The Grand Egypt Journey

The journey

Journey overview

A complete first journey for guests who want Alexandria, deeper Luxor and the long Nile without adding the Red Sea.

Why this journey works

Why this journey works.

Alexandria is placed after Cairo, preventing a late end-of-trip road extension. Luxor then begins the southbound Nile journey. Two Aswan nights absorb Abu Simbel without sacrificing Aswan itself.

How the route connects

How the places connect.

A complete first journey for guests who want Alexandria, deeper Luxor and the long Nile without adding the Red Sea. Alexandria is placed after Cairo, preventing a late end-of-trip road extension. Luxor then begins the southbound Nile journey. Two Aswan nights absorb Abu Simbel without sacrificing Aswan itself.

Places & experiences

Main places and experiences.

Detailed itinerary

Route, context and practical detail.

1. 01

   Egypt Journeys

   Day 1 — Arrive Cairo

   Day 1 — Arrive Cairo.

   This is an operating stage that connects the archaeological and cultural parts of the journey rather than a site visit.

   Timing is confirmed against traffic, road, airport, vessel and access conditions before the journey operates.

   Duration: Day 1Transport: Transport follows the confirmed itinerary and operating conditions.Meals: No meal is attached to this stage unless stated in the confirmed proposal.Effort: Moderate to activeOvernight: Overnight follows the approved day-by-day itinerary.

   Access: Do not add Siwa, White Desert or Hurghada without increasing the itinerary by at least three nights.

2. 02

   Egypt Journeys

   Days 2–4 — Saqqara

   Days 2–4 — Essential Cairo, Saqqara/Dahshur and Historic Cairo.

   Saqqara preserves more than three millennia of burial history and includes Djoser’s Step Pyramid, a decisive development in royal stone architecture.

   Open tombs and internal access change, so the confirmed programme should follow current site conditions.

   Duration: Days 2–4Transport: Transport follows the confirmed itinerary and operating conditions.Meals: No meal is attached to this stage unless stated in the confirmed proposal.Effort: Moderate to activeOvernight: Overnight follows the approved day-by-day itinerary.

   Access: Do not add Siwa, White Desert or Hurghada without increasing the itinerary by at least three nights.

3. 03

   Egypt Journeys

   Day 5 — Alexandria

   Day 5 — Drive to Alexandria; Essential Alexandria; overnight.

   Alexandria’s archaeology and urban history reflect its Mediterranean setting, Ptolemaic foundation, Roman period and later modern city.

   Traffic, humidity and opening hours should determine the order of museums, harbour and archaeological stops.

   Duration: Day 5Transport: Private air-conditioned road transport.Meals: No meal is attached to this stage unless stated in the confirmed proposal.Effort: Moderate to activeOvernight: Overnight as specifically stated in this stage.

   Access: Do not add Siwa, White Desert or Hurghada without increasing the itinerary by at least three nights.

4. 04

   Egypt Journeys

   Day 6 — Alexandria

   Day 6 — Greco-Roman Alexandria or Mediterranean Alexandria; return Cairo or fly/transfer onward next morning.

   Alexandria’s archaeology and urban history reflect its Mediterranean setting, Ptolemaic foundation, Roman period and later modern city.

   Traffic, humidity and opening hours should determine the order of museums, harbour and archaeological stops.

   Duration: Day 6Transport: Private air-conditioned road transport.Meals: No meal is attached to this stage unless stated in the confirmed proposal.Effort: Moderate to activeOvernight: Overnight follows the approved day-by-day itinerary.

   Access: Do not add Siwa, White Desert or Hurghada without increasing the itinerary by at least three nights.

5. 05

   Egypt Journeys

   Day 7 — Luxor Temple

   Day 7 — Fly Cairo to Luxor; embark the 6-night Luxor-to-Aswan dahabeya and visit Luxor Temple.

   Luxor Temple was closely connected with royal renewal and the Opet festival, linking it ritually with Karnak and the Nile.

   Evening light can make the monument easier to read and more comfortable in warmer seasons.

   Duration: Day 7Transport: Domestic flight and private airport transfer where stated in the confirmed programme.Meals: No meal is attached to this stage unless stated in the confirmed proposal.Effort: Moderate to activeOvernight: Overnight follows the approved day-by-day itinerary.

   Access: Do not add Siwa, White Desert or Hurghada without increasing the itinerary by at least three nights.

6. 06

   Egypt Journeys

   Day 8 — West Bank

   Day 8 — West Bank; begin southbound journey.

   The Theban west bank contains royal tombs, mortuary temples, elite cemeteries and the settlement of the royal tomb workers, each serving a different function.

   A good route separates these site types and limits unnecessary driving across the west-bank landscape.

   Duration: Day 8Transport: Transport follows the confirmed itinerary and operating conditions.Meals: No meal is attached to this stage unless stated in the confirmed proposal.Effort: Moderate to activeOvernight: Overnight follows the approved day-by-day itinerary.

   Access: Do not add Siwa, White Desert or Hurghada without increasing the itinerary by at least three nights.

7. 07

   Egypt Journeys

   Days 9–12 — El Kab

   Days 9–12 — Esna & El Kab; Edfu; Gebel Silsila; Kom Ombo.

   El Kab preserves tombs of provincial officials and a landscape tied to the ancient city of Nekheb, offering a quieter view of Upper Egyptian history.

   Access can involve uneven ground and exposed walking; it fits naturally on the Nile route near Edfu.

   Duration: Days 9–12Transport: Transport follows the confirmed itinerary and operating conditions.Meals: No meal is attached to this stage unless stated in the confirmed proposal.Effort: Moderate to activeOvernight: Overnight follows the approved day-by-day itinerary.

   Access: Do not add Siwa, White Desert or Hurghada without increasing the itinerary by at least three nights.

8. 08

   Egypt Journeys

   Day 13 — Arrive Aswan and Essential Aswan

   Day 13 — Arrive Aswan and Essential Aswan.

   This is an operating stage that connects the archaeological and cultural parts of the journey rather than a site visit.

   Timing is confirmed against traffic, road, airport, vessel and access conditions before the journey operates.

   Duration: Day 13Transport: Transport follows the confirmed itinerary and operating conditions.Meals: No meal is attached to this stage unless stated in the confirmed proposal.Effort: Moderate to activeOvernight: Overnight follows the approved day-by-day itinerary.

   Access: Do not add Siwa, White Desert or Hurghada without increasing the itinerary by at least three nights.

9. 09

   Egypt Journeys

   Day 14 — Abu Simbel

   Day 14 — Abu Simbel; second Aswan night.

   Abu Simbel’s two rock-cut temples were created under Ramesses II and later moved to higher ground during the UNESCO-led Nubian rescue campaign.

   Road and air versions are operationally different products; departure, airport or road conditions must be confirmed.

   Duration: Day 14Transport: Transport follows the confirmed itinerary and operating conditions.Meals: No meal is attached to this stage unless stated in the confirmed proposal.Effort: Moderate to activeOvernight: Overnight follows the approved day-by-day itinerary.

   Access: Do not add Siwa, White Desert or Hurghada without increasing the itinerary by at least three nights.

10. 10

    Egypt Journeys

    Day 15 — Fly to Cairo; final Cairo evening

    Day 15 — Fly to Cairo; final Cairo evening.

    This is an operating stage that connects the archaeological and cultural parts of the journey rather than a site visit.

    Timing is confirmed against traffic, road, airport, vessel and access conditions before the journey operates.

    Duration: Day 15Transport: Domestic flight and private airport transfer where stated in the confirmed programme.Meals: No meal is attached to this stage unless stated in the confirmed proposal.Effort: Moderate to activeOvernight: Overnight follows the approved day-by-day itinerary.

    Access: Do not add Siwa, White Desert or Hurghada without increasing the itinerary by at least three nights.

11. 11

    Egypt Journeys

    Day 16 — Depart

    Day 16 — Depart.

    This is an operating stage that connects the archaeological and cultural parts of the journey rather than a site visit.

    Timing is confirmed against traffic, road, airport, vessel and access conditions before the journey operates.

    Duration: Day 16Transport: Transport follows the confirmed itinerary and operating conditions.Meals: No meal is attached to this stage unless stated in the confirmed proposal.Effort: Moderate to activeOvernight: Overnight follows the approved day-by-day itinerary.

    Access: Do not add Siwa, White Desert or Hurghada without increasing the itinerary by at least three nights.

Optional enhancements

Optional additions.

• Dendera before embarkation
• Lake Nasser
• Red Sea
• Jordan

Practical information

Planning details.

Do not add Siwa, White Desert or Hurghada without increasing the itinerary by at least three nights.

Do not add Siwa, White Desert or Hurghada without increasing the itinerary by at least three nights.

Exact timing, access, transport, meal arrangements, physical effort and commercial terms are confirmed in the final proposal.

Accessibility & effort

Physical effort and access.

Do not add Siwa, White Desert or Hurghada without increasing the itinerary by at least three nights.

Questions

Before you request.

Important note

Do not add Siwa, White Desert or Hurghada without increasing the itinerary by at least three nights.