Egypt Alexandria to Aswan itinerary 10 Days / 9 Nights

Welcome to Egypt, one of the world’s greatest ancient civilizations. Upon your arrival at Cairo airport, we will meet & greet you and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to settle into your hotel and relax after your journey

Meals: Welcome Drink

Breakfast at your hotel, and then your Egyptologist tour guide will pick you up to visit the world’s most iconic sights, the mighty Pyramids of Giza. Enjoy a fantastic introduction to each of the three pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus. Whilst here, you will have a chance to climb inside the pyramids if you wish (extra ticket on spot). Drive to the best point to have the Pyramids panoramic photos and enjoy the Camel ride at the Pyramids area (additional Cost). Then, drive to visit the Khafre’s Valley temple, linked to the pyramid by a causeway, was constructed of great monolithic blocks of granite and the timeless Sphinx, the legendary statue with the head of a human and the body of a lion, amazingly carved out of a huge piece of limestone

Proceed to Memphis, the capital of ancient Egypt, was founded about 2925 BC by Menes, who supposedly united the two prehistoric kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt. Today, Memphis is an open-air museum highlighted by a giant statue of Ramses II and an open air Museum.

Continue to Saqqara Necropolis, home to many pyramids, the most famed of them is the step pyramid of king Djoser (2630 – c.2611 BC), was the first king of the Third Dynasty of Egypt and the first to build in stone by the most famous vizier, Imhotep

After finished, you will be transferred back to your hotel to relax or enjoy an extra tour to attend the Sound and Light Show at the Giza Pyramids.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, drive (almost 3 hours) to the Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria, Egypt’s second largest city and main port. Alexandria was founded in 331 BC under the order of Alexander the Great. Alexandria was the setting for the stormy love story between Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, and Marc Antony as well as a cosmopolitan gathering spot for intellectuals in the early twentieth century.

On arrival, head to the mysteries Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. This Roman burial site is the largest of its kind in Egypt. The crypts are 20 metres below street level, and what probably began as a small family tomb grew into a labyrinth of chambers that could accommodate more than 300 bodies.

Proceed to Pompey’s pillar (Column of Diocletian), the largest Roman triumphal column constructed outside Rome or Constantinople. The column stands over 26 meters high (85 feet), made of a single piece of Aswan granite. Around the memorial column, you’ll also explore a number of statues, artifacts, and the remains of a Serapium, a temple of the Graeco-Egyptian deity Serapis.

Move on to visit the Roman Amphitheater, dating from the 2nd century A.D. It is a small amphitheater that was used by the Romans for poetry and music. On the site, other ruins have also been excavated including a bath house and a villa with some well-preserved mosaics.

Continue to the Citadel of Qaitbay, located on the Mediterranean Sea coast. It was established in 1477 AD by Sultan Al-Ashraf Qa’it Bay. The Citadel was erected on the exact site of the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Take some time to stroll along the Corniche and around Fort Qaitbey to enjoy the fresh Mediterranean air. Enjoy Lunch at a good quality Fish Market local restaurant.

Afterwards, stop by the strikingly modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, inspired by the original great library of Alexandria and built to hold over eight million books (Extra entrance fees on spot). After finished, enjoy a relaxing drive back to your hotel in Cairo and free time to relax.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, start to visit the Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world’s great collections of antiquities. Wander the treasure-filled halls of gleaming artefacts recovered from the tomb of young pharaoh Tutankhamun impressive collection to behold. From gold jewellery to the famous golden death mask and his gilded sarcophagi, this pharaoh was certainly prepared for the afterlife. Make sure to check out the Mummies Hall (Extra Ticket) for a close encounter with some of the country’s most important queens and pharaohs.

Head to the Citadel of Saladin, one of the world’s greatest monuments to medieval warfare with large imposing gateways, towers and high defending walls, the Citadel is one of Cairo’s main attractions and probably the most popular non-Pharaonic monument in the Egyptian capital city. Discover the prominent Mohamed Ali Mosque, was built between 1830 and 1848 by the architect Yousef Bushnak.

Proceed to Coptic Cairo to visit the famed Hanging Church, a place of Orthodox worship and one of the oldest churches in Egypt. Next, walk to Abu Serga, known formally as Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church. This place has great significance as it is believed to be the spot where the Holy Family spent time during their journey in Egypt. Continue towards Ben Ezra synagogue, which is the reputed location of Moses’ discovery as a baby.

Continue to the famous Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, a major souk in the Islamic district of Cairo, enjoy free time at leisure before returning to your hotel & free time to relax

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Early morning, you will be transferred to Cairo airport for your flight to Luxor. On arrival, meet and transfer to visit Karnak Temple, the largest religious temple built in Egypt. The magnificent Temples of Karnak, dating back over 3,000 years. Walk along the Avenue of Sphinxes as you enter the temple and marvel at the Hypostyle Hall with its 134 massive sandstone columns.

Proceed to visit Luxor temple marks the other end of the avenue of Sphinxes extends to Luxor temple. Admire the colossal statues of the great pharaoh Ramses II and the granite obelisk adorned the entrance whose original counterpart now stands in Paris’ Place de la Concorde. Then, head inside to see the richly carved inner sanctuaries, papyrus columns and courts, the chapel dedicated to Alexander the Great, who rebuilt the room in his name.

After finished, you will be transferred to embark your Nile Cruise boat in time for lunch on board before having free time in the afternoon to relax. In the evening, you will have time to attend the Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple (Optional tour)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast on board and then your tour guide will pick you up to discover the West bank of the River Nile in Luxor. Start your day visiting the two Colossi of Memnon, these two massive sandstone statues are all the remains of the funerary Temple of Amenhotep III (1390 – 1352 BC).

Proceed to visit the Valley of the Kings contains the once hidden tombs of over 64 Pharaohs. Each tomb has a series of corridors and ante-chambers leads us down to the burial chamber and sarcophagus at the end. The walls are covered in brightly painted images and hieroglyphs – a map of the afterlife to ensure the king’s safe passage. The ticket usually allows entry into three of the most interesting royal tombs. If you want, you can visit the tomb of Tutankhamun (Extra ticket on spot).

Continue to the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, a stunning colonnaded building set against high cliffs that create a spectacular natural amphitheater. The Temple is one of the most striking monuments in Egypt.

Return to your cruise boat before Lunch and begin our journey along the Nile, travelling upstream from Luxor to Aswan. Continue towards Edfu passing through the Esna Locks. It is common to have to queue to proceed through the lock, however this is a great opportunity to check out the process from deck with a cool drink in hand, and listen to the shouts of the many captains as they navigate their way through the various small boats of merchants selling their wares. Settle back into the comforts of your Nile cruise ship and make the most of the incredible views across one of the world’s greatest rivers

Note: a spectacular hot air balloon flight over the west bank of the Nile is available this morning (expect an early start to catch sunrise as the balloon rises).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy a return way horse & carriage ride to visit Edfu Temple. The temple of Horus at Edfu is considered by most to be the best preserved cult temple in Egypt, dedicated to the falcon headed god Horus, son of Isis and Osiris. The Ptolemaic Temple was built of sandstone blocks between 237 – 57 B.C.

Return to the cruise boat where you’ll continue travelling upriver, with free time to relax on the sundeck and taking in the surrounding sights – desert hills forming a backdrop to lush riverbanks, fishermen casting their nets and farmers working their land.

On arrival, you will visit the unusual Greco-Roman temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god and Horus the falcon god. Then, you will see the crocodile museum while some 300 crocodile mummies displayed. Return to the cruise boat & free time to relax on board while sailing to Aswan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today at the early morning you will drive for almost 3 hours to visit the fabulous rock-hewn temple of Abu Simbel. The site is dominated by the looming twin temples of Ramses II and his wife Queen Nefertari. Originally on the banks of the Nile, the temples were raised to a new site above the lake in the late 1960s, as the waters from the new Lake Nasser rose behind the Aswan High Dam. The four great seated statues of Ramses II stare east towards the rising sun. It is one of the most recognizable ancient sites of Egypt. Afterwards, drive back to Aswan & Lunch on board your Nile Cruise

In the afternoon, you will enjoy Felucca Ride (almost 1 hour). Enjoy a relaxing sailing aboard a Nile felucca, the traditional sailboat of Egypt used along the Nile, “Weather permits!”

Return to the Nile cruise boat & free time to relax or join the optional Nubian Village trip by motorboat and cruise along the Nile River through the first Cataract to a Nubian village along the way, admire sweeping views over the river. Upon arrival, visit a traditional Nubian village in Gharb Soheil village. Get an insight into the culture, history, and lifestyle of one of Africa’s oldest civilizations. Enjoy a drink at one of the colorful rural houses, nestled amongst the natural scenery. Walk through the local market to get a taste of the unique culture and traditions.

Note: Abu Simbel tour by flight is available for extra cost.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Disembarkation after breakfast, then start to visit the unfinished obelisk, the largest known ancient obelisk, offers unusual insights into ancient Egyptian stone working techniques. Proceed with a motorboat ride to Philae Temple Island, comprises a large number of small Temples dates back to Pharaonic, Greek and Roman times. But the largest and the best preserved on the Island is the temple of the Goddess Isis. Continue to visit Aswan high dam, a rock-fill dam built across the Nile in Aswan between 1960- 1970. It creates Lake Nasser, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world.

After finished, you will be transferred to Aswan airport for your flight to Cairo. On arrival, assist and transfer to your hotel and free time to relax

Meals: Breakfast

You’ll be served breakfast at your hotel, and then you will be transferred to Cairo International Airport for final departure.

Meals: Breakfast.