• 11 Days
  • From $6,499
  • Airfare Included

Gems of Egypt & The Nile River

Tour Style:
Cruises
Activity Level:
Active
Highest Elevation:
The highest elevation on this tour is at Aswan at 400 feet above sea level
16 Meals:
7 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners

Immerse yourself in the ancient kingdoms and immortal cities of Egypt, where legendary sites and fascinating culture await. Begin with a tour of Cairo, featuring Old Cairo and the Mosque of Mohammed Ali, then gaze upon some of Earth’s greatest wonders: the Pyramids of Giza and the iconic Great Sphinx. Take a short flight to Luxor and board our beautiful riverboat for four spectacular nights. Watch the storied history of this area reveal itself to you as we cruise the country’s lifeblood, the Nile River, with several stops shrouded in myth and mystery including Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Kom Ombo, and more. Enjoy five-star French balcony cabins, luxurious amenities, and flavorful cuisine on board!

Trip overview may vary by departure.

  • Day 1: Meet Your Group
    Fly to an East Coast city and settle into our comfortable hotel for a relaxing evening. Enjoy getting to know your fellow travelers and Tour Director while breaking up the journey for a smoother, well-rested arrival in Cairo.
  • Day 2: Fly to Egypt
    Today, we board our overnight flight to a land known for its history and mysteries as old as time.
  • Day 3: Arrive in Cairo
    As our flight descends into Cairo, catch your first breathtaking glimpse of the city's golden-hued skyline with ancient pyramids emerging from the sprawling desert. Our expert local guide warmly welcomes us at the airport and provides transportation to our 5-star accommodations, where we settle in for a restful evening and socialize with fellow travelers over a Welcome Drink.
  • Day 4: Pyramids & the Great Sphinx
    Our adventure begins with a drive to ancient Memphis, once a thriving metropolis and capital of the Old Kingdom. Here, we view the legendary step pyramid of the Third Egyptian Dynasty in Saqqara, the world’s oldest stone complex. Later, gaze upon some of Egypt’s most mysterious and famous monuments during a visit to the Giza Necropolis. Marvel at the remarkable Great Pyramid, the oldest and largest of the pyramids, and the only surviving structure of the remaining Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We also see the iconic Great Sphinx of Giza, dating back to 26th century BC. Afterwards, we return to our hotel in Cairo.

    Meals Included: Breakfast

  • Day 5: Cairo Sightseeing
    We embark on a guided tour of Cairo today, nestled along the longest river in the world, the Nile. This ancient city boasts countless legendary sites, including the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Khan el Khalili Bazar, and the Citadel of Cairo, featuring the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. We also visit Old Cairo, the historic part of the city that holds origin stories of days as a Roman-era fortress called Fort Babylon and an Islamic-era settlement, both pre-dating the city’s founding in 969 AD. The evening is at your leisure.

    Meals Included: Breakfast

  • Day 6: Karnak & Luxor Temples
    Our journey continues with a southbound flight to Luxor this morning, where the Tulip awaits. Enjoy beautiful staterooms with French balconies and all meals included on board as we cruise the Nile River for four mesmerizing nights. Our first stop is Karnak, the world’s largest temple complex consisting of ancient pylons, temples, and chapels that once served as a palace for the New Kingdom pharaohs. We also visit Luxor Temple, built around 14th century BC and used as a fortress during the Roman Empire. Originally dedicated to the mother goddess of Mut, the temple turned into a Tetrarchy cult chapel before becoming a church.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 7: Valley of the Kings
    Today, we cross the Nile to the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank of Luxor. Marvel at the mountain-cut tombs built for the powerful pharaohs and nobles, once filled with riches to accompany them in the afterlife. We then visit the stunning Hatshepsut Temple, a mortuary temple dedicated to the longest-ruling female of Ancient Egypt. Later, our ship cruises to Esna and crosses the lock for our overnight. While here, admire the Temple of Khnum, dedicated to the ram-headed god and “the source” of the Nile, the river that brings life to the sprawling Egyptian desert.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 8: Edfu & Kom Ombo
    We dock in Edfu this morning and enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride to its namesake temple. Dedicated to the falcon-headed god and one of the most important deities, Horus, this well-preserved monument is Egypt’s best example of a Ptolemaic temple building. Afterwards, we cruise to the ancient agricultural city of Kom Ombo and have the rest of the day at leisure. Soak up relaxation on the ship or explore nearby attractions, such as the Crocodile Museum for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the mummified crocodiles found in the local temple.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 9: Kom Ombo Temple & Aswan
    Our morning begins at the Kom Ombo Temple, an iconic double temple built during the Ptolemaic dynasty. Its two identical entrances are dedicated to different gods: Horus and Sobek, the local crocodile-headed god known for fertility and as a repairer of evil in the world. Next, we sail to the High Dam, a massive embankment dam and impressive engineering feat. We also explore the largest known ancient obelisk, the Unfinished Obelisk, at Aswan’s stone quarry. Our day concludes with a trip to Philae Temple, an island-based complex within the century-old Low Dam’s reservoir and the last temple built in classical Egyptian style.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 10: Kitchener’s Island
    Today, we disembark our cruise ship in Aswan and relax on a felucca, a traditional Egyptian wooden sailboat. Take in scenic vistas as we sail around Kitchener’s Island, known for its exotic birds and plants. After lunch at a local restaurant, a flight brings us back to Cairo. We check in to the beautiful Le Meridien Cairo Airport Hotel, then gather to celebrate our incredible Egyptian vacation during a Farewell Social Hour.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Day 11: Fly Home
    We return home with spectacular memories of our time in Egypt.

What's Included

All Accommodations

  • 1 night in an East Coast city (before flying to Egypt)
  • 3 nights at Cairo Sheraton Hotel
  • aboard the Tulip
  • 1 night at Le-Meridian Airport Hotel

Attractions & Highlights

  • Welcome Drink in Cairo
  • Giza Necropolis feat. the Pyramids & Great Sphinx
  • Memphis feat. Saqqara's Step Pyramid of Djoser
  • Cairo guided city tour feat. National Museum of Egyptian Civilization & Citadel of Cairo’s Mosque of Muhammad Ali
  • Ports of call: Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo & Aswan
  • Temples of Karnak, Luxor, Khnum, Edfu & Kom Ombo
  • Valley of the Kings
  • Aswan High Dam & Old Dam feat. Philae temple complex
  • Sail by felucca around Kitchener’s Island
  • Daily guided tours with private Egyptologist

16 Excellent Meals

  • 12 included meals aboard the Tulip
  • Farewell Social Hour in Cairo

Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.