Itinerary
- Day 1
Cairo
You'll arrive at Cairo International Airport and get transferred to your hotel. After settling in, you have the afternoon and early evening to check out the hotel facilities at your own pace. At 6 pm, there's a welcome meeting where you'll meet your local leader and the other travelers on the trip. The day wraps up with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant serving classic Egyptian dishes.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at local restaurant with classic Egyptian dishes including fatta and kushari)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner at local restaurant with Egyptian cuisine
- Hotel exploration
- Day 2
Cairo
Following breakfast, you head to the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx with your Egyptologist guide who'll walk you through the history and significance of these ancient structures. After that, you'll check out the Grand Egyptian Museum to see one of the world's largest collections of ancient artifacts, including items from Tutankhamun's tomb. The evening is yours to explore Cairo more or, if you're interested, book an optional Nile dinner cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx guided tour
- Grand Egyptian Museum visit with guide and independent exploration
Optional Activities
- Entry to the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) - EGP900
- Nile dinner cruise
Landmarks Great Pyramids of Giza Sphinx Grand Egyptian Museum 
- Day 3
Cairo to Alexandria
This morning you travel to Alexandria, making a stop at Wadi El Natron on the way. Your leader explains how this area served as a Christian sanctuary starting around AD360. You'll visit Anba Bishoy Monastery, walk through the gardens, and see the resident monks while taking in views from the church. From there, you continue to Alexandria, the Mediterranean coastal city founded by Alexander the Great.
Included Activities
- Wadi El Natron monasteries visit
- Anba Bishoy Monastery visit with garden and church exploration
Landmarks Wadi El Natron Anba Bishoy Monastery - Day 4
Alexandria
You spend the full day exploring Alexandria with your guide. The morning takes you to the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a Roman burial site from the second century that blends Greek, Egyptian, and Roman design elements. Next, you visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina followed by Fort Qaitbay, a 14th-century fortress built as defense against Ottoman attacks. The evening is relaxed, leaving you free to stroll the corniche or rest at your hotel.
Included Activities
- Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa guided tour
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina visit
- Fort Qaitbay visit
Landmarks Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa Bibliotheca Alexandrina Fort Qaitbay - Day 5
Alexandria to Cairo
You travel south to El Alamein, the site of a significant World War II battle where British and Commonwealth forces won a major victory over the German Afrika Korps. There's a memorial here honoring nearly 12,000 Commonwealth servicemen who died during the Western Desert campaigns. You'll have a late lunch of feteer meshaltet before heading back to Cairo where the evening is free to do as you please.
- Meals
- Lunch (Late lunch of feteer meshaltet, a layered pastry Egyptian dish)
Included Activities
- El Alamein war cemetery and memorial visit
Landmarks El Alamein War Cemetery and Memorial - Day 6
Cairo to Luxor
After breakfast, you're transferred to Cairo Airport for a short flight to Luxor, the ancient capital of the pharaohs and one of Egypt's most significant historical sites. You'll board your Feature Stay Nile riverboat for four nights. This afternoon, your guide takes you through Karnak Temple complex, then you visit the Intrepid Foundation partner Animal Care in Egypt (ACE). The rest of the afternoon and evening are free for wandering the bazaar or relaxing in a local teahouse.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Domestic flight Cairo to Luxor
- Karnak Temple guided tour
- Animal Care in Egypt (ACE) visit
Landmarks Karnak Temple 
- Day 7
Luxor
You start early with a trip into the Valley of the Kings. Your guide shows you through more than 60 pharaoh tombs, including the famous tomb of Tutankhamun, while explaining ancient Egyptian burial practices and hieroglyphics. After that, you see the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut in its natural amphitheatre setting and the Colossi of Memnon before returning to the boat for lunch. Later, you'll relax on deck or in your cabin as the boat sails upstream to Edfu.
- Meals
- Lunch (Leisurely lunch on riverboat)
Included Activities
- Valley of the Kings guided tour with entrance to 3 royal tombs
- Tomb of Tutankhamun visit
- Temple of Queen Hatshepsut visit
- Colossi of Memnon visit
Landmarks Valley of the Kings Tomb of Tutankhamun Temple of Queen Hatshepsut Colossi of Memnon - Day 8
Edfu to Aswan
This morning you have the option to venture out independently into Edfu town if you'd like. You'll relax on deck as you sail along the Nile with desert views on either side. When you arrive at Kom Ombo Temple, your leader explains how this structure was built around 181 BC and dedicated to two gods, Horus and Sobek, and shares details about recently discovered mummified crocodiles found there. You continue to Aswan, arriving in the late evening.
Included Activities
- Kom Ombo Temple guided tour
Optional Activities
- Independent visit to Edfu temple
Landmarks Kom Ombo Temple 
- Day 9
Aswan
In the morning, you visit the Philae Temple complex on Agilkia Island, including the Temple of Isis. This temple was moved here after being rescued from rising waters and contains some of Egypt's finest carved reliefs. Later in the day, your leader takes you on foot through Aswan, walking through the busy Sharia el Souk marketplace where vendors sell baked goods and Nubian crafts. You return to the boat for another evening on the Nile.
Included Activities
- Philae Temple complex visit including Temple of Isis
- Aswan walking tour with leader
- Sharia el Souk marketplace exploration
Optional Activities
- Philae Temple Sound and Light Show - USD40
Landmarks Philae Temple Temple of Isis Sharia el Souk 
- Day 10
Abu Simbel
You travel by road to Abu Simbel and stay near Lake Nasser in accommodation with grounds, gardens, and two swimming pools. This setup lets you explore the Abu Simbel temples at a comfortable pace rather than rushing. Built over 20 years during Ramesses II's reign, these massive rock-cut temples feature 20-meter-tall statues of the pharaoh and queen. Your leader guides you through the complex providing historical context. Later, you return for an impressive sound and light show.
Included Activities
- Abu Simbel temples guided tour
- Abu Simbel Sound and Light Show
Landmarks Abu Simbel Temples 
- Day 11
Abu Simbel to Aswan
You return to Aswan, arriving in time for lunch. The afternoon is yours to relax at your hotel or explore the city further. Later, you regroup with the group and head to the Old Cataract Hotel for afternoon tea. Built in 1899 by Thomas Cook, this historic hotel has hosted notable guests including Princess Diana, Winston Churchill, and Agatha Christie. You'll enjoy tiered trays of finger food and tea while taking in old-world elegance overlooking the Nile. Dinner this evening is free for you to find your own local spot.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel
Landmarks Old Cataract Hotel - Day 12
Aswan
This morning you visit the Aswan High Dam, a modern engineering feat located 13 km south, and learn about its controversial history and the temple relocations it caused. Next, you see the Unfinished Obelisk, an abandoned stone structure that would have been ancient Egypt's largest obelisk if completed. After returning to Aswan for some downtime, you board a traditional felucca in the late afternoon. You sail to Elephantine Island while having drinks and watching the sunset on the water. Later, you dock at a village to join a local family for a traditional Nubian meal.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Nubian feast with local family)
Included Activities
- Aswan High Dam visit
- Unfinished Obelisk visit
- Sunset drinks on felucca sailing boat
- Elephantine Island visit
- Traditional Nubian feast with local family
Landmarks Aswan High Dam Unfinished Obelisk Elephantine Island - Day 13
Aswan to Cairo
You fly back to Cairo this morning and check into your downtown hotel. Spend the day exploring Islamic Cairo, beginning with the Khan al-Khalili Bazaar, a winding marketplace packed with shops and cafes including sections for gold and spices. You stop for Arabic coffee or mint tea at El Fishawy, Cairo's oldest cafe operated by the same family for seven generations. After lunch at Koshary, you continue to the Mosque of Ibn Tulun and the Gayer-Anderson Museum with its curious collection of Islamic artifacts. The day ends with an authentic Egyptian meal shared with a local family in their home.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Koshary), Dinner (Authentic Egyptian meal with local family)
Included Activities
- Domestic flight Aswan to Cairo
- Khan al-Khalili Bazaar visit
- El Fishawy café visit for Arabic coffee or mint tea
- Mosque of Ibn Tulun visit
- Gayer-Anderson Museum visit
- Home-cooked dinner with local Egyptian family
Optional Activities
- Islamic Art Museum entrance - EGP270
- Urban Adventures - Islamic Cairo in Depth Tour - USD86
Landmarks Khan al-Khalili Bazaar El Fishawy Café Mosque of Ibn Tulun Gayer-Anderson Museum - Day 14
Cairo
Early this morning, you drive to Fayoum and visit Wadi El Rayan, a natural park with two lakes connected by Egypt's only waterfall, perfect for photos. A 4WD takes you to explore Wadi Al-Hitan (Whales Valley), a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the desert with fossil remains of extinct whale ancestors. You spend several hours learning about remarkable evolutionary history. You visit the onsite Fossil and Climate Change Museum displaying fossils found nowhere else, including the world's largest intact Basilosaurus isis whale fossil. After a desert lunch with your group, you return to Cairo for your final night.
- Meals
- Lunch (Desert lunch with group)
Included Activities
- Wadi El Rayan visit
- Wadi Al-Hitan (Whales Valley) 4WD exploration
- Fossil and Climate Change Museum visit
- Desert lunch
Landmarks Wadi El Rayan Wadi Al-Hitan (Whales Valley) Fossil and Climate Change Museum - Day 15
Cairo
Your trip concludes after breakfast today. If you'd like to stay longer in Cairo, you can speak with your booking agent about extending your stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
