10 Days Wonders of Egypt Tour from New York – Airfare & Nile Cruise Included

Head to New York (JFK) International Airport today to begin your journey. Using the flight tickets provided by One Nation Travel, proceed to the airline counter for check-in and luggage drop-off. Board your scheduled overnight flight to Cairo and enjoy the in-flight meals and entertainment as you travel toward Egypt.

Welcome to Egypt! Upon landing at Cairo International Airport (CAI) and clearing customs, look for the One Nation Travel representative holding a sign with your name at the exit gate. You will then be transferred comfortably to your hotel.

After check-in, the rest of the day is at your leisure to relax after your long flight or start exploring the city at your own pace.

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up around 8:00 AM by your professional guide to begin a fascinating journey through Egypt’s ancient history. The tour starts at the Giza Plateau, home to the iconic Pyramids of Giza. Here, you will stand before the massive Great Pyramid of Cheops, the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and admire the architectural brilliance of the Pyramid of Chephren and the Pyramid of Menkaure. You will have ample time to take photos and explore the plateau’s mysteries before enjoying a lunch break at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, the tour continues to the heart of the city to visit the renowned Egyptian Museum in Cairo. This historic institution houses the world’s most extensive collection of Pharaonic antiquities, offering a deep dive into thousands of years of art and history. Afterward, you will experience the vibrant local culture at the Khan El Khalili Bazaar. You can wander through its ancient, winding alleys, shopping for spices, perfumes, and unique souvenirs. Your guide will drop you off back at your hotel around 5:00 PM, leaving the rest of the day free for you to relax or explore the city at your own pace.

Early in the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Cairo Airport for your short flight to Luxor, the ancient capital of Upper Egypt. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you and assist with your transfer to your Nile River cruise ship—which departs on Saturdays, Mondays, or Thursdays—where you will check in and enjoy a welcome lunch onboard.

In the afternoon, your guided tour begins with a visit to the magnificent Luxor Temple, originally built by Amenhotep III and later expanded by Ramses II. You will then continue to the spectacular Karnak Temple, one of the largest religious complexes ever constructed, dedicated to the Theban Triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. Walking through its vast courtyards and beneath its towering columns, you will experience the grandeur of ancient Thebes.

After the tour, you will return to the cruise ship to relax and enjoy a delicious dinner onboard. You will spend the night in Luxor, settling in for your journey along the Nile.

Your day begins with an exploration of Luxor’s West Bank, one of the most significant archaeological zones in Egypt. The tour starts with a photo stop at the towering Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that have stood guard for nearly 3,400 years. You will then proceed to the remarkable Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. Set against a dramatic desert cliff, this unique mortuary temple is a masterpiece of ancient architecture dedicated to Egypt’s first powerful female pharaoh.

Next, you will head to the legendary Valley of the Kings, the royal burial ground for the pharaohs of the New Kingdom’s 18th to 20th dynasties. Here, you will explore intricately decorated tombs carved deep into the rock, which may include the option to visit the famed Tomb of Tutankhamun, subject to availability. These richly adorned chambers offer a fascinating glimpse into the mythology and afterlife beliefs of ancient Egypt.

In the late afternoon, your cruise ship sets sail southward toward the peaceful farming village of Esna, offering relaxing views of the Nile. The ship will eventually dock in Edfu, where you will spend the night onboard, ready for the next day’s adventures.

In the morning, the cruise arrives in Edfu, where you will disembark to visit one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in Egypt, the magnificent Temple of Edfu. Dedicated to the falcon god Horus and built during the Ptolemaic period, this temple is renowned for its massive pylons, intricate inscriptions, and remarkably intact structure, offering a vivid glimpse into the grandeur of ancient Egyptian architecture.

After returning to the ship for lunch, you will enjoy a scenic sail to the riverside town of Kom Ombo. Here, you will explore the unique twin Temple of Kom Ombo, an architectural marvel dedicated to two deities: Horus, the falcon-headed god, and Sobek, the crocodile-headed god of fertility. The complex features fascinating reliefs, ancient surgical instruments carved into the walls, and a museum displaying mummified crocodiles found nearby.

In the evening, the cruise continues sailing southward toward Aswan. You will enjoy a relaxing dinner and spend the night onboard as the ship docks in Aswan, preparing for the final explorations of your Nile journey.

Your morning begins with a discovery of Aswan’s rich history and modern achievements, starting with a visit to the impressive Aswan High Dam. This modern engineering marvel has dramatically transformed Egypt’s economy and landscape by controlling the annual flooding of the Nile. Next, you will see the Unfinished Obelisk, a massive granite monument still attached to the bedrock in an ancient quarry, which offers a fascinating glimpse into the stone-carving techniques used by the ancient Egyptians to create their colossal obelisks.

Following this, you will proceed to the stunning Temple of Philae, majestically situated on an island in the Nile. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, this temple was carefully relocated to its current location to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser and remains one of the most romantic and beautifully preserved sites in Egypt.

In the afternoon, you have the option to enjoy a peaceful felucca boat ride around the islands of Aswan (available at an extra cost). This relaxing sail takes you past Elephantine Island and visits the lush Kitchener’s Island Botanical Gardens, home to exotic plants and trees from across the globe. You will spend the night onboard your cruise ship in Aswan.

Your final day on the Nile begins with an early morning disembarkation. After collecting your boxed breakfast, you will meet your guide around 3:30 AM to join a group excursion to the south. You will travel in a shared air-conditioned vehicle, joining a convoy for the three-hour drive to the magnificent Abu Simbel Temples. These colossal rock-cut monuments are not only masterpieces of ancient architecture but also a triumph of modern engineering, having been famously relocated to save them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.

Upon arrival, you will stand in awe before the Great Temple of Ramses II, where four massive statues of the pharaoh guard the entrance to halls dedicated to the gods Ra-Horakhty, Amun, and Ptah. Adjacent to it, you will visit the beautiful Temple of Hathor, built by the king in honor of his beloved wife, Queen Nefertari. Following this unforgettable exploration with your group, you will be transferred directly to Aswan Airport for your domestic flight to Cairo. Upon landing, our representative will welcome you and assist with your transfer to your hotel for your overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel in Cairo to embark on a full-day guided journey to Alexandria, the historic city founded by Alexander the Great on the Mediterranean coast. Your tour begins with a visit to Pompey’s Pillar, a colossal red granite column standing amidst the ruins of the ancient Temple of Serapis. You will then descend into the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, a remarkable necropolis from the 2nd century AD that perfectly blends Pharaonic and Roman architectural styles.

Following a break for a fresh Mediterranean lunch at a local restaurant, the day continues with a visit to the Citadel of Qaitbay. This 15th-century fortress was constructed defensively on the Mediterranean shore, exactly where the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria once stood. Before leaving the city, you will make a photo stop at the modern Library of Alexandria, a magnificent building designed to honor the city’s ancient legacy as a center of knowledge. You will be transferred back to your hotel in Cairo in the evening. Overnight in Cairo.

After enjoying your final breakfast at the hotel, you will check out and meet your private driver in the lobby. Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to Cairo International Airport for your outbound flight home. This marks the end of your journey through history, and we hope you leave with unforgettable memories of the ancient wonders of Egypt.

Looking to extend your vacation? If you wish to add extra leisure days in Cairo, you can easily customize your itinerary. Simply indicate your preference for additional nights using the booking form when making your reservation.