Highlights
- Take a dinner cruise on a traditional "felucca" while feasting on Egyptian specialties
- Visit Cairo's most iconic landmarks, including the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx
- Spend four nights on a luxury sailboat, cruising down the Nile with a private crew
- Experience in-depth tours of Nile Valley highlights, from Luxor to Abu Simbel
- Learn to cook Egyptian classics with your boat's private chef
Brief Itinerary
| 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 |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Cairo, Felucca Boat Cruise, Lunch on the River Nile
Welcome to Egypt! This nation's long history dates back to around 3000 BCE, and in that time, it has seen no fewer than 33 Pharaonic dynasties. Even more impressive is that grand remnants from these many eras still stand in various parts of the country. This 10-day tour will take you to many such historic treasures and landmarks, and you'll do so while traveling in luxury—on both land and water.
You'll arrive in the grand capital of Cairo, and at the airport terminal, a driver will pick you up and transfer you to Villa Belle Époque. Billed as Egypt's first boutique hotel, this 4-star gem is located in the refined Maadi neighborhood in an elegant 1920s manor. Its homey, romantic rooms feature verandas looking out over lush gardens and a shimmering pool. You can dine al fresco by the swimming pool at the on-site restaurant, where a globe-trotting menu offers everything from quinoa goat cheese salad to Thai noodles.
Speaking of which, after all the traveling and transfers, you'll no doubt be hungry. A driver will take you to the waterfront, where you'll hop on a felucca (traditional river sailboat) for a memorable meal on the world's longest river, the Nile. As you cruise this legendary waterway, you'll feast on several Egyptian favorites and refreshing beverages. After the three-hour cruise, you'll return to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.
Day 2: Day Trip to Giza Pyramids, Memphis & Saqqara, Dinner at Abou El Sid
Rise and shine! This morning, you'll meet your private guide and set off to visit some of Egypt's most iconic sites, starting with the ancient pyramids of Dahshour, constructed during Egypt's fourth dynasty around 4,600 years ago. Then, continue to the famed Giza Plateau. First up is the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the oldest of the three pyramids and the only one to remain largely intact. Built as a tomb in 2600 BCE, its shape was intended to help the dead pharaoh's spirit rise to heaven.
Nearby, you'll find Khafre, the best-preserved of the main pyramids, and Menkaure, the smallest of the three. The next activity involves special insider access to the Great Sphinx, the iconic limestone statue depicting a creature with a man's head and a lion's body. This exclusive tour will take you right up to the statue's paws. Finally, you'll head to the ancient ruins of Memphis, the first unified capital of the ancient world. Here, you'll visit the necropolis of Saqqara, an ancient burial ground, to explore the Step Pyramid of Djoser and 4,350-year-old tombs with ancient hieroglyphics engraved on the walls.
After a full day of touring, you'll return to your hotel in the late afternoon. In the evening, get a taste of Egypt's renowned hospitality as you enjoy an authentic dinner at Abou El Sid Restaurant. Entering the dining room is like stepping back in time into an elegant Cairo home in the 1930s. The menu complements the decor, as you'll enjoy a traditional mezze (a selection of hot and cold appetizers) followed by comforting classics like moussaka, okra-and-veal tajin, and muammar (savory rice with cream).
Day 3: Fly to Luxor, Tour the West Bank
Transfer to the airport this morning for the one-hour flight to Luxor. This small city in the Nile Valley was once the capital of ancient Thebes and is a veritable open-air museum due to its many historical landmarks. Your arrival here kicks off the riverine portion of this luxury tour, during which you'll cruise down the Nile on a private yacht.
First, though, your driver will take you to your hotel for the night: the Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor. This 5-star colonial-style hotel dates to the 19th century and features a grand facade and well-manicured gardens overlooking the Nile. Its beautifully appointed rooms feature parquet floors with luxurious furnishings, crystal chandeliers, and terraces overlooking the river. If you like, take a dip in the Olympic-style pool, followed by a treatment at the hotel spa.
After dropping off your bags, you'll meet a local guide for a private tour of Luxor's many highlights. Today's excursion will lead you to the West Bank and the famed Valley of the Kings. The rock-cut tombs here were built for kings and pharaohs, buried between the 16th and 11th centuries BCE. Visit the Tomb of Tutankhamun and the beautiful Temple of Deir el-Bahari, a complex of mortuary temples and tombs, including the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. You'll also stop at the Colossi of Memnon to see the imposing statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that guard the entrance of his memorial temple.
Day 4: Luxor East Bank Tour, Board Luxury Sailboat
This morning, you'll hop over to Luxor's East Bank for a tour of the highlights on that side of the city. Start at the Karnak Temple complex, the second-largest ancient religious site in the world and once the most significant religious complex in ancient Egypt. Founded in the Middle Kingdom, it's now one of Egypt's largest surviving temples. From its massive decorated pillars to the obelisks, statues, and kiosks, the complex, which took around 2,000 years to finish, will astound you.
Then, continue to the famed Luxor Temple complex, built during the New Kingdom around 1400 BCE and dedicated to Amun Ra. Walk down the Avenue of the Sphinxes, which once connected Luxor with Karnak, guarded by the giant statues of Ramesses II.
After a busy day of tours, you'll gather your things, transfer to the port, and board a dahabiya. These traditional two-masted sailboats have been plying the Nile waters since the 19th century, and yours has been redesigned to offer luxury accommodations. It features just four staterooms, and due to the yacht's smaller size, it can dock on Nile islands that are otherwise inaccessible to larger ships. Take your pick of the luxury rooms, featuring picture windows and private patios, then head back up to the deck to catch the sunset while the ship's chef whips up a dinner of your choosing.
Day 5: Sail to El Hegz, Local Village Tour
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Wake up to a decadent Egyptian breakfast on board the ship, savoring each bite as the Nile scenery passes you by. Your first stop after a couple of hours of sailing is the island of El Hegz. Here, you'll disembark for a walking tour of this agrarian community, which offers a glimpse into rural Egyptian life with its charming mud-brick houses, narrow alleyways, and verdant fields stretching along the banks of the Nile.
Upon returning to the ship, you'll enjoy lunch on board and spend the rest of the day relaxing on the sundeck or in the plush lounge. If you like, continue exploring the island by bicycle or even donkey. After another memorable dinner, spend the night on board the ship docked at El Hegz.
Day 6: Sail to El Kab & Edfu, Egyptian Cooking Lesson
Continue south this morning as you sail past the city of Esna to El Kab. Located on the east bank of the Nile about 50 miles (80 km) south of Luxor, this city consists of prehistoric and ancient Egyptian settlements, like rock-cut tombs of the early Eighteenth Dynasty (1550–1295 BCE). On a private tour, you'll see these tombs, as well as remains of temples dating from the Early Dynastic period (3100–2686 BC) to the Ptolemaic Kingdom (332–30 BC).
Back on the boat, you'll enjoy lunch as you cruise to Edfu, located about 15 miles (24 km) south. This city is located on the west bank of the Nile and is home to iconic landmarks like the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved shrines in Egypt. Constructed between 237 BCE and 57 BCE, you can still make out many intricate inscriptions.
Following a private afternoon tour of Edfu, you'll return to the ship in time for a cooking lesson. During this experience, the boat's private chef will teach you the secrets to Egyptian cuisine, and you'll enjoy your creations for dinner.
Day 7: Sail to Kom Ombo via Gebel el-Silsila, Kem Ombo Temple Tour
If you like, wake up early to watch the sunrise before enjoying another breakfast on deck. Eventually, the boat will stop in Gebel el-Silsila, a quarry site active during Egypt's New Kingdom period approximately 3500 years ago. The sandstone produced here was used in many of Egypt's most famous temples and monuments, including Karnak and Luxor.
Throughout lunch, the ship will continue sailing to the Temple of Kom Ombo, built during the Ptolemaic Dynasty from 180-47 BCE. Dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god of fertility, and the falcon-god Horus, the temple features duplicate halls and sanctuaries for each deity, creating a harmonious layout. During a tour, you can admire the intricately carved reliefs and hieroglyphics that narrate stories of ancient rituals and medical practices.
The ship will dock at a river island near Kom Ombo for the evening. Once there, you'll disembark and enjoy a freshly prepared barbecue dinner on the Nile before retiring to your cabin.
Day 8: Sail to Aswan, Disembark Sailboat, Aswan Highlights Tour
This morning, you'll cruise to the final stop on this river adventure: Aswan, a city rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Located on the Nile, Aswan is renowned for its idyllic setting, with palm-fringed islands, granite outcrops, and shimmering waters creating a picture-postcard backdrop.
After docking at the port, say goodbye to your crew and transfer into the city to your hotel. The 5-star Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan is a historic marvel, sitting on a pink granite cliff overlooking the world's longest river. Dating to the 19th century, the Old Cataract has a legendary guest list that includes royals, dignitaries, and authors (Agatha Christie even sipped cocktails in its smart lounge). While here, you'll enjoy world-class hospitality and a spa, pool, and neo-Byzantine-style suites overlooking the Nile out to Elephantine Island. It's a place ideal for both romantic getaways and Egyptian adventures.
Later, you'll meet a local guide for a private sightseeing tour. Highlights include the Temple of Philae, an island temple complex that dates to the fourth century BCE and is dedicated to the goddess Isis. Then, continue to Egypt's engineering achievement of the modern era, the Aswan High Dam, to admire the sweeping views. You'll also stop at the Unfinished Obelisk. This massive granite monolith measures 138 feet (42 m), making it the world's largest known ancient obelisk.
Day 9: Return Flight to Abu Simbel, Full-Day Temple & Ruins Tour
Take to the skies this morning as you transfer to the Aswan airport for a 40-minute flight to Abu Simbel, home to a vital archaeological site that includes two UNESCO-listed rock-cut temples: the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari. These iconic landmarks were commissioned by Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE and were carved out of sandstone cliffs. The main temple is dedicated to the gods Ra-Horakhty, Ptah, and Amun, while the smaller temple honors the pharaoh's beloved wife, Queen Nefertari.
Enter the Great Temple between the towering statues of the pharaoh on his throne to explore the interior halls and chambers. Admire the impressive wall reliefs depicting scenes from Egyptian mythology, religious rituals, and the pharaoh's military conquests. Along the way, your guide will reveal the history surrounding the temples and share the remarkable story of how the entire site was moved piece by piece in 1968 to protect it from the rising waters of the Aswan Dam. At the end of the tour, you'll catch the short flight back to Aswan.
Day 10: Fly to Cairo, Depart
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