Egypt Tour: Cairo & Dahabiya

Arrive at Cairo International Airport and meet a local representative for assistance with immigration and luggage. After, transfer to your hotel in Cairo and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. The rest of the day is free for rest or optional activities. Choose from a Pyramids Sound and Light Show, a scenic sunset felucca ride on the Nile, or a relaxing Nile dinner cruise. Cairo marks the start of the trip, combining ancient wonders with the energy of a modern capital.

Welcome to Egypt!

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before heading out on a full-day guided tour. Visit the Pyramids of Giza—Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus—one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Explore the site and view the interior chambers of the Cheops Pyramid. Nearby, stop at the Great Sphinx of Giza, a limestone statue with a pharaoh’s head and a lion’s body, dating back to 2620 BC.

Continue to Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, to see the massive statue of Ramses II. Head to Saqqara to explore the Step Pyramid of Djoser, considered the earliest large-scale cut stone structure. End with a visit to the Bent Pyramid at Dashour, offering insight into early pyramid design.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Optional evening activities include the Pyramids Sound and Light Show, a Nile dinner cruise, or a sunset felucca ride.

After breakfast, begin the day with a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum, located near the Giza Plateau. This is the largest archaeological museum in the world and features thousands of artifacts from ancient Egypt, including items from the Pharaonic and Greco-Roman periods. Its design reflects the alignment of the nearby Pyramids of Giza.

In the afternoon, transfer to Old Cairo to explore Coptic Cairo, one of the oldest areas in the city. Visit the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, believed to be built on the spot where the Holy Family once stayed. Continue to the Hanging Church, a historic site suspended above a Roman fortress gate. Walk through the narrow streets lined with traditional buildings and small shops.

Return to the hotel by late afternoon. Accommodations at Hyatt Centric or similar.

We are very excited to share that the Grand Egyptian Museum has opened and a visit can be arranged. Please note that at this time, visitors are only allowed to visit for short periods and only a few displays are open. While King Tut's artifacts still remain at the original Egyptian Museum, we recommend keeping this visit. 

Start the morning with an early breakfast before transferring to Cairo Airport for a domestic flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, transfer to the Nile and board the Dahabiya, a traditional sailboat, for check-in and lunch onboard.

In the afternoon, visit the Karnak Temple Complex, one of the largest religious sites in the world. Walk through the massive Hypostyle Hall, see towering columns, and view ancient hieroglyphics and shrines. Later, explore Luxor Temple, located in the center of the city and known for its impressive nighttime lighting.

Return to the Dahabiya for dinner and overnight onboard. Optional: Karnak Sound and Light Show.

*Please note that cruise itineraries are subject to change without notice. Cruise routes vary depending on your travel dates. 

Begin the day with a visit to Luxor’s West Bank, home to some of Egypt’s most important ancient sites. Start at the Colossi of Memnon, massive seated statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that have stood for over 3,000 years. Continue to the Valley of the Kings, where richly decorated tombs of pharaohs—including Tutankhamun—are carved deep into the desert hills.

Next is the Temple of Hatshepsut, a unique mortuary temple built into the cliffs, honoring one of Egypt’s few female rulers. Conclude the morning with a stop at Medinat Habu, known for its vivid hieroglyphics and well-preserved walls.

Return to the Dahabiya for lunch as the cruise sails toward Esna. Relax onboard while passing Nile landscapes. Dinner is served onboard during the sail.

Optional: Hot air balloon flight or Karnak Sound & Light Show.

Enjoy a morning sail along the Nile while breakfast is served onboard. Arrive in Edfu, a small town known for the Temple of Horus. Visit this remarkably well-preserved site, one of the finest examples of Ptolemaic architecture in Egypt. The temple features detailed reliefs and ceremonial spaces tied to ancient rituals and festivals, including the mythological marriage of Horus and Hathor.

Return to the Dahabiya for lunch as the cruise continues south toward Kom Ombo. Spend the afternoon relaxing on deck or enjoying Nile scenery along the riverbanks. Dinner is served onboard after arrival in Kom Ombo. No guided activities are scheduled this evening, allowing time to unwind and prepare for the next day’s exploration.

After breakfast, visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, a unique double temple from the Ptolemaic era. Dedicated to two deities—Haroeris and Sobek—it features twin entrances, detailed carvings, and a rare ancient calendar etched in hieroglyphs.

Sail onward to Aswan, a Nile-side city surrounded by desert hills and granite rock formations. After lunch on board, take a short boat ride to the island of Agilkia to explore the Philae Temple. This temple, saved from flooding by UNESCO, was carefully relocated and reconstructed stone by stone. It showcases classic Egyptian design and honors the goddess Isis.

Return to the Dahabiya in the evening for dinner and optional participation in the Philae Sound & Light Show.

Start the day with an optional early morning trip to Abu Simbel. Travel by land or flight to visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its twin rock temples built by Ramses II. The massive statues and detailed interiors reflect the power and artistry of ancient Egypt.

Those not joining the excursion can spend a relaxed morning onboard or explore Aswan’s Corniche and local markets. Rejoin the group for lunch onboard before setting out in the afternoon on a traditional felucca sail along the Nile. Later, transfer by motorboat to a Nubian village. Discover local traditions, meet residents, and see colorful homes unique to this region.

Return to the Dahabiya for the final dinner onboard. Optional visit to the Philae Sound & Light Show is available.

Begin the day with a morning flight from Aswan to Cairo (subject to airline schedules). Upon arrival, transfer to the city’s historic core for a guided walking tour of Old Cairo. Enter through Bab al-Futuh, a massive stone gate from the Fatimid era, and follow narrow streets lined with stalls selling metalwork, spices, fabrics, jewelry, and pottery. The route leads to the vibrant Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, one of Cairo’s most famous markets. Enjoy a break at a local café for mint tea or a traditional shisha before wrapping up the tour.

Return to the hotel for the final night in Cairo.

Options: Pyramids Sound & Light Show | Nile Dinner Cruise | Sunset felucca on the Nile.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the international airport for your departure home. Alternatively, talk to your Adventure Life Trip planner about extending your trip to Egypt or visiting nearby countries like Jordan.