Egypt Discovery Tour to Cairo, Luxor & the Nile

The day begins by visiting the Citadel of Saladin, a fortified complex rising above Cairo since the 12th century—its walls and towers frame sweeping views across the city. Step inside the Mosque of Mohammed Ali, where elegant domes and marble courtyards reflect Ottoman grandeur and dominate the skyline.

Continue on to explore Old Cairo and its most impressive sites of worship, such as the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue. Then, descend into the heart of the famed Khan el Khalili market. In continuous operation since the 14th century, its labyrinth of lanes brims with color and movement. Follow your Trip Leader, weaving expertly through the narrow streets where mounds of cumin, coriander, and cardamom scent the air, and saffron threads, cinnamon sticks, and dried hibiscus blossoms spill from open sacks. Pyramids of oranges, dates, and pomegranates sit beside stalls overflowing with brass lanterns and woven textiles, all sharing space with pedestrians, donkeys, and delivery carts.

After this walking tour, take time to explore with free time to browse and enjoy lunch on your own in one of the many restaurants or cafés, with your Trip Leader’s recommendations of course.

Return to the hotel retreat along the Nile to unwind with a swim or a beverage on the rooftop terrace as the sun sets. As evening falls, gather with fellow travelers for a welcome dinner. Mezze plates, traditional clay-pot specialties and sweet confections introduce the flavors of Egyptian cuisine, while stories and insights open the door to the discoveries ahead.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Kempinski Nile Hotel

What to Expect

Cobbled and dirt paths, paved lanes, and narrow alleys with occasional uneven terrain and short stair sections. A relaxed, stop-and-go walking pace through historic and religious sites and busy market areas. Limited shade in outdoor sections and crowded conditions in the bazaar.

Start the day with a guided walk through a neighborhood market, pausing at small shops to learn how locals choose their produce and dairy, while gaining a glimpse of daily life. Then continue to a private cooking class that introduces the flavors and traditions of Egyptian home cooking.

In the kitchen, prepare a meal alongside your hosts. A typical menu may start by chopping ripe tomatoes for a pickled salad, layering eggplant into rich moussaka, and finishing with Om Ali, Egypt’s celebrated bread pudding. Stories and history bring each dish to life, and the class concludes with a shared lunch of the dishes prepared together.

In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for a one-hour flight south to Luxor. Once the capital of ancient Thebes, Luxor is often described as the world’s largest open-air museum, with landmarks such as the Temples of Karnak, Luxor Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. After settling into an deluxe riverfront hotel, relax by the pool or on the terrace. Dinner is independent this evening, with options at your hotel or your leader’s suggestion nearby .

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Sonesta St George

What to Expect

Short market walk on paved and uneven surfaces with frequent stops. Domestic flight of about one hour.

Cross to the West Bank of the Nile this morning for a guided visit to the Valley of the Kings, the legendary burial ground of Egypt’s pharaohs. Once part of ancient Thebes, this UNESCO World Heritage site holds elaborately decorated tombs created to guide rulers into the afterlife. Step inside chambers carved deep into the valley and marvel at vibrant wall paintings that have endured for millennia. Pause for lunch at the inviting café within the museum that was the home of Howard Carter, the British archeologist and Egyptologist who led the excavation of the tomb of Tutankhamun in the early 20th century. A short drive away is the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of the few female pharaohs. The afternoon is free to enjoy the hotel, whether with a refreshing swim or quiet time on the terrace overlooking the river.

As evening falls and temperatures cool, walk amidst the Luxor Temple, dramatically illuminated against the night sky. Graceful columns, towering statues, and the Avenue of the Sphinx glow in golden light, offering a striking contrast to the daytime bustle.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Sonesta St George

What to Expect

Walking and stair climbing on uneven surfaces at tombs and temples. Enclosed spaces within tombs may be warm and crowded. Evening visit to the temple involves paved paths and promenades at a relaxed pace.

Rise early for a rare and rewarding visit to Karnak Temples at sunrise. At this hour, the vast complex is quiet and cool, allowing space to admire its scale and detail before the crowds arrive. Walk among colossal columns, carved walls, and monumental gateways as the expert Egyptologist leader interprets the layers of history contained within this awe-inspiring site.

Return to the hotel for breakfast and check out before a private coach transfer south to Edfu. After lunch, step inside the Temple of Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt dedicated to Horus, the falcon god. Intricately inscribed walls and soaring stone halls reveal stories of myth, ceremony, and devotion.

By early afternoon, embark on a private dahabiya, the Azhar, styled after the elegant sailing vessels of 19th-century travelers. Dahabiyas are equipped with sails yet powered by small motor vessels, tugboats, for a smooth voyage and the ability to reach private mooring facilities. With just twelve cabins, shaded decks, and a dedicated crew, the boat offers both comfort and intimacy. Start cruising at sunset, settling into your cabin before enjoying the first dinner aboard: mezze and fresh breads, grilled vegetables, and a main course such as chicken kebobs prepared by the onboard chef.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Dahabiya The Azhar

What to Expect 

Walking on uneven stone surfaces at Karnak and Edfu temples. Three-hour transfer by private coach with rest stops. Boarding the dahabiya requires short stairways and ramps.

Awake on the dahabiya to the gentle rhythm of the Nile. Early risers sip coffee on deck as the riverbank stirs with farmers, fishermen, and children beginning their day. Today offers a slower, more intimate exploration of villages and sites far from the usual routes.

Step ashore for a warm welcome with a local family. Over tea, learn to bake bread in a traditional outdoor oven before returning to the boat to enjoy it fresh with lunch on deck later in the day.

Sail to Silsila, once known as Khenu, or the “Place of Rowing.” Here, sandstone cliffs rise above the narrowest stretch of the Nile, quarried by the ancient Egyptians to build their great temples. Explore rock-cut shrines, hillside tombs, and the Speos of Horemheb, a chapel dedicated to the last pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty.

Continue to the West Bank of Faris, where a short walk winds through palm groves and farmland to the cottage workshop of a furniture maker. The path follows the same route locals use to reach the Nile, offering glimpses of rural life as herders guide cattle and children ride donkeys along the trail. Return by foot or in small tuk tuks.

Relax on deck as the dahabiya sails toward sunset. Before dinner, gather for a talk with the leader on contemporary Egyptian life, then dine under the stars or in the cozy dining room.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Dahabiya The Azhar

What to Expect 

Walking on uneven terrain at Silsila and in village settings. Optional 2- to 2.5-mile walk along a narrow dirt path and/or short tuk tuk ride. Warm daytime temperatures with limited shade. Sailing is at a relaxed pace with ample downtime on deck.

Dock at the riverside town of Kom Ombo and walk to its remarkable Greco-Roman temple, dramatically positioned on a bend in the Nile. Unique in its dual dedication to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, the sun god, the temple is adorned with finely carved reliefs and surrounded by traces of daily life in ancient times. Nearby, a small exhibit highlights traditional irrigation tools that sustained Egypt’s agriculture for centuries.

Sail south, arriving this morning late morning to the East Bank where you ride in local pickup trucks to the center of the village of Daraw. With your Trip Leader interpreting, meet residents and gain insight into local customs as you watch daily life unfold in shops and cafés. Explore the bustling vegetable market before visiting the camel barns. Up to 2,000 camels are brought here from Sudan each week, and the air is filled with the deep rumble of camels grumbling and the sharp calls of traders striking deals.

Return to the dahabiya for lunch and relax on deck as the boat continues downstream. Watch the scenery shift from palms to desert as the sun sets across the western horizon. Dinner prepared by the dahabiya’s chef is served on deck or in the dining room.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Dahabiya The Azhar

What to Expect

Kom Ombo temple visit involves a short walk from the dock over paved terrain. Village walking on paved and dirt paths with a short ride in local taxis (pickup trucks with benches). Markets and camel barns can be crowded and lively. Warm daytime conditions with limited shade.

Travel south to Aswan, where the Nile flows gracefully around palm-fringed islands and ochre desert hills. Board a private boat to Agilkia Island for a guided tour of the Temple of Philae, one of Egypt’s most enchanting sites. Dedicated to Isis, goddess of healing and magic, the temple was relocated stone by stone in the 1970s to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Wander through colonnaded courtyards and listen as the Trip Leader explains the significance of the pylons etched with stories of gods and pharaohs. Lunch on the island is at a restaurant owned by a Nubian family.

The remainder of the day is free to enjoy Aswan at your own pace, exploring the town’s market or riverfront promenade. Upon check-in to your hotel, there is time to rest ahead of tomorrow’s early departure.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Sonesta Nouba Hotel

What to Expect 

Walking on paved and uneven surfaces at the temple, with ferry transfer to Agilkia Island. Warm, often sunny conditions with limited shade.

Today offers two options. Early risers may depart before dawn for the journey to Abu Simbel, one of Egypt’s most remarkable archaeological sites. Arriving at the edge of Lake Nasser, the temples appear suddenly, their massive forms carved directly into the sandstone cliffs. Four colossal statues of Ramses II sit in silent majesty, their weathered faces catching the morning light. Inside, narrow passageways lead into cool chambers where vibrant reliefs line the walls: pharaohs in battle, gods offering protection, scenes that once proclaimed divine power to all who entered.

Those who prefer a slower pace may enjoy a relaxed day in Aswan. By late afternoon, all gather back in Aswan for a special home-hosted dinner. Local Nubian families welcome the group into their homes, offering a chance to share conversation and gain personal insight into Egyptian traditions and daily life. The meal may include dishes such as lentil soup, molokhia stew, or grilled chicken, along with fresh bread and seasonal fruit—all served family-style, with warm hospitality as the centerpiece of the experience.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Sonesta Nouba Hotel

What to Expect 

Very early morning departure for those visiting Abu Simbel, with 8–10 hours of round-trip travel by private coach. Walking on uneven stone paths at the temples, often warm and sunny with little shade.

This morning, transfer to the airport for a short flight north to Cairo. Upon arrival, continue directly to the Grand Egyptian Museum, known affectionately as the “GEM.” Recently opened and already hailed as Egypt’s “New Wonder,” this vast complex is the largest archaeological museum in the world.

During a guided tour, explore more than 100,000 artifacts spanning millennia of Egyptian history. Exhibits trace the arc of civilization from prehistoric times through the pharaonic dynasties and onward to the Greek and Roman eras. The centerpiece is the complete treasure collection of Tutankhamun, displayed in its entirety for the first time. Gold jewelry, ornate chariots, and the boy king’s iconic funerary mask stand among the museum’s highlights, joined by monumental statues, intricately carved stelae, and everyday objects that reveal the richness of ancient life.

Enjoy lunch on your own at one of the many museum restaurants and simple cafés. Then return to the hotel for time to rest and indulge in the hotel’s amenities.

Accommodation: Mariott Mena House Hotel, Cairo

Included Meals: Breakfast

What to Expect 

Domestic flight of about 90 minutes. Museum visit involves extended walking and standing. Crowds can be heavy at major exhibits, especially Tutankhamun’s collection.

Enjoy breakfast overlooking the pyramids this morning. Begin the day with a guided exploration of the Giza Plateau, home to the iconic pyramids that have inspired travelers for centuries. Completed around 2570 BC, the Great Pyramid of Khufu is the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, its massive stone blocks a testament to the ingenuity of early engineers. Nearby, the enigmatic Sphinx gazes eastward, carved from a single limestone outcrop and long believed to bear the features of Pharaoh Khafre. For the truly adventurous, there is the opportunity (at your own expense) to venture inside one of the three pyramids for a rare glimpse into the ancient passageways.

Return to the hotel by midday and enjoy a free afternoon. The property offers jasmine-scented gardens, a pool with pyramid views, and ample opportunities for relaxation. Those who wish may take advantage of additional amenities (at your own expense), such as tennis courts, horseback riding, or spa treatments, or simply unwind on the terrace before the evening’s celebration.

Reunite tonight with fellow travelers for a festive farewell dinner. Share stories from along the Nile and savor the flavors of Egyptian cuisine one final time as the journey comes to a close.

Accommodation: Mariott Mena House Hotel, Cairo

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

What to Expect 

Walking and stair climbing on uneven stone surfaces at the Giza Plateau, with crowded conditions at major monuments. For those considering the optional entry into one of the pyramids, please note that the experience includes navigating narrow corridors with low ceilings and steep stairways in hot conditions. This activity is not recommended for travelers who may experience claustrophobia, as these confined spaces can be uncomfortable.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning. The tour officially concludes after breakfast at the Mena House Hotel in Cairo.