Cairo, the Pyramids, Nile Cruise, Karnak, Luxor & Alexandria
Egypt: A Journey Through Time and Tradition. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Egyptian culture and history, a land of enigmatic pyramids, majestic temples, and captivating legends. Sail down the legendary Nile River, explore bustling bazaars, and encounter the warmth of Nubian hospitality. Unravel the secrets of hieroglyphics, witness the grandeur of the Sphinx, and delve into the tombs of pharaohs and queens. Then, journey to Alexandria, a melting pot of cultures where ancient wonders meet modern life. With an expert guide to illuminate your journey, Egypt will awaken your senses and ignite your imagination. Experience the magic of Egypt.
Shorten Your Trip! Enjoy our Splendors of Egypt tour visiting Egypt’s highlights from Cairo to Luxor.
Itinerary
2025 Tour Itinerary:
- 2 nights in Cairo
- 1 night in Aswan
- 3-night Nile Cruise
- 1 night in Luxor
- 2 nights in Cairo
- 2 nights in Alexandria
- 1 night in Cairo
Tour Highlights
- Great Pyramids of Giza
- Sphinx of Giza
- Nubian Village to meet with family
- Philae’s Temple of Isis
- Ptolemaic Temple for Horus and Sobek
- Temples of Karnak & Luxor
- Valley of the Kings
- Valley of the Queens and Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Alabaster Workshop Visit
- Khan El Khalili Bazaar District
- Grand Egyptian Museum
- King Tut's Treasures (Museum of Antiquities in Cairo)
- Alexandria Library
- National Museum
- Citadel of Qaitbay
- Jewelry Museum
Included
- All intra-tour flights and transfers
- Ground transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Accommodations at deluxe hotels and cruise ship
- 3-night cruise on the Nile River
- 22 meals: 12 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 5 dinners
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours and entry fees
- Experienced, English-speaking Egyptologist Tour Director
2025 Tour Itinerary
Included meal: Dinner
Welcome to Egypt’s capital and largest city, where ancient wonders blend seamlessly with modern life. Take some time to relax and get settled before joining our fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Our destination today: the wondrous Pyramids of Giza. Built during the Third and Fourth Dynasties, these monuments stand as testimony to the skill and strength of their builders. We'll get up close to study the Great Pyramid, as well as see the Pyramids of Khefren and Mycerinus in the distance. Nearby, we’ll gaze at the mythical Sphinx of Giza, which famously combines a reclining lion with the head of an Egyptian king. After these amazing sights, we'll lunch like the Egyptians do at a local Cairo restaurant.
Included meal: Breakfast
Today, we'll travel to the airport for our flight from Cairo to Aswan. Upon arrival, either hop on another short flight for an optional tour to the Abu Simbel Temples or head to the hotel to start exploring Aswan at leisure. Later, we'll join together to sail on the Nile by motorboat to a Nubian Village located on the West Bank of the Nile River. This fantastic visit to the Nubian Village lets us meet a Nubian family, have a drink in their home, and learn about their lifestyle, culture, and traditions.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we'll visit the Aswan High Dam, a modern-day architectural wonder and a testament to human ingenuity. Next, we'll visit Philae's Temple of Isis with its intricate carvings. We'll learn about its dramatic relocation to higher ground after it was nearly lost to rising water in the 1960s. Afterward, we'll board our Nile cruise ship for our three-night journey from Upper to Lower Egypt.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We'll cruise to Kom Ombo to visit an unusual double temple, built in the Ptolemaic period and dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-head god Horus. After exploring Kom Ombo, we'll sail on to Edfu, an Egyptian city on the west bank of the Nile River. Our day continues with a tour of the immense, well-preserved Temple of Edfu, built between 237 and 57 B.C. and also dedicated to Horus. Legend says that this was the site where Horus avenged his father’s murder by his uncle, the god Seth. Back on board our ship, we'll sail past Esna to Luxor.
Included meal: Breakfast
Often considered the most extraordinary open-air museum in the world, Luxor boasts an imposing array of ruins and monuments. The modern name for Thebes (the “city of palaces”), Luxor is also the inspiration for the word luxury, and we'll see quite a bit of architectural extravagance today. The graceful Temple of Luxor was built over several centuries by Amenhopis III, Tutankhamun, Ramses II and Alexander the Great and features an avenue of sphinxes. We’ll also tour the ancient temple complex of Karnak. The immense wealth of Thebes was spent embellishing and building temples in honor of Amun-Ra, the most important and powerful of ancient Egyptian gods. The balance of the day is at your leisure.
Included meal: Breakfast
After breakfast, we’ll say farewell to our ship and continue our exploration of Luxor and the Nile’s west bank. We’ll visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s second confirmed female Pharaoh and regarded as one of its most successful rulers, as well as royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. The afternoon is free to relax or investigate exhibits at the Luxor Museum.
Sonesta St. George Luxor
Included meal: Breakfast
A morning flight takes us back to Cairo. Back in Egypt's capital city, we’ll wander through the bustling, colorful Khan El Khalili Bazaar. We'll also visit the highly anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) with its 12 Main Galleries which showcase over 15,000 artifacts.
Note: King Tut's treasures remain at the Museum of Antiquities with plans to move them to the GEM. To ensure travelers view these artifacts, our tour will visit both museums. Once King Tut's treasures have been moved to the GEM, our tour will visit only the GEM, allowing for our travelers ample time to enjoy the 12 Main Galleries in addition to King Tut's Treasures.
Cairo Marriott Hotel or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy this free day at leisure in Cairo to explore further. We’ll end the day by enjoying dinner with our fellow travelers.
Included meal: Breakfast
This morning we'll travel from Cairo to Alexandria. We'll begin exploring this historic port city with a visit to the famous Alexandria Library, then the fascinating National Museum, and finally the magnificent Citadel of Qaitbay. We'll enjoy our evening at leisure and our guide can help us find great restaurants nearby.
Cecil Hotel or similar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, we'll discover the city’s Roman influences with a tour of the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a stop at Pompey’s Pillar, and a visit to the Amphitheatre. We’ll also browse the Royal Jewelry Museum and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Included meal: Breakfast
After two wonderful days in this Alexandria, we’ll depart this storied city to drive back to Cairo. Along the way, we’ll visit the El Alamein War Museum and Cemetery. After we arrive in Cairo, the rest of our evening is free to rest and relax during our last night in Egypt.
Holiday Inn Cairo - Citystars or similar
Included meal: Breakfast
Our tour comes to an end after breakfast today.
Flights
Book flights with ease with our partner, Exito Travel, to enjoy flexible flight options to and from our tour! Enjoy greater flexibility from flying from your preferred airport, picking your seat, upgrading to business class, and more.
You can find more details on the Before You Depart page.
Guided Tour Pricing
2025 Tours
Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Single supplement applies when not sharing a room. Select a date above to see the rates for that specific departure.
For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Eastern) at 1.800.337.7773.
Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made online or by phone (1.800.337.7773) and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the time of reservation. Deposits are $300 per person. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Space and prices subject to availability. Please see the smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete booking information.
Enhance Your Trip
Enhance your trip with these optional tours. Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book when you reserve your trip and can be added to your reservation up to final payment. This is the best option to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour! Optional tours require a minimum number of participants. Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.
Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and may cost extra. The payment methods and currency information to purchase tours in-destination will be provided on final documentation.
Sakkara Tour
Day 2 Afternoon Tour
Visit Sakkara, the Step Pyramid on which Imhotep experimented with the design of his stone tomb, beginning with a standard mastaba like those built in mud-brick at Abydos and Saqqara by the 1st and 2nd dynasty Kings. The Sakkara Step Pyramid, constructed 4,700 years ago, is said to be the oldest monumental masonry structure in the world.
$54 per person
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Abu Simbel by Air
Day 4 Morning Tour
Be amazed by the magnificent UNESCO-listed Abu-Simbel Temples. Threatened by the waters of Lake Nasser, these gigantic landmarks were famously saved, dismantled and relocated in the 1960s. The larger temple is dedicated to Ramses II, while the smaller was built for his favorite wife, Nefertiti.
Note: This excursion involves walking on uneven terrain. Travelers take an EgyptAir shuttle flight from Aswan Airport to Abu Simbel Airport (approx. 45 min) where a shuttle service is used to bring travelers to the site and back at scheduled times. Depending on flight schedules, luggage is kept at the Aswan Airport and received once the group returns from Abu Simbel.
$410, including flight
MUST BE PRE-BOOKED!
This tour must be pre-booked prior to final payment as it is not available to book in-destination.
Luxor Hot Air Balloon
Day 7 Morning Tour
Just before sunrise you cross the Nile to the West Bank where you lift off from in front of Hatshepsut temple. As you rise up over the mountains of the Necropolis you will have a spectacular view over the many tombs, temples, fields and villages. Your flight will last approximately 45 minutes and will have you back to your hotel in time for breakfast.
Note: Participants must be of reasonable fitness and not appropriate for women who are pregnant or people with osteoporosis, etc.
$160 per person
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Luxor Museum Visit
Day 7 Afternoon Tour
This wonderful little museum is located on the Corniche about halfway between the Luxor and Karnak Temples, and is home to a small but well-chosen collection of relics from the Theban temples and necropolis. Displays of pottery, jewelry, furniture and statues were created by the Brooklyn Museum of New York.
$43 per person
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Felucca Ride
Day 8 Afternoon Tour
On this optional tour, enjoy sailing on the Nile River past beautiful scenery and the communities that reside along the banks.
$24 per person
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Old City Cairo
Day 9 Morning Tour
This morning, we'll discover Old City Cairo beginning with one of the oldest and most beautiful Christian places of worship in Egypt: Al-Muallawa (Hanging Church). The church was built on top of one of the old fortress gatehouess with its nave suspended over the passage. We'll continue to The Church of Saint Sergius, also known as Abu Serga, which was built upon an ancient Roman fort in Old Cairo. The Church of Saint Sergius was named after renowned 4th century saints, Sergius and Bacchus, both of whom were martyred at al-Resafa in Syra for their Christian beliefs. Our last visit will be to the oldest synagogue in Egypt, Ben Ezra Synagogue, where we'll learn about its history.
$42 per person
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
