Day 1: Arrival in Cairo – Gateway to Ancient Egypt
Touch down at Cairo International Airport. Our professional, English-speaking travel representative will greet you at the terminal, assist with customs formalities, and provide a seamless transfer to your luxury hotel via a private, air-conditioned vehicle. Overnight stay in Cairo.
Day 2: The Great Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & The Egyptian Museum
Savor a fresh breakfast before exploring the crown jewels of antiquity. Begin at the Giza Plateau to marvel at the Great Pyramids of Giza (Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinus) and the enigmatic Great Sphinx. In the afternoon, browse the vast galleries of the Egyptian Museum, which houses over 250,000 genuine artifacts, including King Tutankhamun's solid gold death mask and tomb treasures. Transfer to the station for an overnight sleeper train to Luxor with dinner served on board.
Day 3: Nile Cruise Embarkation & Majestic East Bank Temples
Arrive in historic Luxor and transfer immediately to your deluxe 5-star Nile River cruise ship for lunch and cabin check-in. Spend your afternoon touring the breathtaking Luxor East Bank. Walk among the giant papyrus columns of Karnak Temple—the largest ancient religious complex ever built—and marvel at the monumental granite statues of Ramses the Great at the elegant Luxor Temple. Overnight on board the cruise in Luxor.
Day 4: Luxor West Bank – Valley of the Kings & Queen Hatshepsut Temple
Wake up early for an optional sunrise hot air balloon ride drifting peacefully over the Valley of the Kings. After breakfast on board, cross the river to explore the ancient Necropolis of Thebes on the West Bank. Descend into the hidden rock-cut tombs of Egypt's New Kingdom pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings, view the striking multi-tiered Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and stand before the towering Colossi of Memnon. Sail onward to Edfu. Overnight on board the cruise.
Day 5: Temple of Horus at Edfu & The Crocodile Temple of Kom Ombo
Following breakfast, take a traditional horse-carriage ride to visit the extraordinarily preserved Temple of Horus in Edfu, the ancient world’s finest surviving Ptolemaic structure. Return to the vessel to enjoy lunch while sailing down the Nile. In the afternoon, dock at Kom Ombo to visit the unique double Temple of Sobek and Haroeris, dedicated symmetrically to the crocodile god and falcon god. Enjoy afternoon tea on deck as you sail to Aswan. Overnight on board the cruise in Kom Ombo.
Day 6: Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple & Historic Granite Quarries
Enjoy breakfast while arriving in scenic Aswan. Embark on a comprehensive guided sightseeing tour of the engineering marvel that is the Aswan High Dam, followed by the ancient Granite Quarries to view the massive Unfinished Obelisk. Take a short, scenic boat ride to the island-bound Temple of Philae, a beautiful complex dedicated to the Goddess Isis. Overnight on board the cruise in Aswan.
Day 7: Disembarkation – Optional Abu Simbel Temples & Train to Cairo
Enjoy breakfast on board before checking out of your cruise cabin. Spend the morning at leisure or choose the highly recommended optional excursion to the colossal Sun Temple of Abu Simbel. Carved straight into a sandstone cliff by Ramses II, these massive rock monuments stand alongside the adjacent Temple of Queen Nefertari. Return to Aswan for your evening transfer to the railway station, boarding the overnight sleeper train back to Cairo with dinner included.
Day 8: Free Day in Cairo or Optional Sakkara Step Pyramid & Old Coptic Cairo
Arrive at the Cairo train station and transfer directly to your premium hotel for check-in. Enjoy a free day at your own pace or opt for a full-day historical tour of Sakkara to view the world-famous Step Pyramid of Djoser. This excursion is followed by a visit to Memphis (the ancient capital of Egypt), the historic Hanging Church in Old Coptic Cairo, and the ancient Ben Ezra Synagogue. Optional evening ticket to the Pyramids Sound & Light Show. Overnight stay in Cairo.
Day 9: Cairo International Airport – Final Departure Formalities
Enjoy your final hotel breakfast in Cairo. Our travel representative will escort you to Cairo International Airport via private air-conditioned vehicle, guiding you through departure check-in and security clearances for your flight home.