Welcome to Egypt, a country known for its historical sites and world wonders. We begin in Cairo, the sprawling capital of Egypt and the largest city in Africa. A city that never stands still, this buzzing metropolis situated along the banks of the Nile River is a thrilling blend of ancient wonders and lively modern culture. Often called the ‘City of a Thousand Minarets’, it’s famous for its stunning Islamic architecture, vibrant street life and deep historical roots.

Rising from the desert just outside Cairo are the iconic Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, as well as the new Grand Egyptian Museum. This fascinating museum houses a world-famous collection of antiquities, including treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb, as well as thousands of other artifacts. Cairo itself is a mind-boggling cacophony of sights and sounds, where historic mosques and busy bazaars, like Khan el-Khalili nestle next to modern cafes and high-rise buildings.

We don’t want you to miss out on any aspect of your small group tour. To ensure that you don’t, we recommend you arrive at your starting destination by 6.00pm.

We’ll enjoy some free time to freshen up, before meeting our fellow travellers at a group welcome dinner this evening.

We begin today with an exploration of Sakkara, where we will see the Step Pyramid of Djoser. Designed by Imhotep, the famous vizier of King Djoser, this was the first pyramid ever built and is a groundbreaking monument of ancient architecture. The Step Pyramid of Djoser marked a major evolution from the traditional flat-roofed mastaba tombs. Rising in six distinct tiers, the pyramid was designed as a grand staircase to the heavens. As the centrepiece of a vast mortuary complex, it symbolised royal power and the afterlife, setting the stage for future pyramid building in Egypt.

Venturing to the Giza Plateau for lunch, we’re treated to delicious Middle Eastern cuisine, but the best bit? The view! This unique restaurant is unlike anything you’ve been to before. Offering panoramic views of the majestic pyramids surrounded by desert, the pictures we’ll take here are guaranteed to be incredible.

Next, we’ll visit the oldest structures in existence and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the amazing Great Pyramids of Giza. Nothing can prepare us for the feeling of standing at the base of the pyramids. Their sheer size is overwhelming and it’s a marvel to wonder at the ancient engineering ingeniousness. We’ll visit the nearby Great Sphinx, with the body of a lion and the head of a king, often referred to as the national symbol of Egypt.

We will also visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, Egypt's newest museum, and the largest archaeological museum in the world, showcasing over 100,000 antiquities, including the complete collection of King Tutankhamun’s treasures, many displayed for the first time! Here, we’ll have time to explore the various exhibition halls, marvel at the world’s only Hanging Obelisk and admire the remarkable artifacts on display on the Grand Staircase.

We’ll then visit the 12th-century Saladin Citadel of Cairo and the Mohammed Ali Mosque, built in classic Turkish style, it resembles the great mosques of Istanbul. Our tour will also take us to visit a weaving workshop, to learn about locally made Egyptian carpet.

Finally, we’ll visit a local jewellery shop, that specialises in customised gold and silver cartouches.

We’ll transfer to Cairo airport early this morning for a short flight to Aswan, gateway to the incredible history, temples and monuments of the region known as Upper Egypt. Located in southern Egypt on the banks of the Nile, Aswan is a city known for its natural beauty, historical significance and rich Nubian heritage. It served as a strategic gateway to Africa in ancient times and was a major trading hub. Aswan is home to some impressive archaeological sites, including the Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Aswan High Dam, a modern engineering marvel that controls the flow of the Nile.

On a half day tour we’ll visit the picturesque Philae Temple, located on Agilkia Island. This stunning temple complex, dedicated to the goddess Isis, is renowned for its majestic architecture and captivating history, set against the backdrop of serene waters and lush surroundings.

This afternoon we’ll soak up the serenity on board a traditional felucca sailboat, cruising along the Nile and observing life along the palm-fringed banks of the river as our boat takes advantage of the gentle winds and currents. The slow, quiet pace makes it an ideal way to relax and connect with the timeless rhythm of the Nile.

We have an early start this morning as we cross the desert to our destination, the incredible UNESCO World Heritage-listed twin temples of Abu Simbel. The temples were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BC, as a monument to himself and his queen, Nefertari. Here, we’ll spend a few hours exploring these fascinating temples before returning to Aswan to board our Nile River cruise ship.

We’ll enjoy lunch on board and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. A great way to while away an afternoon would be up on deck with a cool drink, watching the scenery drift by… there’s nothing like it!

After breakfast we’ll cruise to the riverside Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the gods Sobek and Haroeris. We’ll have some time to explore the temple with our guide, before cruising onward to Edfu, located on the west bank of the Nile River between Esna and Aswan. Renowned for the Temple of Horus dedicated to the Falcon God, our main attraction this afternoon will be a visit to this site, which we will access by bus transfer. This beautiful ancient temple is one of the best-preserved in Egypt and the second largest after Karnak Temple.

Continuing our river journey, we sail towards Luxor and cross through the lock at Esna, a highlight of many Nile cruises – this lock helps boats navigate the change in water level caused by the nearby dam. It’s a fascinating process to witness, usually accompanied by lively scenes along the riverbanks and with the small boats that approach to sell textile souvenirs, oftentimes involving merchandise being hurtled through the air to land on deck or into the arms of unsuspecting passengers - it has to be seen to be believed!

Tonight, we enjoy a lively, traditional Galabeya party on board.

After breakfast on board, we will set off to explore the West Bank on a half day tour. Our first stop is the spectacular Valley of the Kings, which served as a royal burial chamber for around 500 years. This site is home to legendary kings and queens, their families, and their possessions for the afterlife. Here we’ll explore the network of tombs carved deep into the limestone, where each tomb has a similar pattern of three corridors, an antechamber and a sarcophagus chamber. Hidden in the desert hills, over sixty tombs have been discovered, many adorned with detailed and intricate hieroglyphic scenes of the afterlife.

Next, we explore the stunning Temple of Hatshepsut. Queen Hatshepsut was one of only a few women to be given the title of pharaoh. Built into the cliffs of the Theban Mountains, this grand mortuary temple features terraces, colonnades and ramps that blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.

We then visit the Colossi of Memnon, a historic landmark consisting of two massive statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III that stands guard on the west bank of the Nile near Luxor, towering over 18 metres high.

Lastly, we’ll stop at a nearby alabaster workshop to learn how the locally quarried stone is carved and crafted.

Today we disembark our Nile cruise ship after breakfast and explore Luxor. Located on the east bank of the Nile River, the city is celebrated as one of the world's greatest open-air museums, thanks to its two huge surviving ancient monuments, the Egyptian temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor.

Our sightseeing begins at the fascinating Karnak Temple, dedicated primarily to the Pharaoh Amun-Ra. Approximately 30 pharaohs contributed to the temple’s structure over time, which explains its monumental size! The temple complex covers about a hundred hectares and features vast courtyards, towering obelisks, colossal statues and intricately carved hieroglyphs. Its most famous section, the Great Hypostyle Hall contains 134 massive columns in 16 rows, creating an awe-inspiring forest of stone.

We’ll then visit Luxor Temple, once connected to Karnak Temple by a 3-kilometre-long Avenue of Sphinxes. Luxor Temple is also home to a 25-metre-tall pink granite obelisk, which was part of a matching pair until the 1830s when one was given to France. It now stands in the centre of the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Unlike many temples dedicated to the gods alone, Luxor Temple also celebrated the divine role of the pharaoh. The temple features beautifully lit grand colonnades, statues and wonderfully preserved reliefs depicting many gods and pharaohs and comes alive – especially at night. This temple was the centrepiece of the Opet Festival, where statues of the gods were paraded from Karnak to Luxor.

We’ll visit a local gallery to appreciate the ancient artform of papyrus craft, before checking in to our hotel to enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Today we farewell Luxor as we transfer to the airport for our flight back to Cairo.

Upon arrival, we’ll sharpen our haggling skills during a visit to the 14th-century Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, Cairo’s most famous market and shopper’s paradise in the Islamic District. Famous for its handmade crafts, it’s also the perfect place to enjoy a traditional Arabic coffee. This centuries old souk is a fascinating maze of narrow alleys bursting with treasures - handmade jewellery, shimmering lanterns, colourful spices, perfumes and souvenirs galore! The scent of incense lingers in the air as shopkeepers call out cheerfully, ready to bargain with a smile.

The bazaar isn’t just a place to shop – it’s a living piece of Cairo’s history, where you can sip mint tea in a traditional café, hear the call to prayer echo and practically feel the city’s heartbeat all around you.

For lunch we will try a popular local dish called Koshary, Egypt’s national dish and a beloved street food.

Later, enjoy some free time before a group farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Today marks the end of our incredible adventure across Egypt. Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. We bid farewell to Egypt and begin our journey home. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!

Please note, in order to undertake the following optional tours additional post tour accommodation in Cairo may be required. Please check with your Travel Specialist for details.