Day 1: Arrive in Cairo, Walking Food Tour

Welcome to Cairo, "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its Islamic architecture and mosques from the Fatimid era. Meet your driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel to freshen up before your half-day food tour. When ready, follow your guide through bustling streets, stopping at four eateries to enjoy local dishes like falafel, kebabs, baklava, or koshary (lentils, rice, chickpeas, macaroni with tomato sauce, and fried onions).

As you enjoy the food, learn about its origins and ingredients, connecting with Cairo's rich culinary traditions. Try Egyptian drinks like asab (sugar cane juice), sahlab (milky orchid-root drink), or karkadeh (hibiscus tea). After four hours of food and drinks, return to your hotel for the night.

Day 2: Visit Memphis, the Saqqara Necropolis & Giza Pyramid Complex (B)

Join your guide for a full-day tour of ancient wonders near Cairo, starting at the necropolis of Memphis, the Old Kingdom's capital. Explore the site, viewing colossal limestone statues, Egyptian art, and the Sphinx of Memphis. Just 20 minutes away is Saqqara Necropolis, home to the Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest stone pyramid. Admire the six-tiered structure and visit highlights like the Serapeum, the underground tomb of sacred Apis bulls.

Then, transfer 50 minutes to the Giza Plateau to see the iconic pyramids. Start with the Great Pyramid of Giza, the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, and continue to the Pyramid of Khafre, known for its limestone cap, and the smaller Pyramid of Menkaure. Admire the pyramids from outside or pay extra to explore the chambers inside. End the tour at the Great Sphinx before returning to Cairo.

Day 3: Visit the Egyptian Museum, Guided Tour of Coptic & Islamic Cairo (B)

Start your exciting day at the Egyptian Museum, home to over 120,000 artifacts, including treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb, such as his iconic gold mask. Next, explore Coptic Cairo, beginning with the Roman-era Fortress of Babylon. Visit the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, believed to have sheltered the Holy Family during their time in Egypt. Continue to the "Hanging Church," or Saint Virgin Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church, suspended above the fortress.

Your next stops are the Saint Barbara Church Complex, one of Egypt’s largest churches, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, thought to be where the pharaoh's daughter found baby Moses. Shift to Islamic Cairo to visit the Cairo Citadel, perched on a hilltop with views of the city. Inside, you'll find the stunning Mosque of Muhammad Ali, known for its Ottoman domes and minarets. Conclude the tour at the Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan, a grand Mamluk-era mosque.

Day 4: Transfer to Alexandria, Guided City Tour (B)

Say goodbye to Cairo this morning as you embark on a 2.5-hour journey to Alexandria, a Mediterranean port city founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE. Explore ancient landmarks like the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, dating back to the 2nd century CE, where you’ll find intricate frescoes, reliefs, and sculptures depicting scenes from Egyptian and Greek mythology as well as daily life. Then, visit Qaitbay Fort, strategically built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Day 5: Explore Wadi El Natrun's Monasteries, Transfer to Cairo, Fly to Aswan (B)

Admire the thick stone walls and towering battlements of Qaitbay Fort, then explore its well-preserved interior, including the original defensive structures. Climb to the top for panoramic views of the coastline and bustling harbor. Afterward, head to Montaza Palace, built in the 19th century for Egypt’s royal family. While the palace itself is closed to visitors, you can wander through its lavish garden, filled with diverse plants, tranquil water features, and stunning views of the Mediterranean, before checking in at your hotel.

Day 6: Tour Abu Simbel, Visit a Nubian Village or Ride a Felucca (B)

After a restful night in Alexandria, embark on a 1.5-hour drive to Wadi El Natrun, a desert valley known for its ancient Christian monasteries. Only four of the original 50 have survived. Begin at the Monastery of Al-Baramus, the oldest, built in the fourth century and named after two Roman soldiers turned monks. Continue to the Monastery of Anba Makaryus, also from the fourth century and home to over 100 monks. Admire its fortress-like walls, well-preserved chapels, and ancient frescoes.

Next, visit the Monastery of Anba Bishoy, dedicated to one of Egypt’s most revered saints. Explore its ancient walls, relics, and sacred artifacts that reflect centuries of devotion. Conclude at the secluded Monastery of Saint Mary Deipara, the smallest of the four. After the tour, transfer 2.5 hours back to Cairo to catch a 1.5-hour flight to Aswan, a historic city along the Nile. Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel for the night.

Day 7: Visit Philae Temple, Board a Dahabiya, Sail to the Temple of Kom Ombo (B/L/D)

Wake up early for a three-hour transfer to Abu Simbel, where you’ll visit two rock-cut temples built by Ramesses II around 1264 BCE. Upon arrival at the larger temple, you'll be greeted by four colossal statues of the pharaoh seated on his throne, each over 65 feet (20 m) tall, with smaller statues of his queen, Nefertari, and various deities by their sides. Inside, explore hypostyle halls adorned with intricate wall reliefs showcasing the pharaoh’s divine power and military victories.

Next, visit the smaller temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari, where six towering statues of the royal couple stand at the entrance. Inside, stroll through chambers with beautifully preserved paintings and carvings celebrating their divine and royal roles.

After exploring both temples, return to Aswan and choose between a Nubian village tour or a sailing trip on a felucca, a traditional wooden sailboat. In the Nubian village, friendly locals will introduce you to their customs, colorful homes, and traditional crafts. On the felucca ride, enjoy the breezes as you sail around landmarks like Elephantine Island and the Aswan Botanical Garden, before returning to your Aswan hotel.

Day 8: Sail to Gebel el-Silsila & Fawaza Island (B/L/D)

Before leaving Aswan, you'll visit Philae Temple on Agilkia Island. Enjoy a short boat ride to the island and explore the temple's halls, pylons, and sanctuaries, all dedicated to Isis, the goddess of magic, motherhood, and fertility. Don't miss the detailed wall reliefs depicting scenes from Egyptian mythology, including the story of Isis and Osiris, the god of the afterlife.

Then, transfer to the Nile and board a dahabiya, a traditional sailboat, to begin your four-day river cruise. The first stop is the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon-headed god. The temple features twin entrances and mirrored hypostyle halls in honor of both gods. Explore its intricate reliefs, including depictions of mythological stories, medical instruments, and ancient surgical procedures, which reveal insights into Egyptian medicine and religious practices. After the tour, return to the dahabiya for a delightful dinner overlooking the Nile.

Day 9: Explore Edfu Temple & El Kab, Sail to El Hegz Island near Esna (B/L/D)

Enjoy breakfast on board as you sail to Gebel el-Silsila, a historic site known for its expansive sandstone quarries that provided materials for many of Egypt's grand temples and monuments. This area was also significant for the cult of the Nile, where annual sacrifices were made to ensure the land's fertility. Explore the rock-cut tombs, temples, and inscriptions carved into the sandstone cliffs, with highlights like the Temple of Horemheb showcasing inscriptions and reliefs of the pharaoh's military victories, religious ceremonies, and offerings.

After your exploration, return to the boat for lunch as you sail to Fawaza Island, renowned for its lush vegetation and clear waters. Anchor near the island and enjoy a leisurely evening on board. Sip a cup of tea on the deck, taking in sweeping views of the riverbank and distant dunes. As the sun sets, watch the sky transform into vibrant shades of orange, pink, and purple. When night falls, gaze at the star-filled sky, free from city lights, before sitting down for dinner and enjoying your second night on the Nile.

Day 10: Visit Karnak & Luxor Temple (B/L/D)

Disembark in Edfu and take a horse-drawn carriage to Edfu Temple, a remarkably well-preserved complex from the Ptolemaic period, dedicated to Horus. The massive temple boasts an impressive façade with towering pylons and colossal statues of the falcon-headed god. Inside, you'll be captivated by the well-preserved reliefs and hieroglyphs depicting mythological events and religious rituals associated with Horus. The inner halls and sanctuaries showcase detailed carvings and inscriptions that add to the temple’s grandeur.

Back on board, enjoy a delicious lunch as you sail to El Kab, a small village near the extensive archaeological site of the ancient city of Nekheb. Stroll past prehistoric and ancient Egyptian settlements, rock-cut tombs, Early Dynastic temples, and a Coptic monastery. The highlight is the Temple of Nekhbet, dedicated to the vulture goddess of Upper Egypt. Admire the towering pylons and intricately carved columns at the entrance, then explore the inner sanctums and labyrinthine halls. After your visit, return to the ship for dinner while cruising to El Hegz Island near Esna.

Day 11: Hot-Air Balloon Ride, Explore Luxor's West Bank, Fly to Cairo (B)

Leave the dahabiya behind this morning as you disembark in Luxor to explore Karnak, the second-largest religious complex in the world, after Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Upon arrival, wander past monumental pylons, towering obelisks, and intricately carved hieroglyphics that tell the stories of pharaohs and deities, while your guide explains why Karnak was the most important religious site in ancient Egypt. Don’t miss the great hypostyle hall, with its colossal columns and intricate ceilings, showcasing the architectural brilliance of ancient Egypt.

Next, walk along the Avenue of Sphinxes, a ceremonial path lined with sphinx statues, leading you to Luxor Temple, constructed during the New Kingdom by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II. As you enter, you'll be greeted by the great courtyard featuring massive statues of Ramesses II. Explore the hypostyle hall, with its 32 towering columns, and the inner sanctuary, which houses a central shrine dedicated to the triad of deities worshipped here: Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. After exploring both sites, transfer to your hotel in Luxor to check in and enjoy a free evening.

Day 12: Depart Cairo (B)

Rise and shine for an early wake-up call and a scenic hot-air balloon ride over Luxor. After transferring to the launch site and completing a safety briefing, climb into the basket and ascend slowly into the air. Soar over the arid desert landscape, spotting landmarks like the temples you visited on the East Bank and the fertile Nile Delta. After 40 minutes in the air, touch down and transfer to the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank.

Follow your guide through the royal necropolis, home to some of Egypt’s most illustrious pharaohs, including Tutankhamun and Ramesses the Great. Gain insights into the hieroglyphs, murals, and funerary goods found in tombs that are closed to the public. Next, visit Deir el-Bahari, an impressive mortuary temple dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut. Explore the site to see meticulously carved bas-reliefs and vibrant frescoes depicting her divine birth, trading expeditions, and offerings to the gods.

Conclude the tour at the Colossi of Memnon, twin statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, which are the last surviving remnants of his mortuary temple. Afterward, transfer to the airport for a one-hour flight back to Cairo.