10-day Egypt Itinerary: Nile Cruise and Desert Safari Tour

On the second day, following a delightful breakfast, your tour guide will accompany you to explore the pinnacle of ancient Egyptian culture and visit some of Egypt's most renowned tourist destinations, including:
The Egyptian Pyramids at Giza:
  The Giza pyramid complex, standing for over 4,000 years, epitomizes ancient Egypt's grandeur. It comprises the Great Sphinx, The Valley of Temple, and six smaller pyramids alongside the three main pyramids.
The Great Pyramid:
  Constructed around 2580 BC, the Great Pyramid stands as the only surviving structure from the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Built with 2.3 million limestone blocks, each weighing 2.5 tons, and employing approximately 100,000 skilled laborers over 20 years, it held the title of the world's tallest structure for 3,800 years until surpassed by England's Lincoln Cathedral in 1311. Visitors are still captivated by its intricate interior design and enigmatic origins.

The great Sphinx of Giza: Known as Abu al-Hawl in Arabic, meaning "The Father of Terror," the Great Sphinx replaced its original name of "Hor-Em-Akhet," translating to "Horus of the Horizon." Depicting a mythical creature with a lion's body and a human head, it's believed to symbolize King Khafre's strength and intelligence. Carved from a single massive limestone block, it stands 73 meters (240 feet) tall and 19 meters (60 feet) wide.

The Valley Temple:
  Dating back to the Old Kingdom of Egypt (2686-2134 BC), The Valley of Temple was part of the complex where mummification rituals occurred. This well-preserved archaeological site provides valuable insights into ancient Egyptian burial practices and mummification techniques.

After a delightful lunch at a café overlooking the pyramids, your tour guide will lead you on an enchanting exploration, including:

 A visit to the Egyptian Museum to delve deeper into the country's rich history.
 Exploring Cairo's Old City, where you'll discover Khan El Khalili, a bustling bazaar filled with souvenir shops, cafes, and shisha bars.

After breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel to explore some of the most captivating sites in ancient Cairo, including:

The Hanging Church: Also known as The Virgin Mary's Holy Church, the Hanging Church holds a significant place in Cairo's Coptic heritage. Dating back to the fifth century AD, it is one of Egypt's oldest and most renowned churches, serving as the residence of the Coptic patriarch. Situated on the southern wall of the Roman fortress Babylon, the church is adorned with architectural elements from the seventh to twelfth centuries, standing 30 feet tall and boasting breathtaking interior and exterior design.

Mosque of Amr Ibn Al Aas: Constructed in 641 AD, the Mosque of Amr Ibn Al Aas holds great importance as one of Egypt's earliest and most prominent Islamic landmarks. It marks the beginning of Egypt's Islamic history and continues to serve as a place of worship. Over the centuries, the mosque has undergone several renovations, showcasing the evolution of Islamic architectural styles.

The Ben Ezra Synagogue: Dating back to the 19th century, the Ben Ezra Synagogue is a remarkable tourist destination with a rich history. Originally serving as a church until 882 AD, it was later converted into a synagogue. Despite its age, the synagogue remains well-preserved, adorned with exquisite Jewish patterns and decorations that date back to the 1950s.

Khan El Khalili Market: Established around 970 AD, the Khan El Khalili Bazaar stands as a vibrant representation of ancient Cairo's bustling market scene. Often referred to as the "Golden Brick Road" of the Middle East, it offers an array of shops, cafes, and traditional eateries, exuding the charm of early Islamic civilization. Adorned with magnificent Islamic architecture and ornamentation, the market provides an immersive cultural experience. Following a pit stop for lunch at a nearby eatery, we'll transport you to a luxurious five-star hotel in Cairo for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up from your Cairo hotel and escort you to the airport for a direct flight to Luxor, where you'll embark on a Nile cruise adventure. Your first stop will be the Temple of Karnak, also known as Ipet-isu (The Most Selected of Places) and later Pr-Imn (House of Amon). This temple complex served as the focal point of ancient Egyptian religion for over 1500 years, dedicated to various gods including Osiris, Ptah, and Isis, with the Theban triad comprising Amun, Mut, and Khonsu as its primary focus.

After lunch, you'll return to the Nile Cruise and spend the afternoon and evening exploring, with a visit to Luxor Temple. Known as Ipetresyet (Southern Sanctuary), this temple was constructed during the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep III around 1400 BCE. The temple, dedicated to the god Amun, boasts stunning pillars and intricate decorations, which are especially captivating when illuminated by the moonlight. Following your exploration, you'll return to your cruise ship to spend the night.

After breakfast on the boat, follow your tour guide to explore some of Luxor's most breathtaking tourist destinations, including:

valley of kings: Serving as the final resting place for Egypt's most esteemed kings and queens from the New Kingdom period (1570-1070 BC), the Valley of the Kings boasts 63 tombs, including those of pharaohs such as Rameses (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X), Amenhotep I, Hatshepsut, and Tutankhamun. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, Tutankhamun's tomb remains one of the most visited, second only to that of Ramses the Great.

Temple of Hatshepsut: Honoring one of ancient Egypt's most illustrious rulers, Queen Hatshepsut, The Temple of Hatshepsut also known as Djeser-Djeseru—"Holy of Holies"—was constructed in 1479 BC. This magnificent temple, dedicated to Hatshepsut's enduring legacy and the god Amun, showcases breathtaking Classical Architecture and houses some of the most remarkable artifacts and sculptures from ancient Egypt.

The Colossi of memnon: These colossal statues, each weighing 720 tons and crafted from quartzite sandstone, depict Pharaoh Amenhotep III (1386-1350 BC). Originally erected during his reign, the statues were damaged by a powerful earthquake in 27 BC and subsequently restored in 199 AD. The statues gained fame throughout the Greco-Roman world due to the "Vocal Memnon" phenomenon—a natural occurrence where the statues emitted a sound resembling a voice at dawn due to the wind passing through them.

After exploring these incredible sites, you'll return to your Nile Cruise for lunch and spend the remainder of the day on board.

The Kom Ombo Temple, meaning "Golden Hill," was constructed between 205 and 180 BC during the reign of Ptolemy V. Dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god associated with fertility, and Horus, the falcon sky god revered as the protector of royalty, the temple features two distinct but strikingly similar areas dedicated to each deity.

Another significant temple we'll explore is the Edfu Temple, one of the last temples erected during the Ptolemaic period (237-57 BC) to serve as the primary sanctuary for the sky god Horus. Legend has it that the temple was built on the site where Horus vanquished the evil deity Set in the Osiris Myth. The Edfu Temple's architecture and artwork showcase the grandeur of ancient Egyptian religious beliefs and practices.

Moving on to Aswan, we'll visit some of its most magnificent attractions:

The High Dam: A testament to Egypt's determination and engineering prowess, the High Dam was constructed between 1960 and 1970 in collaboration with the Hydro Project Institute in Moscow. Its purpose is to regulate Nile floods, generate hydroelectric power, and enhance water storage for agricultural purposes.

Unfinished Obelisk: Located at the entrance of the Karnak temple, the Unfinished Obelisk, also known as "Tekhenu" ("to pierce the sky"), was commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut around 1508-1458 BC. Unfortunately, it remains incomplete due to cracks that appeared during its construction, offering insight into ancient obelisk-making techniques.

Temple of Philae: The Temple of Philae is renowned for its association with the myth of Isis and Osiris, in which the god Horus, son of Isis and Osiris, defeats the evil deity Set to restore prosperity and justice. In the 1960s, the temple was relocated to Agilkia Island as part of a UNESCO-led rescue operation.

After lunch, we'll return to the Nile Cruise and continue our journey to Aswan, often referred to as the "city of eternal

After receiving your breakfast boxes, you'll meet your tour guide and depart early to travel southwest of Aswan to visit The temples of Abu Simbel. Also known as the "Temple of Ramesses, Beloved by Amun," this magnificent structure was commissioned by Ramses the Great to guard the southern frontier and has captivated visitors since its construction (1279-1213 BCE).

An extraordinary feature of the temple is the Sun Festival, which occurs annually between February 22 and October 22. During this time, the sun illuminates seated statues of Ramses II, Ptah (the God of Creation), Amun (the Creator God), and Ra (the Solar God). Additionally, there is a smaller temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari, Ramses II's beloved wife. Both temples were relocated as part of a UNESCO-led rescue effort in the 1960s.

Afterward, we'll return you to Aswan, where you can opt to spend the night on a Nile cruise if you wish.

The morning after breakfast, before we pick you up for your return trip to Cairo, please check out of your hotel. Upon arrival in Cairo, you'll meet your tour guide who will escort you to your hotel.

One of our representatives will pick you up from your hotel in Cairo. You'll then travel comfortably in a private van, covering a distance of 105 kilometers southwest of Cairo to reach Fayoum. Upon arrival at the arid Fayoum Oasis, you'll visit Quaroun Lake to observe the diverse bird species. Explore the Fayoum Museum, showcasing sculptures and Roman portraits, providing insights into the ancient city of Karanis. The distance between Cairo and Fayoum is approximately 95 kilometers.

Next, you'll proceed to Wadi Al Rayan Waterfalls. Situated in the western desert, Wadi El Rayan is a natural depression 42 meters below sea level, featuring two lakes that boast Egypt's only waterfalls. Established in 1970 due to an overflow of drainage Wadi Al Ryan Water from Fayoum's farmlands, Wadi Rayan offers opportunities for sandboarding. Enjoy a late lunch at a fine dining establishment before being transferred back to Cairo.

One of our representatives will pick you up from your hotel in Cairo. On the last day of your 10-day cultural tour vacation, enjoy a farewell breakfast before departing for Cairo airport to catch your flight back home. We hope you depart with fond memories of your time in Egypt. If you have any suggestions for rearranging the itinerary to better suit your preferences, please let us know. We are committed to ensuring your satisfaction.