After an early breakfast we hit the road at 08:00 am to visit what is perhaps the most sought-after sight on the planet—The Pyramids of Giza. Getting up close and personal with these behemoths of ancient Egyptian architecture is the beginning of your deep dive into what many consider to be the most humbling of travel experiences. There aren’t many places in the world where you can literally feel the weight of thousands of years around you. But standing beside, on, and within these colossal tombs brings about an experience unlike any on earth. Your journey into the peculiarities of ancient Egyptian history continues with a visit to the Giza Solar Boat Museum, situated next to the Great Pyramid. Here the famous Khufu Ship is preserved—a full sized so-called “solar ship” that was buried alongside a Pharaoh in order for him to journey across the heavens with the sun god, Ra, as he entered the afterlife. Your own journey through this immersive historical tour continues with a visit to what is probably the most fascinating collection of ancient artifacts on the planet—The Egyptian Museum. With an almost overwhelming number of exhibits on offer, your experienced guide will ensure you don’t miss any of the “must-see” attractions, as well as providing your group with personal demystification explanations as you traverse the exhibits. We lunch on the move in the most traditional of manners, walking the streets on a food tour, introducing typical Egyptian street food, such as Falafel, Ta’meya, and Koshari. There’s something to suit all palates, including vegetarian options like Mahshi. It’s a full day and by the time we transfer to Cairo’s train station to board our overnight sleeper train you’ll be glad of the rest. There’s something strangely exotic about being rocked into slumber by the soothing sound of a train on tracks. Sleep soundly as you’re whisked to the next destination on our list: Aswan. Watania Sleeping Train Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner.

Our trusty iron steed draws into Aswan station early in the morning, and we disembark to our private, air-conditioned transportation for the three-hour journey to Abu Simbel. This incredible complex of enormous temples dedicated to Rameses II was rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser in the 1960s, thanks to a herculean effort sponsored by UNESCO. The gargantuan statues of Rameses at each of the entrances to the temples are gloriously imposing, and wonderful examples of the splendor of ancient Egyptian architecture. There’s much to see here, and we eat on the go with a provided packed lunch. After further afternoon exploration we head to our base for the night, the lovely Eskaleh Nubian Ecolodge. Surrounded by gardens and lakes, it’s the perfect retreat for the opportunity to recharge. Enjoy dinner at the hotel with your fellow travelers and spend the evening at your leisure. Marriott Menahouse Hotel Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner.

In the morning we head to the least visited of all the great temples in Egypt, Kalabsha. It’s a privilege to stand in the shadow of this second largest of all the free-standing temples in Nubia (Abu Simbel is the biggest). The temple is located on an island within Lake Nasser itself, and was actually moved there during the construction of the Aswan Dam—another important rescue during the UNESCO proceedings of the 1960s. El Sebou Temple is yet another monument that was relocated, and it’s our next stop. Built by Setau, the Viceroy of Nubia in honor of Rameses II. Only a smattering of the shrine survived, the most fascinating of which are the 8 impressive sphinxes that serve as temple guards. We then drive to Aswan to visit the High Dam. This significant structure was completed in 1970 and not only provides a constant supply of renewable energy for the whole country but, even more importantly, ended the cycle of drought and floods that plagued the Nile region. Next up is a motorboat ride to the Temple of Philae. This impressive structure, constructed to honor the goddess of Isis, stands on an island in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam. We then head to the enormity that is the Unfinished Obelisk. This fascinating monolithic monument lies in a bed of granite and was commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut over 3,500 years ago. Had it been finished it would’ve been around a third larger than any other previously erected obelisk. We take a classical Nubian lunch at the island restaurant of El Dokka during our exploration. At the end of the afternoon, tired and happy, we head to our mobile accommodation for the next two nights—a traditional felucca. Dinner is served onboard, and tonight you can enjoy the unforgettable experience of being rocked to sleep by the muddy waters of the River Nile. Eskaleh Nubian Ecolodge Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner.

For the next two days we’re fully catered onboard, with three meals each day. After the whirlwind of the last few days there’s a chance to relax as we sail, perhaps with a favorite book, a game of cards, or simply chatting with your newfound friends. Along the way we visit the fascinating double temple of Kom Ombo. This unusual structure is dedicated to not one, but two gods: the falcon god, Haroeis, and the crocodile god, Sobek. This dual building is perfectly symmetrical, with matching rooms, courts, halls, and sanctuaries for each god. Felucca Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner.

We head towards Edfu, our next sensory fix is more than satisfied by a visit to the impressive Ptolemaic Temple of Horus. This mighty structure was completed somewhere between 230 to 57 BC. It’s one of the largest temples in all of Egypt and, most importantly, is incredibly preserved. This is thanks to the wonders of the desert sand, which filled and covered the structure following the banning of the pagan cult that worshipped there. Today it’s possible to visit once again, thanks to excavation works that began back in the mid 19th century. Felucca Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner.

From Edfu we swap sails for wheels and head out into the vast desert for the three-hour drive to Luxor. A thin strip of tarmac is all that leads through the emptiness to the city that we promise is going to truly blow you away: Luxor. After all the incredible sights already seen you might think that this metropolis can offer no more—but think again. Not only is Luxor home to the world’s largest open-air museum, but it’s one of the most archeologically rich places in the world. Prepare to be truly flabbergasted as we visit the main city located on the West Bank. Home to the City of Thebes and the ancient capital of the country during the Pharaonic period, we explore the breathtaking wonders that are Karnak and Luxor Temples. These awe-inspiring constructions are linked by the famous Avenue of Sphinxes. At 3km long you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for the cartouche of Cleopatra, bestowed when she visited the temples with Marc Antony—or, more easily, ask your Egypt Deluxe guide to point it out for you. We take lunch at the comfortable El Sofra Restaurant, where you can choose from the cool interior or soak up the ambiance on the terrace. We then take a city tour by what is the most traditional of methods, hantour (or caliche). Essentially this is a light carriage drawn by a single horse. Speak nicely to the driver and he might even let you take a turn holding the reins, if you fancy it. After such a fascinating and busy day, you’ll delight as you step inside the cool calmness of our home for the night, the impressive Embrace Hotel. Dinner is served in the restaurant and the rest of the evening is free time to spend at your leisure. Embrace Hotel Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner.

We take an early breakfast (08:00am) as we have an extraordinary day ahead—one that, for many, is the highlight of the whole trip. First up is the Colossi of Memnon. These two enormous, 3,400-year-old statues will prime you for the truly outstanding sights that lie ahead, the first being the incredible Temple of Hatshepsut. This was constructed for one of the first female Pharaohs, and this striking architectural masterpiece with its dramatic sheer cliff backdrop is a fitting tribute for the ‘Queen who ruled as a King’. We take a well-earned lunch break at the impressive Steigenberger Nile Palace Hotel, idyllically located on the banks of the River Nile, before heading for the ethereal Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. These ancient plethora of catacombs are the awe inspiring final resting places for some of the most important figures in ancient Egyptian history. Many superlatives have been used to describe them, but nothing can prepare you for experiencing it for yourself. Discover more about the journey of the rich and powerful as they passed from this life to the next, and, of course, you get the chance to visit the tomb of perhaps the most famous king of all, Tutankhamun. We then head to the train station to board our sleeper train that will take us back to the frenetic urban sprawl that is Cairo. Watania Sleeping Train Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner.

We hit the country’s capital in the morning and head out for an enchanting tour of the medieval Islamic fortification that is the Citadel of Cairo. Located near the center of the city, it stands on the summit of Mokattam and benefits from stunning views. We explore the mosques and museums of this preserved historic site before heading to explore Old Cairo (also known as Coptic Cairo). This rich historic area has been inhabited since the 6th century BC and has periodically been under Roman rule, Islamic, and Christian. We take lunch floating on the swirling waters of the Nile River, aboard the delightful Andrea Boat Restaurant, before the chance to wander the every-changing alleyways of Khan el Khalili. Test your bartering skills in the souks of this bazaar district before shrugging off the chaos of outside for the charms of the traditional Cairo eatery that is the El Hussein Restaurant. This “last supper” with the folks in your group who’re now likely to become lifelong friends is always a lively affair. We then head to the charms of Egypt’s first ever boutique hotel, the Villa Belle Epoque. This stunningly intimate location has been specifically selected as the perfect ending to the memories made on this epic tour. It’s in a sophisticated area of the capital, and your last evening is left free for you to enjoy in any way you choose. Belle Epoque Hotel Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner.

Enjoy a final breakfast with your group before boarding your transfer to Cairo International Airport. Here you can relax in the airport lounge before catching your international flight home. Belle Epoque Hotel Meals: Breakfast.