Step into a land of ancient wonders and timeless beauty as you journey through Egypt on this beautifully curated adventure. From the vibrant energy of Cairo to the serenity of the Nile, you’ll explore iconic landmarks, uncover layers of rich history, and experience the warmth of Egyptian hospitality. Along the way, enjoy privately guided tours, elegant accommodations, and unique cultural encounters that bring the past to life in unforgettable ways. Whether cruising between riverside temples or wandering storied streets, this trip offers the perfect balance of exploration, comfort, and connection and invites you to discover Egypt’s enduring magic.
Trip Highlights
Locations
Five nights at the St. Regis Cairo Hotel.
Four nights on the Nile River aboard the Historia Nile Cruise.
One night in the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan Hotel
Activities
Private touring in and around Cairo with a professional Egyptologist
Visits to Cairo’s iconic sites, including the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
Absorb 7,000 years of history at Cairo’s Egyptian Museum and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
Experience the treasures along the Nile River in Luxor, Esna, Kom Ombo, and Aswan
Visit the Khan El-Khalili Bazaar and enjoy lunch among the bustle
Explore the churches and mosques of Cairo
What does “Trip Inspiration” mean?
At Travel Beyond, we believe your trip should be designed just for you, not for the masses. Our travel consultants create a custom itinerary for each client, offering recommendations for places and experiences that best fit your style. The itinerary below was planned for a past client, but we’re sharing it for travel inspiration and as an example of what a trip to Egypt might look like. Let us know when we can design a trip just for you!
Day 1
Arrive Cairo, Egypt
Welcome to Egypt! Upon arrival in Cairo, you will be escorted through VIP airport formalities and then to your driver for your private transfer to the St. Regis Cairo Hotel. Accommodations will be reserved for five nights, including breakfast.
HOTEL DESCRIPTION: The St. Regis Cairo draws guests to the heart of Egypt’s timeless metropolis, weaving a powerful new story of luxury in the region with unprecedented local heritage and outstanding views of the Nile and Old Cairo. The Riverfront Hotel stands as a pivotal landmark with its 36 stories, gracefully designed for those who are only inspired by the unexpected by the renowned architect Michael Graves. Paying homage to 362 lavishly appointed family friendly rooms, suites and upscale apartments, luxurious comfort prevails with state-of-the-art facilities, signature rituals and seven, thoughtfully crafted restaurants and bars. Bespoke and personalized service is exemplified by the signature St. Regis Butler service, to anticipate your every need from the moment of unpacking to fulfilling your unique preferences and executing them in perfect detail throughout your stay.
Enjoy your evening at leisure.
St. Regis Cairo HotelMeals: N/A
Day 2
Cairo
This morning after breakfast, you will be met in the hotel lobby by your private Egyptologist guide for your day of touring in Cairo, including lunch at a local restaurant.
EGYPTIAN MUSEUM: Tour 7,000 years of history at the Egyptian Museum, the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East, housing over 170,000 artifacts. Marvel at treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun and explore halls filled with statues, mummies, and relics that showcase ancient Egypt.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF EGYPTIAN CIVILIZATION (NMEC): The first veritable museum of civilization in Egypt, the newly inaugurated NMEC is located on the archaeological site of El-Fustat in Old Cairo, overlooking the Ain El-Seera Lake. Showing Egyptian civilization from prehistoric times to the present day, collections display the key achievements of Egyptian civilization. The Royal Mummies Gallery displays the mummies of the ancient 17 Kings and 3 Queens of Egypt, designed to give the visitor the feeling of strolling down the Valley of The Kings, where most of these mummies were originally resting. With its various collections of objects spanning thousands of years, numerous cultures, ruling powers, systems of beliefs, religions, and aesthetic expressions, the NMEC offers a unique walk through Egyptian history and connects the country’s rich past to contemporary Egypt.
OLD CAIRO WALKING TOUR: Take a walk down Al Muiz El-Din Allah Street, imagining the time when it was the main thoroughfare through the heart of Old Cairo. Start at Baab El-Fotouh, the massive, fortified gate in the north wall of the historic city and walk through the narrow pedestrian street deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site for being one of the world’s oldest Islamic streets. You will see the greatest concentration of medieval architectural treasures in the Islamic world, including some of the world’s oldest fountains, mosques, madrasas, and reservoirs. This street is a perfect example of the juxtaposition that combines Egypt’s historical significance with today’s modern life.
KHAN EL-KHALILI BAZAAR: Finally, visit the fascinating Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, reputed to be the largest bazaar in the Middle East. Originally founded as a watering stop for caravanserai in the 14th century, the bazaar has now grown to vast proportions. Wander through the labyrinth of narrow streets to find workshops and stalls selling all manner of things from woodwork and glassware to leather goods and perfumes.
Following your tour, you will be transferred back to the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of your evening at leisure.
St. Regis Cairo HotelMeals: Breakfast / Lunch
Cairo, Egypt – Dec 13, 2020: The Egyptian museum in Cairo.Egyptian Hieroglyph
Khan Al Khalili Market in Old Cairo, Egypt
Day 3
Cairo
This morning you will be met by your private Egyptologist guide to continue your tour of Cairo.
THE GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM (GEM): The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) completed its partial opening phase in October 2024. This opening included all of the 12 main galleries which exhibit artifacts spanning from prehistoric times to the Roman era. The King Tut gallery and Solar Boat gallery are projected to open in late 2025. It is one of the largest museums in the world displaying the diverse heritage of a single civilization, with over 100,000 artifacts. As you enter the museum, you can’t miss the colossal statue of King Ramses II, nor the 87 huge royal artefacts exhibited at the grand stairs that lead up to an impressive 28-meter-high glass façade overlooking the pyramids of Giza.
THE GREAT PYRAMIDS OF GIZA: The Great Pyramids of Giza are the only present-day survivors of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, built over 4,500 years ago as giant tombs for the mummies of the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, who were father, son and grandson respectively. The pyramids are truly monumental in scale, with the largest – Khufu’s – constructed from over two million blocks. Contrary to popular beliefs, the pyramids were not built by slaves but by Egyptian peasants, whose labor in building the pyramids paid their taxes to the Pharaoh, who also fed, clothed, and housed them.
CAMEL RIDE: No trip to Egypt would be complete without a ride on a “ship of the desert”, and so today you have the opportunity to mount your individual camel for a short ride across the sands of Giza.
SPHINX: Nearby sits the enigmatic Sphinx with the body of a lion and the face of a man wearing a royal head cloth, which workers may have based on King Khafre to guard his enormous funerary monument. About a thousand years after the Sphinx was built it was covered in sand until a young prince had a dream in which the Sphinx told him that if he cleared the sand away, he would become Pharaoh. This story is told on the ‘Dream Stela’ that was placed between the Sphinx’s paws by King Tuthmose IV.
The Sphinx of Giza next to the Pyramids in the desert, Egypt.
OPTIONAL ADD-ON: SPECIAL PRIVATE ACCESS TO PAWS OF THE SPHINX: We can arrange special private access to enter right between the paws of the Sphinx for an unforgettable mystical experience. Most visitors view the Sphinx only from a distance. This special access allows you to enter the premises of the Sphinx, walk around it, stand between the paws, and take amazing pictures from spots very few could reach. From a historical background, you will also be able to see the “Dream Stela” right in front of you, with your Egyptologist giving a profound description about its significance. Please note: The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities must approve this activity in advance.
Following your tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of your evening at leisure.
St. Regis Cairo HotelMeals: Breakfast / Lunch
Day 4
Cairo
This morning after breakfast, you will be met by your local private Egyptologist guide for your today’s excursions.
DAHSHOUR PYRAMIDS: Visit a royal cemetery from ancient times at Dahshour where you will see pyramids that were the transition between the step pyramids of Saqqara and the smooth-sided ones at Giza. The unusual ‘Bent Pyramid’ gets its name from the curious way that its sides curve, while the ‘Red Pyramid’ is named for the reddish limestone used to make it.
Spectacular wide angle view of the Step Pyramid of Djoser and courtyard,built by Imhotep, the first pyramid in the 3rd dynasty in Saqqara necropolis with brilliant blue skies near Cairo,Egypt
STEP PYRAMID AT SAQQARA: Saqqara is the former necropolis (cemetery) for the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis and the place where the very first pyramids were built as tombs for kings. Instead of the smooth sides featured on other pyramids, the pyramid here features six steps on the outside, representing the pharaoh’s stepladder to heaven. Discover the famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest known ancient Egyptian stone structure. You will have the opportunity to enter the pyramid.
OPTIONAL ADD-ON: SPECIAL PRIVATE ACCESS TO WAHTYE TOMB: We can arrange special private access to the 4,400-year-old tomb of Wahtye, which is not open to the general public. Wahtye was a priest who served under the third king of the Fifth Dynasty, Pharaoh Neferirkare, (2450 BC). Discovered in 2018 and described as a “once in a generation” find, his tomb was found in a remarkable state of preservation, with 55 statues carved into the walls and numerous painted hieroglyphs, making it the most decorated tomb ever found in Saqqara. Excavations led by a team of Egyptian archaeologists uncovered over 3,000 artefacts, making this one of the biggest discoveries in Egypt in recent times.
Following your tours, you will be transferred back to the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.
St. Regis Cairo HotelMeals: Breakfast / Lunch
DAY 5
Cairo
This morning after breakfast, you will be met by your private Egyptologist guide for your final day of touring in Cairo.
Cairo, Egypt, January 7 2023: The great mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha or Alabaster mosque in Citadel of Cairo, the main material is limestone likely sourced from the Great Pyramid of Giza and alabaster, selective focus
ISLAMIC CAIRO: Take a fascinating tour of Islamic Cairo, including the beautiful and graceful Mohamed Ali Mosque and the ancient Citadel, a spectacular medieval fortress perched on a hill above the city. Originally built by Salah El-Din in 1176 to fortify the city against the Crusaders, the Citadel was modified and enlarged over the centuries by subsequent rulers and today is a complex of three mosques and four museums.
REFAAI MOSQUE: Discover the Refaie Mosque, completed in 1912 with well-preserved, colorful decoration. Buried in tombs there is a Muslim saint, a companion of the Prophet Mohamed, Egypt’s last royal family and the last Shah of Iran.
AZHAR PARK: Is a part of Agha Khan’s charity foundations around the world and has a great view to the of the old Cairo city.
COPTIC MUSEUM: The beautiful and newly refurbished Coptic Museum was first completed in 1908 using property belonging to the Coptic Church in Egypt. It displays a wonderful collection of sculptures dating from Pre-Christian times up until the fifth Century AD, as well as bone carvings, frescoes, icons, relics, colorful textiles and more.
CHURCH OF ST. SERGIUS: Tradition has it that the church of St. Sergius was built over a location in which Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus rested on their journey in Egypt. Located inside the Roman fortress in Old Cairo, it is believed to have been built by Roman soldiers in the third or fourth centuries and later turned into a Coptic church by the Egyptians. Dedicated to two soldier-saints, Sergius and Bacchus, the church has been rebuilt and restored since medieval times, but it is still considered to be a model of early Coptic churches.
HANGING CHURCH: The Hanging Church is named so because it sits “suspended” on top of the Fortress of Babylon that the Romans built when they came to Egypt. Thought to originate in the seventh century, this church in basilica style was once the seat of the Coptic Patriarchate.
Cairo, Egypt: November 27,2022- A view of Saint Virgin Mary Coptic orthodox church also known as Hanging Church in Cairo, Egypt
SYNAGOGUE OF BEN EZRA: The Synagogue of Ben Ezra, built during the time of the once-thriving Jewish community in Egypt under the leadership of Rabbi Ben Ezra. Inside, the so-called “Geniza Documents” were found, a treasure that was hailed as an unparalleled source of information about the life of the Jews in Egypt’s past. At the back of the temple, the coffers in which the infant Prophet Moses was placed by his mother, was reportedly found in a deep well.
Cairo,Egypt,December 28,2019-View of the main altar and hall of the historic Jewish Ben Ezra Synagogue also known as the Synagogue of the Levantines in the Coptic district of Old Cairo
Following your tours you will be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.
St. Regis Cairo HotelMeals: Breakfast / Lunch
DAY 6
Cairo to Luxor
(Embark Historia)
Today you will be transferred to the Cairo airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, you will be assisted with luggage collection and escorted to meet your guide for your tour of Karnak Temple.
KARNAK TEMPLE: Karnak is an ancient Egyptian temple precinct located on the east bank of the Nile River in Thebes (modern‐day Luxor). It covers more than 250 acres, an area larger than some ancient cities. Construction at Karnak started 4,000 years ago and continued up until the time the Romans took control of Egypt, about 2,000 years ago. Each Egyptian ruler who worked at Karnak left his or her own architectural mark. The UCLA Digital Karnak project has reconstructed and modeled these changes online. Their model shows a bewildering array of temples, chapels, gateway shaped “pylons,” among many other buildings, that were gradually built, torn down and modified over the years.
Following your tour, you will be transferred to the pier where you will board the Historia, a five-star deluxe Nile cruise boat, where you will stay for four nights. You will also have a private guide while on your cruise. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure, lunch will be served on board.
BOAT DESCRIPTION: Evoking the spirits of yore with the relevance of today, Historia exposes the scenery of fluttering and cream linen curtains on an aged wise deck; one with stories to tell and things that have been seen. Roving throngs of eager and curious tourists marveling in the sensory delight of their surroundings; the majesty of ancient history, the lingering touch of the far-off past, and the undeniable influence of the present. Historia draws on the element of the legendary boat’s past. Besides, a subtle nod to the roots and heritage of Egyptian culture. Summoning the sophistication of Agatha Christie’s extensive repertoire of characters, the Historia cruise embraces the life of high-brow society. You can see the Egyptian-inspired furniture throughout the cruise as a glorious draw to the heritage of the land, with perforated rattan screens to allow an interplay of light and shadow and give a soft, diffuse glow to the surroundings. A color palette of earth shades grounds the Nile-voyagers, with vivid jewel tones ranging from rubies to lapis to accentuate the connection to the Ancient Egyptian heritage and jewelry making.
This evening, you will have a sunset visit to the Luxor Temple.
LUXOR TEMPLE: In the Egyptian language it is known as “the southern sanctuary.” Luxor temple is dedicated to the rejuvenation of kingship; it may have been where many of the pharaohs of Egypt were crowned or conceptually. Once connected to Karnak via the Avenue of Sphinxes, the Temple of Luxor is almost three kilometers (two miles) in length. Built by Amenhotep III in 1380 BC, the site was added to by later pharaohs. The temple hosted many celebrations, particularly the Festival of Opet which lasted nearly a month.
Tonight, a sumptuous dinner will be served on board.
HistoriaMeals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Cairo to Luxor
(Embark Historia)
Today you will be transferred to the Cairo airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, you will be assisted with luggage collection and escorted to meet your guide for your tour of Karnak Temple.
KARNAK TEMPLE: Karnak is an ancient Egyptian temple precinct located on the east bank of the Nile River in Thebes (modern‐day Luxor). It covers more than 250 acres, an area larger than some ancient cities. Construction at Karnak started 4,000 years ago and continued up until the time the Romans took control of Egypt, about 2,000 years ago. Each Egyptian ruler who worked at Karnak left his or her own architectural mark. The UCLA Digital Karnak project has reconstructed and modeled these changes online. Their model shows a bewildering array of temples, chapels, gateway shaped “pylons,” among many other buildings, that were gradually built, torn down and modified over the years.
Following your tour, you will be transferred to the pier where you will board the Historia, a five-star deluxe Nile cruise boat, where you will stay for four nights. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure, lunch will be served on board.
Please note that you will have a private guide on your cruise.
BOAT DESCRIPTION: Evoking the spirits of yore with the relevance of today, Historia exposes the scenery of fluttering and cream linen curtains on an aged wise deck; one with stories to tell and things that have been seen. Roving throngs of eager and curious tourists marveling in the sensory delight of their surroundings; the majesty of ancient history, the lingering touch of the far-off past, and the undeniable influence of the present. Historia draws on the element of the legendary boat’s past. Besides, a subtle nod to the roots and heritage of Egyptian culture. Summoning the sophistication of Agatha Christie’s extensive repertoire of characters, the Historia cruise embraces the life of high-brow society. You can see the Egyptian-inspired furniture throughout the cruise as a glorious draw to the heritage of the land, with perforated rattan screens to allow an interplay of light and shadow and give a soft, diffuse glow to the surroundings. A color palette of earth shades grounds the Nile-voyagers, with vivid jewel tones ranging from rubies to lapis to accentuate the connection to the Ancient Egyptian heritage and jewelry making.
This evening, you will have a sunset visit to the Luxor Temple.
LUXOR TEMPLE: In the Egyptian language it is known as “the southern sanctuary.” Luxor temple is dedicated to the rejuvenation of kingship; it may have been where many of the pharaohs of Egypt were crowned or conceptually. Once connected to Karnak via the Avenue of Sphinxes, the Temple of Luxor is almost three kilometers (two miles) in length. Built by Amenhotep III in 1380 BC, the site was added to by later pharaohs. The temple hosted many celebrations, particularly the Festival of Opet which lasted nearly a month.
Tonight, a sumptuous dinner will be served on board.
Enjoy breakfast on board before embarking on more extraordinary tours.
VALLEY OF THE KINGS: The ancient Egyptians stopped building pyramids as royal tombs after thieves stole all the treasures inside and instead started burying their royalty in secret tombs at Thebes, today’s West Bank of Luxor. Here, you can explore the Valley of the Kings, where New Kingdom pharaohs were buried in hidden tombs, maintaining their richly painted hues and treasures for their use in the afterlife. You will have the chance to enter the small tomb of the famed boy-king Tutank-Hamun. For centuries the entrance was hidden by debris, safeguarding its discovery until 1922. Although King Tut was not an important pharaoh, the unpreceded treasures found inside ensured his place in history.
tomb of Ramesses VI in The Valley of Kings . Luxor . Egypt.
VALLEY OF THE QUEENS: Afterwards, proceed to the Valley of the Queens where the pharaohs’ wives and children were buried. You have the chance to visit at least one tomb in the Valley of the Queens. The highlight is the beautiful tomb of Queen Nefertari Ramses II’s beloved wife (currently closed for renovations and subject to its re-opening). It is said to be the finest tomb in Egypt, with vividly colored work and a ceiling painted with stars, giving an idea of how other, now faded, tombs would have looked in their day.
HATSHEPSUT TEMPLE: In terms of visual impact, nothing equals the Temple of Hatshepsut. Rising out of the desert plain in a series of brilliant white terraces, the mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut merges with the sheer limestone cliffs that surround it. Forming a natural rock amphitheater, the temple was an important religious and funerary site. This multi-story structure is situated along the limestone cliffs behind the Nile valley, in a spectacular panorama.
Return to your boat and continue cruising to Esna as you enjoy lunch. Afternoon tea and dinner will be served on board.
HistoriaMeals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 8
Exploring the Nile
A breakfast will be served on board while you sail to Edfu.
TEMPLE OF HORUS: Despite being built by the Greeks, this impressive structure is one of the largest and most completely preserved temples in Egypt. The current temple is Ptolemaic rather than Egyptian, having been commissioned by Ptolemy III in 237 BC and completed in 57 BC during the reign of Cleopatra’s father. It was designed to replicate the building traditions of the earlier pharaonic eras and was built on top of much older ruins dating back to Ramses III.
Following lunch onboard, you will have a stop at Kom Ombo Temple.
TEMPLE OF KOM OMBO: The Temple of Kom Ombo is an unusual double temple in the town of Kom Ombo. It was constructed during the Ptolemaic dynasty, 180–47 BC. Some additions to it were later made during the Roman period. The building is unique because its ‘double’ design meant that there were courts, halls, sanctuaries, and rooms duplicated for two sets of gods. The southern half of the temple was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, God of fertility and creator of the world with Hathor and Khonsu. Meanwhile, the northern part of the temple was dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris (“Horus the Elder”), along “with Tasenetnofret (the Good Sister, a special form of Hathor). The temple is atypical because everything is perfectly symmetrical along the main axis.
Return to your cruise and enjoy afternoon tea as you sail through Kom Ombo. Dinner will be served onboard.
HistoriaMeals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 9
Exploring the Nile
Enjoy a buffet breakfast as you sail to Aswan and enjoy another day exploring along the Nile.
PHILAE TEMPLE: Visit of Philae temple, Center for the cult of the goddess Isis. This temple was moved by the UNESCO between 1972 & 1980 to save it from the Nile waters. The romantic and majestic aura surrounding the Isis temple complex on the island of Philae has been luring pilgrims for thousands of years. The ruins were one of Egypt’s legendary tourist attractions.
ASWAN HIGH DAM: The Aswan Dam, or more specifically since the 1960s, the Aswan High Dam, is the world’s largest embankment dam built across the Nile in Aswan, Egypt, between 1960 and 1970. Its significance largely eclipsed the previous Aswan Low Dam initially completed in 1902 downstream. Based on the success of the Low Dam, then at its maximum utilization, construction of the High Dam became a key objective of the government following the Egyptian Revolution of 1952. With its ability to better control flooding, provide increased water storage for irrigation and generate hydroelectricity the dam was seen as pivotal to Egypt’s planned industrialization. Like the earlier implementation, the High Dam has had a significant effect on the economy and culture of Egypt.
After lunch onboard, you will go on a felluca (wood sailing boat) ride to visit the botanical gardens.
FELUCCA SAILING: The traditional sailboats of Egypt have graced the Nile since the time of the Pharaohs and are a relaxing way to take in Aswan. With no engine, feluccas rely on the breeze to carry them along, and Egypt is blessed with southerly winds that push the sailboats upriver, allowing them to return on the downstream current. Sail around Elephantine Island and Kitchener’s Island with its lovely botanical gardens planted by a former British Consul General with a passion for flowers.
After your tour, you will return onboard for a farewell dinner.
HistoriaMeals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 10
Aswan
(Disembark Historia)
This morning after disembarkation, you will be met by your guide for your private transfer to Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan Hotel. Accommodations will be reserved for one night. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.
HOTEL DESCRIPTION: After an extensive renovation, redesigned by French interior designer Sybille de Margerie, Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan exudes its iconic heritage enriched with a contemporary design. Dive into the magnificent pool overlooking the Nile which links the two wings of the hotel. Indulge at the luxurious spa with a wide range of rejuvenating treatments. Embark on a voyage back to another century at the 1902 restaurant or relax at the terrace bar perched above the peaceful waters of the Nile.
HistoriaMeals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 11
Aswan to Cairo
This morning you will be met for your private transfer to the Aswan Airport for your flight to Cairo, via Abu Simbel.
Upon arrival in Abu Simbel, you will meet your private Egyptologist guide for your visit to Abu Simbel. Boxed lunches will be provided.
ABU SIMBEL: The two temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel are each fronted by colossal statues up to 66ft high and are famed as the most impressive monuments remaining of Ancient Egypt. Recently, the temples were threatened by the waters of Lake Nasser, and with the help of a UNESCO campaign they were cut into blocks, raised piece by piece and reassembled in a new position higher up the hillside.
Following your tour, you will be transferred back to the Abu Simbel Airport for your flight to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo, you will be transferred to the Waldorf Astoria Cairo Hotel where accommodations will be reserved for one night. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.
