Arrival Cairo: Ahlan Wasahlan!
18 May 2027
You’ll be met at Cairo International Airport by our English-speaking representative, who takes care of passport control, luggage, and the private air-conditioned transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to settle in and explore Cairo at your own pace, with optional evening tours available if you’d like to start early.
Meals: None. Overnight: Hotel, Cairo.
Giza Pyramids & the Grand Egyptian Museum
19 May 2027
Your Egyptologist guide meets you after breakfast for a full day built around two of Egypt’s most iconic experiences. First, the Pyramids of Giza — built around 2500 BC as the necropolis of the Fourth Dynasty kings — along with the Valley Temple and the Great Sphinx. After a leisurely lunch at a local Egyptian restaurant, you’ll preview twelve meticulously curated exhibition halls at the Grand Egyptian Museum, tracing Egyptian history in chronological order. Evening is free to explore Cairo on your own.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch. Overnight: Hotel, Cairo.
Coptic & Islamic Cairo
20 May 2027
After breakfast, you’ll visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat, home to the remarkable Royal Mummies Hall. From there, the Citadel of Saladin — built in the 10th century and the seat of Egypt’s rulers for more than 700 years. Following lunch, you’ll explore Coptic Cairo, including the Hanging Church and the Church of Abu Serga. Evenings are free, or join our optional Nile Dinner Cruise with traditional entertainment.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch. Overnight: Hotel, Cairo.
The Nile Cruise Begins, in Aswan
21 May 2027
Check out and fly to Aswan, where your five-star Nile Cruise boat awaits. Your Aswan city tour includes the High Dam, a motorboat ride to Agilika Island for the Temple of Philae (3rd century BC, dedicated to Isis), and the Unfinished Obelisk — still embedded in its granite bedrock, and would have been the largest obelisk ever raised had it been completed. Return to the cruise for dinner and your first night on the Nile.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Nile cruise.
Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples
22 May 2027
After breakfast on board, you’ll dock at Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Back on board for lunch, then onward to the Temple of Kom Ombo, uniquely dedicated to two gods. Evening is free to enjoy the onboard oriental show.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Nile cruise.
West Bank, Luxor
23 May 2027
The Valley of the Kings — burial ground of the New Kingdom pharaohs — followed by the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari. (Special tombs like Seti I, Tutankhamun, or Ramses VI can be added on-site at an extra cost.) You’ll also see the Colossi of Memnon before returning to the cruise for lunch while sailing. Rise early for the optional hot air balloon ride over Luxor, if you’d like the view from above.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Nile cruise.
Karnak & Luxor Temples
24 May 2027
Check out and explore Luxor’s East Bank: the Karnak Temple Complex, built over more than a thousand years, and the Luxor Temple, begun in the 14th century BC and expanded for generations after. From there, fly back to Cairo, where your representative meets you and transfers you to your hotel for the night.
Meals: Breakfast. Overnight: Hotel, Cairo.
Free Day, or Optional Alexandria
25 May 2027
A free day to relax or explore Cairo at your own pace — or join our optional full-day tour to Alexandria, Egypt’s historic Mediterranean city, including the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar, the Roman Amphitheater, and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
Meals: Breakfast. Overnight: Hotel, Cairo.
Departure
26 May 2027
Check out after breakfast, and your representative transfers you to Cairo International Airport for your onward journey — carrying home nine days of firsthand Egypt expertise.
Meals: Breakfast