afternoon, we travel back in time again with a visit to the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, which houses the most important and representative artifacts of Ancient Egypt.

Dinner and accommodation at a 5* hotel in Cairo.

DAY 4 - 15.04.2025 Cairo – Optional Excursion to Saqqara and Memphis

Breakfast at the hotel. Optional excursion to Saqqara and Memphis, approximately 24 km from Cairo, to admire the marvel of the oldest pyramid. The pyramids of Saqqara stretch across a unique plateau, with the most notable being the famous Step Pyramid, built by Imhotep for Pharaoh Djoser, and the necropolis of the ancient city of Memphis.

In the evening, dinner and accommodation at a 5* hotel in Cairo.

DAY 5 - 16.04.2025 Cairo – Aswan – Visits in Aswan and the Elephantine Islands with the Botanical Garden – Optional, if time allows, a short visit to the Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple

Early morning breakfast at the hotel in Cairo and transfer to Cairo Airport for the domestic flight Cairo–Aswan. Arrival in Aswan and boarding the cruise ship. On this day, we will have the opportunity to sail on the Nile and visit the Botanical Garden in Aswan, where various plant species native to Africa, Asia, and Europe can be admired. The garden is located on an island inhabited by Nubian locals until 1899 and is unique in northern Africa, hosting over 400 species of subtropical and exotic plants.

The program may continue with an optional visit to the Aswan High Dam, built in 1960. The optional excursion also includes the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, located on the island of Agilika. The temple was saved from flooding with UNESCO’s assistance, involving over 50 countries. The construction of the Aswan Dam led to the creation of Lake Nasser, situated on the border between Egypt and Sudan. Lunch and dinner will be served aboard the 5* cruise ship.

DAY 6 - 17.04.2025 Aswan – Excursion to Abu Simbel – Kom Ombo – Edfu

Breakfast on the ship. Optional excursion to Egypt’s most important temple, Abu Simbel, built during the 19th dynasty by Ramses II. Abu Simbel is a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for the massive stone statues of Ramses and his wife, Nefertari. The temple is unique because the sun illuminates the sacred chamber interior only twice a year: February 21 – Pharaoh’s Day, and October 22 – Coronation Day. Return to the ship, and after lunch, the ship sails to Kom Ombo, where we visit the Temple of Sobek and Horus.

Kom Ombo, in ancient hieroglyphic script, means “the golden land,” a name linked to the gold mine located 70 km from the west bank of the Nile. The ship continues its journey toward Edfu. In the evening, dinner and the “Galabia Party” on board, offering an opportunity to experience Egyptian traditional music and costumes.

DAY 7 - 18.04.2025 Edfu – Esna Lock – Luxor – Luxor and Karnak Temples

Early morning visit to the Temple of Horus Behdet, translated as "Horus the Warrior." The temple’s walls depict the legend of the battle between Horus and Set (Horus’s uncle), where Horus avenged Set for killing Osiris, Horus’s father. This legend forms the foundation of ancient Egyptian religion. Transfer to the temple will be by horse-drawn carriages. Return to the cruise ship for breakfast.

On the way to Luxor, we pass through the Esna Lock, a masterpiece of Roman engineering. Lunch is served aboard the cruise ship. Upon arrival in Luxor, in the evening, we will enjoy a unique experience as we visit the eastern bank of the Nile, including the Luxor Temple with its beautiful columns, the Birth Room of Amenhotep III, stories of Ramses’ battles, and the avenue of sphinxes linking the Luxor Temple to Karnak. We will then visit the Karnak Temple Complex, dedicated to the god Amun-Ra. Its ancient name was Ipetisut ("The Most Select of Places"), and its dimensions are truly impressive.

Lunch and dinner will be served aboard the cruise ship.

DAY 8 - 19.04.2025 Luxor – Valley of the Kings – Hatshepsut Temple – Colossi of Memnon – Hurghada

After breakfast on the ship, we continue our visit to the Valley of the Kings, where we will have access to 3 tombs of the famous kings from the Ancient Egyptian period. The Valley of the Kings was used as a necropolis for 500 years, between the 18th and 20th dynasties, approximately 1500 years before Jesus Christ. A total of 63 royal tombs have been discovered, the most famous being the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun (18th dynasty) – this visit is not included but can be purchased at the entrance to the archaeological site.

We continue with a visit to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut – the first female pharaoh – a temple unique for its construction technique (entrance included), and the archaeological site guarded by the "Colossi of Memnon." Transfer by coach from Luxor to Hurghada (approximately 210 km), the stunning resort on the Red Sea.

Accommodation at a 5* hotel in the Hurghada area with All-Inclusive services. In the evening, those who wish can optionally attend the Easter Resurrection Service at the Coptic Church in Hurghada.

DAY 9 - 20.04.2025 Hurghada – Optional Cruise on the Red Sea

Breakfast. Free time for relaxation. Optionally, we suggest a cruise on the Red Sea (approximately 7 hours) with lunch included on the boat. During the cruise, you will have the opportunity to swim at Giftun Island (approximately 1 ½ hours) and snorkel in the open sea, where you can admire various species of colorful fish and remarkably beautiful coral reefs. Accommodation at a 5* hotel in the Hurghada area, All-Inclusive.

Note: Snorkeling equipment will be provided on the boat, but we recommend bringing your own equipment (snorkeling mask and tube).

DAY 10 - 21.04.2025 Hurghada – Optional Jeep Safari

Breakfast. Free time or optional excursions. Jeep Safari is a perfect choice for the third day in Hurghada. You will be picked up from the hotel by 4x4 Jeep cars around 1:00 PM – the excursion lasts approximately 6 hours.

The desert adventure begins with a ride on ATVs. We will travel to a Bedouin camp to discover their life and traditions. You will have the chance to admire the stunning sunset in the desert and make a short stop at a mini zoo to see desert animals.

The evening will end with dinner and an artistic program featuring oriental and folkloric dances. After the artistic program, we return to the hotel.

Note: For this excursion, we recommend wearing sporty attire (long pants, long-sleeve shirt, scarf, sun hat, sunglasses, and closed-toe sports shoes).

Accommodation at a 5* hotel in the Hurghada area, All-Inclusive.

DAY 11 - 22.04.2025 Hurghada – Cairo

Breakfast in Hurghada. Check-out from the rooms at 12:00 PM. Those who wish can extend their stay in the room for an additional cost, paid directly at the hotel reception, depending on its availability. Transfer by coach from Hurghada to Cairo.

DAY 12 - 23.04.2025 Cairo – Bucharest

Transfer to Cairo International Airport for boarding the Tarom flight RO102, departing at 03:30 AM local time. Arrival in Bucharest at 07:20 AM local time.