CAIRO
ASWAN TO LUXOR NILE DAHABEYA CRUISE

Welcome to Egypt 🇪🇬 ☀️

Overview
Your journey begins in Cairo — the political, intellectual, and symbolic heart of Egypt for more than a thousand years. This arrival day is intentionally unhurried, allowing space to settle into the country while receiving a clear historical orientation that frames everything to come.

Itinerary

Private Transfer to Hotel
You are welcomed on arrival at Cairo International Airport and transferred privately to your 5-star hotel.

Hotel Check-in & Orientation
After reaching your hotel, your tour manager assists with check-in and walks you through the itinerary, confirming pickup times and logistics for the days ahead.

Meals: —
Overnight: Cairo

Visits: —

Overview
A full day devoted to Egypt’s earliest monumental landscapes — the desert plateau of Giza, where the pyramids and Sphinx define the age of the pharaohs, and Saqqara, where Egypt’s first experiments in stone architecture reshaped the history of royal burial. The day moves between scale and origin: standing before the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, then tracing the beginnings of pyramid construction at Djoser’s Step Pyramid. It combines the most iconic symbols of ancient Egypt with the deeper architectural and ideological roots that made them possible.

Itinerary

Morning Pickup – From Your Hotel
Begin the day with pickup from your hotel, where your guide and driver meet you for departure toward the Giza Plateau and Saqqara.

Pyramids of the Giza Plateau
Visit the Great Pyramid of Khufu together with the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, exploring the architectural precision, symbolism, and desert setting that shaped the foundations of Old Kingdom kingship.

Panoramic Views and Photo Stops
Enjoy key viewpoints over the plateau where all three pyramids align against the desert horizon.

Valley Temple and Great Sphinx
Visit the Valley Temple of Khafre, built from massive limestone blocks and used for royal ritual. Stand before the Great Sphinx, carved directly from the natural bedrock and guarding the entrance to the plateau.

Saqqara Necropolis
Continue to Saqqara—Egypt’s oldest royal burial ground. This vast desert plateau holds tombs, mastabas, and monuments spanning thousands of years, offering a clear view of how ancient funerary traditions evolved long before the Giza pyramids were built.

The Step Pyramid of King Djoser
Enter the Egypt’s first monumental stone structure and the earliest pyramid in history. Designed by the architect Imhotep, it marks the beginning of Egypt’s pyramid age and represents one of the most influential innovations in ancient architecture.

Return to Hotel
Settle into your private transfer back to your hotel in Cairo for a relaxed evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Cairo

Visits:
• Giza Pyramids
• Great Sphinx
• Valley Temple
• Saqqara Necropolis
• Step Pyramid of Djoser

Overview
Immerse yourself in Cairo’s cultural and architectural heritage through three of its most defining landmarks: the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Citadel of Saladin, and the historic quarters surrounding Khan el-Khalili. The day balances depth and atmosphere — from viewing Egypt’s most significant archaeological collections, to standing within the city’s great medieval fortress, to walking through the narrow lanes of Islamic Cairo where centuries of craftsmanship, trade, and daily life are still visible.

Itinerary

Morning Pickup – From Your Hotel
Begin the day with pickup from your hotel, where your guide and driver meet you for departure toward the city’s cultural and historic core.

Grand Egyptian Museum
Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to an unparalleled collection of artifacts, including the complete treasures of Tutankhamun, monumental statues, and masterpieces spanning pharaonic history.

Citadel of Saladin
Enter Cairo’s great medieval fortress, founded in the 12th century by Salah al-Din — one of the most influential military and political figures of the Middle Ages. From this commanding position atop Mokattam Hill, Saladin reshaped Cairo’s defenses, establishing a fortified seat of power whose walls, gates, and terraces still define the skyline. Within this enclosure, dynasties that followed added their own mosques, palaces, and ceremonial spaces, creating a layered architectural record that spans the Ayyubid, Mamluk, and Muhammad Ali eras.

Muhammad Ali Mosque
Built between 1830 and 1848 under Muhammad Ali Pasha, this landmark adopts Ottoman-inspired design while representing Egypt’s own 19th-century ambition. Its alabaster interiors, high domes, and expansive terrace form one of the city’s most recognizable silhouettes, offering wide views across Cairo.

Mosque of al-Nasir Muhammad
Completed in 1318, this Mamluk royal mosque functioned as the Citadel’s central congregational mosque, hosting the sultans for the weekly Friday prayer — the most important communal service in Islam. Its green-tiled dome, finely carved stucco, and elegant minarets offer a direct connection to Cairo’s medieval architectural core and the Citadel’s earlier period of dynastic rule.

Khan el-Khalili & Islamic Cairo Atmosphere
Stroll through the vibrant bazaar and the surrounding historic lanes where artisans, cafés, and workshops sit within centuries-old architecture. This area captures the lived texture of Islamic Cairo, full of movement, color, and traditional craftsmanship.

Return to Hotel
Transfer back to your Cairo hotel for the evening.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Cairo hotel

Visits:
• Grand Egyptian Museum
• Saladin Citadel
• Muhammad Ali Mosque
• Mosque of al-Nasir Muhammad
• Khan el-Khalili

Overview
Fly south to Aswan and step into a region where ancient sanctuaries, granite quarries, and modern engineering projects sit side by side. The day is shaped by contrast: the grace and quiet of Philae Temple reached by boat, the scale of the High Dam overlooking Lake Nasser, and the raw, unfinished workmanship of the granite quarries. These visits create a coherent introduction to Aswan’s layered identity before you embark on your dahabeya — shifting from land-based exploration into the slower, more elemental rhythm of Nile travel. The embarkation marks a transition from movement to flow, setting the tone for the days of river life ahead.

Itinerary

Transfer to Cairo Airport
Begin the morning with a private transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Aswan. The departure from Cairo sets the shift toward Upper Egypt — a change in landscape, light, and rhythm.

Flight Cairo → Aswan
A short domestic flight carries you south into Upper Egypt, with the desert and the Nile alternating beneath the wings.

Airport Pickup in Aswan
Upon landing, you are met by your private driver, joined by your Egyptologist, who accompanies you as you begin the day’s visits. From the moment you leave the airport, the shift in atmosphere is immediate — warmer light, granite landscapes, and the quieter rhythm that characterises Upper Egypt.

Philae Temple
Begin your Aswan day with a boat ride to Philae, one of Egypt’s most atmospheric temple complexes. Approaching the island by water sets the tone: quiet, graceful, and anchored in centuries of devotion to Isis. Within its colonnades and inner courts, reliefs, sanctuaries, and chapels reflect a layered history that continued well into the Roman era. The setting — water, rock, and temple stone — creates a sense of clarity and stillness that makes Philae one of Upper Egypt’s most memorable sites.

High Dam
Visit the High Dam, the modern project that reshaped Egypt’s water landscape in the 20th century. From the dam’s crest, take in the vast expanse of Lake Nasser and understand the role this structure plays in irrigation, electricity, and flood control — a striking contemporary counterpoint to the ancient world seen earlier in the day.

Unfinished Obelisk
Continue to the granite quarries to see the Unfinished Obelisk, still embedded in the bedrock where ancient craftsmen worked. Its massive scale reveals how obelisks were carved directly from the stone, with tool marks and a natural crack showing precisely why this one was abandoned. The site offers a rare and tangible view into ancient engineering and the sheer physical demands of monumental construction.

Dahabeya Embarkation
Board your dahabeya and check into your cabin. The shift from road visits to river life is immediate — quieter and slower. As the boat anchors or begins to move with the current, the Nile becomes the central axis of the journey, and the pace aligns naturally with the landscape.

Optional Nubian Village Sunset Visit
Enjoy a scenic motorboat ride at sunset to a traditional Nubian village. Discover one of the Nile Valley’s oldest cultures, known for its brightly painted houses, rhythmic music, and warm hospitality.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Dahabeya Nile Cruise

Visits:
• Philae Temple
• High Dam,
• Unfinished Obelisk

Overview
A day shaped by the slow rhythm of dahabeya travel, where the Nile becomes both backdrop and passageway between major Ptolemaic temples. As the boat moves north, the landscape alternates between cultivated riverbanks and wide, open stretches, creating a natural transition toward Kom Ombo and Edfu — two of Egypt’s most architecturally coherent and well-preserved temples. The day balances movement and depth: time on deck, immersive site visits, and the steady unfolding of river life from sunrise to evening.

Itinerary

Arrival at Kom Ombo – On Foot from the Riverbank
The dahabeya moors directly beside Kom Ombo. From the riverbank, the temple is reached on foot — a short, level walk that keeps the transition from river to monument immediate and seamless.

Kom Ombo Temple
Arrive at Kom Ombo, uniquely built as a perfectly symmetrical double temple dedicated to two deities: Sobek, the crocodile god associated with strength and fertility, and Horus the Elder, linked to protection and kingship. Twin entrances, twin halls, and twin sanctuaries reinforce this duality. Reliefs throughout the complex illustrate offerings, rituals, and — most famously —a set of carvings interpreted as ancient medical instruments, offering insight into Ptolemaic knowledge and practice. Its location directly on the riverbank adds a dramatic setting, especially in late afternoon light.

Crocodile Museum
Step inside the Crocodile Museum, located directly beside the Kom Ombo Temple — a placement that reflects its close historical connection to the cult of Sobek. Inside, a carefully curated collection displays mummified crocodiles of varying sizes, votive offerings, and ritual artifacts once dedicated to the god. The museum bridges the environment, the temple, and ancient belief: the crocodiles that once inhabited this bend of the Nile, the inscriptions carved into the temple walls, and the everyday devotion of local communities all converge here in one clear, tangible narrative.

Scenic Nile Sailing
Continue the journey by dahabeya along the Nile, with time to observe the quiet flow of daily life along the riverbanks. Palm groves, cultivated fields, small villages, fishing boats, and occasional desert ridges create a steady visual rhythm. Sailing on a dahabeya offers a slower, more intimate view of the Nile, allowing the landscape to unfold naturally and without haste.

Transfer by Horse-Drawn Carriage
Upon arrival at the Edfu riverbank, transfer by traditional horse-drawn carriage through the town to the temple entrance. This short ride reflects the historic approach to the site and remains the customary way to reach the temple.

Temple of Horus at Edfu
Explore the Temple of Horus, the best-preserved major temple in Egypt. Its monumental pylons, intact chambers, and sharply carved reliefs form an exceptional example of Ptolemaic religious architecture. Inside, scenes depict the mythological battles between Horus and Seth, ceremonial processions, and temple rituals that once animated this sanctuary. The scale, clarity, and completeness of the reliefs offer a rare opportunity to read stories and symbolism exactly as ancient visitors would have seen them.

Return to Dahabeya
Reboard the dahabeya and settle into the calm rhythm of river life. As the boat anchors for the evening, the shift from monumental architecture to quiet riverbank surroundings marks a natural close to the day. Dinner and rest unfold in an atmosphere defined by stillness, open water, and the slow pace of the Nile.

Optional Experience: Abu Simbel Temples
One of the most breathtaking sites in all of Egypt. Towering statues carved directly into the cliff face greet you as you arrive, their scale alone leaving visitors speechless. Inside, vast halls decorated with powerful scenes create an atmosphere that feels both grand and intimate. It is a place where history, artistry, and sheer human achievement combine to create an experience you will never forget.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Dahabeya Nile Cruise

Visits:
• Kom Ombo Temple
• Crocodile Museum
• Edfu Temple

Overview
Arrive in Luxor and explore the East Bank — the ancient “land of the living,” where temples were raised to honor the gods, celebrate kingship, and mark the rhythms of daily and cosmic life. The day reveals the full ceremonial scale of Thebes: the vast temple city of Karnak, shaped over more than a thousand years, and the refined elegance of Luxor Temple, illuminated by royal patronage and sacred processions.

Itinerary

Morning Pickup – From Your Dahabeya
Begin the day with pickup from your dahabeya. Your guide and driver meet you at the riverbank and transfer you by private air-conditioned vehicle to Luxor’s East Bank sites.

Karnak Temple Complex
Explore the largest religious complex of ancient Egypt, dedicated primarily to Amun-Ra but expanded over more than 1,500 years by successive pharaohs. Karnak is not a single temple but an entire ceremonial city: vast courtyards, obelisks, sanctuaries, sphinx-lined avenues, and monumental gateways. The Great Hypostyle Hall, with its 134 towering columns carved with hymns, royal names, and scenes of ritual, remains one of the most striking architectural spaces in the ancient world.

Luxor Temple
Explore Luxor Temple, linked to Karnak by the ancient Avenue of the Sphinxes. Built by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II, this temple beautifully reflects the harmony of religion and royalty in ancient Egypt.

Evening on Board
Return to the dahabeya for dinner and a calm evening as the boat remains docked in Luxor. The night offers quiet time on deck, watching the city lights reflect on the river and settling into the rhythm of Nile travel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Dahabeya Nile cruise

Visits:
• Karnak Temple
• Luxor Temple

Overview
This final morning on the West Bank brings together the core expressions of New Kingdom legacy — royal tombs concealed within desert cliffs, temples carved into sacred landscapes, and monuments created to outlast time itself. The day moves through the Valley of the Kings, the monumental terraces of Hatshepsut, and the silent guardianship of the Colossi of Memnon, offering a last, concentrated immersion into ancient Egypt’s most powerful era. The journey then shifts gently away from the Nile Valley, as you cross back to the East Bank and continue onward to Luxor Airport for your flight to Cairo, marking a composed transition from antiquity back to the present.

Itinerary

Morning Pickup – From Your Dahabeya
After breakfast and disembarkation, you are picked up by private vehicle and transferred to the West Bank, where your guide continues with the day’s exploration.

Valley of the Kings
Enter the royal necropolis of the New Kingdom, where pharaohs were buried in elaborately decorated tombs carved deep into the desert cliffs. Inside, corridors and chambers are covered with scenes from sacred texts — celestial maps, gods, and rituals guiding the king toward rebirth and eternity. The Valley reveals both the spiritual imagination and technical mastery of ancient Egypt.

— Notable tombs often open to visitors include those of
Ramses IV
Ramses III
Merenptah

— Additional optional tombs available for visit
Tutankhamun
Ramesses V & VI
Seti I
Ay

Temple of Hatshepsut
See the terraced mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, carved into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari, this terraced masterpiece, dedicated to the sun god Amun, honors Egypt’s most powerful female ruler and depicts her divine birth and her famed trade expedition to the Land of Punt.

Colossi of Memnon
Stop at the 18-meter statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Once guarding the entrance to his lost mortuary temple, these twin colossal figures have stood watch over the Theban plain for more than 3,400 years — silent witnesses to Egypt’s ancient grandeur.

Transfer to Luxor Airport
After completing the West Bank visits, transfer by private vehicle to Luxor International Airport for your domestic flight back to Cairo.

Optional Experience: Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Flight
A pre-dawn departure (between 3:00 and 4:00 AM) takes you to the West Bank launch site, where the balloons rise just before sunrise. As you lift above the valley, the landscape unfolds quietly — fields, villages, desert cliffs, and the great monuments appearing in soft, early light. The experience offers a wide, unhurried perspective on Luxor and a rare sense of calm before the day’s visits begin.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: —

Visits:
• Valley of the Kings
• Temple of Hatshepsut
• Colossi of Memnon