8-Nights Egypt Odyssey: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan & More from $2,758

This 9-day Egyptian vacation takes you to Cairo and the pyramids, and on a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan. It features deluxe accommodations, small group tours, and is an excellent introduction to the Land of the Pharaohs.

Your journey through Egypt begins in Cairo, the Mother of the World, where you’ll dive head-first into Ancient Egypt with a full-day tour of the pyramids and the Egyptian Museum. First stop is Giza and the Great Pyramid, built between 2,560BC and 2,540BC and the only remaining wonder of the ancient world. Visit the nearby necropolis to see the smaller pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure as well as the Great Sphinx, the enigmatic statue that remains stunning despite lacking a nose. Then head back into town to Tahrir Square to visit the Egyptian Museum, which showcases many of Egypt’s greatest treasures, including artworks, artifacts, and mummies in their burial coffins.

Fly south to Luxor and explore the Temple of Luxor, which its dedications to the god Amun, before boarding the M/S Esplanade, your 5-star river vessel that’ll be your home for the next few nights. See the Temple of Karnak and Luxor’s West Bank, home to the Valley of the Kings and Queens, where you’ll find elaborate tombs of pharaohs, including King Tutankhamun. Admire the Colossi of Memnon before continuing along the Nile to Edfu, where you’ll see the Temple of Horus, widely considered the best-preserved temple in Egypt. In nearby Kom Ombo, you’ll see the Temple of Sobek, built in a dual Greco-Roman style. It’s then onto Aswan, where you’ll tour the High Dam that allows the country to control the annual flooding of the Nile. The Aswan High Dam also creates the world’s largest artificial reservoir, Lake Nasser. Close off your exploration of the Nile with a visit to the Temple of Philae. Then disembark and fly back to Cairo.

In Cairo, you’ll have a full day at leisure to explore on your own. You can journey to Old Cairo to get a glimpse into the various cultural histories of the city. You can visit the Coptic Museum, Ben Ezra Synagogue, or Cairo Citadel and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Make sure you also visit Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, one of the most significant bazaars in the Middle East. Barter for some goods and then close out your trip with a delicious meal in one of Cairo’s celebrated restaurants.

At the end of your stay, connect to the airport to return home.