Day 1: Arrival in Cairo – Welcome to Egypt
Touch down at Cairo International Airport. Our airport representative will warmly meet you directly at the terminal arrivals zone holding personalized signage. Receive seamless assistance through luggage handling before transferring via a private, air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel. Settle in and enjoy a relaxing overnight stay in Cairo.
Day 2: The Great Pyramids of Giza, Sakkara & Memphis Archeology Tour
Savor breakfast before embarking on an immersive full-day tour of the ancient royal necropolises. Stand before the timeless Great Pyramids of Giza (Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinus) and look up at the limestone Great Sphinx and its adjacent Valley Temple.
Next, journey to Sakkara to marvel at the revolutionary Step Pyramid of Djoser, dating back to 2600 BC, along with the historic Imhotep Temple and the Mastaba of Ti. Continue to Memphis, the glorious first capital of Old Egypt, to see the colossal fallen statue of Ramses II. Wrap up the day traveling south to view the unique contours of the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid of Dahshur.
(Optional Excursion: Experience the dramatic evening Pyramids Sound & Light Show.)
Overnight stay in Cairo.
Day 3: The Egyptian Museum, Historical Palaces & Bazaars
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before exploring the world-renowned Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, home to a rare collection of 5,000 years of pharaonic art and the world’s largest assembly of precious historical artifacts.
Following the museum, discover the architectural beauty of the Manial Palace and visit the historic Gayer-Anderson Museum. Conclude your day soaking up the vibrant sights and sounds of the local markets, exploring the labyrinthine alleyways of the Khan El Khalili Old Bazaar, the historic Textile Museum, and the traditional Tentmakers Market. Transfer back to your hotel for an overnight stay in Cairo.
Day 4: Flight to Luxor & The Grand East Bank Temples
Relish breakfast before transferring to the airport for your domestic flight to Luxor. Upon landing, meet your dedicated local guide and transfer directly to explore the majestic East Bank monuments.
Tour the spectacular Luxor Temple to view its monumental courtyards and massive granite statues of Ramses the Great. Continue down the historic Avenue of Sphinxes to the sprawling Karnak Temple complex. Walk through the breathtaking Hypostyle Hall featuring 134 gigantic columns, view the towering obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose III, and see the Sacred Lake. Conclude your day at the Luxor Museum before transferring to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 5: Valley of the Kings & The West Bank Necropolis
Following breakfast, cross the Nile River to uncover the secrets of the ancient West Bank. Journey into the rugged Valley of the Kings to explore three elaborately decorated royal tombs (excluding the tomb of King Tutankhamun).
Proceed to the breathtaking, multi-tiered Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the legendary female pharaoh who ruled during the 18th Dynasty. Visit the historic Tombs of the Nobles, the grand Ramesseum, and the Valley of the Queens. Make a memorable 15-minute photo stop at the towering Colossi of Memnon and the mortuary grounds of Amenhotep III. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Luxor.
Day 6: Day Trip to the Sacred Temples of Abydos & Dendera
Savor breakfast before embarking on a regional excursion north of Luxor. Arrive first at the historic city of Abydos to tour the magnificent Temple of Seti I, completed by Ramses II. Admire the exceptionally preserved, colorful wall reliefs depicting ancient gods and pharaohs inside the Osiris sanctuary.
Continue your journey to Dendera to explore the beautifully intact Temple of Hathor, dedicated to the ancient goddess of love and joy, famous for its astronomical ceilings and hypostyle columns. Transfer back to your hotel for an overnight stay in Luxor.
Day 7: Majestic Cult Temples of Edfu & Kom Ombo – Drive to Aswan
Enjoy breakfast before checking out and driving south toward Aswan. Stop first at Edfu to tour the Temple of Horus, widely considered the most perfectly preserved cult temple in all of Egypt. Learn about the mythological battle where the falcon-headed god Horus avenged his father Osiris.
Continue your drive to the unique riverside Temple of Kom Ombo. This symmetrical double temple features parallel sanctuaries dedicated to two distinct deities: Sobek the crocodile god of fertility, and Haroeris the falcon-headed Horus. After exploring the temple and learning about the region's historic sugar-cane industry, drive onward to check into your hotel for an overnight stay in Aswan.
Day 8: The Colossal Sun Temples of Abu Simbel
Wake up for an early breakfast before departing on an unforgettable journey through the desert to the spectacular Temples of Abu Simbel. Carved directly into a sandstone rock cliff by Ramses II, these massive monuments stand as a marvel of ancient engineering and modern preservation.
Gaze up at the four colossal statues guarding the main façade, and step inside to see the grand pillared halls. Tour the adjacent smaller temple built for the king's beloved royal wife, Queen Nefertari, dedicated to the goddess Hathor. After exploring the site, drive back to Aswan for an overnight stay.
Day 9: The Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple & Flight back to Cairo
Savor breakfast before exploring Aswan's signature landmarks. Visit the Aswan High Dam, an engineering miracle constructed in 1960 that protects Egypt from the annual Nile floods. Next, visit the northern quarries to view the massive Unfinished Obelisk, which offers a rare window into the stone-cutting techniques used by ancient artisans during the reign of Queen Hatshepsut or Queen Nefertiti.
Conclude your sightseeing with a scenic boat ride to the majestic Philae Temple, beautifully situated on an island and dedicated to the goddess Isis. Afterward, transfer to the Aswan airport for your domestic flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for your final overnight stay.
Day 10: Final Departure from Cairo
Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel. Our hospitality representative will transfer you via a private vehicle to Cairo International Airport, providing dedicated assistance through customs and final check-in formalities for your flight home.
