Day 1

‍Morning: 

• Be ready to begin your trip at Cairo International Airport (CAI) at 3:00 p.m.
• Your Trip Leader will meet you at the airport, and you will take included transportation to your hotel located in Cairo.
• Settle into your accommodations, attend a welcome meeting, then head out with your new friends to explore the capital city of Cairo.

Evening:

• Go on a guided walk through the incredible Bazaar of Khan el-Khalili. Meander the same alleyways merchants have been trading on since the 14th century.
• Walk along El Moez street, which the United Nations said is home to the greatest concentration of medieval architecture in the Islamic world.
• Enjoy Egypt’s most famous meal, koshary. This national dish is a mixture of rice, lentils, tomato sauce, and garlic sauce.

Day 2

Morning

• Wake to your first morning in Egypt. A buffet-style breakfast will be served at your hotel.
• After breakfast, head out to see one of the wonders of the ancient world-–The Pyramids of Giza!
• You will approach the pyramids and the Great Sphinx of Giza on the back of a camel while taking in panoramic views of the dunes.

Afternoon:

• Visit the Egyptian Museum, where your guide will take you through the exhibit halls providing details on the astonishing collections of antiques and treasures.

Evening:

• Enjoy one last evening in Cairo.

Day 3

Morning:

• Fly on an included domestic flight to Egypt's southernmost city of Aswan.
• Check off a bucket list item and kayak along the Nile River. Take in the scenery and observe the diversity of birds that have made the islands their home. (1 hour of kayaking)

Afternoon:

• Back ashore, join your Trip Leader for a walk through the local markets as you orient yourself to the streets of Aswan.
• Lunch is not included, but your Trip Leader will recommend where to eat. We suggest dining at The Terrace at the Old Cataract Hotel, one of Aswan’s historic dining establishments.
• Check into your hotel situated on the banks of the Nile River. Unwind and enjoy some free time. If you want to keep exploring, take a stroll through the bazaars and souks or visit the Nubian Museum to learn more about the original inhabitants of this region.

Evening:

• Cross the Nile to the west bank to visit a Nubian village and experience a subculture different from the rest of Egypt. 
• Tonight, you will be invited into a local home to enjoy an authentic Nubian meal cooked by a host family. Listen to stories and perhaps join in on some Nubian dancing.
• After your Nubian village experience, return to your hotel and get some rest for tomorrow’s early start.

Day 4

Morning:

• Rise before 5 am, and take a 3-hour bus ride to the historic temples of Abu Simbel, two massive rock-cut structures built by King Ramses II.
• Spend your time walking around this magnificent temple and the smaller temple built for his favorite wife, Queen Nefetari. (~2-hour visit)

Afternoon:

• Enjoy "high tea" at the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan after visiting Abu Simbel. An inclusion exclusive to Over30Experiences.
• Return to your hotel and enjoy an afternoon of leisure as you explore more of Aswan or relax at the pool on the rooftop terrace.

Evening:

• Tonight’s dinner is not included, but your Trip Leader will be able to recommend a few of Aswan’s top-rated restaurants and provide an insider’s perspective of where to enjoy the evening.
• Join an optional nighttime guided tour of the Philae Temple, visit the Ferial Gardens for scenic views, or go shopping at the night market.

Day 5

Morning / Afternoon:

• This morning’s breakfast will be served at the hotel.
• After breakfast, it’s time to board your private felucca for an experience of a lifetime.
• Spend the day watching rural Egyptian life go by on the riverbanks.
• Your Nubian sailing crew will cook healthy, vegetarian meals aboard the boat.

Evening:

• Stop to explore some of the smaller islands scattered along the Nile during your journey.
• Watch the sunset along the Nile, then lay back and enjoy an incredible sky full of stars.
• Tonight, you will sleep out on the open deck underneath the night sky.

‍Day 6

Morning:

• Rise early to catch the sunrise and continue taking in the scenes of rural Egypt along the banks of the Nile River.
• Breakfast will be served by your Nubian sailing crew aboard your boat.
• Say goodbye to the boat and crew and drive to the open-air museum of Luxor, built on the site of ancient Thebes, the pharaoh's capital at the height of their power. (~3.5 hours travel time)

Afternoon:

• Visit the spectacular temple complex of Karnak, one of the world’s largest religious complexes ever constructed.
• Experience Temple of Amun-Ra, considered to be where this chief of Egyptian gods lived on earth with his wife, Mut, and son, Khonsu.

Evening:

• Tonight’s dinner is not included, but your Trip Leader will provide a few recommendations.
• Opt to visit Luxor Temple under the lights, walk along the scenic Sharia al-Corniche waterfront promenade, or enjoy a drink at the Royal Bar at the Old Winter Palace.

Day 7

Morning:

• Join your friends for a breakfast buffet served at your hotel.
• Take a ferry across the Nile to the west bank, where bicycles will await you.
• Spend your morning cycling between scattered tombs and temples and getting up close to archeological sites as you make your way to the Valley of Kings.
• Stop and admire Colossi of Memnon, commonly referred to as the Guardians of the Gate. These two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III symbolize the king’s rule over Egypt.
• Then explore the spectacular royal burial site of the Valley of the Kings where more than 60 richly decorated tombs of pharaohs have been discovered. 

Afternoon:

• Join a local family for a traditional home-cooked lunch. 
• Say goodbye to Luxor and begin your journey to the coastal city of Hurghada, a resort town on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. (~4 hours driving)

Evening:

• Check into your resort upon arriving at Hurghada and have some time to freshen up before heading out for dinner with the group.
• Head out into town to explore the nightlife, stroll along the marina, or simply relax at the resort.

Day 8

Morning / Afternoon:

• Wake and enjoy breakfast at the accommodations.
• Enjoy an included snorkeling tour via boat from Hurghada, another activity exclusive to this Over30Experiences itinerary.
• Optional activities include relaxing on the beach, soak in the sun from the resort pool, ride in a submarine, or scuba diving. The possibilities are endless.
• Your Trip Leader will provide recommendations and assist you in any way possible.

Evening:

• Gather back at your accommodations in the late afternoon. Share stories of your day’s activities, and then freshen up for dinner.
• Gather with your newfound friends for your final dinner in Egypt.
• Reflect on your experience in Egypt and make plans to meet up in the future.

Day 9

Morning:

• Wake up early to get some more beach time in or head to the market for some last-minute shopping. Or simply sleep and relax on your final day.
• Say goodbye to your friends and depart any time of the day with instructions from your Trip Leader on how to get to the airport.
• If you are extending your stay, be sure to ask your Trip Leader for suggestions on what to do or where to go next.
• Welcome to the Over30Experiences Community.