Itinerary
- Day 1
Cairo Arrival
You'll be greeted at Cairo International Airport before you even get to passport control, where staff will help with your visa and handle your luggage. From there, a transfer takes you to your 5-star hotel in Cairo so you can settle in and relax. Light meals are available at the hotel if you want to grab something after your flight.
- Day 2
Cairo
This morning you'll head out to the Giza Plateau to see the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Pyramid of Khafre, and Pyramid of Menkaure. Your guide will walk you through their construction history and show you the ancient burial grounds and sphinxes scattered around the site. After lunch, you'll check out the new Grand Egyptian Museum to see ancient treasures, including the full collection from Tutankhamun's tomb. By evening you'll head back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch provided during the tour)
Included Activities
- Visit the pyramids of Giza plateau including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Pyramid of Khafre, and Pyramid of Menkaure
- Tour the ancient burial grounds and sphinxes at Giza
- Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum with Tutankhamun's collection
Landmarks/POIs Great Pyramid of Khufu Pyramid of Khafre Pyramid of Menkaure Great Sphinx of Giza Grand Egyptian Museum - Day 3
Cairo to Aswan
After breakfast you'll check out and catch a domestic flight to Aswan. Once you land, a transfer takes you to either the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract or Mövenpick Aswan, both luxury hotels with views overlooking the Nile. You'll spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool and taking in the panoramic views, or just soaking in the hotel's atmosphere. If you're interested, optional activities like visiting a Nubian Village or catching the Sound and Light Show at Philae Temple are available.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit a vibrant Nubian Village with colorful houses and traditional hospitality
- Attend the Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple
- Day 4
Aswan Nile Cruise Embarkation
After breakfast and checkout, you'll board your luxury 5-star Nile Cruise, which will be your floating hotel for the next several days. Your Egyptologist guide will brief you on what's coming up. This afternoon you'll explore Aswan's important sites, including Philae Temple dedicated to Isis on Agilika Island, the Unfinished Obelisk in the quarries showing how ancient workers carved stone, and the Aswan High Dam. You can optionally visit a Nubian Village before returning to the cruise for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Philae Temple dedicated to the goddess Isis on Agilika Island
- Explore the Kiosk of Trajan and Temple of Hathor at Philae
- Visit the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan's northern quarries
- Tour the Aswan High Dam and learn about its engineering and importance
Optional Activities
- Visit a vibrant Nubian Village to experience colorful houses, traditional crafts, and local hospitality with hibiscus tea
Landmarks/POIs Philae Temple Kiosk of Trajan Temple of Hathor Unfinished Obelisk Aswan High Dam - Day 5
Abu Simbel and Kom Ombo
You'll start early and head to Abu Simbel Temples, carved directly into a mountainside by Pharaoh Ramses II. You'll see the colossal statues at the entrance and walk through inner halls with carvings showing the pharaoh's victories and religious devotion. Next is the Temple of Nefertari, built for Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor. In the afternoon the cruise sails toward Kom Ombo, where you'll tour Kom Ombo Temple, built during Ptolemy VI's reign to honor the gods Sobek and Horus.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour Abu Simbel Temples carved into the mountainside by Pharaoh Ramses II
- View the colossal statues of Ramses II and explore inner halls with victory carvings
- Visit the Temple of Nefertari dedicated to Queen Nefertari and goddess Hathor
- Tour Kom Ombo Temple dedicated to gods Sobek and Horus
Landmarks/POIs Abu Simbel Temples Temple of Nefertari Kom Ombo Temple - Day 6
Edfu and Luxor
You'll arrive in Edfu early morning to visit Edfu Temple, known as the Temple of Horus and the second largest temple in ancient Egypt after Karnak. The cruise then continues sailing to Luxor, arriving around 4 pm. Later you'll tour the East Bank of the Nile, visiting the Karnak Temple Complex with its many temples and chapels, and then the beautiful Luxor Temple sitting on the East Bank.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour Edfu Temple (Temple of Horus), the second largest temple in ancient Egypt
- Visit Karnak Temple Complex including multiple temples, chapels, and buildings
- Tour Luxor Temple on the East Bank of the Nile
Landmarks/POIs Edfu Temple Karnak Temple Complex Luxor Temple - Day 7
Luxor West Bank
You'll wake up before sunrise for a hot air balloon ride over Luxor's West Bank, floating above the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, and the surrounding mountains. After you land and have breakfast, you'll explore the Valley of the Kings with its royal tombs including Tutankhamun's, the Temple of Hatshepsut built against the cliffs, and the Colossi of Memnon. Then you'll fly back to Cairo and check into the Winter Palace Luxor, a hotel with Belle Époque architecture and gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hot air balloon ride over Luxor's West Bank at sunrise
- Visit Valley of the Kings with more than 60 royal tombs
- Tour Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri
- View the Colossi of Memnon twin statues of Amenhotep III
Landmarks/POIs Valley of the Kings Temple of Hatshepsut Colossi of Memnon - Day 8
Luxor to Cairo
After breakfast you'll check out and take a morning flight back to Cairo, which takes about one hour. When you arrive at the airport, you'll be picked up and transferred to check into your 5-star Cairo hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 9
Cairo to Alexandria
After breakfast, you'll head to Alexandria, the ancient port city built in 331 BC by Alexander the Great on the Mediterranean coast. You'll see the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a large complex of rock-cut tombs with decorated columns and passages that blend Egyptian, Greek, and Roman styles. Then you'll visit Pompey's Pillar, erected for Roman Emperor Diocletian, and the Alexandrina Bibliotheca with its granite facade carved with letters and hieroglyphs from over 120 scripts. You'll have a seafood lunch by the Mediterranean before heading back to Cairo in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious seafood lunch by the Mediterranean)
Included Activities
- Tour the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa with rock-cut tombs and ornamented columns
- Visit Pompey's Pillar dedicated to Roman Emperor Diocletian
- Visit Alexandrina Bibliotheca with its carved facade and vast collection
Landmarks/POIs Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa Pompey's Pillar Alexandrina Bibliotheca - Day 10
Cairo Departure
After breakfast at your Cairo hotel, you'll check out and transfer to Cairo International Airport for your departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
