Classic Egypt
Tour Description
Day 1: Cairo
Capture the very best of Egypt on this eight-day adventure through the fascinating cities of Cairo, Aswan and Luxor. Get up close to the mighty pyramids of Giza, share a homecooked meal in Cairo, discover the fascinating tombs of ancient pharaohs and watch daily life flow by as you cruise in style along the River Nile. Let an experienced guide bring the captivating stories of this time gone by to life, as you immerse yourself in the history, grandeur and culture of ancient Egypt, without forgoing modern comforts.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cairo
Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Egypt. You’ll be met on arrival at Cairo International Airport and transferred to your hotel, before your Egyptian adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6pm this evening. Cairo is one of the great cities of antiquity and its history can be symbolised by two imposing landmarks – the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. If you have some time spare, perhaps get out and explore the busy city streets or visit the Cairo Citadel which dates back to 1176 and is home to multiple museums and mosques.
Day 2: Cairo – Overnight Train
This morning after breakfast you’ll see two of the world’s most iconic sights – the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Explore structures that have stood for over 4500 years and learn the history from a true local. For an additional charge, you may be able to go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (although occasionally it’s closed to visitors). The Pyramids complex can be very hot in the summer months and has little shade to protect you from the sun so prepare accordingly. Your adventure continues to the Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world’s greatest collections of ancient artefacts. Recovered from the tomb of Tutankhamun, the gleaming jewellery, golden death mask and gilded sarcophagi are an impressive site to say the least. It’s clear this pharaoh was prepared for a lavish afterlife! Take some time to freshen up back at the hotel before you board an overnight sleeper train to Luxor.
Day 3: Nile River Cruise
It’s an early start this morning as you’ll pull into Luxor around 6am. Take advantage of the early morning peace by visiting Karnak Temple – a spectacular collection of temples, chapels and pylons that are perhaps the most impressive of all the Pharaoh’s monumental works. Learn the secrets of an ancient Egyptian sanctuary, which developed over 1000 years and was, at its peak, the most important religious complex in Egypt. Your leader will take you through some of the most incredible highlights, such as the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Great Temple of Amun. After exploring Karnak, board your Nile River Cruise and settle into your cabin. This afternoon you’ll have the option of heading off on a walking tour of Luxor and its bazaar with your leader.
Day 4: Nile River Cruise
Today you’ll hop in a private minivan and discover ancient Thebes. Your first stop is the Colossi of Memnon – two 17-metre-high statues on Luxor’s west bank. Continue on to the Valley of the Kings. Buried under the arid hills are over 60 pharaoh tombs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings. With your leader, explore the place where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (16th to 11th century BC) were secretly interred for all eternity, and where discoveries are still being made. Your group leader will explain the history and legends of these remarkable people, and the significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics, still well preserved in the deepest tombs. Visit three of the royal tombs, including Tutankhamun’s tomb where he is buried, then continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut – a columned building set against high cliffs that create a spectacular natural amphitheatre. The afternoon is yours to explore. Maybe you’d like to shop in the market or visit the world’s first Mummification Museum, where you can discover the secrets of pharaonic preservation. This evening, set sail to Edfu.
Day 5: Nile River Cruise
This morning, enjoy breakfast before setting off towards Kom Ombo. The temple of Kom Ombo, in the town of the same name, is an unusual double temple right on the bank of the Nile. This second century BC complex is unique because it has a mirror-image design, with either side dedicated to a different set of gods. One half is known as the Temple of Sobek (the crocodile-headed god of fertility), and the other half is dedicated to Haroeris (also known as Horus the falcon god). The whole temple is full of fascinating reliefs. You’ll explore Kom Ombo with your leader and absorb the history of the place, before having lunch aboard the ship. Sail onwards to Aswan, the home of beautiful Nile Valley scenery and significant archaeological sites.
Day 6: Nile River Cruise
You have time this morning to explore or relax as you choose. Your leader can recommend one of the many optional activities that are available to you in this incredible location. Explore the picturesque city centre and its bazaar, opt to visit the High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk or feed your history needs with the Nubian Museum. Maybe you’d like to visit the breathtaking Abu Simbel – built by Ramses II, it was the gateway to Egypt for Southern Africans and its imposing facade clearly delineated the line between what was the Pharaoh’s land and what was not. With the four gargantuan statues of Ramses guarding the Great Temple, carved directly out of the mountain on the west bank of the Nile, this is one of Egypt’s most memorable sights. Late in the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely sailing trip on a traditional felucca before dinner on the ship.
Day 7: Cairo
After breakfast today, say goodbye to your nights spent on the Nile. Visit Philae Temple this morning, an island-based temple complex built during the reign of Ptolemy II (around 280 BC). These picturesque walls show hieroglyphic scenes from Egyptian mythology – when Isis brought Osiris back to life, gave birth to Horus and was mummified after death. Catch a short flight back to Cairo. On your return to the capital, visit the Islamic parts of the city and the frenetic backstreets of the bazaar with your leader. A labyrinth of narrow streets and passageways, Khan is one of the biggest and oldest markets in the world. The ‘Khan’, sprawling around an old area known as Al-Azhar, is a quintessentially Cairo experience – a warren of alleys with stalls serving up a succession of intoxicating scenes. To celebrate your time in Egypt, join a local Cairo family for a delicious home-cooked dinner. The food and conversation will surely make for an evening to remember!
Day 8: Cairo
There are no activities planned for the final day and you are free to depart at any time. If you would like to extend your stay in Cairo, we would be happy to arrange additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Departure Dates
| Start Date | End Date | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2, 2025 | Oct 9, 2025 | $4,225.50 | |
| Oct 4, 2025 | Oct 11, 2025 | $4,032.00 | |
| Oct 7, 2025 | Oct 14, 2025 | $4,036.50 | |
| Oct 11, 2025 | Oct 18, 2025 | $4,212.00 | |
| Oct 23, 2025 | Oct 30, 2025 | $4,660.00 | |
| Oct 25, 2025 | Nov 1, 2025 | $3,879.00 | |
| Oct 30, 2025 | Nov 6, 2025 | $3,834.00 | |
| Nov 4, 2025 | Nov 11, 2025 | $5,155.00 | |
| Nov 6, 2025 | Nov 13, 2025 | $5,155.00 | |
| Nov 8, 2025 | Nov 15, 2025 | $5,155.00 | |
| Nov 13, 2025 | Nov 20, 2025 | $5,155.00 | |
| Nov 18, 2025 | Nov 25, 2025 | $5,155.00 | |
| Nov 22, 2025 | Nov 29, 2025 | $5,155.00 | |
| Nov 29, 2025 | Dec 6, 2025 | $5,155.00 | |
| Dec 6, 2025 | Dec 13, 2025 | $4,505.00 | |
| Dec 13, 2025 | Dec 20, 2025 | $4,445.00 | |
| Dec 16, 2025 | Dec 23, 2025 | $4,420.00 | |
| Dec 20, 2025 | Dec 27, 2025 | $4,680.00 | |
| Dec 23, 2025 | Dec 30, 2025 | $4,680.00 | |
| Dec 27, 2025 | Jan 3, 2026 | $5,290.00 | |
| Dec 30, 2025 | Jan 6, 2026 | $4,830.00 | |
| Jan 8, 2026 | Jan 15, 2026 | $4,760.00 | |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Jan 29, 2026 | $4,295.00 | |
| Feb 3, 2026 | Feb 10, 2026 | $4,185.00 | |
| Feb 10, 2026 | Feb 17, 2026 | $4,230.00 | |
| Feb 17, 2026 | Feb 24, 2026 | $4,175.00 | |
| Feb 24, 2026 | Mar 3, 2026 | $4,185.00 | |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Mar 12, 2026 | $4,175.00 | |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Mar 19, 2026 | $4,175.00 | |
| Mar 19, 2026 | Mar 26, 2026 | $4,315.00 | |
| Mar 26, 2026 | Apr 2, 2026 | $4,395.00 | |
| Mar 31, 2026 | Apr 7, 2026 | $4,460.00 | |
| Apr 2, 2026 | Apr 9, 2026 | $4,330.00 | |
| Apr 7, 2026 | Apr 14, 2026 | $4,330.00 | |
| Apr 9, 2026 | Apr 16, 2026 | $4,285.00 | |
| Apr 14, 2026 | Apr 21, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Apr 23, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Apr 21, 2026 | Apr 28, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Apr 23, 2026 | Apr 30, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Apr 28, 2026 | May 5, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Apr 30, 2026 | May 7, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| May 5, 2026 | May 12, 2026 | $4,285.00 | |
| May 7, 2026 | May 14, 2026 | $4,285.00 | |
| May 12, 2026 | May 19, 2026 | $4,390.00 | |
| May 14, 2026 | May 21, 2026 | $4,285.00 | |
| May 19, 2026 | May 26, 2026 | $4,285.00 | |
| May 21, 2026 | May 28, 2026 | $4,285.00 | |
| May 28, 2026 | Jun 4, 2026 | $4,285.00 | |
| Jun 4, 2026 | Jun 11, 2026 | $4,175.00 | |
| Jun 11, 2026 | Jun 18, 2026 | $4,175.00 | |
| Jun 25, 2026 | Jul 2, 2026 | $4,175.00 | |
| Jul 2, 2026 | Jul 9, 2026 | $4,175.00 | |
| Jul 16, 2026 | Jul 23, 2026 | $4,175.00 | |
| Jul 30, 2026 | Aug 6, 2026 | $4,175.00 | |
| Aug 6, 2026 | Aug 13, 2026 | $4,175.00 | |
| Aug 13, 2026 | Aug 20, 2026 | $4,175.00 | |
| Aug 20, 2026 | Aug 27, 2026 | $4,175.00 | |
| Aug 27, 2026 | Sep 3, 2026 | $4,330.00 | |
| Sep 3, 2026 | Sep 10, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 12, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Sep 10, 2026 | Sep 17, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 19, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Sep 17, 2026 | Sep 24, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 26, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Sep 24, 2026 | Oct 1, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 3, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 8, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 10, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Oct 6, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Oct 8, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Oct 13, 2026 | Oct 20, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 22, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Oct 20, 2026 | Oct 27, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Oct 22, 2026 | Oct 29, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Oct 27, 2026 | Nov 3, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Oct 29, 2026 | Nov 5, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 7, 2026 | $4,450.00 | |
| Nov 3, 2026 | Nov 10, 2026 | $4,285.00 | |
| Nov 5, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 | $4,285.00 | |
| Nov 10, 2026 | Nov 17, 2026 | $4,285.00 | |
| Nov 12, 2026 | Nov 19, 2026 | $4,120.00 | |
| Nov 17, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | $4,120.00 | |
| Nov 19, 2026 | Nov 26, 2026 | $4,120.00 | |
| Nov 24, 2026 | Dec 1, 2026 | $4,120.00 | |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Dec 3, 2026 | $4,120.00 | |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 8, 2026 | $4,285.00 | |
| Dec 3, 2026 | Dec 10, 2026 | $4,285.00 | |
| Dec 8, 2026 | Dec 15, 2026 | $4,285.00 | |
| Dec 10, 2026 | Dec 17, 2026 | $4,285.00 | |
| Dec 15, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | $4,285.00 | |
| Dec 17, 2026 | Dec 24, 2026 | $4,285.00 | |
| Dec 22, 2026 | Dec 29, 2026 | $4,285.00 | |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | $4,285.00 | |
| Dec 29, 2026 | Jan 5, 2027 | $5,260.00 | |
| Jan 7, 2027 | Jan 14, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Jan 21, 2027 | Jan 28, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Feb 2, 2027 | Feb 9, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Feb 4, 2027 | Feb 11, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Feb 9, 2027 | Feb 16, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Feb 16, 2027 | Feb 23, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Feb 23, 2027 | Mar 2, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Mar 4, 2027 | Mar 11, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Mar 11, 2027 | Mar 18, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Mar 18, 2027 | Mar 25, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Mar 25, 2027 | Apr 1, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Mar 30, 2027 | Apr 6, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Apr 1, 2027 | Apr 8, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Apr 6, 2027 | Apr 13, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Apr 8, 2027 | Apr 15, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Apr 13, 2027 | Apr 20, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Apr 15, 2027 | Apr 22, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Apr 20, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Apr 22, 2027 | Apr 29, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Apr 27, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Apr 29, 2027 | May 6, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| May 4, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| May 6, 2027 | May 13, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| May 11, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| May 13, 2027 | May 20, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| May 18, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| May 20, 2027 | May 27, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| May 25, 2027 | Jun 1, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| May 27, 2027 | Jun 3, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Jun 3, 2027 | Jun 10, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Jun 10, 2027 | Jun 17, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Jun 17, 2027 | Jun 24, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Jun 24, 2027 | Jul 1, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Jul 1, 2027 | Jul 8, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Jul 15, 2027 | Jul 22, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Jul 29, 2027 | Aug 5, 2027 | $4,935.00 | |
| Jul 31, 2027 | Aug 7, 2027 | $4,935.00 | |
| Aug 5, 2027 | Aug 12, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Aug 12, 2027 | Aug 19, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Aug 19, 2027 | Aug 26, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Aug 26, 2027 | Sep 2, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Sep 2, 2027 | Sep 9, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Sep 4, 2027 | Sep 11, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Sep 9, 2027 | Sep 16, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Sep 11, 2027 | Sep 18, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Sep 16, 2027 | Sep 23, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Sep 18, 2027 | Sep 25, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Sep 23, 2027 | Sep 30, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Sep 25, 2027 | Oct 2, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Sep 30, 2027 | Oct 7, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Oct 2, 2027 | Oct 9, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Oct 5, 2027 | Oct 12, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Oct 7, 2027 | Oct 14, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Oct 12, 2027 | Oct 19, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Oct 14, 2027 | Oct 21, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Oct 19, 2027 | Oct 26, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Oct 21, 2027 | Oct 28, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Oct 26, 2027 | Nov 2, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Oct 28, 2027 | Nov 4, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Oct 30, 2027 | Nov 6, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Nov 2, 2027 | Nov 9, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Nov 4, 2027 | Nov 11, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Nov 9, 2027 | Nov 16, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Nov 11, 2027 | Nov 18, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Nov 16, 2027 | Nov 23, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Nov 18, 2027 | Nov 25, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Nov 23, 2027 | Nov 30, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Nov 25, 2027 | Dec 2, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Nov 30, 2027 | Dec 7, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Dec 2, 2027 | Dec 9, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Dec 7, 2027 | Dec 14, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Dec 9, 2027 | Dec 16, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Dec 14, 2027 | Dec 21, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Dec 16, 2027 | Dec 23, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Dec 21, 2027 | Dec 28, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Dec 23, 2027 | Dec 30, 2027 | $3,985.00 | |
| Dec 28, 2027 | Jan 4, 2028 | $5,025.00 |