Your journey begins the moment you step off the plane. Our representative meets you at Cairo International Airport and handles all visa formalities for you. A private driver whisks you away to your hotel. You spend the evening at leisure, perhaps catching your first glimpse of the pyramids as the city lights up.

You wake up to the sight of the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. Your private guide leads you through the Giza Pyramid Complex, where you stand before the Great Pyramid of Khufu. You explore the Valley Temple and come face-to-face with the Great Sphinx. After a traditional lunch with a view, you visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) to see the full Tutankhamun collection.

Today, you dive into the layers of Cairo’s diverse history. You start at the Saladin Citadel and the stunning Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali. The tour continues into Coptic Cairo, where you visit the Hanging Church and the cavern where the Holy Family took refuge. You end the day navigating the labyrinthine alleys of Khan el-Khalili, hunting for spices and silver.

You leave the desert behind for a day on the coast. You explore the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a unique blend of Egyptian and Greco-Roman art. You stand on the site of the ancient Lighthouse at the Qaitbay Citadel and visit the ultra-modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina. You enjoy fresh Mediterranean seafood for lunch before returning to Cairo.

A short morning flight brings you to Aswan, Egypt’s sun-drenched southern gate. You take a motorboat to the island of Philae to see the Temple of Isis, which seemingly floats on the water. You also visit the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk, the largest single piece of stone ever fashioned by the ancients. You check into your luxury hotel overlooking the Nile cataracts.

You travel deep into the Nubian desert to witness the colossal sun temples of Abu Simbel. These massive statues of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari are architectural marvels that were moved stone by stone to save them from the rising Nile. You return to Aswan in the afternoon to board your 5-star Nile Cruise and set sail as the sun dips below the Sahara.

Your cruise ship docks at Kom Ombo, where you explore a rare double temple dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus. Back on board, you enjoy tea on the sun deck as the rural Nile scenery drifts past. In the afternoon, you ride a horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Horus in Edfu, the best-preserved temple in all of Egypt.

You cross to the West Bank of Luxor to enter the Valley of the Kings. You descend into the vividly painted tombs of pharaohs, including the legendary Tutankhamun. Your morning continues at the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a stunning colonnaded structure built into the cliffs. You stop for a photo at the towering Colossi of Memnon before returning to the ship.

You begin the day at Karnak, the largest religious complex ever built. You walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall and marvel at its 134 massive columns. After visiting Luxor Temple, you leave the Nile Valley and drive through the mountains to Hurghada. You check into an all-inclusive Red Sea resort for four nights of total relaxation.

The next three days belong to you. You can snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of Giftun Island or take a glass-bottom boat to see the vibrant coral reefs. For those seeking adventure, a desert safari on ATVs provides a thrill among the dunes. Alternatively, you can simply lounge by the infinity pool and enjoy the world-class amenities of your resort.

You fly from Hurghada back to Cairo for your final nights in the city. You have a free afternoon to revisit a favorite spot or indulge in some last-minute shopping at the upscale malls of New Cairo. In the evening, you enjoy a farewell dinner cruise on the Nile, complete with traditional Tanoura dancers and live music.

You travel back in time to the very beginning of pyramid building. You visit Saqqara to see the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the world’s oldest major stone structure. You also explore the ruins of Memphis, the first capital of a unified Egypt, where you find the massive fallen colossus of Ramses II.

After a final Egyptian breakfast, our team transfers you to Cairo International Airport for your flight home. You leave with memories of golden sands, blue waters, and the eternal spirit of the pharaohs.