Egypt · 10 days · 9 nights

The Wonders of Egypt

Duration: 10 days · 9 nights
Group size: On request

Overview

Discover Egypt by land and river with four nights in Cairo, four nights aboard the Iris Dahabiya and one night in Aswan. The program balances private Cairo sightseeing with shared cruise excursions.

Visit the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Old Cairo and Khan El Khalili before sailing from Luxor through Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo to Aswan, with temple visits and time on Hor Diab Island.

The route

Day by day, at a glance

Day 1 · Cairo
Arrival in Cairo
Day 2 · Cairo
Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Grand Egyptian Museum
Day 3 · Luxor
Fly to Luxor, Luxor & Karnak Temples
Day 4 · Esna
Luxor West Bank & Sail to Esna
Day 5 · Edfu
Esna Lock & Temple of Edfu
Day 6 · Kom Ombo
Kom Ombo & Sail to Aswan
Day 7 · Aswan
Philae Temple & Aswan High Dam
Day 8 · Cairo
Fly to Cairo & Egyptian Museum
Day 9 · Cairo
Civilization Museum, Old Cairo & Khan El-Khalili
Day 10 · Cairo
Departure from Cairo

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 1 · Cairo
Arrival in Cairo
On arrival at Cairo Airport you are met by our local representative, who assists you through customs and formalities, then escorted to your hotel in a modern air-conditioned vehicle (check-in from around 3 pm). Check in and overnight.
Sheraton Cairo or JW Marriott Hotel Cairo or similar
Day 2 · Cairo
Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Grand Egyptian Museum
Breakfast at the hotel, then travel by air-conditioned vehicle with your English-speaking Egyptologist to the Giza Necropolis. The Giza Pyramid Complex includes the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx, all built during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, along with cemeteries and the remains of a workers' village.
Visit the Papyrus Institute, a perfume factory and a cotton shop. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) near the pyramids, the largest archaeological museum in the world and home to the complete Tutankhamun collection, with many pieces on display for the first time.
Later, return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.
Sheraton Cairo or JW Marriott Hotel Cairo or similar
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 · Luxor
Fly to Luxor, Luxor & Karnak Temples
After breakfast, fly from Cairo to Luxor, where you are met and transferred to your dahabiya, the Iris. Embark and enjoy lunch on board, then visit Luxor and Karnak Temples. Dinner and overnight on the West Bank.
Iris Dahabiya (Nile cruise)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 · Esna
Luxor West Bank & Sail to Esna
Visit the West Bank: the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Lunch on board, then sail towards Esna with tea on the sun deck. Dinner while sailing, and overnight moored beside an island with an Egyptian party.
Iris Dahabiya (Nile cruise)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 · Edfu
Esna Lock & Temple of Edfu
Breakfast while crossing the Esna Lock, then sail to Edfu with lunch on board. Visit the Temple of Edfu, then sail on to Al Ramady Island for dinner and overnight.
Iris Dahabiya (Nile cruise)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 · Kom Ombo
Kom Ombo & Sail to Aswan
Breakfast while sailing to Kom Ombo and visit Kom Ombo Temple. Lunch on board while passing Sheikh Fadl Island, then stop at Hor Diab Island, with the option to swim in the clear water of the Nile. Dinner on board while sailing to Aswan, followed by a Nubian party.
Iris Dahabiya (Nile cruise)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 · Aswan
Philae Temple & Aswan High Dam
Breakfast on board, then disembark. Visit Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam, then transfer to your hotel and check in for the night in Aswan.
Sonesta Nouba or Zen Wellness Resort or similar
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8 · Cairo
Fly to Cairo & Egyptian Museum
After breakfast, check out and fly from Aswan to Cairo. On arrival, visit the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, home to about 250,000 pieces covering 5,000 years of ancient Egyptian history. Lunch at a local restaurant, then check in to your hotel.
Sheraton Cairo or JW Marriott Hotel Cairo or similar
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9 · Cairo
Civilization Museum, Old Cairo & Khan El-Khalili
After breakfast, visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, the first museum in the Arab world dedicated to the ancient Egyptian civilization.
Continue to Old Cairo's churches, including St George Church (7th–8th century), the only round church in Egypt, built on the foundations of a Roman tower. Then explore Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, founded in the 14th century and today the largest bazaar in the Middle East, with workshops and stalls selling woodwork, glassware, leather, perfumes, fabrics and Pharaonic curiosities.
Lunch at a local restaurant, then return to your hotel. Overnight.
Sheraton Cairo or Fairmont or similar
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10 · Cairo
Departure from Cairo
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Cairo International Airport for your flight home.
Breakfast

Where you'll stay

Accommodations

Days 1–2 · Cairo
Sheraton Cairo or JW Marriott Hotel Cairo or similar
Days 3–6 · Luxor
Iris Dahabiya (Nile cruise)
Day 7 · Aswan
Sonesta Nouba or Zen Wellness Resort or similar
Day 8 · Cairo
Sheraton Cairo or JW Marriott Hotel Cairo or similar
Day 9 · Cairo
Sheraton Cairo or Fairmont or similar

How it works

Made to order

Every Tourcan trip is built by a specialist, not a template — the route, hotels, and pace are tuned to how you want to travel.
Dates are flexible. There are no fixed departures; we plan around your calendar.
Quotes and bookings happen by phone and email with your specialist — no automated checkout, just a real conversation.

What's included

Inclusions and exclusions

Included

Arrival and departure transfers
Domestic flights Cairo-Luxor and Aswan-Cairo
Accommodation as listed or similar
Porterage
Four-night Iris Dahabiya Nile cruise
Daily breakfast
Eight lunches
Four dinners
Sightseeing and entrance fees as described
Private sightseeing in Cairo
Shared cruise sightseeing
Professional English-speaking guide

Not included

International airfare (available on request)
Egypt entry visa
Optional tours and sightseeing
Personal expenses including room service and laundry
Tips and gratuities
Any item not listed as included

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is not included in the price of any Tourcan itinerary. We strongly recommend comprehensive coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, and baggage.

Purchase travel insurance →

Photos

From the road

Your specialists

Plan this trip with Edith and Roshan

Edith Chasosa

Senior Travel Consultant

Senior Travel Consultant specializing in Africa, the Middle East, South America and Central America, helping travel advisors and clients plan customized journeys, tours and memorable destination experiences.