12-Day Journey through Egypt's Wonders: Exploring Cairo, Luxor, and Nile Cruise
Embark on a 12-day journey through Egypt's wonders. Discover Cairo's highlights, including the Pyramids of Giza and the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. Fly to Luxor, explore the Temples of Luxor and Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Queens, and see Queen Nefertari's tomb. Then, board a Nile cruise ship to visit the Temple of Hathor in Dendera, the Temple of Khnum in Esna, and the Aswan High Dam. Enjoy a felucca cruise on the Nile, visit a Nubian village, Philae Temple, and the Temple of Horus in Edfu. With exceptional guides, comfortable accommodations, and delicious meals, this journey is unforgettable.
ITINERARY
DAY | COUNTRY | TOUR DESTINATION | ACTIVITIES |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Cairo, Egypt | Cairo, Egypt , Ritz Carlton Nile | The trip starts in Cairo, Egypt's capital city. The travelers will stay for three nights at the First-Class Ritz Carlton Nile (or similar) hotel. |
2 | Cairo, Egypt | Necropolis at Sakkara and the Giza Plateau, Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, as well as the Great Sphinx. | The tour visits the necropolis at Sakkara to see the world’s oldest step pyramid, followed by a visit to the Giza Plateau to see the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, and the Great Sphinx. A camel ride is also included in the experience. Afterward, guests return to the hotel for dinner and a free evening to relax or explore on their own. |
3 | Cairo, Egypt | Citadel of the Mountain and Mosque of Muhammad Ali
Museum of Egyptian Antiquities,
King Tutankhamen gallery,
Khan el-Khalili outdoor souk (bazaar) | Visit the Citadel of the Mountain and Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, and have free time in the afternoon. An optional visit to the Khan el-Khalili outdoor souk is available. The day concludes with a traditional Egyptian dinner at a local restaurant. |
4 | Luxor, Egypt | Temples of Luxor and Karnak
Luxor Library and Heritage Center | Fly to Luxor and visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak. Then, check-in to your Nile cruise ship for a welcome lunch and visit the Luxor Library and Heritage Center. The day ends with an onboard dinner. |
5 | Luxor, Egypt | Valley of the Kings,
Valley of the Queens,
Tomb of Queen Nefertari,
Mortuary Temple of Queen, Hatshepsut,
Nile River
| In the morning, travelers can choose to take a hot air balloon ride over Luxor before visiting the Valley of the Kings and Queens on the west bank of the Nile. The tour includes privileged access to the exquisitely preserved tomb of Queen Nefertari and a visit to the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. The day ends with lunch and dinner served onboard the Nile cruise ship as it sails towards Qena. |
6 | Qena, Egypt
| Dendera complex and its Temple of Hathor. | The tour takes you on an excursion to the Temple of Hathor in Dendera, which was built in classic Egyptian style by Ptolemies and Romans. During the guided tour, you will walk through its towering stone gate and view the columns and hieroglyphics of some of Egypt’s best-preserved structures. After the visit, you will return to your cruise ship for lunch and an afternoon of cruising along the Nile. |
7 | Esna, Egypt | Red sandstone Temple of Khnum in Esna and Esna Village. | The tour visits Esna, where travelers can explore the Temple of Khnum, known for its 1st-century Hypostyle Hall with 24 columns topped by intricately carved floral capitals. Hieroglyphics depicting Roman emperors making offerings to the gods can also be observed. After a guided tour, there is free time to explore the site further or visit Esna Village and its lively market scene, where colorful fabrics can be witnessed. |
8 | Aswan, Egypt | Aswan High Dam,
Local market,
Felucca cruise,
Optional excursion to Abu Simbel,
Optional sound and light show at Philae Temple | Offers various options for exploration, including a visit to the Aswan High Dam, a local market, and a felucca cruise on the Nile. Alternatively, an optional excursion to Abu Simbel to see the Great Temple of Ramses II is available. The day concludes with an optional sound and light show at Philae Temple and dinner on board the ship. |
9 | Aswan, Egypt | Nubian village, Philae Temple, Kom Ombo, and its unusual double temple dedicated to Haroeris and Sobek. | Begins with a visit to a Nubian village and elementary school, followed by a visit to the Philae Temple. After lunch on board, there is a guided tour of the Kom Ombo temple, which is dedicated to the sky god Haroeris and the crocodile god Sobek. |
10 | Edfu, Egypt | Temple of Horus, Edfu market, Nile cruising with views of the lush green riverbanks and hills of desert sands. | Guests can ride in a horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Horus in Edfu, dedicated to the falcon-headed god of light, or visit the Edfu market with the resident chef. The temple is well-preserved and has a massive wall with falcon statues at the entrance. Later, guests will continue their Nile cruise, admiring the lush green riverbanks and hills of desert sands. |
11 | Luxor, Egypt | Cairo Citystars Hotel , Coptic Quarter and Jewish Synagogue. | The tour will disembark in Luxor and fly back to Cairo, checking in to the Cairo Citystars Hotel for one night. The day includes a buffet-style lunch, free time, or an optional tour to the Coptic Quarter and Jewish Synagogue. Later, dinner will be served, followed by an evening at leisure. |
12 | Cairo, Egypt | End of the tour where after breakfast, tourists can either proceed to the airport for their return flight or choose to extend their journey for 4 nights in Jordan to see the "lost city" of Petra |
PORTS
Day 01
Cairo, Egypt , Ritz Carlton Nile
Cairo: Egypt's bustling capital is rich in history with iconic landmarks like the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and bustling markets offering vibrant culture and delicious cuisine.
The Ritz Carlton Nile is a luxurious hotel located in the heart of Cairo overlooking the Nile River. It offers elegant rooms and suites, top-notch dining options, a fitness center, and a spa, among other amenities.
Day 03
Citadel of the Mountain and Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, King Tutankhamen gallery
Khan el-Khalili outdoor souk (bazaar)
Citadel of the Mountain: A medieval fortress in Egypt that served as the center of government for 700 years and is now a popular tourist attraction.
Mosque of Muhammad Ali: An iconic 19th-century mosque in Cairo's Citadel of Cairo, known for its impressive Ottoman-style architecture.
Egyptian Antiquities Museum: A Cairo museum housing the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including King Tutankhamun's treasures.
Khan el-Khalili Bazaar: An iconic outdoor market in Cairo, known for its traditional Islamic architecture and wide range of goods.
Al-Azhar Mosque: One of the oldest Islamic universities in the world, located in Cairo and known for its beautiful Islamic architecture.
Day 05
Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens
Tomb of Queen Nefertari, Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Nile River cruise from Luxor to Qena.
Valley of the Kings: Ancient royal burial site on the west bank of the Nile, with pharaohs' tombs from the 18th-20th dynasties. Visitors can see hieroglyphics and artwork in the tombs.
Valley of the Queens: A burial site for pharaohs' wives from the 18th to 20th dynasties, with over 70 tombs including Queen Nefertari's well-preserved tomb, accessible with privilege, on the west bank of the Nile.
Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut: This temple, located on the west bank of the Nile, was built for Queen Hatshepsut, one of Egypt's few female pharaohs. It is known for its impressive architecture and unique design, which blends in with the surrounding cliffs.
Nile River: World's longest river and passes through eleven countries, including Egypt. It was important to ancient Egyptian civilization and remains vital for water and transportation. Nile River cruises offer scenic views.
Day 07
Red sandstone Temple of Khnum in Esna and Esna Village
Temple of Khnum: A red sandstone temple built during the Graeco-Roman period dedicated to the ram-headed god Khnum. It features a famous hypostyle hall with 24 intricately carved columns and hieroglyphics on the walls depicting Roman emperors making offerings.
Esna Village: Located on the west bank of the Nile River, Esna Village is a lively town known for its vibrant market scene. Visitors can take a walking tour of the town and explore the covered street market where they can see an array of colorful fabrics and other local goods.
Day 09
Nubian village, Philae Temple, Kom Ombo, and its unusual double temple dedicated to Haroeris and Sobek.
Nubian Village: A local community located on the banks of the Nile River. Visitors are welcomed with warm hospitality and get a chance to visit an elementary school and a local home to learn about the day-to-day life of the people.
Philae Temple: Also known as the Temple of Isis, is a small and elegant temple that was rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. The temple is one of the Nubian monuments that comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Scenic cruising along the Nile: After visiting the Philae Temple, guests enjoy a scenic cruise along the Nile River while having lunch on board.
Kom Ombo: A town located on the banks of the Nile River, famous for its double temple dedicated to the sky god Haroeris and the crocodile god Sobek. The temple is a unique example of ancient Egyptian architecture, and the crocodile god Sobek is considered to be a protective deity who created the world.
Day 11
Cairo Citystars Hotel , Coptic Quarter and Jewish Synagogue.
The Cairo Citystars Hotel: A first-class hotel located in the Citystars complex, one of the largest shopping and entertainment centers in the Middle East. It offers modern amenities, comfortable accommodations, and a convenient location for exploring Cairo.
The Coptic Quarter: Historic area in Old Cairo that is home to several Coptic Christian churches and other religious sites. The Jewish Synagogue is one of the few remaining Jewish sites in Cairo and is located in the same area. Visitors can take an optional tour to explore the rich history and culture of these religious communities, including a visit to the Ben Ezra Synagogue, one of the oldest synagogues in Egypt.
Day 02
Necropolis at Sakkara and the Giza Plateau, Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, and Great Sphinx.
Sakkara Necropolis: A vast burial ground in Egypt, Sakkara served as the necropolis for Memphis, the capital of ancient Egypt. It's home to numerous pyramids and tombs, including the world's oldest pyramid, the Step Pyramid of Djoser.
Giza Plateau: A complex of ancient monuments on the outskirts of Cairo, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, built during the Old Kingdom period and considered some of the world's most impressive structures.
Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure: These are the three pyramids located on the Giza Plateau. The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the largest and most famous, while Khafre's is slightly smaller and Menkaure's is the smallest.
Camel Ride: A camel ride is a popular activity for tourists visiting the Giza Plateau. Visitors can experience the ancient mode of transportation as they ride on the back of a camel and take in the magnificent views of the pyramids and the surrounding desert.
Great Sphinx: A 73-meter-long statue of a human-headed lion on the Giza Plateau. At 20 meters tall, it is one of the world's largest and oldest statues and a popular tourist attraction.
Day 04
Temples of Luxor and Karnak,
Luxor Library and Heritage Center
Luxor: An ancient city situated on the east bank of the Nile River in southern Egypt. It was once known as Thebes and served as the capital of Ancient Egypt's New Kingdom.
Temples of Luxor and Karnak: Significant temple complexes in Egypt with monumental columns, obelisks, and intricate carvings, offering insight into ancient Egyptian life and beliefs.
Luxor Library and Heritage Center: This museum houses a collection of artifacts and exhibits that showcase the history of Luxor and its people. It provides a fascinating look into the city's past and how it has evolved over time.
Day 06
Dendera complex and its Temple of Hathor
The Temple of Hathor is an ancient Egyptian temple located in the city of Dendera. Dedicated to the goddess Hathor, it features impressive reliefs, carvings, and astronomical ceiling decorations.
Day 08
Aswan High Dam, Local market, Felucca cruise on the Nile, Optional excursion to Abu Simbel, Optional sound and light show at Philae Temple
Aswan High Dam: This is a massive dam built across the Nile River in Aswan that controls the river's flow and generates electricity. Visitors can learn about the history and significance of the dam while enjoying scenic views of the river.
Local Market: Aswan is a bustling market city, and visiting a local market offers the chance to experience the vibrant atmosphere and browse stalls selling everything from spices and textiles to handicrafts and souvenirs.
Felucca Cruise: A felucca is a traditional Egyptian wooden sailboat used for transportation and leisure cruises. A felucca cruise on the Nile offers a relaxing way to take in the sights and sounds of Aswan while enjoying a refreshing breeze.
Abu Simbel: This is an ancient temple complex located about 3 hours from Aswan by car. The Great Temple of Ramses II is the main attraction, featuring colossal statues of the pharaoh and his family. Visitors can explore the temple and learn about its history and significance.
Sound and Light Show at Philae Temple: Philae Temple is an ancient temple complex dedicated to the goddess Isis. The sound and light show is a nighttime experience that uses lights and narration to bring the temple's history and legends to life. Dinner on board the ship is included.
Day 10
Temple of Horus, Edfu market, Nile cruising with views of the lush green riverbanks and hills of desert sands.
The Temple of Horus: An ancient temple in Edfu, Egypt, dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god of light. It was built during the Ptolemaic Dynasty and is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, featuring a massive entrance wall flanked by two falcon statues.
Edfu Market: A local market in the town of Edfu, where visitors can explore and hear the resident chef explain the planned tasting menu for the evening.
Nile Cruising: Offers a scenic journey along the Nile river, providing stunning views of the lush green riverbanks and the surrounding hills of desert sands.
Day 12
End of the tour
Tourists can either proceed to the airport for their return flight or choose to extend their journey for 4 nights in Jordan to see the "lost city" of Petra