Egypt Expedition

Arrive at Cairo International Airport, transfer to the city, and settle into the lively capital of Egypt. Cairo, known as “the city of a thousand minarets,” blends modern energy with an ancient past. Depending on arrival time, enjoy a stroll along the Nile Corniche or a short felucca sail at sunset. End the evening with a welcome dinner featuring traditional Egyptian dishes such as koshari or grilled lamb kofta.

Highlights:
● Arrival in Cairo
● Nile Corniche walk or felucca sail
● Traditional Egyptian welcome dinner

Visit the Giza Plateau, home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: the Great Pyramid of Khufu, as well as the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure. See the Great Sphinx, a mysterious guardian of this ancient necropolis. In the afternoon, explore the Egyptian Museum, home to treasures of Tutankhamun and artifacts covering more than 5,000 years of history.

Highlights:
Great Pyramid of Khufu and surrounding pyramids
● Great Sphinx of Giza
● Egyptian Museum with Tutankhamun’s treasures

Fly to Aswan, famous for its laid-back charm and rich Nubian heritage. Visit the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, saved from flooding after the construction of the Aswan High Dam and relocated to Agilkia Island. Take a motorboat along the Nile to a Nubian village, where brightly painted homes and warm hospitality reflect one of the oldest continuous cultures in Africa. Enjoy a traditional Nubian meal and music before boarding your Nile cruise ship in the evening.

Highlights:
● Flight to Aswan
● Philae Temple on Agilkia Island
● Nubian village boat excursion and cultural experience
● Embarkation on Nile cruise

Begin with an early morning excursion to Abu Simbel, the colossal rock-cut temples of Ramses II and his queen Nefertari. These temples, relocated in an extraordinary UNESCO project, showcase ancient engineering mastery and solar alignment that illuminates the inner sanctuary twice a year. Return to the cruise and sail to Kom Ombo, visiting the unique double temple dedicated to Sobek (crocodile god) and Horus (falcon-headed god). See the crocodile mummy museum before continuing along the Nile.

Highlights:
● Abu Simbel temples of Ramses II and Nefertari
● Kom Ombo double temple
● Crocodile museum
● Nile sailing experience

Sail to Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, offering an insight into Ptolemaic temple design and religious rituals. Continue sailing to Luxor, enjoying views of the rural Nile landscape, palm groves, and riverside villages unchanged for centuries. Relax on deck as the sun sets over the Nile.

Highlights:
● Temple of Horus at Edfu
● Scenic Nile sailing to Luxor
● Onboard relaxation and cultural presentations

Disembark for a full-day tour of Luxor’s West Bank, the necropolis of Thebes. Explore the Valley of the Kings, burial site of pharaohs such as Tutankhamun and Ramses II, with tombs decorated in stunning hieroglyphs. Visit the Valley of the Queens and the Temple of Hatshepsut, a striking monument to Egypt’s female pharaoh. End with a stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two monumental statues that once stood at the entrance to a now-lost temple.

Highlights:
● Valley of the Kings including Tutankhamun’s tomb
● Temple of Hatshepsut
● Colossi of Memnon
● Valley of the Queens

Explore the East Bank, starting with Karnak Temple, an immense religious complex dedicated to the god Amun-Ra and famous for its towering Hypostyle Hall with 134 colossal columns. End at Luxor Temple, connected to Karnak by the ancient Avenue of Sphinxes and showcasing layers of history from pharaonic to Roman to Islamic periods. Fly back to Cairo in the evening for your final night.

Highlights:
● Karnak Temple complex and Hypostyle Hall
● Luxor Temple and Avenue of Sphinxes
● Return flight to Cairo

Spend your last morning shopping for souvenirs such as papyrus paintings, alabaster carvings, and essential oils. Depending on flight time, visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization to see the Royal Mummies Hall before transferring to Cairo International Airport for departure.

Highlights:
● Souvenir shopping or museum visit
● Departure from Cairo