6-Day Egypt Tour: Explore Cairo & Nile Cruise

Upon your arrival at Cairo International Airport, a representative greets you and assists with the entry process before escorting you to your private transfer. As you drive through the lively streets of Cairo, the city’s blend of ancient landmarks and modern culture becomes immediately apparent. After checking into your luxury hotel, you have the rest of the day to relax or explore the city at your leisure. Many travelers choose to unwind, while others enjoy an optional evening experience such as a Nile dinner cruise.

Your Egyptian adventure begins at the legendary Giza Plateau, where the three pyramids rise dramatically from the desert sands. Standing before the Great Pyramid of Khufu, you witness the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World—a monument built with astonishing precision. You then move on to the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, each with its own architectural character and historical significance.

A short walk down the plateau brings you to the Great Sphinx, carved from a single limestone formation and standing guard over the area for thousands of years. You also visit the Valley Temple, built for rituals related to royal burials.

After Giza, you continue south to Saqqara, the vast burial complex of Egypt’s earliest rulers. Here, the Step Pyramid of Djoser rises in a series of massive stone terraces, representing the world’s first monumental stone structure. You explore its surrounding temple complex and several tombs whose walls are adorned with well-preserved reliefs showing vivid scenes from ancient Egyptian life.

You return to your hotel for the evening.

This morning you visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, the newest and largest archaeological museum in existence. As you step inside its monumental entrance, you are greeted by colossal statues, royal artifacts, and displays crafted with state-of-the-art technology. Your guide takes you through halls showcasing statues, sarcophagi, jewelry, ritual objects, and the astonishing treasures of King Tutankhamun, all beautifully curated to tell the story of Egypt’s ancient civilization.

After your museum visit, you transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Aswan. When you arrive, you are taken directly to your luxury Nile cruise, where dinner awaits and the calm waters of the Nile provide the perfect setting for your first night in Upper Egypt.

After breakfast onboard, your Aswan exploration begins with a visit to the Temple of Philae, a sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Isis. Reached by boat and set against the shimmering waters of the Nile, its graceful colonnades and detailed reliefs make it one of the most enchanting temples in Egypt.

You then visit the High Dam, an impressive engineering achievement that transformed Egypt’s irrigation and power systems. Nearby, the Unfinished Obelisk—still attached to the bedrock—offers insight into ancient stonemasonry and the immense skill required to carve these enormous granite monuments.

In the afternoon, your cruise begins sailing north toward Kom Ombo. The scenery along the Nile reveals lush fields, swaying palm trees, and rural villages, offering a serene glimpse into traditional Egyptian life.

Your first stop of the day is Kom Ombo Temple, uniquely dedicated to two gods: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. The symmetrical design of the temple and its walls filled with depictions of ancient medical practices make it a fascinating site. You also visit the Crocodile Museum, which houses several mummified crocodiles discovered in the area.

The cruise continues to Edfu, where horse-carriages bring you to the majestic Temple of Horus. This is one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples, with towering pylons, shadowed courtyards, and intricately carved mythological scenes. Your guide explains the stories depicted on the walls, including the legendary battle between Horus and Seth.

By late afternoon, the cruise sails toward Luxor. Dinner is served onboard as the river glows under the warm shades of sunset.

This morning, you visit the Valley of the Kings, the burial place of Egypt’s New Kingdom pharaohs. You enter three selected tombs, where mesmerizing paintings and hieroglyphics line the corridors, illustrating the pharaoh’s journey into the afterlife.

You then visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, an extraordinary structure built directly into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. Its tiered terraces, bold symmetry, and serene atmosphere honor one of Egypt’s most remarkable rulers. Before leaving the West Bank, you stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues that once guarded a grand mortuary temple.

After your tour, you transfer to Luxor Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your 6-Day Egypt Tour: Explore Cairo & Nile Cruise.