Classic Egypt Tour

• Day 1: 

  Arrive in Cairo
  Welcome to Cairo, where the Nile's life-giving waters have sustained one of history's greatest civilisations for over five millennia. The city's Arabic name, Al-Qahira, means "The Vanquisher" - a fitting title for this sprawling metropolis of over 21 million souls.
  
  As you transfer to the hotel, you enter a city nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its Islamic architectural splendour. Cairo has long served as the political and cultural heartbeat of the Arab world, where ancient stones stand alongside modern towers and where the calls to prayer echo across neighborhoods both wealthy and humble. Tonight we gather with fellow travellers for our first evening meal, beginning an extraordinary journey through lands where humanity first learned to build monuments for eternity.
  
  Overnight in Cairo (Giza)

   

  Included Meal(s): Dinner, if required
• Day 2: 

  Cairo: Great Pyramids & the Sphinx - Grand Egyptian Museum
  This morning we stand before the Great Pyramids of Giza, one of humanity's most audacious architectural achievements. Over 100,000 labourers toiled for two decades to raise Cheops' eternal tomb 135 metres (443 feet) skyward using more than two million stone blocks, each weighing an average of 2.5 tonnes. The precision astounds - the base covers 5.3 hectares yet the sides vary by only 4 centimetres. You may venture inside through narrow passages to explore the inner chambers where pharaohs dreamed of immortality (optional, extra fee).
  
  The enigmatic Sphinx crouches nearby, carved from a single limestone outcrop. For 4,500 years this lion-bodied, human-headed guardian has gazed across the desert toward the rising sun. Ancient Greeks named it after their mythical riddling monster - a fitting metaphor for a monument that still poses unanswered questions to archaeologists and visitors alike.
  
  We then journey to the spectacular Grand Egyptian Museum, one of the world's largest archaeological museums. This architectural marvel houses over 100,000 artefacts spanning 7,000 years of civilization. We break for lunch at onsite restaurants before our guided exploration of the "Kingship and Eternity" galleries. The Hanging Obelisk soars overhead in the dramatic atrium, while the Colossal Statue of Ramesses II - weighing 83 tonnes - commands the grand staircase. Victory columns, sarcophagi, and treasures reveal the extraordinary sophistication of ancient Egyptian culture.
  
  Our visit culminates with "Tutankhamun - The Immersive Exhibition," where state-of-the-art digital projections transport us through 3,400 years into the mesmerizing world of the boy king who died at just nineteen yet achieved immortality through his undisturbed tomb.
  
  Overnight in Cairo (Giza).

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 3: 

  Cairo: Dahshur, Memphis & Saqqara
  We journey south through fertile Nile Valley villages to Dahshur, where Pharaoh Senefru's experimental pyramids tell the story of architectural evolution. Built between 2613-2589 BCE, the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid represent crucial learning that made the Great Pyramid possible—the transition from stepped to smooth-sided design that would define Egypt's architectural legacy. The Bent Pyramid earned its name from the abrupt angle change partway up, likely due to structural concerns during construction. The Red Pyramid, named for the russet hue of its weathered limestone, was the first true smooth-sided pyramid successfully completed.
  
  From Dahshur we continue to Memphis, capital during the Old Kingdom (2700-2180 BCE), where colossal statues reveal the grandeur of this ancient administrative centre. The fallen colossus of Ramesses II, carved from a single piece of limestone, once stood 13 metres tall guarding the temple entrance. Though horizontal now, the statue's intricate detail—from the delicate pleating of the royal nemes headdress to the serene expression on the pharaoh's face—demonstrates the extraordinary skill of ancient sculptors.
  
  Our final stop brings us to Saqqara's necropolis, dominated by the Step Pyramid—Egypt's oldest major stone building. Master architect Imhotep revolutionised tomb design in the 27th century BCE, stacking six levels until his creation soared 62 metres high. This represents the critical moment when Egyptian funerary architecture evolved from simple mud-brick mastabas to the monumental stone pyramids that followed.
  
  We also explore the mysterious Serapeum, where sacred Apis bulls associated with god Ptah were entombed. An avenue of sphinxes leads to underground corridors housing massive stone sarcophagi—testament to the extraordinary role animals played in Egyptian religious life.
  
  Overnight in Cairo (Giza)

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 4: 

  Cairo - Fly to Aswan - St. Simeon Monastery & Felucca Sail
  Today we fly south to Aswan in Upper Egypt, Egypt's sunniest frontier town blessed with the Nile's most beautiful setting. Small enough to walk around yet steeped in ancient importance, Aswan's relaxed pace offers welcome respite after Cairo's intensity. The city sits at Egypt's southern threshold, where the desert cliffs press close to the Nile and Nubian culture infuses daily life with distinctive music, cuisine, and traditions.
  
  This afternoon we cross the Nile by private boat to the west bank, where our unique adventure begins—a camel trek across sandy desert to the Christian Monastery of St. Simeon. Before mounting up, our Tour Leader and experienced camel handler teach proper riding techniques. This gentle 45-minute journey to the monastery suits travellers of any age, with one rider per camel creating an authentic desert experience. Those preferring not to ride can travel comfortably by truck.
  
  Dating from the 6th century and actively used until the 13th century, St. Simeon's Monastery ranks among Egypt's best-preserved Christian sites. The massive mud-brick and stone structure rises dramatically against the desert landscape. We explore the atmospheric chapel where Coptic Christians once worshipped, wander through monks' living quarters imagining their austere daily life, and discover the kitchen, wine press, and storage rooms. Faint traces of Coptic frescoes still adorn some walls—ghostly images of Christ, saints, and geometric patterns that have survived centuries of desert winds.
  
  Returning to the Nile, we cruise to enchanting Kitchener's Island where we stroll through lush botanical gardens bursting with exotic species collected from across the British Empire. Our afternoon concludes with a leisurely felucca sail on one of these graceful traditional vessels, their white lateen sails catching the breeze as they've done for millennia. The silent glide across calm waters, palms reflected in the current, offers timeless Nile moments.
  
  Overnight in Aswan.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 5: 

  Aswan: Abu Simbel Excursion - Nile Cruise Embarkation
  A pre-dawn departure by road (approximately 3 hours each way) takes us south from Aswan across the Western Desert to Nubia, the "Land of Gold." Our destination this morning is the awe-inspiring Abu Simbel—the imposing rock temples of Ramesses II and his queen, Nefertari. Departing in darkness ensures we arrive at optimal time for photography, before heat and crowds intensify.*
  
  We tour both colossal temples cut directly into the mountainside. Four 20-metre statues of Ramesses flank the Great Temple entrance, their weathered faces gazing across the desert with timeless authority. Inside, well-preserved wall decorations depict the pharaoh's military victories—including a wonderful relief of Ramesses presenting captives to various gods, including himself, demonstrating his divine status. The smaller temple honours Queen Nefertari, its facade unusually showing her at equal scale to the king—rare acknowledgment of a queen's importance. We also examine the interior of the artificial mountain, where UNESCO's monumental 1960s relocation effort saved these temples from Lake Nasser's rising waters.
  
  Returning to Aswan by late morning, we embark our Nile cruise vessel around midday. After settling into cabins and lunch on board, the afternoon unfolds leisurely—time to relax on the sun deck, enjoy the ship's facilities, or simply watch river life from your private balcony. This evening brings the Captain's Welcome Cocktail followed by dinner and a Nubian folkloric show, our introduction to three days of Nile sailing.
  
  NOTE: We travel to Abu Simbel by road rather than flying as air schedules prove restrictive and consume time with check-in and transfers. Driving provides flexibility and ensures optimal site timing—later in the morning, shadows fall across the temple making photography less ideal.Please note that we control every aspect of this excursion—road transport allowing flexible stops, and our own expert guide providing context without the constraints of large group schedules. The cruise offers Abu Simbel as an optional add-on, but we've found our independent approach delivers a far superior experience.
  
  Overnight aboard cruise.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Day 6: 

  Nile Cruise - Aswan Sightseeing - Kom Ombo
  This morning's cruise excursion explores Aswan's modern and ancient engineering marvels. We begin at the High Dam, constructed between 1960 and 1971 to finally tame the Nile's annual flood. This massive project created Lake Nasser, one of the world's largest artificial lakes. From this vantage point, panoramic views stretch north across Aswan's islands and palm groves, while southward the lake extends toward Africa's heart like a shimmering blue ribbon.
  
  We continue to the Unfinished Obelisk, where ancient stonemasons abandoned their work when cracks appeared during carving directly from bedrock. Had it been completed, this single piece of granite would have stood 42 metres tall and weighed nearly 1,200 tonnes. The quarry reveals ancient stone-working secrets—chisel marks and ochre-coloured guide lines remain clearly visible after millennia.
  
  Our final morning stop brings us by boat to dramatically situated Philae Temple on its island sanctuary. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, this relatively modest complex captivates through stunning island setting and excellent preservation. The elegant colonnades and intricate hieroglyphic carvings tell stories of gods and pharaohs against the backdrop of Nile waters—creating one of Egypt's most romantic archaeological sites.
  
  After lunch on board, we sail north toward Kom Ombo, the ship gliding past riverside villages and palm groves. Late afternoon brings us to Kom Ombo Temple, dramatically positioned on a promontory overlooking the Nile. This unique temple is actually two sanctuaries in one, dedicated to both Horus the falcon-headed sky god and Sobek the crocodile deity. The dual design creates perfect symmetry—everything is doubled, from entrances to sanctuaries. We see remains of mummified crocodiles, testament to when these fearsome creatures thrived in the Nile and received worship as living gods.
  
  This evening we sail onward to Edfu, enjoying dinner and the Galabeya Party on board.
  
  Overnight aboard cruise.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Day 7: 

  Nile Cruise - Edfu Temple - Sail to Luxor
  Early morning brings us to Edfu, home to the largest and most completely preserved Pharaonic temple in Egypt, though ironically built by Greek rulers. Dedicated to Horus, construction began under Ptolemy III in 237 BCE and continued for nearly two centuries. We explore this massive complex enclosed by towering walls and flanked by enormous pylon gateways. Inside, the vast hypostyle hall leads through increasingly intimate chambers toward the sanctuary where the god's statue once resided. We also examine the fascinating Nilometer—an ingenious ancient device for measuring the river's water fluctuations. These measurements weren't merely academic; they determined tax levels, as higher floods meant better harvests and greater revenue for the state.
  
  Returning to the ship, we sail northward through the Nile Valley's lush agricultural belt—farmers tending fields much as their ancestors did millennia ago, water buffalo pulling ploughs, feluccas drifting past palm-shaded villages. The slow glide allows appreciation of the timeless rhythms that govern life along this great river. We pass through the Esna Lock, a modern engineering feat controlling water levels, the ship rising or falling in the massive chamber as gates open and close.
  
  By late afternoon we arrive in Luxor, ancient Thebes—capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom when pharaohs built the temples and tombs that make this the world's greatest open-air museum. The ship docks along the Corniche, Luxor Temple's illuminated pylons visible across the river. This evening features a Whirling Dervish performance on board, the hypnotic spinning meditation that Sufi mystics have practiced for centuries.
  
  Overnight aboard cruise.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Day 8: 

  uxor - Nile Cruise Disembarkation - Karnak Temple - Luxor Temple
  We disembark this morning, bidding farewell to our cruise and crew. Our focus now shifts to Luxor's extraordinary archaeological wealth, explored with our own experienced Egyptologists at proper pace—avoiding the rushed schedules and large groups typical of cruise excursions.
  
  We begin with magnificent Karnak Temple, built, enlarged, and decorated over 1,500 extraordinary years. At certain points in ancient history, this served as Egypt's most important religious complex, the beating heart of the kingdom's spiritual life. The tremendous pylon gateway looms before us, while the legendary Avenue of Sphinxes once stretched all the way to the Nile's edge. Inside, we tour the vast hypostyle hall where 134 massive columns soar skyward, their capitals supporting stone roofs that have endured three millennia. Hieroglyphs and carved reliefs cover every surface—pharaohs making offerings to gods, military victories commemorated in stone, sacred barques carried in eternal procession.
  
  After checking into our hotel and taking a break, evening brings us to Luxor Temple. Built during the New Kingdom, this complex served as focal point for the annual Opet Festival, one of ancient Egypt's most important celebrations. During this festival, priests paraded Amun's golden cult statue down the Nile from nearby Karnak in elaborate boats, accompanied by music, dancing, and offerings. This fertility celebration reinforced the pharaoh's divine connection to the gods. Dedicated to the Theban Triad—Amun, his consort Mut, and their son Khons—the temple's massive entrance tower built by Ramesses II still dominates the approach, flanked by colossal seated statues.
  
  Overnight in Luxor.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 9: 

  Luxor & Valley of the Kings
  Morning mist rises from the Nile as we cross by boat to the West Bank, where limestone cliffs conceal the most spectacular royal cemetery ever created. The early morning air carries whispers of ancient secrets as we meet our donkey-cart transport for a journey into the Valley of the Kings through New Gourna Village.
  
  Our charming donkey-cart ride takes us through countryside where modern fellahin farmers tend fields much as their ancestors did millennia ago. Children wave from mud-brick houses, women carry water jars on their heads, and farmers guide oxen through irrigation channels. This 40-45 minute journey through timeless rural scenes connects us to the eternal rhythms of Nile life before we reunite with road transport for the final approach.
  
  In this isolated valley dominated by pyramid-shaped mountains, we enter the sacred necropolis where New Kingdom pharaohs chose to hide their tombs from grave robbers. For over 500 years, from Tuthmosis I to Ramesses XI, Egypt's god-kings carved elaborate underground palaces into the limestone cliffs. We tour three carefully selected tombs, each revealing different aspects of ancient Egyptian funerary art and beliefs. The vivid colours remain astonishing—ochre, lapis, and gold painted 3,000 years ago yet appearing fresh in the dry desert air. Note that some tombs have steep stairways and all are quite dark inside; a pocket flashlight proves useful.
  
  We proceed to Queen Hatshepsut's funerary temple—built for Egypt's first woman to rule as pharaoh. Rising in terraced splendour against towering cliffs, this architectural marvel was discovered in the mid-19th century and remains under restoration. As afternoon shadows lengthen across ancient stones, we return through countryside to the East Bank, where we suggest visiting the excellent Luxor Museum during free time.
  
  Optional: Sound and Light show at Karnak Temple, where ancient stories unfold against illuminated columns.
  
  NOTE: We do not include King Tut's tomb, as it's very small and relatively uninteresting, but we allow time if you wish to see it (separate ticket).
  
  Overnight in Luxor.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 10: 

  Luxor & Valley of the Queens
  This morning we cross the Nile once more to explore the Valley of the Queens, known to ancient Egyptians as "Set Neferu"—the "Seat of Beauty." This evocative necropolis served as the eternal resting place for royal women of the 18th, 19th and 20th Dynasties, though despite its name, the valley holds far more than queens' tombs. Princes, princesses, and high-ranking nobles also found their final rest in these painted chambers carved into the western cliffs.
  
  Of approximately eighty tombs, only a handful open to visitors; we tour three carefully selected examples. The artwork here differs from the kings' tombs—more intimate, often featuring family scenes and goddesses protecting the deceased. Vibrant colours remain remarkably preserved in the dry desert air.
  
  We also explore Deir el-Medina, the fascinating workers' village where artisans and craftsmen who created the royal tombs lived with their families. These weren't slaves but skilled, well-paid professionals who left behind a treasure trove of everyday artefacts revealing intimate details of ordinary ancient Egyptian life—personal letters, shopping lists, legal disputes, love poems. The village's isolation and dry climate preserved these records for posterity.
  
  Finally, we tour the massive mortuary temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu. Ancient belief held this site sacred as the place where the god Amun first manifested on earth. Both Hatshepsut and Tuthmosis III built temples here before Ramesses III constructed his even grander complex, its walls covered with detailed reliefs of military campaigns against the Sea Peoples and religious rituals ensuring the kingdom's prosperity.
  
  NOTE: Due to periodic unannounced closures, your Tour Leader may substitute the equally fascinating Tombs of the Nobles.
  
  Overnight in Luxor.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 11: 

  Luxor - Dendera Temple - Fly to Cairo
  This morning we journey north to Dendera Temple, one of Egypt's best-preserved temple complexes. Located in Qena, 60 kilometres north of Luxor, Dendera was constructed for the worship of Goddess Hathor, goddess of love, beauty, and motherhood. The temple was founded by Pharaoh Pepi I around 2250 BCE and continued through the New Kingdom. What remains today dates primarily to the Greco-Roman period, when Egyptian and classical Mediterranean architectural styles merged into something uniquely beautiful.
  
  Recent cleaning of Dendera's ceiling has revealed some of the most vibrant and colourful paintings surviving from antiquity. The famous astronomical ceiling in the outer hypostyle hall depicts the zodiac and constellations, showing sophisticated understanding of celestial mechanics. The temple features two decorated crypts, two halls with ceilings supported by Hathor-headed columns, and two funeral chapels. The original zodiac ceiling, discovered in the 19th century, now resides in the Louvre; what we see today is the original setting that once held that famous astronomical chart.
  
  The temple's most striking feature remains the columns crowned with Hathor capitals—the goddess's serene face with cow ears gazes from four directions atop each column, her sistrum headdress creating an otherworldly forest of divine guardians watching over worshippers below.
  
  After our temple visit, we return to Luxor for our afternoon flight back to Cairo, closing the circle of our Egyptian journey as we return to where we began. The contrasts between Cairo's frenetic energy and Upper Egypt's sun-drenched temples, between the massive pyramids and the hidden valley tombs, create the full Egyptian experience.
  
  Overnight in Cairo (central)

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 12: 

  Cairo: Museum of Egyptian Antiquities - Islamic Cairo
  Today we proceed to the famous Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, where we enjoy a guided tour of some of Egypt's most beloved treasures. Among the 100,000 pieces housed on the museum's two floors is the famous exhibit of Tutankhamun whose tomb was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. The tomb and treasures of this young pharaoh, modest by Pharaonic Egyptian standards, is perhaps the best-preserved of the discovered tombs. We also see archaeological relics from the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom and Greco-Roman periods. There is also a separated area devoted to the best-known of the Tut antiquities—the Mummies Room—which you can enter for an optional extra fee.
  
  NOTE: With the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum and uncertainty regarding which artefacts remain here versus transfer to the new facility, we plan to visit both museums where appropriate. Regardless of location, we ensure you see the Tut collection wherever it currently resides.
  
  This afternoon we proceed to Islamic Cairo, where we tour the Citadel, begun by Saladin in the 12th century to defend against Crusader attacks. Today the Citadel's buildings are mainly from the Ottoman period, and are truly grand. From this hilltop fortress, actually a complex of three mosques and four museums, we enjoy an amazing view of Cairo spread beneath us. Here we see the fabulous Mosque of Mohammed Ali, also known as the "Alabaster Mosque" for its gleaming white stone facades and interior columns. Built between 1830 and 1848, this Ottoman-style mosque dominates Cairo's skyline with its soaring minarets and central dome.
  
  We continue to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, a nice addition to Cairo's museum landscape and an excellent way to recap all that we have seen during our tour. The museum traces Egypt's story from prehistoric times through the modern era, with particular emphasis on the continuous threads of Egyptian identity across millennia of change.
  
  Overnight in Cairo.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 13: 

  Cairo: Coptic Cairo - Khan el Khalili
  Today we drive through the neat, tree-lined streets of the Garden City area to Coptic Cairo, the centre of Christianity in the capital. We walk the cobblestone streets and stop at several churches, including that of Saint Sergius, presumed to be the spot where the Holy Family lived during their flight into Egypt. The present building dates from the 11th century, though tradition places the Holy Family's shelter in the crypt beneath. The church's ancient atmosphere—thick stone pillars, hanging lamps, aged icons—transports visitors to Christianity's earliest centuries.
  
  As we stroll along we come to the recently restored Synagogue of Ben Ezra, the oldest Jewish synagogue in Egypt. Built on the site where tradition claims baby Moses was found in the rushes, the synagogue gained fame in the 19th century when scholars discovered the Cairo Geniza—a vast collection of medieval Jewish manuscripts hidden in the building's storage room. Despite the 45 Jewish families that remain in Cairo, the synagogue is no longer operational but stands as a monument to Egypt's once-vibrant Jewish community.
  
  We then make a stop at Khan el Khalili, one of the most interesting bazaars not only in Egypt but in the entire Middle East. The atmosphere of this traditional market, together with the labyrinthine layout of the streets, gives visitors a glimpse into what medieval markets were once like. The narrow lanes overflow with spices, textiles, jewellery, and crafts—a sensory feast where the scent of incense mingles with calls of vendors and the glint of brass lanterns. Established in the 14th century, the khan has served as Cairo's commercial heart for over 600 years.
  
  NOTE: The Coptic Cairo section of our programme exists on a tentative basis given ever-changing security considerations in this district. Your Tour Leader will advise of the current status once you have arrived on tour and a substitution may be put into place.
  
  Overnight in Cairo.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 14: 

  Departure from Cairo
  Departure from Cairo.
  
  RHLAH S'IDAH!

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast

*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.