Ancient Wonders and Coastal Chill: A Classic Egyptian Getaway

Hit the ground running as you spend your first day visiting one of the world’s most iconic architectural achievements: the Great Pyramids of Giza. This man-made wonder has loomed large over Cairo for 4,500 years, yet the story of how they come to be is still something of a mystery. Discover the pyramids in the company of a knowledgeable local guide, who’ll be on hand to answer any and all of your burning questions about the pyramids and ancient Egypt. Back in Cairo, visit the Egyptian museum with a private guide for a chance to learn all about the long history and successes and failures of ancient Egypt. The museum displays a comprehensive collection of relics and treasures, headlined by the infamous mask of Tutankhamun. You can also admire royal funerary furniture, portraits of Fayoum and hundreds of fascinating objects.

Take a break from the ancient world and spend today soaking in the more contemporary delights of Cairo, a metropolis nicknamed the ‘City of a Thousand Minarets’ for its abundance of Islamic architecture. The star of the show is the fortress of the first Ayyubid Sultan, Saladin (1138-1193), which watches over the city from high in Mokattam Hills. Other sites worth visiting include the great Méhémet Ali, an alabaster mosque built above the citadel in 1857 using traditional Ottoman-style methods, and, at the foot of the citadel, the mosques of Mamluk and Al-Rifa’i, where you can discover the tombs of the Egyptian royal family, as well as that of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last shah from Iran.

Continue your journey though Islamic Cairo with a visit to one of the city’s most famous souqs which was created in the 14th century and continues to be a treature trove of commerce, crafts and artisanal gifts. Browse handcrafted jewellery, patterned kilim rugs, fragrant incense and perfumes, colourful spices and beautiful textiles.

The rest of today is then yours to play with. You can continue discovering the contemporary delights of Cairo at your own pace or we can arrange for you to visit the beautiful Mamluk and Ottoman residences that are scattered throughout the bustling city centre in the company of a knowledgeable private guide.

The time has come to bid the capital a warm farewell and expand your reaches to take in more of what this diverse North African powerhouse has to offer. After breakfast this morning you’ll be privately transferred to the airport, where you’ll be guided through security by a member of our team before hopping on an hour-and-a-half flight to Luxor. Often referred to as the ‘largest open-air museum in the world’ owing to its abundance of extraordinary temples and ruins, Luxor is a nirvana for history enthusiasts. On arrival, check into your next hotel: a grand property influenced by Moorish and Ottoman architecture, where you’ll be hanging up your hat for the next three nights. Spend the rest of today relaxing and settling into your new surroundings ready for a day of temple hopping tomorrow.

On today’s agenda: private guided tours of the Karnak Complex and Luxor Temple, two of the region’s most important ancient wonders. Kick off your day at Karnak, learning about the site’s immense 2,000-year history and taking in the wealth of fascinating ancient relics, from ram-headed sphinxes to temples of the tutelary gods. Continue on to the magnificent Luxor Temple to walk down the impressive processional colonnade which leads to a grand sanctuary featuring six colossi of Ramses II. The temple was built in honour of Amon, the god of air and one of the eight primordial Egyptian deities. Stand in awe at the Obelisk of Concord, which dates all the way back to the 19th dynasty, roughly 3,000 years ago. Many religious buildings have also been built here, including churches and mosques, which gives the complex a sprinkling of diversity that few people know about.

You’re in the heart of one of Egypt’s most temple-rich regions, which means a second day of temple hopping is on the agenda. After a hearty breakfast at your hotel this morning, you’ll be met by a clued-up local guide, who’ll be leading you on a grand tour of three sites: the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and the funerary temple of Hatshepsut.

Your first stop is the Theban Necropolis, a ritualistic burial site on the west bank of the Nile. Then it’s onto the Valley of the Kings to discover the underground tombs of almost all the pharaohs of the New Kingdom. Nearby is the Valley of the Queens, where certain royal wives were buried, including Nefertari, the wife of Ramses II, who was lovingly known as ‘she for whom the sun shines’. Round off your temple-hopping day with a visit to Deir el-Bahari, the grand funeral temple of Hatshepsut, a female king of Egypt during the 18th dynasty (1473–1458 BC). This temple contrasts with the classic ancient Egyptian form of funerary structures with its long ramps and porticos (a large porch with pillars). Here you can admire paintings, reliefs and partly preserved monumental structures and bask in the splendour of ancient Egypt.

Wave goodbye to the enchanting river Nile as you’re privately transferred four-and-a-half hours to El Gouna, a beautiful resort town nestled on the shores of the Red Sea that boasts turquoise lagoons, colourful coral reefs and serene sandy beaches. Settle in for three nights in a stylish and luxurious property perched on the edge of the lagoon and spend the rest of today enjoying the facilities at the hotel before tucking into a delicious meal this evening.

This morning you’ll have the opportunity to spend a few hours with an El Gouna local who can recommend the best beaches, secret snorkelling spots, tucked-away restaurants, pristine golf courses, beautiful desert locations and other hidden gems. The rest of today is then yours to spend seizing on the opportunities laid out for you by your newest acquaintance.

Despite the allure of the hotel amenities, it would be rude not to take advantage of the shimmering Red Sea which is renowned for its rich fauna and excellent snorkelling and bottle diving conditions. The adventure doesn’t stop when you resurface; kitesurfing, windsurfing, sea kayaking and boat trips are also yours for the taking. There are also six miles worth of delightful sandy beaches, which you can easily hop between onboard a tuk-tuk, the go-to get-around among locals. Round of your final day in Egypt delving into El Gouna’s wonderfully rich and diverse food scene. Settle in for an aperitif before tucking into some high-end Egyptian cuisine at one of the town’s many attractive restaurants.