The Classic Egyptian Discovery: 10-Day Cairo and Nile Valley Tour

Egypt Cultural Tour: The Definitive 10-Day Itinerary

1st Day: Welcome to Cairo & Elite Nile Dinner Cruise

• Arrival & VIP Meet-and-Greet: When your flight lands at Cairo International Airport, an Egypt Fun Tours representative will greet you before passport control. We will manage your entry visa, passport requirements, and luggage handling.
• Luxury Transfer: Travel to your 5-star hotel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to check in and unwind.
• Evening Experience: Board a premium Nile River Dinner Cruise. Enjoy a gourmet open buffet while watching an authentic Egyptian folklore show, featuring spectacular belly dancing and the mesmerizing Tannoura (whirling dervish) performance.
• Overnight: 5-Star Hotel in Cairo.

2nd Day: The Wonders of Giza, Saqqara, & Memphis

Morning Exploration: After breakfast, check out of your hotel to explore the legendary monuments of the Old Kingdom.

• Giza Pyramids Complex: Stand before the Great Pyramid of Khufu—the last remaining wonder of the ancient world. See the enigmatic Great Sphinx (Abu al-Hawl), carved from a single ridge of limestone to depict the power of King Khafre, and tour the remarkably preserved Valley Temple where royal mummification rituals took place.
• Authentic Lunch: Enjoy a delicious lunch at a premium restaurant featuring direct views of the Pyramids.
• Memphis City: Tour the ruins of Egypt’s first official capital. Founded by King Menes in 2925 BC, this ancient hub of artwork and governance was protected by the creator deity, Ptah.
• Step Pyramid of Saqqara: Marvel at the revolutionary stone structure built by the genius architect Imhotep for King Djoser, which ushered in the golden age of pharaonic stone architecture.

Flight to Luxor: Transfer directly to Cairo Airport for your short evening domestic flight to Luxor. Overnight: Board your 5-star luxury Nile Cruise.

3rd Day: The Royal Secrets of Luxor’s West Bank

• Valley of the Kings: Cross the Nile to the West Bank to enter the hidden rock-cut tombs of Egypt’s greatest New Kingdom pharaohs. Your guide will lead you through masterfully decorated corridors containing vivid, 3,000-year-old hieroglyphs.
• Temple of Hatshepsut: Discover the breathtaking, terrace-style mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Djeser-Djeseru, built seamlessly into the towering limestone cliffs of Deir el-Bahari.
• Colossi of Memnon: Make a standalone stop at these two massive, 720-ton quartzite sandstone statues depicting Pharaoh Amenhotep III, famous in Greco-Roman times for the legendary “singing” wind phenomenon.
• Afternoon & Evening: Return to the cruise ship for a relaxed lunch and afternoon sailing.
• Overnight: Onboard the Nile Cruise.

Day 4: The Monumental Temple of Edfu

• Edfu Temple: Step ashore to visit the incredibly well-preserved sandstone temple of the falcon sky god, Horus. Built during the Ptolemaic period on the mythical site of the great battle between Horus and Set, its towering pylon walls offer a pristine look at ancient temple architecture.
• Sailing Time: Return to the ship for a scenic lunch as you cruise up the Nile towards the historic city of Aswan.
• Overnight: Onboard the Nile Cruise.

5th Day: Engineering Marvels & Sacred Temples of Aswan

• The High Dam: Visit this monumental 20th-century engineering feat, built to regulate the Nile’s annual floods, generate hydroelectric power, and form the massive Lake Nasser.
• The Unfinished Obelisk: Explore the ancient northern granite quarries of Aswan. Here, a massive, 1,200-ton obelisk ordered by Queen Hatshepsut remains cracked in the bedrock, offering a fascinating look at how ancient stone cutters carved raw granite.
• Philae Temple: Take a scenic motorboat ride to Agilkia Island to visit the romantic temple complex dedicated to the goddess Isis. Learn how the entire structure was meticulously salvaged and moved piece by piece under a UNESCO rescue mission.
• Overnight: Onboard the Nile Cruise in Aswan.

Day 6: The Majestic Sun Temples of Abu Simbel

• Early Morning Expedition: Receive your breakfast box and travel southwest through the desert to the spectacular border fortress of Abu Simbel.
• Temples of Ramesses II & Nefertari: Stand in awe before the four colossal, seated statues of Ramesses the Great carved directly into the mountain. Discover how the temple axis is perfectly engineered to illuminate the inner sanctuary twice a year during the Sun Festival. Tour the adjacent, beautiful temple dedicated to his beloved Great Royal Wife, Queen Nefertari.
• Afternoon Return: Return to Aswan to relax on board your cruise.
• Overnight: Onboard the Nile Cruise.

7th Day: The Double Temple of Kom Ombo

• Morning at Leisure: Enjoy a relaxing morning cruising back down the Nile.
• Temple of Kom Ombo: Tour the unique, symmetrical double temple dedicated to two distinct deities: Sobek, the crocodile god of fertility, and Haroeris (Horus the Elder), the falcon god of triumph. View the ancient Nilometer and the fascinating crocodile mummies displayed in the nearby museum.
• Sailing to Luxor: Enjoy dinner onboard as the ship sails back toward the shores of Luxor.
• Overnight: Onboard the Nile Cruise.

8th Day: The Grand Temples of Luxor’s East Bank

• Karnak Temple Complex: Explore the largest religious complex ever constructed by human hands. Walk through the breathtaking Great Hypostyle Hall, a forest of 134 massive columns dedicated primarily to the Theban Triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu.
• Luxor Temple: In the late afternoon, tour the elegant southern sanctuary built by Amenhotep III and expanded by Ramesses II. Linked to Karnak by the spectacular Avenue of Sphinxes, the temple is brilliantly illuminated at night, highlighting its majestic columns and towering obelisk.
• Overnight: Onboard the Nile Cruise in Luxor.

9th Day: Historic Cairo & The Treasures of Antiquity

Morning Flight: Check out from your Nile cruise and take your domestic flight back to Cairo.

The Egyptian Museum: Immerse yourself in a world-class collection of antiquities in Tahrir Square, featuring thousands of rare artifacts, statues, and royal treasures spanning over 4,000 years of pharaonic history.

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC): Visit this state-of-the-art facility to explore the continuous evolution of Egyptian culture from the prehistoric era to the modern day.

Coptic & Islamic Heritage Tour:

• The Hanging Church: Visit the historic Church of the Virgin Mary, built over the towers of the Roman Babylon Fortress.
• Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas: Walk through the very first mosque built on the continent of Africa.
• Synagogue of Ben Ezra: Discover this deeply historic Jewish landmark, famous for its beautiful architecture and ancient genizah documents.

Khan El-Khalili Bazaar: Conclude your day with a walk through Cairo’s historic 10th-century open-air market. Navigate its vibrant alleys filled with spices, leather, textiles, and traditional silver.

Overnight: 5-Star Hotel in Cairo.

Last Day: Final Departure from Egypt

• Farewell Breakfast: Enjoy a gourmet breakfast at your hotel.
• Airport Transfer: Your dedicated Egypt Fun Tours coordinator will pick you up in a private vehicle and transfer you to Cairo International Airport, assisting you with your final check-in and luggage procedures for your departure flight home.