Egypt Explorer with Nile Cruise

Touch down in Cairo and kick things off with a welcome mocktail alongside your Travel Director and fellow travellers. Settle into your hotel, swap first impressions and take in the city’s unmistakable buzz. Outside, traffic hums, minarets rise above the rooftops and the Nile cuts through a capital where ancient history and everyday life sit side by side. Tonight is all about getting comfortable, meeting your crew and getting excited for pyramids, temples and plenty of big Egypt moments still to come.

Start your day ticking off bucket-list musts with a visit to the mighty Pyramids of Giza and the mysterious Sphinx. Later, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at a local carpet weaving workshop—supporting traditional craftmanship and community livelihoods. This afternoon is yours to explore more of Cairo or dive deeper into Egypt’s ancient past with a Choice Experience at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Snap a selfie beneath the Hanging Obelisk, come face-to-face with the towering statue of Ramses II in the Grand Hall, and explore Tutankhamun’s gold sandals, coffins and jewellery. Tonight, board your sleeper train to Aswan and drift off as the Nile rolls gently by.

• Great Pyramids of Giza Tour
• Carpet Weaving Workshop

Wake up as your overnight train rolls into Aswan — welcome to Egypt’s laid-back southern charm. Start the day with a visit to the mighty High Dam, followed by a trip to the beautiful island of Philae, where the Temple of Isis tells tales of love and resilience. Later, enjoy a breezy felucca ride, soaking up river views and glimpses of Nubian life along the Nile. This evening, step aboard your Nile cruise and settle into life on the water. Want to see more? Join a Choice Experience to watch the Philae Temple come alive in a spectacular Sound and Light Show under the stars.

• Visit the Temple of Isis
• Sail the Nile on a Felucca
• Luxury Nile Cruise

Today’s all about choosing your own adventure. Fancy a deep dive into local life? Join a Choice Experience and explore Aswan’s colourful bazaar with a Local Guide — perfect for picking up unique finds and mastering the art of the deal. Or go big with an unforgettable trip to Abu Simbel, where colossal statues and temple walls tell tales of ancient power. Later, it’s back to the river as your Nile cruise sets sail once more. Drift towards Kom Ombo and step ashore to explore the twin temples dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god and Horus, the falcon. A little mystery, a little mythology — and a lot to write home about.

• Kom Ombo Tour

Cruise through the Esna Lock this morning and drift into Luxor — once the stomping ground of mighty pharaohs. After a chilled lunch onboard, get ready to be wowed by Karnak Temple. Its huge structure is packed with sky-high columns and stories carved in stone. The rest of the day? Totally up to you with these Choice Experiences. Want to keep the temple vibes going? Check out the Karnak Sound and Light Show — it’s all drama, gods and glowing ruins. Prefer your history? The Luxor Museum is full of ancient treasures and even a couple of royal mummies too. Whatever you’re into, Luxor delivers the goods with a big dose of wow.

• Karnak Temple Visit

Fuel up with breakfast on board, then say goodbye to your Nile cruise as you head off to uncover more ancient wonders. First stop, the Valley of the Kings — home to the tombs of pharaohs, legends and a whole lot of gold. Next, marvel at the striking Temple of Hatshepsut, Egypt’s powerhouse female ruler, before snapping a pic at the towering Colossi of Memnon. After a morning of unforgettable sights, you’ll board a short flight back to Cairo, where your comfy hotel awaits. A day of big moments, with more to come.

• Visit the Valley of the Kings
• Luxor to Cairo Flight

With a full free day in Cairo, how you spend it is totally up to you. Go souvenir hunting in the bazaar, sip a strong local coffee, or soak up the street life at your own pace. Want to see more? Take your pick from a range of Choice Experiences. Head out of town on a guided trip to Alexandria packed with coastal views and history, or stay closer to home with a guided Cairo City Tour — perfect for ticking off hidden gems, historic sites and colourful neighbourhoods. Or dive into the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, where royal mummies and ancient treasures await. This evening, there’s one more Choice Experience on offer: a Nile dinner cruise with tasty local dishes, belly dancing and city lights to send you off in style.

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Cairo and head for home — bags packed, camera full and memories to match.