Egypt Tour: Cairo, Luxor to Aswan

Arrive at Cairo International Airport where a representative meets and assists with the immigration process. Transfer by modern, air-conditioned coach to the hotel for check-in. Stay at Mena House Hotel or similar in a standard garden view room, with upgrade options available. Cairo serves as the gateway to ancient Egypt, home to world-famous landmarks and historic treasures.

Optional evening activities include the Pyramids Sound and Light Show, a Nile dinner cruise, or a sunset felucca sail

After breakfast, join a full-day guided tour to explore Egypt’s most iconic landmarks. Visit the Pyramids of Giza—Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus—one of the Seven Wonders of the World, with the option to enter the burial chambers inside the Great Pyramid. Continue to the Great Sphinx of Giza, carved from limestone and standing as the guardian of the plateau. Travel onward to Memphis, the first capital of ancient Egypt, to view the colossal statue of Ramses II. At Saqqara, see the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest known pyramid. The day also includes a visit to Dashour, home to the Bent Pyramid, showing early stages of pyramid design. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Optional evening activity include the Pyramids Sound and Light Show, a Nile dinner cruise, or a sunset felucca sail

After breakfast, join a guided visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest archaeological museum in the world. Explore collections from the Pharaonic to Greco-Roman periods, including treasures from Tutankhamun. The museum’s design aligns with the Giza Pyramids, combining modern architecture with ancient heritage.

After lunch, transfer to Cairo Airport for a domestic flight to Luxor. On arrival, transfer to the Sofitel Winter Palace or similar for an overnight stay in a Classic Nile View room. Luxor, known as the world’s largest open-air museum, showcases temples and monuments from ancient Thebes.

Optional evening activity include Karnak Sound and Light Show

After breakfast, spend a free morning in Luxor with time to relax at the hotel or join optional tours such as a hot air balloon flight, Luxor Museum visit, or an extra West Bank tour. Around midday, transfer to the Nile cruise vessel, M/S Farah or similar, and check in before enjoying lunch onboard.

In the afternoon, visit the Karnak Temple Complex, one of the largest religious structures in the world, featuring the Hypostyle Hall, sacred lakes, and shrines dedicated to ancient gods and pharaohs.

After an early dinner onboard, continue to Luxor Temple, beautifully illuminated at night and showcasing impressive statues, obelisks, and courtyards. Return to the cruise for overnight sailing. Sightseeing is conducted with a private Egyptologist guide, while evenings onboard are at leisure.

Important note: Sightseeing during the cruise is arranged with a private Egyptologist guide, vehicles, and drivers. However, the M/S Farah does not accommodate guides overnight, so guests are on their own in the evenings. The guide meets travelers at the cruise lobby for each tour. Exceptions may apply in low season if space allows, or for groups of 6+ (low season) and 10+ (high season).

Optional evening activities include Hot air balloon flight, Karnak Sound & Light Show, Luxor Museum tour, Extra West Bank Tour (Ramesseum, Deir el Medina, Valley of the Queens)

After breakfast, cross to Luxor’s West Bank for a full-day tour of key archaeological sites. Stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues that once guarded the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. Continue to the Valley of the Kings, where the tombs of pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, are carved into the desert cliffs and decorated with ancient hieroglyphics. Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, an impressive monument dedicated to one of Egypt’s most notable female rulers, and explore Medinet Habu, a temple complex featuring colorful reliefs that illustrate Egyptian history and mythology. Return to the Nile cruise for lunch and begin sailing south. Pass through the Esna Lock before continuing on to Edfu. Dinner is served onboard as the cruise makes its way along the Nile.

Optional evening activity include Hot air balloon flight

After breakfast, transfer by horse carriage to the Temple of Horus in Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. The site features detailed reliefs and chapels depicting ancient rituals and the annual festival honoring Horus and Hathor. Return to the cruise for lunch and continue sailing south along the Nile. In Kom Ombo, visit the unique double temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, the falcon-headed god. The complex includes a hieroglyphic calendar and preserved reliefs illustrating daily life in ancient Egypt. As the boat sails onward, enjoy views of the Nile framed by desert hills, granite formations, and traditional feluccas near Aswan. Dinner is served onboard before docking for the night.

Begin the day with an optional excursion to Abu Simbel, one of Egypt’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Travel by land before sunrise through the desert or choose a short flight from Aswan. The colossal temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari impress with their detailed carvings and the dramatic setting on the shores of Lake Nasser. Both options return around midday.

If Abu Simbel is not selected, visit the Philae Temple instead. This striking temple complex, dedicated to the goddess Isis, sits on Aglika Island near the old Aswan Dam. Reach the site by motorboat and explore structures that were relocated and rebuilt to preserve them from the rising waters after the High Dam was completed. The temple’s setting makes it one of the most scenic in southern Egypt.

In the afternoon, take part in a felucca sailing trip on the Nile. Glide past granite boulders, palm groves, and sand dunes in a traditional wooden sailboat that has been used on the river for centuries. Return to the cruise in the early evening for dinner and overnight on board.

After breakfast, disembark from the Nile cruise. The morning is free to relax in Aswan or join an optional tour, such as a visit to a Nubian village, the Nubian Museum, or the Unfinished Obelisk. If Abu Simbel was chosen on Day 7, today includes a visit to the Philae Temple before departure.

In the afternoon, transfer to Aswan Airport for the flight to Cairo. On arrival, meet the local representative and transfer to the hotel in central Cairo, located along the Nile River. Check in and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Optional evening activity include Nubian village tour, Nubian Museum & Unifnished Obelisk, Pyramids Sound & Light Show, and Nile dinner cruise

After breakfast, join a guided tour through the historic district of Coptic Cairo. Walk the narrow lanes around the ancient Roman fortress of Babylon and visit the Hanging Church of St. Mary, built above the old fortress towers. Continue to St. Sergius Church, traditionally believed to be the resting place of the Holy Family during their time in Egypt.

The tour then moves to the Citadel of Saladin, one of Cairo’s most important landmarks. Explore the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali and admire the sweeping views across the city. Visit the Sultan Hassan Mosque before passing through Bab al-Futuh, one of Cairo’s great medieval gates. From here, stroll into Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, a lively market filled with stalls selling spices, textiles, jewelry, pottery, and traditional crafts. There is time to pause at a café for mint tea or a shisha pipe before browsing for souvenirs.

Return to the hotel in the evening for the final night in Cairo.

Optional evening activity include Pyramids Sound & Light Show, Nile Dinner Cruise, and Sunset felucca on the Nile

After breakfast at the hotel, spend the morning at leisure or join an optional full-day excursion before departure. Transfer is arranged to Cairo International Airport for the return flight home.

Optional activity include Alexandria day trip and Wadi Rayan day trip