Premium Egypt in Depth – 15 Days

. Your journey begins in the vibrant and bustling city of Cairo. Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel where you can unwind and explore the bar and pool facilities.

You’ll have free time until your welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. In the evening, enjoy your first taste of authentic Egyptian cuisine with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, sampling classic dishes like fatta (rice, bread, and meat in garlic and vinegar sauce) and kushari (a comforting mix of pasta, rice, lentils, and fried onions).

Accommodation: Overland Hotel (1 night)
Meals: Dinner

Included Activities:

• Complimentary arrival transfer
• Welcome dinner in Cairo

Optional Activities:

• Saqqara and Memphis

After breakfast, set out to see some of the most recognisable landmarks in the world – the Great Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the enigmatic Sphinx. Your local leader, a trained Egyptologist, will bring these ancient monuments to life with fascinating stories and history. For an extra fee, you may even have the chance to step inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops).

Next, continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world’s most significant collections of Egyptian artefacts. Wander through halls filled with treasures of legendary pharaohs and queens, including the dazzling artefacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb – jewellery, gilded sarcophagi, and the famous golden death mask. Tour with your guide for expert insights or explore at your own pace.

Accommodation: Overland Hotel (1 night)

Meals: Breakfast

Included Activities:

• Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
• Grand Egyptian Museum

Optional Activities:

• The Great Pyramid of Cheops (entrance fee: EGP1500)

Important Info:
The pyramid interiors are small and can get warm, so this visit is not suitable for those with claustrophobia. Be prepared to walk around the complex, wear light clothing, stay protected from the sun, and carry plenty of water. Note that the Great Pyramid of Khufu may occasionally close to visitors without prior notice

This morning, set off on a scenic drive to Alexandria, stopping at Wadi El Natron along the way. Your local leader will share the history of this desert sanctuary, which became a refuge for Christians when Saint Macarius the Great settled here in AD 360. Originally home to over 60 monasteries, only four remain today, including the Anba Bishoy Monastery. Stroll through the gardens, observe the monks in their daily routines, and visit the church for sweeping views over the desert landscape.

Continue your journey to Alexandria, the historic city founded by Alexander the Great, often celebrated as the Pearl of the Mediterranean.

Accommodation: Overland Hotel (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast

Included Activities:

• Wadi El Natron monasteries
• Anba Bishoy Monastery

Special Information:
Travel time today is approximately 4 hours

Spend a full day uncovering the rich history of Alexandria with your knowledgeable local leader. Begin at the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a fascinating Roman-era burial site discovered in 1900 that blends Greek, Egyptian, and Roman influences. Next, visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern library inspired by the legendary Great Library of Alexandria that stood here over 1,700 years ago. Conclude your day at Fort Qaitbay, a 14th-century fortress built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria to defend the city from invaders.

Accommodation: Overland Hotel (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast

Included Activities:

• Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
• Bibliotheca Alexandrina
• Fort Qaitbay

Travel south of Alexandria to the historic battle site of El Alamein, where British and Commonwealth forces secured a decisive victory against the German Afrika Korps during World War II. Visit the war cemeteries and museum, paying respects to nearly 12,000 soldiers who lost their lives in the Western Desert campaigns.

Stop for a late lunch featuring feteer meshaltet, Egypt’s iconic layered pastry, which can be enjoyed sweet or savory. After your reflective day, return to Cairo and enjoy a leisurely evening at your hotel.

Accommodation: Overland Hotel (1 night)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Included Activities:

• El Alamein War Cemeteries and Museum

After breakfast, take a short flight to Luxor, the ancient capital of the pharaohs and today the world’s greatest open-air museum. Upon arrival, transfer to your Feature Stay Nile riverboat for the next four nights. Unpack and relax in your cabin with panoramic views of the Nile, or enjoy the sundeck, swimming pool, and onboard restaurant as the riverbanks drift by.

This afternoon, explore the monumental Karnak Temple, built over 200 years and dating back as far as 2055 BC. Your guided tour will reveal its most impressive pylons, obelisks, and chapels.

Accommodation: Nile Cruise (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities:

• Karnak Temple

Optional Activities:

• Luxor Temple
• Karnak Temple Sound & Light Show

Rise early to explore the Valley of the Kings, home to over 60 royal tombs, many beautifully adorned with paintings and hieroglyphics. Learn about the ancient Egyptians’ funerary rituals and step inside the tomb of Tutankhamun, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time, to admire his painted chambers and iconic sarcophagus.

Continue to three more royal tombs before visiting the striking Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, set in a natural cliff amphitheatre, and finish at the Colossi of Memnon, two colossal statues that once formed part of a grand temple complex. Return to your Nile riverboat for a leisurely lunch and some relaxation on deck or in your cabin as you sail upstream to Edfu, arriving in the evening.

Accommodation: Nile Cruise (1 night)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities:

• Valley of the Kings (entrance to 3 tombs)
• Tomb of Tutankhamun
• Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• Colossi of Memnon

Optional Activities:

• Medinat Habu Temple
• Hot Air Balloon over the Valley of the Kings

Special Information:
The hot air balloon experience is subject to weather conditions and can be booked through your leader. Pick-up is between 4:30–5:00 am, with a maximum of 25 passengers per balloon. Cameras are prohibited in the basket; mobile phones are allowed.

Start your morning moored near Edfu, with the option to explore the town independently. Relax on deck as you cruise along the Nile, taking in the lush riverbanks framed by desert hills. Stop at the Kom Ombo Temple, an impressive riverside complex built around 181 BC, uniquely dedicated to two gods: Horus, god of protection, and Sobek, god of fertility and the Nile. Explore each god’s dedicated section and discover fascinating mummified crocodiles linked to Sobek. Continue your journey downstream to Aswan, arriving in the late evening.

Accommodation: Nile Cruise (1 night)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities:

• Kom Ombo Temple

Special Information:
The Edfu Temple is not included due to concerns about animal welfare and visitor comfort, as local transport relies on horses and carriages and the site can be overcrowded with vendors.

Spend the morning at the magnificent Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, home to the stunning Temple of Isis. Reassembled to save it from rising waters, Philae boasts some of Egypt’s finest carvings and is believed to be one of the last active sites of ancient Egyptian religion. In the afternoon, explore Aswan on foot with your leader, wandering through the vibrant Sharia el Souk market filled with baked goods, crafts, and colourful local life. Return to the boat for a relaxing evening on the calm Nile waters.

Accommodation: Nile Cruise (1 night)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities:

• Philae Temple
• Sharia el Souk Walking Tour

Optional Activities:

• Philae Temple Sound and Light Show

Travel by road to Abu Simbel and check in at your lakeside accommodation, surrounded by lush grounds, two swimming pools, and spectacular views over Lake Nasser. Staying overnight here allows for a relaxed visit to the famous Abu Simbel temples, built during the reign of Ramesses II. These monumental rock-cut temples, featuring statues of the pharaoh and his queen standing up to 20 metres tall, took 20 years to complete. Explore the complex with your leader for historical insights, then return in the evening to experience the impressive Sound and Light Show that brings the temples to life after dark.

Accommodation: Overland Hotel (1 night)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Included Activities:

• Abu Simbel Temples Guided Visit
• Abu Simbel Sound & Light Show

Return to Aswan in time for lunch and enjoy some downtime to relax at your hotel or explore the city at your own pace. Later, step back in time with a visit to the iconic Old Cataract Hotel for a classic afternoon tea. Built in 1899 by Thomas Cook, this historic hotel has welcomed legendary guests such as Princess Diana, Winston Churchill, and Agatha Christie, who stayed here while writing Death on the Nile. Enjoy tiered trays of finger food and a selection of fine teas in a setting that exudes old-world glamour, with stunning views over the Nile.

Finish the day with a free evening to discover a local restaurant for dinner – your leader can provide recommendations.

Accommodation: Overland Hotel (1 night)

Meals: Breakfast
Included Activities:

• Afternoon Tea at the Old Cataract Hotel

Start the day exploring the Aswan High Dam, a modern marvel of Egyptian engineering, followed by a visit to the Unfinished Obelisk, which would have been the largest ever erected in ancient Egypt.

In the late afternoon, board a traditional felucca and sail along the Nile to Elephantine Island, once believed to be the home of Khnum, the god who guarded the river’s waters. Sip sunset drinks on board while taking in the tranquil views. Disembark at a local village for a traditional Nubian feast, where you’ll meet a welcoming family, sample authentic dishes, and gain insight into everyday Nubian life.

Accommodation: Overland Hotel (1 night)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Included Activities:

• Felucca Sunset Drinks
• Elephantine Island
• Unfinished Obelisk & Aswan High Dam
• Nubian Village Visit & Dinner

Fly back to Cairo this morning and settle into your downtown hotel. Spend the day exploring Islamic Cairo, wandering through the bustling Khan al-Khalili Bazaar, a labyrinth of alleyways filled with shops, cafes, and the famous gold, perfume, and spice markets. Pause for an Arabic coffee or mint tea at El Fishawy, Cairo’s oldest café, run by the same family for seven generations.

Continue your journey with visits to the Mosque of Ibn Tulun and the Gayer-Anderson Museum, a treasure trove of antique furniture and Islamic artefacts. Cap off the day with an authentic Egyptian meal in a local family’s home, enjoying traditional dishes while chatting about life and cuisine in Egypt.

Accommodation: Overland Hotel (1 night)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Included Activities:

• Home-Cooked Dinner with a Local Family
• Coffee/Tea at a Local Café
• Khan al-Khalili Bazaar
• Ibn Tulun Mosque
• Gayer-Anderson Museum (entrance fee)

Early this morning, set out for Fayoum, a scenic oasis southwest of Cairo. Your first stop is Wadi El Rayan, a stunning natural park featuring two lakes connected by Egypt’s only waterfall—a perfect spot for photos!

Next, hop into a 4WD to explore Wadi Al-Hitan (Valley of the Whales), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This desert is home to fossilized remains of the earliest ancestors of modern whales, offering a fascinating glimpse into evolution. Visit the Fossil and Climate Change Museum, which houses a collection of unique fossils, including the largest intact Basilosaurus isis whale fossil.

Wrap up your desert adventure with a jeep tour and a traditional desert lunch with your group before returning to Cairo for your final night.

Accommodation: Overland Hotel (1 night)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Included Activities: Fayoum Day Trip with Wadi Al-Hitan & Climate Change Museum

Your adventure comes to an end today after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay and explore more of Cairo, simply speak to your booking agent to arrange additional accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast