Egypt Through the Ages

Welcome to Egypt! Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, a Lilly Tours representative will meet you and assist you with your arrival arrangements.
Enjoy a private transfer to your hotel, where you can settle in and relax after your journey. The remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy at your own pace.
Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to explore the neighborhood, enjoy your first Egyptian meal, or simply unwind before the adventure ahead.

Overnight: Cairo
Meals: None

Begin the day with breakfast before meeting your Egyptologist guide for an exploration of the legendary Giza Plateau.
Stand before the Great Pyramid of Khufu, admire the monumental pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, and encounter the mysterious Great Sphinx. Learn about the engineering, beliefs, and royal ambitions behind these extraordinary monuments.
Continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum to explore its remarkable collection of archaeological treasures and discover the stories of ancient Egypt’s kings, queens, and everyday people.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel. The evening is free to discover Cairo’s dining scene or relax at your accommodation.

Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Main visits: Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum
Optional experience: Enter the Great Pyramid, subject to ticket availability and applicable additional fees.

After breakfast, transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor.

Upon arrival, transfer to your Nile cruise vessel and complete embarkation arrangements. After settling in, begin discovering Luxor’s magnificent East Bank monuments.

Explore Karnak Temple, a vast sacred complex of monumental gateways, towering columns, and ancient sanctuaries. Continue to Luxor Temple, where the legacy of pharaohs such as Amenhotep III and Ramses II remains visible in its imposing architecture.

Return to your cruise vessel to enjoy dinner and your first evening beside the Nile.

Overnight: Nile cruise in Luxor
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Main visits: Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple

After breakfast, cross to Luxor’s West Bank, where the dramatic landscape of the Theban hills conceals some of ancient Egypt’s most important royal tombs.

Explore the Valley of the Kings, the burial place of numerous New Kingdom pharaohs. Your guide will explain the symbolism and fascinating artwork found inside the tombs open to visitors.

Continue to the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, an architectural masterpiece built against towering limestone cliffs. Pause at the Colossi of Memnon, two monumental statues that have watched over the Theban plain for centuries.

Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy the changing landscapes as your cruise sails toward Edfu, subject to the vessel's navigation schedule.

Overnight: Nile cruise
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Main visits: Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon

Wake up to the peaceful atmosphere of the Nile and enjoy breakfast aboard your cruise.

Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient temples. Admire its imposing entrance, detailed reliefs, and sacred chambers while discovering the myths associated with Horus, the falcon-headed god.

Return to the vessel and continue sailing toward Kom Ombo. Here, explore the distinctive double temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. Its unusual design and carved inscriptions reveal fascinating insights into ancient religious traditions and medical practices.

Continue your journey toward Aswan as the scenery along the Nile unfolds around you.

Overnight: Nile cruise
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Main visits: Temple of Horus at Edfu and Temple of Kom Ombo

Enjoy breakfast aboard the cruise before discovering the highlights of Aswan.

Visit the Unfinished Obelisk in its ancient granite quarry, an extraordinary monument that reveals how the Egyptians worked with massive stone structures.

Next, travel by motorboat to Philae Temple, beautifully situated on an island and dedicated primarily to the goddess Isis. Explore its elegant columns, courtyards, and reliefs while learning how this remarkable sanctuary was relocated to protect it from rising waters following the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

Return to the cruise for lunch and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in Aswan. Depending on your interests and schedule, you may choose an optional Nubian cultural experience or a leisurely felucca sail on the Nile.

Overnight: Nile cruise in Aswan
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Main visits: Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple

Optional experiences are available at additional cost and depend on local operating conditions.

After breakfast, disembark from your Nile cruise and transfer to Aswan Airport for your domestic flight to Cairo.

Upon arrival, enjoy a private transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for shopping, dining, or enjoying the city at your own pace.

Travelers who wish to extend their archaeological adventure may enquire about an optional excursion to the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel. This excursion requires separate arrangements and may necessitate changes to the day's travel schedule.

Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast
Main arrangements: Cruise disembarkation, airport transfer, domestic flight, and hotel transfer

Enjoy your final breakfast in Cairo before checking out of your hotel.

At the scheduled time, your transfer will take you to Cairo International Airport for your departure flight.

As your Egyptian journey comes to an end, take home unforgettable memories of ancient monuments, legendary rulers, and the timeless beauty of the Nile.

Meals: Breakfast
Departure transfer: Included, subject to the confirmed package arrangements

End of tour — Lilly Tours thanks you for discovering Egypt with us.