Egypt: Pyramids, Nile, Alexandria & El Alamein – 11 Days

• After breakfast, meet your Egyptologist guide and embark on a journey through the timeless Giza Plateau. Stand before the Great Pyramid of Cheops and feel the awe-inspiring scale of the limestone blocks, meticulously arranged thousands of years ago. Continue to the Pyramids of Chephren and Mykerinus, admiring the desert horizon that stretches endlessly beyond them.
• Encounter the enigmatic Sphinx, carved from a single limestone ridge, its gaze eternally fixed across the sands. Visit the Valley Temple, where rituals once prepared pharaohs for the afterlife. Replace the Solar Boat Museum visit with the Necropolis of Saqqara, exploring Djoser’s Step Pyramid and surrounding tombs—a sacred site echoing with millennia of funerary rites.
• Ride a camel or horse across the golden sands for a panoramic view of the pyramids, an unforgettable moment as the wind brushes past and the sun casts long shadows across the plateau. Finally, visit Memphis, the ancient capital, where colossal statues whisper stories of a civilization that shaped the world. Board the overnight sleeper train to Luxor.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Arrive in Luxor and check in at your hotel. Begin your exploration of the East Bank with the magnificent Karnak Temple Complex. Wander through the Hypostyle Hall, where 134 towering columns create a forest of stone, each etched with hieroglyphs narrating stories of gods and pharaohs. Stroll along the Avenue of Sphinxes connecting Karnak to Luxor Temple, an avenue that once hosted grand ceremonial processions.
• Continue to Luxor Temple, bathed in soft sunlight, where massive statues and obelisks convey the grandeur of ancient Egyptian architecture. Return to your hotel for a relaxing evening or an optional stroll along the Nile Corniche.
• Accommodation: Luxor
• Meals: Breakfast

• Cross the Nile to the West Bank, entering the world of pharaohs hidden within desert cliffs. Explore the Valley of the Kings, including the tombs of Tutankhamun and Ramses VI, where brilliantly painted walls depict the journey to the afterlife.
• Visit the mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a terraced masterpiece rising from the cliff face, and pause at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues standing as silent guardians. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the desert ambiance or optional Nile-side activities.
• Accommodation: Luxor
• Meals: Breakfast

• Sail south along the Nile, passing lush green fields and quaint villages. Stop at Edfu to explore the Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s most pristine ancient temples, where reliefs vividly illustrate religious ceremonies. Continue to Kom Ombo Temple, a rare double temple dedicated to Horus and Sobek, with mummified crocodiles on display in the adjacent museum.
• As the cruise continues to Aswan, enjoy the serene views of the Nile, the rhythm of the river, and the warm golden light reflecting on the water. Evening onboard includes a cultural activity introducing local Nubian music and traditions.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Visit the Aswan High Dam, a marvel of modern engineering that tames the Nile’s floods. Explore the granite quarries and the famous Unfinished Obelisk, an immense monolith still embedded in the rock.
• Take a motorboat to the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, rising elegantly from the island waters and surrounded by palm groves. As the sun sets, enjoy a felucca sail around Kitchener’s Island, watching the sky turn golden and the Nile shimmer with reflected colors.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Rise early for a scenic road trip to Abu Simbel. Stand before the colossal statues of Ramses II carved into cliffs, their sheer size leaving a profound impression of pharaonic power. Explore the adjacent temple of Queen Nefertari, adorned with vibrant reliefs and intricate carvings.
• Return to Aswan in the afternoon, enjoying the shifting Nile scenery, then board the sleeper train to Cairo.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Tour the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to thousands of artifacts, including the legendary treasures of Tutankhamun and the Royal Mummies Hall. Walk through galleries filled with gold, jewelry, statues, and artifacts revealing the daily life, beliefs, and rituals of the ancient Egyptians.
• Afternoon at leisure or optional stroll through Cairo’s historic quarters and bustling bazaars, experiencing the scents, colors, and vibrant life of the city.
• Accommodation: Cairo
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

• Drive along the Mediterranean coast to Alexandria, Egypt’s historic coastal city. Visit Montazah Gardens, a royal retreat with fragrant flora and sea views, then explore the Royal Jewelry Museum, showcasing exquisite crowns and jewels and evening at leisure by the Corniche, watching the sunset over the Mediterranean.
• Accommodation: Alexandria
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

• Explore the highlights of Alexandria: Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern tribute to the ancient library; Roman Catacombs; Pompey’s Pillar; and Qaitbay Fort, a medieval coastal fortress. Walk along the Corniche, absorbing the sea breeze and the city’s cosmopolitan ambiance.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Drive along the northern coast to El Alamein, the site of famous WWII battles. Visit the military museum, memorials, and cemeteries honoring soldiers from around the world. Return to Cairo for a final night in the city, reflecting on the journey through Egypt’s ancient and modern history.

Accommodation: Cairo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

• After breakfast, private transfer to Cairo International Airport for your onward flight home.
• Meals: Breakfast