Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Cairo
You'll arrive at Cairo International Airport and get picked up for transfer to your budget hotel. Once you've settled in, the rest of the day is yours to relax or take a walk around the neighborhood and start getting a feel for Cairo's energy and rhythm.
Optional Activities
- Short walk around local area to explore Cairo's atmosphere
- Day 2
Cairo to Aswan
After breakfast, head to the Giza Plateau to see the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. From there you'll visit the Grand Egyptian Museum to check out King Tutankhamun's treasures and other artifacts. Later in the evening, transfer to the railway station and board an overnight sleeper train heading to Aswan, with dinner and breakfast included during the journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at Cairo hotel), Dinner (Dinner on overnight sleeper train), Breakfast (Breakfast on overnight sleeper train)
Included Activities
- Visit to Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure at Giza Plateau
- Guided tour with private guide learning about pyramid mysteries and legends
- View of the Sphinx
- Visit to Grand Egyptian Museum with thousands of artifacts including treasures of King Tutankhamun
- Overnight sleeper train journey to Aswan with dinner and breakfast on board
Landmarks/POIs Great Pyramids of Giza Great Pyramid of Khufu Pyramid of Khafre Pyramid of Menkaure The Sphinx Grand Egyptian Museum - Day 3
Aswan
You'll arrive in Aswan this morning and meet your guide at the train station. Start by visiting Nubian Village where you can see colorful painted houses and learn about local traditions and culture. In the afternoon, take a boat ride out to Elephantine Island to walk through ancient temples and gardens. By evening, transfer to your Nile cruise ship for check-in and dinner on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on overnight sleeper train), Dinner (Dinner on board Nile cruise ship)
Included Activities
- Visit to Nubian Village with guide
- Stroll through narrow streets and learn about Nubian traditions
- Boat ride to Elephantine Island
- Exploration of ancient temples and archaeological sites on Elephantine Island
- Transfer to Nile cruise ship and check-in
- Dinner on board Nile cruise
Landmarks/POIs Nubian Village Elephantine Island - Day 4
Abu Simbel and Nile Cruise
Early in the morning, there's an optional trip to Abu Simbel to see Ramses II and Queen Nefertari's twin temples carved into the mountainside cliffs near the Sudanese border. You'll learn how these temples got moved in the 1960s to keep them from being submerged by Lake Nasser. After you return to Aswan, head back to your cruise ship and sail north, passing palm groves and villages while having meals on board and taking in the scenery.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board), Lunch (Lunch on board), Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Nile cruise sailing north from Aswan
- Meals served on board cruise
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Abu Simbel temples with guide
Landmarks/POIs Abu Simbel Temples Temple of Ramses II Temple of Queen Nefertari - Day 5
Luxor West Bank
Following breakfast on board, the cruise reaches Luxor. You'll spend the morning on the West Bank exploring the Valley of the Kings where pharaohs like Tutankhamun were buried, then see the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut built into the cliffs and the Colossi of Memnon statues. The afternoon gives you time to relax or explore more on your own before heading back to the ship for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board), Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Visit to Valley of the Kings with tombs of pharaohs including Tutankhamun
- Guided tour of Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Stop at Colossi of Memnon
- Guided tour with stories of Egypt's female pharaoh and her reign
Optional Activities
- Afternoon leisure exploration of Luxor at own pace
Landmarks/POIs Valley of the Kings Tomb of Tutankhamun Temple of Queen Hatshepsut Colossi of Memnon - Day 6
Luxor East Bank and Return to Cairo
This morning walk through Luxor's East Bank starting at the Karnak Temple Complex with its Avenue of Sphinxes, towering columns, and carved walls. Next, head to the Luxor Temple which looks particularly nice in the morning sun. Your guide will share details about ancient rituals and the different dynasties. In the afternoon, check out from the cruise and transfer to Luxor train station to board the overnight sleeper train back to Cairo with dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board), Dinner (Dinner on overnight sleeper train)
Included Activities
- Visit to Karnak Temple Complex dedicated to Theban gods
- Walk along Avenue of Sphinxes at Karnak
- Guided tour of Karnak Temple Complex with stories of ancient rituals and dynasties
- Visit to Luxor Temple
- Overnight sleeper train journey to Cairo with dinner on board
Landmarks/POIs Karnak Temple Complex Avenue of Sphinxes Luxor Temple - Day 7
Cairo City Tour
You'll arrive in Cairo this morning and transfer from the train station to your hotel to freshen up. Then visit the Egyptian Museum to see King Tutankhamun's golden mask and other ancient artifacts from thousands of years of history. After that, explore Islamic Cairo with its historic mosques, busy bazaars, and traditional architecture, including Khan El Khalili Bazaar where you can shop for souvenirs and spices. Return to your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on overnight sleeper train)
Included Activities
- Visit to Egyptian Museum with golden mask of Tutankhamun and thousands of artifacts
- Guided tour of Egyptian Museum with stories of priceless relics
- Exploration of Islamic Cairo district
- Stroll through Khan El Khalili Bazaar
Landmarks/POIs Egyptian Museum Khan El Khalili Bazaar Islamic Cairo - Day 8
Free Time in Cairo
This day is yours to use however you'd like. Start with breakfast at your hotel, then you can relax and take it easy or explore Cairo on your own terms. Walk through local neighborhoods, try some authentic Egyptian street food, or go back to places you really enjoyed. If you want something more structured, optional activities can be arranged.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel)
Optional Activities
- Relaxation and leisure at hotel
- Independent exploration of local neighborhoods
- Sampling of authentic Egyptian street food
- Revisit favorite sites from earlier in tour
- Shopping for souvenirs at bazaars
- Tasting traditional Egyptian sweets
- Optional day trip to Alexandria
- Optional visit to Citadel of Saladin
- Optional relaxing felucca ride on the Nile
- Day 9
Departure from Cairo
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll have some free time depending on when your flight leaves. Use it to take a short walk around Cairo or just sit back and think about your 9-day trip. At the right time, your representative will meet you and take you to Cairo International Airport for your departure flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel)
Optional Activities
- Short stroll nearby
- Leisure time at hotel reflecting on the trip
