Overview
Stand in the shadow of the great Sphinx and wondrous Pyramids at Giza, fly to Aswan for a guided sightseeing tour of the Aswan Dam and Philae Temple, take a cooking class onboard a cruise ship on the Nile River, visit the Valley of the Kings, experience an evening immersed in the Bedouin villages and fly to Cairo to explore the exciting chaos of this modern Egyptian city.
Itinerary
Day 1
Start tour
Please note: Tour must depart North America on a Sunday.
Day 2
Arrive in Cairo
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Day 3
Giza Plateau excursion
Stand in awe at the Giza Plateau, home to Egypt’s most iconic monuments. Marvel at the Great Pyramids of Giza, built around 2500 BC as tombs and lasting symbols of pharaonic power—the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. Nearby, gaze upon the Great Sphinx, carved from limestone with the body of a lion and the face of a man, its missing beard a relic of history. Together, these timeless structures capture the majesty and mystery of ancient Egypt.
Egyptian Museum visit
Go back in time at the Egyptian Museum, where more ancient mummies and monuments than you could see in a lifetime watch over quiet rooms.
Day 4
Fly to Aswan
Aswan guided sightseeing tour
Explore Aswan, a city where ancient and modern Egypt meet. See the Unfinished Obelisk, still attached to the quarry where it was carved and once intended to be the largest ever built. Visit the stunning Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and later a center of early Christianity, now beautifully relocated to an island in the Nile. Conclude with a visit to the High Dam, a modern engineering marvel that tamed the Nile’s floods and transformed Egypt’s agriculture.
Felucca sailboat trip
Enjoy a spectacular view of the Aga Khan Mausoleum, built of pink granite and sandstone, and the lush oasis of Elnabatat’s Island from the deck of your cruise ship as it glides along the tranquil waters of the Nile River.
Traditional Nubian village visit
Visit a Nubian village and experience the warmth of local hospitality. Step inside a traditional Nubian home to learn about the community’s culture and daily life. Meet local artists who will share their craft techniques, then enjoy free time to explore the village and connect with its residents.
Board ship for 3-day Nile cruise
Day 5
Cruise to Kom Ombo
LEAP Cooking class onboard the cruise ship
The sail boat's private chef will lead a cooking class onboard. Enjoy learning about local Egyptian cuisine and learning the techniques involved. Reward your hard work with a taste of the finished product!
Temple of Kom Ombo visit
Kom Ombo offers a fascinating glimpse into Egypt’s ancient past and its connection to the animal world. Once a training ground for Ptolemy VI’s military elephants and home to sacred crocodiles, the site now draws visitors to the Temple of Sobek and Haroeris. Perched dramatically on the Nile, the temple appears divided in two—one side honoring the crocodile god Sobek and the other dedicated to Haroeris, the falcon-headed god of light and healing.
Cruise to Edfu
Day 6
Temple of Edfu visit
The grand Temple of Horus at Edfu was built over the reigns of six emperors, including Ptolemy VII, fondly nicknamed “Fatty.” Its chapels and corridors are covered with carvings that tell the story of Horus, the falcon-headed creator god. According to legend, the sun and moon were his eyes—when both disappeared, he was said to be blind, a moment that once led him to mistakenly strike down his own allies in battle.
Cruise to Luxor
East Bank of Luxor guided sightseeing tour
Discover the grandeur of Luxor’s East Bank, home to two of ancient Egypt’s most magnificent temples. Visit the vast Karnak Temple, a sprawling complex whose massive Hypostyle Hall could fit both St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Paul’s Cathedral inside. Then explore the beautifully preserved Luxor Temple, where graceful columns and statues line the processional avenue that once connected the two sanctuaries. Together, these landmarks reveal the spiritual and architectural power of Thebes, Egypt’s ancient capital.
Day 7
Disembark cruise ship
West Bank of Luxor guided sightseeing tour
Experience the vibrant energy of Luxor, where ancient history comes to life. Visit the Temple of Ramesses III, once home to sacred boats used in royal processions, and explore Deir el-Medina, the village of artisans who built the pharaohs’ tombs. Journey into the Valley of the Kings, where Egypt’s rulers hid their richly decorated burial chambers deep within the hills. Admire the elegant Temple of Hatshepsut, carved into the cliffs, and the towering Colossi of Memnon, guardians of a vanished temple complex.
Travel to Hurghada
Travel to Hurghada, one of Egypt's most popular seaside town resorts.
Day 8
Full-day snorkeling excursion (optional)
The stable weather and shallow, crystal-clear waters around Hurghada make for ideal snorkeling conditions for beginners and experts alike. The excursion includes expert guides, snorkeling equipment, and lunch.
LEAP Bedouin experience
Sahara sunset safari, Bedouin barbecue, Stargazing experience
Day 9
Fly to Cairo
Cairo guided sightseeing tour
Experience the energy and history of Cairo, Africa’s largest city and Egypt’s vibrant capital. Visit the Saladin Citadel, its skyline crowned with soaring minarets, and step inside the magnificent Mosque of Muhammad Ali, where the founder of modern Egypt is buried. Nearby, admire the elegant Mosque of Qalawun, a masterpiece of Mamluk architecture. Stroll through the beautifully landscaped Al-Azhar Park, offering sweeping views of the city’s historic skyline. Conclude at the world-renowned Egyptian Museum, home to ancient mummies, artifacts, and treasures that bring Egypt’s pharaonic past to life.
Day 10
Fly home
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.