Itinerary
- Day 1
Cairo
Your driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel in Cairo. After you get settled in, the rest of the day is yours. If the flight has you feeling tired, the hotel pool and swim-up bar are right there waiting for you. Otherwise, head out and wander around Cairo at your own pace to get a feel for the city.
Optional Activities
- Explore Cairo
- Day 2
Cairo
This morning you'll meet your trip leader, then it's off to Giza to see the Great Pyramid, Khufu's tomb, and the Sphinx. Grab lunch at a local restaurant, and after that take a guided walk through historic El Moez Street where you'll check out ancient Islamic sites including a madrasa, kuttab, sabil, and hammam along with the Gates of Cairo. You'll have some free time to shop before heading back to the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Giza Pyramids Complex
- Great Pyramid of Khufu
- Sphinx
- Guided walk along El Moez Street
- Free time shopping
Landmarks/POIs Giza Pyramids Complex Great Pyramid of Khufu Sphinx El Moez Street - Day 3
Cairo
Start at the Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali on top of the Saladin Citadel to see the tall minarets and domes and take in views across Cairo and toward the Giza Plateau. During lunch, try koshary, a traditional dish made with rice, pasta, lentils, tomato sauce, and garlic sauce (note the spicy chili sauce if that's not your thing). Spend the afternoon at the Grand Egyptian Museum with your trip leader learning about ancient treasures and dynastic history, then explore on your own time. Finish with sunset drinks and dinner on a rooftop with views of the Pyramids.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Koshary, a typical Egyptian meal consisting of rice, pasta, lentils, tomato sauce, and garlic sauce), Dinner (Sunset dinner on a nearby rooftop overlooking the Pyramids)
Included Activities
- Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali
- Grand Egyptian Museum
- Sunset dinner on rooftop overlooking Pyramids
Landmarks/POIs Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Saladin Citadel Grand Egyptian Museum - Day 4
Cairo to Aswan
You'll fly south to Aswan, home to a large Nubian population. Visit the Temple of Isis on Philae Island to see the hieroglyphics, pylons, and carvings dedicated to the goddess of health, marriage, and wisdom. In the afternoon, sail on a traditional felucca at sunset with drinks, heading to a Nubian village for the evening. You'll have dinner with a local family, try Nubian food, watch dancing, and learn how people live there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Nubian dinner with local family)
Included Activities
- Temple of Isis
- Felucca sailboat at sunset with drinks
- Nubian dinner with local family
Landmarks/POIs Temple of Isis Philae Island Agilika Island - Day 5
Aswan to Abu Simbel
Travel to Abu Simbel to see one of Egypt's most well-known temples from the 13th century BC. The colossal reliefs are carved right into the mountainside, and inside you'll find huge stone statues, hieroglyphics, and murals. Arrive early to skip the crowds and stay through closing to watch the sunset turn the temple orange and yellow. After dark, the light and sound show at the temple is one of the trip's standout experiences.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Abu Simbel Temple
- Abu Simbel Light & Sound Show
Landmarks/POIs Abu Simbel Temple 
- Day 6
Abu Simbel to Aswan
Head back to Aswan and board your riverboat for the next 4 days. The boat has a swimming pool, sundeck, restaurant, and cabins with windows looking out over the river, so you get hotel comforts while traveling. Sailing the Nile means reaching each destination while making the journey itself something special.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Nile cruise check-in
- Free time
- Day 7
Nile Cruise: Aswan to Edfu
Sail to Kombo this morning to see its temple ruins sitting right on the river's edge, built around 181 BC and dedicated to the gods Horus and Sobek. Check out the crocodile museum with recently found mummified crocodiles. Get back on the boat and continue toward Edfu, spending a relaxed afternoon sailing the Nile and watching the colorful sunset over the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Komombo Temple
- Nile river sailing
Landmarks/POIs Komombo Temple - Day 8
Nile Cruise: Edfu to Luxor
Start at Karnak, a huge complex of temples, chapels, and pylons with some parts dating back to 2,055 BC. Your trip leader will walk you through the ancient history and show you unique details. Luxor's temple was different, built to honor kingship rather than a specific god. After lunch on the boat, the afternoon is free to swim in the pool, rest, or check out Luxor's temple and souk street. Don't miss the final Nile sunset from the boat tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on board the boat), Dinner
Included Activities
- Karnak temple
- Nile river sailing
Optional Activities
- Luxor temple and souks
Landmarks/POIs Karnak temple Luxor temple 
- Day 9
Luxor
If you're interested, catch a hot air balloon at sunrise to float over the Valley of the Kings and see the arid hills from above (over 60 richly decorated pharaonic tombs are hidden there). After saying goodbye to the Nile, head to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings and three royal tombs, learning about Egyptian burial practices and what the paintings and hieroglyphics mean. You'll see Tutankhamun's tomb, Hatshepsut's Temple dedicated to Egypt's most well-known ruling queen, and the Colossi of Memnon (two giant guardian statues). Tour a local alabaster factory to see stone carving traditions. Finish the evening back at your hotel in Luxor.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Valley of the Kings
- Tutankhamun's tomb
- Hatshepsut temple
- Colossi of Memnon
- Alabaster stone carving shop
Optional Activities
- Hot air balloon over Valley of the Kings (120 USD per person; sign up with trip leader, payment in cash or credit card)
Landmarks/POIs Valley of the Kings Tutankhamun's tomb Hatshepsut's Temple Colossi of Memnon 
- Day 10
Luxor to Cairo
Fly from Luxor back to Cairo and stay at an airport hotel so you don't have to deal with Cairo's traffic. The rest of the day is free, which gives you a chance to relax or spend time with your travel companions before everyone heads home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Free time
- Day 11
Cairo
Depending on what time your flight leaves, you'll have some free time before heading to the airport. Safe travels, and hopefully you'll join another trip with Globe Drifters down the road.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Cairo
