18 Day Egypt & Morocco Tour: Nile, Sahara, Chefchaouen & Fez

Begin at the Giza Pyramids, where Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure rise above the desert plateau. Standing before these monumental structures feels very different from seeing them in photographs, as the scale of the ancient complex becomes immediately apparent.

Near the Great Sphinx, explore the Valley Temple of Khafre, a remarkably preserved structure built from massive limestone and granite blocks. The temple formed an important part of Khafre's funerary complex and offers another perspective on the rituals associated with ancient Egyptian royal burials.

Continue to the Great Sphinx, the monumental limestone figure with the body of a lion and the head of a king. Positioned beside the pyramids, the Sphinx remains one of Egypt's most recognizable symbols and one of the most memorable sights of your Cairo experience.

Continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum, where Egypt's archaeological heritage is presented on a monumental scale beside the Giza Plateau. After seeing the pyramids themselves, the museum helps connect the monuments with the objects, beliefs, rulers, and people behind thousands of years of Egyptian history.

Take a break from sightseeing and enjoy the slower rhythm of Hurghada. Spend time relaxing at your hotel, by the Red Sea, or exploring the resort area at your own pace.

If you choose the optional excursion, spend part of the day aboard a Red Sea boat before snorkeling in the clear waters. The combination of open sea, coral gardens, and colorful marine life creates a refreshing contrast to the archaeological experiences earlier in your 18 day Egypt & Morocco with Nile cruise and Hurghada tour.

Begin your Luxor sightseeing at Karnak Temple, one of ancient Egypt's most impressive religious complexes. Walk through monumental gateways and the vast Hypostyle Hall while your Egyptologist explains how generations of pharaohs expanded the sacred complex over centuries.

Continue to Luxor Temple, located in the heart of modern Luxor. Its monumental columns, statues, and ancient sanctuary reveal a different aspect of Thebes and its connection with royal ceremonies and the rejuvenation of kingship.

Enter the Valley of the Kings, where New Kingdom pharaohs were buried in tombs carved into the desert cliffs. Unlike the visible pyramids of Giza, these royal tombs were hidden within the mountains, creating a more intimate glimpse into ancient Egyptian funerary beliefs.

Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, dramatically positioned beneath the limestone cliffs. Its broad terraces and colonnades create one of Luxor's most recognizable architectural settings and tell the story of one of ancient Egypt's most prominent female rulers.

Pause at the Colossi of Memnon, two enormous seated statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Once positioned before his vast mortuary temple, the statues now stand as enduring landmarks overlooking Luxor's West Bank.

Visit Edfu Temple, one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt. Dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus, the temple features monumental pylons, courtyards, columns, and reliefs that provide a vivid picture of ancient Egyptian temple architecture and religious traditions.

Later, visit Kom Ombo Temple, an unusual double temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. Its symmetrical design reflects the temple's dual dedication, while the surviving reliefs provide fascinating details about ancient Egyptian religion and daily life.

Begin at the Aswan High Dam, one of modern Egypt's most significant engineering projects. The dam transformed the Nile's seasonal flooding, created Lake Nasser, and played an important role in Egypt's modern development.

Continue to the ancient granite quarries to see the Unfinished Obelisk. Still connected to the bedrock where craftsmen began carving it, the monument provides a rare opportunity to understand how ancient stoneworkers shaped enormous granite monuments.

Take a short boat ride across the Nile to Philae Temple, dedicated primarily to the goddess Isis. Surrounded by water on Agilkia Island, the temple's columns, reliefs, and island setting create one of the most atmospheric experiences of an Egypt, Morocco, Nile cruise & Hurghada itinerary.

Begin your Islamic Cairo experience at the impressive Sultan Hassan Mosque, one of Cairo's greatest examples of Mamluk architecture. Its enormous walls, soaring entrance, vast courtyard, and elegant architectural details create an immediate sense of scale and history.

Just across from Sultan Hassan stands the Al-Rifai Mosque, creating one of the most striking architectural pairings in Cairo. Although built centuries later, the mosque was designed in a style that complements the neighboring Mamluk monument.

Continue uphill to the Salah El-Din Citadel, one of Cairo's most important medieval fortifications. Built by Salah El-Din in the 12th century, the citadel occupies a strategic position overlooking the historic city.

Inside the Citadel, visit the magnificent Mohamed Ali Mosque, also known as the Alabaster Mosque. Its enormous central dome, elegant minarets, and Ottoman-inspired design make it one of Cairo's most recognizable landmarks.

Descend from the Citadel area and continue toward Al-Muizz Street, one of the most important historic streets in Islamic Cairo.

End the day at Khan el-Khalili, Cairo's famous historic bazaar. Wander through its narrow lanes lined with shops selling traditional crafts, jewelry, spices, souvenirs, and other Egyptian goods.

Explore the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, an underground Roman-era necropolis whose architecture reflects a fascinating blend of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman influences.

Continue to Pompey's Pillar, a towering red granite column that remains one of Alexandria's most recognizable ancient landmarks.

Visit the Qaitbay Citadel, positioned on Alexandria's Mediterranean waterfront. Built in the 15th century on the site traditionally associated with the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, the fortress offers impressive views across the sea.

Continue to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern library and cultural complex inspired by the legacy of Alexandria's ancient Library. Its distinctive architecture and cultural institutions provide a striking contrast with the city's archaeological sites.

Begin at the spectacular Hassan II Mosque, dramatically positioned beside the Atlantic Ocean. Its monumental scale, detailed Moroccan craftsmanship, and oceanfront setting make it one of Casablanca's defining landmarks.

Continue along the Casablanca Corniche, where the modern city meets the Atlantic. The waterfront, cafés, promenades, and surrounding neighborhoods reveal a contemporary side of Morocco that contrasts naturally with the ancient landscapes of Egypt.

Visit Hassan Tower, the famous unfinished minaret that stands among the remains of an ambitious 12th-century mosque project. Its surrounding columns and monumental scale offer a fascinating glimpse into Rabat's medieval history.

Nearby, visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, recognized for its elegant white exterior and detailed Moroccan craftsmanship. The monument provides an important connection to Morocco's modern royal history.

Continue to the Kasbah of the Udayas, a historic fortified neighborhood overlooking the Bou Regreg River and Atlantic Ocean. Walk through its narrow lanes and discover a quieter, more intimate side of Rabat.

Conclude your Rabat sightseeing near the Royal Palace, also known as Dar al-Makhzen. The complex remains a working royal residence, so visitors generally view the exterior and surrounding ceremonial areas.

Explore the blue-painted streets of Chefchaouen, where stairways, arched doorways, small squares, and white-and-blue buildings create a remarkably photogenic setting. Understanding Morocco's culture and customs can also help you navigate everyday interactions respectfully as you explore the country's historic neighborhoods. 

Continue to Outa el Hammam Square, the social heart of the old town. Traditional cafés and restaurants surround the square, while the Kasbah provides a historic focal point against the blue-painted streets. Chefchaouen is only one part of Morocco's diverse landscape, and travelers considering other regions can explore Morocco's best places to visit to see how the Rif Mountains, imperial cities, Atlantic coast, Atlas Mountains, and desert regions differ. 

Begin your Fez sightseeing near Al-Qarawiyyin University, founded in the 9th century and historically recognized as one of the world's oldest continuously operating centers of higher learning.

Continue to the Bou Inania Madrasa, a masterpiece of Marinid architecture. Look closely at the carved cedar, zellij tilework, stucco decoration, and geometric patterns that demonstrate the precision of traditional Moroccan craftsmanship.

Visit the famous Chouara Tanneries, where leatherworking remains closely connected to Fez's traditional artisan culture. From the surrounding viewing terraces, colorful dyeing vats create one of the city's most recognizable scenes.

Continue to the Nejjarine Fountain, decorated with intricate zellij tiles and carved cedar. The surrounding historic buildings evoke Fez's former role as an important stop along North African trade routes.

Enter Fes el-Bali, the ancient walled medina where narrow lanes lead between workshops, homes, markets, mosques, and historic buildings. The car-free environment makes walking through this part of Fez feel like stepping into another era.

Leave Fez and travel toward Ifrane, a mountain town known for its distinctive alpine-style architecture and cooler climate. Continue through the Middle Atlas Mountains, where forests and highland scenery create a dramatic contrast with the desert landscapes ahead.

Travel through the cedar forests around Azrou, where you may encounter Morocco's native Barbary macaques. The forested mountains provide a striking change of scenery before the road gradually descends toward the drier landscapes of the southeast.

Continue to Midelt, surrounded by rugged mountain scenery. This mountain town sits along the route toward the Sahara and provides a natural stopping point before the landscape begins to transform.

Cross toward the Ziz Valley, where a ribbon of green vegetation cuts through an otherwise arid landscape. From the viewpoints above the valley, you can see how the river supports palm groves and settlements in the desert environment.

Leave Merzouga and travel through Rissani, a historic town that developed around the ancient caravan routes linking Morocco with the Sahara and sub-Saharan Africa.

Continue toward Todra Gorge, where enormous limestone walls rise on either side of the narrow valley. Walk through part of the gorge and take in the scale of the surrounding cliffs before continuing through the High Atlas landscapes.

Travel onward to the Dades Valley, famous for its rugged rock formations, green oases, and fortified kasbahs. The landscape becomes particularly dramatic around the winding roads and unusual rock formations often associated with the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs.

Leave the Dades Valley and follow the scenic route toward Ouarzazate, passing fortified villages, palm-filled valleys, and dramatic desert landscapes along the way.

Pass through the Rose Valley, where local communities produce rose-based products. The valley provides another example of how agriculture and traditional industries adapt to Morocco's dry mountain environment.

Visit Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed fortified ksar built from traditional earthen architecture. Walk through its narrow passages and climb toward the higher viewpoints for panoramic views across the surrounding landscape. The site once stood along important caravan routes between the Sahara and Marrakech and remains one of southern Morocco's most recognizable historic settlements.

Continue toward Marrakech across the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi n'Tichka Pass. The winding mountain road reveals changing landscapes as the dry southern side gives way to greener valleys approaching Marrakech.

Begin at Bahia Palace, where courtyards, gardens, carved cedar, colorful zellij tiles, and detailed stucco decoration reveal the sophistication of Moroccan palace architecture.

Continue to the Koutoubia Mosque, whose distinctive minaret dominates the Marrakech skyline. While the mosque itself is reserved for Muslim worshippers, its exterior and surrounding gardens provide an excellent opportunity to appreciate the monument's architecture.

Visit the peaceful Menara Gardens, where olive groves surround a large reflective basin with the Atlas Mountains visible in the distance. After the busy atmosphere of the Medina, the gardens offer a quieter final afternoon in Marrakech.

Continue to the Majorelle Garden, known for its distinctive blue architecture, exotic plants, fountains, and artistic atmosphere. The garden provides a colorful contrast to Marrakech's ochre-colored buildings.

Enter the Marrakech Medina, where narrow lanes lead through traditional workshops and markets. Explore the souks filled with textiles, leather goods, lanterns, spices, metalwork, and other Moroccan crafts.

End your sightseeing at Jemaa el-Fna, the famous central square of Marrakech. As daylight fades, the atmosphere changes as food stalls, performers, musicians, storytellers, and local visitors fill the square.