DAY 1 – Arrival in Cairo for Best of Egypt Tour

When you arrive at the airport in Cairo for your Best of Egypt Tour, your assigned tour manager will meet you, and we will also have one of our drivers waiting outside to drive you to the hotel where you will be staying while you are in Cairo, the Egyptian capital. Once at the hotel, your tour manager will ensure a smooth check-in and then he will discuss your travel itinerary with you, and also confirm a pick-up time for the morning. After that, you will have the rest of the day for yourself.

Included: Free Welcome Drink

DAY 2 – Giza Pyramids and the GEM

Start your day with a delightful breakfast at your hotel, setting the stage for an extraordinary journey into the heart of ancient history. Your personal guide will lead you to the iconic Giza Plateau, where you’ll stand in awe before the Great Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. These towering monuments, steeped in mystery and grandeur, offer a glimpse into the ingenuity of an ancient civilization. As you explore further, marvel at the timeless beauty of the Sphinx and immerse yourself in the history of the Valley Temple, each an enduring testament to Egypt’s rich legacy.

After soaking in the magnificence of Giza, enjoy a delicious lunch at a local Egyptian restaurant, where the flavors of tradition come alive. Your journey continues to the New Grand Egyptian Museum, known as the Giza Museum, a masterpiece of modern architecture situated just 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the Giza Pyramid Complex. Although not yet officially open, the museum provides a unique opportunity to experience its treasures during the pre-opening phase. Explore the breathtaking Main Galleries, the grandiose Grand Hall and Staircase, the inviting commercial area, and the serene outdoor gardens, each thoughtfully designed to elevate your visit.

As the day winds down, return to your hotel, carrying with you the unforgettable memories of an inspiring exploration. Let the magic of Cairo’s ancient wonders linger as you prepare for another day of adventure.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 3 – Fly to Luxor, Cruise Embarkation and East Bank Tour

The next phase of your Best of Egypt Tour begins today, so at the confirmed time, which be shortly after breakfast, you will check-out from your hotel, and you will then be transferred to the airport where you will be boarding a short flight to Luxor. When you land in Luxor, you will once again be met by one of our tour representatives who will then escort to the area where you will be boarding a 5-Star Nile cruise ship for your cruise to Aswan.

After embarkation, enjoy a good lunch on board the ship, and then our Egyptologist tour guide will take you and a small group of our other clients to see two remarkable ancient attractions on Luxor’s West Bank. Visit the vast Karnak Temple Complex and the impressively well-preserved Luxor Temple, and then you will return to the ship.

Enjoy a nice relaxing dinner aboard the ship, and enjoy the first night of your cruise on the Nile at Luxor.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 4 – Luxor West Bank Tour and Sail to Esna

After breakfast today, our tour guide will once again escort you and your small group on a tour, this time to the West Bank. During this particular tour, you will visit three incredible timeless monuments: Valley of the Kings; the mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon.

Valley of the Kings is the ancient royal necropolis where the tomb of King Tutankhamen was discovered. There are also another 61 tombs at this site, so there is plenty to see before you move on to Hatshepsut’s magnificent rock-cut temple which was constructed during the 15th century BC. After exploring this temple, you will then visit the Colossi of Memnon on the way back to the cruise ship.

Once everyone is back on board the boat, it will begin sailing along the Nile to Esna and lunch will be served. The remainder of the day is then yours to enjoy as you wish. End this day of your Best of Egypt Tour on the Nile at Esna.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 5 – Sail to Kom Ombo with Guided Visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples

This morning, your cruise departs early from Esna, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing breakfast on board as you sail toward Edfu.

Upon arriving in Edfu, the ship will dock, and you will disembark to visit the remarkable Edfu Temple of Horus. This temple is extraordinarily well-preserved, having remained buried beneath desert sands for over 2,000 years after being abandoned by the Romans.

After exploring this incredible site, you’ll return to the ship as it continues sailing toward Kom Ombo, where it will dock for the night. Lunch will be served during the journey. Upon arrival at Kom Ombo, you’ll disembark to visit the extraordinary Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to two deities: Sobek, the crocodile god and creator of the world, and Haroeris (Horus the Elder), the falcon-headed god. Fascinatingly, this unique structure comprises two identical temples built side by side.

Following your exploration of this captivating site, you’ll return to the ship to relax before enjoying another exquisite dinner. Tonight, you’ll spend the night in your cabin, docked at Kom Ombo.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 6 – Sail to Aswan with a Guided Sightseeing Tour

On Day 6 of your Egypt Tour with Nile Cruise, start your morning with a leisurely breakfast on board as you sail toward Aswan. Upon arrival, disembark to visit the breathtaking Philae Temple. Relocated in its entirety to higher ground, this temple was preserved to protect it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser after the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Once a central place of worship in ancient Egypt, its rescue reflects its historical and cultural significance.

After exploring Philae Temple, return to the cruise ship for a hearty lunch. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore at your own pace. Tonight, your final night aboard the cruise, will be spent docked on the serene waters of Aswan.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 7 – Fly to Cairo and Free Time

Enjoy one last breakfast aboard the Nile cruise ship, and then it will be time for you to disembark so that we can get you to Aswan Airport in time for your flight back to Cairo. When you land in Cairo, your tour manager will once again meet you at the airport, and then escort you to the hotel where you will be spending the last night of your vacation in Egypt.

There are no tours or excursions scheduled for this day, so you will be free to enjoy the remainder of the day as you wish.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 8 – Best of Egypt Tour Ends and Departure

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, and then at the agreed time, your tour manager will arrive, and he or she will then accompany you to Cairo International Airport in time for your flight out of Egypt. Your Best of Egypt Tour has now come to an end, so we will bid you farewell and wish you a safe and pleasant onward journey.

Meals Included: Breakfast