Egypt: Cairo, Aswan & Luxor

Welcome to Egypt! Touch down in Cairo, meet your crew, and get the game plan from your Trip Manager. Then we'll kick things off properly with a welcome dinner together.

Today’s the one you’ve been waiting for: THE pyramids. We’ll jump on a guided tour to see the Sphinx and the Valley Temple, then head into Khan el-Khalili to check out local handicrafts and shop for souvenirs. Next up? An optional visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum (AKA the world's biggest museum) for an endless array of ancient wonders. After soaking up Cairo’s energy, we hop on an overnight train south to Aswan — local style. Settle into twin-share, grab dinner (it’s simple but delish), and catch up with the crew before drifting off as Egypt rolls by outside your window.

Wakey wakey. A basic breakfast will be served on board before we hop off in Aswan and dive straight into explore mode. An ancient temple on an island in the Nile? Yep, it really is as epic as it sounds. Hop on an optional cruise to Philae Temple for a guided visit, then enjoy free time afterwards to explore Aswan your way. Stroll the corniche, grab something tasty, or just take it slow by the water.

Yep, you’ve got a full free day here. Take it slow by the Nile, wander the markets, or if you're feeling extra history-minded - opt in for a trip to Abu Simbel, home to colossal statues and a seriously impressive dose of ancient Egypt.

Aswan, you were awesome. Now it’s time for a mini sailing adventure. Today, we’ll sail the Nile the traditional way on a felucca. Think a no-frills boat day with local food, swim stops along the way, then sleeping on deck under the stars with your crew. P.S. If the weather’s too cold for an overnight sail, we’ll swap the felucca stay for a hotel and enjoy a day sail instead.

Wake up on the Nile with breakfast on board, then we'll cruise onwards ready for our next hit of ancient history. "How did they build this?” Thats's what you'll be asking yourself the whole time when you take a guided tour of this riverside temple and its dramatic columns. After a quick stop to check it out, we'll hit the road once again. Oh hello, Luxor. The afternoon’s yours to explore. But if you’re keen for even more history, the optional Karnak Temple guided tour is a must-see.

Kick things off at the Valley of the Kings, then swing by the Colossi of Memnon for a proper photo stop. Next up, it’s wheels up (well… pedals) for a bike ride around Luxor with Funtasia — a unqiue MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that supports local youth organisations. Then round off with a market wander and a snack mission. This evening, we'll board the overnight train back to Cairo. Back on the rails, we'll travel north by overnight train, with dinner served on board and time to wind down with the crew before settling in for the night as Egypt rolls by outside.

It’s your final morning with the crew, so grab breakfast on board as we roll into Cairo. We’ll arrive at Cairo train station early this morning, where your trip will come to an end. Say goodbye to this wonderful journey of discovering one ancient wonder after another, swap details, and head off for your next adventure. Catch ya later.