Compare Egypt in 8 days - Great Pyramids & Full-Board Nile Cruise - Luxury 3N Cruise by Exoticca vs 9 Day Classic Egypt with 3 Day Nile Cruise by Gate 1 Travel

Day 1: US - Night on board

It's time to unearth the secrets of Ancient Egypt and get to know the vibrant culture of Egypt's most emblematic cities. Arrive at your departure airport ready to check-in for a flight to Cairo. Night on board. Important: If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Cairo

Touch down in Cairo and transfer to the hotel. Once you've settled in, the remainder of the day is free at your leisure to get to know the sights and sounds of Cairo, in the shadow of the Great Pyramids! Go shopping at the local souk or sample the national cuisine. Overnight stay in Cairo.

Day 3: Cairo

Breakfast at the hotel. Get to know the Egyptian capital today with a tour of Cairo's most emblematic sights. Begin at the Giza plateau, home of the three Great Pyramids, built over 4,500 years ago and one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Explore the pyramids and learn about their fascinating history as you walk in the footsteps of the pharaohs. Continue to the Great Sphinx and the Temple of the Valley to unearth more secrets of Ancient Egypt before visiting the Egyptian Museum. This world-renowned museum is home to the largest collection of jewels, relics and statues from the golden age of the pharaohs. End the day with a walk through the lively Khan el Khalili neighbourhood, home to the largest bazaar in the city. We recommend an optional Pyramids Sound and Light Show.* Overnight stay in Cairo. * Optional Pyramids Sound and Light Show: Experience the iconic Great Pyramids at night, as they are lit with dancing lasers and visuals, accompanied by atmospheric music. The perfect way to kick-start your Egyptian adventure! Important: The order of the optional excursions may vary depending on your departure day. Alternatively, for a full experience of Egypt, you can choose one of our optional excursion packages to add 3/4 optional excursions to your trip!

Day 4: Cairo - Aswan

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Aswan, situated on the Nile River and known for its great importance to the Ancient Egyptian civilization. Upon arrival, head to the river to enjoy a cruise on a traditional felucca boat to see the Nile Falls. Watch life along the Nile as you travel along the river. Afterwards, continue to the Granite Quarry, home to an unfinished ancient obelisk and the High Dam of Aswan. Transfer to the port to board your Nile Cruise Boat, your home for the next three nights. Get settled in your cabin and enjoy the views of the river. Dinner and overnight on board. Alternatively, for a full experience of Egypt, you can choose one of our optional excursion packages to add 3/4 optional excursions to your trip! Important: The order of the optional excursions may vary depending on your departure day. Optional excursions can only be reserved at the time of booking or up to four days after booking.

Day 5: Aswan - Kom Ombo

Full-board on board. If you're an early riser, you have the chance to enjoy an optional excursion to Abu Simbel, home to many rock-carved temples.* Today, navigate northwards towards Kom Ombo. Upon arrival explore the twin Temples of Haroeris and Sobek and see the amazing Nilometer, used to measure the rising and falling levels of the Nile, an important life source in Egypt. Afterwards, visit a unique Crocodile Mummy museum, home to a number of mummified crocodiles. Return to the ship and enjoy relaxing on board. Overnight on board. * Optional Excursion to Abu Simbel: Visit these amazing temples, carved on the western cliff of the desert by Ramses II in the Xl century BC. See the iconic 20-metre high statues, dedicated to the god Amon Ra, and the Temple of Nefertari, dedicated to the goddess Hathor. * Optional Island of Philae Excursion: Discover the historic island of Philae, in the reservoir of the Old Aswan Dam. It is home to the ancient ruins of the Temple of Isis and offers a fascinating insight into life and beliefs in Ancient Egypt. Please note: If you take the optional excursion to Abu Simbel, you will depart from the ship at approximately 3 a.m. to make the most of the coolest and quietest part of the day. This way, you can fully experience Abu Simbel without the crowds and avoid sightseeing in high temperatures. Alternatively, for a full experience of Egypt, you can choose one of our optional excursion packages to add 3/4 optional excursions to your trip! Important: The order of the optional excursions may vary depending on your departure day. Optional excursions can only be reserved at the time of booking or up to four days after booking.

Day 6: Edfu - Luxor

Full-board on board. Dock in Edfu today to enjoy a ride in a traditional Egyptian carriage to arrive at the Temple of Edfu in style! Spend some time exploring the temple, dedicated to the Egyptian god of Horus. It's one of the best-preserved monuments in the country as its imposing structure has been protected by the desert sands. Back on the ship, continue to Luxor where the ancient heart of Thebes awaits you. Here, discover the Temple of Luxor, constructed by the two great pharaohs, Amenhotep II and Ramses II. Return to the ship. Overnight on board.

Day 7: Luxor

Breakfast on board. Continue your discovery of the ancient city of Thebes today as you head to the world-famous Valley of the Kings, where the tomb of Tutankhamon was discovered, revealing the riches of the ancient pharaohs. It is here that the most powerful and influential kings of Ancient Egypt were buried. After exploring the site, continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, an imposing terraced structure, located below towering cliffs. Bid farewell to this world of ancient kings and queens as you cross the river into modern-day Luxor. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure. Overnight stay in Luxor. Please note: The excursion to the Valley of the Kings includes visits to three tombs. Entrance to the tomb of Tutankhamun is not included but, if you are interested in visiting, you can buy a ticket to see this tomb at the site during your visit.

Day 8: Luxor - Cairo

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off early in the morning to visit the Karnak Temple Complex, home to a vast array of decayed temples, chapels, pylons, and other ancient buildings. Explore the ruins as you soak up the unique atmosphere and let your imagination run wild as you learn about life in Ancient Egypt. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to Cairo. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free at your leisure. We recommend an optional excursion to the Saladin Citadel.* Overnight stay in Cairo. * Optional Excursion to Saladin Citadel: Visit the Alabaster Mosque and medieval fortification of Saladin Citadel, perched atop a hill in central Cairo and dating back to the 12th-century. Learn about the importance of the site to Egypt's Islamic heritage before walking through the Coptic Neighborhood, home to various churches. Alternatively, for a full experience of Egypt, you can choose one of our optional excursion packages to add 3/4 optional excursions to your trip! Important: The order of the optional excursions may vary depending on your departure day. Optional excursions can only be reserved at the time of booking or up to four days after booking.

Day 9: Cairo - US

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. Depending on the choice of flight, you may arrive back in the US the following day. Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.