Egypt: Boats & Bazaars

Land in Cairo, drop your bags at the hotel, and get ready to meet the rest of the crew. The first official move is drinks and dinner at a local spot in a trendier part of town. If you land early, you're on your own time. An airport transfer is the cleanest way in if it’s your first visit to the city.

The classic Egypt checklist starts today. Morning is for the main event: the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. You've seen the pictures, but the scale is different up close. Afterwards, it's a dive into the chaos of the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Follow the orientation walk to get your bearings, then break off to haggle for souvenirs or find a shisha café and watch the crowds.

Lunch is on you—grab some street falafel or kushari. In the evening, you'll board the overnight sleeper train south to Aswan. The cabins are twin-berth, dinner is a basic tray meal, and the bar car is where you'll find anyone still up.

The train from Cairo usually pulls into Aswan early, but don't be surprised by delays. The morning is free to explore the city's market or check out the Philae Temple on your own. Aswan is sleepier than Cairo, a good chance to catch your breath. In the afternoon, the group boards a boat for a cruise down the Nile, with views of the Aga Khan Mausoleum from the water. The destination is a small Nubian village on one of the islands, where you'll walk through the local fields before settling in for a home-cooked dinner with a local family.

A full free day in Aswan. The big optional move is the trip to Abu Simbel, but it's a serious commitment: a 4am start and a long bus ride deep into the desert. If you'd rather stay local, you can spend the day exploring more of the city, hitting the markets again, or just relaxing by the Nile. For the evening, there's an optional sound and light show at the Philae Temple.

Today is about moving north along the Nile. The morning starts with a slow sail on a traditional felucca, the most relaxed way to see the riverbanks. It’s a few hours on the water with lunch served on board before you disembark at the Aswan Bridge. From there, it’s an overland journey to the Temple of Kom Ombo, a unique double temple dedicated to two different gods, including the crocodile god Sobek. You can still see a mummified crocodile they used to worship here. After the temple visit, the drive continues to Luxor. Dinner is a group affair at a local market.

You have a full free day to tackle Luxor's massive list of sights. The most popular option is a guided tour of the West Bank, which covers the big three: the Valley of the Kings, the stunning Temple of Hatshepsut, and the giant Colossi of Memnon. If you'd rather do your own thing, you can wander through the city's bazaars, check out the Luxor Museum, or just find a cafe on the East Bank and watch the river traffic.

The morning starts with a ferry ride across the Nile to the West Bank for a different kind of tour. You'll meet a student guide and grab bikes to cycle through a local village. The ride includes a stop at the Funtasia Project Center, a non-profit that runs after-school programs for local youth. You'll have tea and learn about their work before biking back to the ferry. The afternoon is free for any last-minute Luxor exploring you missed. In the evening, it's back to the station for the overnight sleeper train heading north to Cairo.

The overnight train pulls into Giza station in Cairo, and that's where the trip officially ends. Be aware that train delays are common, so don't book a flight out before the early afternoon. From here, you're free to head to the airport or continue your travels.