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Grand Egypt Tour · Cairo · Luxor · Dahabiya Cruise · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Alexandria · Rosetta · Desert Safari
Unknown Egypt and Sailing the Nile by Dahabiya — 15 Days
This tour covers Egypt’s headline sights and the places most travellers never reach — the highlight being four nights sailing the Nile aboard a traditional Dahabiya, just as the Ancient Egyptians did thousands of years ago. Along the way you’ll explore Cairo’s pyramid fields, Luxor’s temples and tombs, Aswan and Abu Simbel, the Mediterranean coast at Alexandria and Rosetta, and the untouched desert oases of Fayoum — finishing with the peace and simplicity of a night under the stars in Tunis Village.
15
20+
4
1–15
| Group size accepted |
Saqqara, Dahshur & Memphis
Visit Saqqara, including the Step Pyramid, the Pyramid of Teti, and the Nobles’ Tombs. Visit Dahshur, including the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid. Lunch, then visit Memphis — the Colossi of Ramses, the open-air museum, and other recently opened archaeological sites. Tour duration: 7–8 hours. Overnight in Cairo.
Around midday, check in to the Dahabiya, enjoy lunch as we begin sailing, and have dinner on your first night aboard in Daraw — with the chance to swim or kayak along the way (let us know two days ahead if you’d like kayaks ready).
Note: pickup is from any address in Aswan to the port of the Dahabiya.
Giza Pyramids & the Grand Egyptian Museum
Visit Giza up close: the Great Pyramid, the Sphinx, the Valley Temple, the Khafre and Menkaure pyramids, and a noble’s tomb. Lunch, then visit the Grand Egyptian Museum. Tour duration: 7–8 hours; dress code is normal.
Optional (notify us in advance): entry inside the Great Pyramid · camel ride · late-afternoon felucca on the Nile · evening dinner cruise.
Fly to Luxor: West Bank Highlights
Transfer to Cairo airport for a one-hour flight to Luxor. Visit the Valley of the Kings, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Temple of Hatshepsut. Lunch, then visit the Ancient Workmen Village of Deir el-Medina and the Habu Temple. In the evening, visit a local farming family in Luxor and share dinner in their home. Tour duration: 7–8 hours. Overnight in Luxor.
Karnak, Luxor Temple & Boarding the Dahabiya
Optional: a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the West Bank (about 2 hours total, including a 50-minute flight). Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, 3–4 hours. We then drive about an hour from Luxor to Esna, visiting the Temple of Esna, the restored caravanserai, and the market. Check in to the Dahabiya and sail to El Hegz Village for a unique cultural experience. Lunch and dinner on board.
El Kab & Edfu: Temple of Horus
Breakfast on board as we sail to El Kab, exploring the massive walls of the ancient town of Nekheb and the New Kingdom tombs. Sail to Edfu and ride to visit the Temple of Horus. Sailing with free time as you overnight on the Dahabiya, with a special barbeque dinner by moonlight.
Bisaw Island & El Selsela Quarry
Breakfast on board. Visit Bisaw Island and village, join local fishermen on the Nile, and walk through farms meeting villagers. Sail to El Selsela’s ancient sandstone quarry and shrines. Dinner on board.
Kom Ombo, Daraw & Nubian Town: Farewell Dinner
Breakfast on board. Visit Kom Ombo Temple and the Crocodile Museum. In nearby Daraw, shop like a local at the market, visit a camel barn to learn about the camel trade, and stop at a Nubian Town. As we sail closer to Aswan, there’s an opportunity to swim or kayak. Farewell dinner as we sail to our final destination, Aswan.
Optional: the Philae Temple sound and light show.
Aswan: Elephantine Island, the Nile's 1st Cataract & Philae by Night
Breakfast on board, then check out of the Dahabiya. Visit the Nubian Island of Elephantine — its archaeological site, a Nubian village, and the Animalia House Museum. In the afternoon, a boat ride through the Nile’s 1st Cataract, passing the Nobles’ Tombs, the Agha Khan Mausoleum, Plantation Island, and the Old Cataract Hotel, with views of exotic plants and birds such as the black ibis, grey heron, and kingfisher. Lunch, then a stop at the sand dunes on the West Bank for a sunset hike overlooking the Nile and the desert. Tour duration: 7–8 hours. Check in to your hotel. In the evening, transfer to Philae Temple for the sound and light show (about 2 hours, including a 1-hour show; replaced with a day visit if unavailable). Dinner and overnight in Aswan.
Abu Simbel & Fly to Cairo
Check out of the hotel and drive to Abu Simbel in the morning (3–4 hours along the desert). Visit the two temples of Abu Simbel, then drive back to Aswan (tour duration 9–10 hours total; flights between Aswan and Abu Simbel are occasionally available as an alternative). Lunch, then transfer to Aswan airport for a flight to Cairo, with transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.
Alexandria: Roman Theatre & the New Library
Drive to Alexandria (about 3 hours each way). Visit the Roman Theatre and the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina with its archaeological museum (closed Fridays). Lunch. Tour duration: 3–4 hours. Check in to your hotel. In the evening, a walking tour through the old market area and dinner. Overnight in Alexandria.
Rosetta (Rasheed): Museum, Market & QaitBay Fort
Drive to the old town of Rosetta. Visit its museum and attractions, with a walking tour of the old market. Lunch, then visit QaitBay Fort at the meeting point of the Nile and the Mediterranean, followed by a boat trip to the Abu Mandour shrine. Drive back to Alexandria. Tour duration: 5–6 hours. Overnight in Alexandria.
Pompey's Pillar, the Catacombs & Drive to Cairo
Visit Pompey’s Pillar and the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, then either the Alexandria National Museum or the Royal Jewellery Museum. Lunch at the Fish Market restaurant. Visit the Fort of Qaitbay and the Abu El Abbas Mosque. Tour duration: 5–6 hours. Drive back to Cairo (about 3 hours). Overnight in Cairo.
Fayoum 4x4 Desert Safari & Tunis Village
7 AM pickup from your hotel and transfer to Fayoum. Explore by 4×4: the Ancient Basalt Quarry, the ancient Pharaonic road, the petrified forest and its open-air geological museum, the ancient Abu Lifa Monastery, Qasr El Sagha Temple, and the ancient city ruins of Dimeh El Seba. Picnic lunch. Check in to your hotel in Tunis Village, with a walking tour through the village. Overnight in Tunis Village (a camping overnight is available instead, subject to permission, for an extra charge).
Wadi El Rayan & the Whale Valley
Breakfast, then on to Wadi El Rayan and the Valley of the Whales (Wadi Al-Hitan), with a hike to explore the valley and lunch there. Drive to the Magic Lake for sand boarding and swimming, with a stop at the Wadi El Rayan waterfalls. Drive back to Cairo.
Coptic & Islamic Cairo
Visit Coptic Old Cairo, including the Hanging Church, Abu Serga Church, the Holy Crypt, and the Coptic Museum. Visit the Citadel, including the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali. Lunch at Al-Azhar Park, overlooking the city from atop a hill in central Cairo. Walking tour along El Moez Street in Medieval Cairo — one of the best-preserved areas of mediaeval Islamic architecture, with mosques, historic houses, and markets. Visit the Khan El-Khalili market. Tour duration: 9–10 hours.
Optional: a folk show at the Al-Ghouri Caravansary (schedule permitting — available Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday).
Ready to book this journey?
This is a comprehensive, multi-region tour — departures and accommodation are arranged around your dates.
Quick facts
Duration: 15 days · 14 nights
Route: Cairo → Luxor → Dahabiya Cruise → Aswan → Abu Simbel → Cairo → Alexandria → Rosetta → Cairo → Fayoum → Cairo
Group size: Pricing available for groups of 1 to 15+ people
Guide: English-speaking, licensed Egyptologist guide (French, Spanish & German available for a supplement, subject to availability)
Meals: As mentioned in the itinerary, full board aboard the Dahabiya
Pricing
€1794
Grand total-Per person group of 15
Christmas & Easter peak season: add €105 per person in a double room.
Grand Total Per Person, Including Accommodation (EUR)
€2974
Per person group of 15
Single Supplement
€1290
Per person
Other Language Guide Supplements
(French, Spanish & German — subject to availability)
- Land tours before/after the Dahabiya, per group: €169
- Dahabiya tour, group of 1–5 people: €236
- Dahabiya tour, group of 6–10 people: €253
- Dahabiya tour, group of 11–15 people: €275