Egypt: Cairo, Nile Cruise and the Red Sea

You will be driven from Cairo airport to your hotel in a private vehicle.

Cairo, Egypt’s capital is a fascinating centuries-old repository of cultural and historical legacy. Situated along the great River Nile and the magnificent Sahara Desert in close vicinity, the city has preserved the splendour of its famed ancient civilisation, mediaeval Islamic culture, and 19th-century colonial past. Along with iconic landmarks like Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, you can also explore the Grand Egyptian Museum, Tahrir Square, popular marketplaces like Khan El Khalili, and visit the Cairo Tower for a spectacular view.

Group Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids

Head for the Giza plateau to enjoy a fascinating sound and light show that takes you back in time to when the pharaohs ruled Egypt and built many magnificent monuments. The sentinel of Giza, the Sphinx, narrates the history of the Pharaohs through the centuries.

Learn about the eventful reigns and achievements of great monarchs such as Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, and get to know the people that conceptualised the pyramids. The presentation will also cover the legends of famed rulers such as Nefertiti, Tutankhamun, and Akhenaton. Savour the site’s stunning ambience as the show draws to an end.

Personalised Cairo City Tour incl. Museum, Citadel & Bazaar

Discover the assorted treasures of Cairo on this exciting tour with a private guide. You will be driven past Tahrir Square to the Egyptian Museum, which is home to over 1,00,000 artefacts, including mummies, statues, mosaics, and jewellery. A massive statue of King Ramses II, and items from Tutankhamun's tomb including his famed solid gold mask and golden belt are some the lovely exhibits you can expect to see here. The museum also houses the sculptures of Pharaoh Khufu, who built the Great Pyramid, and Nefertiti, Pharaoh Akhenaten's wife.

Your next stop is the Citadel of Saladin on Mokattam Hill. The structure is a remarkable example of Islamic architecture. Stroll through the courtyards admiring the impressive fortress and its towering minarets, and visit the mosques of Al-Nasir Muhammad and Muhammad Ali Mosque within the premises. The tour ends with a visit to the historic Khan El Khalili bazaar. This bustling, vibrant marketplace, packed with spice, antique, and handicraft shops, is the perfect place to pick up mementos such as intricate earrings and hand-painted pottery.

Personalised Tour to Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis & Sakkara

Your day begins with a tour of the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza. This, along with two other giant tombs, were built by pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, respectively. These 4,500-year-old UNESCO-recognised heritage structures famously contain a variety of things each ruler would require in the afterlife. Next up is another iconic symbol of the ancient Egyptian civilisation, the Great Sphinx. The statue has a lion's body and a human head that sports a pharaoh's headdress. You will want to take several pictures here before heading for Memphis.

After Upper and Lower Egypt were unified, Memphis was established as the first capital of ancient Egypt. Drive to Memphis’ famous outdoor Mit Rahina Museum to view a colossus of Ramesses II and the Alabaster Sphinx, which is said to be carved from a single piece of white gypsum. Round off your day at Sakkara village, where you will see the Step Pyramid of Djoser. A funerary complex with tombs of high officials, courts and halls surrounds the pyramid. After the tour, you will be driven back to your hotel in Cairo.

You will be driven in a private vehicle from your hotel to Cairo airport, where you will board your flight to Aswan. The duration of the flight is about 1.5 hours. Upon arrival at Aswan airport, you will be driven to your hotel in a private vehicle.

The serene atmosphere of Aswan is possibly inspired by the tranquillity of the Nile River, which perhaps is at its widest and most gentle stretch near this city. The river, separated by picturesque views of Nubian villages on one side and a desert landscape on the other, is punctuated with little islands of palm trees and granite hills.

There’s plenty to pursue here. Sail down the Nile on a relaxing felucca ride and stop at a nearby Nubian village. Hike through the UNESCO-listed Philae Temple complex to explore the historic temples and appreciate their elegant architecture. There’s also the famous Aswan Dam on the Nile, and to its north lies the city’s vibrant, thriving marketplace. Relish local delicacies such as seafood, falafel, and stew-like Fattah accompanied by fresh minty shai (tea).

Group Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple

Enjoy a mesmerising sound and light show at Philae Temple, which is among the most revered archaeological sites in Egypt. This audio-visual presentation, unfolding against the backdrop of the temple’s beautiful architecture, will take you back in time through a masterful fusion of light, music, and storytelling.

Listen to the narrator recounting history, legends about pharaohs and Egyptian deities, and ancient customs while admiring the illuminated temple's beauty. As the show culminates, the experience leaves you with a greater understanding of the temple’s historical and cultural significance.

Personalised Tour of Elephantine Island & Aswan Museum

The tour takes you to the historic Elephantine Island and the Aswan Museum, renowned for its rich collection of archaeological artefacts. Your exploration begins at the Temple of Khnum on Elephantine Island. You can view the excellently preserved hieroglyphics and reliefs honouring Khnum, the ram-headed deity of the island. Delve into the place’s history as you stroll along the Nilometer, an ancient structure built to measure the Nile’s water level. Your guide will explain how this innovation was vital in forecasting the annual flooding and how it affected people’s livelihoods.

Next up is a visit to a Nubian village. Wander through the bustling maze-like streets with bright-coloured houses. Get acquainted with the region’s culture and local customs. Round off your tour at the Aswan Museum, which houses a vast collection of artefacts such as sarcophagi, statues, and reliefs from different eras of Egyptian history.

Personalised Tour of a Nubian Village

Visit a vibrant Nubian village near Aswan and learn about their culture and lifestyle. You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and taken to one of the hamlets of the Nubian settlements on the West Bank of the Nile. Wander through the village streets lined with vividly coloured houses and buildings sporting handmade art.

Your local guide will tell you interesting facts about the Nubian language, culture, and people. Afterwards, relish a traditional cup of tea and sample some of the local delicacies. If you like, you can indulge in some refreshing mud and sand therapy, or enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Nile before returning to the hotel.

You will be driven from your hotel to Aswan pier in a private vehicle.

Set out on a cruise on the world’s longest river, the majestic Nile, the keeper of ancient civilisations and their spectacular monuments for centuries. As your riverboat journeys upstream from Aswan to Luxor, observe the changing colours of the river and the magnificent landmarks along its banks.

While the riverine islands and Philae Temple are interesting sights to explore in Aswan, several significant monuments are spread across the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens on the West Bank of the Nile near Luxor. During this scenic cruise, you will see fishermen at work, and may also spot plovers, egrets, snipes, Glossy Ibis, and even the mighty Nile Crocodile.

Farah Nile Cruise: Highlights from Aswan to Luxor (4 Days/ 3 Nights)

Learn about the history and culture of the Upper Egypt region, as you cruise the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Step aboard your cruise ship at Aswan, make yourself comfortable, and have lunch in the main restaurant. Afterwards, take a quick motorboat ride to Agilika Island’s breathtaking Philae Temple complex, which can only be reached by boat. The complex was moved block by block to prevent it from going underwater when the new Aswan Dam was built. You can also visit this impressive dam before returning. Back on the ship, relax on the deck while the ship makes it way to your next stop.

Begin the next day with breakfast, followed by a live grill and barbecue buffet for lunch. Explore the Kom Ombo Temple in the evening, which is renowned for its unusual double design that honours the falcon god, Horus and the crocodile god, Sobek. End your day with a traditional meal and music before joining a lively Galabia celebration in the lounge bar while the ship heads toward Edfu.

A visit to the Ptolemaic Temple of Edfu is on the cards for day three. This will be followed by a private cooking class at the ship’s main restaurant after you return. At Luxor, marvel at the magnificent Karnak Temple complex, which is dedicated to the god Amon, and the famous Luxor Temple. Enjoy a gourmet dinner in the evening along with a belly dance and tanoura performance in the lounge bar.

Opt for an early breakfast on the fourth day before checking out and disembarking to explore the highlights of the West Bank - Colossi of Memnon, Valley of the Kings, and the Temple of Hatshepsut.

You will be driven in a private vehicle from the Nile Cruise pier in Luxor to your Red Sea hotel. The travel time is about four hours.

Explore the Red Sea on your own

Once a sleepy fishing hamlet, Hurghada has grown into a prominent Egyptian beach resort town along the Red Sea coast, and we highly recommend visiting it. Adventure and leisure travellers favour this destination for its bustling nightlife, lovely beaches and diving sites. If you want to go scuba diving, you can go to sites such as Shedwan Island, Giftun Islands, and the Ashrafi Islands near the coral reef. More experienced divers can try exploring wrecks such as the SS Thistlegorm, a British cargo ship that sank during the Second World War. You can also indulge in a variety of watersports here.

If you prefer something more leisurely, you can embark on a boat tour of the nearby beaches and islands, or a submarine tour to admire the local marine life. Get a taste of ancient Egyptian culture in El Dahar’s old town, bustling with souks and traditional coffee shops. Visit the Hurghada Museum or Hurghada Grand Aquarium, the largest in Egypt, to see turtles, sharks and more.

For food lovers, a variety of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and African fare is on offer at the various restaurants in the town. In the mood for some freshly caught seafood or a juicy camel steak? With an amazing view of the sea before you, find yourself a corner at the local café or restaurant on the marina and dig in!

Depending on the time available and the weather conditions, it might not be possible to do all the activities mentioned here.

You will be driven in a private vehicle from your hotel to the Red Sea airport.