Itinerary
- Day 1
Cairo
Your Egyptian adventure starts in Cairo. After checking into your hotel, you'll have views of the Nile River right from your room. The city is home to the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, so there's plenty to explore nearby. You'll spend the night here settling in and getting oriented to this historic city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Pyramids of Giza Sphinx Nile River 
- Day 2
Cairo to Alexandria
An air-conditioned express train takes you to Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast. Once you arrive, you'll walk through the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, which is a massive Roman cemetery with three levels carved into rock. Later, check out the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a major library and cultural center that honors the ancient Library of Alexandria. You'll check into your hotel for two nights and have a welcome dinner with your Tour Director this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Welcome dinner)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
- Visit to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina
- Welcome dinner with Tour Director
Landmarks Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa Bibliotheca Alexandrina 
- Day 3
Alexandria
Today focuses on Rosetta and its strategic location in the Nile Delta. You'll visit the Citadel of Qaitbay where the Rosetta Stone was found in 1799. This stone was key to understanding Egyptian hieroglyphs. After that, head to the Greco-Roman Museum, which opened in 1892 and holds an impressive collection of Greek and Roman artifacts from the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to the Citadel of Qaitbay
- Guided tour of the Greco-Roman Museum
Landmarks Citadel of Qaitbay Greco-Roman Museum - Day 4
Alexandria to Giza
The day starts at El Alamein, a World War II battlefield site. You'll tour the El Alamein War Museum and visit the Commonwealth Cemetery to pay respects to fallen soldiers. Then travel to Giza and check into your hotel with views of the Pyramids. By evening, you'll have drinks and canapés while watching the sun set over these ancient structures.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to El Alamein War Museum
- Commonwealth Cemetery visit
- Scenic Sunset Drinks Event with views of the Pyramids
Landmarks El Alamein War Museum Commonwealth Cemetery El Alamein Pyramids of Giza - Day 5
Giza
Spend the day at the Pyramids of Giza, which were built over 4,500 years ago for the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. These are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the last remaining of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. You'll also stand before the Sphinx, a 20-meter-high limestone statue with a human head and lion's body that has guarded this area for thousands of years.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of the Pyramids of Giza
- Visit to the Sphinx
Landmarks Pyramids of Giza Sphinx - Day 6
Giza to Luxor
Fly to Luxor and settle into your hotel for a two-night stay. The main stop today is Karnak Temple Complex, one of the world's largest religious sites covering over 200 acres. Inside, the Hypostyle Hall has 134 towering columns, each carved with hieroglyphs showing ancient Egyptian mythology and history. This was a major place of worship and shows off the architectural skills of the New Kingdom pharaohs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Karnak Temple Complex
- Exploration of the Hypostyle Hall
Landmarks Karnak Temple Complex Hypostyle Hall 
- Day 7
Luxor
Start by visiting the home where Howard Carter, the archaeologist who discovered Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922, used to live. You'll hear a lecture from Dr. Bahaa Abdelgaber, Director of Luxor West Bank Antiquities, about the sites on the West Bank. Later, explore the Valley of the Nobles with hundreds of rock-cut tombs belonging to ancient nobility. The tombs have colorful frescoes showing scenes of farming, trade, and celebrations.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Howard Carter's former residence
- Lecture on West Bank antiquities by Dr. Bahaa Abdelgaber
- Guided exploration of Valley of the Nobles
Landmarks Valley of the Nobles - Day 8
Nile Cruise Begins
Board the Sanctuary Sun Boat III and move into your suite. As you cross to the West Bank, you'll explore the Valley of the Kings and see hieroglyphics decorating the tombs. Stop at Howard Carter's former residence and visit Queen Hatshepsut's monument. Your Nile cruise now begins with exclusive excursions along Egypt's most iconic waterway.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Board Sanctuary Sun Boat III river cruise
- Guided tour of Valley of the Kings
- Visit to Howard Carter's former residence
- Viewing of Queen Hatshepsut's monument
Landmarks Valley of the Kings Temple of Hatshepsut Nile River 
- Day 9
Dendera to Luxor
Relax on the cruise while watching daily life along the Nile as you travel toward Dendera. Visit the Temple of Hathor, one of Egypt's best-preserved temple complexes with beautiful capitals and the Dendera Zodiac ceiling relief showing ancient Egyptian religious practices. Return to Luxor to see Luxor Temple, a grand structure with colossal statues of Ramesses II showing off Egyptian architectural skill.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise along the Nile to Dendera
- Guided tour of Temple of Hathor
- Visit to Luxor Temple
Landmarks Temple of Hathor Luxor Temple - Day 10
Esna to Kom Ombo
Cruise south along the Nile following the path ancient pharaohs once took. You'll see rural villages and temples lining the riverbanks. Explore Esna Temple, one of ancient Egypt's holiest sites with a well-preserved hypostyle hall and carvings dedicated to Khnum, the ram-headed god. Later sail to Kom Ombo Temple, a unique double temple honoring Sobek the Crocodile God and Horus. By evening, join a colorful Galabeyya party with Egyptian food, music, and dancing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Galabeyya party with Egyptian delicacies, vibrant music, and dancing)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Esna Temple
- Guided tour of Kom Ombo Temple
- Galabeyya party with Egyptian delicacies, music, and dancing
Landmarks Esna Temple Kom Ombo Temple 
- Day 11
Aswan
Cruise south to Aswan, the cultural heart of the Nubian community. Visit the Temple of Isis at Philae, an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Isis that blends Egyptian, Greek, and Roman influences. After, take a leisurely felucca sail on the Nile in a traditional Egyptian boat. This evening features a Nubian dance performance celebrating the region's culture, followed by a farewell Gala Dinner with the captain and crew.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell Gala Dinner)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Temple of Isis at Philae
- Leisurely felucca sail on the Nile
- Nubian dance performance
- Farewell Gala Dinner with captain and crew
Landmarks Temple of Isis at Philae 
- Day 12
Aswan
You're staying in Aswan at the southern tip of Egypt along the Nile. Your hotel is a luxury property where notable guests like Princess Diana and Winston Churchill have stayed. Start with pre-dinner drinks at The Terrace before eating at the acclaimed 1902 restaurant. Choose from various Scenic Freechoice activities to structure your day the way you want.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at 1902 restaurant)
Included Activities
- Pre-dinner drinks at The Terrace
- Dinner at 1902 restaurant
Optional Activities
- Nubian Museum - explore the deep history and artifacts of Nubian culture dating back to 2000 BC
- Guided tour through a Nubian Village with visit to a local home to see life along the Nile firsthand
- Visit to Kalabsha Temple on Lake Nasser's shores to admire its grand architecture and detailed reliefs
Landmarks Nubian Museum Kalabsha Temple - Day 13
Aswan to Abu Simbel
Fly to Abu Simbel to see one of Egypt's most impressive sites: the massive World Heritage temples of Ramses II and his queen Nefertari. These structures were carefully moved in the 1960s to prevent them from being submerged by Lake Nasser, which formed after the Aswan High Dam was built. The temples are known for their colossal statues and detailed carvings that glorify Ramses' reign and honor Nefertari.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Abu Simbel Temples of Ramses II and Nefertari
Landmarks Abu Simbel Temple of Ramses II Abu Simbel Temple of Nefertari - Day 14
Abu Simbel to Cairo
Fly back to Cairo for a two-night stay at your hotel, positioned well for exploring the city's history. Visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, a major cultural center with collections spanning Egypt's different eras. The highlight is the Royal Mummies' Hall where you can see preserved remains of ancient pharaohs. A guided tour includes the museum's research labs that use modern technology to understand the past.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation
- Visit to Royal Mummies' Hall
- Guided tour of museum scientific research laboratories including Ancient DNA, X-Ray and Bioarcheology
Landmarks National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation - Day 15
Cairo
Your final full day in Cairo is yours to plan. Pick from various Scenic Freechoice options like walking through Old Cairo to see the Coptic Museum and religious sites, exploring medieval Cairo's historic mosques and community programs, or visiting Roda Island's 9th-century Nilometer and Manial Palace Museum. You can go at your own pace and choose what interests you most.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Coptic Cairo - winding through Old Cairo streets, visit Cairo's Coptic Museum with one of the world's largest collections of Egyptian Christian artifacts, Hanging Church, and Ben Ezra Synagogue
- Historic Cairo - explore medieval Cairo's Sultan Hassan Mosque, learn about Arabic calligraphy, and see community projects at Souq al-Silah and Bayt Yakan
- Roda Island - discover Roda Island with stops at a 9th-century Nilometer and Manial Palace Museum highlighting Prince Muhammad Ali's era
Landmarks Coptic Museum Hanging Church Ben Ezra Synagogue Sultan Hassan Mosque Souq al-Silah Manial Palace Museum - Day 16
Cairo Departure
Say goodbye to your Tour Director and the friends you've made during this trip. You'll be transferred to Cairo Airport for your flight home, carrying memories of your Egyptian adventure with you.
