Egypt & Morocco inc. Nile River Cruise

We commence the tour with an overnight flight to Dubai.

We arrive in Dubai early this morning and after clearing Customs and Immigration formalities, we are met and transferred to our hotel for a two-night stay. There is time to rest up after the flight until mid-afternoon where we meet up to enjoy a visit to Dubai Miracle Garden. Each season, as the weather begins to cool at the onset of winter, the gates reopen. With more than 150 million flowers in full bloom, this 72,000-sq-m paradise has flowered into one of the region’s most picturesque, sweet-scented destinations for more than a decade now. There is time for exploration at the garden, before we return to the hotel for dinner this evening.

We start our day with a visit to the Museum of the Future. One of Dubai’s most famous landmarks, the museum takes pride of place along the city’s superhighway, Sheikh Zayed Road. Founded by the Dubai Future Foundation and launched on 22 February 2022, the museum explores how society could evolve in the coming decades using science and technology. Termed a ‘living museum’, it incorporates elements of traditional exhibitions, immersive theatre and themed attractions, so visitors can look beyond the present and towards the future’s limitless possibilities. Visitors have the chance to engage with this game-changing technology. Each floor of the museum is designed like an expansive, interactive movie set, brought to life by expert storytellers, technologists and visionary artists. Early afternoon, we return to the airport for our mid-afternoon flight to Cairo. We arrive early evening, and check into our hotel, the Marriott Mena House Hotel, set in palm-fringed gardens with spectacular views of the pyramids. After settling in we enjoy a welcome drink and dinner.

We visit the most iconic of Egyptian sites this morning – the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza. Here we will see the great pyramid built by Cheops, containing more than 2.3 million cubic metres of stone. Our guide will help navigate the Giza Plateau complex and enrich your discovery. After our visit, we enjoy lunch before returning to our hotel for time at leisure.

This morning, we visit the New Grand Egyptian Museum. Constructed to be the world’s largest museum exhibiting only one civilization, the Grand Egyptian Museum will display incredible artefacts of “the ancient Egyptian civilisation” from prehistoric times through until the Greco-Roman period. After our visit, we enjoy lunch before returning to our hotel for time at leisure. This evening, we enjoy a walking tour of the famous Mamluk Ottoman street of Moez – a 1 km long pedestrian street, and to quote the UN, it has “the greatest concentration of medieval architectural treasures in the Islamic world”. We explore the Khan El Khalili Bazaar, followed by dinner in an authentic local restaurant.

This morning, we visit Sakkara, one of the most exciting historical and archaeological
areas in all of Egypt. Dominated by the
famous Step Pyramid of Djoser, this was
the first pyramid to be built in ancient
Egypt – preceding those at Giza by many
centuries. We will also have the opportunity
to visit the Tombs of the Nobles, Imhotep
Museum, and the tomb of Mastaba of Ti. This
grand and detailed private tomb is not only
Old Kingdom art at its best but also one of
our main sources of knowledge about life
in Old Kingdom Egypt. Its owner, Ti, was
overseer of the Abu Sir pyramids and sun
temples (among other things) during the
5th dynasty. In fact, the superb quality of
his tomb is in keeping with his nickname, Ti
the Rich. Remainder of the day is at leisure,
and dinner is at the hotel this evening.

After checking out of our hotel this morning,
we visit the Egyptian Museum, which
houses the treasures of Tutankhamun, often
referred to as the “Boy King”. The museum if
comprised of more than 250,000 pieces and
artifacts from King Tutankhamun’s tomb, and
treasures hidden for thousands of years. After
a light lunch, we head to the airport to join
our early afternoon flight to Luxor. On arrival,
we are transferred to our hotel – The Sonesta
St George, overlooking the Nile, offering
wonderful views from the hotel swimming
pool and bar. This evening, we visit the Luxor
Temple. The Luxor and Karnak temples are
two incredible “open air museums” linked by
the 2.7km long Avenue of Sphinxes, originally
lined with over 1,000 sphinx statues

This morning, we visit the Museum of Luxor,
a museum featuring items found beneath
the Luxor Temple, and from the tomb of King
Tut. Also on exhibit is a re-assembled wall from the Temple of Aten. After enjoying
lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon
is free to explore the city at leisure

This morning, having previously visited the
Luxor Temple, we now explore the Karnak
temple. It is believed to be the second-mostvisited historical site in Egypt; only the Giza
pyramid complex receives more visits. Later
this morning board we board our cruise
ship to begin our 4-night cruise on the
life-giving waters of the Nile. Each cabin has
a Nile view. Cabins include TV, Telephone,
Satellite channels, Safety deposit box,
and hairdryer. The upper deck includes a
swimming pool, spa and deck chairs to relax
and watch the life along the Nile slip by.

Today cross to the West Bank of the Nile to
the Valley of the Kings. Part of the ancient
city of Thebes, this area was the burial
site of almost all the pharaohs of the 18th,
19th, and 20th dynasties (1539–1075 BCE).
Later, continue to the Mortuary Temple
of Hatshepsut and haunting Colossi of
Memnon, which is known to make an
eerie wailing sound. Today your tour will
also include entrance into the Boy King
Tutankhamun Tomb. (no photos permitted).
Later, visit the fascinating Howard Carter’s
house. Neglected for a long time, the house
has now been restored to its former state by
the famous Egyptologist and Archaeologist
Dr Zahi Hawass and now offers a fascinating
insight into the life of Howard Carter
against an amazing 1920 backdrop.

Another unforgettable day beckons
as we visit Edfu Temple. This temple, the best preserved in all of Egypt, was
completed during the reign of Cleopatra
and has provided much knowledge of
ancient Egypt. Afternoon visit to the Kom
Ombo Temple known for its murals, bas
relief, fine Nile views and fascinating
mummified crocodiles! Later sail to Aswan

After breakfast on our boat, we visit the
Aswan Dams at the end of Lake Nasser,
the re-sited Temple of Philae dedicated to
the Goddess Isis and the granite quarries.
Delight in the serenity of an afternoon sail
on a traditional Felucca around Kitchener
Island. Also known as Nabatat or Botanical
Island, this charming island paradise was
irrigated and planted with a vast collection of
tropical trees, many from as far away as India.

Sadly, we disembark this morning after
breakfast, however we join a tour to Abu
Simbel. Abu Simbel is the site of one of the
greatest engineering feats by UNESCO. It
was built to save Egyptian monuments from
the waters of Lake Nasser, the artificial lake
created behind the Aswan High Dam that
wiped out the Kingdom of Nubia. On this
tour which includes return flights, we will see
the great temple of Ramses II, with its four
massive seated figures of the youthful Ramses,
carved into the side of the cliff, to resemble a
temple pylon and rising to 32m. Now they are
supported on an artificial domed structure,
which you will be able to enter. Later today we
transfer to our hotel, the historic Old Cataract
Hotel, where Dame Agatha Christie penned
Death on the Nile. We spend two nights here.

Today is at your leisure. Explore the
city further or simply relax and enjoy the facilities of the legendary hotel.

We depart to Cairo early afternoon where
we will stay overnight at a hotel in the
Heliopolis area close to the airport.

This morning we board our flight to
Casablanca, Morocco. After clearing Customs
and Immigration formalities, we will enjoy a
welcome lunch where you will try Moroccan
specialities such has tagine, couscous and
pastilla. This afternoon, we take an orientation
tour of the city’s highlights including a visit
to Hassan II Mosque. We continue on along
the Moroccan Atlantic Coast to the modern
capital of Rabat where we will stay overnight.

This morning, we visit the Royal Palace and
Hassan Tower before continuing our drive
north to Chefchaouen. Nestled high in the
Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is famous for its
buildings washed in bright shades of blue.
We check in to our hotel late afternoon and
there is time to freshen up prior to dinner.

Enjoy a day to explore Chefchaouen, fondly
known as one of the prettiest towns in
Morocco. Discover Plaza Outa el-Hammam,
the main square named for the number of
hammams (public baths) which used to
encircle it, we visit the Grand Mosque and
tour the kasbah’s garden, museum, and
even some of its old prison cells. Ascend
the path leading to the abandoned white
Spanish Mosque and enjoy views over
Chefchaouen. We return to the hotel in the
afternoon and the rest of the day is at leisure.

We have a relaxed morning before we
start our journey to Fez. In its heyday,
Fez attracted scholars and philosophers,
mathematicians and lawyers, astronomers
and theologians and it’s here in this
walled city that you will find the oldest
university in the world. A UNESCO World
Heritage Site, Fez will transport you back
to medieval times. This evening, we
enjoy a dinner of Moroccan specialties
as well as folklore and belly dancing.

On our guided tour of this “City of The
Mind”, we visit the Medina and the walled
city of hidden courtyards, mosques and
tiny workshops and the ancient bazaar.
This afternoon is at leisure – maybe think
about an optional visit to a Berber village.

Today we drive through the foothills of
the Atlas Mountains, past mud walled
villages and onto Marrakech for a
two-night stay. Africa’s most popular
year-round sun resort, it was once the
favourite spot of Winston Churchill.

On a guided tour this morning we see the
Koutobia Minaret, visit the Saadi Tombs
and explore the Medina with its many
souks. The tour ends in Jemaa Square
where acrobats, dancers and fortune tellers
entertain you. This afternoon is at leisure.

Today we travel west to the Atlantic coast
and the former pirate’s lair of Essaouira, one of Morocco’s most attractive coastal
cities. Crenelated walls, special wind, houses
with white and blue facades, Essaouira,
the ancient Mogador is the “Bride of
the Atlantic”. It is one of those coastal
cities where the unique atmosphere and
water activities seamlessly blend. We
enjoy two-nights in this beautiful city.

Today is free for you to explore Essaouira.
Head to the harbour and witness the
daily auction in motion at the fish
markets, browse the many shops and
art galleries in the maze of alleyways and
appreciate the Portuguese, French and
Berber influence in the architecture.

We journey back to Casablanca today.
The afternoon is free on arrival, for you to
further explore this seafront city, before
we meet up for our final dinner together,
before we start the journey home.

A leisurely morning, before we make our
way to the airport to join our early afternoon
flight to Dubai. Arrival time is early morning
on 03 April, and we have arranged hotel
rooms, located inside the airport terminal.
There is time for a few hours rest.

Time for the last leg of our journey. Our
flight departs at approx. 10.00am