Ultimate Luxury in Egypt: Cairo, Nile Cruise & Sharm el-Sheikh - 10 Days

Highlights

• Get unique insider's access to the pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx
• Board a luxury cruiser for a few memorable days exploring temples along the Nile
• Relax on the soft sands of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt's premier beach resort area

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo, Nile Dinner Cruise

Welcome to Egypt! Not only does this gem of the Middle East claim thousands of years of settled history, but many antiquities from its various epochs remain in the form of temples, monuments, citadels, mosques—and, of course, pyramids. This 10-day luxury tour could only start in Cairo, a dynamic capital with culture and history to spare. A driver will pick you up at the airport terminal for the ride to the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at First Residence.

Located in the Giza district, this 5-star hotel sits on the Nile River and is conveniently located next to major attractions, like the prestigious First Mall complex. The well-appointed rooms and suites offer the utmost comfort and dazzle with views of the pyramids. Upon arrival, you can relax and indulge in an aromatic massage once reserved for Egyptian royalty. Other amenities include a pool, spa, and several high-end restaurants, including Aura, featuring Mediterranean-inspired dishes; Bella, known for its gourmet Italian cuisine; and the Tea Lounge, offering afternoon tea and light snacks.

Save the hotel restaurants for later because this evening, you'll transfer to the Nile and hop on a riverboat designed to look like a pharaonic barge. Admire the panoramic views of the Cairo skyline from the deck, then head to the dining room for a buffet dinner with a mix of local and international dishes and desserts. Complementing the meal will be performances of Egyptian music, belly dancing, or whirling dervish shows. Afterward, you'll return to your hotel.

Day 2: Giza Pyramids & Insider's Great Sphinx Tour

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. Of course, with millions of tourists visiting the pyramids each year, the site can sometimes feel crowded. Lucky for you, 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, between which is an epigraphic stele commissioned by the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose IV in the 14th century BCE.

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.

Day 3: Fly to Aswan, Board Cruise, Highlights of Aswan Tour

Return to Cairo's airport this morning and board the 1.5-hour flight south to Aswan. This is one of the great Nile cities—a place rich in history and culture. It's renowned for its idyllic riverine setting, with palm-fringed islands, granite outcrops, and shimmering waters that create a picture-postcard backdrop.

Upon arrival, meet your driver for a quick ride to the waterfront and hop aboard the Sonesta Sun Goddess, a luxury vessel purpose-built to deliver memorable river adventures in Egypt. The craft is big enough to offer plenty of comfort and luxury services but small enough to provide more intimacy than the competition. For example, the Sun Goddess features 30 staterooms, while most other riverboats have 60-80. It's also one of the few boats whose suites offer balconies—perfect for relaxing and enjoying a sundowner cocktail.

After dropping off your bags in your spacious stateroom, you'll meet a private guide for one last sightseeing tour in Aswan. 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. Later, you'll return to the ship and overnight on the water.

Day 4: Cruise to Esna, Visit Kom Ombo & the Temple of Horus

Enjoy a decadent breakfast on board the Sun Goddess as the ship cruises north to Edfu, a city on the west bank of the Nile. On the way there, you'll stop at Kom Ombo. This temple was built during the Ptolemaic Dynasty from 180-47 BCE and is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed God of fertility, and the falcon-god Horus. It features duplicate halls and sanctuaries for each deity, creating a harmonious layout. During a private tour, you can admire the intricately carved reliefs and hieroglyphics that narrate stories of ancient rituals and medical practices.

Later, you'll arrive in Edfu and disembark once again to visit its most famous landmark, the Temple of Horus. Constructed between 237 BCE and 57 BCE, this is one of the best-preserved shrines in Egypt. You can still make out many intricate inscriptions. After visiting the temple, you'll return to the Sun Goddess and sleep on board as the vessel continues north overnight toward the famed city of Luxor. 

Day 5: Cruise to Luxor, West Bank Tour

This morning, the Sun Goddess will arrive at its final destination, 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. Upon arrival, you'll meet a local guide for a private tour of Luxor's many highlights around the city's West Bank and the famed Valley of the Kings.

Here, you'll marvel at rock-cut tombs built for kings and pharaohs, buried between the 16th and 11th centuries BCE. You'll also 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. Another highlight is a stop at the Colossi of Memnon to see the imposing statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that guard the entrance of his memorial temple. At the end of the day, you'll return to the ship.

Day 6: Disembark Cruise, Luxor Highlights Tour: Habu Temple & Tomb of Nobles

Bid farewell to the Sun Goddess this morning as you transfer to your luxury hotel, the Sofitel Winter Palace. This 5-star colonial-style hotel was built in the 19th century and features a grand facade and well-manicured gardens overlooking the Nile and the Theban Necropolis. 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 on-site spa. You can also grab a bite in the signature restaurant or enjoy your meal in the garden amid Nile views.

Don't get too comfortable because after checking in, you'll meet a local guide for a private tour of Luxor's other highlights. First up is the ancient Habu Temple. Built during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses III in the 12th century BCE, it features dazzling hieroglyphs and inscriptions. Continue to Carter House, where the famous British archaeologist Howard Carter lived while searching for the Tomb of King Tutankhamun. The tour ends with a visit to the Tombs of the Nobles, where some of Egypt's most powerful historical figures are buried. Afterward, you'll transfer back to your hotel.

Day 7: Sunrise Balloon Ride, Luxor East Bank Tour, Fly to Sharm el-Sheikh

Rise just before dawn for a thrilling desert adventure you won't soon forget: a sunrise hot-air balloon flight over Luxor. Your driver will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to the Nile's western shores, where you'll receive a safety briefing. Then, hop in the basket and ascend into the air for the one-hour flight, watching as the morning sun gilds the tops of famous landmarks like Luxor Temple.

Afterward, you'll meet a guide for a tour of Luxor's East Bank. It starts at Karnak Temple, the second-largest ancient religious site in the world. Founded in the Middle Kingdom, it's one of Egypt's largest surviving temples. From its massive pillars to the obelisks, statues, and kiosks, the complex, which took around 2,000 years to finish, will astound you. Then, continue to Luxor Temple, 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 ballooning and tours, you'll transfer to the airport for the one-hour flight to Egypt's southern Sinai Peninsula and Sharm el-Sheikh, the nation's most famous beach resort town on the gorgeous Red Sea coast. Befitting the scenery, you'll stay at the Sunrise Arabian Beach Resort, a 5-star hotel situated on its own private beach. From your elegant room or suite, you can look out to the resort's lush gardens and the Red Sea. The hotel has a wide variety of swimming pools and restaurants, including a large central pool with a swim-up bar and both buffet and a la carte restaurants.

Day 8: Ras Mohammed National Park Snorkeling, ATV Safari & Bedouin Village

The day is yours to enjoy Sharm el-Sheikh however you like. If you have yet to experience the full glory of the coast's famous corals, grab your swimsuit and sunscreen and join a morning snorkeling tour to Ras Mohammed National Park. Known for world-class diving and snorkeling, this protected site has more than 130 coral reefs and diverse marine life like tropical fish, eels, rays, sea turtles, reef sharks, and even bottlenose dolphins. The boat will take you to several other stops around the famous White Island, where the gulfs of Suez and Aqaba meet, and you'll enjoy a barbecue lunch on deck in between dives.

Later on, head into the surrounding desert, where you can embark on an ATV safari to explore the vast sand dunes in an exhilarating fashion. For something slower-paced, take a 20-minute camel ride to Bedouin camp for an authentic dinner against the backdrop of a glorious sunset. After a fire show accompanied by traditional shisha (apple-flavored tobacco), you'll meet an astronomy guide at the telescope area for stargazing under the clearest desert skies.

Day 9: Free Time in Sharm el-Sheikh, Optional Mount Sinai Overnight Hike

Today is free for you to laze around the hotel pool, grab a book and a perfect spot on the beach, or indulge in the resort's luxe spa services. If you're keen to get back out on the water, join another boat tour, this time focusing on the nearby Tiran Island. You'll have the opportunity to snorkel or dive among vibrant Red Sea corals and schools of tropical fish, and explore the famous 1941 wreck of the SS Thistlegorm.

If you want to end your trip in a truly memorable fashion, grab a nap this afternoon and rest up for an epic overnight excursion to St. Catherine's Monastery. Located at the foot of Mount Sinai, this Greek-Orthodox religious center, built between 548 and 565 CE, is the world's oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery. It was actually built on the site where Moses is said to have encountered God speaking to him from a burning bush. You'll leave your hotel just before midnight and start a trek from the monastery, reaching the summit of Mount Sinai in time for a spectacular sunrise.

Day 10: Fly to Cairo, Depart

This morning is the final one you'll spend on the Egyptian coast (for now). Savor the moment with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel as you gaze out to the sea. Then, at the appropriate time, transfer to the airport in Sharm el-Sheikh, where you'll board a plane to Cairo and, later, catch your connecting flight home. Come back soon!

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