Itinerary
- Day 1
Cairo
You'll land at Cairo airport where your guide meets you and takes you to the hotel. After settling in, the afternoon and evening are free to rest up from travel. If you arrive early though, there's an optional Backstreets Tour of Cairo that leaves from the hotel at 10 am, so you could jump into exploring the city right away if you're feeling up for it.
- Start point
- Cairo, Egypt (Airport)
Optional Activities
- Backstreets Tour of Cairo (departing hotel at 10 am)
- Alexandria Day Trip (available before tour starts or on final day)
- Day 2
Saqqara
Head out to the Giza Plateau to see the pyramids and the Sphinx, and you can arrange a camel ride if that interests you. Then it's off to Saqqara where you'll walk through ancient tombs and temples. The real highlight here is Zoser's step pyramid, built around 2700 BC, which is one of the oldest stone structures in the world. You'll get a real sense of how far back Egyptian civilization goes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of the Giza Plateau pyramids and Sphinx
- Visit to Saqqara temples and tombs
- Tour of Zoser's step pyramid
Optional Activities
- Camel ride at Giza
Landmarks Giza Plateau Great Sphinx of Giza Saqqara Step Pyramid of Djoser 
- Day 3
Cairo
Start with a guided tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, which has an enormous collection spanning nearly every era of ancient Egypt, including King Tutankhamun's treasures. Then move to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization to see the Royal Mummies' Hall. By afternoon, you'll have time to relax by the hotel pool before heading to the train station. Tonight you board an overnight sleeper train headed to Luxor.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of the Grand Egyptian Museum
- Visit to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
- Tour of the Royal Mummies' Hall
Landmarks Grand Egyptian Museum National Museum of Egyptian Civilization 
- Day 4
Dendera
You arrive in Luxor and travel about 60 kilometers north to Dendera, where one of Egypt's best-preserved temple complexes sits. The Temple of Hathor here has exquisitely decorated ceilings that date back 2000 years, and it's worth taking time to really look around. After returning to Luxor in the afternoon, you'll have leisure time to walk around, swim, or just relax. If you're interested, there's an optional evening visit to the illuminated Temple of Luxor.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Dendera temple complex
- Visit to the Temple of Hathor
Optional Activities
- Luxor Temple night visit (approx $45 pp, book and pay locally)
Landmarks Dendera Temple Complex Temple of Hathor Luxor Temple 
- Day 5
Luxor West Bank
This is a full day starting very early. If you're doing the optional hot air balloon ride, you'll head out at 4:30 am for about 40 to 55 minutes over the West Bank, then have a breakfast box afterward. Next comes the Valley of the Kings where you'll see intricately decorated pharaoh tombs, followed by the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Later you board your 5-star Nile cruiser, grab lunch, and in the afternoon check out the grand Temple of Karnak complex.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast box (if hot air balloon excursion is taken)), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Valley of the Kings exploration
- Visit to Temple of Hatshepsut
- Visit to Colossi of Memnon
- Guided tour of Temple of Karnak
- Four-night stay aboard 5-star Nile cruiser
Optional Activities
- Sunrise hot air balloon ride over West Bank at 4:30 AM (approx $120 pp, approximately 40-55 minutes flight time)
Landmarks Valley of the Kings Temple of Hatshepsut Colossi of Memnon Temple of Karnak - Day 6
Nile Cruise
Today is all about the Nile River. You'll spend the day sailing downstream on the cruise ship, relaxing on deck, swimming if you want, and taking in the views as the river glides past. It's a slower pace after the activity of the previous days.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Nile cruise sailing downstream
- Day 7
Aswan
Continue sailing down the Nile to the Temple of Kom Ombo, which has a really unique symmetrical design dedicated to the gods Sobek and Horus. You'll get a guided tour that covers the distinctive twin halls, courts, colonnades, and sanctuaries. After that, the ship keeps moving toward Aswan, arriving by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Temple of Kom Ombo
Landmarks Temple of Kom Ombo 
- Day 8
Abu Simbel - Philae
In the morning, you can either take an optional early trip to the Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel or stay relaxed on the ship. By afternoon, you'll take a motorboat to Philae Temple, which was originally built in the 4th century BC and later expanded during the Roman period. UNESCO moved it to Agilika Island in 1972 to protect it from rising waters. You'll have tea and dinner on board, with the option to explore Aswan's souks in the evening if you feel like wandering.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Motorboat trip to Philae Temple
- Guided tour of Philae Temple
Optional Activities
- Early morning visit to Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel (approx $90 pp by bus)
Landmarks Abu Simbel Temples Philae Temple 
- Day 9
Aswan
Aswan is yours to explore freely. You could visit the historic Old Cataract Hotel, where Agatha Christie wrote 'Death on the Nile,' or check out the Nubian Museum. Later in the afternoon, you board an overnight sleeper train back to Cairo.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit to Old Cataract Hotel
- Visit to Nubian Museum
Landmarks Old Cataract Hotel Nubian Museum - Day 10
Cairo
You arrive in Cairo in the morning and transfer to your hotel to check in. The rest of the day is open. You can use the hotel amenities or book an optional local tour that covers Old Cairo, Coptic Cairo, and the Citadel of Saladin if you want to see more of the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Cairo city tour exploring Old Cairo, Coptic Cairo, and Citadel of Saladin (approx $45 pp, book locally)
Landmarks Old Cairo Coptic Cairo Citadel of Saladin - Day 11
Cairo Departure
Your trip wraps up today with a transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels on your journey back.
- End point
- Cairo, Egypt (Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
