Taste of Egypt 2026 - 10 days from Cairo to Cairo

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Taste of Egypt 2026

10 days from Cairo to Cairo



Tour Description:

Join us for an adventure to ancient Egypt, as well as its modern enjoyments on a Nile River cruise for the ages. Arrive in Cairo and explore the pyramids and Sphinx of Giza. See the treasures of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in Cairo’s Egyptian Museum. (Note: upon its opening the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza will replace Cairo’s Egyptian Museum in this itinerary.) In Old Cairo, visit the Alabaster Mosque, situated on the summit of the Citadel. Visit Abu Serga Church built on the spot where the Holy Family stopped and rested towards the end of their journey to Egypt. Also see the 4th century Church of the Virgin Mary (called the Hanging Church), built on the remains of an old Roman Babylon fortress. These and more exciting discoveries are to be found as you see Egypt’s incredible monuments to pharaohs and gods of Egyptian history.

Fly to Luxor to embark on your Nile River cruise. You’ll visit the monument of Karnak with its ancient Avenue of the Sphinxes and the Temple of Amun-Ra as well as Luxor Temple. Visit the valley of Kings and Valley of Queens, where the pristine tomb of King Tutankhamun was found with undisturbed riches and splendor. This incredible cruise on the Nile River takes you to amazing ancient sites, including the Temple of Edfu, twin temples at Kom Ombo, devoted to the crocodile god Sobek-Ra and the falcon god Horus. Ponder the magnitude of the task of building the pyramids with a visit to the granite quarries—where an unfinished obelisk still remains. Visit the Temple of Isis, then take a return flight to Cairo to explore the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and its Hall of Mummies before a felucca ride on the Nile and the chance to browse the bustling maze of the endless bazaar in Cairo’s medieval alleys. Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime vacation tour in Cairo, expedition to Egypt’s ancient pyramids and temples, and a Nile River cruise you’ll never forget.

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Dates & Pricing



Destination & Sightseeing

Day 1 Cairo, Egypt: Welcome to Egypt
Day 2 Cairo: See the treasures of Tutankhamun’s Tomb in the Egyptian Museum; guided sightseeing, visit the Pyramids
Day 3 Cairo: See Saladin’s citadel and visit the Alabaster Mosque in Old Cairo; guided visit to Sakkara, one of the most extensive archeological sites in Egypt
Day 4 Cairo–Luxor (Embarkation): Fly to Luxor; visit Karnak Temple; visit to Luxor Temple; live entertainment on board
Day 5 Luxor–Edfu: Valley of Kings, Valley of Queens, and the Colossi of Memnon
Day 6 Edfu–Kom Ombo: Visit the Temple of Horus; lecture on board; visit the twin temples at Kom Ombo; galabeya party on board
Day 7 Aswan: Sail by motoboat to Kitchener Island; live entertainment on board
Day 8 Aswan (Disembarkation)–Cairo: Excursion to the High Dam; visit Temple of Isis and ancient granite quarries; fly to Cairo
Day 9 Cairo: Guided Visit to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization; felucca ride; walk in the maze of shops at the famous bazaar
Day 10 Cairo: Your vacation ends this morning
Notes:
  • In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

ITINERARY

Day 1
CAIRO, EGYPT Welcome to Cairo, “Mother of the World” CAIRO-SKYLINE.jpg

Day 2
CAIRO Desert Sands and Secrets of the Sphinx CLASSIC Enjoy a visit the Egyptian Museum. Peruse King Tutankhamun’s fabulous treasures and many other priceless artifacts of ancient Egypt. CLASSIC Take a close-up look at one of the World’s Seven Wonders and guardian of the great pyramids, the enigmatic Sphinx, and the Great Pyramid of Giza. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet, is the most colossal pyramid ever built, and of course enjoy the visit to the newly discovered Noble Tombs. GIZA.jpg
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Day 3
CAIRO Ancient Cairo, a Boy King, and the Christ Child CLASSIC Drive to walled city of Old Cairo, with Saladin’s 12th-century citadel, and the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. Afterwards drive to Memphis to admire the statue of Ramses II Afterwards, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. CLASSIC Drive to Sakkara, a vast desert necropolis built for kings and nobles, and its “Stairway to the Sky,” the oldest of all pyramids. Also admire the special tomb of Mary Roca and the Step Pyramid of King Zoser. CAIRO-MOSQUE-OF-MOHAMMED-ALI.jpg
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Day 4
CAIRO–LUXOR (EMBARKATION) The World’s Greatest Open-Air Museum Fly 300 miles up the Nile Valley to Luxor to embark on your Nile River cruise. CLASSIC See the stunning monuments of Karnak complex, developed over more than 1000 years. Walk among the pillars of the colossal Temple of Amun Ra for an experience you will treasure for a lifetime. Embark your ship and enjoy your first lunch onboard. CLASSIC In the afternoon enjoy a visit to Luxor temple, one of the two primary temples on the east bank, together with Karnak. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LUXOR LUXOR.jpg

Day 5
LUXOR–EDFU Royal Resting Places of Kings and Queens CLASSIC Venture to the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens on the west bank of the Nile where generations of pharaohs and nobles were entombed in Cliffside crypts. See where 63 royal tombs have thus far been discovered, of which one was virtually intact—the splendid tomb of Tutankhamun discovered in 1922. Visit Deir El-Bahri, Queen Hatshepsut’s monumental rock temple. Stop for pictures at the two Colossi of Memnon guarding the valleys. DISCOVERY This afternoon, join an exclusive lecture on this ancient civilization by your Egyptologist while sailing to Edfu. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN EDFU LUXOR-VALLY-OF-THE-KINGS.jpg
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Day 6
EDFU–KOM OMBO–ASWAN Egyptian Gods of the River and Sky CLASSIC This morning visit Edfu Temple, also known as the Temple of Horus with its menacing black stone statue of the falcon god. Enjoy a leisurely sail to Kom Ombo. DISCOVERY While sailing enjoy a Egyptian cooking class. CLASSIC Enjoy beautiful Kom Ombo for a short walk to its bluff-top twin temples. The right side is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek-Ra, while the left side is dedicated to the falcon god Horus. This evening enjoy a party night on board. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ASWAN KOM-OMBO.jpg
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Day 7
ASWAN Temples from Above and Islands Below This morning, consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion of the massive sandstone temples of Abu Simbel (by coach). CLASSIC Board a motorboat and cross the blue waters of the Nile. En route, see the ancient water measurement system, “Nilometer,” on the Nile’s Elephantine Island and the splendid Aga Khan Mausoleum. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ASWAN ASWAN-ABU-SIMBEL.jpg
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Day 8
ASWAN (DISEMBARKATION)–CAIRO Work in Progress and the Goddess Isis CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Excursion at to explore the Granite Quarries that supplied ancient Egypt with its hard stones for the pyramids in Giza. See the famous unfinished obelisk, still remaining in the quarry. Board a motor launch to the island of Agilika between the two dams and visit the Temple Of Isis, which was dismantled from the submerged island of Philae and reassembled here. Take a photo stop at the gigantic Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970. Board your flight back to Cairo later today. ASWAN-PHILAE-TEMPLE.jpg

Day 9
CAIRO Amazing Civilization and Marketplace Mazes CLASSIC Start the day with a guided tour of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. No visit would be complete without time to experience the Royal Mummies’ Hall, considered the crown jewel of the museum. CLASSIC Drive to “Coptic Cairo” to Abu Serga Church, not only the oldest church in Egypt but built on the spot where the Holy Family stopped and rested towards the end of their journey to Egypt. Proceed to visit the hanging church, which dates back to the fourth century, built on the remains of an old Roman Babylon fortress. Walk to see Cairo’s oldest Jewish synagogue, founded in the 9th century. CLASSIC Take in a full panoramic view of Cairo from the Nile River—on board a traditional wooden sailing vessel (Felucca) and enjoy a typical Egyptian light lunch. CLASSIC Browse the maze of shops in the vast labyrinths of the Khan al Khali Souk bazaar and Medieval alleyways. This evening, consider attending an Optional Dinner Cruise on the Nile to celebrate your Egyptian adventure. CAIRO-NILE.jpg
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Day 10
CAIRO Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. CAIRO-SUNRISE.jpg
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Accommodations

CairoCairo
Fairmont Nile City
First-Class

Hotel as shown or similar

Nile City Towers - 2005 B, Corniche El Nil, Ramlet Beaulac Cairo Egypt

Impressive Resort situated in prime residential area, near embassies; equal distance (5 km) between downtown & Cairo Intl Airport.
Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.

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