Cultural Tour · 9 days
Egypt 2026 — Cairo, Nile Cruise & Istanbul
Cairo · Giza · Luxor · Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Istanbul
Nov 6, 2026 – Nov 14, 2026
Your route
Your route
Egypt 2026 — Cairo, Nile Cruise & Istanbul
The Journey
Step into 5,000 years of history. Sail the Nile, walk among the pyramids, and end with the magic of Istanbul.
A 9-day curated journey through Cairo, Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan and Istanbul. Includes international flights from NYC, domestic flights within Egypt, a 4-night Nile cruise aboard the Crown Jewel, guided excursions in Spanish and English, hotel stays, entries to the Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Luxor, Philae, Kom Ombo and Edfu temples, and a Light & Sound show at Giza.
Day-by-day Itinerary
9 days, designed with intention.
Day 1
In-flight
Day 1
In-flight
NYC to Cairo
Depart JFK at 1:55 PM on Turkish Airlines with a 1-hour layover in Istanbul (arrive 6:50 AM), then continue 7:55 AM Istanbul → 9:20 AM Cairo International Airport.
Highlights
Turkish Airlines: JFK → IST → CAI
Meals
In-flight meals
Stay
In-flight
Day 2
Cairo, Egypt
Day 2
Cairo, Egypt
Welcome to Cairo
Arrival at Cairo International Airport. Our team welcomes you and transfers you to the hotel (included). Free time to settle in. Optional ideas: explore the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, enjoy the hotel, or dine along the Nile.
Highlights
Airport transfer · Free afternoon
Meals
Breakfast at hotel
Stay
Hotel Helnan Dreamland, Giza
Day 3
Cairo & Giza
Day 3
Cairo & Giza
Pyramids, Coptic Cairo & the Egyptian Museum
Visit the Giza Plateau — the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure — and the enigmatic Sphinx. Stop at the Papyrus Institute, then explore Coptic Cairo (Hanging Church, Saints Sergius & Bacchus). Tour the Citadel of Saladin and the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon visit to the Egyptian Museum to see the treasures of Tutankhamun.
Highlights
Pyramids of Giza · Sphinx · Citadel · Egyptian Museum · Coptic Quarter
Meals
Breakfast, lunch included
Stay
Hotel Helnan Dreamland, Giza
Day 4
Cairo → Luxor
Day 4
Cairo → Luxor
Cairo to Luxor — Karnak & Luxor Temples
Picnic breakfast. Transfer to Cairo airport for the included flight to Luxor (1h 10m). On arrival, visit the temples of Karnak and Luxor — the most important monumental complex in Egypt. Transfer to the cruise ship, cabin assignment, full board on board.
Highlights
Flight Cairo → Luxor · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Embark cruise
Meals
Full board on board
Stay
Crown Jewel Nile Cruise
Day 5
Luxor → Esna
Day 5
Luxor → Esna
Luxor to Esna — Valley of the Kings
Early breakfast at 5:00 AM, disembark at 6:00 AM. Visit the Theban Necropolis: the famous Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, the Temple of Medinet Habu, and the Colossi of Memnon. Return to the ship and sail toward Edfu, crossing the Esna lock.
Highlights
Valley of the Kings · Hatshepsut Temple · Medinet Habu · Colossi of Memnon · Sail to Esna
Meals
Full board on board
Stay
Crown Jewel Nile Cruise
Day 6
Edfu & Kom Ombo
Day 6
Edfu & Kom Ombo
Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
Horse-carriage ride to the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the falcon god Horus and the best-preserved temple in Egypt. Sail to Kom Ombo and walk to its unique twin temple dedicated to Haroeris and Sobek; see the ancient Nilometer. Continue sailing to Aswan.
Highlights
Edfu Temple · Kom Ombo Temple · Nilometer · Sail to Aswan
Meals
Full board on board
Stay
Crown Jewel Nile Cruise
Day 7
Aswan
Day 7
Aswan
Aswan — Philae, Nubian Village & Felucca
Visit the Aswan High Dam and Lake Nasser. Around 9:00 AM, visit the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis, on its island accessible only by boat. See the Unfinished Obelisk at the Red Granite Quarry. Lunch on board, then visit a Nubian village and the Aswan souk. End with a 45–60 minute felucca sailboat ride on the Nile. Optional excursion available to Abu Simbel (not included).
Highlights
Aswan Dam · Philae Temple · Unfinished Obelisk · Nubian Village · Souk · Felucca ride
Meals
Full board on board
Stay
Crown Jewel Nile Cruise
Day 8
Aswan → Cairo
Day 8
Aswan → Cairo
Aswan to Cairo — Light & Sound at the Pyramids
Breakfast on board. Transfer to Aswan airport for the included flight to Cairo (1h 25m). Hotel check-in. At 6:30 PM, depart for the Light & Sound show at the Pyramids of Giza (approx. 1 hour). Return to the hotel for overnight.
Highlights
Flight Aswan → Cairo · Light & Sound at Giza
Meals
Breakfast on board
Stay
Hotel Helnan Dreamland, Giza
Day 9
Cairo → Istanbul → NYC
Day 9
Cairo → Istanbul → NYC
Cairo · Istanbul · NYC
After breakfast, transfer to the airport. Turkish Airlines 5:25 AM Cairo → 8:50 AM Istanbul. Optional Istanbul day tour: Hagia Sophia (entry included), Galata Tower, Grand Bazaar (lunch not included), with arrival and departure transfers. Or relax at Istanbul Airport (Turkish Airlines VIP lounge ticket not included). Evening flight 7:30 PM Istanbul → 10:25 PM JFK.
Highlights
Flight Cairo → IST · Optional Istanbul tour · Flight IST → JFK
Meals
Breakfast at hotel
Stay
In-flight
What's Included
Everything taken care of
- ✓Round-trip international flights NYC ↔ Egypt (Turkish Airlines)
- ✓Domestic flights Cairo–Luxor and Aswan–Cairo
- ✓Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
- ✓Hotel accommodation in Cairo with buffet breakfast
- ✓4-night Nile cruise aboard the Crown Jewel (full board)
- ✓Egypt entry visa on arrival
- ✓Bilingual (Spanish/English) guide and bus transfers
- ✓City tours in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Nubian Village & Istanbul
- ✓Entries: Pyramids of Giza, Egyptian Museum, Citadel, Alabaster Mosque, Hanging Church, Karnak & Luxor temples, Valley of the Kings, Colossi of Memnon, Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, Aswan Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Nubian Village & Souk
- ✓Felucca sailboat ride on the Nile
- ✓Light & Sound show at the Pyramids of Giza
- ✓5 included meals across Cairo, Luxor, Kom Ombo and Aswan
- ✓Basic travel insurance
Not Included
Just so you know
- —Tips for guide and driver
- —Excess baggage fees
- —Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- —Optional excursions (e.g. Abu Simbel)
- —Personal expenses
Payment Plan
Flexible, transparent payments
Lock in your spot today and spread the rest over manageable installments — no hidden fees.
Deposit to reserve
Secure your seat with a refundable deposit at booking.
$500
Monthly installments
Split the balance across automatic monthly payments.
Final payment
Settle the remainder 60 days before departure — then pack.
Before You Book
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a passport?+
Yes — a valid passport is required, and it must be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. We send a pre-trip guide with full documentation requirements so nothing catches you off guard.
Is the $500 deposit refundable?+
Your deposit is refundable up to 90 days before departure. After that, it converts to a trip credit you can apply to any future Hyak Travel departure within 12 months.
Can I pay in installments?+
Absolutely. After your deposit, the balance is split into automatic monthly installments. The final payment is due 60 days before departure — no hidden fees, ever.
Are flights included?+
Yes — international flights from the listed departure city, plus all in-country transfers, are included unless noted otherwise on this page.
Can I book my own flight?+
Yes, you may opt out of the included flight and receive a credit toward the land-only portion of the trip. Just let us know when you reserve.
Is travel insurance included?+
Travel insurance is not included, but we strongly recommend it. We are happy to share trusted providers and coverage options tailored to your trip.
Can solo travelers join?+
Most of our travelers join solo. We offer shared rooming at no extra cost (no single supplement) or a private room upgrade if you prefer your own space.
What happens after I reserve my spot?+
You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, followed by a welcome packet with payment schedule, packing list, and pre-trip timeline. Our team stays in touch every step of the way.
What's the group size?+
We keep groups intentionally small — typically 8 to 16 travelers — so the experience stays personal and you make real connections.
Egypt 2026 — Cairo, Nile Cruise & Istanbul
Nov 6, 2026 – Nov 14, 2026
From $3,850