8-Day Pyramids and Nile Cruise Holiday

A full day of iconic sightseeing begins after breakfast as your private guide leads you to the Great Pyramids of Giza, where the monumental tombs of Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinos have stood for millennia. You'll stand face-to-face with the Great Sphinx and explore the Valley Temple before heading south to the vast necropolis of Saqqara, home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser — the oldest stone pyramid on earth — and tombs adorned with intricate hieroglyphic carvings. Lunch at a local restaurant breaks up the day before you return to your hotel refreshed and inspired.

After breakfast you'll transfer to the capital’s airport for your flight south to Luxor, the open-air museum of the ancient world. Your private guide will take you straight to the East Bank, where the vast colonnaded complex of Karnak Temple and the beautifully illuminated Luxor Temple await. As evening falls, you'll settle into your deluxe Nile cruise cabin and enjoy your first dinner onboard as the lights of Luxor shimmer on the water.

Cross to Luxor's West Bank this morning to uncover the secrets of the pharaohs, starting with the Valley of the Kings, the storied burial ground of rulers including Tutankhamun. You'll also visit the remarkable Temple of Hatshepsut, its terraced colonnades cut directly into the limestone cliffs, and pause at the towering Colossi of Memnon, twin seated statues that have guarded the floodplain for over three thousand years. After the tour, return to the ship as it sets sail toward Edfu.

Step ashore at Edfu and climb aboard a horse-drawn carriage for a ride to the Temple of Horus, one of the most completely preserved ancient temples in all of Egypt. Back on the cruise, you'll continue sailing to Kom Ombo, where the unusual double sanctuary of the Kom Ombo Temple — dedicated jointly to the crocodile god Sobek and Horus the Elder — offers a fascinating glimpse into dual worship in the ancient world. The ship then continues its journey towards Aswan for the night.

Aswan greets you with two of its most celebrated landmarks: the enchanting Temple of Philae, perched on an island and consecrated to the goddess Isis, and the mighty Aswan High Dam, an engineering feat that reshaped the flow of the Nile in the modern era. After exploring both sites with your guide, return to the cruise for a leisurely lunch and a relaxed afternoon drifting on the river.

An early start rewards you with one of Egypt's most breathtaking experiences: a visit to the Abu Simbel Temples, the colossal rock-cut sanctuaries commissioned by Ramses II and relocated in a remarkable feat of modern engineering to save them from rising Nile waters. After soaking in the grandeur of these cliff-face monuments, you'll transfer to Aswan Airport for your flight back to Cairo, where your final night in Egypt awaits.

Enjoy a leisurely last breakfast before checking out of your the capital hotel, taking a moment to reflect on eight days of extraordinary discovery. Your iEgypt Travels representative will transfer you to the international airport in the capital in comfort, bidding you a warm farewell as you depart with memories of the pyramids, the Nile, and the timeless wonders of Egypt.