Itinerary
- Day 1
Cairo
You'll arrive at Cairo airport where staff greets you and handles visa requirements and luggage. After settling into your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to relax and explore at your own pace. If your flight gets in early, you might catch an evening Nile dinner cruise or head out to see the sound and light show at the pyramids.
- Start point
- Cairo, Cairo, Egypt (Airport)
Optional Activities
- Evening dinner cruise on the Nile
- Sound and light show at the pyramids
- Day 2
Cairo to Aswan
A drive to Giza puts you face to face with the Sphinx and the three great pyramids, guided by an expert Egyptologist who explains what you're seeing. You have the option to climb inside the pyramids if you want (though Great Pyramid tickets are limited). Next, the Egyptian Museum shows off the Tutankhamun exhibit before you're transferred to the train station for an overnight sleeper heading to Aswan, about 12 hours away. Dinner comes to your private twin-berth compartment on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner on board sleeper train in private cabin)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Sphinx and three great pyramids of Giza (Great Pyramid of Khufu, Pyramid of Khafre, Pyramid of Menkaure)
- Visit to Egyptian Museum with Tutankhamun exhibit
- Overnight sleeper train journey to Aswan (private twin-berth compartment)
- Dinner on board sleeper train
Optional Activities
- Climb inside the pyramids
Landmarks/POIs Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) Pyramid of Khafre (Chephern) Pyramid of Menkaure (Mycerinus) Great Sphinx of Giza Egyptian Museum 
- Day 3
Aswan
You arrive in Aswan this morning and check into your hotel overlooking the Nile. The busy markets give you a real sense of African and Middle Eastern culture mixing together. A local Nubian village visit shows you colorful houses, and lunch there is traditional food. Later, a scenic boat ride takes you out to the Temple of Philae on an island dedicated to Isis. Your evening is free to wander Aswan's spice markets or stroll along the Corniche by the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional lunch in Nubian village)
Included Activities
- Visit to local Nubian village with traditional lunch
- Guided tour of Temple of Philae with scenic boat ride
Optional Activities
- Camel ride through the sands on the far bank of the Nile to St. Simeon's monastery
Landmarks/POIs Temple of Philae St. Simeon's Monastery 
- Day 4
Aswan
There's an optional early morning trip to Abu Simbel temples, which were taken apart and rebuilt to escape rising Lake Nasser waters. If that's not for you, your morning stays free so you can explore the bazaar or stay at the hotel. Later you board a traditional felucca sailboat crewed by Nubians for the journey down the Nile. You'll sleep on deck that night (though you can upgrade to a hotel room if you prefer). A support boat handles clean toilets and showers during your voyage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Traditional felucca sailboat journey on the Nile with Nubian crew
- Overnight on felucca sailboat
Optional Activities
- Abu Simbel temples early morning tour
- Hotel upgrade instead of sleeping on felucca
Landmarks/POIs Abu Simbel Temples (Ramses II) 
- Day 5
Edfu to Luxor
Breakfast happens on the felucca before you say goodbye to the crew and visit the temple at Edfu on your way north to Luxor. Luxor sits on top of ancient Thebes, which holds the largest amount of ancient ruins in the whole Nile Valley. You check into a 5-star hotel right on the Nile's edge. Your afternoon is free to relax, swim, or use the spa. Later this evening, a walking tour lights up Luxor Temple at night, showing you the smaller but beautiful temple complex.
- Meals
- Breakfast (On board felucca)
Included Activities
- Visit to temple at Edfu
- Evening walking tour of Luxor Temple (illuminated at night) with local guide
Landmarks/POIs Edfu Temple Luxor Temple 
- Day 6
Luxor
Early on you cross the Nile to explore Luxor's West Bank, one of the world's most important archaeological sites. The Valley of the Kings contains several Pharaonic tombs, plus you'll see the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Deir El-Medina where ancient artisans lived, and the Colossi of Memnon. An optional hot air balloon flight at sunrise gives you aerial views over the west bank if you want it. After lunch, the massive Karnak temple complex takes up your afternoon, where 134 towering columns fill the Hypostyle Hall that once served as the religious center of Upper Egypt.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Valley of the Kings including several Pharaonic tombs
- Visit to temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Visit to Deir El-Medina (Valley of the Artisans)
- Visit to Colossi of Memnon
- Guided tour of Karnak temple complex including Hypostyle Hall with 134 columns
Optional Activities
- Hot air balloon flight over west bank of Nile at sunrise
Landmarks/POIs Valley of the Kings Temple of Queen Hatshepsut Deir El-Medina Colossi of Memnon Karnak Temple Complex 
- Day 7
Luxor to Hurghada
After a relaxed morning, you head away from the Nile Valley toward Hurghada on the Red Sea coast. Check-in happens at a 5-star resort on an all-inclusive soft basis, meaning meals, soft drinks, and snacks are covered (but not alcohol). Hurghada draws crowds for its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear water. You have plenty of free time to walk around town or use resort facilities like pools, restaurants, and bars.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Water sports and activities in Hurghada
- Day 8
Hurghada
This day in Hurghada is completely free. The Red Sea resort is known for scuba diving and snorkeling with plenty of marine life to see. If you want action, options include windsurfing, kite surfing, glass bottomed submarines, quad biking, camel rides, or sea fishing trips. The marina and old town have shops, restaurants, and cafes to explore. Or just stick by the pool or beach and soak in the year-round sunshine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Scuba diving
- Snorkeling
- Windsurfing
- Kite surfing
- Glass bottomed submarine tour
- Quad biking
- Camel rides
- Sea fishing trips
- Marina exploration
- Old town exploration
- Day 9
Hurghada
Another free day in Hurghada with lots to choose from. Relax in the sun or get active with snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, kite surfing, camel rides, and sea fishing trips. A local representative is available to help you arrange whatever you're interested in.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Scuba diving
- Snorkeling
- Windsurfing
- Kite surfing
- Camel rides
- Sea fishing trips
- Day 10
Hurghada
Your last full day in Hurghada is time to make the most of this beach town. Spend it by the pool or beach soaking up the sun, or jump into last-minute optional activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, kite surfing, camel rides, or sea fishing trips. The local representative can help arrange anything you want to do.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Snorkeling
- Scuba diving
- Windsurfing
- Kite surfing
- Camel rides
- Sea fishing trips
- Day 11
Hurghada to Cairo
You leave Hurghada and drive back to Cairo, about 6 hours away, or upgrade to an internal flight to get there faster. Check into a hotel in the city center. Late afternoon brings a guided walk through the back streets and bazaars of Old Cairo starting from the Bab al-Futuh gateway. You'll pass through streets dedicated to metalwork, spices, pottery, fabric, and jewelry before reaching the more touristy Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. There's time for mint tea and a shisha pipe, plus final shopping before evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walk through back streets and bazaars of Old Cairo from Bab al-Futuh gateway
- Visit to Khan-el-Khalili bazaar
Optional Activities
- Internal flight upgrade to Cairo
Landmarks/POIs Bab al-Futuh Gateway Khan-el-Khalili Bazaar - Day 12
Cairo
Your last day in Cairo leaves time for whatever you want to do. Do some final sightseeing or shopping if you feel like it. Optional half-day tours are available for those with afternoon or evening flights, covering Coptic Cairo and the Citadel, or showing pyramid building evolution at Saqqara, Dashour, and Memphis. Day trip extensions like Alexandria on the Mediterranean or the Valley of the Whales at Wadi Rayan are also possible. Later, you transfer to the airport for your departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Half-day tour of Coptic Cairo and the Citadel
- Half-day tour of pyramid building sites at Saqqara, Dashour, and Memphis
- Day trip to Alexandria on Mediterranean coast
- Day trip to World Heritage Site Valley of the Whales at Wadi Rayan
Landmarks/POIs Coptic Cairo Citadel of Cairo Saqqara Dashour Memphis Valley of the Whales (Wadi Rayan) Alexandria
