Egypt

Day Trips

Arrive at Cairo International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Settle into your room and unwind after the flight. Enjoy a light breakfast at the hotel to fuel your exploration.

Visit the renowned Egyptian Museum and marvel at its vast collection of antiquities. See the treasures of Tutankhamun and learn about the pharaohs’ legacy through captivating displays. Capture photos of golden statues and ancient relics under expert guidance.

Dine at a riverside restaurant overlooking the Nile while sampling traditional Egyptian dishes. Take a leisurely stroll along the Corniche to soak in the evening breeze. Return to your hotel for a restful first night in Cairo.

Start early with a drive to the Giza Plateau to witness the Great Pyramid bathed in morning light. Explore the interiors of the Chephren and Mykerinos pyramids for an up-close view. Enjoy a camel ride around the monument for a unique perspective.

Visit the enigmatic Great Sphinx and learn about its myths and history from a local guide. Walk along the desert landscape for panoramic views of all three pyramids. Stop at a lookout point to capture photos of this iconic archaeological complex.

Attend the Sound and Light Show at Giza for a dramatic retelling of ancient Egyptian tales. Savor dinner at a nearby restaurant with pyramid views at sunset. Head back to your hotel to relax and reflect on the day’s wonders.

Drive south of Cairo to Saqqara to see the world’s oldest stone pyramid, the Step Pyramid of Djoser. Wander through the surrounding necropolis and ancient tombs decorated with vivid reliefs. Learn about early dynastic funerary practices from your knowledgeable guide.

Continue to Dahshur to explore the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid. Compare their different architectural styles and better understand pyramid evolution. Enjoy a picnic lunch amid the desert scenery before heading back toward Cairo.

Return to your Cairo hotel and freshen up for the evening. Dine at a traditional Egyptian eatery in a lively neighborhood. Sample local meze and sip mint tea while soaking in the city’s bustling atmosphere.

Take an early flight to Luxor and transfer to your hotel on the East Bank of the Nile. Unpack and relax by the pool or take a short nap to recharge. Meet your guide for a briefing on Luxor’s highlights.

Visit Luxor Temple and admire its towering columns and statues of Ramses II. Learn about the annual Opet Festival that linked Luxor Temple with Karnak. Stroll along the avenue of sphinxes that once connected the two grand complexes.

Head to Karnak Temple at sunset when the sandstone walls glow in golden hues. Watch the columns cast long shadows and feel the ancient atmosphere as darkness falls. Return to your hotel for dinner overlooking the Nile.

Cross the Nile to the West Bank and explore the Valley of the Kings. Enter select tombs of pharaohs like Tutankhamun and Seti I to admire vibrant murals. Observe guidelines to preserve these delicate ancient artworks.

Visit the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, set against dramatic cliff faces. Learn about the reign of Egypt’s most famous female pharaoh and her architectural innovations. Stop at the Colossi of Memnon for photos with the towering statues of Amenhotep III.

Return to Luxor’s East Bank and enjoy a relaxing felucca sail at dusk. Drift along the Nile as the sky shifts from orange to deep blue. Anchor near the riverbank and savor dinner on the deck under a starlit sky.

Board your luxury Nile cruise ship after breakfast and meet the crew. Settle into your cabin and tour the vessel’s amenities, including the sun deck and bar. Enjoy a welcome briefing about the cruise schedule and safety procedures.

Sail toward Edfu while watching the Nile’s ever-changing scenery from the deck. Disembark to visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples. Walk through the grand hypostyle hall and learn about ancient falcon cult rituals.

Return to the cruise ship for dinner featuring a mix of Egyptian and international dishes. Watch the shoreline lights drift past as you sail toward Kom Ombo. Unwind with a drink at the bar and chat with fellow travelers about the day’s discoveries.

Start the day with a short early breakfast before visiting the Temple of Kom Ombo. Explore the unique double sanctuary dedicated to Sobek and Horus. Admire the detailed reliefs showing medical instruments and ancient gods.

Reboard the cruise and set sail for Aswan, passing small islands and Nubian villages. Relax on the deck with tea as the landscape changes to rocky banks and lush vegetation. Arrive in Aswan and check into your cabin before an afternoon rest.

Stroll along Aswan’s Corniche at sunset to watch local life unfold by the river. Dine on board with fresh fish dishes and traditional Nubian flavors. Enjoy an entertaining folkloric show depicting local music and dance.

Take a short boat ride to Philae Island and explore the Temple of Isis. Wander through its colonnaded halls and learn about the goddess’s cult and legends. Capture views of the surrounding reservoir and lush palm trees.

Visit the ancient granite quarries at Aswan to see the Unfinished Obelisk. Marvel at the massive monolith still attached to the bedrock and understand the challenges of carving such a structure. Return to your cruise for lunch and a siesta on deck.

Enjoy a peaceful felucca ride around the botanical gardens on Kitchener’s Island. Watch the sunset color the sky as you sip herbal tea. Head back to the ship for a themed dinner under the stars.

Rise before dawn for a scenic drive or flight to Abu Simbel. Arrive in time to see the monumental façade of Ramses II illuminated by the rising sun. Enter the Great Temple to admire its colossal statues and interior rock reliefs.

Explore the Temple of Hathor and Nefertari nearby, known for its elegant proportions. Learn about the modern relocation project that saved Abu Simbel from flooding. Return to Aswan for lunch and some free time to relax on the ship.

Celebrate your return with a special dinner on the cruise featuring regional specialties. Enjoy live music and dance performances by Nubian artists. Spend your last night onboard stargazing from the sundeck.

Disembark your Nile cruise after breakfast and transfer to Aswan airport for a flight to Cairo. Check in at your city hotel and unpack before heading out. Take a short rest or swim in the hotel pool to rejuvenate.

Visit Khan el-Khalili, Cairo’s oldest bazaar, to wander through its labyrinthine alleys. Browse stalls selling spices, textiles, jewelry, and handmade crafts. Practice your bargaining skills and soak up the market’s vibrant atmosphere.

Enjoy a farewell dinner at a historic café in the bazaar, sampling koshary and sweet baklava. Watch street performers and local musicians as you dine al fresco. Return to your hotel with memories of an unforgettable Egyptian adventure.