From the Nile to the Desert: An Egyptian Odyssey

Day 1 – Cairo

Arrive in Egypt’s storied capital, where past and present flow together. Meet your private guide, breeze through customs with VIP service, and settle into your hotel overlooking the Nile. Spend the evening at leisure, surrounded by the hum of Cairo’s energy.

Day 2 – Giza, Saqqara & Memphis

Begin your exploration on the Giza Plateau, home to the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. Step inside the Great Pyramid, then ride by camel across the sands that have witnessed millennia of history. Continue to Saqqara, where the Step Pyramid marks the dawn of monumental architecture, and to Memphis, once the heart of ancient Egypt’s Old Kingdom.

Day 3 – Fayoum Desert

Venture beyond the city to the Fayoum Oasis, a land of shifting dunes, pottery villages, and paleontological marvels. Visit the Valley of the Whales, a UNESCO World Heritage site where fossils reveal the evolution of life itself, then enjoy a slow lunch in the artisan village of Tunis before returning to Cairo.

Day 4 – Luxor & The Temples of Karnak

Fly south to Luxor and embark on your Nile cruise. Discover the monumental temples of Karnak and Luxor; walk the Avenue of Sphinxes, and feel the weight of dynasties in every carved column. Evenings on board are filled with quiet reflection and the sound of the river flowing past.

Day 5 – Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut Temple

Rise early for an optional hot air balloon flight over the West Bank, watching the desert glow with morning light. Explore the Valley of the Kings, final resting place of Egypt’s pharaohs, and the elegant mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a masterpiece of ancient design. Sail toward Esna, crossing the locks as the Nile carries you deeper into Egypt’s heart.

Day 6 – Edfu & Kom Ombo

Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best-preserved sanctuaries of the ancient world, reached by horse-drawn carriage through the village streets. Continue to Kom Ombo, a perfectly symmetrical temple dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-headed Haroeris. As dusk falls, sail south to Aswan.

Day 7 – Aswan & Philae Island

Discover Aswan’s tranquil beauty. Visit the island Temple of Philae, devoted to the goddess Isis; see the Unfinished Obelisk, still embedded in the quarry; and glide by felucca past palm-fringed islands as the sun sets over the river.

Day 8 – Abu Simbel

Fly to the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel, carved directly into the cliffs by Ramses II and preserved by UNESCO’s extraordinary relocation effort. Stand before the colossal statues and intricate reliefs that celebrate Egypt’s golden age. Return to Aswan and check into a historic riverside hotel.

Day 9 – Cairo Old City

Fly back to Cairo for a day of cultural discovery. Wander El Muizz Street, one of the oldest in the Islamic world, then explore the bustling Khan el-Khalili Bazaar filled with spice, silver, and history. End the day relaxing at your hotel overlooking the Nile.

Day 10 – Cairo’s Museums & Citadel

Delve into Cairo’s heritage at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, home to the royal mummies and artifacts spanning 5,000 years. Continue to Coptic Cairo to visit the Hanging Church, St. Sergius, and Ben Ezra Synagogue, then end the day at the hilltop Citadel and Mosque of Mohamed Ali with sweeping views of the city.