Classic Egypt Tour, Luxor to Aswan

Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, a local representative assists with airport procedures and baggage collection. Transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to the hotel in downtown Cairo for check-in and rest after the flight.

The rest of the day is free to relax or join an optional evening activity, such as the Pyramids Sound and Light Show, a dinner cruise on the Nile, or a sunset felucca ride.

After breakfast, begin a full-day guided tour exploring Egypt’s ancient wonders. Visit the Pyramids of Giza—Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus—one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Continue to the Great Sphinx, an iconic limestone statue that represents strength and wisdom. A short stop follows at a local papyrus institute or perfume shop.

After a light Egyptian lunch, travel to Memphis, the first capital of ancient Egypt, to see the impressive statue of Ramses II. Continue to Saqqara to explore the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the earliest stone structure in Egypt’s history. End the day at Dashour to view the Bent Pyramid, an important step in early pyramid design.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Optional evening tours include the Pyramids Sound and Light Show, a Nile Dinner Cruise, or a sunset felucca ride.

After breakfast, visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest archaeological museum in the world. Located near the Giza Plateau, the museum showcases thousands of artifacts from the Pharaonic to the Greco-Roman periods. Its modern design aligns with the nearby Pyramids, creating an impressive visual connection between ancient and contemporary Egypt.

After the visit, transfer to Cairo International Airport for a flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, meet the local representative and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Spend the evening at leisure or join the optional Karnak Sound and Light Show.

After breakfast, visit the Karnak Temple Complex, one of the largest religious sites ever built. Walk through its vast courtyards and the Great Hypostyle Hall with massive sandstone columns. The complex showcases ancient Egyptian architecture and devotion, reflecting the city’s historical importance as the heart of Thebes.

The afternoon is free to relax at the hotel, explore Luxor at a personal pace, or join one of the optional tours available. In the early evening, visit the Luxor Temple, beautifully illuminated after sunset, offering a striking view of its statues, columns, and hieroglyphics.

After an early breakfast, cross the Nile to the West Bank for a full morning of exploration. Visit Deir el-Bahari to see the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of Egypt’s most remarkable rulers. The temple’s design honors the sun god and stands as a symbol of her legacy as a female pharaoh.

Continue to the Valley of the Kings, where ancient pharaohs were buried in richly decorated tombs. Explore three tombs included in the ticket, with an option to enter King Tutankhamun’s tomb for an additional fee. Visit the colorful Medinet Habu Temple and stop by the Colossi of Memnon before returning across the Nile.

The afternoon is free for rest or optional tours such as a hot air balloon flight or the Karnak Sound and Light Show.

After breakfast, travel north along the Nile for a full-day tour to two of Egypt’s most significant temple sites. Visit the Temple of Abydos, built by Seti I and completed by Ramses II. Known for its unique L-shaped design, the temple features the “Abydos King List,” an important record of Egypt’s pharaohs, and served as a major pilgrimage site dedicated to the god Osiris.

Continue to Dendera to visit the Temple of Hathor, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Its colorful ceilings, detailed carvings, and symmetrical structure showcase impressive craftsmanship from the Ptolemaic period.

Return to Luxor in the early evening after a day of discovery along the Nile.

After breakfast, depart Luxor and travel south toward Aswan. Stop first at Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient monuments. Built during the Ptolemaic period, the temple features detailed carvings depicting festivals, rituals, and the sacred union of the gods Horus and Hathor.

Continue the journey to Kom Ombo to explore its unique double temple dedicated to two deities—the falcon-headed Horus the Elder and the crocodile god Sobek. The temple’s walls display intricate reliefs, including a rare ancient calendar.

Arrive in Aswan in the afternoon, a scenic city set along the Nile River, surrounded by desert hills and dotted with traditional feluccas. Check in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Begin the day with an optional early morning tour to Abu Simbel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Ramses II. The twin temples were relocated piece by piece to save them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser and remain among Egypt’s most impressive monuments. Travel can be arranged either by flight or by road.

In the afternoon, enjoy a traditional felucca sail around Aswan’s islands. Pass by Kitchener’s Botanical Garden, home to rare and exotic plant species, and glide near Elephantine Island, once an ancient trading center and home to the temple of Khnum. Continue with a guided walk through a Nubian village to experience the colorful homes, friendly community, and rich local traditions along the Nile.

After breakfast, visit the ancient quarry of Aswan to see the Unfinished Obelisk, one of the largest known examples of ancient Egyptian stonework. The massive structure offers insight into the advanced engineering and craftsmanship of the time.

Continue by boat to Philae Temple, one of Egypt’s most beautiful and well-preserved temples, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Located on Agilkia Island, the complex was relocated and carefully reconstructed after the building of the High Dam to protect it from flooding.

In the afternoon, transfer to Aswan Airport for a short flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, meet the representative for transfer to the hotel in the city center for check-in and rest.

Begin the day exploring Coptic Cairo, one of the oldest parts of the city known for its early Christian landmarks. Visit the Hanging Church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and the Church of St. Sergius, said to rest above a crypt where the Holy Family once took shelter.

Continue to Islamic Cairo to see the impressive Citadel of Salah el-Din, a medieval fortress that offers sweeping views of the city. Within the complex stands the grand Mosque of Muhammad Ali, built in Ottoman style with elegant domes and minarets. Stop at the Sultan Hassan Mosque, one of Cairo’s finest examples of Mamluk architecture.

In the afternoon, take a walking tour through Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, Cairo’s oldest market. Stroll through narrow alleys lined with shops selling spices, jewelry, and traditional crafts. Enjoy time at a local café for mint tea or fresh mango juice before returning to the hotel or staying in the area for dinner.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Cairo International Airport for the outbound flight. Assistance is provided at the airport to ensure a smooth departure. For travelers with later flights, optional tours and activities in Cairo can be arranged before the airport transfer.