Welcome to Cairo. Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, we are met and assisted through immigration and baggage formalities before transferring to our hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure to rest or begin absorbing the energy of Egypt’s capital, where layers of history unfold alongside modern life.

Overnight: Marriott Hotel (Deluxe Nile Room) (3 nights)

With our English-speaking Egyptologist, we explore the legendary Giza Plateau, home to the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. Learn how this monumental structure was constructed with remarkable precision more than 4,500 years ago. Continue to the pyramids of Chephren and Mycerinus and stand before the enigmatic Sphinx, carved directly from limestone bedrock and guarding this ancient necropolis for millennia. An optional camel ride offers a classic perspective of the plateau.

Later, we visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). Its expansive galleries present monumental statuary, royal treasures, and thousands of artifacts that provide context and clarity to Egypt’s extraordinary legacy. (B)

WE continue with our guided exploration of the historic heart of Islamic Cairo, beginning at the Citadel overlooking the city. Visit the Mosque of Mohamed Ali, an Ottoman masterpiece whose domes and minarets define Cairo’s skyline and offer sweeping panoramic views. Continue into Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, a marketplace operating since the 14th century. Walk through its narrow lanes lined with spice merchants, metalworkers, jewellers, and artisans who continue traditions passed down through generations. Enjoy a traditional Egyptian lunch in Old Cairo before returning to our hotel. An optional evening Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids. (B, L)

There is never enough time to experience all that this historic city offers. Today is left open for further exploration according to your interests. You may revisit the Grand Egyptian Museum or explore the pyramids at Saqqara, Memphis, and Dahshur. Cairo is also home to exceptional museums, including the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization with its Royal Mummies Hall, the Coptic Museum, and the Museum of Islamic Art. For a quieter interlude, consider a stroll through Al Azhar Park with its landscaped gardens and panoramic city views. (B)

We are transferred to the airport for our flight to Luxor, ancient Thebes and often described as the world’s greatest open-air museum. Upon arrival, begin exploration at the vast Karnak Temple Complex, constructed and expanded over nearly two millennia. Walk through the monumental Hypostyle Hall, where 134 towering columns rise dramatically overhead, revealing the scale and ambition of pharaonic architecture. Continue to Luxor Temple, once the ceremonial site of royal coronations and major religious festivals.

Optional Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple in the evening.

Overnight: Sonesta St. George, Luxor (2 nights) (B)

Optional early morning hot air balloon flight offers panoramic views of the Nile Valley at sunrise.

After breakfast, continuing with a local Egyptologist, we cross to the West Bank to explore the ancient Theban Necropolis. Visit the Valley of the Kings, where New Kingdom pharaohs were laid to rest in elaborately decorated tombs carved deep into the cliffs. Continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, dramatically set against limestone terraces, and pause at the Colossi of Memnon before retiring for the day.  Optional Sound & light Show at Luxor (B)

We are driven to Drive to Esna where we board our private Dahabiya, a traditional Nile sailing vessel reflecting the elegance of 19th century river travel. Carrying a limited number of guests, the Dahabiya offers an intimate and unhurried experience with access to smaller riverside communities. Visit Wekalet Al-Geddawi and explore the Ottoman-era market of Al-Qissariya. After lunch onboard, we begin sailing south toward El Hegz Village, where we visit a local family for insight into rural Nile life. Dinner onboard as the Dahabiya anchors along a quiet stretch of river. All shore excursions mentioned are included in the tour cost and are conducted by English speaking tour guides attached to the Dahabiya.

Overnight: Private Dahabiya Boat (4 nights) (B, L, D)

Sail to El Kab, site of the ancient city of Nekheb. Explore its massive mud-brick walls and New Kingdom tombs carved into the cliffs. After lunch onboard, continue to Edfu to visit the remarkably preserved Temple of Horus, whose grand pylons and detailed reliefs illustrate ancient religious practice. Return to the Dahabiya for dinner and a peaceful evening along the Nile. (B, L, D)

Disembark at a Nile island village for a walk-through farmland and local lanes, offering a glimpse into contemporary rural life. Observe traditional bread-making and daily routines closely tied to the river. Continue sailing to El Selsela, where sandstone was quarried for the great temples of Thebes. Visit the ancient shrines and quarries carved directly into the rock face. Dinner onboard beneath the open sky. (B, L, D)

After breakfast onboard, we visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, uniquely dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god, and Horus, the falcon-headed god. Continue to the Crocodile Museum displaying mummified crocodiles and artifacts connected to Sobek worship. In El Daraw, explore the lively local market and observe regional trade traditions, including the longstanding camel market. Later, visit a Nubian village for a glimpse into daily life along the Nile. As we sail toward Aswan, there may be an opportunity to swim or enjoy kayaking along a calm stretch of river.*

*Kayaking is optional and must be requested in advance of the Dahabiya journey.

Farewell dinner onboard. (B, L, D)

After breakfast onboard the boat, we are transferred to our hotel in Aswan.

Our hotel located on the banks of the Nile overlooking the Mausoleum of Aga Khan III on the west bank. The day is free for us to enjoy the tranquility of Aswan.

Wake in Aswan, long regarded as the gateway between Egypt and Nubia. The Nubians are an indigenous people of southern Egypt and northern Sudan whose language, architecture, music, and vividly painted homes reflect a distinct cultural identity. Despite displacement following construction of the Aswan High Dam, Nubian heritage remains deeply rooted along the Nile.
Optional visits may include Philae Temple, relocated to Agilkia Island, Elephantine Island, the Unfinished Obelisk, or a traditional felucca sail at sunset, a graceful wooden sailboat powered by the Nile’s steady winds.

Overnight: Basma Hotel, Aswan (3 nights) (B)

Today highlights two remarkable feats of engineering that span thousands of years.

Begin at the Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient granite quarries, providing rare insight into ancient stone-working techniques. Continue to the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970, which transformed Egypt’s agricultural system and generates hydroelectric power. (B)

A final day at leisure in Aswan allows time to explore further or rest in preparation for tomorrow’s journey to Abu Simbel. (B)

We travel with our local guide by road along Lake Nasser to Abu Simbel. As the monumental façade of Ramses II’s Great Temple appears on the horizon, the scale of this achievement becomes clear. Carved into the mountainside more than 3,000 years ago and relocated stone by stone in the 1960s to protect it from rising waters, Abu Simbel stands as both an ancient and modern engineering triumph.

Overnight: Seri Hotel, Abu Simbel (2 nights) (B, D)

Rise before dawn for the Abu Simbel Sun Festival. In the quiet darkness, gather before the monumental façade of the Great Temple as anticipation builds among those assembled to witness this rare event. As the first light of morning enters the sanctuary, the seated figures of the gods Amun-Ra and Ra-Horakhty alongside Pharaoh Ramses II gradually emerge in illumination, while Ptah remains in shadow, exactly as intended more than three millennia ago. In that moment, architecture, astronomy, and devotion converge in extraordinary harmony. Traditionally associated with the birthday of Pharaoh Ramses II, this alignment reflects the remarkable precision achieved by ancient builders. Remarkably, the alignment remains precise even after the temples were carefully relocated in the 1960s, ensuring this ancient achievement continues to unfold exactly as intended. After witnessing this unforgettable sunrise, explore the temple complex in full daylight, appreciating the colossal statues and intricate reliefs that speak to Ramses II’s enduring vision. (B, D)

After breakfast at Sabu Simbel we drive to Aswan Airport for our flight to Cairo where upon arrival we are met and transferred to our hotel.  

Overnight: Le Meridien Cairo (1 night) (B)

Transfer to Cairo International Airport for our departure flight. Hotel check out is 1000AM. Breakfast at the hotel and we bid farewell to Egypt carrying memories of monumental temples, timeless river landscapes, the friendly people, and the rare sunrise at Abu Simbel when light and stone aligned once more as intended thousands of years ago. (B)