Egypt: Pyramids, Temples & the Nile - 10 Days

Famous for pyramids, temples and pharaohs, Egypt is so much more than its monuments and rich history, the deep-rooted culture makes it a very special place to explore. From chaotic Cairo to charming Nile riverbank villages, the people are warm and they sincerely open their hearts to visitors. We welcome you to Egypt, and invite you to be charmed by Egypt's 6000-plus years of living traditions. Arrive to Cairo at any time and transfer to the hotel. Meet your fellow group members at the welcome meeting in the evening and get all the important information about the adventure ahead. Afterwards, head to a local restaurant perched overlooking the Pyramids.

Imagine you are back in time joining the first scientist in documenting the Great Pyramids of Egypt. Set eyes on these impressive structures and try to picture them half-submerged in sand ready to be discovered. While none of this was new to the locals, foreigners were seeing them for the first time, just like you now are. Start the day in Giza, exploring the Great Pyramid site and the Sphinx. Later head to Sakkara, a vast complex of Pyramids and Tombs from the Old Kingdom.

What was once a multi-week journey up the Nile now only takes a few hours to travel from Cairo to Luxor. However the amazement you feel is profound when your eyes first see the great temples of Egypt. You immediately understand why for centuries people have been coming here to explore and observe these incredible monuments. Leave Cairo on an early morning flight to Luxor, then drive north to the temple complex of Dandara. Check in to our very own Nile River vessel called a dahabiya, our home for the next 5 nights, before heading out to explore the temples of Karnak and Luxor, both within the city.

Step back in time as you set off on an early morning journey to explore the tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the temples of the West Bank. Rumours of ancient curses abound here and yet the real true curse is that you can never have enough time to explore each tomb. Rejoin our dahabiya, and set sail like the early explorers, continuing up the Nile. An early start takes us to a local community G for Good project before the heat of the day sets in. Enjoy a home-hosted lunch, then head out to explore the Valley of the Kings. This afternoon, return to our dahabiya and depart up the Nile to Esna.

Our sails are up and your first full day of sailing on the Nile is ahead. Get ready to discover incredible sites and enjoy experience only possible on a dahabiya. Sail from Esna to the cliff side tomb complex of El Kab, then continue sailing to the Temple of Edfu. Sail a bit further and we stop for the night and enjoy an Egyptian style barbecue on a remote Island in the middle of the Nile.

Our journey south continues. Today the Nile meanders along farmlands and small islands that have forever been bathed by rich nutrients, creating fertile land in a narrow green ribbon along the river's banks, surrounded by desert on both sides. Even if living here can be challenging, the people are always welcoming and smile at you when you meet. Explore two places only possible by dahabiya. Stop at Besaw Island, a village in the Nile that has changed very little over time. Then sail up river to Gebal El Silseila and to Kom Ombo. Our day ends as we dock along the shore of Herdyab Island as the sun sets over the Nile valley.

The last day sailing the Nile begins as you set sail for Aswan, the furthest South you can go by boat since the dam that formed Lake Nassar was built. As you approach Aswan the river gets busier and the city comes in view. Dotted with small islands, Aswan is our last stop on the Nile. Sail to Aswan. After lunch, take a small local ferry to the other side of the river to explore Philea Temple then head over to a Nubian village and learn about Nubian culture.

In 1964, the world united around the mission to save the Abu Simbel temple from being submerged forever in the rising waters of Lake Nassar. A global effort was put in place to dismantle and rebuild the temple at a site above the high water mark. That feat of humanity meant that these temples were saved for all of us to enjoy. Transfer to the airport in the early morning for our short flight to Abu Simbel. Visit the temple complex and fly back to Aswan to connect to your flight to Cairo. Make your way to the hotel and enjoy a free evening.

There is nothing better than ending on a high note and today you will do just that. After having seen the temples, the pyramid and the tombs, today you get to see the great treasures of Egypt housed in The Grand Egyptian Museum. Then discover Cairo on your own terms, with two activity options to choose from for the rest of the day, one focused on the culture and history of Egypt and the other on food. Transfer to The Grand Egyptian Museum for a morning tour then have a choice between two activity options to discover Cairo. Later, return to the hotel for a farewell dinner together along the Nile, with Cairo as our background.

Your adventure comes to an end, and you can depart at any time today. You may be leaving Egypt behind, but the experiences you have will last forever. Depart at any time, your departure transfer is included.