Discover Egypt's Capital & Sail the Nile River - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo, Walking Food Tour

Welcome to Cairo, known as "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its intricate Islamic architecture with mosques dating back to the Fatimid period. Meet your driver at the airport for a transfer to your hotel to check in and refresh before your half-day food tour. Follow your guide through the bustling streets and hidden alleyways, with four stops at eateries where you can indulge in local delights like kebabs, falafel, baklava, or Egypt's national dish, koshary (layers of lentils, chickpeas, rice, and macaroni topped with a tangy tomato sauce and crispy fried onions). 

While you savor various dishes, you'll learn about the ingredients and origins of each, allowing you to connect with the traditions that have shaped the city's vibrant food scene. Choose from a range of Egyptian drinks, like sahlab (a milky drink made from orchid root powder flavored with rosewater), asab (sugar cane juice), or karkadeh (hibiscus tea served hot or cold). After four hours of feasting on culinary delights, head back to your hotel and settle in for the night.

Day 2: Visit the Giza Pyramid Complex & Egyptian Museum, Fly to Aswan 

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer 30 minutes with your guide to the Giza Pyramid Complex, home to three of the world's most famous pyramids. Head to the towering Great Pyramid of Giza first, the largest of the three and the only remaining wonder of the ancient world. Nearby, admire the original limestone casing at the tip of the best-preserved Pyramid of Khafre. Last up is the Pyramid of Menkaure, the smallest of the three. Before you leave, visit the nearby Great Sphinx, carved out of a natural rocky outcrop and extending 240 feet (73 m) in length. 

Back in the city, spend two hours exploring the Egyptian Museum, home to one of the most comprehensive collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Wander through the museum and admire highlights like Tutankhamun's golden mask. Then, spend the rest of the day discovering Old Cairo's religious buildings, such as the Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus, which is believed to be built on the site where the Holy Family once sought refuge. Following the tour, you'll transfer to the airport for a 1.5-hour flight to Aswan, your gateway to the Nile River.

Day 3: Visit the Aswan High Dam, Sail to the Temple of Kom Ombo

Spend the morning on a guided tour discovering some of Aswan's highlights, starting at the Aswan High Dam—a monumental structure built to control flooding, provide irrigation, and generate hydroelectric power. Completed in 1970 CE, the dam created Lake Nasser, one of the largest artificial lakes in the world. Next, hop on a boat to reach Philae Temple, nestled atop Agilkia Island. Admire the intricate hieroglyphic carvings detailing the life and various roles of the goddess Isis, a nurturing and protective deity to whom the temple is dedicated. 

Around noon, transfer to the port to board a dahabiya, a luxurious sailboat used primarily on the Nile River. The dahabiya will be your accommodation and transportation for the next four days, so settle in as you start the journey to Kom Ombo. When you arrive, disembark and head to the Temple of Kom Ombo, a symmetrical temple split down the middle to honor two gods: Horus, the falcon-headed god of the sky and war, and Sobek, the crocodile god of fertility. Explore the temple to discover its mirrored halls and sanctuaries, all adorned with intricate carvings and reliefs, before returning to the boat for dinner.

Day 4: Sail to Gebel el-Silsila & Al Bashir Island near Edfu

Savor breakfast on the deck while you sail to Gebel el-Silsila, one of Egypt's most captivating archaeological and geological sites, whose ancient quarries provided the sandstone used in constructing many of the country's iconic monuments and temples. Disembark and follow your guide through the labyrinth of ancient quarrying pits, small temples, tombs, and shrines carved directly into the rock. Enjoy a close-up look at the impressive carvings etched into the stone that depict scenes of pharaohs, deities, and workers and offer valuable insights into the quarrying techniques of the ancient Egyptians.

As you walk, you'll also learn about the site's history as a significant religious location, where ancient Egyptians performed offerings and rituals to ensure the fertility of the land. Return to the dahabiya for lunch as you sail to Al Bashir Island. Anchor near its shores and enjoy a relaxing evening on board. Grab a cup of tea, sit back, and wait until the sun sets, transforming the sky into a vibrant palette of warm oranges, pinks, and purples. Then, as darkness falls, indulge in a delicious barbecue dinner overlooking the water.

Day 5: Explore Edfu Temple & El Kab, Sail to El Hegz Island near Esna

Sail the short distance to Edfu today, where you'll hop in a horse-drawn carriage to visit Edfu Temple, one of the best-preserved temples from the Ptolemaic period. Also dedicated to Horus, this massive temple features an impressive facade with colossal statues of the falcon-headed god and towering pylons. Once inside, marvel at the well-preserved reliefs and hieroglyphs that adorn the walls, depicting scenes from mythology and religious rituals relating to Horus. Admire the equally awe-inspiring inner halls and sanctuaries that showcase inscriptions and detailed carvings.

Return to the dahabiya and partake of a delicious lunch while you sail to El Kab, a small village close to a vast archaeological site—the ancient city of Nekheb. Walk past prehistoric and ancient Egyptian settlements, Early Dynastic temples, rock-cut tombs, and a Coptic monastery. The site's highlight, the Temple of Nekhbet, is dedicated to the vulture goddess of Upper Egypt. Look up at the towering pylons and intricately carved columns flanking the entrance, then step inside to wander the labyrinthine halls and inner sanctums. Afterward, return to the boat for dinner as you sail to El Hegz Island near Esna. 

Day 6: Sail to Luxor, Guided Tour of Luxor's West & East Bank

Your journey continues to Luxor this morning for an action-packed day of sightseeing, starting at the Valley of the Kings. This vast necropolis is the final resting place of many of Egypt's renowned pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, Ramesses the Great, and Seti I. Visits to the tombs aren't included, but your guide will highlight what's inside. Head up to Deir el-Bahari next to discover the mortuary temple complex dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut. Your last stop on the west bank is the Colossi of Memnon, twin statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, and all that remains of his mortuary temple.

Cross to the east bank to explore Luxor Temple, built to celebrate the rejuvenation of kingship and the gods Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. Look up at the towering statue of Ramesses II before strolling through the vast courtyard, hypostyle hall, inner sanctuaries, and Chapel of Alexander the Great. Move on to nearby Karnak, the second-largest religious complex in the world at over 200 acres (80 ha) and renowned for its hypostyle hall with 134 towering columns intricately decorated with hieroglyphs and reliefs. After your full day of temple touring, return to the boat for your last night on the Nile.

Day 7: Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Ride, Transfer to Hurghada

Leave the dahabiya behind this morning and set off around sunrise for a hot-air balloon ride over Luxor. Transfer to the launch site and complete a safety briefing before climbing into the basket and ascending into the air. Look down at the dry desert landscape as you soar above and try to spot the temples you visited yesterday on the east and west banks and the fertile Nile Delta. After 40 minutes floating through the air, meet your driver for a four-hour transfer to the coastal city of Hurghada overlooking the Red Sea. When you arrive, check in at your hotel and enjoy a free evening to unwind.

Day 8: Scuba Diving in the Red Sea

Change into your bathing suit and transfer to the port for a half-day scuba diving tour. You'll visit two sites where you can dive to a depth of 26-82 feet (8-25 m). The Red Sea is known for its crystal-clear waters and rich biodiversity, so you're sure to see an array of marine life. Don your gear, enter the water, and slowly descend while equalizing your ears. Search for graceful sea turtles, playful dolphins, and a kaleidoscope of tropical fish darting among the corals. After visiting both dive sites, enjoy lunch on board before returning to the port and transferring to your hotel.

Day 9: Fly to Cairo, Visit a Local Farm for a Cooking Class & Horseback Ride

After two days of soaking up the sun in Hurghada, it's time for a one-hour flight back to Cairo. When you arrive, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel to check in and freshen up. Then, head with your guide to a working Nawaya farm. This community-based cooperative emphasizes regenerative agriculture, permaculture, and community-centered traditional farming methods. Meet the welcoming farm manager and follow them on a tour of the fields, where you can learn about the organic methods used to cultivate a variety of crops, from fragrant herbs to vibrant vegetables. 

Then, discover more of the farm's agricultural fields and gardens on horseback for a different vantage point. Once you've worked up an appetite after your ride, meet some local women for a cooking lesson on authentic Egyptian cuisine. You'll discover the recipes for two main dishes and one side dish, such as lentil soup, aish baladi (whole wheat flatbread), mahshi (seasonal stuffed vegetables), and roqaq (a baked pastry filled with meat). When everything is ready, sit down to enjoy it as a group before returning to your hotel in Cairo.

Day 10: Depart Cairo

Now that you've seen some of Egypt's most iconic landmarks and natural landscapes, your 10-day adventure is coming to an end. If you have time before your flight, you could explore more of the city on your own. Visit landmarks you may have missed, like the Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan in Salah al-Din Square or Khan el-Khalili, a bustling bazaar, to shop for last-minute souvenirs and enjoy another taste of authentic Egyptian street food. When it's time, return to the hotel to grab your bags and meet your driver, then transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!