Itinerary
- Day 1
Cairo
You'll arrive in Cairo and transfer directly to the Ritz Carlton Nile, where you're staying for the next three nights. This five-star property sits right on the Nile, so you'll have great views from your room. After checking in and settling down, the rest of the day is yours to adjust to the time zone and explore the hotel's facilities.
- Day 2
Cairo
Head out early to Saqqara to see the step pyramid, which is the oldest one standing. From there, you'll drive to the Giza Plateau where the Great Pyramids and Great Sphinx dominate the landscape. You'll take a camel ride around these monuments to get that classic Egyptian experience, then return to your hotel by evening. It's a long but incredible day seeing Egypt's most iconic structures.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided excursion to Saqqara necropolis and Step Pyramid
- Visit to Giza Plateau and Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure
- View of the Great Sphinx
- Brief camel ride at Giza Plateau
Landmarks Saqqara Step Pyramid Great Pyramid of Khufu Great Pyramid of Khafre Great Pyramid of Menkaure Great Sphinx 
- Day 3
Cairo
This day focuses on Cairo itself. You'll visit the Citadel of the Mountain and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, then spend time at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities where you can see King Tutankhamen's treasures. By evening, there's an optional trip to Khan el-Khalili bazaar if you want to wander through the markets and have traditional Egyptian dinner, or you can skip it and rest at the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of the Citadel of the Mountain
- Visit to the Mosque of Muhammad Ali
- Tour of the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities
- View of King Tutankhamen gallery
Optional Activities
- Visit to Khan el-Khalili outdoor souk (bazaar) with guide orientation
- View Al-Azhar Mosque
- Traditional Egyptian dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks Citadel of the Mountain Mosque of Muhammad Ali Museum of Egyptian Antiquities Khan el-Khalili Al-Azhar Mosque - Day 4
Cairo to Luxor
Early flight takes you south to Luxor. Once there, you'll tour the temples of Luxor and Karnak with an Egyptologist who can explain the hieroglyphics and history. After touring, you'll board your Nile cruise ship for lunch, then visit the Luxor Library and Heritage Center before dinner on board. It's a full day but you'll have your floating hotel as a base from here on.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Welcome lunch at Nile cruise ship), Dinner (Onboard dinner)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Temples of Luxor
- Guided tour of Temples of Karnak
- Check-in at Nile cruise ship
- Excursion to Luxor Library and Heritage Center
Landmarks Temples of Luxor Temples of Karnak Luxor Library and Heritage Center 
- Day 5
Luxor
You'll visit the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, with special access to Queen Nefertari's tomb which has some of the best-preserved paintings from ancient Egypt. After that, you'll see the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Later in the day, the ship continues sailing south toward Qena, giving you time to relax on deck and take in the Nile scenery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Onboard lunch), Dinner (Onboard dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit to Valley of the Kings
- Visit to Valley of the Queens
- Privileged Access to tomb of Queen Nefertari
- Visit to Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Nile cruise toward Qena
Optional Activities
- Early-morning hot air balloon ride over Luxor's temples and monuments (weather permitting)
Landmarks Valley of the Kings Valley of the Queens Tomb of Queen Nefertari Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut - Day 6
Dendera
The ship stops at Dendera so you can explore the Temple of Hathor, a large complex built during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. You'll walk through the temple's stone gates, see the towering columns, and check out the carved hieroglyphics on the walls. After a few hours exploring, you'll return to the ship and continue sailing north.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Dendera complex
- Visit to Temple of Hathor
Landmarks Dendera Temple of Hathor - Day 7
Esna
You'll disembark at Esna to see the Temple of Khnum, which has a red sandstone exterior and an impressive hall with 24 carved columns inside. You have flexibility here, either spending time at the temple at your own pace or joining a guided walk through Esna Village to see the local market and get a feel for daily life along the Nile.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Temple of Khnum
- Exploration of Hypostyle Hall with 24 columns
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Temple of Khnum
- Walking tour of Esna Village
- Visit to Esna covered street market
Landmarks Temple of Khnum - Day 8
Aswan
After arriving in Aswan, you can choose how to spend your day. Option one is visiting the High Dam and local market, plus taking a felucca sailing trip on the Nile. Option two is taking an excursion to Abu Simbel to see the Great Temple of Ramses II with its four massive 60-foot statues cut into the cliff. By evening, there's an optional sound and light show at Philae Temple if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner onboard)
Optional Activities
- Visit to Aswan High Dam
- Visit to local market
- Scenic Nile cruise on traditional Egyptian felucca (wooden sailboat)
- Excursion to Abu Simbel and Great Temple of Ramses II
- Sound and light show at Philae Temple
Landmarks Aswan High Dam Great Temple of Ramses II Philae Temple 
- Day 9
Aswan to Kom Ombo
You'll visit a Nubian village to see the local school and a family home, which gives real insight into how people live here. Then you'll tour Philae Temple, which is dedicated to the goddess Isis and was rescued from flooding by Lake Nasser. After cruising, you'll reach Kom Ombo and explore its unusual temple that was built for two different gods, which is architecturally unique.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch onboard), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Nubian village
- Visit to local elementary school
- Visit to local home
- Visit to Philae Temple - Temple of Isis
- Scenic Nile cruising
- Guided tour of Kom Ombo double temple
Landmarks Philae Temple Temple of Isis Kom Ombo - Day 10
Edfu
A traditional horse-drawn carriage takes you to the Temple of Horus, a well-preserved temple from the Ptolemaic period with a massive entrance wall and two falcon statues guarding it. There's an optional market tour with the ship's chef where you can see ingredients for tonight's dinner service. The rest of the day involves cruising through the lush green landscape along the Nile's banks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Planned tasting menu)
Included Activities
- Horse-drawn carriage (calèche) ride to Temple of Horus
- Tour of Temple of Horus
Optional Activities
- Visit to Edfu market with resident chef to preview tasting menu
Landmarks Temple of Horus 
- Day 11
Luxor to Cairo
Early morning you'll disembark in Luxor and fly back to Cairo, checking into the Cairo Citystars Hotel. You'll have a buffet lunch at the hotel, then the afternoon is flexible, you can either relax or join an optional tour of the Coptic Quarter and Jewish Synagogue. Dinner is included and the evening is yours to do as you please.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Buffet-style lunch), Dinner
Included Activities
- Buffet-style lunch at hotel
Optional Activities
- Tour of Coptic Quarter
- Visit to Jewish Synagogue
Landmarks Coptic Quarter - Day 12
Cairo
After breakfast, you'll head to the airport for your return flight home. If you want to extend the trip, there's an option to stay four more nights in Jordan and visit Petra, the lost city carved into red rock. Either way, this marks the end of your Egyptian journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- 4-night extension to Jordan to visit Petra (lost city)
Landmarks Petra
