10 days egypt nile cruise white desert adventure

Upon your arrival at Cairo International Airport, an Egypt Tour Packages representative will warmly meet and assist you. You'll then be transferred to your hotel in Giza by a private air-conditioned vehicle. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have an early arrival, in which case we can suggest an optional tour. Enjoy a free evening to relax and prepare for your adventure.

Overnight: Hotel in Giza

Meals: No Meals

Your private tour guide will pick you up from your Giza hotel for an unforgettable day exploring the iconic Pyramids of Giza . Start with the Great Pyramid of Giza (Pyramid of Khufu), the oldest and largest, and the only remaining wonder of the Ancient World. Learn about its construction and history, with an option to visit the burial chamber (extra ticket).

Continue to the Pyramids of Chephren (Khafre) and Mykerinus , enjoying a panoramic view of all three. Get up close to the Great Sphinx, the legendary guardian with a lion's body and the head of King Chephren, and visit the Valley Temple .

After a morning of awe-inspiring sights, savor a delicious Egyptian lunch. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the fabulous Grand Egyptian Museum, home to the world's largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities. Marvel at the colossal Statue of Ramses II and the complete King Tutankhamun collection. Your tour concludes after approximately 8 hours, with a transfer back to your hotel.

Overnight: Hotel in Giza

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

At 06:00 am, depart from your hotel in Giza for a scenic 4-hour drive to Bahariya Oasis , approximately 350 km east of Cairo, with stops for comfort and coffee. Upon arrival around 10:00 am, switch to a 4x4 Jeep and venture into the unique Black Desert.

Lunch will be served in the tranquil El Haize oasis around 12:00 pm. Afterward, drive to the captivating Valley of Agabat. By 3:00 pm, you'll arrive, ready to experience the otherworldly beauty of this area, once an ancient seabed, now featuring unique limestone and chalk formations.

At 4:30 pm, explore the renowned White Desert National Park, Egypt's most famous desert destination. As evening approaches, set up tents and witness a spectacular desert sunset. Around 7:30 pm, as the sky transforms with fiery hues, enjoy the profound silence and a simple yet incredibly delicious BBQ dinner of chicken, rice, and vegetables, prepared by our Bedouin staff. Spend the night camping under a canopy of stars.

Overnight: Camping in the White Desert

Meals: Breakfast (hotel), Picnic Lunch, BBQ Dinner + All Drinks

Wake up to a breathtaking desert sunrise at 06:00 am. After breakfast in the White Desert, drive to Farafra Oasis. Here, you'll visit Badr's Museum, an intriguing mud-brick structure built by local artist Badr, showcasing taxidermy, sculpture, and paintings. Explore Al Qasr (Farafra Fortress), a historic walled city that once served as a refuge from invaders for the villagers.

Later, experience the therapeutic warmth of Bir Sitta (Well 7), a natural hot spring in the desert, perfect for a relaxing soak while stargazing. Afterward, embark on a 300 km drive to Dakhla Oasis, a lush green haven.

Overnight: Hotel in Dakhla

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today, you'll be picked up from your hotel in Dakhla to explore the captivating attractions of this sprawling agricultural oasis. Begin with the Necropolis of al-Muzawwaqa, located 37 km north of Mut village. This site boasts hundreds of Roman tombs, including two remarkably preserved painted ones from the first and second centuries, featuring exquisite full-color decorations that defy ancient conventions.

Next, visit Qila al-Dabba Necropolis and Ain Asil in the village of Balat, the former Old Kingdom capital of Al-Dakhla. This is the oldest excavated village of Ancient Egypt, containing well-preserved remains of a settlement and a monumental necropolis from the 6th Dynasty.

Conclude your day at Deir al-Hagar Temple, also known as the 'monastery of stones'. This Roman sandstone temple, located south of the cultivated area, was erected during the reigns of Nero, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian. It's dedicated to the Theban Triad (Amun, Mut, and Khonsu) and Seth, the god of the oasis, with falcon-headed representations and cartouches of Roman emperors.

Overnight: Hotel in Dakhla

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, depart from your hotel in Dakhla and drive to Kharga Oasis to explore its rich historical attractions. Your first stop is Hibis Temple, the largest and best-preserved temple in Al-Kharga, built over centuries during successive Dynastic, Persian, Ptolemaic, and Roman periods.

Continue to Al-Gheweta Temple, constructed atop the remains of a Pharaonic settlement during the Persian occupation. Next, visit the Temple of Kasr al-Zayan, built by the Greeks and dedicated to the town god Amun-Hibis.

Explore the Necropolis of al-Bagawat, one of the world's oldest Christian burial grounds, unique for combining Pharaonic and Christian burial practices. Discover Old Baris, an ancient important trading center along Darab Al-Arbain, known for exporting dates, rice, and fruit. Finally, visit the Temple of Dush, located southeast of Baris, providing insight into ancient trade routes to the Nile Valley.

Overnight: Hotel in Kharga

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Kharga before transferring to Aswan. Upon arrival, you will embark on your luxurious Nile Cruise. Settle in and enjoy lunch onboard as you prepare for an afternoon of exploration.

Your visits in Aswan include the magnificent Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, a masterpiece of classical Egyptian architecture. Discover the engineering marvel of the Aswan High Dam, a crucial structure for Egypt's modern history. Conclude with a visit to the Unfinished Obelisk in the Northern Quarries, offering valuable insights into ancient Egyptian quarrying techniques.

Later in the afternoon, embark on a serene felucca sailing trip around Elephantine Island, followed by a visit to the vibrant Nubian Village. Immerse yourself in the colorful, authentic culture and unique lifestyle of the Nubian people, a truly memorable experience.

Overnight: Onboard the Nile Cruise in Aswan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start your day with breakfast and lunch onboard the cruise. Today's highlight is a visit to the colossal Abu Simbel Temples. These two magnificent temples, carved out of the mountain on the west bank of the Nile between 1274 and 1244 BC, are dedicated to Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. Admire the four colossal statues of Ramses II and learn about the incredible UNESCO achievement of relocating these temples to higher ground.

Around 1:00 pm, sail to Kom Ombo. Upon arrival, visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, a unique double temple dedicated to the deities Sobek (the crocodile god) and Horus (the falcon-headed god). Dating mainly to the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, its symmetrical design is fascinating. Afterward, the cruise will sail to Edfu.

Overnight: Onboard the Nile Cruise in Edfu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy breakfast onboard your Nile Cruise. Around 8:00 am, take a traditional horse carriage ride to the well-preserved Edfu Temple, dedicated to the hawk-god Horus. This Ptolemaic temple offers incredible insights into ancient Egyptian religious drama and mythology, particularly the myth of Horus and Seth. You'll return to the cruise around 10:00 am.

Lunch will be served onboard. At 10:30 am, the cruise will sail to Luxor , passing through the fascinating Esna Lock. Arrive in Luxor around 1:00 pm and begin your exploration with a visit to the magnificent Luxor Temple. Largely built by Amenhotep III and completed by Tutankhamun and Ramses II, its grand pylons and courtyards tell tales of ancient military battles and divine worship.

An optional trip to the Sound and Light show at Karnak Temple is available this evening (40 USD per person).

Overnight: Onboard the Nile Cruise in Luxor

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Optional trip: For an unforgettable experience, embark on a hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings (100 USD per person). Witness the stunning sunrise illuminating Luxor 's ancient sites and surrounding mountains from a bird's-eye perspective.

After breakfast onboard, disembark from your Nile Cruise. Today, you will explore the West Bank of Luxor . Visit the legendary Valley of the Kings, the majestic burial ground of Pharaohs, where you can delve into several tombs (three tombs included in the entry ticket).

Continue to the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues of Amenhotep III, standing as guardians on the plain. Next, explore the elegant Temple of Queen Hatshepsut , a stunning terraced structure merging seamlessly with the Theban Mountain cliffs.

Finally, visit Karnak Temple, more than just a temple, it's a colossal complex of sanctuaries, pylons, and obelisks dedicated to the Theban gods and the glory of Egypt's Pharaohs. After an incredible journey through ancient Egypt, you will be transferred to Marsa Alam for your onward travel.

Meals: Breakfast