Welcome to beautiful, historic Cairo! We will be doing airport pickups all day today, and we recommend landing before 6 p.m. if possible. After collecting you from the airport, we’ll walk via Sky Bridge to the hotel. We’re expecting you to be tired from the journey, so we’ll take it easy today.

After some rest, we’ll have dinner as a group.

Meals: D
Hotel: Le Meridien Airport Hotel

Today is all about ancient history—and pyramids!

This morning we will explore Giza, where we’ll see the legendary Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Here, you’ll ride camels to a famous panoramic viewpoint for epic pyramid shots, or, choose to purchase tickets to go inside one of the Great Pyramids.

After a day of exploring this massive complex, you’ll have some time to relax at the hotel before we have dinner as a group.

Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Hyatt Regency Cairo

The Great Pyramids of Giza are the most famous — but they’re not the oldest!

Today, we’re taking you to lesser-known pyramids, to regions that not many travelers get a chance to see, including the ancient burial grounds of Saqqara, where discoveries are still being made today.

After Saqqara, we will make our way to Dahshur.

Dahshur is an ancient royal necropolis located roughly 25 miles from Cairo. The necropolis is home to some of Egypt’s best-preserved pyramids, the Dahshur Pyramids. According to archeological studies, the oldest of the Dahshur pyramids was constructed in 2613 BC while the most recently built pyramid is believed to have been built 2589 BC.

Many historians often refer to the Dahshur pyramids as being “true” Egyptian pyramids, largely because of the fact that they are among the oldest pyramids in the country. In fact, the two oldest pyramids in the country are found at this necropolis. Another remarkable aspect of these pyramids is the variation in design from one pyramid to the next.

After learning about ancient Egyptian history and sightseeing through these fascinating areas, where discoveries are still being uncovered to this day, we’ll have lunch together as a group and return to your hotel for some downtime.

Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Hyatt Regency Cairo

After breakfast, we’ll continue with our ancient Egypt exploration by visiting the Egyptian museum, where you’ll see King Tut’s famous gold mask. Then, we’ll have lunch together, before exploring two very interesting and different neighborhoods of Cairo: Coptic Cairo (also known as the old city) and Islamic Cairo. Highlights include the Mosque of Muhammad Ali and the Hanging Church.

If you’re hoping to do some shopping in the Cairo Bazaar, today is your chance! (Don’t worry, if you’re hoping to buy bigger items, most vendors can ship).

Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Hyatt Regency Cairo

This morning after breakfast, we’ll make our way to the Cairo airport and fly to beautiful Aswan.

Best known for its Nubian villages and for its strategic placement as the gateway between northern and southern Egypt, this Nile River city has played an important role in the development of Cairo and the rest of Egypt.

Enjoy a boat ride down the river as we visit Philae Island, home to some of the best-preserved temples in the area. Later we’ll tour an authentic Nubian village.

TIP: The Nubian Village is a great place to buy spices!

Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Movenpick Aswan

After breakfast this morning, we’ll be visiting a true highlight – Abu Simbel!

This UNESCO World Heritage site was built in the 13th century as a dedication to the sun gods and is among the best-preserved sites in Egypt. We’ll depart after breakfast and drive as a group up to Abu Simbel (a 3-hour drive). When we arrive, you will have plenty of time to explore this massive and incredible complex. It is honestly a must-see!

After a day spent touring this dynamic place, we will drive back to Aswan and relax at the hotel.

Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Movenpick Aswan

This morning, we’ll enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before checking into our Nile River Cruise in Aswan.

Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Mayfair Nile River Cruise

Our Nile Cruise is underway!

Today our key stops include the temple of Edfu, and Kom Ombo (note: they are early morning stops). 

The Temple of Edfu was buried under centuries of sand and silt until the nineteenth century when French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette rediscovered the site. The complex is one of the most well-preserved sites in Egypt today; its architecture is very much intact, and the building contains a wealth of legible inscriptions on its walls. It is dedicated to the falcon god, Horus.

Kom Ombo temple is unique because it is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the falcon-headed god. It is amazingly preserved, and includes a small museum where you’ll even see mummified crocodiles – that’s how significant these creatures were!

When we’re not stopping at these fascinating sites, we’re cruising. Relax by the pool, get a massage, or just chill! All meals served on the ship.

Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Mayfair Nile River Cruise

This morning, we’ll explore the sites and temples of Luxor’s East Bank, including Karnak and Luxor Temples.

The Karnak temple complex at Luxor developed over more than 1,000 years, principally between the Twelfth and Twentieth Dynasties, and is the second most-visited complex in Egypt (second to the Great Pyramids). It was, at its peak, the largest and most important religious complex in ancient Egypt. The most significant structure, and the largest religious building ever built, is the Temple of Amun-Ra, considered to be where that god lived on earth with his wife, Mut, and son, Khonsu, who also have temples at the site.

Luxor Temple is one of the best-preserved of all of the ancient monuments containing large amounts of structure, statuary, and relief carvings that are still intact to this day, making it one of the most impressive places to visit in the Luxor area and all of Egypt.

After a morning of exploring these incredible sites, we will have lunch as a group.

Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Mayfair Nile River Cruise

Today is action-packed! 

In the early morning, we’ll be taking a sunrise hot air balloon above Luxor (weather permitting), and then exploring the sites and temples of Luxor’s West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings and the temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

The Valley of the Kings is a series of tombs, and 3 of those tombs are included with your entrance ticket. Spend the morning walking through the tombs of pharaohs, or, choose to go into the tomb of King Tut (an additional entrance fee, but fascinating!).

After, we’ll visit the temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut was the only female pharaoh in the history of Ancient Egypt. She came to power during the New Kingdom after the death of her father, Tuthmose I, and her half-brother and husband, Tuthmose II, who succeeded her father on the throne. She originally served as queen-regent to her husband’s son by another wife, Tuthmose III, but seized the throne from him and managed to hold onto power until her death. Hatshepsut is the only female to rule Egypt, and she was a very successful and beloved pharaoh. Visiting her temple is always a highlight!

Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Hilton Luxor

Day 11: Departures

Today’s our least favorite day: departure day. It’s hard to say goodbye after sharing our adventures of a lifetime through ancient Egypt, but alas, all things must end.

This morning we will depart for Cairo on Egyptair 63, departing Luxor at 8:10 am, arriving to Cairo at 9:20 am. 

Our time together ends at the Cairo airport. 

We’re sad to see the trip end, but sure you had memories to last a lifetime!

Meals: –
Hotel: –