Egypt & Morocco: Cairo, Nile, Fes, Marrakech

After a hearty breakfast, check out from your hotel and begin a full day dedicated to Cairo's most iconic ancient sites. Your journey starts at the majestic Giza Plateau, the monumental necropolis of the 4th Dynasty pharaohs. Here, you'll stand in awe before the Great Pyramid of Khufu, a celestial achievement of ancient engineering and the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World. Next, gaze upon the riddle of the Great Sphinx, the eternal guardian sculpted from a single limestone outcrop, embodying royal power. Venture to the Valley Temple, where ancient purification and mummification rituals took place, offering profound insights into Egyptian beliefs about immortality. Conclude your morning with a visit to the state-of-the-art Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), housing an unparalleled collection of artifacts, including Tutankhamun's complete treasures. After a delicious local lunch, you'll be transferred in the late afternoon to Cairo Airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, a private vehicle will take you to your hotel for a relaxing overnight stay.

• Giza Pyramids — Explore the monumental structures of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure.
• The Great Sphinx — Admire the mythical guardian of the Giza Plateau.
• Valley Temple — Understand ancient funerary rites at this Old Kingdom complex.
• Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) — Discover a vast collection, including King Tut's treasures.
• Flight to Luxor — Evening flight from Cairo to Luxor.

Enjoy breakfast before checking out and meeting your expert guide to explore the glorious East Bank of Luxor. Your first stop is the colossal Karnak Temple Complex, an unparalleled testament to ancient Egyptian devotion, continually expanded over nearly two millennia and dedicated to the Theban Triad. Marvel at its towering pylons, vast courtyards, and the awe-inspiring Hypostyle Hall. Following this profound exploration, return to your Nile cruise ship for a delicious lunch onboard as you begin to settle into your floating sanctuary. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Luxor Temple, known in antiquity as 'the Southern Sanctuary.' Built by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II, this temple was central to vital royal rituals like the Opet Festival. Experience its grandeur by dusk, as the illuminated statues and massive pylons create an unforgettable atmospheric experience. Post-visit, check into your Nile cruise cabin for a delightful dinner and a peaceful overnight stay, ready for further adventures.

• Karnak Temple Complex — Explore one of the largest religious sites in the world, dedicated to Amun-Ra.
• Luxor Temple — Witness the grandeur of this ancient ritual center, especially beautiful at sunset.
• Nile Cruise Embarkation — Board your cruise ship for dinner and overnight stay.

After a morning breakfast, prepare for an immersive journey into the sacred West Bank of Luxor, rich with royal history. Begin at the breathtaking Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a distinctive and harmonious complex carved against the Deir el-Bahari cliffs, reflecting the ambition of Egypt's most powerful female pharaoh. Next, delve into the hallowed ground of the Valley of the Kings, the necropolis for New Kingdom pharaohs. Explore some of the richly adorned tombs, marveling at vibrant murals and intricate hieroglyphs that reveal ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife. After absorbing the profound history, enjoy a delectable lunch at a local Luxor restaurant. Your final stop for the day will be the Colossi of Memnon, two immense statues of Amenhotep III that have stood sentinel over the Theban plain for millennia. As the day concludes, return to your comfortable Nile cruise ship. Enjoy a delightful dinner onboard as you set sail, reflecting on the incredible wonders you've encountered, and prepare for further exploration.

• Queen Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple — Visit the unique terraced temple of one of Egypt's most powerful queens.
• Valley of the Kings — Descend into the underground tombs of pharaohs, adorned with intricate art.
• Colossi of Memnon — Admire the massive statues of Amenhotep III.

Start your day with a delicious breakfast on board as your cruise sails. Today, you'll explore two of Upper Egypt's most captivating temples. First, arrive at Edfu, where you'll take a charming horse-drawn carriage to the majestic Temple of Horus, one of Egypt's best-preserved ancient temples. Dedicated to the falcon-headed god of victory, this temple stands on the legendary site of a cosmic battle between Horus and Set. Its towering pylons and intricately inscribed walls vividly bring ancient myths to life. After re-boarding for a relaxed lunch, the cruise continues to Kom Ombo, a unique Ptolemaic-era temple dedicated to two deities simultaneously: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris (Horus the Elder). Its distinctive dual design, with twin sanctuaries and halls, offers fascinating insights into ancient Egyptian religious practices. As evening approaches, enjoy a delightful dinner onboard, with the tranquil Nile flowing by. Settle in for a peaceful overnight stay on the cruise, revitalized for your next adventures.

• Edfu Temple — Visit the remarkably well-preserved Temple of Horus via horse-drawn carriage.
• Kom Ombo Temple — Explore the unique double temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus.

With your guide you spend the day among Aswan's best-known sights. Begin at the High Dam, the 1960s project that tamed the annual Nile flood, then see the Unfinished Obelisk still lying in its granite quarry. A boat takes you to Philae Temple, dedicated to Isis and moved to Agilkia Island when the dam raised the water. You return to the ship for lunch, dinner and your final night on board.

• Aswan High Dam — The huge barrier that created Lake Nasser and controls the river.
• Unfinished Obelisk — A giant obelisk abandoned in the quarry after the stone cracked.
• Philae Temple — The island sanctuary of Isis, rebuilt on a new site beside the dam.

After disembarking and breakfast you transfer to Aswan airport for the flight back to Cairo. Your guide meets you on landing for a light afternoon in the old city, starting with the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo and its carved wooden ceiling. Lunch is at a local restaurant, and you end with free time in the Khan el-Khalili bazaar before returning to your hotel.

• Flight from Aswan to Cairo — A short domestic flight with a private transfer on arrival.
• Hanging Church — A Coptic church built above the gate of the old Roman fortress of Babylon.
• Khan el-Khalili Bazaar — Cairo's old market, full of crafts, spices and traditional cafes.

Today you say goodbye to Egypt. After breakfast and check-out, a representative drives you to Cairo airport for your flight to Morocco. In Casablanca a local team meets you, helps with entry formalities and takes you by private car to your hotel, with a relaxed evening ahead. A short evening city drive can be arranged on request.

• Flight from Cairo to Casablanca — A direct flight to Morocco with assistance at both airports.
• Casablanca Hotel Check-in — Settle in and rest after the journey.

Your guide starts with the Hassan II Mosque, whose minaret stands beside the Atlantic, followed by a drive past the Corniche and the central squares of Casablanca. You then travel up the coast to Rabat, Morocco's capital, and have lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon covers the unfinished Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the whitewashed Kasbah of the Udayas, before you check in to your Rabat hotel.

• Hassan II Mosque — One of the largest mosques in the world, built on the Atlantic shore.
• Casablanca Corniche and Mohammed V Square — A panoramic drive past the coast and the city's main squares.
• Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohammed V — A 12th-century minaret and the white-marble royal tomb beside it.
• Kasbah of the Udayas — A walled coastal fortress with sea views and a decorated Almohad gate.

After breakfast you drive to Meknes, one of Morocco's four imperial cities. Your guide shows you the Bab Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the Royal Stables and the lively Place el-Hedim, then lunch is taken at a local restaurant. In the afternoon you walk through the Roman ruins of Volubilis, with its mosaics still in place, before continuing to Fez for the night.

• Bab Mansour — The most ornate gateway in the country, finished in the early 1700s.
• Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail — The tomb of the sultan who made Meknes his capital.
• Heri es-Souani and Royal Stables — Giant granaries and stables built for the royal army.
• Place el-Hedim — The busy square facing Bab Mansour.
• Volubilis — A Roman provincial town with well-preserved floor mosaics.

Your guide leads you into Fez for a day among its medieval landmarks. You visit the Al-Qarawiyyin complex and the Bou Inania Madrasa, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then view the dye vats of the Chouara Tanneries and the Nejjarine Fountain. The day ends with a walk through the narrow lanes of Fes el-Bali before returning to your hotel.

• Al-Qarawiyyin University — The 9th-century scholarly centre founded by Fatima al-Fihri.
• Bou Inania Madrasa — A Marinid theological college with cedar, marble and stucco work.
• Chouara Tanneries — Traditional leather dyeing seen from the surrounding terraces.
• Nejjarine Fountain — A tiled fountain next to a former traders' inn.
• Fes el-Bali Medina — A car-free old town of thousands of narrow alleys.

This is a travel day by private vehicle from Fez to Marrakech. You stop along the way for rest breaks, views and lunch, with plenty of time to enjoy the changing Moroccan countryside. You reach Marrakech in time to check in and relax before your final day.

• Drive from Fez to Marrakech — A comfortable transfer with scenic and lunch stops.
• Marrakech Hotel Check-in — Rest in the Red City before the last day.

Your last morning is spent exploring Marrakech with your guide. You visit Bahia Palace and see the Koutoubia minaret, then have lunch at a local restaurant before a stroll through the medina souks and Jemaa el-Fna square. You are then driven to Menara Airport for your journey home.

• Bahia Palace — A 19th-century palace with painted cedar ceilings and quiet courtyards.
• Koutoubia Mosque (exterior) — Marrakech's best-known minaret, rising above gardens.
• Marrakech Medina and Jemaa el-Fna — Souks selling leather, lanterns and spices, leading to the famous square.
• Transfer to Menara Airport — A private transfer for your departure.