Watch our Online Travel Show about this tour and earn a $100 credit for your next booking with Holiday Vacations.
Gems of Egypt & The Nile River
Luxor Temple
Sail by Felucca Around Kitchner Island
Pyramids of Giza
Aswan High Dam
Local Food & Ancient Culture
Immerse yourself in the ancient kingdoms and immortal cities of Egypt, where legendary sites and fascinating culture await. Begin with a tour of Cairo, featuring Old Cairo and the Mosque of Mohammed Ali, then gaze upon some of Earth’s greatest wonders: the Pyramids of Giza and the iconic Great Sphinx. Take a short flight to Luxor and board our beautiful riverboat for four spectacular nights. Watch the storied history of this area reveal itself to you as we cruise the country’s lifeblood, the Nile River, with several stops shrouded in myth and mystery including Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Kom Ombo, and more. Enjoy five-star French balcony cabins, luxurious amenities, and flavorful cuisine on board!
Trip overview may vary by departure.
Highlights
Giza Necropolis
Named one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza were built nearly 5000 years ago for pharaohs of ancient Egypt during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. There are three large pyramids, one for each pharaoh, as well as smaller pyramids that belonged to the pharaohs’ queens, mothers, and daughters. The Pyramid of Khufu, also known as the Great Pyramid, is the tallest of them all and took over two million blocks of stone to complete! This complex also features a worker’s village and the famous Great Sphinx, a mythical creature with the body of a lion and head of a man, which spans 240 feet long and over 60 feet high.
The Tulip by Coral Sea
Discover rich history while relaxing in our floating hotel with exceptional hospitality. This luxury riverboat is big enough to deliver first-class service, amenities, and entertainment, but small enough to provide an immersive experience. Get close-up views of the remains of civilizations, in addition to modern cities, all set along the river.
The Valley of the Kings in the West Bank of Luxor
Explore this impressive burial site that was used for nearly every pharaoh during the 18th, 19th, and 20th Egyptian Dynasties. There are over 60 tombs in the Valley, including the world-famous tomb of King Tutankhamun, which is the only Valley of the Kings royal tomb discovered relatively intact. These wealthy and powerful rulers chose underground burials in this isolated valley off the Nile River as their final resting place to avoid tomb robberies.
Karnak Temple Complex
Karnak translates to “fortified village,” which is fitting as the largest complex of religious monuments in all of the ancient world. Constructed thousands of years ago, it can be separated into three parts: the precincts of Amun, Mut, and Montu. In the precinct of Amun, stroll through the Great Hypostyle Hall’s 134 columns that are so massive and elaborate you will find yourself short of words to describe their magnificence. Over 80,000 servants were assigned to Amun-Ra in Karnak and 5,000 statues were built in his honor, which is only a glimpse at how much power he once held.
- Day 1: Fly to EgyptBoard an overnight flight to a land known for its history and mysteries as old as time, accompanied by your expert Tour Director.
- Day 2: Arrive in CairoUpon arriving in Cairo, our expert local guide greets us at the airport. Get to know fellow travelers on the way to our comfortable 5-star accommodations, then enjoy a restful evening.
- Day 3: Pyramids & the Great SphinxOur adventure begins with a drive to ancient Memphis, once a thriving metropolis and capital of the Old Kingdom. Here, we view the legendary step pyramid of the Third Egyptian Dynasty in Saqqara, the world’s oldest stone complex. Later, gaze upon some of Egypt’s most mysterious and famous monuments during a visit to the pyramids of Giza, featuring the Great Pyramid. This pyramid built by Khufu is the oldest and largest of the pyramids, as well as the only surviving structure of the remaining Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We also see the iconic Great Sphinx of Giza, dating back to 26th century BC. Afterwards, we return to our hotel in Cairo.
Meals Included: Breakfast
- Day 4: Cairo SightseeingWe embark on a guided tour of Cairo today, nestled along the longest river in the world, the Nile. This ancient city boasts countless legendary sites, including the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Khan el Khalili Bazar, and the Citadel of Cairo, featuring the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. We also visit Old Cairo, the historic part of the city that holds origin stories of days as a Roman-era fortress called “Fort Babylon” and an Islamic-era settlement, both pre-dating the city’s founding in 969 AD. The evening is at your leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast
- Day 5: Karnak & Luxor TemplesOur journey continues with a southbound flight to Luxor this morning, where we board the Tulip. Enjoy beautiful staterooms with French balconies and all meals included on board as we cruise the Nile River for the next four nights. Our first stop is Karnak, the world’s largest temple complex consisting of ancient pylons, temples, and chapels that once served as a palace for the New Kingdom pharaohs. We also visit Luxor Temple, which was built around 14th century BC and used as a fortress for the Roman government during the Roman Empire. Originally dedicated to the mother goddess of Mut, the temple turned into a Tetrarchy cult chapel before becoming a church.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6: Valley of the KingsToday, we cross the Nile to the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank of Luxor. Marvel at the mountain-cut tombs built for the powerful pharaohs and nobles, once filled with riches to accompany them in the afterlife. We then visit the stunning Hatshepsut Temple, a mortuary temple dedicated to the longest-ruling female of Ancient Egypt. Later, our ship cruises to Esna and crosses the lock for our overnight. While here, admire the Temple of Khnum, dedicated to the ram-headed god and “the source” of the Nile, the river that brings life to the sprawling Egyptian desert.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7: Edfu & Kom OmboWe dock in Edfu this morning and enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride to its namesake temple. Dedicated to the falcon-headed god and one of the most important deities, Horus, this well-preserved monument is Egypt’s best example of a Ptolemaic temple building. Afterwards, we cruise to the ancient agricultural city of Kom Ombo and have the rest of the day at leisure. Soak up relaxation on the ship or explore nearby attractions, such as the Crocodile Museum for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the mummified crocodiles that were found in the local temple.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8: Kom Ombo Temple & AswanOur morning begins at the Kom Ombo Temple, an iconic double temple built during the Ptolemaic dynasty. Its two identical entrances are dedicated to different gods: Horus and Sobek, the local crocodile-headed god known for fertility and as a repairer of evil in the world. Next, we sail to the High Dam, a massive embankment dam and impressive engineering feat. We also explore the largest known ancient obelisk, called the Unfinished Obelisk, at Aswan’s stone quarry. Our day concludes with a trip to Philae Temple, an island-based complex within the century-old Low Dam’s reservoir and the last temple built in classical Egyptian style.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 9: Kitchener's IslandToday, we disembark our cruise ship in Aswan and relax on a felucca, a traditional Egyptian wooden sailboat. Take in scenic vistas as we sail around Kitchener's Island, known for its exotic birds and plants. After lunch at a local restaurant, a flight brings us back to Cairo. We check in to the beautiful Le Meridien Cairo Airport Hotel, then gather to celebrate our incredible Egyptian vacation during a Farewell Social Hour.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 10: Fly HomeWe return home with spectacular memories of our time in Egypt.
Feb 27 - Mar 8, 2025
$6,599
per person
$5,699
per person
Oct 20, 2024
Tour Director:
Oct 9-18, 2025
$6,599
per person
$5,699
per person
Jun 1, 2025
What's Included
All Accommodations
- 3 nights at Cairo Marriott Hotel
- 4 nights aboard the Tulip
- 1 night at Le-Meridian Airport Hotel
Attractions & Highlights
- The Pyramids & Great Sphinx of Giza
- Memphis & Saqqara's Step Pyramid of Djoser
- Cairo guided city tour
- National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
- Citadel of Cairo
- Mosque of Muhammad Ali
- Temples of Karnak, Luxor, Khnum, Edfu & Kom Ombo
- Ports of call: Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo & Aswan
- Valley of the Kings
- Aswan High Dam, Old Dam & Philae Temple Complex
- Sail by felucca around Kitchener's Island
- Daily guided tours with private Egyptologist
16 Excellent Meals
- 12 included meals aboard the Tulip
- Farewell Social Hour in Cairo
Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.
Birmingham - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport