Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Cairo
Your private chauffeur meets you upon arrival and takes you directly to Cairo's Mena House Hotel, a five-star property where you'll be staying. After checking in, you'll have time to settle into your suite and freshen up from your travels. This evening, there's a welcome gathering to kick off your Egypt tour, so you can toast to the adventure ahead and meet your travel group.
- Day 2
Saqqara and Giza
An Egyptologist guide joins you for a full day exploring Egypt's most iconic monuments. You'll see the Pyramid of King Zoser up close, then move on to the colossal statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx. The Giza complex takes up much of the day, and you'll actually go inside one of the pyramids to experience the interior passages and chambers firsthand. It's a lot of walking and climbing, so wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Saqqara Necropolis with Egyptologist - explore the Step Pyramid of Zoser
- Visit the colossal statue of Ramses II
- View the Alabaster Sphinx
- Guided tour of Giza pyramids with Egyptologist
- Explore inside one of the pyramids and view hieroglyphs
Landmarks/POIs Step Pyramid of Zoser Statue of Ramses II Alabaster Sphinx Giza Pyramids - Day 3
Karnak and Nile Cruise Departure
This morning, you're heading to Karnak with your Egyptologist to walk through the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes leading to the Hypostyle Hall's towering columns. The scale and detail are hard to grasp until you're standing there in person. After lunch, you'll board the River Tosca for your Nile cruise. You'll have the rest of the afternoon to get settled into your all-suite cabin and familiarize yourself with the boat before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Karnak temple complex with Egyptologist
- Walk the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes
- Explore the Hypostyle Hall columns
- Board the deluxe all-suite River Tosca for luxury Nile cruise
Landmarks/POIs Karnak Temple Complex Temple of Amun - Day 4
Dendera and Luxor
Morning takes you to the Temple of Hathor at Dendera, which is one of the best preserved temples you'll see in Egypt. The carved reliefs and painted ceilings are still vibrant after thousands of years. Back on the River Tosca by early afternoon, you have options for how to spend your time. You can take a yoga class on the sundeck, visit the engine cabin to meet the boat captain, or simply relax. Later, there's a VIP after-hours tour of the Temple of Luxor when the crowds have left for the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Temple of Hathor at Dendera
- After-hours VIP tour of Temple of Luxor with approach along the Avenue of Sphinxes
Optional Activities
- Yoga class on the River Tosca sundeck
- Meet the River Tosca's Captain and learn about Nile sailing traditions
Landmarks/POIs Temple of Hathor Temple of Luxor - Day 5
Valley of the Kings and West Bank
Starting early, you'll see the Colossi of Memnon standing in the desert, then spend time in the Valley of the Kings with your Egyptologist guide examining royal tombs and learning their stories. The Temple of Hatshepsut comes next, with its distinctive terraced architecture rising from the valley floor. Midday, you watch a local family bake traditional Egyptian sun bread, and afterward you'll have tea and bread together. By evening, change into a galabeya (a traditional Egyptian garment) and join the dancing and games on the River Tosca.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Relaxed Egyptian dinner and informal evening with Travel Concierge and cruise companions)
Included Activities
- Visit Colossi of Memnon
- Guided tour of Valley of the Kings with Egyptologist
- Explore Temple of Hatshepsut
- Visit local family home to witness making of authentic Egyptian sun bread
- Savour sun bread and Egyptian tea
- Galabeya party with dancing and games aboard River Tosca with relaxed Egyptian dinner
Landmarks/POIs Colossi of Memnon Valley of the Kings Temple of Hatshepsut - Day 6
Kom Ombo and Aswan
You'll visit Kom Ombo, a double-temple with two separate sanctuaries built side by side, and see the mummified crocodiles displayed there. After that, you choose your own activity: either sail privately around Kitchener's Island or browse Aswan Market. There's also a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experience where you meet women behind a local women-owned cooperative and learn about their work. Afternoon tea takes place at the famous Old Cataract Hotel, a historic property overlooking the Nile. Tonight, a Nubian performance happens aboard the boat.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Kom Ombo double temple
- View mummified crocodiles at Kom Ombo
- Meet women of local women-owned cooperative - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience
- Afternoon tea at Old Cataract Hotel
- Nubian performance
Optional Activities
- Private sail around Kitchener's Island aboard traditional felucca with views of botanical vistas
- Shop Aswan Market for Egyptian and African goods
- Learn about powerful women in Egypt's history from an Egyptologist - Queen Cleopatra, Queen Hatshepsut, Nefertiti
- Cocktail demonstration with local herbs and ingredients - sample Egyptian cocktail
Landmarks/POIs Kom Ombo Temple Kitchener's Island Aswan Market Old Cataract Hotel - Day 7
Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple
The Aswan High Dam is your first stop, an engineering achievement that controlled the Nile's flooding and created Lake Nasser. From there, you'll explore the ancient Granite Quarries where massive blocks were cut thousands of years ago. The Philae temple complex comes next, relocated higher up by UNESCO to save it from flooding when the dam was built. You'll have dinner featuring Egyptian classics before watching the Sound and Light Show at Philae Temple, which tells the site's history through projections and narration.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Egyptian classics)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Aswan High Dam
- Visit ancient Granite Quarries
- Guided visit to Philae temple complex
- Egyptian dinner
- Sound and Light Show at Philae Temple
Landmarks/POIs Aswan High Dam Granite Quarries Philae Temple Complex - Day 8
Relaxed Start or Abu Simbel
Take a relaxing morning aboard the River Tosca with no scheduled activities. If you're interested, there's an optional excursion to Abu Simbel's temples, which involves a longer travel time but rewards you with colossal carved statues of Ramses II. Back on the boat, you can join an Egyptologist learning about powerful women in Egyptian history, or try a hands-on class on making the perfect Egyptian cocktail. It's really your call depending on what interests you most.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- View Abu Simbel temples
- Learn about powerful women in Egypt's history from an Egyptologist
- Cocktail demonstration - learn to make perfect Egyptian cocktail
Landmarks/POIs Abu Simbel Temples - Day 9
Esna Temple and Return to Luxor
A local historian guides you through Esna Temple in the morning, sharing insights into the site's significance. After that, you'll set sail to Luxor, cruising slowly down the Nile. This is your last evening aboard the River Tosca, so enjoy dinner and take time to reflect on everything you've seen over the past week.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Esna Temple with local historian
Landmarks/POIs Esna Temple - Day 10
Cairo and Grand Egyptian Museum
Back in Cairo, you visit the Alabaster Mosque and the Citadel of Salah El-Din, both featuring impressive historical architecture and views over the city. Then you head to the Grand Egyptian Museum to see the treasures of Tutankhamun, including his famous gold mask and other artifacts from his tomb. This evening, there's a final gathering with drinks where you'll toast to the experiences and memories from your Egypt journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Alabaster Mosque
- Guided tour of Citadel of Salah El-Din
- Guided tour of Grand Egyptian Museum - view priceless treasures of Tutankhamun
- Farewell drinks and toast
Landmarks/POIs Alabaster Mosque Citadel of Salah El-Din Grand Egyptian Museum - Day 11
Departure from Cairo
A private car picks you up from your Cairo hotel and drives you to the airport for your flight home. Your luxury Egypt tour and Nile river cruise are complete. You'll have plenty of photos and stories from the past week of exploring temples, pyramids, and the Nile Valley.
