10 Days / 09 night - Ten Days of Pharaohs and Ports

As you arrive at Cairo International Airport, an Excel Travel representative will be ready to offer a warm welcome and personally assist you through the entire immigration process. You will then be transferred to your Cairo hotel via a comfortable, modern air-conditioned coach. Your representative will ensure a swift and smooth check-in, allowing you to settle in immediately.

Overnight at the hotel in Cairo.

Start your day with a buffet breakfast at the hotel in Cairo, followed by a guided tour to one of the world’s most iconic landmarks — the Great Pyramids of Giza. Standing before the monumental structures of Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus, once celebrated by the ancient Greeks as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, you will witness the extraordinary craftsmanship behind more than 2.3 million stone blocks. The sheer scale and mystery of these pyramids inspire a sense of awe that has captivated visitors, writers, and artists for centuries. You will also have the opportunity to explore the interior burial chambers of the Pyramid of Cheops, offering a rare glimpse into ancient Egyptian engineering.

Nearby, marvel at the Great Sphinx of Giza, carved from natural yellow limestone and dating back to the reign of Chephren. Rising 65 feet high and stretching 187 feet long, this iconic figure — part Pharaoh, part lion — remains one of Egypt’s most unforgettable symbols. After your visit, a brief stop can be arranged at a papyrus institute or a perfume shop.

Enjoy lunch at an oriental restaurant before continuing with an afternoon visit to the ancient capital of Memphis and the archaeological site of Sakkara. Here stands the remarkable Step Pyramid of Pharaoh Zoser, considered the world’s oldest pyramid and a milestone in architectural history, dating back to 2700 BC.

Return to your hotel in Cairo for refreshment.

The evening is free at leisure, with optional activities available such as attending the spectacular Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids, enjoying a dinner cruise on the Nile, or dining at the popular Sequoia restaurant overlooking the river.

Overnight in Cairo.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before beginning your day with a visit to the world-renowned Egyptian Museum for an unforgettable tour. Founded in 1835 and housed in its current building since 1900, the museum was designed in a refined classical style by French architect Marcel Dourgnon. Today, it showcases an extraordinary collection of over 120,000 artifacts spanning from the prehistoric era to the Greco-Roman period. Its 107 halls feature monumental statues on the ground floor, while the upper floor displays smaller statues, exquisite jewelry, the treasures of Tutankhamen, and many more priceless antiquities. The museum also includes a dedicated photography section and an extensive library.

After the museum visit, enjoy lunch at an oriental restaurant before continuing to the Citadel, dominated by the impressive Mosque of Mohamed Ali. One of Cairo’s most visited landmarks, the Citadel stands atop a limestone outcrop once part of the Moqattam Hills. This historic complex houses museums, ancient mosques, and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the city. Its medieval fortifications and dramatic architecture, especially when viewed from the northern side, highlight its significance as one of the world’s greatest monuments of medieval warfare.

Afterward, a short drive brings you to the lively and world-famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar, where you will have time to wander through its maze of narrow alleyways filled with vibrant shops, traditional cafés, and local artisans — offering a charming glimpse into Cairo’s everyday life.

Return to your hotel in Cairo.
The evening is free at leisure, with optional experiences such as the mesmerizing Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids, a dinner cruise on the Nile, or dinner at the elegant Sequoia restaurant by the riverside.

After an early breakfast at the hotel, drive to Alexandria via the desert road for a full-day guided tour exploring the highlights of Egypt’s Mediterranean jewel. Your day begins with visits to Pompey’s Pillar, the Alexandria Library, Qaitbay Citadel (from outside), and the beautiful Montazah Gardens.

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern revival of the ancient Library of Alexandria, stands as a global center of culture, learning, and innovation. Far more than a library, it houses 13 specialized departments and hosts numerous international institutions, making it one of the most important cultural hubs in the region.

Continue to Qaitbay Citadel, a 15th-century Mameluke fortress built in 1480 on the exact site of the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria — one of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World. Its imposing walls and strategic position have guarded the bay for centuries.

Visit Pompey’s Pillar, a towering 30-meter column crafted from Aswan pink granite, believed to have been a gift from the people of Alexandria to Emperor Diocletian. Nearby lie the entrances to the Kom El Shuqafa Catacombs, dating back to the 1st and 2nd centuries. Discovered by accident in the early 20th century, these multi-level catacombs blend Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artistic traditions and remain one of Alexandria’s most fascinating archaeological sites.

Relax at the serene Montazah Gardens, a lush 150-hectare oasis surrounding the palace of Khedive Abbas. With its charming architecture and scenic coastal views, visitors can enjoy leisurely walks or simply admire the picturesque landscapes and sandy beaches.

Lunch will be served at an oriental restaurant during the tour.

At the end of the day, drive back to Cairo and check in to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out.
Escorted transfer to Cairo Domestic Airport for your flight to Luxor.
Upon arrival, meet & assist and transfer to your Nile Cruise.
Embarkation before lunch.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the Karnak and Luxor Temples on the East Bank.

Karnak Temple:
Located on the East Bank, Karnak stands as the most remarkable place of worship in ancient Egyptian history. Dedicated to the Theban Triad—Amon, his wife Mut, and their son Khonsu—the temple complex evolved over many centuries, beginning in the Middle Kingdom and continuing through the Greco-Roman period.

Luxor Temple:
A breathtaking sight at sunset, Luxor Temple was dedicated to Amun, a creator god associated with the sun-god Ra as Amun-Ra. Construction began under Amenhotep III in the 14th century BC. Later rulers, including Horemheb and Tutankhamun, added columns, statues, and ornate features. Akhenaten temporarily altered its inscriptions, while Ramses II undertook the only major expansion about a century later. This makes Luxor Temple unique—only two pharaohs significantly shaped its architectural layout.

Return to the cruise for dinner onboard, followed by dancing music.
Overnight in Luxor.

Breakfast onboard.
Begin the day with a guided tour of Luxor’s West Bank, exploring some of ancient Egypt’s most remarkable treasures.

Valley of the Kings:
This majestic necropolis served as the royal burial ground for the pharaohs. Considered the realm of Osiris, god of the underworld, the valley houses grand tombs filled with artwork, symbols of divine journeys, and treasures meant to accompany the kings into the afterlife. Here, the pharaohs believed they would meet the gods and achieve eternal life.

Hatshepsut Temple (El Deir El Bahari):
One of the world’s most dramatically located temples, this masterpiece was designed by the queen’s architect, Senenmut. Set against towering cliffs, the temple once showcased numerous statues and sphinxes of Queen Hatshepsut—many of which have been painstakingly reconstructed from fragments and are now displayed both on-site and in major museums such as the Cairo Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Colossi of Memnon:
A brief stop to admire the two imposing stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Standing for more than 3,400 years, these colossal figures guard the entrance to the once-grand mortuary temple on the West Bank.

Return to the cruise for lunch onboard.
Sail towards Edfu via Esna.

Enjoy afternoon tea, followed by the Captain’s Welcome Cocktail.
Dinner onboard, then an evening of disco & music.
Overnight onboard.

Breakfast on board.
Begin your morning with a guided visit to the Temple of Horus in Edfu, one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient sanctuaries. Constructed during the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 BCE—up to the time of Cleopatra VII—this impressive sandstone temple stands as the finest surviving example of its kind. The structure was built over an earlier New Kingdom temple, whose ruins can still be seen beside the first courtyard. While the old temple faced east–west toward the Nile, the newer grand complex follows a north–south orientation and is remarkable for its completeness and scale.

Return to the cruise for lunch on board, then continue sailing toward Kom Ombo.

Upon arrival, enjoy a guided tour of the Kom Ombo Temple, a rare double-temple dedicated to two gods—Sobek, the crocodile-headed god, and Haroeris (Horus the Elder). In ancient times, sacred crocodiles would bask on the banks of the Nile near this very spot. Though time, floods, early Christian use, and stone removal have taken their toll, the temple remains fascinating for its perfectly mirrored design: two entrances, two courtyards, two halls, and two sanctuaries—all reflecting the dual worship. It is believed that even the priesthood was divided accordingly.

Enjoy afternoon tea on board, followed by dinner.

In the evening, take part in the fun-filled Egyptian Galabeya Party, a traditional celebration onboard the cruise.
Continue sailing south to Aswan, where you will spend the night.

Enjoy a refreshing morning meal as the Nile drifts by, preparing you for a day of remarkable discoveries in Aswan.

Begin your guided excursion with visits to three of the city’s most iconic landmarks: the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the Temple of Philae.

Your first stop is the High Dam, an impressive engineering achievement completed in the 1960s. The dam forever changed Egypt’s relationship with the Nile, protecting the country from destructive annual floods and creating the vast Lake Nasser.

Continue to the enchanting Temple of Philae. Because the temple sits on an island, you will take a short boat ride to reach it—an experience that adds to the magic of the visit. For decades, the original site was submerged for half the year. In the 1960s, an extraordinary rescue project relocated the entire complex stone by stone to higher ground, preserving one of Egypt’s most graceful temples.

Next, visit the Unfinished Obelisk, found in Aswan’s ancient granite quarries. Commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut (1508–1458 BC), it was intended to be the largest obelisk ever carved. Had it been completed, it would have stood around 42 meters high and weighed nearly 1,200 tons—one third larger than any obelisk ever erected. Today, the site offers a fascinating look at ancient stone-cutting techniques.

Return to the ship for lunch on board.

In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing felucca sail on the Nile, gliding around Kitchener’s Island and viewing the impressive Aga Khan Mausoleum from the water.

End the day with dinner on board, followed by a lively Nubian show for evening entertainment.
Overnight in Aswan.

After breakfast, disembark from the cruise and transfer to Aswan Airport for your flight to Cairo.

Upon arrival, your Travel representative will warmly welcome you and assist with your transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore the city at your own pace.

Alternatively – for those who wish to opt for unforgettable tour to Abu Simble;

Early breakfast and disembarkation, and then transfer to Aswan airport for a flight to Abu simble upon arrival to Abu simble you will be transferred by Egypt air buses to the great temples of Ramses II & his beloved Nefertari whereby the guides will be waiting to show you around in groups. Transfer back to the airport by Egypt air buses to board the flight to Cairo via Aswan.

Overnight at the hotel in Cairo

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before your departure. An Excel Travel representative will assist you with your check-out and escort you to the airport to board your flight home, concluding your unforgettable journey through Egypt.