Classic Egypt 8 Days

Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Egypt. Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel to settle in before your adventure begins. This evening, attend an important welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your guide to tell you all the details.

Cairo, one of the great cities of antiquity, is defined by iconic landmarks such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. If time permits, explore the bustling city streets or visit the historic Cairo Citadel, built in 1176, which houses multiple museums and mosques.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

None

Included Experiences

• Complimentary arrival transfer

Optional Activities

• Cairo Citadel
• Coptic Museum
• Islamic Art Museum

After breakfast, explore two of the world’s most iconic landmarks – the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Stand in awe of structures that have endured for over 4,500 years and uncover their history with insights from a local guide. For an additional fee, you may be able to enter the Great Pyramid of Khufu (subject to occasional closures). Please note, the Pyramids complex has little shade and can be very hot during summer months, so dress appropriately and stay hydrated.

Continue your journey to the Grand Egyptian Museum, newly opened and home to one of the world’s finest collections of ancient artifacts. Marvel at treasures recovered from Tutankhamun’s tomb, including exquisite jewelry, his famous golden death mask, and gilded sarcophagi – a glimpse into the lavish afterlife of this legendary pharaoh. After freshening up at the hotel, board an overnight sleeper train to Luxor for a comfortable journey along the Nile.

Accommodation

Overnight Sleeper Train (1 night)

Meals Included

Breakfast, Dinner

Included Experiences

• Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
• Grand Egyptian Museum

Optional Activities

• The Great Pyramid of Cheops – EGP1500

Special Information

• The overnight train departs around 8 pm and takes approximately 10 hours.
• Train cabins are air-conditioned two-berth with western-style toilets; bedding is provided.
• You may be paired with another traveller depending on your booking.
• The Pyramids’ internal passages are very narrow and warm; those with claustrophobia should avoid entering.
• Additional snacks are recommended if you have dietary preferences.

Arrive in Luxor early this morning around 6 am and take advantage of the peaceful hours to explore Karnak Temple, one of Egypt’s most spectacular ancient complexes. This vast site, developed over 1,000 years, includes temples, chapels, pylons, and the iconic Avenue of Sphinxes. Discover the secrets of the Great Temple of Amun with your local guide and immerse yourself in the spiritual heart of Ancient Egypt.

After your visit, board your Nile River Cruise and settle into your cabin. In the afternoon, enjoy free time or join an optional walking tour of Luxor and its bustling bazaar with your leader.

Accommodation

Nile River Cruise (1 night)

Meals Included

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included Experiences

• Karnak Temple guided visit

Optional Activities

• Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show
• Luxor Temple

Special Information

• Tonight, your boat will be docked in Luxor.
• Nile River cruise boats typically accommodate around 150 passengers, with fully air-conditioned cabins and private facilities.
• All meals are included onboard, drinks are extra.

This morning, embark on a private minivan tour of ancient Thebes. Your first stop is the Colossi of Memnon, two towering 17-metre-high statues on Luxor’s west bank. Continue to the Valley of the Kings, where over 64 pharaoh tombs lie hidden under the arid cliffs, many adorned with vibrant reliefs and paintings. Explore three of the royal tombs, and learn about the fascinating history, legends, and hieroglyphics of the New Kingdom pharaohs from your expert leader.

Next, visit the majestic Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a stunning colonnaded structure set against high cliffs, forming a natural amphitheater. Spend your afternoon at leisure – perhaps shop in the local market or visit the Mummification Museum to uncover the secrets of pharoanic preservation. In the evening, your Nile River Cruise continues upriver to Edfu.

Accommodation 

Nile River Cruise (1 night)

Meals Included

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included Experiences

• Colossi of Memnon
• Valley of the Kings (entrance to 3 tombs)
• Temple of Hatshepsut

Optional Activities

• Tomb of Queen Nefertari
• Hot Air Balloon over the Valley of the Kings
• Deir el Madina
• Valley of the Queens
• Medinat Habu Temple

Special Information

• Tonight, your boat will be docked in Edfu.
• Hot air balloon rides over the Valley of the Kings are available through Dream Balloons, with pick-up between 4:30–5:00 am. Capacity is 16–25 people; cameras are prohibited in the basket, phones allowed. Activity is weather dependent. Payment by card incurs a 3% service fee.

After breakfast, set sail towards Kom Ombo, a remarkable double temple complex perched on the Nile’s edge. Built in the 2nd century BC, Kom Ombo is unique for its mirror-image design, with one half dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god of fertility, and the other to Haroeris (Horus the falcon god). Marvel at the intricate reliefs and carvings as your expert leader guides you through the fascinating history of this unusual temple.

After exploring Kom Ombo, enjoy a delicious lunch on board your cruise before sailing onwards to Aswan, famed for its stunning Nile Valley landscapes, rich Nubian culture, and remarkable archaeological sites.

Accommodation

Nile River Cruise (1 night)

Meals Included

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included Experience

• Kom Ombo Temple visit with expert guide

Special Information

• Tonight, your cruise boat will dock in Aswan.

Enjoy a free morning in Aswan,

For an unforgettable adventure, opt to visit Abu Simbel, the monumental temples built by Ramses II. These incredible temples feature four colossal statues of Ramses guarding the Great Temple, carved directly into the mountain on the west bank of the Nile – a truly iconic sight of ancient Egypt.

Late in the afternoon, relax with a traditional felucca sailing trip along the Nile, enjoying the stunning scenery as the day turns to dusk, before returning to your cruise for dinner on board.

Accommodation

Nile River Cruise (1 night)

Meals Included

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included Experience

• Felucca sail along the Nile

Optional Activities

• Abu Simbel excursion by car (transfer, guide, entry)
• Abu Simbel excursion by flight (flights, transfer, guide, entry)

Special Information

• Tonight, your cruise boat will be docked in Aswan.

After breakfast, bid farewell to your nights on the Nile and visit Philae Temple, a stunning island-based temple complex built during the reign of Ptolemy II (around 280 BC). Admire the intricate hieroglyphs depicting the myths of Isis and Osiris, including the birth of Horus and the story of resurrection and mummification.

Catch a short flight back to Cairo (approx. 90 minutes). Explore the Islamic quarters and the bustling lanes of Khan al-Khalili Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest markets in the world. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and scents as you wander through this labyrinth of shops. End the day with a memorable home-cooked dinner with a local Cairo family, enjoying traditional Egyptian dishes and lively conversation – a perfect way to celebrate your Egyptian adventure.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

Breakfast, Dinner

Included Activities

• Philae Temple visit
• Khan al-Khalili Bazaar tour
• Home-cooked dinner with a local Cairo family

Special Information

• Flight from Aswan to Cairo: approx. 90 minutes

Your Egyptian adventure comes to an end today. There are no planned activities, giving you the freedom to depart at your convenience. If you wish to extend your stay in Cairo, additional accommodation can be arranged (subject to availability).

Meals Included

Breakfast

Special Information

• Confirm your hotel check-out time with your leader.