2026 Abu Simbel, Egypt - Sun Festival

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel in Cairo. Afterward, meet our personal guide who will accompany us to the Giza Plateau to visit the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chefren and Mykerinus, the famous Sphinx, and Valley Temple facing the great statue.  Before the city of Cairo ever existed, the pyramids at Giza were part of an older city’s (Memphis) legacy and civilization. The ancient city of Memphis was significant in the Old Kingdom (2686—2181 BC) of Ancient Egypt, and it was the home of the Egyptians who built the pyramids.  The Great Pyramid of Cheops was considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The statue of the Great Sphinx is also one of the most famous structures in ancient Egyptian history and was built for the purpose of protecting the burial site of the kings in Giza.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we will proceed to visit the Sakkara Complex and the first pyramid ever built (Djoser Pyramid).  Djoser was the 1st or 2nd king of the 3rd Dynasty and reigned long enough to allow the grandiose plan for his pyramid to be realized in his lifetime. He is best known for his innovative tomb, a step pyramid, which dominates the Sakkara landscape. The step pyramid is astounding in its departure from any previous architecture and it sets several important precedents, perhaps the most important of which is its status as the first monumental structure made of stone.  Overnight in Cairo.

Accomodation: Hyatt West Cairo or Sheraton Cairo Hotel, or Similar

Check out from the hotel and transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival in Luxor we will transfer by an air-conditioned vehicle to enjoy a visit to the impressive Karnak and Luxor Temples.

Luxor Temple is famous for being one of the best-preserved of all of the Egyptian ancient monuments.  The temple was not built in adoration to a god or a god figure such as a king or pharaoh; rather, Luxor Temple was built in dedication to the rejuvenation of kingship. Many kings are believed to have been crowned at the Temple of Luxor, even Alexander the Great who claimed to be crowned at Luxor although it appears that he may have never traveled south of Memphis (modern Cairo). The temple contains numerous structures, statuaries, and relief carvings that are remarkably intact, making it one of the most impressive sites in all of Egypt.

Then board your Egypt Nile cruise to check in. Lunch on board. Dinner and overnight on board the Nile cruise.

Accommodation: Salacia or Minerva Nile Cruise or Similar. 

After breakfast on your Nile cruise, take an excursion to the royal cemetery for 62 Pharaohs, Valley of the Kings, then to mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which was built by the architects of the New Kingdom Pharaoh Hatshepsut in the 15th century BC. Head to the Colossi of Memnon. After lunch, you will sail to Edfu enjoying a leisurely dinner on board. Overnight on board Nile Cruise.

Accommodation: Salacia or Minerva Nile Cruise or Similar. 

Following a delicious breakfast, we will disembark in Edfu to visit one of the best-preserved temples of the Greco Roman era, that of Horus at Edfu. Enjoy a magnificent experience as we take a horse-drawn carriage ride back and forth to the temple and marvel at Upper Egypt’s local life. Pass through the slow-paced, rural life of the local farmers and fishermen. We will be immersed in the breathtaking lush, fertile landscape dotted with banana and date palm trees. After our visit we will return to the cruise and start sailing to our second stop of the day, Kom Ombo, to see the unique Temple of Sobek, dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god, and Horus the falcon-headed god.

Overnight aboard our cruise as we sail to Aswan.

Accommodation: Salacia or Minerva Nile Cruise or Similar.

Leave very early for our Abu Simbel Day Trip from Aswan. We will travel by a private air-conditioned coach to enjoy Abu Simbel whose main attraction is the great sun temple of Ramses II and the temple of queen Nefertari. Both temples were discovered in 1813 and were almost completely covered with sand and were moved in 1960 with the help of Egyptian government and UNESCO to avoid the rising waters of the Nile. Ramses II built the temple primarily to honor himself and inside there is a mural depicting his famous victory at the Kadesh battle where his army defeated his enemies. To the north of the Ramses temple is the Nefertari Temple. This temple was built by Ramses II for his favorite wife (among 200 wives and concubines), Queen Nefertari. After finishing the visit we will be escorted back to our cruise in Aswan.

Accommodation: Salacia or Minerva Nile Cruise or Similar.

Check-out at 08:00 am, Then enjoy a day’s sightseeing in Aswan. Enjoy a visit to the Philae Temple. After our tour in Aswan, we will transfer to the Aswan Airport for our flight back to Cairo. We will be met at the airport in Cairo and transferred to our hotel for the night. Overnight in Cairo

Accommodation: Hyatt West Cairo or Sheraton Cairo Hotel or Similar. 

Following breakfast at the hotel in Cairo we will be escorted by a private tour guide to visit the Egyptian Museum. This museum contains the greatest collection of Ancient Egyptian archeological artifacts in the world.  Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Cairo. Following lunch we will visit Khan El Khalili Bazaar. The bazaar is loud, crowded, colorful, and exciting—full of all kinds of goods and shiny baubles. There is a spice market, a perfume market, gold vendors, and antique shops full of interesting pieces. There are fabric shops and carpet vendors. If you cannot find what you are looking for, do not hesitate to ask a vendor because there is a good chance they will know where to find it. Even if you are not looking to buy, taking a walk through the winding alleys of this labyrinthine district is fascinating. Overnight in Cairo.

Accomodation: Helnan Dream Cairo Hotel or similar

Free time at your leisure, then transfer from our hotel to the Cairo airport for your flight back home.