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Day 1
Arrival in Cairo
Welcome and assistance by the local tour coordinator at Cairo airport in the arrival hall.
Visa Purchase: your travel coordinator will help you to get your visa stamps upon your arrival.
Transfer to your hotel.
A vibrant, exhilarating, exotic, fascinating and welcoming city. Home to the best Pharaonic, Coptic and Islamic sights in Egypt, this city is where you never know what incredible, half-forgotten monument you might stumble across while wandering around. Visit the capital's medieval markets at Khan El-Khalili or walk down the Nile promenade. There are also plenty of cinemas, theatres and modern malls. Go for an opera or enjoy oriental music dance shows. Good for short breaks and long stays; you’ll get to see the Giza Pyramids, thousands of ancient artifacts in the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and much more.
Overnight in Cairo.
Tour options & excursions available
Entry ticket to Khufu Pyramid at Giza Plateau
Price: contact us
Hotel: Flamenco Zamalek / Jaz Pyramids (or similar) -
Day 2
Cairo
Great Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure for your full day tour to Giza & Sphinx.
The Great Pyramids of Giza are the only present-day survivors of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, built over 4,500 years ago as giant tombs for the mummies of the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, who were father, son and grandson respectively. The pyramids are truly monumental in scale, with the largest - Khufu's - constructed from over two million stone blocks. Optional entry into Cheops Pyramid for a glimpse of the interior structure. Nearby sits the enigmatic Sphinx with the body of a lion and the face of a man wearing a royal head cloth, which workers may have based on King Khafre to guard his enormous funerary monument. This story of the Sphinx is told on the 'Dream Stela' that was placed between the Sphinx's paws by King Tuthmoses IV.
Lunch at a local restaurant
Transfer back to the hotel.
Dinner under your own arrangements.
Overnight in Cairo.
Tour options & excursions available
Sakkara complex, Pepi II Pyramid and Kagemni tomb: Continue to Sakkara and explore the step pyramid, Pepi II Pyramid & Kagemni Tomb. Sakkara Pyramid is the oldest important stone building in Egypt. With your private guide, continue to Pepi II Pyramid, one of the last major pyramids built in Egypt's pyramid age. Pepi II was one of Egypt's longest-reigning pharaohs, ruling for over 90 years. Descending to Kagemni Tomb, belonging to a high-ranking official, who served under Pharaoh Teti of the Sixth Dynasty, you will discover the well-preserved wall paintings and reliefs depicting scenes of daily life, agriculture, and religious ceremonies of ancient Egypt.
Price: contact us
Cairo by Night with Food Tour: Experience the enchanting allure of Cairo by night with an immersive food tour. Traverse the bustling streets under the stars, delving into the vibrant tapestry of Egyptian cuisine and indulge in a sensory journey through local delicacies, while soaking in the city's illuminated landmarks and lively atmosphere. Discover the hidden gems of Cairo's culinary scene as you savor every bite against the backdrop of its rich cultural heritage.
Price: contact us
Hotel: Flamenco Zamalek / Jaz Pyramids (or similar) -
Day 3
Cairo
Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo & Bazar
Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel to start your tour.
Tour 7,000 years of history at the Egyptian museum, home to the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the world.
Continue to the Citadel, a medieval fortress perched high on limestone hills above Cairo, which was built in 1176 to protect the city from crusaders.
Continue to the Mosque of Sultan Hassan, completed in 1363, is one of the finest in Egypt and houses the mausoleum where Sultan Hassan's sons are buried. The more recent Refaie Mosque, which was completed in 1912, has well-preserved, colorful decoration.
Lunch at local restaurant.
Finally, visit the fascinating Khan El-Khalili Bazaar is reputed to be the largest bazaar in the Middle East. Originally founded as a watering stop for caravanserai in the 14th century, the bazaar has now grown to vast proportions. Wander through the labyrinth of narrow streets to find workshops and stalls selling anything from woodwork and glassware to leather goods and perfumes.
Optional: Visit to the citadel complex houses various mosques and museums, including the National Military Museum.
With its grand, soaring architecture and rich decoration.
Transfer back to the hotel.
Dinner under your own arrangements.
Overnight in Cairo.
Tour options & excursions available
Citadel and Alabaster mosque Price: contact us
Sound & Light Pyramids Price: contact us
Grand Egyptian Museum Price: contact us
Hotel: Flamenco Zamalek / Jaz Pyramids (or similar) -
Day 4
Cairo - Luxor
Temples of Luxor
Your Tour Coordinator will escort you to Cairo Domestic Airport for the domestic flight to Luxor.
Meet and assist at Luxor Airport, transfer to your cruise boat and meet with your local guide.
After breakfast on board, begin your tour with a visit to the Temple of Luxor, which was once connected to Karnak via the Avenue of Sphinxes, almost 3 kilometres in length. Built by Amenhotep III in 1380 BC, the site was added to by later pharaohs. The temple enjoyed many celebrations, the most important being the Festival of Opet which lasted almost a month.
Lunch and afternoon tea.
Dinner and overnight on board.
Tour options & excursions available
Entry ticket to King Seti I tomb at the Valley of the Kings Price: Contact us
Sound and Light at Karnak including roundtrip transfers Price: Contact us
Entry ticket to Tutankhamon tomb at the Valley of the Kings Price: Contact us
Entry ticket to Ramses VI tomb at the Valley of the Kings Price: Contact us
Karnak Temples (ask your Guide for your free bike ride by the Temple!): Continue to the Karnak Temple, the 62-acre Temple of Karnak was dedicated to the god Amun. The great “Hypostyle Hall” alone is a veritable forest of giant pillars rising 23 meters toward the sky. At the “Sacred Lake,” priests purified themselves in the waters before performing rites at the temple. At the height of its glory, Karnak Temple collected annual tribute from over 65 cities in the region. Price: contact us
Hotel: Jaz Monarch Nile Cruise (or similar) -
Day 5
Luxor - Esna
Valley of the Kings, Colossi of Memnon Luxor
Once an Ancient Egyptian capital, Luxor is known today as the world's "greatest open-air museum. Luxor is divided by the Nile into two areas commonly called the East Bank and West Bank, which were considered in Ancient Egyptian times as symbolizing Life and Death.
Departure to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings, where New Kingdom pharaohs were buried in hidden tombs which have maintained their richly painted hues and were filled with treasures for use in the afterlife. Continue to the famed Colossi of Memnon, two immense statues of Amenhotep III which, in Pharaonic times, guarded the entrance to his once great temple known in Ancient Greek times for their haunting voices at dawn.
Lunch and afternoon tea.
Return to the ship for lunch and departure to Esna, pass through the lock and continue cruising to Edfu.
Dinner and overnight on board.
Tour options & excursions available
Hot air Balloon including roundtrip transfers: Early morning Hot air balloon flight from the desert for a bird’s eye view on the Nile and its surrounding fertile land.
Price : contact us
Hatshepsut Temple at Luxor West Bank: Hatshepsut Temple. The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt’s only female pharaoh, rises out of the desert in a series of brilliant white terraces set against limestone cliffs. The temple was an important religious and funerary site, dedicated to the cults of Hathor, the cow goddess of beauty and love, and Anubis, god of the dead and mummification.
Price: contact us
Hotel: Jaz Monarch Nile Cruise (or similar) -
Day 6
Kom Ombo
Temple of Kom-Ombo
Return to the ship for lunch and departure to Kom-Ombo.
Visit the Temple of Kom-Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile-god Sobek. The temple stands at a bend in the Nile where in ancient times sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank.
Later, afternoon tea is served in the lounge of the ship.
Tonight's dinner on board is an Egyptian Night costume party for all guests, with a chance to dress up in traditional Egyptian galabeyya. Dinner is a lavish buffet of Egyptian specialties.
Overnight on board.
Tour options & excursions available
Edfu Temple: Temple of Edfu. After breakfast, explore the Temple where you will have the opportunity to discover the largest and most completely preserved Pharaonic – albeit Greek-built – temple in Egypt, the extraordinary Temple of Horus, Ancient Egypt’s falcon god. According to Pharaonic legend, Hathor of Dendara was Horus’ consort; their annual ritual marriage constituted one of the most important celebrations in the city.
Price: contact us
Hotel: Jaz Monarch Nile Cruise (or similar) -
Day 7
Aswan
Philae Temple, High Dam and unfinished Obelisck
A breakfast buffet is served on board and the morning is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Enjoy lunch on board,
Take a short motorboat ride to visit the Temple of Philae, built in honour of Isis, one of the great mother goddesses of Ancient Egypt. This beautiful temple was moved, with the help of UNESCO, to its present location on Agilka Island to save it from the rising waters caused by the construction of the High Dam. Its construction in the 1960’s was somewhat controversial due to the loss of Nubian villages and temples which now lie under Lake Nasser, the world’s largest artificial lake. However, the resulting electricity generated by the dam supplies the whole of Egypt.
You will also stop at the stone quarries to see the Unfinished Obelisk, the largest known ancient obelisk. Here, listen to your guide as they explain the methods used by ancient craftsmen to create impressive moments and see marks from workers' tools, which are still clearly visible on the bedrock.
Afternoon tea is served on board and your farewell dinner is a gala dinner.
A folkloric show and a Whirling Dervish show follow.
Overnight on board.
Tour options & excursions available
Sound and light at Philae temple including roundtrip transfers: The Sound and light will bring the temple to life, and combines historical narration, music, and dynamic lighting to bring the temple's history and significance to life for visitors.
Price: contact us
Hotel: Jaz Monarch Nile Cruise (or similar) -
Day 8
Return
A buffet breakfast is served on board, before check-out.
Optional: Excursion to Abu Simbel
Early morning transfer to Abu Simbel by road (3 hours one way) or by flight (flight duration 45 minutes one way)
As you approach the entrance to Abu Simbel temple notice the four enormous statues of Pharaoh Ramses II that look out over Lake Nasser, which are carved from one piece of rock. The temple is dedicated to the god Ra-Hurakhti and was built by Ramses II during the 13th century BC. The walls inside depict the pharaoh in his various exploits and next door is the temple that Ramses dedicated to his favorite wife, Nefertari.
Transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to Aswan Airport.
Board your flight for departure.
Tour options & excursions available
Abu Simbel by road: Abu Simbel by road (3 hours one way).
Price: contact us
Abu Simbel by flight: Abu Simbel by flight (flight duration 45 minutes one way).
Price: contact us
Domestic flights Cairo – Luxor / Aswan – Cairo
Price: contact us
Hotel: None.
Included
7 nights accommodation: 3 nights in Cairo on bed and breakfast and 4 nights on the cruise boat in full board​
Airport transfers in modern Air-conditioned vehicle with service of Tour coordinator escorting clients from each point to the next destination​
All tours as described in the program with shared English-speaking Egyptologist guide
All the admissions for the sightseeing stated in the program​
Lunches in Cairo in local restaurants
All applicable local taxes
Exclusions
International and domestic Flights​
Entry visa to Egypt​
Any beverages and meals not mentioned within the program
All gratuities & tips during the trip​ (see note below)
Camera ticket at sites as required​​
Traveling to Egypt
General Overview
A land of legends and one of the greatest cradles of civilization, Egypt has fascinated travelers for thousands of years. Long before modern tourism existed, Greeks and Romans were already journeying along the Nile to marvel at temples, tombs and monuments left behind by a civilization that spanned more than two millennia. Even today, Egypt continues to inspire awe through the sheer scale of its history, the power of its landscapes and the timeless presence of the Nile.
From the monumental pyramids to the bustling souks, Egypt is a country of contrasts. Ancient wonders coexist with vibrant daily life, where tea is shared on café terraces, shisha smoke drifts through narrow streets, and mosques rise beside crowded neighborhoods. Figures such as Tutankhamun, Cleopatra and Alexander the Great continue to fuel the imagination, while colossal statues, papyrus-like columns and richly decorated tombs bring the past vividly to life. Egypt is not a country to simply observe—it is a country to experience, to understand through its people, and to feel through its rhythm.
Cairo
Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is the most populous city in Africa. At first glance, it can feel overwhelming—noisy, chaotic, polluted and intense. Yet beneath this apparent disorder lies a magnetic energy that draws travelers in. Cairo has a soul, an indefinable charm that slowly reveals itself to those willing to explore.
The city is home to some of Egypt’s greatest treasures: the Egyptian Museum, the pyramids of Giza, the vast necropolis of Saqqara and the winding streets of Islamic Cairo. Often the first stop on a journey through Egypt, Cairo serves as an initiation into the country’s culture—both ancient and modern—before travelers continue south along the Nile.
The Sphinx
Standing guard east of the Pyramid of Khafre for over 4,500 years, the Great Sphinx of Giza remains one of Egypt’s most enigmatic monuments. Carved directly from limestone, this colossal figure—73 meters long and 20 meters high—faces the rising sun and watches over the Giza necropolis. Its missing nose, often the subject of myths, was damaged long after antiquity, likely during the Mamluk period. Timeless and mysterious, the Sphinx continues to inspire fascination and debate.
The Pyramids of Giza
The pyramids of Giza are among the most powerful symbols of human achievement. Built more than 4,500 years ago, the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure remain an architectural and archaeological mystery. Admired by travelers since antiquity, they represent the oldest major tourist site on Earth and stand as a testament to the ingenuity of ancient Egypt.
Aswan
Aswan marks the southern gateway to Egypt and forms a natural bridge between Nubia and Africa. The city is known for its relaxed atmosphere, warm hospitality and striking Nile scenery. Visitors can explore the colorful souk, visit the exceptional Nubia Museum, or take a boat to Elephantine Island, home to Nubian villages and archaeological remains.
Nearby lies the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis, beautifully relocated to protect it from rising waters. Aswan is also a starting point for felucca rides on the Nile, offering unforgettable moments of calm and beauty.
Edfu
Located on the west bank of the Nile in Upper Egypt, Edfu is famous for its remarkably preserved Temple of Horus. Built during the Ptolemaic period, this monumental sanctuary dedicated to the falcon god impresses with its massive pylons, towering walls and detailed reliefs depicting ancient rituals. It is one of the finest surviving examples of a classical Egyptian temple.
Luxor
Once the ancient city of Thebes, Luxor is often described as the world’s greatest open-air museum. Situated along the Nile, it was the glorious capital of Pharaonic Egypt for centuries. Today, Luxor rivals Cairo as Egypt’s most visited destination.
The temples of Karnak and Luxor are monumental in scale and breathtaking in detail. Across the river on the West Bank, visitors can explore the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and countless tombs and temples. Felucca rides at sunset complete an experience that feels both timeless and deeply moving.
Kom Ombo
Located between Luxor and Aswan, Kom Ombo is unique for its double temple dedicated to two gods: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. Perfectly symmetrical, the temple reflects duality in its architecture and reliefs. Overlooking the Nile, it is one of the most striking and well-preserved temples in Egypt.
Abu Simbel
Near Lake Nasser, close to the Sudanese border, Abu Simbel is one of Egypt’s most extraordinary sites. The twin temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari were carved directly into a mountainside. During the construction of the Aswan High Dam, the temples were dismantled and rebuilt 64 meters higher to save them from submersion—an engineering feat as impressive as the monuments themselves.
Valley of the Kings
Hidden in the hills near Luxor, the Valley of the Kings served as the burial ground for Egypt’s New Kingdom pharaohs. Tombs here include that of Tutankhamun and rulers from the 18th, 19th and 20th dynasties. Decorated with vibrant wall paintings, the tombs reveal ancient beliefs about the afterlife and royal power.
Deir el-Bahari
Set dramatically against a cliff face, the funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari is a masterpiece of ancient architecture. Built into the rock with three ascending terraces, it honors one of Egypt’s most powerful female rulers and blends harmoniously with its natural surroundings.
The Nile
Flowing north through the heart of Egypt, the Nile is one of the longest rivers in the world and the lifeblood of the country. Along its fertile banks, Egyptian civilization was born. Today, cruise ships and traditional feluccas glide between Luxor and Aswan, offering travelers a unique perspective on Egypt’s landscapes and monuments.
Colossi of Memnon
Standing before the ruins of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III on Luxor’s West Bank, the Colossi of Memnon are two towering statues that have watched over the Nile plain for millennia. Though much of the temple has been lost, ongoing excavations continue to reveal new discoveries.
Did You Know…
Obelisks were carved from a single block of stone and transported to the Nile using sleds pulled by thousands of workers. Contrary to popular legend, the Sphinx’s nose was not destroyed by Napoleon’s troops. In ancient Egypt, cats were sacred animals, and harming one—even accidentally—was punishable by death.
Practical Information
Egypt is seven hours ahead of Montreal. The local currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP), and cash remains widely used. ATMs are common in cities, and Visa and MasterCard are accepted for withdrawals, though not always for ticket purchases at tourist sites. Small change is essential for daily transactions and tipping.
Electricity runs on 220 volts, similar to Europe. Arabic is the official language, with Egyptian Arabic spoken daily.
Cuisine
Egyptian cuisine reflects a blend of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and North African influences. Meals are often shared mezze-style, with multiple dishes placed on the table. Staples include foul (stewed fava beans), koshary, taameyya (Egyptian falafel), stuffed vine leaves, grilled meats and rich soups such as molokhia.
Fresh juices, herbal teas, Turkish-style coffee and sweet mint tea are widely enjoyed. Local beer and wine are available, though alcohol availability may vary during religious periods.
Shopping and Souvenirs
Traditional craftsmanship remains vibrant in Egypt. Souks offer jewelry, spices, papyrus, alabaster, copperware, textiles, carpets and blown glass. Bargaining is part of the culture and should be approached with patience and good humor.
Religion and Culture
Around 90% of Egyptians are Muslim, primarily Sunni, while most Christians belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church. Religion plays a visible role in daily life, and visitors are encouraged to dress respectfully, especially in religious sites.
Safety and Health
Egypt is generally safe for travelers who exercise standard precautions. It is advisable to drink bottled water, avoid ice cubes and consult a travel health clinic before departure. The Canadian Embassy is located in Cairo.
Final Thought
Egypt is not simply a destination—it is a journey through time. From the grandeur of its monuments to the warmth of its people, every moment leaves a lasting impression. Long after returning home, the magic of Egypt continues to resonate.
Rihla sa‘ida — Enjoy your trip.
Name: Magic of Egypt
Brand: tripcentral tours
Quality: First Class
Tour Type: Escorted
Start City: Cairo
End City: Aswan
Vacation Overview:
Highlights :
Full day excursion Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo & Bazaar
Full day excursion Pyramids/Sphinx
4 Nights cruise including valley of the kings, Luxor Temple, Kom-Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, High-Dam and unfinished Obelisc.
