On this eight-day cruise, you'll have time to marvel at the wonders of Egypt and relax while traveling on one of the largest artificial lakes in the world — Lake Nasser. You'll see major sights like the Great Pyramids of Giza, the ancient structures of Aswan, and the monumental temples at Abu Simbel.

Highlights

  • Explore the three great pyramids of Giza
  • Marvel at treasures like King Tut's mask and sarcophagus
  • Cruise on Lake Nasser
  • See early Roman Kalabsha temple
  • Wander through monumental Abu Simbel

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Cairo Cairo
Day 2 Cairo: Egyptian Museum and Great Pyramids of Giza Cairo
Day 3 Fly to Aswan and Lake Nasser Cruise Aswan
Day 4 Lake Nasser cruise, Kalabsha, and Wadi es-Seboua Nubia
Day 5 Visit Amada Temple Nubia
Day 6 Qasr Ibrim and Abu Simbel Aswan
Day 7 Cairo Cairo
Day 8 Return home  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo

Cairo, Egypt
Cairo, Egypt

Arrive in Egypt's capital — one of the largest cities in Africa and in the Middle East. Your tour coordinator will meet you at Cairo International Airport and escort you to your hotel by an air-conditioned vehicle. After check-in, you will be free to relax for the evening before starting your tour the next day.
For dinner, you can explore, to try authentic Egyptian local cuisine.

Day 2: Cairo: Egyptian Museum and Great Pyramids of Giza

Pyramids of Giza
Pyramids of Giza

After breakfast at your hotel in Cairo, you'll meet your Egyptologist who will accompany you on your day exploring the city and its sites. Activities will include:

  • The Egyptian Museum: Visit the Museum of Antiquities, commonly known as the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which has a substantial collection of ancient treasures such as the tomb of King Tut and his funerary mask.
  • The Pyramids of Giza: First you'll travel to Giza outside of Cairo where you will see the three major pyramids at its necropolis complex. Your Egyptologist will explain the history of their construction, which spanned nearly three generations starting from the Great Pyramid of Giza — Cheops — followed by the smaller Chepren, and Mykerinos. 

Day 3: Fly to Aswan and Lake Nasser Cruise

Lake Nasser, Egypt
Lake Nasser, Egypt

After breakfast at your hotel in Cairo, you'll transfer to the airport, where you'll board your flight to Aswan. Once in Aswan, your tour coordinator will meet you and escort you to an air-conditioned vehicle to start your cruise. Lunch and dinner will be served on board as you make your way down Lake Nasser.

Plan your trip to Egypt
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.

Day 4: Lake Nasser cruise, Kalabsha, and Wadi es-Seboua

Kalabsha Temple
Kalabsha Temple

Your cruise ship will sail to Kalabsha and then Wadi es-Seboua, where your guide will lead you through some of the area's major sights. Your explorations will include:

  • Kalabsha Temple: A structure built in the early Roman era, around 30 BCE by Octavius Augustus, and dedicated to the God Mandulis. 
  • Wadi es-Seboua: Explore this sight also known as Valley of the Lions, where there are two New Kingdom temples — one built during the 19th dynasty by  Pharaoh Ramesses II, and the other built during the 18th dynasty Pharaoh Amenhotep III. 

Day 5: Visit Amada Temple

Wadi El Seboua Temple
Wadi El Seboua Temple

You'll continue to make your way down Lake Nasser on your cruise ship, sailing to Amada. There, your guide will explain the significance of the temple there:
Amada Temple: Considered among the oldest Egyptian temples in Nubia, it was commissioned by Pharaoh Thutmose III of the 18th dynasty and dedicated to Amun and Re-Horakhty.

Day 6: Qasr Ibrim and Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel. Egypt
Abu Simbel. Egypt

The adventure on Lake Nasser will continue as you get ready to explore some of the most significant archaeological sights in the area:

  • Qasr Ibrim: Once a major city in Lower Nubia, flooding on Lake Nasser after the construction of Aswan Dam transformed it into an island. It is closed to the public, but you can appreciate its beauty from afar.
  • Abu Simbel:  You'll have time to explore two significant temples here that were originally carved out of a mountainside in the 13th century BC, during the 19th dynasty of Pharaoh Ramesses II. One was dedicated to the king to  commemorate his victory at the Battle of Kadesh, and the other to his queen Nefertari. 

Day 7: Cairo

Cairo by night
Cairo by night

After breakfast, you'll fly from Abu Simbel airpot to Cairo. 
In Cairo, you'll be escorted to your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle, and then you'll have the evening free to see more of the city, and enjoy authentic Egyptian food at a local restaurant.

Day 8: Return home

Goodbye Egypt
Goodbye Egypt

After breakfast, you'll make your way to Cairo International Airport for your flight home. 

Map

Map of Discover the Great Pyramids, Aswan & Abu Simbel - 8 days
Map of Discover the Great Pyramids, Aswan & Abu Simbel - 8 days