Ancient Egypt: Come for the Pyramids. Stay for everything Else

Welcome to Egypt!
Airport pickup
Welcome dinner

You've landed in Egypt!

Our driver will pick you up from the airport and take you to our hotel. On the way, out the window, you'll catch your first glimpse of Cairo—a city that feels impossibly old and completely alive at the same time. Minarets, traffic, street vendors, crumbling facades, and pockets of beauty everywhere you look.

After checking into our hotel and taking some time to freshen up, we'll gather for our first dinner together. Over a delicious Egyptian meal, we'll toast to the journey that brought us here.

Dinner included

The Great Pyramids of Giza
The Sphinx
Grand Egyptian Museum

Today is the day.

The one you've probably imagined since you were a kid, long before you ever thought about traveling to Egypt. We'll spend the morning exploring the Giza Plateau, home to the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. No matter how many photos you've seen, nothing prepares you for the scale of these structures—or the feeling of standing in front of something that has been here for over 4,500 years.

This afternoon, we visit a government-regulated Papyrus Institute to discover how ancient Egyptians created the world's first paper, with beautifully illustrated works depicting traditional life and mythology. We then step inside the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to thousands of antiquities including the dazzling golden treasures of Tutankhamun. We enjoy lunch together at Zuba inside the museum, with flexible departure times so those who want to linger can do exactly that. The evening is yours — dinner on your own, and the hotel day spa is available for anyone looking to unwind.

Optional experiences (payable locally): camel photo op on the Sahara sands; entry into the King's Chamber inside the Great Pyramid (note: it's a physical climb — hot, narrow, and crowded).

Breakfast and lunch included.

Temple of Philae
Nile boat ride

This morning, we'll leave Cairo behind and fly south to Aswan, where Egypt begins to feel a little slower and a little softer. Our first stop is the beautiful Temple of Philae, dedicated to Isis, the goddess of love, healing, and magic. Set on an island in the Nile, it's one of the most picturesque temples in the country.

Later, we'll get out on the water for our first real taste of life along the Nile before settling into our local guesthouse on the river. Spend the afternoon relaxing, exploring the area, heading to the nearby beach, or simply soaking in the slower rhythm of southern Egypt. You’ll enjoy a beautiful dinner overlooking the Nile with your new travel buddies in preparation for tomorrow’s adventure.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Nubian village visit
Local spice & essence markets
Begin sailing the Nile in our Dahabeya

We start the morning with a visit to a Nubian village — sharing coffee, admiring henna art, and soaking in the warm hospitality of this distinctive culture. From there, we explore a local morning market, stopping at a fragrant spice shop and essence oil boutique before making our way to the dock to embark our private Dahabeya, a traditional Egyptian sailboat that will be our home on the Nile for the next three days. 

We set sail as lunch is served on board, and as the riverbanks drift past, the rhythm of the trip shifts entirely. No big roads. No busy cities. Just the river, traditional villages along the shore, and long stretches of time to sit on deck and watch Egypt drift by.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Kom Ombo Temple
Egyptian cooking class
Swimming & village walks

Today is a glimpse into the Egypt most visitors never see.

As we make our way along the Nile, we'll step into riverside villages, meet locals, and experience the everyday rhythm of life that has existed along these waters for thousands of years. This isn't the Egypt of museums and monuments—it's the Egypt of farmers, fishermen, family recipes, and communities that remain deeply connected to the river.

We'll also visit Kom Ombo Temple, dramatically positioned along the Nile's edge and dedicated to two powerful gods: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. Back on board, we'll roll up our sleeves for an Egyptian cooking experience and learn a few of the flavors that make this cuisine so beloved.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Edfu Temple
Temple of Horus
Esna Lock
Arrival in Luxor

Today brings us to one of Egypt's most impressive and best-preserved temples. Dedicated to Horus, the falcon god, Edfu Temple is remarkably intact, allowing us to experience the scale, symbolism, and artistry of Ancient Egypt in a way few sites can.

As we continue our journey toward Luxor, we'll pass through the famous Esna Lock and witness daily life unfolding along the riverbanks. Kids waving from shore, fishermen in small boats, farmers tending their fields—reminders that the Nile is not just part of Egypt's history, but very much part of its present.

We arrive in Luxor by late evening, spending our final night aboard the Dahabiya as the city lights shimmer on the water.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Valley of the Kings
Temple of Hatshepsut
Colossi of Memnon
Karnak Temple
Luxor Temple by night

If there was ever a day to wake up early, this is it.

For the adventurous, the morning begins with an optional hot air balloon ride over Luxor at sunrise. Watching the sun illuminate the Nile, the desert, and the temples below is one of those experiences people talk about for years afterward.

Then we dive into some of Egypt's most legendary sites. We'll explore the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs were buried with everything they thought they'd need for the afterlife, stand before the dramatic Temple of Hatshepsut, and wander through Karnak, a place so vast it's hard to believe it was built by human hands.

We'll end the evening at Luxor Temple after dark, when the crowds thin out and the ancient stones seem to glow beneath the night sky.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Red Sea coast
Desert ATV safari
Bedouin dinner

After days immersed in ancient history, we trade temples for sea views and make our way to Egypt's stunning Red Sea coast.

Upon arrival in Hurghada, you'll have time to settle into our hotel and enjoy your first glimpse of the crystal-clear waters that have made this region famous. Later in the afternoon, we'll head into the desert for an adventure unlike anything we've experienced so far.

Riding ATVs across golden dunes as the sun begins to set, we'll venture into the Eastern Desert before gathering for a traditional Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars. 

Breakfast and dinner included.

Giftun Islands
Snorkeling excursion
Swimming in the Red Sea

Just when you think Egypt can't surprise you anymore, it does.

Today we're trading ancient wonders for natural ones as we head out to the Giftun Islands, a slice of paradise floating in the middle of the Red Sea. Think impossibly blue water, colorful coral reefs, and the kind of scenery that makes you question whether your camera roll needs another hundred photos. (It does.)

We'll spend the day swimming, snorkeling, soaking up the sunshine, and enjoying one last adventure together before heading home. 

Breakfast and lunch included.

Departure transfers

After one final breakfast together, our Egyptian adventure comes to an end.

Over the past ten days, we've stood before the pyramids, wandered through ancient temples, sailed the Nile, explored vibrant cities and villages, crossed the desert, and swum in the Red Sea.

Transfer options to continue your journey are available, and extensions can be arranged by request — just ask if you'd like more time to explore.

Breakfast included.