Itinerary
- Day 1
Cairo
You'll land at Cairo Airport and get picked up for transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to settle in after traveling. If you get there early enough, there's an optional guided walk through Cairo's busy backstreets to get a feel for the city right away.
Optional Activities
- Backstreets of Cairo guided tour
- Day 2
Cairo to Alexandria
Starting early, head to Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast. You'll see the Roman catacombs, which are the largest known Roman burial site in Egypt, then check out Pompey's Pillar, the Library of Alexandria, and the Citadel of Quaitbey fortress that sits where the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria once stood. After getting settled at your hotel, there's a drive along the corniche and dinner included.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Roman catacombs
- Visit Pompey's Pillar
- Visit Library of Alexandria exterior
- Explore Citadel of Quaitbey fortress
- Corniche drive
Optional Activities
- Library of Alexandria interior visit (if open to public)
Landmarks Roman Catacombs Pompey's Pillar Library of Alexandria Citadel of Quaitbey Lighthouse of Alexandria (historic site) 
- Day 3
Alexandria
Today's free in Alexandria, so you can do what interests you. Walk around Alexandria Harbour in the morning, check out the Bibliotheca, wander through Montazah Palace and Gardens, or just spend time by the water. It's all up to you and what you want to see.
Optional Activities
- Walk along Alexandria Harbour
- Visit Bibliotheca
- Explore Montazah Palace and Gardens
Landmarks Alexandria Harbour Bibliotheca Alexandrina Montazah Palace and Gardens - Day 4
Alexandria to El Alamein to Cairo
Visit the Commonwealth War Graves at El Alamein, site of two major World War II battles. The first ran 27 days starting July 1, 1942 and ended in a stalemate, then three months later a 13-day second battle resulted in Allied victory with British, Australian, and New Zealand forces defeating the Axis powers. Tour the military museum with original vehicles, weapons, uniforms and records. You'll head back to Cairo in the afternoon.
Included Activities
- Visit Commonwealth War Graves of El Alamein
- Tour El Alamein military museum
Landmarks Commonwealth War Graves of El Alamein El Alamein Military Museum 
- Day 5
Giza and Saqqara
Head to the Giza Plateau to see the pyramids and Sphinx, the only remaining of the ancient Seven Wonders and Earth's oldest tourist site. The Great Pyramid of Cheops was built from over 2.5 million limestone blocks and took more than 20 years to complete. Later, travel to Saqqara to see tombs, temples, and the Step Pyramid of Zoser, designed by architect Imhotep around 2700 BC. You'll also visit a government-supervised Papyrus Museum during the day.
Included Activities
- Visit pyramids and Sphinx at Giza Plateau
- Visit Great Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu)
- Explore Saqqara tombs and temples
- Visit Step Pyramid of Zoser
- Visit government-supervised Papyrus Museum
Landmarks Giza Plateau Great Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu) Great Sphinx of Giza Saqqara Step Pyramid of Zoser 
- Day 6
Cairo to Aswan (Overnight Train)
Start with a guided tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, a massive 490,000 sq.m complex with over 100,000 artifacts from nearly every period of ancient Egypt, including items never publicly shown before. After that, visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to see statues, jewelry, sarcophagi, and notably the well-preserved mummies of Yuya and Thuyu with visible hair thousands of years later. Rest at your hotel before boarding the overnight train to Aswan this evening.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Grand Egyptian Museum
- Visit Egyptian Museum in Cairo
- Overnight train journey Cairo to Aswan
Landmarks Grand Egyptian Museum Egyptian Museum 
- Day 7
Aswan
You'll arrive in Aswan where your new guide meets you. Take a short boat trip to Agilika Island to visit Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Stop briefly at a perfume oil shop before checking into the Nile Cruiser, which is your home for the next three nights. The rest of the day is free to wander the colorful souks and markets or relax in this riverside town.
Included Activities
- Short boat trip to Agilika Island
- Visit Philae Temple
- Stop at perfume oil emporium
Optional Activities
- Shopping in souks and markets
- Leisure time in Aswan
Landmarks Agilika Island Philae Temple 
- Day 8
Aswan to Abu Simbel (Optional) to Kom Ombo
There's an optional early morning flight to Abu Simbel if you want to see King Ramses II's famous rock-cut temple on your own or with a guide. The Nile cruiser leaves Aswan this afternoon as you head south along the river. You'll stop at Kom Ombo to visit the temple dedicated to the crocodile-headed god Sobek before returning to the cruiser.
Included Activities
- Visit Kom Ombo temple
- Nile River cruise
Optional Activities
- Early morning flight excursion to Abu Simbel
- Guided tour of Abu Simbel
- Self-guided exploration of Abu Simbel
Landmarks Abu Simbel Temple of Ramses II Kom Ombo Temple 
- Day 9
Kom Ombo to Luxor
This morning you can relax, take a swim in the cruiser's pool, and soak up the sun on deck while cruising toward Luxor. The city's famous for the Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, and 4,000-year-old Luxor shows ancient Egypt at its finest. You'll arrive this afternoon with the rest of the day free before spending your final night on the cruiser.
Included Activities
- Nile River cruise
Optional Activities
- Swimming pool on cruiser
- Leisure time exploring Luxor
Landmarks Luxor Valley of the Kings Temple of Karnak - Day 10
Luxor
Check into your 5-star Luxor hotel after disembarking. Once settled, visit Karnak Temple, a massive religious complex where you can walk around towering stone papyrus columns. Later, there's an optional excursion to Luxor Temple, long thought to be where pharaohs were crowned and built by Amenophis III. The temple looks beautiful when lit up by hundreds of lights at night.
Included Activities
- Visit Karnak Temple
Optional Activities
- Luxor Temple evening excursion (book and pay locally)
Landmarks Karnak Temple Luxor Temple - Day 11
West Bank
Start early to avoid the midday heat as you head to the West Bank of the Nile. Visit the Valley of the Kings with beautifully decorated tombs built to house pharaohs' sarcophagi and mummies. See the Colossi of Memnon, a striking pair of ancient statues, and explore the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut with its impressive columns. The afternoon is free to relax.
Included Activities
- Visit Valley of the Kings
- Visit Colossi of Memnon
- Visit Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Landmarks Valley of the Kings Colossi of Memnon Temple of Queen Hatshepsut - Day 12
Luxor to Cairo
You'll get a transfer to Luxor Airport for your flight back to Cairo. Once you arrive in Cairo, the day is open for relaxing or exploring the capital at your own pace. If you want to pick up last-minute souvenirs, Khan el Khalili bazaar is a good option.
Included Activities
- Flight from Luxor to Cairo
Optional Activities
- Visit Khan el Khalili bazaar
- Leisure exploration of Cairo
Landmarks Khan el Khalili Bazaar - Day 13
Cairo Departure
Check out of your hotel and you'll be transferred to the airport for your onward departure.
