10-Day Tour of Egypt’s Most Iconic Sites via River Cruiser

Built with an estimated 2.3 million limestone blocks that total more than 6.5 million tons, the massive Pyramids of Giza have withstood the sands of time. They’re the oldest tourist attraction on the planet and the only remaining of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. On this 10-day Jewel of the Nile tour, part of which is spent aboard a five-star Nile river cruiser, you’ll explore these pyramids as well as Egypt’s temples, markets, historic sites, and museums. Click here to see a full itinerary.

Day 1: After you arrive at Cairo International Airport, the meet-and-greet team will take you to your five-star hotel, located a short distance from the Pyramids of Giza. En route to the hotel, you’ll get your first taste of the city; its roads are often crowded with cars, motorbikes, and donkeys.

Day 2: In the morning, the group departs for the Egyptian Museum, home of relics and antiques from almost every period of Egyptian history. Be sure not to miss the prize of its collection: the solid-gold funerary mask of King Tutankhamun, which weighs nearly 25 pounds. The afternoon is yours to explore Cairo or to embark on a city tour of Old Cairo and the Islamic Citadel for an extra fee.

Day 3: The group will leave Cairo in the morning and head to the Great Pyramids of Giza. Here you’ll see the storied pyramids and the Sphinx. Then it’s on to the ancient necropolis of Saqqara, which has myriad tombs and temples, including Zhoser’s step pyramid, constructed by the pharaoh’s chief architect in 2700 BC.

In the afternoon, those who have opted for the flight to Luxor will depart and spend a night at a five-star hotel. Those who opt for the train will enjoy twin sleep accommodations and a light dinner en route to Luxor.

Day 4: The morning begins with a trip to the Valley of the Kings, where you’ll find a number of iconic sites such as the Colossi of Memnon—two massive statues seated side by side—and the temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

The group will then return to Luxor to check into the river cruiser, your home for the next few days. Between the provided lunch and dinner, there’ll be a late-afternoon trip to the Temple of Luxor; it’s at its most stunning at dusk.

Day 5: In the morning, you’ll cruise the Nile on the riverboat. There’s an optional hot air balloon ride for those who wish to see the 4,000-year-old city of Luxor from great heights.

In the afternoon, the group will tour the ancient city of Thebes and visit the Temple of Luxor and the Temple of Karnak, a complex of sanctuaries dedicated to the Theban gods. Back aboard the ship, the captain sails downstream toward Esna and the Temple of Horus at Edfu.

Day 6: After five days of touring, you’ll have most of the day to unwind while the riverboat glides along the Nile. Later on, there’s a stop at the Temple of Kom Ombo, known for the symmetry of its twin halls, courts, colonnades, and sanctuaries.

Day 7: Today, the boat stops on Agilika Island, where you can visit the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis in the fourth century. Its claim to fame is that it was nearly submerged in water after a nearby dam project flooded the historic site. UNESCO stepped in to move the site—brick by brick over eight years—to its current position on Agilika Island.

The next stop is the High Dam, home to the world’s largest manmade lake. Here you’ll ride a felucca, a wooden sailing ship common on the Nile. The evening is yours to shop the souks and markets or kick back on the Nile cruiser.

Day 8: Choose to explore Aswan on your own or opt for the supplementary trip to the famed Abu Simbel for an extra fee. The rock-cut temple is one of the most impressive in all of Egypt, with four gargantuan statues of Ramses II seated and gazing out onto the surrounding desert.

Late in the afternoon, you’ll hop aboard the train for the overnight journey to Cairo. A light dinner is served on board. Guests who have chosen the flight option will instead fly to Cairo and head to the included accommodations.

Day 9: Back in Cairo, you’ll have an entire day to explore Africa’s largest city. If you’re looking for souvenirs to take home, head to Khan el-Khalili bazaar. There’s also an optional city tour for an extra fee.

Day 10: Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the States.