The Great Pyramids of Giza
Experience the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World and take in the pyramids from astride a majestic camel.
Pharaohs & Pyramids · 12 Days · Egypt
Egypt’s ancient wonders,
thoughtfully explored.
Uncover the secrets of Egypt with expert Egyptologists, modern Nile ships, iconic archaeological sites and immersive moments from Cairo to Luxor, Aswan and beyond.
Length
12 days
Included Tours
11
Destination
Egypt
Style
Cruisetour
A journey through ancient Egypt
Pyramids, temples, tombs and the timeless rhythm of the Nile.
See the pyramids from astride a majestic camel, stand among the 136 soaring pillars of Karnak Temple and visit the adorned hillside tombs in the Valley of the Kings.
Skim the waters of the Nile by traditional felucca, wander Aswan’s spice market and travel with expert Egyptologists on a 12-day cruisetour through Egypt aboard Viking’s modern Nile ships.
Journey highlights
Signature moments that bring the history, culture and wonder of Egypt to life.
Pharaohs & Pyramids
Starting at $6,999 per person
A 12-day Egypt journey with land touring, Nile cruising and expert Egyptologists throughout.
This itinerary pairs Egypt’s most iconic monuments with daily cultural insight, river travel and time to experience both the grandeur of antiquity and the living culture of today.
Old Cairo and Islamic heritage
Explore Cairo’s historic districts, Muizz Street and a remarkable concentration of Islamic architecture and traditional craft culture.
Luxor and Karnak
Walk among the grand temples of Luxor and Karnak, including the famed 136 soaring pillars of the Temple of Karnak.
Valley of the Kings
Visit the adorned hillside tombs of ancient pharaohs in one of the world’s most important archaeological landscapes.
Nile sailing by felucca
Skim the waters of the Nile by traditional felucca and take in the timeless scenery of the riverbanks.
Aswan spice market
Enjoy the fragrances and local character of Aswan’s vibrant spice market and cultural traditions.
Dendera Temple from Qena
Discover one of Egypt’s best-preserved temple complexes, with towering columns and hieroglyphics at magnificent Dendera.
Temple of Khnum in Esna
See Esna’s celebrated temple, known for its Roman Hypostyle Hall and intricate floral capitals.
Edfu and the Temple of Horus
Step into Egyptian legend at Edfu, home to one of the country’s best-preserved temples and a city steeped in myth.
Khan el-Khalili in Cairo
Experience Cairo’s historic souk culture in one of the oldest and largest marketplaces in the Middle East.
Expert Egyptologists + modern Nile ships
Travel with specialists who bring ancient Egypt to life while enjoying modern Viking Nile ships owned and operated by Viking.
One remarkable destination
Egypt, from Cairo to the Nile.
This journey connects historic Cairo, the temples of Luxor and Karnak, the trading traditions of Aswan and the legendary sites scattered along the Nile.
Cairo
Begin and end in Egypt’s exhilarating capital, where ancient monuments, Old Cairo and vibrant market culture create a rich sense of place.
Luxor
Explore one of the world’s great open-air museums, from the temples on the east bank to the royal tombs of the west bank.
Aswan
Discover Nubian heritage, lively markets, granite history and the continuing traditions of craftsmanship along the Nile.
Route at a glance
Follow the journey through Egypt.
This 12-day route moves from Cairo into Upper Egypt and along the Nile, linking iconic cities, archaeological sites and river cruising.
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Cairo
Arrival, the Great Pyramids of Giza, Old Cairo and Muizz Street.
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Luxor
Embarkation city, East Bank temples and access to the Valley of the Kings.
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Qena
Gateway to the magnificent Dendera Temple and one of Egypt’s best-preserved ruins.
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Esna
Temple of Khnum, colorful markets and a Roman-era hypostyle hall.
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Aswan
Nubian heritage, spice markets, granite history and the first cataract of the Nile.
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Edfu
The Temple of Horus and a city immersed in Egyptian mythology.
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Return to Cairo
Fly back for a final overnight before journeying home on day 12.
Detailed itinerary
Twelve days through Egypt.
From arrival in Cairo to your final farewell, each day adds another chapter to the story of ancient Egypt and life along the Nile.
Cairo, Egypt
Arrive and settle into Cairo, the exhilarating capital shaped over millennia by trade, culture and the life-giving Nile.
Cairo, Egypt
Discover Cairo’s role in Egypt’s religious and cultural life, from the Great Pyramid of Giza to the rich heritage of Old Cairo and its traditional crafts.
Cairo, Egypt
Look beyond Old Cairo’s medieval walls to Muizz Street and its remarkable collection of mosques, mausoleums, palaces and merchant residences.
Luxor, Egypt
Fly to Luxor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s great open-air museums, with temples on the east bank and royal tombs on the west.
Qena, Egypt
Travel to Qena, an important Nile city and gateway to Dendera Temple, famed for its stone gate, towering columns and hieroglyphic decoration.
Luxor, Egypt
Return to Luxor and the vast archaeological landscape of ancient Thebes, where the Nile once divided the City of the Living from the City of the Dead.
Esna, Egypt
Explore Esna’s market culture and the Temple of Khnum, celebrated for its Roman-era hypostyle hall and intricately carved floral capitals.
Aswan, Egypt
Arrive in Aswan, once the northern border of ancient Nubia, and discover a city preserving its folk arts, dance, sculpture and daily life traditions.
Aswan, Egypt
Spend more time in Aswan, a historic trading and granite-quarrying center shaped by the Nile, the High Dam and Lake Nasser.
Edfu, Egypt
Visit Edfu, where myth says Horus battled Seth, and tour the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temple complexes in Egypt.
Cairo, Egypt
Disembark, fly back to Cairo and enjoy time in the city’s renowned souk culture, including historic Khan el-Khalili.
Cairo, Egypt
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home, or extend your adventure with additional time in the region.
The experience of Egypt
Ancient history, river travel and everyday life along the Nile.
This journey pairs monumental sites with sensory experiences: the fragrance of spice markets, the stillness of ancient tombs, the pace of a traditional felucca and the enduring presence of the Nile.
Wisp & Wonder can help connect the cruisetour with flights, pre- or post-tour arrangements and the details around the journey so the full experience feels seamless from departure to return.
Begin your Egypt journey
Ready for Pharaohs & Pyramids?
Tell Kristy who is traveling and what matters most to you. She can help you shape the Egypt experience around your travel style and coordinate the details before and after the cruisetour.