Itinerary #1: Luxury Egypt Sailing Adventure: Luxor to Aswan
Experience a grand voyage between Egypt's timeless sites on this luxury 10-day sailing adventure. While calling a well-appointed stateroom home, you'll cruise from Luxor to Aswan, pausing en route for privately guided tours of magnificent temples and storied ruins. The itinerary is complimented with gourmet meals and lavish accommodations in Cairo and Aswan, making it an ideal choice for those new to Egypt and wishing to immerse themselves in its affluent heritage.
![Hop aboard a luxury sailboat for a memorable trip down the Nile (photo courtesy of Movenpick)](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/91743790-8f85-4f45-8c51-f6b5ccd47c5d/original-9cc1c8982a986b83a46ae9d90ec2cce1.jpg)
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Arrive in Cairo, Felucca Boat Cruise, Lunch on the Nile | Cairo |
Day 2 | Day Trip to Giza Pyramids, Memphis & Saqqara, Dinner at Abou El Sid | Cairo |
Day 3 | Fly to Luxor, Tour the West Bank | Luxor |
Day 4 | Luxor East Bank Tour, Board Luxury Sailboat | Luxor |
Day 5 | Sail to El Hegz, Local Village Tour | Esna |
Day 6 | Sail to El Kab & Edfu, Egyptian Cooking Lesson | Edfu |
Day 7 | Sail to Kom Ombo via Gebel el-Silsila, Kem Ombo Temple Tour | Kom Ombo |
Day 8 | Sail to Aswan, Disembark Sailboat, Aswan Highlights Tour | Aswan |
Day 9 | Return Flight to Abu Simbel, Full-Day Temple & Ruins Tour | Aswan |
Day 10 | Fly to Cairo, Depart |
Welcome to Egypt! Upon landing in Cairo, drop your bags at the 4-star Villa Belle Époque and head out for a fantastic introductory lunch cruise on the Nile. The next morning, join up with a private guide, who'll whisk you between the region's renowned sites, then tuck in for another night in Cairo before boarding a plane bound for Luxor. This ancient city is home to the famed Valley of the Kings and the sprawling Karnak Temple complex, both of which you'll explore prior to your upcoming five-day cruise. Speaking of, hop aboard a two-mastered sailboat and settle into one of four opulent staterooms.
Your first stop is on the island of El Hegz for a glimpse into rural Egyptian life, followed by private excursions to the temples and tombs in El Kab and Edfu. Continuing south, you'll soon reach Kom Ombo, where, besides checking out its namesake temple, you'll indulge in a barbecue dinner on a river island. The following day, disembark in Aswan for a two-night stay at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan. While it's tempting to laze amid your accommodation's fine amenities, a superb day admiring Abu Simbel's rock-cut temples and your departing flight to Cairo await. Learn more
Itinerary #2: Ultimate Luxury in Egypt: Cairo, Nile Cruise & Sharm el-Sheikh
This elevated getaway features a premium sailing excursion on the Nile and one of the Red Sea's finest beach resorts, perfect for travelers seeking generous touches of luxury between extraordinary excursions. Onboard the Sonesta Sun Goddess, sail from Luxor to Aswan while enjoying the comforts of a spacious stateroom. Then, jet to Sharm el-Sheikh, where three days of bespoke activities await, from snorkeling and ATV adventures to desert diners and beach hopping.
![Explore Nile temples from Aswan to Luxor with the help of a private guide](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/db5e15d7-0d53-4ed6-9a19-c6d6ea77db1a/original-c8b4b367a965a43fe8c62fd3c3a85ca7.jpg)
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Arrive in Cairo, Nile Dinner Cruise | Cairo |
Day 2 | Giza Pyramids & Insider's Great Sphinx Tour | Cairo |
Day 3 | Fly to Aswan, Board Cruise, Highlights of Aswan Tour | Aswan |
Day 4 | Cruise to Esna, Visit Kom Ombo & the Temple of Horus | Edfu |
Day 5 | Cruise to Luxor, West Bank Tour | Luxor |
Day 6 | Disembark Cruise, Luxor Highlights Tour: Habu Temple & Tomb of Nobles | Luxor |
Day 7 | Sunrise Balloon Ride, Luxor East Bank Tour, Fly to Sharm el-Sheikh | Sharm el-Sheikh |
Day 8 | Ras Mohammed National Park Snorkeling, ATV Safari & Bedouin Village | Sharm el-Sheikh |
Day 9 | Free Time in Sharm el-Sheikh, Optional Mount Sinai Overnight Hike | Sharm el-Sheikh |
Day 10 | Fly to Cairo, Depart |
Your fabulous adventure begins with a two-night stay in Cairo, the first of which you'll spend dining in style onboard a riverboat. Meet up with a private guide the following morning for an in-depth introduction to Giza Plateau's magnificent pyramids—then, you're off to Aswan. Here, the luxurious Sonesta Sun Goddess awaits your arrival, but before leaving port, check out the Temple of Philae and the massive Unfinished Obelisk. Over the next two days, you'll slowly make your way to Luxor, disembarking en route for privately guided tours of Kom Ombo and the Temple of Horus.
Upon reaching Luxor on Day 5, set aside two days to uncover its ancient wonders, including the famed Valley of the Kings and the Tombs of the Nobles. Additionally, rise before dawn for a thrilling hot-air balloon flight before departing for the Red Sea's famous Sharm el-Sheikh. Your home here is the dreamy Sunrise Arabian Beach Resort, the perfect place to relax in style between excursions of your choosing. Snorkel amid the vibrant waters of Ras Mohammed National Park, ATV across desert sands, and wrap up your adventure with a once-in-a-lifetime excursion to St. Catherine's Monastery. Learn more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Itinerary #3: Luxury Highlights of Jordan & Egypt
Crafted especially for discerning travelers seeking a fast-paced trip, this luxury highlights escape whisks you between eight destinations across Jordan and Egypt. Throughout, you'll stay in 5-star hotels, a captivating desert retreat, and a stylish stateroom onboard the Farah Nile Cruise. When you're not enjoying each accommodation's amenities, a roundup of exclusive tours awaits, including a hike to Petra's Ed-Dier, a thrilling hot-air balloon ride over Wadi Rum, and an insider access tour of the Great Sphinx.
![Cruise your way down the Nile in the utmost luxury (photo courtesy of Farah Nile Cruise)](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/29689e19-e385-4e25-9276-8bd9a75462f6/original-e45cdb35c8aec2e811034aaceac7b8fe.jpg)
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Arrive in Amman (Jordan), Transfer to the Dead Sea | The Dead Sea |
Day 2 | Transfer to Petra, Ancient City Tour | Petra |
Day 3 | Secret Petra Hike, Transfer to Wadi Rum | Wadi Rum |
Day 4 | Wadi Rum Balloon Ride, Fly to Cairo (Egypt), Dinner Cruise | Cairo |
Day 5 | Giza Pyramids & Insider's Sphinx Tour | Cairo |
Day 6 | Fly to Luxor, Board Nile Cruise, East Bank Tour | Luxor |
Day 7 | Luxor West Bank Tour, Cruise to Esna | Esna |
Day 8 | Cruise to Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples | Kom Ombo |
Day 9 | Cruise to Aswan, Tour Aswan's Highlights | Aswan |
Day 10 | Fly to Cairo, Museum Tour & Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, Depart |
From the airport in Amman, a private driver will whisk you to the extravagant Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea Resort. Spend the evening here indulging in its luxurious spa offerings, as over the following days, you'll be busy taking in the wonders of Jordan. In the "Lost City" of Petra, stroll the Street of Facades and trek through the mountains to the Ed-Dier monument; then, in Wadi Rum, bump through rock canyons in a 4WD vehicle and take to the skies for an extraordinary sunrise balloon flight. Afterward, jet to Cairo, where you'll explore the Great Pyramid of Khufu and be privileged to insider access to the Great Sphinx.
The next chapter of your journey unfolds aboard the stylish Farah Nile Cruise, taking you from Luxor to Aswan over four memorable days. In Luxor, join up with expert guides to delve into the mind-boggling historical highlights of the East Bank and West Bank. Then, continuing south, you'll disembark in Edfu to admire the well-preserved Temple of Horus and in Kom Ombo to ponder the meaning behind 2,000-year-old hieroglyphics. Lastly, dock in Aswan and embark on a tour of the imposing Aswan High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk before catching your connecting flight home. Learn more
More Great 10-Day Egypt Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Egypt? Check out these other 10-day Egypt itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.