Egypt by Train, Boat & Plane

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll get up close with the world’s most iconic landmarks, the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Standing 138 metres tall, the Great Pyramid of Giza, built for Pharaoh Khufu (2589–2566 BC), is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one still largely intact. Nearby, the 73-metre-long Sphinx, with its awe-inspiring dimensions and enigmatic presence, remains one of the most recognisable statues in history. We’ll have the whole morning here, so there’ll be plenty of time to explore these 4,500-year-old structures. 

After lunch together enjoying uninterrupted views of the pyramids, we’ll explore the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilisation. After decades of planning, this magnificent building, architecturally inspired by the pyramids, was officially opened in July 2025. It spans 490,000 square metres, and houses over 100,000 artifacts from ancient Egypt, including the complete Tutankhamun collection, with many pieces on display for the first time.  

You’ll have as much time here as you want as the rest of the afternoon and dinner tonight is at leisure, so you may wish to stay on at the Museum and eat in one of the great cafes located there.  Our hotel is only a short distance away.

Overnight: Marriott Mena House, Cairo or Similar (B,L)

After breakfast and checking out, we’ll board our private coach and transfer to the Giza Metro station to experience travel the way the locals do it across to the East Bank and downtown Cairo. Opened in 1987, the Cairo Metro was Africa and the Middle East’s first metro network and the first rapid transit system on the continent and in the Arab world.  Leaving our luggage with our coach, we’ll travel across the Nile to Mar Girgis station in Coptic Cairo to begin our exploration of Old Cairo on foot. 

Coptic Cairo was a stronghold of Christianity in Egypt and is home to some of Egypt’s most important Christian sites. It is believed the Holy Family sought refuge in a cave here after fleeing into Egypt, over which the Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church (Abu Serga Church) was built in the 4th Century. Other highlights include The Hanging Church, dating back to the 3rd century; the Coptic Museum, home to the largest collection of Coptic Christian artifacts in the world; and Ben Ezra Synagogue, originally a Christian church, it was later converted into a synagogue, and is famous for the discovery of the “Geniza documents”, a treasure trove of Jewish historical texts.

We’ll stop for some lunch and a rest here in Coptic Cairo before jumping back on the Metro to explore nearby historic  Islamic Cairo, known for its stunning mosques, madrasas (Islamic schools), and bustling markets. It is one of the world’s richest areas in Islamic architecture, reflecting the grandeur of the Fatimid, Mamluk, and Ottoman periods. 

Islamic Cairo is also home to the vibrant, bustling Khan El Khalili Bazaar, Cairo’s famous souq founded in 1382 during the Mamluk era by Emir Dajaharks Al-Khalili. Originally a major trade center for merchants from around the world, it features traditional Mamluk-style architecture with narrow alleyways, old mosques, and historic khans (caravanserais).  You’ll have time to browse and explore this amazing place.

After regrouping for coffee and a snack, we’ll make our way to the modern Bashtil train station to board the Watania Sleeper Train to Aswan, 900 kilometres south.  

Overnight: Watania Sleeper Train from Cairo to Aswan (B, L, D)

If you’re an early riser, you’ll be rewarded this morning with a serene view of the sunrise over the Nile River from your sleeper cabin window. After arriving at Aswan train station in the mid-morning, we’ll transfer directly to the Nubian Museum, established in 1997 in cooperation with UNESCO as a testament to, and reminder of the culture and communities that were lost when vast tracts of historic Nubian land was flooded to create Lake Nasser during the construction  of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960’s.

The Nubian culture has a deep and rich history, spanning thousands of years and influencing civilizations across Africa and the Middle East. Nubia, located in present-day southern Egypt and northern Sudan, was home to some of the earliest civilizations in Africa and played a crucial role in trade, politics, and cultural exchanges along the Nile River, until the decision to flood the communities resulted in the displacement of around 100,000 Nubians from their ancestral lands in southern Egypt and northern Sudan. This mass displacement disrupted centuries-old Nubian culture, as people lost their traditional homes, fertile lands, and historical monuments, some of which were submerged under the lake. Although UNESCO launched a massive campaign to relocate major temples like Abu Simbel, many smaller historical sites were lost forever.

From here, we’ll transfer by river boat to our resort-style hotel located on Elephantine Island in the middle of the River Nile, and enjoy lunch before checking in. Elephantine Island’s name means both ‘elephant’ and ‘ivory’ in ancient Egyptian, a reminder of the important role the island once played in the lucrative ivory trade. After lunch, settle into your room and enjoy some downtime exploring the hotel’s gardens or relaxing with a drink on the sun-drenched terrace. 

Tonight, we’ll jump on a river boat and visit the iconic Old Cataract Hotel, a historic British colonial-era masterpiece built in 1899 by Thomas Cook for dinner.  Overlooking the Nile, the hotel has hosted luminaries such as Winston Churchill, Agatha Christie, and Princess Diana, and was famously featured in Christie’s Death on the Nile. 

Overnight: Mövenpick Aswan Resort, Aswan or Similar (B, L D)

This morning, we’ll visit Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk.

The Philae Temple, originally located on Philae Island, is one of Egypt’s most beautiful and well-preserved temples. Dedicated to Isis, the goddess of love, motherhood and magic, it was built during the Ptolemaic Dynasty (305–30 BC), with later additions by the Romans. When the construction of the Nasser Lake and the Aswan High Dam threatened its existence, along with that of Abu Simbel, a global movement in the 1960s funded by UNESCO saw it painstakingly moved piece by piece and reconstructed at its current location. 

Lying in a granite quarry in Aswan is one of the most fascinating ancient monuments in Egypt – the Unfinished Obelisk, the largest known obelisk ever attempted to be built by the ancient Egyptians. Commissioned during the reign of Queen Hatshepsut (1478–1458 BC) in the 18th Dynasty, it was intended to be a monumental obelisk, likely for the Temple of Karnak. Had it been completed, it would have stood at 42 metres tall and weighed around 1088,622 tonnes, making it the largest obelisk in the world – and all carved from a single piece of stone. While carving the obelisk directly from the bedrock, cracks appeared in the granite, making it unusable, and the project was abandoned but it provides a rare insight into ancient Egyptian stone-cutting techniques.

We’ll return to the hotel in time for lunch at leisure, after which the afternoon is yours to relax. With boats going from the hotel to the mainland every few minutes, you may like to go across to the mainland to explore the local markets.

Tonight is a special evening where we’ll be guests in a local Nubian village. We’ll get to explore their village on foot with a community elder before enjoying dinner in the home of a local Nubian family.  

Overnight: Mövenpick Aswan Resort, Aswan or Similar (B, D)

After an early breakfast and check-out, we’ll transfer to the Aswan airport for the short flight to Abu Simbel to explore one of Egypt’s most iconic archaeological sites, featuring two massive rock-cut temples built by Pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BCE – one temple dedicated to Ramses II and the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah; and a smaller one dedicated to Ramses II’s wife, Queen Nefertari, and the goddess Hathor. The saving and relocation of the Abu Simbel complex in a massive UNESCO-led project prior to the flooding of Nubia is considered one of the greatest archaeological engineering and rescue feats in history. Over four years between (1964-1968), the temples were cut into 1,050 blocks, each weighing up to 30 tons; painstakingly moved 65 metres higher and 200 metres back from their original location; and faithfully reconstructed to maintain their original alignment with the sun.

Upon arrival back at Aswan airport, our private coach will meet us for the transfer to our Nile Cruise. On the way, we’ll stop off at the Aswan High Dam, a marvel of modern engineering. Completed in 1970 under President Gamal Abdel Nasser, the dam created Lake Nasser, one of the world’s largest artificial lakes, and controls the Nile’s flooding cycle and generates hydroelectric power.  Its construction was not without controversy, requiring the relocation of thousands of Nubians and significant cultural landmarks like Abu Simbel. The dam also became a geopolitical flashpoint during the Cold War, as Egypt’s decision to partner with the Soviet Union over the United States and United Kingdom reshaped global alliances.

After checking in to our cruise boat, we’ll enjoy lunch onboard, before settling into the next chapter of your Nile adventure. There’s no better way to soak in the ancient history of the Nile and the incredible sights along its banks than by travelling on a cruise boat. Enjoy all the comforts of a premier hotel, including a swimming pool, sundeck, restaurant and cabins with panoramic windows to watch riverside life stream in between your off-boat excursions.

Overnight: MS Farah Cruise or Similar (B, L, D)

Today is yours to relax until later in the afternoon when we arrive at our first destination, Kom Ombo Temple. This unique second-century BC complex, built during the Ptolemaic period, is dedicated to two deities –  the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus. The dual dedication reflects the ancient Egyptians’ efforts to symbolically resolve the conflict between these gods by separating their temple spaces within one site.  Kom Ombo’s walls have some of Egypt’s oldest medical texts, including surgical instruments and treatments, and  features one of the earliest Egyptian calendars, showing a 365-day cycle. A Crocodile Museum next to the temple displays mummified crocodiles, reflecting the worship of Sobek.

After marvelling at the cleverness of such an ancient civilisation, you’ll return to your boat and enjoy dinner as we cruise upriver, taking in views of desert hills, verdant riverbanks, fishermen casting nets, and farmers tending their fields.

In the evening, the ship will dock near the Temple of Edfu. 

Overnight: MS Farah Cruise or Similar (B, L, D)

It’s an early start today for our exploration of the Temple of Edfu, an extraordinarily well-preserved Ptolemaic temple devoted to Horus, the falcon-headed avenger of Isis and Osiris. Renowned for its colossal pylons that stand over 36 metres tall and its vast Hypostyle Hall supported by richly decorated columns, it was buried under sand and silt for centuries before being discovered  in the 19th century by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette. As you explore, you’ll discover intricate carvings and hieroglyphs recounting ancient rituals, the triumphs of Horus, and detailed instructions for temple ceremonies. The inner sanctum still houses a black granite shrine where the image of Horus was once displayed.

We’ll return to our boat in time for breakfast and a morning of relaxing and on-board activities as we sail onwards to Luxor, enjoying lunch before we pass through the famous Esna Lock, a lock and dam system built in 1908. Due to the narrow passage, ships often have to queue to proceed through the locks, and you’ll have a great opportunity to check out the process from the deck with a cold drink in hand, listening to the shouts of the many ship captains as they navigate their way through hordes of small boats of merchants selling their wares to a captive audience!

Upon arrival in Luxor, we’ll embark on a late afternoon exploration of the majestic Karnak Temple, the sprawling complex dedicated to the god Amun, among other deities like Osiris and Isis. Renowned as the largest religious structure in the world, Karnak Temple showcases Egypt’s architectural grandeur and spiritual devotion, enriched by the contributions of numerous pharaohs who sought to immortalise their legacies through magnificent additions to this awe-inspiring site. Highlights of your visit include the Great Hypostyle Hall with its 134 towering columns, intricately carved pylons, massive obelisks, and the Avenue of Sphinxes, which once linked Karnak to Luxor Temple.

Return to your ship for dinner and a relaxing evening moored in Luxor. If you like, after dinner you can take part in the Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show at your own expense. 

Overnight: MS Farah Cruise or Similar (B, L, D)

After breakfast and checking out, you’ll transfer to your private coach for a city tour of the ancient city of Thebes, now known as Luxor. Travelling to Luxor’s West Bank, your first stop is the Colossi of Memnon – two 17-metre-high stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, which stand at the front of the ruined Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III, the largest temple in the Theban Necropolis.

You’ll then continue on to the awe-inspiring Valley of the Kings. Home to over 60 tombs, including those of pharaohs like Tutankhamun and Seti I, the valley’s intricate hieroglyphs and vivid wall paintings tell stories of their reigns. Your expert local Tour Guide 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. You’ll visit a number of the royal tombs, then continue to the mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, an architectural feat with three grand terraces set against desert cliffs. Afterwards, on our way to our hotel, we’ll visit the home of a local family for a delicious lunch and to learn about the way of life for everyday Egyptians. 

After checking into our hotel, enjoy the rest of your day and evening at leisure. This evening before dinner at leisure there will be a complimentary hosted tour of the magnificent Luxor Temple for those who are interested.There are many excellent restaurant choices in and close to your hotel for dinner – just ask your tour leader for some recommendations. 

Overnight: Steigenberger Nile Palace Hotel, Luxor or Similar (B, L)

Today is yours at leisure. If adventure calls, and you’re up for something truly spectacular, take a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings for breathtaking views of the West Bank’s temples and tombs – your Tour Leader can arrange this for you.

Or you may prefer to sleep in, stay in the hotel around the pool or spend a leisurely day exploring Luxor at your own pace. Wander through the bustling souks, where vibrant stalls overflow with spices, handcrafted jewellery, and colourful textiles. Maybe visit the Luxor Museum, home to beautifully preserved artefacts, or relax along the Corniche, watching feluccas glide across the Nile.

Overnight: Steigenberger Nile Palace Hotel, Luxor or Similar (B)

This morning, after breakfast, we’ll travel by coach through scenic Nile villages to the Temple of Dendera, also known as the Temple of Hathor, built primarily during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods (305 BCE–250 CE).  Dendera is considered to be one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt and one of the few where the richly decorated reliefs and columns remain incredibly intact. 

Hathor is an important ancient Egyptian goddess associated with love, beauty, music, dance, joy, motherhood, and fertility, and was considered a protector of women and children.  One of Egypt’s most widely venerated deities, she was sometimes considered the daughter of Ra, the sun god, and the consort of Horus, and was later associated with Aphrodite by the Greeks.

We’ll return to the hotel in the early afternoon, where the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore more of Luxor.  

This evening is very special – dinner at the Old Winter Palace Hotel.  Built in 1886, this historic British colonial-era hotel located on the banks of the Nile has hosted a number of famous figures, including Howard Carter, who made the groundbreaking discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb while staying there, and Agatha Christie who wrote much of “Death on the Nile” while staying there.

Overnight: Steigenberger Nile Palace Hotel, Luxor or Similar (B,D)

This morning is yours at leisure in Luxor. Perhaps continue your exploration with a riverside walk along the Corniche or browse the nearby souk for last minute souvenirs. 

Rejoin the group for lunch at the hotel before transferring to the airport for the short afternoon flight to Cairo. On arrival, we will transfer directly to your hotel and check-in.  

Overnight: Kempinski Nile Hotel, Cairo or Similar (B, L)

This morning after breakfast we’ll head out for a morning of history in Cairo, starting with a guided tour  of the Egyptian Railway Museum to learn about one of the oldest railway networks in the world. The first ever railway in Africa and the Middle East was built in Egypt in 1853, travelling between Alexandria and the Delta region, eventually expanding to Cairo in 1856 with the opening of the Ramses Train Station. While the prize of the collection is undoubtedly the locomotive built for French Empress Eugénie on the occasion of the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the museum also traces the history of transportation in Egypt from the Pharaonic era to the modern-age, utilising a series of models, replicas, documents and old photos. 

Our next stop will be the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, one of Egypt’s most significant museums, offering a comprehensive look at Egyptian history from prehistoric times to modern-day Egypt, and home to The Royal Mummies Hall, where you’ll have the privilege of seeing  mummified pharaohs in a special underground chamber – the only place in Egypt that enables such a memorable experience. 

The rest of the day is yours – you may wish to return to the hotel or stay on and explore more of Cairo at your own pace, enjoying some lunch at a local cafe.   

Dinner tonight will be in a local restaurant. 

Overnight: Kempinski Nile Hotel, Cairo or Similar (B, D)

This morning after an early breakfast and check out, we’ll hand over our luggage to our private courier and transfer to the train station to board the 8:00am Talgo fast train from Cairo to Alexandria, arriving at 10:00am.

The home of Cleopatra, the Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria is Egypt’s second largest city. Often referred to as the Pearl of the Mediterranean, it was built by the Greek architect Dinocrates in 331 BC under the orders of Alexander the Great. Immortalising Alexander’s name, the city quickly flourished into a prominent cultural, intellectual, political and economic metropolis. At one time, Alexandria was the second-most powerful city of the ancient Mediterranean region, after Rome. 

Upon arrival at the train station, our private coach will meet us and take us on a town tour. Your first stop will be Pompey’s Pillar, a grand Roman triumphal column erected in honour of Emperor Diocletian, before  venturing underground to the famous Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa, an ancient Roman burial site dating back to the second century, remaining undiscovered until 1900. 

We’ll stop for lunch at Athineos, an iconic art deco European-style restaurant opened in 1900, where the city’s elite have gathered for generations, then it’s on to check into our centrally located waterfront hotel with stunning views of the Mediterranean. 

This afternoon is free to explore. You might stroll through a local market, enjoy a refreshing stop at the historic Farouk Café (opened in 1928 and named after King Farouk), or walk along the Corniche to admire the boats in the harbor.

Alexandria is known for its seafood and tonight we will enjoy a memorable seafood dinner on the waterfront at the White & Blue Greek Nautical Club, where the fresh Mediterranean air adds to the experience.

Overnight: Steigenberger Cecil Alexandria, Alexandria or Similar (B, L, D)

This morning after breakfast, we’ll journey southwest of Alexandria to the historic battle site of El Alamein. Here, three major battles between July and November 1942 marked a turning point in World War II in North Africa. The Australian 9th Division, under the command of Lieutenant General Leslie Morshead, played a key role in two of these crucial battles, further cementing its reputation from the defense of Tobruk in Libya in 1941.

The Axis forces, made up of German and Italian troops and known as Panzerarmee Afrika, were led by the legendary Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, also known as “The Desert Fox.” Opposing him was the British Eighth Army, led by General Bernard Montgomery, consisting of troops from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and India. The eventual Allied victory in El Alamein was decisive, shaping the course of the North African campaign. The battle, however, came at great cost, and the memorial at El Alamein commemorates nearly 12,000 Commonwealth servicemen who died in the Western Desert campaigns of World War II.

You’ll have a comprehensive tour of the site, exploring the history and significance of the battles, before enjoying a relaxing lunch at a local restaurant, and arriving back at our hotel in the mid-afternoon. After some time to freshen up, those that are interested might like to  embark on a unique tour of the undiscovered suburbs of Alexandria by heritage tram with your Tour Leaders. The Alexandria Tram is one of the oldest tram networks in the world and the oldest in Africa, dating back to 1860 and still serving the people of Alexandria.

Dinner tonight is at leisure.

Overnight: Steigenberger Cecil Alexandria, Alexandria or Similar (B, L)

This morning after breakfast, check out and leaving our luggage with our private courier, we’ll spend some time exploring more of Alexandria with visits to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (the modern Alexandria Library) and the nearby Roman Theatre.

The ancient Library of Alexandria was one of the most famous libraries in the ancient world, serving as a centre for learning, science, and philosophy, counting Eratosthenes, Archimedes, and Euclid among its students. Established in the 3rd century BCE, it flourished under the rule of the Ptolemaic dynasty, aiming to collect all the world’s knowledge, making it a symbol of intellectual achievement.  At its height, it contained up to 400,000–700,000 scrolls, making it the largest library of its time. Its destruction remains one of history’s greatest losses.

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Modern Alexandria Library, was built to revive the spirit of the ancient Library of Alexandria. Opened in 2002 and located near the site of the ancient library, the new library is a hub for knowledge, science, and culture, housing millions of books, manuscripts, and digital archives. Inside, you’ll discover one of the largest open reading spaces in the world, various museums and cultural artworks. 

The nearby Roman Theatre is a remarkable archaeological site that showcases the city’s Roman period (approximately 1st–2nd century) and is one of the few Roman theatres to be found in Egypt. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the cultural and social life of Alexandria during the Roman Empire, with the area you’ll visit including the Villa of the Birds, named for the beautiful mosaic floor that depicts various birds in stunning detail. 

We’ll arrive at the Alexandria train station in time to buy some snacks to enjoy on board before we head back to Cairo. Upon our arrival, we’ll transfer directly to our hotel for some time to relax and freshen up before our celebratory farewell dinner including drinks at a nearby local restaurant.  

Overnight: Kempinski Nile Hotel, Cairo or Similar (B, D)

Our tour ends after breakfast this morning.  Transfers to the airport are included and will be scheduled to accommodate your flight booking. 

(B)