Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Egypt - Cairo - Alexandria - Marsa Matruh - Siwa Oasis - El Alamein
100% customisable for you
After landing in Egypt’s vibrant capital, take a quick private transfer into the heart of the city and check into your home for the night – a boutique hotel in downtown Cairo. Its elegant design reflects the beauty of 1920s Egypt, and the swimming pool and sundeck are the perfect spots to unwind after your flight.
If you’re eager to dive straight into Egypt, we can arrange for you to explore Cairo like a local this evening. Visit the trendiest bars and restaurants (away from the typical tourist spots) and wander through neighbourhoods overlooked by guidebooks, all alongside a knowledgeable local guide.
This morning, enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting off for enchanting Alexandria, just over two-and-a-half hours away. As you travel through the delta, your driver will stop off at a monastery in Wadi Natrun, a valley renowned for its ancient salt lakes and historical significance in Coptic Christianity.
After arriving in Alexandria, check into your seafront hotel and freshen up before visiting the Bibliotheca Alexandria. Opened in 2002, it was built as a tribute to the ancient Library of Alexandria, one of the world’s most famous libraries. The reading room, specialised libraries and exhibitions showcase the Bibliotheca Alexandria’s dedication to preserving Egypt’s history.
Alexandria has plenty of standout sites, and before leaving, you’ll tick off a few more of them: the Greco-Roman Museum, showcasing Egypt’s history through ancient artefacts; the Citadel of Qaitbay, a 15th-century coastal fortress; and the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the largest-known Roman burial site in Egypt.
It’s time to wave goodbye to Alexandria as you begin the three-and-a-half-hour drive to the seafront town of Marsa Matruh. You’ll spend the night in a hotel perched on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, so check in, dump your bags, sink your toes in the sand and enjoy the sunset.
Rise and shine, you’ve an exciting day ahead with a picturesque four-hour drive to the stunning Siwa Oasis. After crossing the desert from north to south, you’ll arrive at your home for the next three nights – an ecolodge overlooked by the imposing White Mountain (which, according to local legend, is the burial site of Alexandra the Great). Free from light pollution, the night skies are a sparkling spectacle, so tuck into a delicious dinner, sit back and enjoy the view.
Siwa Oasis is a desert daydream, and today, you’ll discover a handful of its idyllic highlights. This morning, indulge in some well-deserved R&R and float in one of the nearby salt lakes – pure bliss. As social media shots show, the small lakes offer fantastic photo opportunities, even though the site is an active salt quarry, refilled by natural springs beneath.
This afternoon, embark on an exhilarating 4x4 journey across the desert dunes. Visit natural hot and cold springs among the sands and find fossils in the valleys. Embrace the thrill of sandboarding down the slopes before rounding off the day with a traditional Bedouin meal (think grilled meats, rice and freshly baked pita bread) under the stars.
Today, glimpse into the past and discover the history of the Siwa Oasis, which grew autonomously from the rest of Egypt for many centuries. Begin at the Mountain of the Dead, where thousands of graves are cut into the bedrock, each decorated with red ochre and cobalt blue paintings. Next, head to the Temple of the Oracle, famously visited by Alexander the Great and dedicated to the god of gods, Amun. Finally, Siwa’s most popular spring awaits: Cleopatra's Bath. Famed for its glass-clear waters, this is a popular bathing spot for tourists and locals.
This afternoon, head to the town of Siwa and explore the crumbling ruins of Shali Fortress, once home to hundreds of Siwi Berbers. Your guide will provide detailed descriptions, bringing the historic fort’s houses, alleys and squares to life. Afterwards, be sure to visit the local stalls selling succulent dates and olive oil.
Wake up bright and early, you’re heading to El Alamein, a coastal town where your picturesque beachfront hotel awaits. When you’ve recovered from the six hours on the road, stretch your legs and dive into the town’s rich history. El Alamein was the site of two significant battles during World War II, today marked by the Alamein War Cemetery and the Al-Alamein Military Museum. After exploring these historic sites, enjoy one last seaside supper under the stars.
Sadly, the time has come to make your way home, starting with a (seriously scenic) three-hour drive to Cairo. After arriving at the airport, whizz through security and while away the hours in the airport lounge, reminiscing over your Egyptian adventure before boarding your flight back to the UK.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
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
