Pyramids, Nile Cruise & White Desert

Touch down in Cairo and transfer to the hotel. Once you've settled in, the remainder of the day is free for you to get to know the sights and sounds of Cairo, in the shadow of the Great Pyramids! Go shopping at the local souk or sample the national cuisine. Overnight stay in Cairo.

Alternatively, for a full experience of Egypt, you can choose one of our optional excursion packages to add 3/4 optional excursions to your trip!

Full-board on board. Today, if you're an early riser, you have the chance to enjoy an optional excursion to Abu Simbel*, home to many rock-carved temples. Afterwards, we recommend to take the chance to book an optional visit to the Island of Philae.** A river island in the Nile where the ancient temple of the goddess Isis is located. Afterwards, navigate northwards towards Kom Ombo. Upon arrival explore the twin Temples of Haroeris and Sobek and see the amazing Nilometer, used to measure the rising and falling levels of the Nile, an important life source in Egypt. Later, visit a unique Crocodile Mummy museum, home to a number of mummified crocodiles. Return to the ship and enjoy relaxing on board. Overnight on board.

*Optional Excursion to Abu Simbel: Visit these amazing temples, carved on the western cliff of the desert by Ramses II in the Xl century BC. See the iconic 20-metre high statues, dedicated to the god Amon Ra, and the Temple of Nefertari, dedicated to the goddess Hathor.

Please note: If you take the optional excursion to Abu Simbel, you will depart from the ship at approximately 3 a.m. to make the most of the coolest and quietest part of the day. This way, you can fully experience Abu Simbel without the crowds and avoid sightseeing in high temperatures.

**Optional Island of Philae Excursion: Discover the historic island of Philae, in the reservoir of the Old Aswan Dam. It is home to the ancient ruins of the Temple of Isis and offers a fascinating insight into life and beliefs in Ancient Egypt.

Breakfast on board. Continue your discovery of the ancient city of Thebes today as you head to the world-famous Valley of the Kings*, where the tomb of Tutankhamon was discovered, revealing the riches of the ancient pharaohs. It is here that the most powerful and influential kings of Ancient Egypt were buried. After exploring the site, continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, an imposing terraced structure, located below towering cliffs. Bid farewell to this world of ancient kings and queens as you cross the river into modern-day Luxor. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure. We recommend an optional Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show.** Overnight stay in Luxor.

*Please note: The excursion to the Valley of the Kings includes visits to three tombs. Entrance to the tomb of Tutankhamun is not included but, if you are interested in visiting, you can buy a ticket to see this tomb at the site during your visit.

**Optional Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show: Visit the largest open-air museum in Egypt, the Karnak Temple in Luxor. Discover the secrets behind the temple's ancient name, Thebes, and explore its significant monuments.  As you wander through the ruins of this once great complex, you will be guided by the voices of the pharaohs who built this site to honor their god Amon. Watch as the temples and statues come to life with the clever use of special effects , relive the times of the ancient pharaohs with their customs and rituals as they recount the dramatic history of ancient Thebes.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off early in the morning to visit the Karnak Temple Complex, home to a vast array of decayed temples, chapels, pylons, and other ancient buildings. Explore the ruins as you soak up the unique atmosphere and let your imagination run wild as you learn about life in Ancient Egypt. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to Cairo. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free at your leisure. We recommend an optional excursion to the Saladin Citadel.* If you wish to dive even deeper into the fascinating Egyptian culture, don't miss our optional visit to the spectacular new Grand Egyptian Museum.* An unforgettable experience that will connect you with the treasures of an ancient civilization.** Overnight stay in Cairo.

*Optional Excursion to Saladin Citadel: Visit the Alabaster Mosque and medieval fortification of Saladin Citadel, perched atop a hill in central Cairo and dating back to the 12th-century. Learn about the importance of the site to Egypt's Islamic heritage before walking through the Coptic Neighborhood, home to various churches.

**Optional Visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum: Discover the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which houses over 50,000 artifacts spanning 7,000 years of history. With breathtaking views of the Pyramids, it features highlights such as the Hanging Obelisk and the impressive Grand Gallery, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

Please note: these activities overlap. If you book the activity packages or the Saladin Citadel visit, you won't be able to book the New Grand Egyptian Museum. In the same way, if you book the New Grand Egyptian Museum, you won't be able to book the activity packages or the Saladin Citadel visit.

Breakfast at the hotel. Early pickup in Cairo to depart for Al-Fayoum, where you’ll spend the day on a 4x4 desert safari adventure. Visit Whale Valley in Wadi Hitan, a UNESCO-listed site famous for its well-preserved fossils of early whales. Then drive through the Western Desert, stopping at Wadi Rayan to see picturesque waterfalls and enjoy lunch by the shore of Qarun Lake. Before wrapping up the tour with a visit to Tunis Village to see a fascinating pottery exhibition by local artists, you’ll have time for sandboarding.

Transfer to your hotel and check in. Overnight stay in Al-Fayoum.

Distance covered today: 50 miles (Approx. 1hr 30mins)

*All visits to the desert are subject to police permission, which can be withdrawn at any time. All 4x4 journeys are subject to change if the operator deems that any part of the tour cannot be safely operated in the vehicles provided.

Breakfast at the hotel. Early pickup to depart for Bahariya Oasis, a major oasis in Egypt’s vast Western Desert, surrounded by palm groves. When you arrive, visit the Museum of the Golden Mummies, home to a collection of well-preserved mummies. Then explore the tombs of Bannuti, ancient burial sites carved into the rock, and visit Qasr Selim, an ancient fortress.

Afterward, transfer to your hotel for check-in and some time to rest and refresh. In the afternoon, head out on a local cultural tour of Bahariya Oasis. Stop in Bawiti Village to experience daily local life, then continue to the Mountain of the English, a storied hilltop named after Captain Williams, a British WWI officer, offering panoramic views over the oasis. Dinner and overnight stay in Bahariya.

Distance covered today: 174 miles (Approx. 4hrs)

Please note: Accommodation in Bahariya is simple and reflects the remote nature of the region, where hotel infrastructure is limited but offers an authentic local experience.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off on a full-day 4x4 adventure through dramatic desert landscapes.

First, head into the Black Desert, known for its dark volcanic hills made of dolerite rock dating back 180 million years. The striking contrast between black basalt stones and golden dunes makes for an unforgettable view.

Next, continue to Crystal Mountain, a small ridge where quartz crystals sparkle in the sunlight. Believed to have formed from a meteorite impact, it’s a geological wonder and a photographer’s dream.

Finally, arrive at the spectacular White Desert, where chalk and limestone formations rise from the sand in surreal shapes. With its mix of white calcium and orange tones, the area is a natural masterpiece.

After sunset, return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Bahariya.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you’ll say goodbye to the magnificent Bahariya Oasis and head back to Cairo. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to explore the city at your leisure or relax at the hotel. 

Distance covered today: 205 miles (Approx. 4 hrs 30 mins)

Breakfast at the hotel*. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to Canada. Arrive in Canada** and end your extraordinary trip.

*Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

**Depending on the choice of flight, you may arrive back in the US the following day.