Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Cairo, Luxor and Aswan
100% customisable for you
Pack your bags and head to the airport, because your tailor-made Egypt adventure begins today. After being fast-tracked through security, enjoy the comforts of the airport lounge before boarding your direct five-hour flight from London to Cairo.
Once you touch down, you’ll be privately transferred to your central hotel. Enjoy a delicious dinner before a good night's sleep, ready for a busy day of exploring tomorrow.
Today’s all about exploring Cairo, beginning with an expert-led tour of the Pyramids on the Nile's west bank. You’ll be privately transferred to the ancient Giza Pyramid complex, home to the Great Pyramid of Khufu, which is over 45 centuries old and is believed to have taken 20 years to build. Next up is the Great Sphinx of Giza, a huge limestone statue with the body of a lion and the head of a human. Then, head to a local restaurant to refuel for the rest of the day’s activities.
This evening, you’ll get to know Cairo like a local, exploring all the secret spots and hidden gems with a knowledgeable local guide. Visit bustling bars, restaurants and neighbourhoods, soaking up the culture and constant buzz of this megacity. Enjoy more tasty local food before returning to your hotel for the night.
Step back in time today as you wander ancient winding streets and gaze at age-old architecture in Historic Cairo (often referred to as ‘Islamic Cairo’). Accompanied by a local guide, set off on foot to discover majestic monuments and magnificent mosques while learning about the city's fascinating religious history.
Come evening, you’ll be shown around the vibrant Khan el-Khalili, a famous bazaar in the city's historic centre. Wander through the treasure trove of traditional stalls, watching artisans at work and perusing the myriad crafts and souvenirs, before tucking into some of the local street food – we'd recommend hawawshi, a pitta stuffed with meat and spices.
Today, wave goodbye to Cairo and make your way to the airport bright and early to catch your one-hour and 20-minute flight to Aswan.
On arrival in Aswan, you’ll be privately transferred to your comfortable hotel, which will be your home for the next three nights. After unpacking and settling in, enjoy a relaxing afternoon followed by dinner and drinks in the hotel restaurant.
Rise and shine, ready for your first full day in Aswan. After breakfast, you’ll be collected by your driver guide for a tour of the Philae Temple Complex. As you walk around the UNESCO World Heritage site, your guide will explain the extraordinary history of the complex, which was moved and reconstructed after rising waters threatened to destroy it.
After you've had your fill of ancient architecture, head out for an afternoon felucca boat trip to Kitchener's Island on the Nile. Spend some time exploring the island’s beautiful botanical garden, wandering among shady trees, beautiful flowers and unusual plants, before taking a felucca to nearby Elephantine Island. Once an important trading hub thanks to its location just below the Nile’s First Cataract, the island is now home to stunning scenery and lush palm groves. Keep your eyes peeled for a ‘nilometer’, an ancient instrument used to measure the river’s depth.
Today, visit another magnificent temple complex that was moved and reconstructed in a remarkable feat of engineering – Abu Simbel. Jump out of bed bright and early again, ready for a three-and-a-half-hour drive through the desert to this iconic ancient site.
Your friendly guide will take you around the temples, both of which have been carved into the sandstone cliffside. Once you’ve marvelled at the incredible statues of the Pharaoh Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari, enjoy a traditional Nubian lunch at a charming local restaurant before heading back to Aswan to relax after your busy day.
After two jam-packed days, it's time to leave Aswan to take on the other great city of Egypt's south: Luxor. This morning, you’ll be collected by a private driver guide, who’ll follow the flow of the Nile all the way to Luxor. Without stops, the drive takes about four hours, but we recommend taking a less direct route to see some fantastic temples (there’s a reason this is one of the most popular cruise routes in the world).
Your first stop is the temple of Kom Ombo, a magnificent structure devoted to the crocodile god, Sobek. Once you’ve been suitably wowed, cross the Nile to Edfu, home to the Temple of Horus. Along the way, you’ll also pass through the town of Esna, which boasts a small but colourful temple devoted to the ram-headed god, Khnum. From here, it’s just a one-hour-and-15-minute drive to Luxor, where you can settle in for the last three nights of your Egyptian adventure.
Another day, another tour. Today, visit Karnak, a holy city dedicated to the Egyptian deities Amun, Mut and Khonsu (known as the Theban triad). Alongside your expert guide, explore the shrines, chapels, courtyards, towers, statues and obelisks of this ancient complex, whose construction started around 4,000 years ago and lasted almost two millennia.
Next up on the tour is Luxor Temple. Connected to Karnak by the Avenue of Sphinxes – an almost two-mile-long path lined with over 1,000 sphinx statues – Luxor Temple was built in 1300BC and expanded by Ramesses II and Amenhotep III, who added awe-inspiring columned sanctuaries.
After the tour, head back to your hotel for a chilled afternoon relaxing by the pool (you’ve earned it). Keen for another excursion? Watch the sunset while gliding on a private felucca along the Nile, reminiscing on all of the impressive sites you've seen so far.
It’s the final day of your Egyptian adventure, but don’t worry: we’ve saved some of the best sites until last. This morning, enjoy a guided tour of the Valley of the Kings, the largest royal burial site in Egypt and home to the tombs of many New Kingdom pharaohs, including Tutankhamun. Unfortunately, none of the tombs have survived intact: they have all been looted, some as far back as ancient times.
After exploring the sandstone tombs, head to nearby Deir el-Bahari, home to the Temple of Hatshepsut. Built against the mountainside, this is one of the most remarkable temples of Pharaonic Egypt, noted for the harmony of its architecture, the exceptional craftsmanship, and the portrayal of one of the only female Pharaohs in bearded masculine form.
Once you’re suitably shattered, finish the day with a delicious dinner in a local restaurant – our clued-up Concierge can recommend some hidden gems.
Sadly, your tailor-made Egypt adventure has come to an end. Early this morning, you’ll be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport in Luxor for your flight home, either a six-hour direct flight or via Cairo for a wider choice of international flights.
Touch down in the UK this evening, ready to regale your friends and family with tales of Egypt’s incredible history.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
