12 Day Egypt & Morocco Journey with Nile Cruise, Abu Simbel & Imperial Cities

Begin at the Giza Pyramids Complex, where Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure rise above the desert plateau. With your Egyptologist guide, explore the monumental landscape and discover how these pyramids formed part of an extensive royal funerary complex created more than 4,500 years ago.

Continue to the Great Sphinx of Chephren, the monumental limestone figure with the body of a lion and the head traditionally associated with Pharaoh Khafre. Positioned beside the pyramids, it has become one of the world's most recognizable symbols of ancient Egypt.

Explore the Valley Temple of Khafre, a remarkably preserved structure associated with the king's funerary complex. Its massive limestone and granite blocks provide another perspective on the engineering and ceremonial traditions of Old Kingdom Egypt.

Continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum, where an extraordinary collection of Egyptian antiquities places the monuments of the Giza Plateau into a wider historical context. Moving from the pyramids to the museum allows you to connect monumental architecture with the objects, beliefs, rulers, and daily life of ancient Egypt.

Begin at the Aswan High Dam, one of modern Egypt's most significant engineering projects. The dam transformed the management of the Nile's waters and created the vast Lake Nasser, changing the landscape and communities of southern Egypt.

Continue to the ancient granite quarries to see the Unfinished Obelisk. Still connected to the bedrock where ancient craftsmen began carving it, the enormous monument offers a fascinating glimpse into the techniques used to shape some of Egypt's most ambitious stone monuments.

Next, take a boat across the Nile to Philae Temple, dedicated primarily to the goddess Isis. The sanctuary was relocated to Agilkia Island following the construction of the High Dam, preserving its decorated halls and sacred spaces while retaining its spectacular island setting.

Wake early with a breakfast box and travel by bus from Aswan to Abu Simbel, where the colossal temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari rise from the desert. Admire the four monumental statues guarding the Great Temple of Ramses II, then explore the nearby Temple of Queen Nefertari, dedicated to the goddess Hathor. Together, these extraordinary rock-cut temples are a defining highlight of this Egypt and Morocco tour with Abu Simbel.

Later, visit Kom Ombo Temple, dramatically positioned beside the Nile. Its unusual symmetrical design reflects its dedication to two deities: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder.

Begin the morning with a visit to Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god associated with kingship and the sky. Its enormous pylons, courtyards, columns, reliefs, and inscriptions remain remarkably well preserved, offering a vivid impression of ancient Egyptian temple architecture.

After arriving in Luxor, disembark for an evening visit to Luxor Temple. Illuminated after dark, the temple takes on a different character, with its towering columns, statues, courtyards, and obelisks standing dramatically against the night sky.

Begin your final morning in Luxor at Karnak Temple, one of the largest religious complexes ever built in ancient Egypt. Walk through monumental gateways and the vast Great Hypostyle Hall, where towering columns and ancient reliefs reveal how generations of pharaohs expanded this sacred center over centuries.

Cross to Luxor's West Bank and enter the Valley of the Kings, the famous royal necropolis where New Kingdom pharaohs were buried in rock-cut tombs. Descend into selected tombs and see the decorated corridors and burial chambers created to accompany the kings into the afterlife.

Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, where broad terraces rise dramatically against the limestone cliffs. Built for Queen Hatshepsut, one of ancient Egypt's most prominent female rulers, the temple combines monumental architecture with an extraordinary natural setting.

Make a final stop on Luxor's West Bank at the Colossi of Memnon, two enormous seated statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. The statues once guarded the entrance to his vast mortuary temple and remain among the most recognizable landmarks on the Theban plain.

Begin at the spectacular Hassan II Mosque, dramatically positioned beside the Atlantic Ocean. Its monumental prayer hall, detailed craftsmanship, and towering minaret make it one of Casablanca's defining landmarks.

Continue along the Casablanca Corniche, where the city meets the Atlantic. The waterfront offers a more contemporary perspective on Morocco, with ocean views, promenades, cafés, and modern urban life contrasting with the ancient monuments you experienced in Egypt.

Leave Casablanca and travel by private vehicle to Rabat, Morocco's capital. The change in atmosphere is immediate, with Rabat combining royal institutions, historic monuments, fortified quarters, and a quieter coastal setting.

Visit Hassan Tower, the famous unfinished minaret that stands above the remains of a grand 12th-century mosque project. Its surrounding columns and monumental scale offer a glimpse into the ambition behind the original complex.

Nearby, visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a refined example of Moroccan craftsmanship and the resting place of King Mohammed V and his sons. Its white exterior, carved details, and ceremonial surroundings create a peaceful contrast with the monumental Hassan Tower.

Continue to the Kasbah of the Udayas, a historic fortified neighborhood overlooking the Bou Regreg River and Atlantic. Walk through its narrow lanes and discover traditional architecture framed by coastal views. As you begin experiencing Morocco beyond its monuments, our guide to Moroccan culture and customs offers useful context on local etiquette, everyday behavior, and traditions to understand during your travels. 

Conclude your sightseeing near the Royal Palace of Rabat, also known as Dar al-Makhzen. While access to the active royal residence is restricted, the exterior and ceremonial gates reflect Rabat's continuing importance as Morocco's political capital.

Continue to the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, associated with the sultan who transformed Meknes into an imperial capital. The complex provides a closer look at Moroccan decorative traditions and the city's royal history.

Visit Heri es-Souani and the Royal Stables, vast structures built to support the imperial city. Their enormous spaces reveal the logistical scale required to store grain, manage supplies, and maintain the sultan's cavalry.

Spend time around Place el-Hedim, Meknes' historic central square. Its cafés, vendors, and everyday activity offer a more lived-in view of the city beyond its monumental architecture.

After lunch, continue to Volubilis, Morocco's most important Roman archaeological site. Walk among ancient streets, columns, basilica remains, and beautifully preserved mosaics that reveal how Roman culture reached deep into North Africa. If you want to spend more time exploring this side of Morocco, consider a longer Egypt and Morocco Nile Cruise journey through Fez and Marrakech, with additional time for Meknes, Volubilis, Fez, and Marrakech. 

Begin with Al-Qarawiyyin, founded in the 9th century by Fatima al-Fihri. The institution became an important center of Islamic learning, helping establish Fez as one of North Africa's major intellectual and spiritual cities.

Continue to Bou Inania Madrasa, a masterpiece of Marinid architecture. Carved cedar wood, zellij tilework, stucco decoration, and carefully proportioned courtyards demonstrate the level of craftsmanship that became one of Fez's defining characteristics.

Visit the famous Chouara Tanneries, where traditional leatherworking remains part of Fez's living craft heritage. From the surrounding terraces, the distinctive dyeing vats create one of the city's most recognizable visual scenes.

Continue to Nejjarine Fountain, known for its detailed zellij decoration and carved cedar wood. The fountain stands beside a historic caravanserai that reflects Fez's role as a crossroads for merchants and travelers across North Africa.

End your sightseeing in Fes el-Bali, the historic medina where narrow lanes lead between workshops, shops, mosques, homes, and traditional markets. Rather than simply viewing Fez as a collection of monuments, this is where you experience the city as a living urban environment. For travelers curious about what to try along the way, our Moroccan food guide covers traditional dishes, drinks, ordering tips, and the dining experiences worth looking for during a visit. 

Begin at Bahia Palace, a remarkable 19th-century residence known for its courtyards, gardens, carved cedar ceilings, zellij tilework, and intricate stucco decoration. Moving through its interconnected spaces reveals the refined craftsmanship of Moroccan palace architecture.

Continue to the Koutoubia Mosque, whose distinctive minaret dominates the Marrakech skyline. The surrounding gardens provide an excellent setting to appreciate this iconic landmark and its importance to the city's historic identity.

Enter the Marrakech Medina, where winding lanes lead between traditional houses, workshops, riads, cafés, and historic gateways. The atmosphere offers a fascinating contrast to the monumental temples and tombs experienced earlier in Egypt.

Continue through the traditional Marrakech souks, where colorful stalls and small workshops display leather goods, textiles, lanterns, spices, carpets, metalwork, and other Moroccan crafts. Take your time exploring the maze of lanes and experiencing the everyday rhythm of the historic city. Travelers who want to extend the journey beyond Egypt's Nile Valley and Morocco's imperial cities can consider an Egypt and Morocco adventure combining Hurghada and the Sahara, adding Egypt's Red Sea coast and Morocco's Atlas Mountains, Aït Ben Haddou, and Merzouga. 

As afternoon turns toward evening, arrive at Jemaa el-Fna, Marrakech's famous central square. Food stalls, musicians, performers, storytellers, and local activity create a lively final scene for your 12 day Egypt and Morocco with Nile cruise &  Abu Simbel tour.