Overview
A journey through Egypt is a journey through time. From the soaring pyramids of Giza to the hidden tombs of El Minya’s cliffs, and from the graceful temples of Aswan to the timeless monuments of Luxor, this 9-day / 8-night tour offers travelers a complete immersion into the wonders of the Nile Valley. Blending iconic highlights with less-explored treasures, it unfolds as a story of ancient glory, cultural richness, and natural beauty, allowing visitors to experience Egypt’s soul from north to south.
Day 1 – Arrival in Cairo
Your adventure begins in Cairo, the bustling capital of Egypt where the ancient and modern coexist. Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, you are greeted and transferred to your hotel. The evening is free to rest, or you may choose to enjoy an optional Nile dinner cruise, drifting along the river while watching traditional dance and music under the glittering city lights.
Day 2 – The Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara & Memphis
The first full day introduces you to Egypt’s most legendary landmarks. At the Giza Plateau, the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure rise majestically above the desert sands. Standing before these monuments, you encounter the only surviving wonder of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World. Nearby, the enigmatic Sphinx gazes across the plateau with timeless serenity.
The journey then moves to Saqqara, where the Step Pyramid of Djoser—history’s first large-scale stone structure—still dominates the necropolis. The surrounding tombs, with colorful carvings of everyday life, provide a vivid picture of Egypt nearly 4,600 years ago. Finally, you explore Memphis, the ancient capital founded by King Narmer. Here, colossal statues of Ramses II and the alabaster sphinx remind visitors of the city’s past glory.
Day 3 – Egyptian Museum, Citadel & Coptic Cairo
Today’s tour reveals Cairo’s rich cultural layers. At the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, you encounter the most extensive collection of ancient artifacts in the world. Among its treasures are the golden mask and funerary objects of Tutankhamun, exquisite jewelry, and royal mummies that bring history face-to-face.
From the museum, the tour continues to the Citadel of Salah El-Din, a medieval fortress overlooking Cairo. Within its walls, the elegant Mosque of Muhammad Ali dominates with its Ottoman-style domes and minarets. Later, you step into Coptic Cairo, where early Christian history comes alive at the Hanging Church, Abu Serga Church—linked to the Holy Family’s journey in Egypt—and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. The day concludes at Khan El Khalili Bazaar, a centuries-old market where the scent of spices and the glitter of brass lamps create an unforgettable atmosphere.
Day 4 – Cairo to El Minya: Beni Hassan & Tell El-Amarna
Leaving Cairo behind, you travel south to El Minya, a region filled with archaeological treasures yet far from the usual tourist trail. The first stop is the cliffside tombs of Beni Hassan, where Middle Kingdom governors were laid to rest. Unlike the grand pharaonic tombs, these burial chambers depict scenes of farming, hunting, wrestling, and daily life, offering an intimate look at Egyptian society around 2000 BC.
In the afternoon, you explore Tell El-Amarna, the short-lived capital founded by Pharaoh Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti. Here, Akhenaten broke with centuries of tradition to worship the sun disk, Aten, creating one of history’s boldest religious revolutions. Among the ruins are palaces, temples, and nobles’ tombs with the unique, naturalistic art style of the Amarna period. This site tells a story of innovation, vision, and controversy that still fascinates historians today.
Day 5 – Tuna El-Gebel & Ashmunein – Journey to Aswan
Your exploration of El Minya continues at Tuna El-Gebel, the necropolis of Hermopolis. This site is famous for its vast animal catacombs, where sacred ibises and baboons were buried, as well as the beautifully decorated Tomb of Petosiris, blending Egyptian and Greek artistic traditions. Another highlight is the poignant Tomb of Isadora, a Greek woman whose tragic story is preserved through inscriptions.
Nearby lies Ashmunein (ancient Hermopolis Magna), once a great religious city dedicated to Thoth, the god of wisdom. Scattered ruins of temples, colossal statues, and massive columns evoke its grandeur. By afternoon, you continue your journey south to Aswan, where the Nile flows gracefully between granite boulders and palm-fringed islands.
Day 6 – Aswan Highlights & Philae Temple
In Aswan, the tour begins with the High Dam, a modern engineering marvel that shaped Egypt’s modern economy by controlling the Nile’s floods and generating hydroelectric power. You then visit the Unfinished Obelisk, left in its quarry, revealing the techniques ancient Egyptians used to carve and transport massive monuments.
The day’s highlight is the enchanting Temple of Philae, dedicated to Isis, goddess of magic and motherhood. Relocated to Agilkia Island after the building of the dam, the temple is one of the most beautiful in Egypt. Its pylons, colonnades, and sanctuaries reflect a blend of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman influences. Approached by boat, surrounded by Nile waters, Philae’s setting is magical. Later, a felucca sail offers a peaceful way to admire Aswan’s scenery.
Day 7 – Aswan to Luxor via Kom Ombo & Edfu
Traveling north along the Nile, you stop at Kom Ombo Temple, a unique double temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the falcon. The temple’s reliefs and crocodile mummies on display reveal fascinating details of ancient beliefs.
Further along, you visit Edfu Temple, one of the best-preserved in Egypt, dedicated to Horus. Its towering pylons and richly decorated halls transport visitors back to the Ptolemaic period. Arriving in Luxor, you settle in to prepare for the treasures awaiting the next day.
Day 8 – Luxor: East & West Banks
Luxor, the world’s greatest open-air museum, is home to monuments that span centuries of pharaonic glory. On the West Bank, you enter the Valley of the Kings, burial site of New Kingdom pharaohs, where richly decorated tombs reveal scenes of the afterlife. You also visit the elegant Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, an architectural masterpiece, and the colossal statues of Memnon.
Crossing to the East Bank, the grandeur continues with Karnak Temple, a vast complex of pylons, hypostyle halls, and obelisks that served as Egypt’s religious heart for over 2,000 years. The day ends at the Luxor Temple, beautifully illuminated in the evening, its atmosphere both majestic and serene.
Day 9 – Departure from Luxor
On your final morning, enjoy breakfast overlooking the Nile before your transfer to Luxor Airport for your onward flight. Your journey through Cairo, El Minya, Aswan, and Luxor will have revealed the many faces of Egypt—from the iconic pyramids to hidden tombs, from revolutionary pharaohs to timeless temples—offering an unforgettable adventure through the land of the Nile.
