Ancient Egypt and the Nile River Cruise

Your journey begins on an overnight flight.

Guests who booked their flight with YMT Vacations will be met by a friendly representative at the airport, who will help obtain a tourist visa required to enter Egypt and transfer you to the hotel. Meet your fellow guests tonight at an included dinner at the hotel. (D)

Begin at the Pyramids of Giza, the ultimate display of the power, wealth, and brilliance of ancient Egypt. The Great Pyramid is the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World. Next to the pyramids lies the mysterious Sphinx. The statue was cut from the bedrock of the Giza Plateau in honor of the sun god and Pharaoh Khafre in the 25th century BCE.

Continue to the ancient capital city of Memphis to see ruins of temples, ancient statues, and the 30-foot-tall Colossus of Ramesses II. Finally, visit Saqqara, Egypt’s largest archaeological site. Here you will discover 11 pyramids. (B, L, D)

Guests traveling in 2025, discover the secrets of the Egyptian Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities. This historic institution showcases artifacts from the Predynastic Period to the Greco-Roman Era, with more than 120,000 pieces, including intricately decorated coffins, golden burial masks, ancient jewelry, and even food prepared for the afterlife. (B, L, D)

Guests traveling in 2026 will instead visit the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a state-of-the-art facility set against the iconic Giza Pyramids (*Based on the scheduled Grand Opening). Believed to be the largest archaeological museum complex in the world, GEM offers an unprecedented opportunity to view the entire treasure collection of King Tutankhamun on display for the first time. With over 100,000 artifacts spanning thousands of years, the museum brings Egypt’s rich history to life like never before. (B, L, D)

After an included flight to Luxor, embark on your Nile cruise. Visit the massive temple complex of Karnak. The centerpiece of the site is the Temple of Amun-Ra, most famous for its vast Hypostyle Hall, a spectacular forest of giant papyrus-shaped columns constructed during the reign of Seti I. Discover the preserved Temple of Luxor. As you enter the temple, you’ll pass six massive statues of Ramesses II and a granite obelisk. (B, L, D)

At the edge of the desert, just beyond the lush Nile floodplain, lies the Necropolis of Luxor. You will be welcomed to this archaeological goldmine by the Colossi of Memnon, twin statues of pharaoh Amenhotep III.

Continue to the Valley of the Kings, home of 63 magnificent royal tombs including the miraculously undisturbed tomb of King Tut.

The nearby terraced Temple of Hatshepsut is a carved into the limestone cliffs of the Deir el- Bahari. This lavish shrine to Queen Hatshepsut, one of the few women to ever be crowned as pharaoh, represents a highpoint in Egyptian art and architecture. (B, L, D)

Start your day at Edfu Temple, an incredible hillside monument to the falcon god Horus. It was built in the classic golden era style and stands as the best-preserved temple in the Nile River Valley.

Continue to a beautiful temple complex perched grandly over a picturesque bend in the Nile. Guests are encouraged to wear a traditional loose-fitting robe, called a Galabeya, during this evening’s fun on-board soiree. (B, L, D)

Start your day with a visit to the High Dam. The dam created a reservoir that flooded much of the area, which forced ancient sites including Abu Simbel and the Temple of Philae to be relocated.

Continue to the Temple of Philae, erected during the reign of Ptolemy II to honor Isis, Osiris, and Horus. Flanked by a duo of courtyards, the stunning Temple of Isis is renowned for its intricate carvings.

Take an afternoon ride on a traditional Felucca sailboat to Aswan Botanical Gardens, a lush sanctuary of rare and exotic plants. Watch a Nubian Show on the ship this evening to learn about the fascinating Nubian culture. (B, L, D)

After checking out of your stateroom, spend the day relaxing aboard the ship or join an optional 1/2 day trip to the Abu Simbel Temples at an additional cost. Take an included flight to Cairo later this afternoon. (B, D)

Start your final day in Old Cairo. Visit the thousand-year-old churches of Coptic Cairo, then visit the dazzling National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Discover civilizations and cultures stretching from prehistory to modern times, with exhibits focused on everything from the small moments of daily life through the preservation of one’s body in the face of death. End the trip with an included authentic Egyptian farewell lunch. (B, L, D)

Add-On: Day trip to Alexandria (available for Oct 16, 2025 departure)