Itinerary
- Day 1
Cairo
You'll arrive in Cairo and get picked up in a climate-controlled vehicle for the drive to your hotel. Your English-speaking guide will fill you in on what's coming up and you'll catch your first views of this historic city along the Nile.
Optional Activities
- Sound and Light show at the Pyramids
- Day 2
Pyramids
After breakfast you're heading out to see the Pyramids of Giza and learn how the ancient Egyptians actually built these structures. The Sphinx and Temple of the Valley are on the agenda too. You'll have free time to either go inside the pyramids or take a trip to Memphis and Saqqara if you're interested. Head back to the hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the hotel)
Included Activities
- Pyramids of Giza tour
- Sphinx visit
- Temple of the Valley visit
Optional Activities
- Interior pyramid visit (entrance fee not included)
- Open air museum of Memphis
- Step Pyramid at Saqqara
Landmarks/POIs Pyramids of Giza Sphinx Temple of the Valley Memphis Step Pyramid at Saqqara - Day 3
Cairo
Breakfast first, then you'll spend the morning at the Egyptian Museum checking out Tutankhamon's treasures and going through thousands of years of Egyptian history. In the afternoon you'll head to the Citadel of Saladin to see the Alabaster Mosque and get views across Cairo from up there. Back to your hotel to rest overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the hotel)
Optional Activities
- Egyptian Museum tour
- Citadel of Saladin tour
Landmarks/POIs Egyptian Museum Citadel of Saladin Alabaster Mosque - Day 4
Cairo to Aswan
This morning you're flying from Cairo down to Aswan. Once you arrive, you'll visit the Granite Quarry to see how ancient workers cut stone. Then you'll board your Nile cruise and settle in. Lunch happens on the boat, followed by a relaxing sail on a traditional felucca around the Nile Cataracts and Elephantine Island. Dinner is served on board.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on board), Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Granite Quarry visit
- Felucca sail around Nile Cataracts and Elephantine Island
Landmarks/POIs Granite Quarry Nile Cataracts Elephantine Island - Day 5
Aswan to Kom Ombo
Breakfast on the cruise. If you're interested, there's an optional early tour to Abu Simbel to see Ramesses II's temples that UNESCO rescued from flooding. On the way back you'll stop at the High Dam. Lunch is on board, then the boat sails to Kom Ombo where you'll visit the unusual twin temples in the afternoon. There's also a mummified crocodile museum and a Nilometer to check out. Dinner and another night on the cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board), Lunch (Lunch on board), Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Kom Ombo twin temples tour
- Mummified crocodile museum visit
- Nilometer visit
Optional Activities
- Early morning tour to Abu Simbel
- High Dam visit
Landmarks/POIs Abu Simbel High Dam Aswan Kom Ombo temples Nilometer - Day 6
Kom Ombo to Luxor
After breakfast on board you'll travel to Horus Temple in Edfu, which is one of Egypt's best-kept ancient shrines. Your guide will explain the wall carvings and what they tell you about Egyptian language, mythology, and beliefs. Lunch comes next on the boat as you sail toward Esna Lock, where you can watch other vessels move between different water levels. You'll reach Luxor by late afternoon. Dinner and overnight back on the cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board), Lunch (Lunch on board), Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Horus Temple in Edfu tour
- Esna Lock observation
Landmarks/POIs Horus Temple Esna Lock - Day 7
Luxor
You'll have breakfast on board, then your Egyptologist guide takes you to the Valley of the Kings where they found Tutankhamon's tomb. There are over 60 pharaonic tombs to explore and many have hieroglyphics that are still in great condition. After that you're seeing Queen Hatshepsut's columned temple, the Colossi of Memnon, and the massive Karnak complex with its famous Hypostyle Hall. Last stop is Luxor Temple before flying back to Cairo in the evening. You'll check into your hotel there.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board)
Included Activities
- Valley of the Kings tour
- Queen Hatshepsut's Temple visit
- Colossi of Memnon visit
- Karnak temple complex tour
- Luxor Temple visit
Landmarks/POIs Valley of the Kings Tutankhamon's Tomb Queen Hatshepsut's Temple Colossi of Memnon Karnak Hypostyle Hall Luxor Temple - Day 8
Cairo
Breakfast at the hotel, then you're out walking through Cairo's lively streets with your guide. Old Cairo is UNESCO-recognized for its medieval Islamic architecture and you'll wander through that area. Spend some time at Khan el Khalili Bazaar haggling over prices if you want, exploring the narrow passages, or just sitting at a café. Back to the hotel for another night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the Hotel)
Included Activities
- Old Cairo walking tour
- Khan el Khalili Bazaar visit
Landmarks/POIs Old Cairo Khan el Khalili Bazaar - Day 9
Departure
After breakfast the hotel arranges your private transfer to the airport and helps you with check-in. Time to head home.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in hotel)
