Explore Egypt: Ancient Sites, Nile Cruise & Red Sea - 11 Days

Day 1: Welcome to Cairo!

Welcome to Egypt! Upon your arrival at Cairo's airport, you'll be met by your guide who will assist you through customs and arrange a transfer to your hotel. Get settled in and rest up for a full day of sightseeing tomorrow.

Day 2: Discover the Great Pyramids, Sphinx & Egyptian Museum

After breakfast, embark on a memorable excursion to Egypt's most iconic wonders. Start at the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinus, before continuing to the oldest known monumental sculpture and largest monolith statue in the world—the towering Sphinx. You'll also discover the Valley Temple, attributed to the 26th-century BCE King Chefren and used for part of the mummification process.

After lunch, pay a visit to the Egyptian Museum, home to the finest collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world. Containing pharaohs' treasures dating back more than 5,000 years, the building is rectangular with a large rotunda on the ground floor containing massive exhibits, including colossal statues of Ramses II — get the best views by looking down from the upper galleries. The gold and alabaster trappings from the tomb of Tutankhamun (Tut) always draw crowds, too. Many of the Tutankhamun tomb treasures have been on display in museums around the world — including the golden mask — yet this one exhibit has always remained in Cairo.

In the afternoon, a return transfer takes you back to Cairo where you can spend the evening at your leisure.

Day 3: Day Trip to Alexandria, Tour the Catacombs & Citadel 

Today you'll meet your knowledgeable Egyptologist guide and drive three hours to the Mediterranean port of Alexandria. 

Embark on a whirlwind tour of Alexandria's highlights, starting with the Catacombs of Kom El Shoukafa. Descend underground to discover a world of ornate carvings and paintings and a mixture of Roman and Egyptian designs. Dating from the second century CE, it is the largest Roman funerary complex in Egypt and includes a warren of tombs on three levels.

Continue to the harbor to see the Citadel of Qaitbey, a defensive fort that stands on the original site of the Pharos, Alexandria’s ancient lighthouse. Built in 279 CE, the legendary wonder of the ancient world stood guard over the harbor of Alexandria for over 1600 years and was topped with a towering statue of Poseidon. Although Pharos was restored at various times, it had finally crumbled by the time the original fort was built here in the 15th century CE. 

After a leisurely lunch, you'll visit the beautiful Morsi Abu Alabas Mosque before transferring back to Cairo for the evening.

Day 4: Fly to Aswan, Tour the Temple of Philae & Aswan Dam

This morning you'll catch a quick flight south to Aswan, an archaeologically rich city on the banks of the Nile. Here you'll meet your guide and embark on a tour of the beautiful Temple of Philae, dedicated to the worship of the goddess Isis. Afterward, visit Egypt's remarkable engineering achievement of the modern era, the Aswan High Dam.

Get settled into your hotel, then head to the river to take a ride on a felucca (a traditional river sailboat) for panoramic views of the Botanical Gardens, Elephantine Island, and Agha Khan Mausoleum. 

In the evening, you'll have free time to browse the Aswan Old Market for souvenirs before returning to the hotel for dinner.

Day 5: Day Trip to Abu Simbel, Board the Nile River Cruise

Today you'll head south to visit the magnificent Abu Simbel Temples. Built by the Egyptian king Ramses II who reigned 1279–1213 BCE, the massive rock-cut facades are truly incredible to see in person: despite their relatively remote location, they're one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country.

After returning to Aswan, it's time for the next stage of your Egyptian adventure. Transfer to the shores of the Nile River to set sail on a scenic cruise, which serves as your accommodation for the next three nights.

Day 6: Cruise to Luxor, Visit the Horus, Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples En Route

Your Nile River journey starts this morning with a visit to the Temple of Kom Ombo. Built during the Ptolemaic era, Kom Ombo was dedicated to the crocodile god (Sobek) and falcon god (Haroeris). Admire its many intact courts and halls, along with wall carvings and statues, then return to the boat and enjoy lunch as you cruise towards Edfu. Here you'll disembark for a horse-drawn carriage tour through Edfu to reach the Temple of Horus, considered one of the best-preserved shrines in Egypt.

Back on board, you'll continue the journey upriver towards Luxor, and enjoy dinner onboard as the sun sets over the Nile.

Day 7: Tour the Valley of the Kings

Early risers can begin today with an optional sunrise hot air balloon excursion over the Valley of the Kings to see the breathtaking ancient site from above.

After breakfast onboard the boat, you'll transfer to the west bank of Luxor to tour the famed Valley of the Kings. Discover the exteriors of the Tomb of Tutankhamun, the beautiful Temple of Der el Bahari (dedicated to the funerary cult of Queen Hatshepsut), and the Statues of Memnon. 

Transfer to the east bank in the afternoon to explore the famed Luxor Temple Complex, built during the New Kingdom around 1400 BCE, and continue to the Karnak Temple, once a key religious center and one of Egypt's largest surviving temples. Walking down the Avenue of the Sphinxes, which once connected Luxor Temple with Karnak, is an impressive experience, as you follow an avenue guarded by the giant statues of Ramses II.

After an unforgettable day of sightseeing, you'll return to the cruise for your final night on board.

Day 8: Transfer to Hurghada & the Red Sea

After enjoying a final breakfast on the Nile, you'll switch gears from ancient Egyptian history to the great outdoors, transferring to Hurghada by car. This resort town on the coast of the Red Sea is known for its long sandy beach and an old town, El Dahar, where you can dine on traditional Egyptian cuisine and shop in colorful souks. The region is also a hot spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. One popular place for diving is the SS Thistlegorm Wreck, a famous shipwreck dive site with lionfish, stonefish, and sea turtles swimming alongside the ruins of the sea vessel. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is free for exploring and relaxing by the sea.

Day 9: Hurghada Boat & Snorkeling Excursion

Today you'll be picked up after breakfast for a full-day boating excursion. Snorkel in the warm, clear waters of the Red Sea and enjoy lunch on board, before returning to the hotel in time for dinner. 

Day 10: Explore Hurghada & Desert Safari

After a leisurely breakfast, you're free to choose from a range of activities. If you want to see more of the desert, opt for a safari adventure in the afternoon, choosing between a 4x4 vehicle, ATV, or camel. Whichever option you choose, you'll enjoy getting a lift as you explore Bedouin villages and enjoy sweeping mountain and desert views. For a more laidback pace, join a scenic boat tour or visit the nearby Hurghada Aquarium.

Day 11: Transfer to Cairo, Departing Flight

After breakfast, you'll be transferred back to Cairo to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!

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