Egypt in 11 Days: Standard Itinerary

Arrive at Cairo International Airport where you will be warmly greeted by your dedicated Egyptian guide. Transfer to your hotel, stopping en route for water and a light snack. Check in and enjoy time to relax after your journey. Overnight in Cairo.

Today you will explore the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the breathtaking new Grand Egyptian Museum. Enjoy lunch in a traditional Egyptian restaurant before returning to your hotel for a relaxing evening. Overnight in Cairo.

After breakfast, travel to Saqqara, home of the world’s first monumental stone structure, the Step Pyramid of King Djoser, designed by the brilliant architect Imhotep. This revolutionary design marked the beginning of Egypt’s pyramid age.

Your visit includes:

1. Old Kingdom tombs with beautifully preserved reliefs

2. The Imhotep Museum, displaying artefacts from the Saqqara plateau

3. Time to explore the desert landscape surrounding this ancient necropolis

This tour lasts approximately 3–5 hours.

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On the way back to your hotel, stop for lunch in a traditional Egyptian restaurant. Return to your Cairo hotel to relax for your final night in the capital. Overnight in Cairo.

After breakfast, check out and store your luggage safely in your private car. Explore the historic heart of Old Cairo, where mosques, churches, and a synagogue sit side by side in one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas of the city.

From here, transfer to Cairo Airport or train station  for your flight or overnight sleeper train to Aswan.

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Upon arrival, check in to your Nile Cruise. Later this afternoon, visit:

1. The Aswan High Dam - a modern engineering marvel that tamed the Nile and reshaped Egypt’s landscape.

2. Philae Temple - a breathtaking island temple dedicated to Isis, rescued stonebystone from rising waters and now one of Egypt’s most atmospheric ancient sites.

Return to your cruise for dinner. Overnight on board in Aswan.

This morning, travel by private car to the magnificent Abu Simbel Temples, carved directly into the mountainside by Ramses II. Stand before the colossal statues guarding the entrance and explore the beautifully decorated halls inside - a masterpiece of ancient power and devotion.

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Return to your cruise in Aswan and begin sailing north.

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Stop at Kom Ombo Temple, the only double temple in Egypt, dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. Its symmetry, riverside setting, and crocodile mummy museum make it a truly unique experience.

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Continue sailing to Edfu. Overnight on board in Edfu.

After breakfast, travel by horse and carriage to the impressive Temple of Edfu, one of the bestpreserved temples in Egypt. Dedicated to Horus, it features towering pylons, intricate reliefs, and a dramatic sanctuary.

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Return to the boat and sail through the fascinating Esna Lock, watching the water rise beneath the ship as you pass through this engineering gateway.

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Arrive in Luxor and visit:

• Karnak Temple — a vast complex of halls, obelisks, and sacred lakes, home to the aweinspiring Hypostyle Hall.

• Luxor Temple — beautifully illuminated in the evening, revealing its statues, sphinxes, and ancient processional way.

Return to your cruise. Overnight on board in Luxor.

After breakfast, say goodbye to your cruise and check out.

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Today you will explore Luxor’s legendary West Bank, including:

• The Valley of the Kings

• Hatshepsut’s Temple

• A traditional alabaster workshop

• The Colossi of Memnon

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After your exhilarating morning, enjoy a homecooked lunch with the welcoming Eldeak family, a highlight for many guests.

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Check in to the Eldeak Hotel and later enjoy a peaceful sunset felucca ride on the Nile — a magical moment of colour and calm. Overnight at the Eldeak Hotel.

This morning, visit two of Luxor’s most fascinating sites:

• Medinet Habu, the mortuary temple of Ramses III, known for its vivid colours and detailed battle scenes

• Deir elMedina, the ancient village of the artisans who built the royal tombs

Return to the Eldeak family home for lunch.

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Dinner is served on the hotel’s scenic rooftop, overlooking the peaceful West Bank. Overnight at the Eldeak Hotel.

After breakfast, travel to Denderah, home of the beautifully preserved Temple of Hathor, goddess of love, joy, and music.

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Highlights include:

• The vibrant astronomical ceiling — one of the best preserved in Egypt

• The famous Zodiac and first known calendar

• Cleopatra’s Bath

• Stunning columns decorated with the iconic Hathorheaded capitals

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Return to Luxor for lunch with the Eldeak family. Relax until dinner, then enjoy another rooftop meal. Overnight at the Eldeak Hotel.

A gentle morning exploring Luxor’s East Bank.

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Visit:

• The first mosque built in Luxor, uniquely constructed above the columns of Luxor Temple

• Luxor Market, a lively stretch of shops, spices, textiles, and local crafts

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Stop at a traditional café where you may choose to try a water pipe (shisha), or enjoy Egyptian tea or coffee.

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Return to the hotel for lunch, relax in the afternoon, and enjoy your final dinner on the rooftop. Overnight at the Eldeak Hotel.

After breakfast, check out of the Eldeak Hotel — your home and family in Luxor.

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Transfer to Luxor Airport or train station  for your connecting flight or overnight sleeper train to Cairo. Your schedule today will depend on your international departure time.