Classic Egypt Tour – Highlights

14-Days Private Classic Egypt tour – Guaranteed weekly departures

Classic Egypt Tour – Guided by knowledgeable private Egyptologists
Cairo, Luxor, Nile Dahabiya Journey, Abu Simbel & Aswan
This trip can start every Friday, Sunday or Tuesday

Why this Classic Egypt Tour?
» Expert Egyptologist guides
» Must-see sites & lesser-known gems
» Excursions & admission fees included
» The Nile by wind-powered Dahabiya
» Abu Simbel – We include it
» Guaranteed weekly private departures

This classic Egypt tour focuses on many aspects of cultural Egypt, from the historical treasures to its people and landscapes. An absolute highlight of this trip is to sail the Nile by Dahabiya, it will be all traditional, exactly like a century ago. This itinerary is a wonderful introduction to Egypt and combines all the main sites with some lesser-known highlights.

Cairo’s Past & Present
Your adventure begins in Cairo to see the Pyramids of Giza and Saqqara and the Egyptian museum. Visit Cairo’s old city and its historical churches, medieval mosques and lively souks. There will also be time to wander the seldom-visited archaeological site of Dahshur.

Luxor Ancient Wonders
Explore the classic sites of Luxor, including the Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Luxor temples. Alongside the historic sites and monuments, the bustling back streets and countryside villages of Luxor still present an exotic face to most visitors.

The Nile by Dahabiya – a leisurely way to sail the Nile
Forget the huge Nile cruisers and get ready for sailing the Nile by wind-powered Dahabiya. Visit ancient sites between Esna and Aswan, walk along the river bank to small villages and enjoy local cuisine. Dahabiyyas are slow; they take their time and stop at sites others don’t see, and can moor almost anywhere. This part of the journey rewards you with a genuine experience of untouched, rural Egypt at its best.

Abu Simbel without the crowds
Get away from the coach parties and stay overnight in Abu Simbel to visit the temples in ultimate peace. Finally, see the splendid sites of Philae and Kalabsha in Aswan. Here the Nile is beautiful, flowing through granite rocks and lush islands, an idyllic setting to unwind at the end of your Egyptian journey.

Classic Egypt Tour – Day to Day Itinerary

Day to Day Itinerary – Classic Egypt Tour
This trip can start every Friday, Sunday or Tuesday

Your trip will be on a private basis – and all travel arrangements are made using a private Egyptologist, who will tailor sightseeing activities to your interests. All sightseeing including entrance fees are included in the tour price. Our itineraries offer freedom and flexibility allow you to explore Egypt at your own pace and ensure you make the most of every moment of your holiday.

DAYS 1-4 > CAIRO, GIZA, SAQQARA & DAHSHUR

Day 1 – Arrival in Cairo. Transfer on arrival to your hotel in Cairo or Giza.
Day 2 – Discover the historical churches in the Old Coptic Quarter, visit some superb mosques in Medieval Cairo and a walking tour into the lesser-known alleys of Khan el-Khalili souks.
Day 3 – Cairo of the Pharaohs: visit Giza, Saqqara and Dahshur Monuments.
Day 4 – Private guided tour of the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, including the golden treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamen. In the evening fly from Cairo to Luxor and check into your hotel.

DAYS 5-6 > LUXOR & THEBES

Day 5 – Spend the day visiting the spectacular temples of Karnak & Luxor on the east bank.
Day 6 – Cross the Nile to the West Bank and visit some of the beautifully decorated tombs in the Valley of the Kings, the terraced temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the Valley of the Nobles, Medinet Habu and the Colossi of Memnon.

DAYS 7-10 > ESNA TO ASWAN ON A NILE DAHABIYA BOAT

Day 7 – Drive to Esna and Embark on the Dahabiya for a 4-day cruise along the Nile between Esna and Aswan. Visit the Esna temple, followed by a short walking tour through the local markets. Sail to El Kab, the ancient town of Nekheb, to visit the remains of its temples and rock-cut tombs. Set sail for a small island where the boat will moor for the night.
Day 8 – Sail south stopping at Edfu to see the temple of Horus, later stops will take you to small villages and the desert. Travel on to a small island where the boat will moor for the night.
Day 9 – Sail to Gebel el Silsila and explore the ancient sandstone quarries and rock-cut chapels. The journey up the Nile continues towards the double temple of Haroeris and Sobek in Kom Ombo. Set sail for the island of Maniha, where the Dahabiya will moor for the night.
Day 10 – Sail to Daraw and take a walking tour to the village to visit the markets of Daraw, once the last stop on the famous 40-day desert road between Sudan and Egypt. Sailing continues to the Nubian village of El Koubania, near Aswan.

DAYS 11-13 > ABU SIMBEL & ASWAN

Day 11 – Transfer by air-conditioned minibus to Abu Simbel. Visit the world-famous temples of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari in Abu Simbel, overlooking Lake Nasser. There is enough time for an extensive visit to both temples. In the evening, there is a possibility of attending the Sound & Light show.
Day 12 – The day starts with a spectacular sunrise over Abu Simbel. There will be plenty of time to pay a second visit to the temples of Abu Simbel. Transfer by air-conditioned minibus to the hotel in Aswan. In the afternoon, sailing aboard a traditional felucca circling the beautiful islands of Aswan and a walking tour into one of the many colourful Nubian villages perched on the edge of the desert.
Day 13 – Today to the romantic island temple of Isis at Philae. For a sense of adventure, head to the lesser known Ptolemaic temple of Kalabsha. Finally, pay a brief visit on the return journey to the High Dam and the ancient quarry that still holds a gigantic unfinished obelisk.

DAY 14 > RETURN FLIGHT(S)

Day 14 – Transfer to Aswan airport for your flight home via Cairo.