Day-by-day itinerary

• Day

  01

  Cairo, Egypt

  Welcome!

  Upon arrival at the Cairo airport, you will be welcomed by your Born Free host, who will provide assistance through customs and immigration. Collect your luggage, then you are escorted to your hotel for the evening. Get a good night’s sleep - your adventure begins in the morning!
  
  "Marhabaan" ("Hello" in Arabic)
• Day

  02

  Cairo

  Pyramids, Sphinx, Sakkara

  Head to Giza this morning with your private Egyptologist guide to discover the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. You'll be treated to a VIP visit of the area, with the use of a golf cart. This allows you to cover more ground than on foot, reaching multiple viewpoints and hidden corners while avoiding crowds and fatigue.
  
  Explore the interior of the Pyramid of Khufu, the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and visit the tombs of the pyramid builders. See the Sphinx up-close as your Egyptologist guide shares insider stories and fascinating details about these timeless wonders. You'll also visit the ancient burial ground of Sakkara, known for the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest complete stone building complex in history.
  
  Experience Egyptian cuisine with a view of the pyramids during your lunch at Khufus Restaurant.

  Breakfast / Lunch
• Day

  03

  Cairo

  Treasures of Egypt

  Set out on a full-day guided exploration of the city of Cairo. Begin with a visit to the new Grand Egyptian Museum, the home of the richest collection of antiquities in the world. Some of the most impressive finds here include King Tut's clothing and three of his funeral beds, a stone statue of Ramses II, and golden chariots.
  
  Next, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization showcases the history of Egypt's civilization from prehistoric times to the modern era, featuring over 50,000 artifacts including royal mummies.
  
  Then join the vibrant atmosphere of the Old Cairo Bazaar, known locally as "Khan el-Khalili." This historic bazaar was first established in the 14th Century and is still a significant cultural landmark. Stroll through the bustling marketplace with your guide, who can help you bargain for traditional Egyptian souvenirs, like handcrafted jewelry, colorful textiles, aromatic spices, papyrus art, and lanterns. You'll also find plenty of options for Egyptian cuisine, tea, and coffee.

  Breakfast
• Day

  04

  Aswan

  High Dam & Nubian Village

  This morning, you will fly from Cairo to Aswan. Set along the Nile River, Aswan has been a strategic and commercial gateway to Southern Egypt since antiquity and was Egypt’s premiere resort from 910 to 24 BC.
  
  Explore some of Aswan's famous archaeological sites. Visit the High Dam, built in the 1960s - this engineering feat provides water and electricity to all of Egypt. It also offers views of Lake Nasser.
  
  If time permits, view the majestic Philae temple devoted to the two goddesses Isis and Hathor. The Temple of Isis was rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated to Philae Island. The Temple of Hathor is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved of the Upper Egypt temples.
  
  Board a felucca (traditional sailboat) to traverse the Nile for a visit to a Nubian Village. Meet with the local families that reside in the vibrant, multi-colored homes of the village, many of them with exotic pets like crocodiles, and experience a tea ceremony before travelling back to the city.

  Breakfast
• Day

  05

  Abu Simbel - Nile Cruise

  Embarkation

  Another flight this morning takes you to Abu Simbel. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to explore the impressive temples built by Ramses II in Abu Simbel. Relocated in the 1960s when the construction of the Aswan Dam threatened to submerge the temples under Lake Nasser, Abu Simbel is a feat of modern and ancient engineering.
  
  After your exploration, fly back to Aswan to board your Nile Cruise ship. This will be your floating home base for the next 4 days/3 nights as you cruise the Nile from Aswan up to Luxor, with fantastic sailing and thrilling tours along the way. As the ship remains in Aswan for the night, you can sail on a felucca for a tour to the nearby Elephantine Island and Kitchener's Island for views of the Mausoleum of Aga Khan, desert dunes, and lush riverbanks. Return to the ship for the evening.
  
  Each of the cruises' itineraries vary slightly, and the itinerary may be done in reverse. Contact Born Free for the exact itinerary on your choice of boats.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  06

  Kom Ombo - Edfu - Esna

  Nile Cruise

  Your cruise sets sail to Kom Ombo. This ancient town gained importance during the Ptolemaic age as protector of the southern border of Egypt and in the Roman period as a military station. Your private guide will escort you on a visit to the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the gods Sobek and Haroeris.
  
  Then continue sailing to Edfu to explore Edfu's Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples of ancient Egypt. The Ptolemaic Temple of Horus is second only to the Temple of Karnak in sheer size. Construction on the site took about 200 years. Well-preserved hieroglyphs have shed light on the practices of the cult of Horus and associated temples. The temple is believed to have been built on the site of the great Horus-Seth battle.
  
  Tonight's dinner aboard the ship features a colorful and traditional Galabeya Party. At night, you will sail on to Esna.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  07

  Luxor - West Bank

  Nile Cruise

  Sail early this morning to Luxor, where ancient Thebes once stood. Set out on a guided exploration to the West Bank of the Nile to view the Colossi of Memnon, which once guarded the temple of Amenhotep III.
  
  Continue to the Valley of the Kings to see some of the magnificent tombs that were carved deep into the desert rock, richly decorated and filled with treasures for the afterlife of the Pharaohs. Then visit the Valley of the Queens, an ancient burial site where the wives and children of pharaohs were laid to rest. The valley contains over 90 tombs, the most famous being Queen Nefertari’s tomb, known for its stunning, well-preserved wall paintings.
  
  You'll also visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, the only female pharaoh to reign in ancient Egypt. This impressive temple rises out of the desert plain in a series of terraces and merges with the sheer limestone cliffs that surround it.
  
  After a full day of touring, return to your ship in time for afternoon tea.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  08

  Luxor - West Bank

  Disembarkation

  After breakfast onboard, your cruise comes to an end as you disembark in Luxor. Meet with your private guide and set out on a 2nd day of touring the West Bank.
  
  Visit The Tombs of Nobles, which showcases over 400 tombs of ancient Egyptian elites like viziers, priests, and scribes. Unlike the grand royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, these tombs are more intimate and personal, reflecting daily life and culture.
  
  Discover Deir el-Medina, the "Worker's Village." This was the artisan village where the workers who built Egypt's famous tombs lived. Known in ancient times as "The Place of Truth," this site offers a rare glimpse into the daily lives of ordinary Egyptians who created remarkable legacies. Unlike the large temples meant to impress, Deir el-Medina focuses on the people - their homes, work, families, and even their problems. Visiting its ruins today means stepping into the heart of a community that thrived over 3,000 years ago.

  Breakfast
• Day

  09

  Cairo

  Today you'll fly back to Cairo. Our local host will greet you on arrival and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and reflect on your Egyptian adventure or explore Cairo as you please.

  Breakfast
• Day

  10

  Onward Journey

  After breakfast at your hotel in Cairo, your journey through Egypt draws to a close as you are escorted to the airport for your international flight homeward or onward to another great destination.

  Breakfast