Highlights
- Tour the Great Pyramids & the towering Sphinx
- Explore Roman ruins & underground catacombs in Alexandria
- Sail the Nile on a scenic river cruise
- Discover the temples of Kom Ombo, Edfu & Karnak
- Walk in the footsteps of pharaohs at the Valley of the Kings
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Welcome to Cairo! | Cairo |
| Day 2 | Pyramids, Sphinx & Egyptian Museum | Cairo |
| Day 3 | Tour Alexandria & Wadi Natrun Monastery | Cairo |
| Day 4 | Fly to Aswan, Board Nile River Cruise | Aswan |
| Day 5 | Cruise Aswan to Edfu, Visit the Horus & Kom Ombo Temples | Edfu |
| Day 6 | Cruise Edfu to Luxor, Visit the Karnak & Luxor Temples | Luxor |
| Day 7 | Tour the Valley of the Kings, Depart Luxor |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Cairo!
Welcome to Egypt! Upon your arrival at Cairo's airport, you'll be met by your guide who will assist you through airport customs and arrange a transfer to your hotel. Get settled in and rest up for a full day of sightseeing tomorrow.
Day 2: Pyramids, Sphinx & Egyptian Museum
After breakfast, embark on a memorable excursion to Egypt's most iconic wonders. Start at the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinus, before continuing to the oldest known monumental sculpture and largest monolith statue in the world—the towering Sphinx. You'll also discover the Valley Temple, attributed to the 26th-century BCE King Chefren and used for part of the mummification process. Finally, you'll pay a visit to the Egyptian Museum where you can see the collection of Tutankhamen among other splendid pharaonic artifacts. In the afternoon, you'll return to Tahrir Square in Cairo.
Day 3: Tour Alexandria & Wadi Natrun Monastery
Today you'll meet your knowledgeable Egyptologist guide and drive to the desert valley of Wadi Natrun.
After visiting the remarkable Wadi Natrun Monastery, you'll continue to the Mediterranean port of Alexandria.
Embark on a whirlwind tour of Alexandria's highlights, starting with the Catacombs of Kom El Shoukafa. Descend underground to discover a world of ornate carvings and paintings and a mixture of Roman and Egyptian designs. Dating from the second century CE, it is the largest Roman funerary complex in Egypt and includes a warren of tombs on three levels. Continue to the harbor to see the Citadel of Qaitbey, a defensive fort that stands on the original site of the Pharos, Alexandria’s ancient lighthouse. Built in 279 CE, the legendary wonder of the ancient world stood guard over the harbor of Alexandria for over 1600 years and was topped with a towering statue of Poseidon. Although Pharos was restored at various times, it had finally crumbled by the time the original fort was built here in the 15th century CE.
After a morning of sightseeing, enjoy a leisurely lunch and return to Cairo for the afternoon.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Fly to Aswan, Board Nile River Cruise
Today you will catch a quick flight and journey south to Aswan, an archaeologically rich city on the banks of the Nile. Here you'll meet your guide and embark on a tour of the beautiful Temple of Philae, dedicated to the worship of the goddess Isis. Afterward, visit Egypt's remarkable engineering achievement of the modern era, the Aswan High Dam.
From here you'll transfer to the shores of the Nile River to set sail on your scenic Nile cruise, which will serve as your accommodation for the next three nights. After lunch on board, take a ride on a felucca (a traditional river sailboat) for panoramic views of the Botanical Gardens, Elephantine Island, and Agha Khan Mausoleum. Return to the cruise for the evening.
Day 5: Cruise Aswan to Edfu, Visit the Horus & Kom Ombo Temples
Today you continue your Nile journey, cruising north to visit the temple of Kom Ombo. Built during the Ptolemaic era, Kom Ombo was dedicated to the crocodile god (Sobek) and falcon god (Haroeris). Admire its many intact courts and halls, along with wall carvings and statues. Continue sailing to Edfu, home to the Temple of Horus, considered one of the best-preserved shrines in Egypt. You'll enjoy a Nile-side dinner and spend the night moored at Edfu.
Day 6: Cruise Edfu to Luxor, Visit the Karnak & Luxor Temples
After breakfast, arrive in Luxor and transfer to the Nile's east bank to visit the amazing Karnak and Luxor temples. Start at the famed Luxor temple complex, built during the New Kingdom around 1400 BCE. In the afternoon, you'll tour Karnak Temple, once a key religious center and one of Egypt's largest surviving temples. Return to the cruise to enjoy your final night on board, with a celebratory dinner and a spectacular Nile sunset.
Day 7: Tour the Valley of the Kings, Depart Luxor
This morning you'll say your goodbyes to the Nile as you disembark from the cruise and prepare for your departure. One last adventure beckons as you transfer to the west bank of Luxor for a tour of the Valley of the Kings. Discover the exteriors of the Tomb of Tutankhamun, the beautiful Temple of Der el Bahari (dedicated to the funerary cult of Queen Hatshepsut), and the Statues of Memnon.
In the afternoon transfer to Luxor Airport for your departing flight. Safe travels!