Goddess of the Nile

Book your round-trip flight to Cairo International Airport (CAI). Once you arrive, a representative with our sign will assist you through immigration and customs formalities before whisking you away to our Cairo hotel.

With a population of 20 million, this is the largest city in the Middle East and one of the world's ten largest. But, don't worry, we’ll tackle Cairo later. Today, focus on relaxing in our beautiful hotel, The St. Regis Cairo. Book a massage at the hotel spa, float in the indoor or outdoor pool and jacuzzi, or step out for a stroll along the Nile. The People of Egypt Walkway is right in front of the hotel. 

We’ll gather tonight for a lovely dinner at the hotel's restaurant to meet the group and chat about the adventures to come. 

Following breakfast, we'll head out on a journey to the Step Pyramid of Djoser. Located in the Saqqara Necropolis in Giza, this site features the ancient burial grounds of Egyptian royalty. The six-tiered, four-sided Pyramid is recognized as the earliest colossal stone structure in Egypt. Nearby, we'll visit a carpet school where women learn to weave, empowering them to be more self-sufficient.

Next, we visit what we've all been waiting for: The Great Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. The Great Pyramid, built as the tomb of King Khufu, is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and is considered the greatest construction on Earth. It was built using over 2.3 million limestone blocks, weighing over 6 million tons. That much stone could create a three-foot wall around the entirety of France! 

After soaking in the glorious architecture, we'll have lunch at the 9 Pyramids Lounge, which offers a breathtaking view of the world wonder. Then, we’ll return to our hotel to rest and recoup. 

Dinner tonight will be a unique dining experience, but shh...we can't let you in on the secret just yet. 

This morning, we’ll take a short flight to Luxor, also known as Thebes. Luxor was the capital of the ancient Egyptian Empire and boasts one-third of the world's ancient monuments.

We'll explore the Valley of the Kings, where King Tut's tomb is located, visit the temple of Queen Hatshepsut—a formidable ruler of ancient Egypt—and see the Colossi of Memnon. These two massive statues stand guard at the entrance of the Temple of Amenhotep III and are a sight to see.

After the visit, we'll learn about alabaster, one of the region's most important products used to make vases and dishware. After a short explanation, you might even want to buy one of these handcrafted items. You'll find beautiful items at all price points. 

It's time for lunch, and today, we're headed to the Al-Marsam restaurant. After our midday feast, we'll check into the Al Moudira Hotel, leaving time to relax at the pool and soak in the incredible views of the Nile.

We'll dine al fresco in our hotel's gorgeous courtyard tonight, enjoying vegetables grown on the hotel farm and locally raised meats and fish. 

Early this morning, consider opting for a hot air balloon ride over the west bank of Luxor. You'll appreciate the sunrise view while flying over the mountains of the Valley of Kings, with the monuments floating by below.

Whether you join us on our morning adventure or not, we'll come together for breakfast at the hotel before we pack up and check out. Our first stop is the Karnak temple complex, featuring a collection of deteriorating temples, pylons, and chapels dating back 4,000 years.

Next, we'll visit the stunning Luxor temple—your jaw will surely drop in awe. Two pharaohs built the temple: Amenhotep III in the 14th century BC and Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great. 

After the temples, we'll peruse a local jewelry store that sells cartouches (carved scrolls) and other well-made local products at all price ranges. 

We'll continue on and drive for an hour to check in for our Nile River cruise on the Dahabiya La Rose. We'll have a sumptuous lunch and start our sail up the Nile. Life on our traditional Egyptian boat will be a sublimely relaxing experience. 

This afternoon is reserved for unpacking, resting, and reading before nightfall, when we’ll enjoy drinks and dinner on board beneath the clear night sky.

After breakfast on the boat, we’ll take a horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Horus, Egypt's second-largest and best-preserved temple. 

Modern Edfu, the northernmost city of Aswan state, is famous for its sugar cane. The Egyptians have a serious sweet tooth, so they must grow quite a lot! We'll enjoy lunch as we make our way along, uncovering the fascinating history of this area. 

This afternoon, we will visit a local village to see firsthand how people live in close connection with the land alongside the Nile River. 

Tonight, we’ll have a very special meal, with music and dancing with our crew. We'll relish a Nile-side BBQ dinner on Fawaz Island, our anchor for the evening.

After breakfast, we'll visit Gebel al-Silsila on the west bank of the Nile to see the chapel of King Horemheb. This chapel dates back to the 14th century BC and hosts seven shrines dedicated to local deities. It was also the primary quarry for the sandstone used in the construction of Egyptian temples.

Back aboard our floating home, we’ll sail on, enjoying a delightful lunch. This afternoon, we'll take the opportunity to explore the Kom Ombo temple, an archeological site dedicated to a crocodile deity and a falcon deity.

We'll have dinner on board tonight. You'll find our chef to be quite remarkable, and the local Egyptian wine is good. Enjoy two glasses on us with each meal. 

We'll have coffee and breakfast today as we continue to float the Nile. Maybe you'll be brave and hop in for a refreshing morning swim (it's safe, we promise!)

Today, we'll visit Daraw, one of the primary camel market villages, to walk through the market and meet some local animals. 

We'll reach Aswan City in the afternoon. Here, shop around and learn about Egyptian cotton and essential oils.

We'll have one last dinner on our floating home tonight as we overnight in Aswan City.

Today, we’ll say goodbye to our superb crew. We'll wake up early to disembark and drive 3.5 hours south to explore the Abu Simbel temple, one of Egypt's most impressive buildings. Abu Simbel was carved from a single rock on the mountain face, and its facade is adorned with four statues of King Ramesses. En route, we'll enjoy a yummy falafel lunch. 

We’ll head back to the city to check into the legendary Old Cataract Hotel. This location is where King Fouad once hosted guests, and Agatha Christie enjoyed cocktails while residing here for a whole year in 1937, during which she wrote “Death on the Nile.”

The majestic hotel is on a pink granite cliff overlooking the world’s longest river. Be sure to take a dip in the pool during our stay - it's delightful and refreshing.

Following check-in, we'll gather for a late afternoon high tea, which will double as your dinner, while we observe the sailboats drifting by. The sunset view is truly stunning.

After breakfast, we’ll explore one of the most stunning temples in Egypt: the Philae temple. Situated on an island that witnessed the romantic tale of the goddess Isis and her consort, Osiris, the temple dates to the Ptolemaic period in the third century BC.

We'll continue to a nearby colorful Nubian village to take pictures, learn about Nubian customs, and enjoy a traditional lunch at El Masry restaurant. There will be time to visit the spice market across the street and learn why spices are so important to Egyptian culture. 

You'll have plenty of time to relax back at our luxurious hotel. Why not enjoy the spa this afternoon? 

We'll enjoy dinner together tonight at our hotel.

This morning, we'll check out and fly back to Cairo. Upon arrival, we'll explore the Christian Coptic Cairo, established in the 4th century AD, and visit the Hanging Church, built over the remains of a Roman fortress. Additionally, we'll view the crypt where baby Jesus and the Virgin Mary took refuge after fleeing from the Romans.

Next, we’ll head to Islamic Cairo to visit the oldest mosque in Egypt and the largest in Cairo, the mosque of Ibn Tulun, which dates back to the 9th century. We'll climb its minaret to enjoy a spectacular view of the city. 

Lunch today is at Abu Tarek. Try Koshary, the classic Egyptian dish everyone adores, made with pasta, lentils, chickpeas, and a tomato-garlic sauce. 

Finally, we'll visit the Egyptian Museum, the oldest archeological museum in the Middle East. After a final run through the gift shop for any last-minute souvenirs, we'll check into the charming Belle Époque Hotel in the upscale Maadi neighborhood. 

Our last meal is tonight at the hotel, poolside. Let's toast to ten days of discovery and lasting friendships made over a delicious dinner.

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to the Cairo airport together. We hope this has been the journey of a lifetime through exceptional Egypt. May you carry home lasting memories and friendships from this beautiful trip. 

Until we meet again...