Day 1: Arrival in Cairo – The Gateway to Antiquity

• VIP Airport Welcome: Your journey begins the moment you step off the plane with seamless VIP assistance through visa and customs.

• Private Transfer: Escorted to a private vehicle for your first immersion into Cairo’s vibrant energy en route to your carefully selected hotel.

• Hotel Check-in & Evening: Settle into your oasis of calm with the evening free to recover, perhaps enjoying a nightcap with a view of illuminated minarets.

Day 2: Memphis, Saqqara & Dahshur – Dawn of the Pyramid Age

• Memphis: First, explore the open-air museum of Memphis, founded around 3100 BC by the legendary King Menes. Here, amidst scattered ruins and palm groves, you will encounter the colossal limestone statue of Ramses II, lying in majestic repose.

• Saqqara: Next, the vast necropolis of Saqqara unfolds before you. The centerpiece is the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the world’s oldest major stone structure—the revolutionary prototype from which all future pyramids would evolve.

• Dahshur: Your pilgrimage culminates in the atmospheric solitude of Dahshur. Behold the astonishing Bent Pyramid and stand before the magnificent Red Pyramid, King Sneferu’s successful masterpiece and the first true smooth-sided pyramid.

• Traditional Lunch & Return: Enjoy a reflective traditional lunch before returning to your Cairo hotel with a free evening.

Day 3: The Giza Plateau & The Egyptian Museum – Confronting Immortality

• The Giza Pyramids: Nothing can prepare you for the visceral impact of your first sight of the Great Pyramids. Feel the ancient, weathered stone and contemplate the staggering logistics of their construction.

• The Great Sphinx: A short walk away, the enigmatic Great Sphinx endures, its lion’s body couched in the sand, gazing eternally eastward—the world’s oldest monumental sculpture.

• The Egyptian Museum: In the afternoon, wander the atmospheric halls of the Egyptian Museum. The crescendo is the gallery housing the sublime solid gold funerary mask and treasures of Tutankhamun.

• Evening Return: Return to your hotel, your mind brimming with images of gold and stone, scale and splendor.

Day 4: Islamic & Medieval Cairo – A Tapestry of Faith, Power, and Commerce

• Citadel & Mosque of Muhammad Ali: Explore the formidable Citadel of Saladin for panoramic city views and visit the stunning alabaster-clad mosque within its walls.

• Mamluk Masterpieces: Descend to see the monumental Mosque of Sultan Hassan and the serene, fortress-like Mosque of Ibn Tulun, representing the zenith of Islamic architecture.

• Gayer-Anderson Museum: Step into a time capsule of bourgeois Cairene life in these two beautifully preserved 16th-century mansions filled with period collections.

• Khan el-Khalili Bazaar: Culminate the day with full sensory immersion in this 14th-century labyrinthine market, a living theater of scents, sounds, and vibrant commerce.

Day 5: Flight to Luxor & Embarkation – Karnak & Luxor by Moonlight

• Domestic Flight: After breakfast, a smooth transfer and short flight brings you to Luxor, the site of ancient Thebes.

• Embarkation: Greeted upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your five-star Nile cruise ship for check-in and a welcome drink.

• Temple of Karnak: Explore the vast complex of Karnak, walking through the sublime Great Hypostyle Hall—a forest of 134 colossal columns.

• Luxor Temple at Dusk: Visit the elegant Luxor Temple as it becomes magically illuminated against the evening sky.

• First Dinner on Board: Return to the ship for your first dinner, enjoying the gentle rock of the Nile.

Day 6: West Bank Thebes & The Start of Your Nile Voyage

• Hot Air Balloon Ride (Optional): For an unforgettable perspective, rise before dawn for a breathtaking balloon ride over the West Bank as the sun ignites the desert.

• Valley of the Kings: Cross the Nile to descend into the cool, richly decorated tombs in the Valley of the Kings, the burial ground of Egypt’s New Kingdom pharaohs.

• Temple of Hatshepsut: Visit the unique, colonnaded mortuary temple of Egypt’s most powerful female pharaoh, built into the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari.

• Colossi of Memnon: Pause for a photo opportunity at the towering twin statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III.

• Sailing & Esna Lock: Return to the ship for lunch and relax on deck with afternoon tea while sailing and passing through the engineering feat of the Esna Lock.

• Evening Entertainment: Enjoy dinner and onboard entertainment as you sail peacefully under the stars.

Day 7: Edfu & Kom Ombo – The Falcon, the Crocodile, and a Nile Celebration

• Horse Carriage Ride: Experience traditional transport via horse-drawn carriage through the awakening town of Edfu.

• Temple of Horus at Edfu: Discover the best-preserved major temple in Egypt, dedicated to the falcon-god, with its massive pylons and deeply carved mythological scenes almost completely intact.

• Scenic Sailing: Back on board, continue sailing towards Kom Ombo, enjoying the particularly lush Nile scenery.

• Temple of Kom Ombo: Visit the uniquely situated “double temple” dramatically perched overlooking a river bend, dedicated to both Horus the Elder and the crocodile-god Sobek.

• Egyptian Galabeya Party: Tonight, don traditional robes for a fun-filled festive dinner with Egyptian cuisine, lively music, and dancing.

Day 8: Aswan – Nubian Grandeur & the Rhythm of the River

• Temple of Philae: Take a motorboat to Agilkia Island to explore the exquisite, romantic Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis and rescued from the Nile’s floods.

• Unfinished Obelisk: Visit the ancient granite quarries to see the mammoth Unfinished Obelisk, offering a visceral understanding of ancient stone-working.

• Felucca Sailboat Ride: Experience timeless Nile travel with a serene sail around Aswan’s islands in a traditional wooden felucca at sunset.

• Nubian Folklore Show: Enjoy a vibrant evening of rhythmic drumming, whirling dances, and colorful costumes celebrating southern Egypt’s unique heritage.

Day 9: Disembarkation & Aswan at Leisure – A Day for Reflection or Adventure

• Disembarkation: After a final breakfast on board, bid farewell to your cruise ship and crew.

• Aswan at Leisure: The day is yours to shape—relax at your hotel, stroll the Corniche, or visit a vibrant Nubian Village.

• Abu Simbel Excursion (Optional): For an awe-inspiring add-on, journey to the colossal rock-cut Temples of Abu Simbel, miraculously relocated to save them from Lake Nasser.

• Hotel Check-in: Check into your handpicked Aswan hotel for your final night in Egypt.

Day 10: Farewell Egypt – Departure from Aswan

• Final Breakfast: Savor your last Egyptian breakfast with time for quiet reflection on your journey.

• Airport Transfer: Your private driver will transfer you to Aswan Airport for your domestic flight to Cairo.

• International Connection: Upon arrival in Cairo, connect with your onward international departure, carrying the indelible imprint of Egypt with you.

What’s Included

✔ 4 nights in handpicked hotels in Cairo, Luxor & Aswan
✔ 5-night dahabeya Nile cruise (luxury cabin)
✔ All entrance fees to sites as per itinerary
✔ Private air-conditioned transfers
✔ Professional Egyptologist guide

What’s Not Included

✘ Egypt arrival visa
✘ International flights
✘ Drinks during meals
✘ Tips for guide, driver & dahabeya crew
✘ Domestic flight Cairo–Luxor & Aswan–Cairo

Optional Tours / Activities

Luxor Optional Tours
Sound & Light Show at Karnak Temple – EUR 40 per person
Hot Air Balloon Ride – EUR 80 per person

Aswan Optional Tours
Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple – EUR 40 per person
Abu Simbel Journey by Road – EUR 90 per person