Highlights
- Tour the museums, mosques & markets of Cairo
- Stand in the shadow of the Great Pyramids of Giza
- Spend four unforgettable nights cruising down the Nile
- Walk in the footsteps of the pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings
Brief Itinerary
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Arrive in Cairo | Cairo |
Day 2 | Tour the Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo & Khan El Khalili Bazaar | Cairo |
Day 3 | Discover the Great Pyramids: Giza & Memphis | Cairo |
Day 4 | Fly to Luxor, Board Nile River Cruise, Tour the Temples of Luxor & Karnak | Luxor |
Day 5 | Explore the Valley of the Kings, Cruise to Esna | Esna |
Day 6 | Cruise to Kom Ombo via the Temple of Edfu | Kom Ombo |
Day 7 | Cruise to Aswan, Visit the Temple of Philae, Aswan Dam & Unfinished Obelisk | Aswan |
Day 8 | Disembark from Nile River Cruise, Fly to Cairo | Cairo |
Day 9 | Depart Cairo |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Cairo

Day 2: Tour the Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo & Khan El Khalili Bazaar

Then it's onto a tour of Islamic Cairo's historic city streets, starting at the massive medieval Salah El-din Citadel and its enclosed Mohamed Ali Mosque, once a stronghold against the Crusaders. The brilliant domed ceilings, suspended lights, and views of the city from this ancient fortress are sure to captivate. Keep going to the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan, built during the Mamluk period of the 12th century, and then hunt for treasures in the Khan El Khalili Bazaar, a bustling souk in the historic center where you can find lamps, rugs, jewelry, and more.
Day 3: Discover the Great Pyramids: Giza & Memphis

Meet your Egyptologist guide this morning and set off for a tour of some of Egypt's most iconic sites. Start at the Great Pyramids of Giza, where you'll explore the pyramid of Cheops, the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Built as a tomb, its shape was intended to help the spirit of the dead pharaoh rise to heaven. Continue to the pyramid of Chephren to see the best preserved of the main Giza pyramids, and to Mykerinos, the smallest of the three.
After seeing the magnificent Sphinx up close, it's on to Memphis, the first unified capital of the ancient world. Here you can visit the stepped pyramid of Saqqara, explore its 4,350-year-old tombs, and see the ancient hieroglyphics engraved on its walls. At the end of the day, you'll head back to the city where you can enjoy the rest of the evening in Cairo at your leisure.
Day 4: Fly to Luxor, Board Nile River Cruise, Tour the Temples of Luxor & Karnak

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Continue to Luxor Temple which was once joined to the Temples of Karnak by the grand Avenue of Sphinx, a portion of which marks the entrance to the temple. Dominated by statues of the great warrior pharaoh Ramses II, Luxor Temple has survived Nile floods, foreign invasion, and thousands of years exposed to the elements. Find out how Alexander the Great wrote himself into Luxor Temple's history, and see one of the original pair of obelisks, the second of which now stands on the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
As evening falls, return to the ship to spend a peaceful evening on the river.
Day 5: Explore the Valley of the Kings, Cruise to Esna

Day 6: Cruise to Kom Ombo via the Temple of Edfu

Day 7: Cruise to Aswan, Visit the Temple of Philae, Aswan Dam & Unfinished Obelisk

This morning you'll cruise into Aswan, an archaeologically rich city on the banks of the Nile. Disembark for a tour of its many highlights, starting at the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the worship of the goddess Isis. Continue to Egypt's remarkable engineering achievement of the modern era, the Aswan High Dam, and marvel at the Unfinished Obelisk, still located in the ancient stone quarry where it was carved.
Spend your final evening of the cruise enjoying a spectacular Nile sunset and a celebratory dinner on deck.
Day 8: Disembark from Nile River Cruise, Fly to Cairo

Day 9: Depart Cairo

After breakfast this morning, it's time to say your goodbyes and transfer to the airport to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!
More Egypt Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Egypt? Check out these other Egypt itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.
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