This 7-day Egyptian tour showcases Cairo's pyramids and museums before a scenic Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor. Visit major sites including the Pyramids, Valley of Kings, and temples along the Nile. Ancient wonders await across 7 cities from Cairo to Abu Simbel.
Day 1: Cairo Arrival & Hotel Check-in
Arrive at Cairo International Airport where a local representative will meet you. Get picked up from the airport and head to your Cairo hotel to rest up. Try to book afternoon flights to avoid Cairo's morning traffic jams. Take the evening to rest and get over jet lag. Book an afternoon or evening flight to avoid Cairo's busy morning traffic.
Day 2: Giza Pyramids & Egyptian Museum
Get to the Giza pyramid complex early before crowds and heat build up. Start at 7 AM to avoid crowds and heat at the Giza pyramid complex. "Getting there first thing made all the difference - we had clear views and photos without the usual tourist crowds." You'll need 3-4 hours to see the pyramids, Sphinx and Valley Temple. Take 2-3 hours to explore the pyramids and Sphinx.
After lunch, spend at least 2 hours at the Egyptian Museum to see the key exhibits including King Tut's collection. Visit the Egyptian Museum in the afternoon. One traveler notes: "Having an Egyptologist guide here is essential - there's minimal signage and the sheer volume of artifacts can be overwhelming without expert context."
"The best photo opportunities are in the morning when the light is perfect - bring lots of water and a hat as there's minimal shade." One traveler said: "Getting there first thing made all the difference - we had clear views and photos without the usual tourist crowds." "Get to the pyramids first thing - by 10 AM the tour buses arrive and it gets extremely crowded."
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Day 3: Aswan & Philae Temple
Fly to Aswan in the morning (1.5 hours) to start your Nile cruise. Fly to Aswan in the morning (1.5 hours). Once you arrive in Aswan, you'll board your Nile cruise ship. Board your Nile cruise ship for lunch.
Visit Philae Temple which was rescued from flooding during the Aswan Dam construction. Visit the beautiful Philae Temple in the afternoon. Visit Philae Temple, which was saved from flooding during the Aswan Dam construction. You can also take an optional trip to a Nubian village. One guest noted: "The Nubian village was incredible - so colorfully painted and unlike anywhere else we visited." You can take an optional trip to a Nubian village, but one cruiser suggests: "Skip the optional village tour if you're tired - it's mostly tourist shops."
Day 4: Abu Simbel & Kom Ombo
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Optional Abu Simbel trip starts at 4 AM (3 hours each way). You can take an optional early morning trip to Abu Simbel (3am departure but visitors say it's worth it). Take the optional early morning trip to Abu Simbel. It's worth the 4 AM start to see these temples that were moved piece by piece in the 1960s. Most visitors say the early start is worth it. Return to cruise and sail to Kom Ombo Temple which honors both Horus and Sobek.
Later, sail to see Kom Ombo temple with its unique double design for two gods. Return for a 5-hour cruise to Kom Ombo and visit its unique double temple. End the day with a traditional Galabeya party on board, featuring 60s-70s music and Arabian songs.
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Day 5: Edfu Temple & Luxor Temples
Visit Edfu Temple in the morning. Visit Edfu's Temple of Horus in the morning. Sail to Luxor for afternoon tours of Luxor and Karnak temple complexes. Sail to Luxor in the afternoon. Spend the evening exploring Luxor and Karnak Temples. See Luxor and Karnak Temples in the evening when they're lit up.
Day 6: Valley of the Kings & West Bank
Start early at Luxor's West Bank. Start early on Luxor's West Bank. Explore the Valley of the Kings but bring water and sun protection. Book a hot air balloon ride in advance if interested. Get to the Valley of the Kings by 7am to avoid the crowds. Visit the Valley of the Kings to explore royal tombs, then see Queen Hatshepsut's temple built into the cliffs. Visit Queen Hatshepsut's Temple and Colossi of Memnon. See Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon too. Regular entry includes 3 tombs. Tutankhamun's tomb costs extra.
"Bring cash for tomb photography passes and choose 3-4 tombs to focus on rather than rushing through all of them."
Fly back to Cairo in the evening. Take an early morning flight or train back to Cairo. Most visitors prefer flying: "The train is an experience but can be quite uncomfortable - opt for the flight if your budget allows." Fly back to Cairo in the evening.
Day 7: Departure
Free morning until your airport transfer. Head to Cairo International Airport for your flight home. Consider adding an extra day to see Islamic Cairo or Alexandria if possible.
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