10 Day Egypt Discovery: Cairo, Nile Cruise & Sahara Desert Adventure

Overview

A private 10-day trip through Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Alexandria with your own Egyptologist guide, a Nile cruise and every transfer arranged.

• Grand Egyptian Museum & Giza Pyramids: Explore the world-class GEM and the last surviving Ancient Wonder.
• 5-Star Nile Cruise: Sail the legendary Nile between Luxor and Aswan with full board.
• Valley of the Kings: Explore ancient royal tombs and majestic pharaonic temples.
• White Desert & Sahara Adventure: Camp under the stars and experience thrilling 4x4 desert safaris.
• Historic Cairo & Nile Cruise: Wander through Islamic Cairo and enjoy a memorable dinner cruise.

1. Day 1

   Arrival in Cairo & Nile Dinner CruiseCairo

   Your Egyptian adventure begins upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, where your representative will welcome you and assist with arrival formalities and luggage. A private, air-conditioned transfer will then take you to your hotel for check-in and some time to relax after your journey. In the evening, enjoy a memorable dinner cruise along the Nile, featuring delicious food, traditional Egyptian entertainment, and captivating performances. Admire the city lights reflecting on the river as you experience the vibrant spirit of Cairo.

   • Meals: Dinner
   • Overnight: Cairo hotel

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2. Day 2

   Giza Pyramids & The Grand Egyptian MuseumCairo

   After breakfast, set out with your Egyptologist guide to discover some of the world’s most iconic archaeological landmarks. - Giza Pyramid Complex: Stand before the magnificent pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, extraordinary monuments that have fascinated travelers for thousands of years. - The Great Pyramid of Khufu: Marvel at the only surviving wonder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and learn about the remarkable engineering behind its construction. - The Great Sphinx: Encounter the legendary limestone guardian with the body of a lion and the face of a king. - Valley Temple of Khafre: Explore an impressive ancient structure associated with the royal mummification rituals of the Old Kingdom. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to the Grand Egyptian Museum, where monumental statues, remarkable archaeological collections, and treasures associated with Tutankhamun bring ancient Egyptian civilization to life. Depending on the final sightseeing schedule, you will also visit the historic Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Return to your hotel after a fascinating day among Egypt’s greatest historical treasures.

   • Meals: Breakfast and lunch
   • Overnight: Cairo hotel

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3. Day 3

   Fly to Luxor — Karnak Temple & Luxor by NightLuxor

   After breakfast, transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor, the magnificent city of ancient Thebes. Meet your guide upon arrival and begin exploring the city’s legendary East Bank. - Karnak Temple Complex: Walk among towering columns, colossal statues, monumental gateways, and sacred halls within one of the largest religious complexes ever constructed. Discover how generations of pharaohs expanded this extraordinary center dedicated primarily to Amun-Ra. - Luxor Temple: Later in the day, visit this magnificent temple, especially atmospheric in the evening. Explore its impressive colonnades and monumental statues while learning about ancient royal ceremonies and the Opet Festival. After sightseeing, board your deluxe Nile cruise and settle into your cabin. Enjoy dinner on board as your journey along the legendary river begins.

   • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
   • Overnight: Nile cruise

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4. Day 4

   Luxor’s West Bank — Royal Tombs & Hatshepsut’s TempleLuxor

   After breakfast on board, cross to Luxor’s West Bank, where ancient Egyptians created magnificent temples and elaborate royal burial grounds. - Valley of the Kings: Explore the celebrated royal necropolis where pharaohs of the New Kingdom were buried in richly decorated tombs. Discover the stories behind these underground chambers, including the world-famous tomb of Tutankhamun. - Temple of Queen Hatshepsut: Admire the spectacular terraced temple of one of ancient Egypt’s most remarkable female rulers, dramatically positioned beneath towering limestone cliffs at Deir el-Bahari. - Colossi of Memnon: Stop before the two monumental seated statues of Amenhotep III, enduring reminders of a once-magnificent mortuary temple. Return to your Nile cruise and enjoy lunch and dinner on board as you prepare for the next stage of your river adventure.

   • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
   • Overnight: Nile cruise

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5. Day 5

   Discover Edfu & Kom Ombo — Temples Along the NileEdfu & Kom Ombo

   Wake up to the peaceful scenery of the Nile before heading out to explore two remarkable temples on its banks. - Edfu Temple: Travel by horse-drawn carriage to this exceptionally well-preserved temple dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god. Explore its monumental entrance, detailed wall carvings, and sacred halls while uncovering the ancient myth of Horus and Seth. - Kom Ombo Temple: Continue sailing to Kom Ombo and visit its distinctive double temple, dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. Discover its symmetrical design, twin sanctuaries, and fascinating reliefs that reveal aspects of ancient Egyptian religion and daily life. Return to your cruise for dinner and enjoy the tranquil river scenery as the vessel continues toward Aswan.

   • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
   • Overnight: Nile cruise

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6. Day 6

   Abu Simbel — The Monumental Legacy of Ramses IIAswan

   Set off early for an unforgettable excursion to the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel, located near the shores of Lake Nasser in southern Egypt. - Great Temple of Ramses II: Stand before the colossal seated statues carved into the mountainside and discover the power, ambition, and legacy of one of Egypt’s most celebrated pharaohs. - Temple of Queen Nefertari: Explore the smaller temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor, distinguished by its remarkable façade and artistic details. Learn about the temples’ historical significance and their extraordinary relocation project, which saved them from the rising waters created by the Aswan High Dam. After this remarkable encounter with ancient Egyptian architecture, return to your Nile cruise for lunch, relaxation, and dinner on board.

   • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
   • Overnight: Nile cruise

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7. Day 7

   Aswan’s Highlights — Philae Temple, High Dam & Unfinished ObeliskAswan to Cairo

   After breakfast, check out from your Nile cruise and discover the fascinating history and engineering achievements of Aswan. - Aswan High Dam: Visit one of modern Egypt’s most significant engineering projects and learn how it transformed water management, agriculture, and electricity production. - Philae Temple: Take in the beauty of this island sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Isis. Admire its elegant columns, richly decorated walls, and peaceful setting amid the waters of the Nile. - Unfinished Obelisk: Explore the ancient granite quarry where a colossal obelisk was left unfinished after a crack appeared in the stone. See how this remarkable site reveals the techniques used by ancient Egyptian stoneworkers. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to Aswan Airport for your flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and relax after a memorable journey through Upper Egypt.

   • Meals: Breakfast and lunch
   • Overnight: Cairo hotel

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8. Day 8

   Sahara Discover The Amazing Bahariya Oasis & the White DesertBahariya Oasis

   Leave the city behind and journey into Egypt’s spectacular Western Desert, where dramatic landscapes and extraordinary rock formations create an entirely different side of the country. Upon reaching Bahariya Oasis, switch to a 4x4 vehicle and begin your desert exploration. - Black Desert: Discover volcanic-looking hills and dark stones scattered across golden sands, creating a striking contrast of colors. - El Hez Bedouin Village & Natural Spring: Experience a glimpse of oasis life and enjoy a refreshing stop near a natural spring. - Crystal Mountain: Admire the glittering mineral formations that make this unusual desert landmark a favorite stop for photographs. - Agabat Valley: Explore a surreal landscape of sculpted rock formations, rolling dunes, and spectacular desert scenery. Enjoy an exciting sandboarding experience where conditions permit. - Old White Desert: Discover extraordinary chalk formations shaped by wind and time, including mushroom-like rocks, the Tants Valley, panoramic viewpoints, and distinctive flower-shaped formations. Pause for lunch in the Bahariya Oasis area before continuing deeper into the desert. As evening approaches, settle into your desert campsite. Enjoy Bedouin-style hospitality, traditional tea, a freshly prepared barbecue dinner, and a peaceful night beneath the vast Sahara sky.

   • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
   • Overnight: Desert camp

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9. Day 9

   Sunrise in the Desert — Natural Springs & Return to CairoCairo

   Wake early to experience the magic of sunrise over the desert, when the changing light transforms the surrounding rocks and dunes into a spectacular natural panorama. After breakfast at camp, enjoy a final desert stop, including a visit to a natural hot spring when accessible, before beginning your journey back to Cairo. Watch the landscapes change as you leave the remote wilderness behind and return to the energy of Egypt’s capital. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening at leisure.

   • Meals: Breakfast
   • Overnight: Cairo hotel

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10. Day 10

    Farewell to Egypt — DepartureCairo

    Enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel before checking out. At the scheduled time, your driver will transfer you by private, air-conditioned vehicle to Cairo International Airport for your departure flight. Leave Egypt with unforgettable memories of ancient monuments, extraordinary Nile scenery, warm cultural encounters, and the breathtaking beauty of the Sahara Desert.

    • Meals: Breakfast

    Print Day 10

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