The second day is entirely devoted to the most famous structure in human history: You’ll visit the Giza Plateau, home to the Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, the mysterious Sphinx, and the adjacent Valley Temple. Your experienced tour guide will explain the construction techniques, the religious significance, and the fascinating history surrounding these monuments, which are over 4,500 years old. In the afternoon, you’ll continue on to the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza, one of the world’s largest archaeological museums, which houses, among other things, Tutankhamun’s complete treasure. A lunch en route rounds out this eventful day.

Overnight stay in Cairo.

Today, you’ll immerse yourself in the Islamic and Coptic heritage of Egypt’s capital. The tour takes you through the historic Al-Darb Al-Ahmar district with its narrow alleys and traditional craft workshops, then on to the imposing Citadel of Salah El Din, towering high above the city, and to the famous Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali, whose domes are reminiscent of Istanbul’s architecture. Afterward, you’ll visit the monumental Sultan Hassan Mosque as well as the Ibn Tulun Mosque, one of the oldest and best-preserved mosques in Egypt. Lunch is included in the program.

Overnight stay in Cairo.

In the morning, you’ll leave Cairo and travel to the green oasis of Fayoum, one of the oldest inhabited areas in Egypt. You’ll visit Lake Qarun, one of the world’s oldest natural lakes; Wadi Rayan National Park, with its waterfalls in the middle of the desert; the impressive Mount Gabal Al Modawara; and the famous whale graveyard (Wadi Al-Hitan), a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site featuring fossilized whale skeletons from prehistoric seas. A picnic lunch along the way will provide the necessary refreshment. In the afternoon, you’ll continue your journey to El Minya, check into your hotel, and enjoy a relaxed dinner.

Overnight stay in El Minya.

This day takes you to some of Egypt’s most impressive yet least-visited archaeological sites. In Tuna El Gabal, you’ll visit, among other sites, the Tomb of Isadora and the Temple of Pet-Osiris. From there, you’ll continue to Al-Ashmunien, an open-air museum featuring imposing baboon statues and an early Christian basilica. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the rock-cut tombs of Beni Hasan—burial chambers of high-ranking officials from the Middle Kingdom, artfully carved into the rock, featuring well-preserved wall paintings depicting daily life in ancient Egypt.

Overnight stay in El Minya.

Today you will visit Tell el-Amarna, the former capital of the “heretical pharaoh” Akhenaten, who briefly introduced the monotheistic cult of the sun in the 14th century B.C. You’ll tour the royal tombs nestled among the desert mountains and learn more about this extraordinary era in Egyptian history. Afterward, you’ll continue on to Assiut, where you’ll visit the Coptic monastery of Al Muharraq—one of Egypt’s most significant monasteries and part of the Holy Family Route—as well as the rock-cut tombs of Meir with their well-preserved wall reliefs.

Overnight stay in Sohag.

The seventh day of your tour of Egypt is dedicated to two of the country’s most beautiful and best-preserved temple complexes. In Abydos, you’ll visit the Shonet El Zebeeb fortress and the magnificent Temple of Seti I, with its intricate, colorful reliefs, which are among the finest examples of Pharaonic art. Afterward, you’ll continue on to the Temple of Hathor in Dendera, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples, featuring its famous astronomical ceiling relief. In the late afternoon, you’ll travel on to Luxor, the gateway to the second half of your journey.

Overnight stay in Luxor.

Today marks the start of the comfortable part of your trip: the transfer to your 5-star Nile cruise aboard the M/S Salacia. After checking in and having lunch on board, you’ll visit two of Egypt’s largest temple complexes in the afternoon: the monumental Karnak Temple, the largest religious structure of the ancient world, and the nearby Luxor Temple, which is particularly impressive when viewed at dusk under the evening lights.

Dinner and your first night aboard your Nile cruise ship.

In the morning, you’ll visit the west bank of Luxor, home to the world-famous Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs such as Tutankhamun and Ramses II found their final resting places. The tour continues to the terraced temple of Queen Hatshepsut, an architectural masterpiece set against the rocky backdrop of Deir el-Bahari, as well as to the imposing Colossi of Memnon. In the afternoon, your ship will continue its journey upriver to Edfu—enjoy the peaceful rural life along the banks as you go.

Overnight stay on board.

In Edfu, you’ll visit the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in all of Egypt, with its massive pylons and intricately detailed wall reliefs—the trip there is traditionally made by horse-drawn carriage. The ship then continues on to Kom Ombo, where you’ll visit the unique double temple dedicated equally to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus. In the evening, your ship arrives in Aswan.

Overnight stay on board.

Your day trip in Aswan takes you to the monumental Aswan High Dam, a masterpiece of modern engineering, as well as to the unfinished obelisk in the ancient quarry, which offers a unique insight into the techniques of ancient Egyptian stonemasons. The highlight of the day is a visit to the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddesses Isis and Hathor and situated on a picturesque island in the Nile—the boat ride there is one of the most beautiful moments of the entire Nile cruise.

Overnight stay on board.

After breakfast on board, it’s time to say goodbye to the Nile: You’ll disembark and be transferred to Aswan Airport. The short domestic flight will take you back to Cairo, where our team will meet you and take you to your hotel. The evening is yours to spend as you wish, reflecting on the final impressions of your tour of Egypt.

Overnight stay in Cairo.

After a delightful breakfast at the hotel, it’s time to slowly say goodbye—to the warm sun, the vast blue sky, and the incomparable hospitality of the Egyptian people. Your personal AdamTravel representative will be waiting for you in the lobby, will assist you with check-out, and will accompany you to the airport in a private vehicle.

Of course, we’re also here to assist you with your departure formalities—attentive, reliable, and warm, just as you’ve come to expect from us.

Don’t just pack your suitcases—take with you the many memories of a country rich in history, joie de vivre, and warmth. We wish you a pleasant flight home and look forward to seeing you again—perhaps soon on a new trip through Egypt with AdamTravel.