8-Day Overland Tour Itinerary
1st day: Arrival in Egypt
Upon arriving in Cairo, Egypt Fun Tours will assist you with passport control and luggage handling. You’ll be transferred in a chauffeured, air-conditioned vehicle to your 5-star hotel for check-in. In the evening, enjoy a dinner cruise on the Nile, featuring a vibrant belly dance performance and a mesmerizing Tannoura show, before returning to your hotel for the night.
2nd day: Explore the Pyramids of the Old Kingdom
After breakfast, check out and head to the Giza Pyramid Complex, where you’ll witness the iconic structures that have stood for over 4,000 years:
- Giza Pyramids Complex: Home to the Great Sphinx, the Valley Temple, and several smaller pyramids.
- The Great Pyramid: Built for King Khufu around 2580 BC, it remains the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- The Great Sphinx: A monumental statue symbolizing strength and wisdom, carved from a single block of limestone.
- The Valley Temple: A key site for mummification practices, showcasing ancient Egyptian mortuary rituals.
Enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant before visiting:
- Step Pyramid of Saqqara: Designed by Imhotep, this architectural marvel marks the beginning of pyramid construction.
- City of Memphis: The first capital of Egypt, established by King Menes, rich in history and home to significant antiquities.
At the end of the day, depart for Aswan and check into your hotel for the night.
3rd day: Discover Aswan’s Attractions
After breakfast, join your guide to explore Aswan:
- High Dam at Aswan: A modern engineering marvel built to control Nile floods and generate hydroelectricity.
- Unfinished Obelisk: Commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut, this massive obelisk remains in its quarry due to a construction mishap.
After lunch, continue to:
- Temple of Philae: Dedicated to the goddess Isis, this temple was relocated to Agilkia Island to protect it from flooding.
Return to your hotel in Aswan for the night.
Day 4: Transfer to Luxor After Visiting Abu Simbel
Start your day with breakfast at your hotel before heading to the Abu Simbel Temples. Built by King Ramses II between 1279 and 1213 BCE, this magnificent site features two temples: one dedicated to Ramses II and another to his wife, Nefertari. The temples are famous for the sun festivals held twice a year, where sunlight illuminates the faces of the seated statues. After your visit, return to Aswan for lunch, then board a train to Luxor. Check into your 5-star hotel for the night.
5th day: Explore Luxor’s East Bank Attractions
Enjoy breakfast before visiting the Temple of Karnak, the largest religious structure in the world, built over 4,000 years ago and serving as a worship center for numerous gods. After a lovely lunch, check into your hotel, then head to the Luxor Temple at night. Built by Amenhotep III around 1400 BCE, this temple shines beautifully under the moonlight, showcasing intricate decorations and architectural splendor. Return to your hotel in Luxor for the night.
6th day: Discover Luxor’s West Bank and Fly to Cairo
After breakfast, check out and explore Luxor’s West Bank:
- Valley of the Kings: This burial site for New Kingdom pharaohs contains 63 tombs filled with treasures, including those of Tutankhamun and Ramses.
- Temple of Hatshepsut: A stunning temple dedicated to one of Egypt’s most successful monarchs, constructed in 1479 BC.
- Colossi of Memnon: Two massive statues of Amenhotep III, standing 18 meters tall, serve as guardians of Luxor.
Enjoy lunch at an Asian restaurant before heading to Luxor Airport for your flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, check into your 5-star hotel for the night.
7th day: Explore Cairo’s Major Attractions
Start your day with breakfast before visiting key sites in Cairo:
- The Egyptian Museum is home to over 120,000 artifacts spanning 4,000 years, including jewelry, sculptures, and funerary items.
After lunch with your guide, explore:
- The Hanging Church: A significant Coptic structure built in the 5th century atop a Roman fort, known for its stunning architecture.
- Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas: The first mosque in Africa, built in 641 AD, showcasing the evolution of Islamic architecture.
- Synagogue of Ben Ezra: Originally a church, this synagogue dates back to 882 AD and features beautiful Jewish ornamentation.
- The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization presents Egypt’s rich history and culture through its magnificent artifacts.
- Khan El Khalili Bazaar: A bustling market established in 970 AD, filled with shops, cafes, and beautiful Islamic architecture.
Return to your hotel in Cairo for the night.
Last day: Conclusion of Your Tour
On your final morning, enjoy a farewell breakfast before departing for the Cairo airport, concluding your 8-day adventure in Cairo and Upper Egypt.
