Private 8 Day Egypt and Nile Cruise Tour

Overview

Itinerary

1. Arrival and pickup in Cairo

2. Upon landing in Cairo, your guide will call to coordinate your pickup. Meet your private driver outside the terminal for a hotel transfer, followed by a quick itinerary briefing and free time to relax or explore.

3. Overnight stay at Cairo

4. Explore Saqqara, the Giza Pyramids, and the Grand Egyptian Museum

5. Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before heading to the Saqqara Necropolis with your Egyptologist guide. Explore the Step Pyramid of Djoser—Egypt's oldest pyramid built around 2680 BC—and learn the fascinating history of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

6. After Saqqara, you will travel to the legendary Giza Necropolis. Here, you will stand before the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, where your Egyptologist guide will share the history and mysteries behind these ancient wonders.

7. Standing guard at the Giza Plateau, you will encounter the Great Sphinx, the world's largest monolithic statue. Carved over 4,500 years ago, it features a lion's body and a pharaoh's face. As you explore, your guide will reveal its secrets, including the missing nose, the Dream Stele, and its true age.

8. A short walk from the Sphinx leads you to the Valley Temple of Khafre. Built over 4,500 years ago, this megalithic temple features massive 100-ton granite blocks. Your guide will explain its role in royal purification rituals and show you where the famous diorite statue of Khafre was found.

9. Conclude your day at the Grand Egyptian Museum, the world's largest archaeological museum. Located near the Giza Pyramids, it houses over 100,000 artifacts, including the complete, first-time display of Tutankhamun's 5,000 treasures. Walk up the Grand Staircase amid colossal royal statues for an unforgettable finale to your journey.

10. After enjoying the day to the fullest, you will be driven back to your hotel. Relax and recharge, as another amazing journey awaits you the next day.

13. Overnight stay at Cairo

14. Fly to Aswan, visit Philae Temple, and then enjoy a 5-star Nile cruise

15. After breakfast, your private guide and vehicle will transfer you to the airport for your flight south to Aswan, the timeless gateway to Upper Egypt. Enjoy stunning views of the Nile Valley during the descent. Upon landing, you will begin your adventure in Aswan, a beautiful city where golden dunes meet the lush riverbanks of the Nile.

16. Take a short motorboat ride to Agilkia Island to visit Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Your guide will lead you through its courtyards and shrines, sharing how the entire complex was relocated block by block in the 1960s to save it from rising waters.

17. Board a 5-star Nile cruise ship and check into your elegant cabin. Enjoy a delicious lunch while watching the scenery glide by, then spend the afternoon relaxing on the sun deck as you sail through the heart of ancient Egypt.

21. Overnight stay at 5-Star Nile Cruise

22. Experience this Optional Abu Simbel and Kom Ombo

23. Take an optional early morning trip to Abu Simbel to see Ramesses II's colossal rock-cut temples and the Temple of Nefertari. Your guide will share the incredible story of how UNESCO engineers relocated both monuments uphill in the 1960s to save them from Lake Nasser.

24. Return to your cruise and sail to the Kom Ombo Temple, a unique double temple dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus. Your guide will show you the symmetrical halls, ancient medical carvings, and the adjoining Crocodile Museum.

28. Overnight stay at 5-Star Nile Cruise

29. Learn the history of Edfu Temple, then sail to Luxor

30. Sail to Edfu and take a horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Edfu, the world's largest temple dedicated to the falcon god Horus. Your guide will lead you through its towering pylons and remarkably preserved inner sanctuaries, bringing ancient mythology to life.

31. Return to your cruise and sail toward Luxor, experiencing the engineering marvel of the Esna Lock along the way. Step out on deck to watch local vendors trade goods from their small boats, then relax as you cruise closer to Luxor.

35. Overnight stay at 5-Star Nile Cruise

36. Luxor Highlights and Fly to Cairo

37. Disembark your cruise in Luxor, the world's greatest open-air museum, and head to the West Bank's Valley of the Kings. Descend into the vibrant, color-preserved tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs, where your guide will share the fascinating stories behind these royal resting places.

38. Visit the breathtaking Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, built 3,500 years ago into the dramatic Theban cliffs. Your guide will share the remarkable story of Egypt's most powerful female pharaoh and how her legacy survived despite attempts to erase it.

39. Stop at the 18-meter-high Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Your guide will share their history as ancient Greece and Rome's most famous "singing" tourist attraction.

40. Conclude your Luxor journey at the Karnak Temple Complex, the largest religious structure ever built. Walk through the legendary Hypostyle Hall's forest of 134 massive columns, stroll by the Sacred Lake, and let your guide bring 4,000 years of history to life.

41. Take a private transfer to Luxor Airport for your flight back to Cairo. Upon landing, a driver will take you to your hotel for a relaxing overnight stay as you prepare for the final day of your adventure.

43. Overnight stay at Cairo

44. Discover Historic Cairo

45. Explore Coptic Cairo, one of the world's oldest Christian neighborhoods. Your guide will lead you through its historic alleys to visit the Hanging Church, the cave where the Holy Family sheltered, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue.

46. Visit the medieval Citadel of Saladin, a fortress overlooking Cairo. Your guide will show you through its historic grounds and the stunning, alabaster-domed Mohamed Ali Mosque, which offers sweeping panoramic views of the city.

47. Conclude your 8-day Egyptian adventure by reflecting on your journey over a final evening in Cairo. Savor a traditional dinner or a relaxing glass of mint tea as you look out over the glittering skyline, carrying the ancient soul of Egypt home with you.

50. Overnight stay at Cairo

51. Departure

52. Make the out & your guide will transfer you privately to Cairo International Airport according to your confirmed flight schedule.

Know before you go

• Stroller / pram accessible
• Public transportation is nearby
• Infant seats available

Pickup, meeting point & start times