Explore a mutitude the world's greatest archaeological sites in Egypt. Travel with Egyptologists, stay in the finest hotels, and sit in first class when cruising the Nile aboard a luxuriously-outfitted riverboat. Visit all of the must-see attractions, including the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx, the Karnak Temple near Luxor, the Ramses II-built Abu Simbel, and the rarely-visited tombs of Seti I and Nefertari. As you journey through Egypt, you will arrive at the Nile's banks, and you will take a closer look at everyday life there. Egyptians are also quite diverse, with vibrant culture and vibrant optimism.
Highlights
Discover Egypt's pyramids, Sphinx, Valley of the Kings, and Abu Simbel
Admire the dramatic architecture of the Temple of Dendera
Walk around the contemporary town of Esna
Sail through the longest river in the world, the Nile
Stay in the finest hotels and aboard a luxuriously-outfitted riverboat
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, a representative welcomes you and assists you through the immigration process. Modern, air-conditioned coaches will take you to your hotel in Cairo, and your representative will ensure a smooth hotel check-in.
After breakfast, visit ancient Memphis, the first capital of ancient Egypt. Continue your tour, drive to the area of Saqqara and see the oldest step pyramid and some of the ancient tombs in the area. After leisure, have your lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit the Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. In the face of such immensity, one cannot help but feel the wonder and awe that countless writers and artists have sought to convey over the centuries. The Cheops Pyramid is more interesting because its interior burial chambers are open for inspection by the public. Not far from the Pyramids is the Great Sphinx of Giza. During the tour, have a chance to climb inside one of the pyramids, visit the sphinx, and enjoy a camel ride.
After an early breakfast, visit the Citadel of Salah El Dein, the 19th-century mosque of Mohamed Ali, and the local market of Khan El Khalili.
Afterward, drive to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. The museum has a remarkable collection of antiquities, including the treasures of the child pharaoh, Tutankhamon.
Transfer to the airport for a one-hour domestic flight to Luxor in the afternoon. Upon arrival at the airport in Luxor, a private transfer drives you to your hotel along the river. In the evening, explore Luxor on foot or by horse-drawn carriage. There is also the chance to join an optional tour in the Karnak Sound & Light show.
After breakfast, visit some of the sites of Luxor on the west bank. The King's Valley, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari, and Noble's tombs display daily life activities from thousands of years ago. A whole morning of cycling might be used to complete this sightseeing tour.
Take a leisurely lunch in a local restaurant and drive back to the hotel for an afternoon break.
An early evening tour of Luxor Temple, located in the heart of Luxor. The temple is full of good, intense, fun, and exciting things in the evening, which gives a great perspective on ancient Egyptian art. This evening guided tour will bring out highlights you do not see well in sunlight. After this tour, walk with your guide to a nearby cafe for a taste of the local cafe culture.
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and visit Karnak Temple, the most magnificent temple ever built in Egypt. Drive to Esna and embark on Dahabya for a luxurious stay. Enjoy your lunch on board while sailing.
In the afternoon, a walking tour through one of the villages. This afternoon stroll will introduce you to village life in modern Egypt's rural society and learn about the local customs they follow. Take your dinner and overnight on board your cruise.
A leisurely morning while sailing and having breakfast and lunch on board. This morning, sailing the river would seem like being in a time machine. The scenery had not changed for millennia. There hasn't been much development in this area of the river, and the landscape appears to have not changed much over the years.
Visit Edfu temple in the afternoon. It is one of the best-preserved monuments in Egypt and a highly significant part of an annual pilgrimage and festival celebrating the sacred marriage of the gods Hathor and Horus. An overnight docking on a Nile island for quietness and serenity away from all the cruise traffic.
This morning, take a chance to walk through another village and visit a traditional local farmer's mud house. Discover the joy of eating breakfast in the home of a farmer's family.
Continue sailing towards Silsila quarries after the village visit. Visit Hormheb's temple at Silsila and hike to the hilltop for a stunning view of the sunset. Visit the town of Faris in the afternoon, where you will walk through fields and visit local artisans. Enjoy your dinner and spend the night on board in Faris.
Sail to Kom Ombo and visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, built during the Ptolemaic era, dedicated to two gods—hawk-headed Haroeris and crocodile-headed Sobek, and the Nile Crocodile museum, annexed to the temple. Back on board and sailing towards Daraw. Visit the market of Daraw for another walking or camel-riding adventure. This market is Egypt’s main domestic animal trading center, where you will see livestock traded.
Stand on deck as you approach Aswan, a glorious location on the Nile, backed by hills, with granite rocks protruding from the riverbed and sailboats (called feluccas) plying the water.
After breakfast, disembark and head to Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the High Dam. After a leisurely lunch in a local restaurant, drive to Aswan, where you will spend the night.
Note: For an optional private tour of the temples of Abu Simbel, please arrange it in advance.
Day 10: Fly to Cairo | Return Home
1 Breakfast
Transfer to the airport in Aswan and fly to Cairo for your flight back to your home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 60%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 Days prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and a maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
1 day ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
3 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
5 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
6 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.