Luxury Nile Cruise and Egypt Sightseeing

Cairo

Day 1: Welcome to Egypt!

Arrive at Cairo International Airport, where you'll be met by your tour manager. They'll assist you at the airport and provide the necessary entry visa for Egypt.

Transfer to your hotel where you can rest up after your journey and get ready for your Egyptian adventure!

Cairo

Day 2: A Day Among the Pyramids

You'll spend today exploring a UNESCO World Heritage Site -  the city of Memphis and Giza Pyramid complex. 

Located south of Cairo, Memphis was the ancient capital of Old Egypt during the Old Kingdom. Its ruins are now preserved as an open-air museum. Discover the Step Pyramid at Sakkara, designed by the architect Imhotep for his master King Zoser.

After lunch at a local restaurant,  visit the enchanting pyramids of Cheops, Chefren, and Mykerinus at Giza. How will you feel when you encounter the Great Sphinx? This immense monument, with the head of a pharaoh on a lion's body, dates back to the time of Chephren.

Your tour also includes a visit to the Valley Temple of Chephren, which was buried under the desert sand until the 19th century.

Cairo

Day 3: A Journey Through History and Religion in Cairo

After breakfast, you will be escorted by your private guide to visit the Egyptian Museum, where you can admire the splendid Tutankhamun collection alongside many other fascinating artifacts.

Next, stop at Salah El Din Citadel. It was constructed in 1183 AD by the famous military leader to defend Cairo from the armies of Crusaders. Don't miss out on a visit to the Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque, one of the key landmarks of Cairo.

In the afternoon, continue to experience the religious and cultural diversity of Egypt. In Islamic Cairo, you will be able to explore Khan El Khalili, Cairo’s old bazaar. Then move to Coptic Cairo to visit the Hanging Church (one of the oldest churches in Egypt) and the Ben Ezra Synagogue.

Cairo - Luxor

Day 4: Begin Your Nile Cruise at Luxor

Rise and shine! After breakfast, transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Luxor.

Once in Luxor, you will be stepping onboard the 5-star Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise. This will be your floating home for the next 5 nights!

Start with lunch onboard, and then your first excursion is to visit the magnificent temple complex of Amon-Ra at Karnak. Marvel at its vast hypostyle hall of 137 columns, and follow this with a visit to the Luxor Museum.

Overnight in Luxor, moored on the banks of the Nile.

West Bank Luxor - Qena

Day 5: Visit the Valley of the Kings

Begin with an excursion to the West Bank to visit the burial places of the Pharaohs. Take a moment to soak up the impressive history of where you stand, the Valley of the Kings.

It was here that Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen in 1922 (and, according to legend, fell victim to a curse for disturbing it!) You will also be able to see the temple of Medinet Habu and the Colossi of Memnon.

Return to the Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise and sail on the way to Qena. Finish by visiting the one of the best preserved temple complexes in Egypt, the Temple at Dendera, dedicated to Hathor.

Overnight in Qena.

Qena - East Bank Luxor

Day 6: Tombs and Temples in Luxor

Breakfast onboard whilst you sail to Luxor.

Step off the boat to visit the tombs in the Valley of the Nobles and the ruins of Dier El Madina. Continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, built by the architects of the New Kingdom Pharaoh Hatshepsut in the 15th century BC.

On the East Bank you can visit the impressive Luxor Temple before finishing your day with dinner back onboard the Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise.

East Bank Luxor - Edfu

Day 7: Discover Edfu Temple

After breakfast on your Nile Cruise, it is time to visit the well-preserved Ptolemaic Temple dedicated to Horus at Edfu. You will be astonished at the how well-presered this ancient monument is.

Enjoy dinner and overnight onboard in Edfu.

Edfu - Aswan

Day 8: Aswan, the Daming of the Nile

Sail to Aswan with breakfast on board your Nile cruise, then enjoy a day’s sightseeing.

Be sure to see the impressive Aswan High Dam (completed in 1971) and the Old Dam (completed in 1902).

Follow by visiting the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Incredibly, this structure was rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser at the time of the High Dam's construction!

Aswan - Abu Simbel - Aswan

Day 9: Fly to the Abu Simbel Temples

It's time to disembark from your Nile Cruise!

Transfer to Aswan Airport where you'll fly to one of Egypt's top tourist attractions, the Abu Simbel Temples.

These impressive structures were carved straight out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BC. They form a lasting monument to himself and his queen Nefertari.

Fly back to Aswan and transfer to your hotel.

Aswan - Cairo

Day 10: The Treasures of the Nubian Museum

Start today with a tour of the Temple of Kalabsha.

Originally built by Toutmosis II and Amenophis II at Kalabsha, 40 miles south of Aswan, it was restored during the Roman conquest, and was dismantled and re-erected on a hill near the High-Dam site (Western Bank).

Discover more at the long- awaited Nubian Museum, which opened in 1997. This museum displays thousands of antiquities that would have been lost under the waters of Lake Nasser. The museum takes its name from the ancient Egyptian Nbu, meaning gold, in reference to the area's famous gold mines.

Travel by motorboat to a Nubian village, where you will have the unique opportunity to meet with a Nubian family and to learn about their lifestyle, culture and traditions.

Transfer to Aswan Airport to fly back to Cairo. When you arrive at Cairo Airport you will be met  by your tour leader and taken to your hotel.

Cairo

Day 11: Farewell, Egypt!

Even the most exciting trips eventually come to an end! Enjoy a breakfast at your hotel before transferring to Cario Airport.

Have a safe flight home and don't forget that Egypt is always ready to welcome you back!