Itinerary
- Day 1
Cairo
You'll arrive at Cairo Airport and head straight to your hotel for check-in. Spend the rest of the day settling in and getting comfortable. There's a swimming pool if you feel like taking a dip to refresh after your travel, or you can just relax in your room and adjust to the local time.
- Day 2
Cairo to Alexandria
Drive up to Alexandria on the Mediterranean Coast this morning for a guided tour covering the Roman catacombs, Pompey's Pillar, and the Library of Alexandria. After exploring those sites, you'll take a leisurely walk along the corniche and stop at the Citadel of Quaitbey. Head back to Cairo in time for dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Roman catacombs
- Visit Pompey's Pillar
- Visit Library of Alexandria
- Explore Citadel of Quaitbey
- Drive along the corniche
Optional Activities
- Interior visit to Library of Alexandria (if open to public during stop)
Landmarks/POIs Roman Catacombs Pompey's Pillar Library of Alexandria Citadel of Quaitbey Lighthouse of Alexandria - Day 3
Alexandria to Cairo
Travel to El Alamein to visit the Commonwealth War Graves and learn about the World War II battles that took place here. The El Alamein military museum is next on the itinerary, where you'll see war vehicles, weapons, uniforms, and historical records. You'll return to Cairo in the afternoon, giving you time to rest before dinner.
Included Activities
- Visit Commonwealth War Graves of El Alamein
- Tour El Alamein military museum
Landmarks/POIs Commonwealth War Graves of El Alamein El Alamein military museum - Day 4
Cairo
This is your free day in Cairo. You can hang around the hotel pool and relax, or get out and explore the city on your own schedule. If you'd prefer a structured activity, there's an optional Backstreets of Cairo tour that departs at 10am and takes you through local neighborhoods and hidden corners.
Optional Activities
- Backstreets of Cairo tour (departs 10am) - visit Downtown Cairo, mosques and monuments of El Moez Street in Islamic Cairo, Garbage City, and Cave Church of St. Simon
Landmarks/POIs El Moez Street Cave Church of St. Simon - Day 5
Giza - Saqqara
Head out to Giza Plateau early to see the iconic pyramids and the Sphinx, including the massive Cheops pyramid. Continue on to Saqqara where you'll explore tombs, temples, and Djoser's step pyramid. You'll also visit a government-supervised Papyrus Museum to see how these documents were created. It's a full day of ancient history.
Included Activities
- Visit Giza Plateau pyramids and Sphinx
- Visit Cheops (Khufu) pyramid
- Explore Saqqara site with tombs and temples
- Visit Djoser's step pyramid
- Visit government supervised Papyrus Museum
Landmarks/POIs Great Pyramids of Giza Cheops Pyramid (Khufu) Sphinx Saqqara Djoser's Step Pyramid - Day 6
Cairo to Aswan
Start your day at the Grand Egyptian Museum near the pyramids, then move on to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to see mummies, statues, jewelry, and sarcophagi. In the evening, you'll board the night train heading to Aswan. This gives you time to settle into your compartment and rest during the overnight journey.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Grand Egyptian Museum
- Visit Egyptian Museum in Cairo
Landmarks/POIs Grand Egyptian Museum Egyptian Museum - Day 7
Aswan
You'll arrive in Aswan and take a short boat trip to Agilika Island to see Philae Temple. There's a brief stop at a perfume oil emporium before you check in to your Nile Cruiser for the next three nights. After settling in, you'll have free time to wander through local souks and markets or just relax on the ship.
Included Activities
- Boat trip to Agilika Island
- Visit Philae Temple
- Stop at perfume oil emporium
Optional Activities
- Shopping in Aswan souks and markets
Landmarks/POIs Agilika Island Philae Temple - Day 8
Kom Ombo
There's an optional early morning road trip to Abu Simbel if you want to see Ramses II's rock-cut temple. The Nile cruiser departs Aswan in the afternoon and heads toward Kom Ombo. When you arrive, you'll visit the temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god. It's a day of sailing and temple exploration.
Included Activities
- Visit Kom Ombo temple
- Cruise the River Nile to Kom Ombo
Optional Activities
- Early morning excursion by road to Abu Simbel temple of King Ramses II
Landmarks/POIs Abu Simbel Kom Ombo temple - Day 9
Kom Ombo to Luxor
You'll spend most of the day relaxing and swimming in the pool on deck as you cruise down the River Nile toward Luxor. The ship arrives in the afternoon, giving you free time to explore this ancient city that's been inhabited for 4,000 years. You'll spend your final night aboard the cruiser.
Included Activities
- Cruise the River Nile to Luxor
Landmarks/POIs Valley of the Kings Temple of Karnak - Day 10
Luxor
Check into your 5-star hotel in Luxor and spend the day at your own pace. You can enjoy the hotel facilities, take it easy, or get out and see the city. In the evening, there's an optional visit to the illuminated Luxor Temple with dinner afterwards, but you'll need to book and pay for that locally.
Optional Activities
- Visit Luxor Temple at night with dinner afterwards (book and pay locally)
Landmarks/POIs Luxor Temple - Day 11
Cairo
Start early to explore the West Bank of the Nile, visiting the Valley of the Kings with its decorated tombs, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Later in the afternoon, you'll visit the colossal Temple of Karnak. In the evening, board the overnight train back to Cairo.
Included Activities
- Tour West Bank of the Nile
- Visit Valley of the Kings
- View Colossi of Memnon
- Visit Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Visit Temple of Karnak
Landmarks/POIs Valley of the Kings Colossi of Memnon Temple of Queen Hatshepsut Temple of Karnak - Day 12
Cairo
You'll arrive back in Cairo where the day is yours to use however you like. Relax at your hotel, wander around the capital, or take advantage of an optional visit to Khan el Khalili bazaar if you want to pick up last-minute souvenirs before heading home.
Optional Activities
- Visit Khan el Khalili bazaar for souvenir shopping
Landmarks/POIs Khan el Khalili bazaar - Day 13
Cairo
Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your departure flight home.
