8 Days Cairo, Nile Cruise & Abu Simbel package

Overview

A private 8-day trip through Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan and Abu Simbel with your own Egyptologist guide, a Nile cruise and every transfer arranged.

• the Giza Pyramids Complex (Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure), the Great Sphinx, and the Valley Temple
• the colossal Karnak Temple Complex (including the Great Hypostyle Hall) and Luxor Temple
• the Valley of the Kings, the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon
• Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples
• Aswan High Dam, examine the stone-cutting techniques at the Unfinished Obelisk quarries, and take a motorboat to Agilkia Island to explore Philae Temple
• Abu Simbel (Ramses II and Queen Nefertari)

1. Day 1

   Arrival in CairoCairo

   Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, you will be welcomed by our representative, who will assist you with the arrival procedures, luggage, and airport formalities. You will then be transferred by private, air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel in Cairo. Upon arrival, complete the check-in procedures and take some time to relax after your journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy the rest of the day at leisure or explore the surrounding area independently.

   • Overnight in Cairo.

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2. Day 2

   Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx & Grand Egyptian MuseumCairo

   After breakfast at your hotel, meet your private Egyptologist guide and begin your exploration of the wonders of ancient Egyptian civilization. Your first stop will be the Giza Plateau, home to the three famous pyramids of ancient Egypt. Visit the Great Pyramid of King Khufu, the largest of the three pyramids and the only surviving wonder of the ancient world's Seven Wonders. Learn about its construction, the theories surrounding its building techniques, and its importance as the royal tomb of Pharaoh Khufu. Continue to the Pyramid of Khafre, which appears taller than the Great Pyramid because of its elevated position, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, the smallest of the three main pyramids. Your guide will explain the history of the Fourth Dynasty and the development of pyramid construction. You will then visit the Great Sphinx, the monumental limestone statue with the body of a lion and the head of a king. Learn about its possible connection to Pharaoh Khafre and its role in guarding the Giza necropolis. Continue to the Valley Temple of Khafre, where ancient purification and mummification rituals are believed to have taken place in connection with the royal funerary complex. Enjoy lunch at a local Egyptian restaurant before proceeding to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Explore the museum's extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, monumental statues, royal objects, and archaeological treasures. Discover the development of Egyptian civilization through its art, religious beliefs, royal traditions, and daily life. At the end of the tour, return to your hotel in Cairo.

   • Overnight in Cairo.

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3. Day 3

   Fly to Luxor – Karnak Temple & Luxor TempleLuxor

   After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Cairo International Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, meet your local representative and private Egyptologist guide, then begin your sightseeing tour on the East Bank of the Nile. Your first visit will be Karnak Temple, one of the largest religious complexes ever constructed in the ancient world. Dedicated primarily to the god Amun-Ra, the complex was developed by successive pharaohs over many centuries. Explore the Great Hypostyle Hall, famous for its enormous columns decorated with hieroglyphic inscriptions and reliefs. Discover the monumental pylons, sacred lake, obelisks, and temple remains while learning how Karnak became one of the most important religious centers of ancient Egypt. Continue to Luxor Temple, a magnificent monument associated with royal ceremonies and the annual Opet Festival. Walk through its monumental entrance and courtyards, admire the statues of Ramses II, and discover the architectural contributions of Amenhotep III and other rulers. You will also learn about the Avenue of Sphinxes, the ancient ceremonial route that connected Luxor Temple with Karnak Temple. After completing your visits, transfer to your Nile cruise ship and check in to your cabin. Enjoy lunch and dinner on board, with free time to relax and enjoy the Nile scenery.

   • Overnight on board the Nile cruise in Luxor.

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4. Day 4

   Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple & Colossi of MemnonEdfu

   After breakfast on board, cross to the West Bank of Luxor to explore the royal necropolis of ancient Thebes. Begin with the Valley of the Kings, the burial place of many pharaohs of the New Kingdom. Visit the tombs included in your entrance ticket and admire their colorful wall paintings, religious texts, and depictions of the ancient Egyptian journey into the afterlife. Your guide will explain the significance of the royal burial traditions and the efforts made to protect the tombs from robbery. The tomb of Tutankhamun may be visited for an additional ticket, subject to the applicable rules and availability. Continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, one of Egypt's most distinctive mortuary temples. Built into the cliffs, the temple features impressive terraces, colonnades, and reliefs illustrating the queen's reign and her famous trading expedition to the Land of Punt. Next, stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two enormous stone statues representing Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Learn about their original function as guardians of his mortuary temple and the history of the surrounding archaeological site. After the sightseeing tour, return to the cruise ship for lunch and relaxation. The vessel will sail according to its scheduled itinerary, with the opportunity to enjoy views of the Nile Valley and surrounding countryside.

   •  overnight on board the Nile cruise.

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5. Day 5

   Edfu Temple & Kom Ombo Temple – Sailing to AswanKom Ombo

   Enjoy breakfast on board as your Nile cruise continues its journey toward Aswan. Your first major sightseeing stop will be Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god associated with kingship and protection. Explore the monumental entrance pylons, spacious courtyards, impressive columns, and detailed hieroglyphic inscriptions. Edfu Temple is among the best-preserved ancient Egyptian temples, providing an excellent understanding of traditional temple architecture and religious ceremonies. After the visit, return to the cruise ship and continue sailing along the Nile. Later, visit Kom Ombo Temple, a unique double temple dedicated to two deities: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. Its symmetrical design includes separate sanctuaries and halls associated with each deity. Discover the temple's reliefs, including depictions of religious ceremonies and ancient medical instruments. You may also see the nearby Crocodile Museum, depending on the visit arrangements and opening conditions. After the visit, return to the cruise ship and continue sailing toward Aswan. Enjoy lunch, dinner, and leisure time on board.

   • Overnight on the Nile cruise

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6. Day 6

   Abu Simbel Temples Abu Simbel

   Begin the day early for your excursion to Abu Simbel, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in southern Egypt. Travel from Aswan to Abu Simbel by private, air-conditioned vehicle according to your confirmed package arrangements. Upon arrival, visit the Great Temple of Ramses II, carved directly into the mountainside during the reign of the pharaoh. Admire the four colossal seated statues at the entrance and learn about the temple's religious significance, royal symbolism, and connection to the power of Ramses II. Continue to the Temple of Queen Nefertari, dedicated to the queen and the goddess Hathor. Its facade features impressive statues of the royal couple, reflecting the queen's exceptional status in ancient Egyptian history. Explore the interiors and admire the wall reliefs depicting religious ceremonies, royal offerings, and scenes from the reign of Ramses II. Your guide will also explain the remarkable international operation that relocated the temples in the 1960s to protect them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. After the visit, return to the cruise ship and continue sailing. Enjoy lunch, dinner, and leisure time on board.

   • Overnight in Aswan.

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7. Day 7

   Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk & Philae Temple & Return to CairoAswan

   After breakfast, begin your exploration of Aswan, a city renowned for its beautiful Nile scenery, Nubian heritage, and important archaeological monuments. Start with the Aswan High Dam, one of Egypt's major modern engineering projects. Learn how the dam transformed water management, helped control the Nile's annual flooding, and contributed to electricity generation. Continue to the Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient granite quarries. This enormous monument was left attached to the bedrock after cracks appeared during its construction. The site offers valuable insight into how ancient Egyptian stoneworkers extracted and shaped massive granite monuments. Next, travel by motorboat to Agilkia Island to visit Philae Temple, dedicated primarily to the goddess Isis. The temple complex is celebrated for its elegant columns, detailed reliefs, and connection to the mythology of Isis and Osiris. Learn about the international campaign that rescued the temple complex from rising waters following the construction of the Aswan High Dam, relocating its monuments to their present island location. After the visit, return to Aswan for your domestic flight to Cairo, subject to the confirmed flight schedule. Upon arrival in Cairo, meet your representative and transfer to your hotel.

   • Overnight in Cairo.

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8. Day 8

   Departure from CairoCairo

   Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and complete the check-out procedures. Depending on your international flight time, you may have some free time for shopping or a short visit to a nearby attraction, provided the schedule allows. At the agreed time, transfer by private, air-conditioned vehicle to Cairo International Airport for your departure flight.

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