Egypt is a travel destination paradise for history lovers, thanks to its vast collection of historical sites and archaeological treasures that you can visit.
The best way to experience Egypt is, in our minds, on a luxury Nile River Cruise. You will be mesmerized by the banks of the mighty Nile, the longest river in the world, the splendor of the pyramids, and ancient temples. You can view the most iconic sights of ancient Egypt while being guided by a Local Insight Expert, and you’ll receive access to special exclusive experiences with an Insight Vacations tour.
There are so many reasons why our travel consultants believe this is the best way to experience Egypt! Keep reading this blog to learn all about why Insight is one of our favorite suppliers and their once-in-a-lifetime tour options to Egypt.
One Thing We Love About Traveling with Insight Vacations…
Insight Vacations believes that great travel involves more than just simply going to incredible destinations. It also includes the authentic connections you make along the journey and the way you spend each and every day! From genuine personal connections that expand your mind to spending time in chic accommodations that soothe your spirit, Insight Vacations create well-rounded and fulfilling experiences for travelers.
You’ll Enjoy Truly One-of-a-Kind Cultural Experiences in Egypt
You can choose from a staggering array of more than 100 unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that are available for Insight Vacations travelers!
You can meet intriguing locals and be invited into their homes and meet their families, or enjoy genuine village sun bread in Luxor, Egypt while being entertained with tales of village life.
These are just a couple of examples; there are so many unique travel experiences you can have when traveling with Insight Vacations that will promise a travel experience you’ll never forget!
We Love that Sustainability Matters to Insight Vacations
One thing our travel consultants love about Insight Vacations is their strong belief that tourism should be used as a force for good. Long before your trip even starts, the positive impact of your trip has already begun. Insight’s printed brochures are made entirely of recycled fiber, which helps preserve the environment and the conservation of resources. You won’t find any single-use plastics, both in Insight offices and during your tours. Your travel paperwork will be sent to you electronically when you make a reservation with Insight; by choosing to travel paper-free, you are assisting Insight in its efforts to minimize its environmental effect. You can feel good while traveling with Insight Vacations!
You Can Expect Truly Hassle-Free Travel
When traveling to Egypt with Insight, your Travel Director, a true friend to you abroad, makes sure that your trip is wonderful and easy-going, from beginning to conclusion. They manage all arrangements for you down to the last detail (and speak the native tongue well!). Equipped with plenty of suggestions for how to spend your leisure time, your knowledgeable travel director can tailor your trip exactly to your wishes.
This is one of the best parts about traveling with Insight Vacations that our travel consultants believe is invaluable – your Insight Vacations Travel Director will make sure you experience the best of what Egypt has to offer, at your own pace!
You’ll Travel in Comfort and Style
Insight Vacations’ goal is for your vacation to Egypt to be as comfortable and carefree as possible. Insight handles all of the driving, so you can relax, unwind and take in the views while traveling to your next amazing destination.
Their specially-designed motorcoaches are ideal for smaller parties to travel in comfort. You’ll enjoy unrestricted views while sitting high above the traffic and receive twice the legroom and personal space of a typical coach!
There are now 13 fewer seats in the motorcoaches, allowing you to stretch out in true luxury and take in the breathtaking scenery. You can utilize the free onboard Wi-Fi to stay in touch with loved ones while maintaining your personal comfort levels with your own air conditioning!
MS Medea: Sail the Nile in Luxury
In Egypt, get transported back to ancient times with a cruise down the mighty Nile river, the best way to see all that Egypt has to offer. You’ll step off the motorcoach and onto the MS Medea, one of the most luxurious boats to sail the Nile.
From the comfort of your cabin, you’ll be able to gaze out the large windows that face the always-changing landscapes of the Nile valley. On the upper deck, the sun deck runs the length and width of the ship and features a lovely swimming pool and bar surrounded with elegant cane tables, chairs, and sun loungers for your relaxation. You will also find a state-of-the-art fitness center on the top deck.
This boat provides a truly sophisticated environment for your Nile tour. It is elegantly decorated with plush textiles, oak paneling, and classic-style furnishings. There are 120 seats available in the restaurant, which combines waiter service and buffet meals. Travelers can choose between both Egyptian and international food, experiencing a taste of the local culture whenever they like!
An Egyptian folklore show and belly dancing are among the nighttime entertainment options available to you in the main lounge. It also features a dance floor for dancing the night away after enjoying the evening shows. The separate bar area features cozy Chesterfield sofas and a panoramic view of the banks of the Nile, which is a tranquil setting for reading and relaxing.
Where You’ll Stay: Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino
When you aren’t spending time enjoying the fantastic boat, you will stay at the Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino, a five-star hotel offering luxurious accommodations for your stay in Egypt. Luxury bedding, free Wi-Fi, and round-the-clock room service are provided to you in these contemporary hotel rooms. Many rooms even have balconies with views of the Nile, city, or gardens! You can enjoy the on-site amenities, which include a stylish casino, an outdoor lap pool, a spa, and a 24-hour gym.
As soon as you enter the lobby of the 5-star luxury hotel in downtown Cairo you’ll be treated like royalty and transported back to Egypt in 1869.
Splendors of Egypt: 12-Day Guided Tour
On this 12-day guided tour, you’ll discover the wonders of ancient Egypt. You will travel down the Nile, stopping for a classic high tea at the Old Cataract Hotel just like Agatha Christie and Winston Churchill had been known to. You’ll visit sites in the Valley of Kings, where pharaohs, including the well-known Tutankhamun, are buried. You’ll also see one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza, and stop in Cairo to see the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest pyramid in the world, as well as many other incredible ancient sites. With Insight Vacations, you’ll experience the many spendors of Egypt for a memorable travel experience you’ll never forget.
Day 1 – Cairo
After landing at Cairo International Airport you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. Welcome to Cairo – you will now be officially ready to start experiencing the ancient wonders of Egypt!
Day 2 – Cairo to Luxor
On Day 2, you’ll hop on a short flight to Luxor in the morning and explore the divine Karnak Temples complex and stand among the columns of the Hypostyle Hall.
After an amazing half-day of sightseeing, you’ll transfer to your cruise ship for lunch. After lunch, enjoy a stroll through the Luxor Museum to see incredible artifacts and learn about years of ancient Egyptian history.
You’ll then get to know your Travel Director, a knowledgeable Egyptologist, and other travelers over a Welcome Drink before dinner in the evening. Then, spend the rest of the night doing whatever you feel like! And at the end of the day, you’ll enjoy sleeping on your luxurious Nile cruise ship, where you will be spending the next seven nights.
Day 3 – Dendera and Edfu
Today will be a day filled with legend and history, starting with a visit to the Temple of Hathor in Dendera in the morning. It is one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples and features a rare depiction of Cleopatra and Caesarian, who was Cleopatra’s son and the father of Julius Caesar. You’ll return to your ship at noon and take a picturesque ride to Edfu via the Esna Lock.
Day 4 – Edfu and Aswan
You’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast as you cruise the Nile to Kom Ombo and then on to the city of Aswan. Aswan is a bustling tourist destination that offers an inviting blend of old and modern Egypt. It is well known for its archaeological treasures, including the Philae Temple Complex and the Temple of Isis. Enjoy a fun-filled Egyptian meal and Galabeya party (a tradition on Nile River Cruises where everyone buys and wears a Galabeya, a traditional Egyptian outfit) in the evening.
Day 5 – Aswan’s High Dam and Temple of Isis
Today you will see the Aswan High Dam and granite quarries to see the great unfinished obelisk. Sail on smaller boats and witness the Temple of Isis on the Island of Philae rising from the waters of the Nile.
You are free to unwind and use the amenities on board your cruise ship for the remainder of the day. Ask your Travel Director for suggestions on what to do while on board, or ask to learn more about Egypt’s rich history.
Day 6 – Aswan
During your sailing down the Nile, you will have undoubtedly seen several feluccas in the water. It’s now your turn to experience sailing on one of these traditional wooden sailing boats! On the felucca, you’ll meet a local sailor who will instruct you on the history and art of sailing.
You can enjoy high tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel as the sun begins to set, exactly as Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie did in the past. It is rumored that Christie wrote her best-selling book, “Death on the Nile,” in this hotel.
Day 7 – Aswan and Kom Ombo
On Day 7, consider joining an optional excursion to Abu Simbel this morning. The Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Hathor are two of the temples that stretch out over Lake Nasser.
Later, set sail for the unique Kom Ombo temple to see the one and only double temple in Egypt, which is devoted to Horus the Elder and Sobek, the god with a falcon’s head.
Day 8 – Luxor
Your cruise continues across the lively Nile waters. As you leisurely travel to Luxor, make use of the onboard amenities and have your cameras ready for the amazing views. Visit the Luxor Temple in the evening before docking for the night.
Day 9 – Luxor and Cairo
Disembark from your cruise this morning, then take a coach to the west bank of the epic Nile. See the Colossi of Memnon and visit the Valley of the Kings and the mesmerizing Hatshepsut Temple, where several pharaohs were buried, including Hatshepsut, Amenhotep I, and Tutankhamun. Visit the village of Geziret Bahirat and take advantage of well-known Egyptian friendliness. Share a loaf of bread with the Bahirat family and engage in conversation as they tell you about their intriguing daily lives. After that, you will take a transfer to the airport for your trip back to Cairo.
Day 10 – Cairo
You will ascend to the Citadel this morning for stunning views of the city. Visit the Alabaster Mosque, also known as the Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, who is credited with founding modern Egypt. Continue on to the Egyptian Museum where you can see magnificent artifacts uncovered in King Tutankhamun’s tomb among with several other exhibits housed here. Later, take in the captivating Sound & Light Show, which serves as a memorable introduction to the world of Ancient Egypt, and see history come to life on the pyramids.
Day 11 – Cairo and Giza
Today you will travel to Memphis, the renowned ancient capital, and witness the enormous Ramses II statue and the Great Alabaster Sphinx. The oldest pyramid in the world, the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, is near Sakkara and dates back to 2700 B.C. The beautiful pyramids of Giza can be explored in the late afternoon. Explore the rooms where the pharaohs were sent to meet their gods in the afterlife on your tour of one of these historic wonders. You’ll also get to meet the mysterious and famous Sphinx!
Day 12 – Cairo
Sadly, this is the end of your amazing journey all over Egypt. You’ll be transferred to the Cairo International Airport and then it’s time to say goodbye and look back fondly on this unforgettable experience you had in Egypt with Insight Vacations.
Egypt Travel Tip: You need a tourist visa to travel to Egypt. If you are traveling to Egypt with a regular Canadian passport, you can get a tourist visa at an Egyptian airport upon arrival. You can also obtain a visa from the nearest Egyptian Embassy or consulate prior to your departure. You may also apply for a tourist visa online via the official website of the Egyptian government before your trip.
The “Splendors of Egypt” has tour dates available in 2023 and 2024 and your TierOne Travel Consultant would love to help you plan your Egyptian adventure! This journey down the majestic Nile river is one you will cherish forever. If Egypt is on your bucket list, this is the best time to start planning your luxurious journey down the River Nile.
Please fill out the form below and a Tier One Travel Consultant will contact you to answer any questions and begin planning your bucket list trip.
ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO VISITING EGYPT AND SAILING THE NILE RIVER?
When you’re ready to book your next getaway, contact one of our TierOne Travel consultants. They will find the perfect place for your next vacation and will craft something incredible that is suited to your unique needs and will make sure your travel plans will be as stress-free as possible.
One call; endless experiences!
“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” – Anonymous
