Cairo Land & Nile River Cruise

March 13–23, 2027 | Hosted by Sean & Scott, aka the SmokyMtnBears.

Experience the magic, mystery, and timeless beauty of Egypt on an extraordinary 11-day journey curated by The Connected Traveler. Begin your adventure in Cairo with luxurious accommodations at the St. Regis Cairo, where you'll explore the legendary Pyramids of Giza, step inside the Great Pyramid of Cheops, enjoy a camel ride, marvel at the iconic Great Sphinx, and discover ancient treasures at the spectacular Grand Egyptian Museum.

Your adventure continues with a flight to Luxor, where you'll board the elegant Farah Nile Cruise for an unforgettable journey along the legendary Nile River. Discover magnificent temples, royal tombs, and extraordinary archaeological treasures, including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, King Tutankhamun's Tomb, the Tomb of Seti I, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple, and Abu Simbel. Enjoy private English-speaking guides, remarkable sightseeing, beautiful river scenery, and memorable dining along the way.

Conclude your Egyptian adventure with a final luxurious stay in Cairo at the Waldorf Astoria. With Sean & Scott, aka the SmokyMtnBears, as your hosts, this exclusive journey brings together ancient wonders, luxury accommodations, a magnificent Nile River cruise, and unforgettable experiences in one incredible Egyptian getaway.

Discover Egypt with The Connected Traveler—where extraordinary destinations become lifelong memories!

DEPOSIT & CANCELLATION POLICY

A non-refundable and non-transferable deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your reservation. All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable, regardless of the reason for cancellation.

The remaining balance must be paid according to the payment schedule provided at the time of booking. Failure to make payments by the required deadlines may result in cancellation of your reservation and forfeiture of payments made. Additional cancellation penalties may apply to payments beyond the initial deposit, in accordance with the trip's terms and conditions.

TRAVEL INSURANCE RECOMMENDATION

At The Connected Traveler, we strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance to help protect your travel investment against unexpected circumstances, including trip cancellations, interruptions, medical emergencies, and travel delays, subject to the terms and coverage of your selected policy.

To explore available travel insurance options and coverage, please visit:

www.tinyurl.com/imginsurance

Please review all policy details, coverage limitations, and exclusions carefully before purchasing.

Day 1 – Arrive in Cairo

Welcome to Egypt! Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, you will be met and fast-tracked through customs and immigration, helping make your arrival as smooth and effortless as possible. Once all arrival formalities are complete, your private car service will be waiting to transfer you directly to the St. Regis Cairo.

After checking in, the remainder of the evening is yours to relax and settle in after your travels. Dinner tonight will be on your own, giving you the opportunity to enjoy your hotel or begin discovering Cairo at your own pace.

Day 2 – The Pyramids of Giza & Grand Egyptian Museum

Begin your morning with breakfast at your hotel, included in your stay. After breakfast, your private English-speaking guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to begin an unforgettable day exploring some of Egypt's most celebrated ancient treasures.

Your first stop is the legendary Pyramids of Giza, where you will experience the Great Pyramids, the only surviving wonders of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Standing on the Giza Plateau, these extraordinary monuments have fascinated travelers for centuries and remain among the world's most awe-inspiring archaeological sites.

Your visit becomes even more memorable with entry inside the Great Pyramid of Cheops, also known as the Pyramid of Khufu. You will have the rare opportunity to step inside this ancient monument and explore its interior passages, experiencing firsthand one of the greatest engineering achievements of the ancient world.

No visit to the pyramids would be complete without a camel ride across the sands of Giza. Climb aboard your own "ship of the desert" for a short ride with the pyramids rising dramatically behind you—a classic Egyptian experience and a wonderful opportunity for photographs.

You will then visit the Great Sphinx of Giza, one of Egypt's most mysterious and recognizable monuments. With the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh, the Sphinx has stood guard over the Giza Plateau for thousands of years. Your Egyptologist guide will share the fascinating history, legends, and mysteries surrounding this extraordinary ancient figure.

Following your morning of exploration, enjoy an à la carte lunch at 9 Pyramids Lounge, located in Nazlet El-Semman in Giza. With breathtaking views overlooking the pyramids, the restaurant offers a spectacular setting in which to enjoy authentic Egyptian cuisine prepared with fresh ingredients. The inviting atmosphere and panoramic setting make this a memorable dining experience in the heart of Giza.

After lunch, continue to the magnificent Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), one of the world's most important museums dedicated to ancient Egyptian civilization. Located near the Giza Pyramids, the museum houses an extraordinary collection of more than 100,000 artifacts spanning thousands of years of Egyptian history.

During your visit, you will explore the museum's impressive galleries and displays, including the spectacular Tutankhamun Galleries, showcasing treasures associated with the famous boy king. Your visit also includes the Solar Boats, providing another fascinating look into the beliefs, craftsmanship, and ceremonial traditions of ancient Egypt. The museum's striking architecture and vast collections bring the stories of Egypt's pharaohs, royalty, and everyday life vividly to life.

At the conclusion of your sightseeing, your private transportation will return you to your 5-star Cairo hotel. The evening is yours to enjoy at leisure, and dinner will be on your own.

Day 3 – Cairo to Luxor & Karnak Temple

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, included in your stay, before checking out and preparing for your journey south to Luxor. A representative will meet you in the hotel lobby and provide a private transfer to Cairo International Airport, assisting you with luggage and the necessary departure formalities.

You will then board your domestic flight from Cairo to Luxor. Upon arrival at Luxor Airport, a representative will meet you, assist with your luggage and airport procedures, and introduce you to your private English-speaking guide, who will accompany you during your sightseeing in Luxor.

Your first visit will be the spectacular Karnak Temple Complex, one of the largest and most impressive religious sites ever constructed. Built and expanded over more than 1,000 years by generations of pharaohs, Karnak offers an extraordinary look at the power, architecture, and religious traditions of ancient Egypt.

One of the highlights is the magnificent Great Hypostyle Hall, an enormous space filled with towering stone columns that create the feeling of walking through a forest of ancient pillars. Covering an area larger than Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, it remains one of the most impressive architectural achievements of ancient Egypt.

Following your visit to Karnak, you will travel by private, modern air-conditioned vehicle to your home on the Nile, the Farah Nile Cruise. After embarkation, settle into your accommodations and begin your unforgettable journey along one of the world's most legendary rivers. You will overnight aboard the Farah Nile Cruise in Luxor.

After embarking aboard the Farah Nile Cruise, enjoy lunch on board and take some time to settle into your accommodations and enjoy the surroundings of the ship.

Later in the day, your private English-speaking guide will accompany you on an evening visit to Luxor Temple, one of the most beautifully preserved temples in Egypt. Located along the east bank of the Nile, this strikingly graceful temple was dedicated primarily to Amun, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. Visiting Luxor Temple in the evening is especially memorable, as the illuminated columns, statues, and ancient stonework create a dramatic atmosphere.

After your visit, return to the Farah Nile Cruise for dinner on board and your overnight stay in Luxor.

Day 4 – West Bank of Luxor, Valley of the Kings & Sailing to Edfu

Begin your morning with breakfast on board before meeting your private English-speaking guide for an incredible day exploring the West Bank of Luxor, home to some of Egypt's most important archaeological treasures.

Your first visit is the legendary Valley of the Kings, the vast royal burial ground where generations of pharaohs prepared elaborate tombs for their journey into the afterlife. Hidden among the desert cliffs and carved deep into the rock, these magnificent tombs were richly decorated with colorful scenes, religious texts, and images intended to guide Egypt's rulers into eternity.

A highlight of your visit is King Tutankhamun's Tomb. The tomb of the famous Eighteenth Dynasty pharaoh consists of an entrance staircase, corridor, and four chambers. Although smaller than many royal tombs in the valley, its discovery became one of the greatest archaeological events in history because of the extraordinary treasures found inside.

You will also have the exceptional opportunity to enter the Tomb of Seti I, one of the most impressive royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Stretching more than 120 meters into the mountainside, it is among the longest, deepest, and most completely decorated tombs in the valley. Discovered by Italian explorer Giovanni Battista Belzoni in 1817, the tomb is celebrated for its extraordinarily detailed reliefs, colorful artwork, and sophisticated architectural design.

Following your exploration of Luxor's West Bank, return to the ship as the Farah begins sailing toward Esna. Enjoy lunch on board while taking in the scenery along the Nile. The ship will continue sailing toward Edfu, where you will enjoy dinner on board and spend the evening.

Day 5 – Edfu & Temple of Horus

Enjoy breakfast on board before beginning your visit to one of Egypt's best-preserved ancient temples, the magnificent Temple of Horus at Edfu.

Dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god, the temple was constructed during the reigns of several Ptolemaic rulers. Its enormous pylons, impressive courtyards, detailed carvings, and remarkably preserved sanctuary offer an extraordinary opportunity to see what an ancient Egyptian temple would have looked like thousands of years ago.

After your visit, return to the Farah Nile Cruise and continue your journey along the Nile. Lunch and dinner are included on board, allowing you to relax and watch the Egyptian countryside pass by as the ship continues south.

Tonight, you will overnight in Aswan.

Day 6 – Aswan Highlights

Begin your day with breakfast on board. Your private English-speaking guide will meet you aboard the cruise and accompany you as you discover some of the most important sights in Aswan.

Your first stop is the beautiful Philae Temple, one of Egypt's most romantic and picturesque archaeological sites. You will take a short motorboat ride to Agilkia Island, where the temple now stands. When the construction of the Aswan High Dam threatened the original site with flooding, the entire temple complex was carefully dismantled stone by stone and reconstructed on higher ground. The new island was specially landscaped to resemble its original setting.

You will then visit the monumental Aswan High Dam, one of the greatest engineering projects of the 20th century. Constructed between 1960 and 1971, the dam stretches approximately 3,830 meters long and rises 111 meters above the river. The project transformed Egypt's ability to control the Nile's annual flooding and created the enormous Lake Nasser. You will also learn about the dam's construction and the international cooperation involved in the project.

Following your sightseeing, return to the Farah Nile Cruise for lunch on board. The remainder of the day offers time to enjoy the ship and your surroundings in Aswan. Dinner is included on board, followed by another overnight in Aswan.

Day 7 – Abu Simbel by Air

After breakfast on board, a representative will meet you aboard the cruise and transfer you to Aswan Airport, assisting you with the necessary departure formalities.

You will then fly from Aswan to Abu Simbel, where your private English-speaking guide will meet you for an unforgettable visit to one of Egypt's greatest ancient monuments.

The magnificent Temples of Abu Simbel were built by Pharaoh Ramses II and are famous for their enormous statues, some rising approximately 20 meters high. The temples were designed to demonstrate the power and greatness of Ramses II and remain among the most impressive surviving monuments of ancient Egypt.

Abu Simbel also has one of the most extraordinary modern preservation stories in archaeology. When the creation of Lake Nasser threatened to permanently submerge the temples, an international UNESCO-led campaign carefully cut the monuments into massive blocks, moved them to higher ground, and reconstructed them piece by piece in their present location.

Lunch boxes are included during today's excursion.

Following your visit, you will fly back to Aswan, where you will be transferred back to the Farah Nile Cruise. Enjoy the remainder of the day aboard the ship and overnight once again in Aswan.

Day 8 – Kom Ombo

Enjoy breakfast on board as the Farah Nile Cruise sails toward Kom Ombo. Upon arrival, meet your private Egyptologist and English-speaking guide to begin your scheduled sightseeing.

You will visit the unusual Temple of Kom Ombo, a fascinating twin temple overlooking the Nile. Unlike most Egyptian temples, Kom Ombo is divided into two symmetrical sections dedicated to two different gods.

One side is devoted to Sobek, the crocodile god associated with fertility, strength, and creation. The other is dedicated to Haroeris, or Horus the Elder, represented by the falcon. This unique design makes Kom Ombo one of the most distinctive temples found anywhere in Egypt.

After your visit, return to the ship for lunch on board as you continue sailing toward Edfu. Enjoy the afternoon aboard the Farah, followed by dinner on board.

Tonight you will overnight in Edfu.

Day 9 – Sailing to Luxor

Begin your morning with breakfast on board as the Farah Nile Cruise continues its journey toward Luxor.

Today is designed as a leisurely day aboard the ship, giving you time to relax after several days of sightseeing. Enjoy the views from the deck as you sail along the Nile, watching small villages, farmland, palm trees, and the timeless landscapes of Upper Egypt pass by.

Lunch and dinner are included on board, and you will have plenty of time to enjoy the amenities of the Farah Nile Cruise.

Tonight, you will overnight in Luxor.

Day 10 – Fly from Luxor to Cairo-Post Cruise-1 Day

Enjoy your final breakfast on board before disembarking from the Farah Nile Cruise.

A representative will meet you and provide a private transfer to Luxor Airport, assisting you with luggage and all necessary departure formalities before your domestic flight.

You will then fly from Luxor to Cairo. Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, a representative will meet you and assist with your luggage and airport procedures.

From the airport, enjoy a private transfer to Waldorf Astroia Cairo, where you will check in for your final night in Egypt. The remainder of the day is yours to relax, enjoy your hotel, or spend a little more time experiencing Cairo at your own pace.

Day 11 – Departure from Cairo

Begin your final morning in Egypt with breakfast at your hotel, included with your stay. After breakfast, check out and prepare for your journey home.

A representative will meet you in the hotel lobby and provide a private transfer to Cairo International Airport. You will receive assistance with luggage and all necessary international departure formalities, helping make your final airport experience as smooth and comfortable as possible.

You will then proceed to your international departure flight, bringing your unforgettable journey through Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, and the legendary Nile River to a close.