Egyptian gems: Siwa, Nile cruise & desert

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.*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.Please note: Timings may change slightly due to factors like internal flights, cruises, traffic, or other logistical reasons. The order of excursions and visits may also vary. However, all planned activities will be carried out, and we’ll do our best to keep everything on track. Your guide will keep you updated along the way.You will have the option to add early check-in on arrival in the next step of the booking process. To guarantee optional services, we recommend that you add them to your current booking, as they are subject to availability.

Touch down in Cairo and transfer to the hotel. Once you've settled in, the remainder of the day is free for you 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.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, leave early for Alexandria, the second largest city in Egypt, also known as the “Pearl of the Mediterranean”. Founded around 331 B.C. by Alexander the Great, it was an important cultural center during the Hellenistic, Ptolemaic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. It was home to the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria and the famous Library of Alexandria.Upon arrival, take a panoramic tour of the Qaitbey Fortress and the Corniche, with visits to the main city highlights, such as the Catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar, and the New Library of Alexandria.After lunch at a restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean, you’ll have free time to explore. Then transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Alexandria.Distance covered today: 205 miles, approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, head toward El Alamein, the site of intense battles fought between October 23 and November 4, 1942. El Alamein marked the turning point of the North African campaign during World War II. Here, the German and the Italian armies suffered a major defeat, abandoning tanks, vehicles, weapons, and even uniforms, many of which are now preserved in a unique museum.After visiting the museum, continue to the Siwa Oasis. Arriving in the afternoon, you’ll visit Shali, a remarkable village made up of mud-brick houses, offering a fascinating glimpse into desert life. As you stroll through its streets, you can discover Berber handicraft shops and local textiles.Transfer to the hotel for check-in and dinner. Overnight stay in Siwa.

Breakfast at the hotel. The desert adventure begins! During the tour through the Siwa Oasis, you’ll experience everyday scenes of local life, such as the harvesting of dates and olives. Visit the Cleopatra Pool, one of the many natural springs in the area. Legend has it that the famous queen bathed here to preserve her incomparable beauty.Next, you’ll head to the famous salt lakes, where you can enjoy the unique experience of floating in their crystal-clear saline waters.In the afternoon, set off in 4x4 vehicles into the desert sands. The driver will take you deep into the Western Desert, driving between dunes for breathtaking views of the Sahara Desert. Stop to see marine fossils, remnants of life that existed here millions of years ago when the region lay beneath the sea.You’ll also enjoy a cup of traditional Bedouin tea prepared over an open fire and have the chance to try sandboarding (sliding down the dunes on special boards similar to snowboards) before returning to the hotel for dinner. Overnight stay in Siwa.

Breakfast at the hotel. In ancient times, the Siwa Oasis was home to the Oracle of Amun (Zeus Amun), renowned in Herodotus's era and consulted by Alexander the Great. Visit the ruins of the temple, which preserve inscriptions dating back to the 4th century B.C., as well as the nearby Temple of Umm Beda (or Um Ebeida).Afterward, begin your return journey from Siwa to Cairo. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Cairo.Distance covered today: 460 miles, approximately 12 hours. 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!

Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the Egyptian capital today with a guided tour of Cairo's most iconic sights. Start at the Giza Plateau, home to the legendary Great Pyramids—constructed over 4,500 years ago and recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World! Explore these architectural marvels and uncover their fascinating history as you walk in the footsteps of the pharaohs. Continue to the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple to reveal more secrets of Ancient Egypt. In the afternoon, visit the world-renowned Egyptian Museum, which houses the largest collection of jewels, relics, and statues from the golden age of the pharaohs. Afterwards, take a stroll through the vibrant Khan el-Khalili neighborhood, home to the city's largest and most famous bazaar*. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. We recommend ending the day with an optional evening tour of Cairo, complete with dinner**. Overnight stay in Cairo. 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! *Depending on the day of arrival at the destination, the bazaar activity may need to be rescheduled for another time. Please note: as of 07/01/2027, the El Khalili Bazaar and the Old Museum will no longer be included in the travel itinerary. **Optional Cairo by Night: Take a scenic walk through some of Cairo’s most beautiful spots, including Tahrir Square, Zamalek, Cairo Tower, and the Opera House, before heading to a traditional Egyptian restaurant for a delicious dinner. Finish the evening with a visit to the famous Mirror Café. Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the Egyptian capital today with a guided tour of Cairo's most iconic sights. Start at the Giza Plateau, home to the legendary Great Pyramids—constructed over 4,500 years ago and recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World! Explore these architectural marvels and uncover their fascinating history as you walk in the footsteps of the pharaohs. Continue to the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple to reveal more secrets of Ancient Egypt. In the afternoon, visit the world-renowned Egyptian Museum, which houses the largest collection of jewels, relics, and statues from the golden age of the pharaohs. Afterwards, take a stroll through the vibrant Khan el-Khalili neighborhood, home to the city's largest and most famous bazaar*. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. We recommend ending the day with an optional evening tour of Cairo, complete with dinner**. Overnight stay in Cairo. 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! *Depending on the day of arrival at the destination, the bazaar activity may need to be rescheduled for another time. Please note: as of 07/01/2027, the El Khalili Bazaar and the Old Museum will no longer be included in the travel itinerary. **Optional Cairo by Night: Take a scenic walk through some of Cairo’s most beautiful spots, including Tahrir Square, Zamalek, Cairo Tower, and the Opera House, before heading to a traditional Egyptian restaurant for a delicious dinner. Finish the evening with a visit to the famous Mirror Café. Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the Egyptian capital today with a guided tour of Cairo's most iconic sights. Start at the Giza Plateau, home to the legendary Great Pyramids—constructed over 4,500 years ago and recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World! Explore these architectural marvels and uncover their fascinating history as you walk in the footsteps of the pharaohs. Continue to the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple to reveal more secrets of Ancient Egypt. In the afternoon, visit the world-renowned Egyptian Museum, which houses the largest collection of jewels, relics, and statues from the golden age of the pharaohs. Afterwards, take a stroll through the vibrant Khan el-Khalili neighborhood, home to the city's largest and most famous bazaar*. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. We recommend ending the day with an optional evening tour of Cairo, complete with dinner**. Overnight stay in Cairo.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! *Depending on the day of arrival at the destination, the bazaar activity may need to be rescheduled for another time. Please note: as of 07/01/2027, the El Khalili Bazaar and the Old Museum will no longer be included in the travel itinerary. **Optional Cairo by Night: Take a scenic walk through some of Cairo’s most beautiful spots, including Tahrir Square, Zamalek, Cairo Tower, and the Opera House, before heading to a traditional Egyptian restaurant for a delicious dinner. Finish the evening with a visit to the famous Mirror Café.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, transfer to the airport for an early short flight to Aswan, a city on the Nile River renowned for its importance in Ancient Egyptian history. Upon arrival, embark on a guided city tour starting with the Aswan Dam. Continue to the Granite Quarry, home to the famous unfinished obelisk, and then visit the impressive High Dam of Aswan. Next, transfer to the port to board your Nile cruise ship, your home for the next three nights. Settle into your cabin and take in the stunning river views. Enjoy lunch on board, and in the afternoon, embark on a relaxing cruise aboard a traditional felucca to admire the scenic beauty of the Nile and its famous cataracts. Watch life unfold along the riverbanks as you sail. Dinner and overnight on board.Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, transfer to the airport for an early short flight to Aswan, a city on the Nile River renowned for its importance in Ancient Egyptian history. Upon arrival, embark on a guided city tour starting with the Aswan Dam. Continue to the Granite Quarry, home to the famous unfinished obelisk, and then visit the impressive High Dam of Aswan. Next, transfer to the port to board your Nile cruise ship, your home for the next three nights. Settle into your cabin and take in the stunning river views. Enjoy lunch on board, and in the afternoon, embark on a relaxing cruise aboard a traditional felucca to admire the scenic beauty of the Nile and its famous cataracts. Watch life unfold along the riverbanks as you sail. Dinner and overnight on board.