Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Cairo
Your representative will meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel in a comfortable air-conditioned car, which gives you a good introduction to Cairo's busy streets. After settling in and checking out your room, you'll meet with your tour leader to go over what's coming up tomorrow. The evening is open for relaxing at your hotel, or you can arrange an optional tour to catch the Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids if you're interested.
Optional Activities
- Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids
Landmarks/POIs Pyramids of Giza - Day 2
Cairo: Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum & Overnight Train to Luxor
Following breakfast, you'll head out to see the Pyramids and explore structures that have stood for over 4,500 years. The Sphinx and Temple of the Valley come next, then a stop at a Papyrus Institute where you'll learn how ancient Egyptians created the world's first writing paper. The Egyptian Museum is after that, where Tutankhamon's treasures are on display. You'll have some free time during lunch before heading to the train station to board your overnight sleeper train to Luxor. Dinner and your night's sleep happen on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner on sleeper train)
Included Activities
- Visit Pyramids of Giza
- Visit Sphinx
- Visit Temple of the Valley
- Visit Papyrus Institute
- Visit Egyptian Museum
- Guided tour with expert English-speaking guide
Optional Activities
- Inside of a Pyramid (extra cost)
- Tutankhamon's Tomb (extra cost)
- Seti I Tomb (extra cost)
- Ramses VI Tomb (extra cost)
Landmarks/POIs Great Pyramids of Giza Great Sphinx of Giza Temple of the Valley Egyptian Museum - Day 3
Luxor: Temples & Nile River Cruise
You'll arrive in Luxor early and have breakfast right on the train before disembarking. Luxor Temple sits in what was once the center of ancient Thebes, and you'll walk through it to get a sense of how the pharaohs lived. After boarding your cruise ship and having lunch, the afternoon takes you to Karnak Temple. This site holds the largest collection of religious structures from ancient Egypt, complete with the Sacred Scarab, a holy lake, and various chapels and temples. Dinner and your overnight stay are on the cruise ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board train), Lunch (Lunch on board cruise ship), Dinner (Dinner on board cruise ship)
Included Activities
- Visit Luxor Temple
- Transfer to cruise ship and check-in
- Visit Karnak Temple
- Guided tour with expert English-speaking guide
Landmarks/POIs Luxor Temple Karnak Temple - Day 4
Valley of the Kings, Queens & Nile Sailing
After breakfast on board, you'll head out early to the Valley of the Kings, which served as a burial ground for ancient royalty. More than 80 royal tombs are carved into the rock here, with hieroglyphics covering the interior walls. From there, you'll continue to the Valley of the Queens and get a view of the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, built by Egypt's only female pharaoh. The Colossos of Memnon, two 18-metre-high stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, come next before you return to the ship for lunch. In the afternoon, you'll sail toward the Esna Lock while taking in Nile views. Dinner and overnight on the cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board cruise ship), Lunch (Lunch on board cruise ship), Dinner (Dinner on board cruise ship)
Included Activities
- Visit Valley of the Kings
- Visit Valley of the Queens
- Panoramic tour of Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Visit Colossos of Memnon
- Nile River sailing towards Esna Lock
- Guided tour with expert English-speaking guide
Optional Activities
- Tutankhamon's Tomb entrance (extra cost)
- Seti I Tomb entrance (extra cost)
- Ramses VI Tomb entrance (extra cost)
Landmarks/POIs Valley of the Kings Valley of the Queens Temple of Queen Hatshepsut Colossos of Memnon Esna Lock - Day 5
Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples
Following breakfast on board, you'll take a horse-drawn carriage to Edfu Temple, which honors Horus and ranks as one of Egypt's best-preserved temples. Lunch happens back on the boat, then you'll reach Kom Ombo to see the twin temples dedicated to Sobek the Crocodile God and Haoeris the God of Light. You'll have time to shop and negotiate prices at the local bazaar on your way back. Tonight brings a Djellaba Party celebration on board. Dinner and overnight on the cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board cruise ship), Lunch (Lunch on board cruise ship), Dinner (Dinner on board cruise ship)
Included Activities
- Horse-drawn carriage ride to Edfu Temple
- Visit Edfu Temple
- Visit Kom Ombo temples
- Djellaba Party on board
- Guided tour with expert English-speaking guide
Optional Activities
- Bazaar shopping for souvenirs
Landmarks/POIs Edfu Temple Kom Ombo Temple - Day 6
Aswan: Cataracts, Granite Quarry, High Dam & Nubian Village
You'll have breakfast on board, then explore Aswan, Egypt's southernmost city, known for its nice setting. A traditional Felucca boat takes you around the Cataracts and past various islands in the river. Next up is the Granite Quarry where you can see the Unfinished Obelisk and find out how ancient Egyptians carved stone. The High Dam of Aswan comes after that, showing the engineering project that gave Egyptians control over the Nile's flow. Following lunch on board, there's a chance to visit the Nubian Village and see how people actually live there in their colorful mud-brick houses along the Nile. Dinner and overnight on the cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board cruise ship), Lunch (Lunch on board cruise ship), Dinner (Dinner on board cruise ship)
Included Activities
- Felucca boat ride around Cataracts and islands
- Visit Granite Quarry and Unfinished Obelisk
- Visit High Dam of Aswan
- Guided tour with expert English-speaking guide
Optional Activities
- Visit Nubian Village
Landmarks/POIs Aswan Cataracts Granite Quarry Unfinished Obelisk High Dam of Aswan Nubian Village - Day 7
Aswan to Cairo: Optional Abu Simbel & Free Time at Khan El Khalili Bazaar
Breakfast happens on board this morning, and you have the option to take an optional tour to the Temples of Abu Simbel on Lake Nasser's shores. Later in the day, you'll fly back to Cairo. After landing at Cairo Airport, transportation takes you to your hotel. The afternoon gives you time to walk through Khan El Khalili Bazaar and grab any final souvenirs you want. You'll stay overnight in Cairo.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board cruise ship)
Included Activities
- Flight from Aswan to Cairo
Optional Activities
- Temples of Abu Simbel tour
Landmarks/POIs Temples of Abu Simbel Khan El Khalili Bazaar - Day 8
Departure from Cairo
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll head to Cairo International Airport for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast or picnic box depending on flight time)
Landmarks/POIs Cairo International Airport
