Itinerary Details
1 Arrive Cairo, Egypt
Egypt’s sprawling capital sits along the Nile River and serves as a vibrant hub of history, culture and daily life. Home to more than 10 million people, the city echoes with the sounds of traffic, the call to prayer and the constant rhythm of locals and visitors weaving through markets, mosques and cafés.
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2 Cairo | Pharaonic SplendorThe Grand Egyptian Museum is a landmark addition to Egypt’s cultural landscape. Set near the Pyramids of Giza, it showcases the complete collection of King Tutankhamun’s treasures, displayed together for the first time. Enter through a grand atrium anchored by an ancient statue of Ramses II. Inside, galleries highlight a vast range of Pharaonic artifacts alongside interactive exhibits and floor-to-ceiling windows with desert and pyramid views.
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3 Cairo | Up Close With The Mysterious SphinxExperience the Great Pyramids of Giza, the last surviving wonder of the ancient world. Nearby, the Sphinx keeps watch with the body of a lion and the face of a man, believed to represent King Khafre. On this special visit, get up close to the colossal statue, where the Dream Stela still rests between its paws, telling the legend of a young prince who uncovered the buried monument and became king.
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4 Aswan | Exploring The Hall Of Ramses IiA short flight brings you to Abu Simbel, where the massive temples of Ramses II feature statues towering up to 66 feet tall. Fly to Aswan and board a dahabiya, the traditional sailboat hosting your Nile River cruise. Following lunch onboard, explore nearby sites, choosing two of the following: Philae Temple, dedicated to Isis and relocated to Agilika Island during the construction of the High Dam; the Unfinished Obelisk at Aswan’s Northern Quarry, left in place after a crack appeared; or Kom Ombo’s twin temple, uniquely dedicated to both Sobek and Horus the Elder.
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5 Esna | The Nile’s Mythic HeartThe ancient Selsela Tombs sit where the Nile narrows and the bedrock transitions from limestone to sandstone. Known in ancient times as Khenu — or Place of Rowing — the site was believed by the Egyptians to be the source of the river. In the afternoon, continue to Edfu to explore the Temple of Horus, the largest and best-preserved Pharaonic temple in Egypt constructed during the Greek period.
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6 Luxor | Walk With PharaohsMorning in Esna brings a visit to the Greco-Roman Temple of Khnum with its well-preserved Great Hypostyle Hall. In Luxor — once ancient Thebes and a capital of Egypt’s New Kingdom — walk through the Temple of Luxor, dedicated to Amun and expanded over centuries. The site was once linked to Karnak by the Avenue of Sphinxes and hosted grand festivals like Opet. In the evening, an optional Sound and Light Show at Karnak brings the temple’s history to life with dramatic lighting and narration giving voice to the ancient pharaohs.
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7 Luxor | City Of The DeadThe Valley of the Kings reveals richly decorated tombs carved into desert rock, once filled with treasures for the afterlife. On the West Bank, select three sites: the Valley of the Queens, final resting place of pharaohs’ families; the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, blending into limestone cliffs; Deir El Medina, the village of tomb workers with mud-brick houses and decorated tombs; the Tombs of the Nobles, adorned with daily life scenes; Medinet Habu, Ramses III’s mortuary temple; or the Ramesseum, Ramses II’s temple famed for the statue inspiring “Ozymandias.”
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8 Cairo | Serene FarewellDisembark and fly to Cairo, where you can explore or relax before your departure.
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9 Depart CairoDepart Cairo.
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