Egypt 8-Day Itinerary: Cairo and Nile River Cruise

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel before setting out to explore one of the most iconic sites in the world—the Giza Plateau. Here, you will stand in awe of the Great Pyramid of King Cheops, the largest of the three pyramids, and the only surviving wonder of the ancient world, dating back to the 27th century BC. Your exploration continues with visits to the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, each with its own unique history and architectural marvels. Next, you'll visit the Sphinx, an enigmatic monument with the body of a lion and the face of King Khafre. This colossal statue has stood guard over the Giza Plateau for millennia and continues to captivate visitors with its mystery. Following the pyramids, you will have the opportunity to delve into ancient Egyptian craftsmanship by visiting a local papyrus institute, where you'll learn how the ancient Egyptians transformed the papyrus plant into durable sheets of paper. Return to your hotel for overnight accommodation.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.

Optional Tours:

• Egyptian Museum of Antiquities: Explore the world-renowned museum, home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the treasures of the boy king, Tutankhamun.
• Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids: Enjoy an evening of storytelling as the pyramids are illuminated by lights and accompanied by a captivating narration of their history. Conclude the night with dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you and assist with your transfer to the Nile cruise ship. After boarding and settling into your cabin, enjoy a delicious lunch on board. In the afternoon, embark on a guided tour of the Karnak Temple Complex, a vast open-air museum and the largest ancient religious site in the world. Wander through the Hypostyle Hall, with its forest of towering columns, and marvel at the hieroglyphs that adorn the walls and pillars. The tour continues to the Luxor Temple, located on the east bank of the Nile. This temple is renowned for its striking facade, adorned with colossal statues of Ramses II, and its significance in ancient Egyptian religious and political life. Return to the cruise ship for dinner and overnight accommodation in Luxor.

Meals Included: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Optional Tour: Experience an early morning hot air balloon flight over Luxor's west bank, offering breathtaking views of the temples and tombs below.

Optional Morning Tour:

• Valley of the Kings: Visit the royal burial site of the New Kingdom Pharaohs, where 62 tombs have been discovered, including the famous tomb of Tutankhamun. Explore the elaborately decorated chambers that narrate the journey of the kings to the afterlife.
• Temple of Hatshepsut: Admire the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of Egypt's most successful pharaohs, known for its unique terraced architecture and its dramatic location against the desert cliffs.
• Colossi of Memnon: Stop to view the twin statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, which have stood at the entrance of his now-vanished mortuary temple for over 3,400 years.

After the morning's excursions, return to the cruise ship for lunch and continue your journey on board, you have free time to relax as the ship sails southward. Enjoy the serene views of the Nile and its surroundings as you cross the Esna Lock, a vital passage for river traffic, and continue toward Edfu City. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be on board in Edfu.

Meals Included: Full Board.

After breakfast on board, enjoy some free time to explore Edfu City, home to the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. The temple's construction dates back to the Ptolemaic period and is dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god. Its massive walls are covered with reliefs depicting the divine birth and deeds of Horus, making it a site of both historical and architectural significance. Continue your journey as the ship sails towards Kom Ombo. After lunch on board, disembark for a guided tour of the Kom Ombo Temple, uniquely dedicated to two gods: Horus the Falcon and Sobek the Crocodile. This dual dedication is reflected in the symmetrical design of the temple, with twin entrances, halls, and sanctuaries. Return to the cruise ship for dinner and continue sailing towards Aswan, where you will spend the night on board.

Meals Included: Full Board.

After breakfast, you will embark on a tour of Aswan, starting with a visit to the Philae Temple, one of Egypt's most beautiful and atmospheric sites. This temple complex, dedicated to the goddess Isis, was meticulously relocated to Agilkia Island after the construction of the Aswan High Dam. After the tour, return to the cruise ship for lunch. The afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy the amenities on board or explore Aswan at your leisure. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be on board in Aswan.

Meals Included: Full Board.

Optional Tour: Visit a Nubian village by motorboat, where you can immerse yourself in the local culture. Activities include swimming in the Nile, visiting a traditional Nubian house, attending an Arabic language lesson at a local school, and, for those interested, riding a camel.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Aswan Airport for your flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival, our representative will assist you with your transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Cairo at your own pace or relax at the hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast.

Optional Tour: Join an early morning excursion to the Abu Simbel Temples, where you will marvel at the grandeur of the two massive rock temples dedicated to Ramses II and his queen Nefertari. The temples are renowned for their stunning reliefs and the engineering feat of their relocation to avoid submersion by Lake Nasser.

Enjoy your final breakfast in Cairo before your scheduled transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Meals Included: Breakfast.

Optional Tour: Before your departure, explore the historic Citadel of Saladin and the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali, offering panoramic views of Cairo. Continue to the Coptic Quarter to visit the Church of St. Sergius, believed to be the resting place of the Holy Family during their flight to Egypt. Conclude your tour with a visit to Khan El Khalili Bazaar, one of Cairo's oldest and most famous markets, where you can shop for souvenirs and experience the vibrant atmosphere of the local culture.