Explore Egypt - 15 Days

Salaam aleikum! Welcome to Egypt. Your adventure begins in Cairo – Egypt's chaotic capital, with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Cairo is one of the great ancient cities and its history is symbolised by two imposing landmarks – the Pyramids of Giza (one of the famed Seven Wonders of the World) and the Mosque of Mohammed Ali. If you have time, why not wander the treasure-filled halls of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization or head out to explore the markets. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle, the Christian Coptic sector is well worth a visit. Tonight, maybe hit the local nightlife and celebrate the start of an epic adventure.

After breakfast, set out to see some of Egypt’s most renowned sights. Visit Giza’s pyramids – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – and the Sphinx. Explore these structures that have stood tall for 4500 years. You may even be able to go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (at an additional charge). After, maybe make your way to the Grand Egyptian Museum – home to one of the world's great collections of antiquities. Here, you can see artefacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb, including jewellery and the famous golden death mask. Later, meet your leader and travel to Giza train station, where you’ll board a sleeper train to Aswan.

The Nile, Elephantine Island and white-sailed feluccas – this is Aswan, Egypt's southernmost city. Today is a free day, so take the opportunity to see the sites, like the unfinished obelisk or the High Dam. The Nubian Bazaar is a must, and the Nubian Museum is at the top of many visitors’ lists. Maybe visit the Temple of Isis (goddess of health, marriage and wisdom), which was rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated to Philae Island. It's a marvel of decorative pylons featuring some of Egypt's finest carvings. Maybe stop at the waterfront promenade for a mint tea and watch the waterfront come alive at dusk, with families out strolling, socialising and relaxing along the corniche.

This morning is your best chance to head out of Aswan and visit Abu Simbel, if that’s on your list. With the four gargantuan statues of Ramses guarding the Great Temple, this is one of Egypt's most memorable sights. Otherwise, the day is free for you to make your own discoveries. A popular afternoon option is a boat ride around the islands in a traditional felucca, stopping off at the botanical gardens on Kitchener's Island. Your local leader will be on hand to help you get the most out of your day. You may prefer to just relax and take in the beauty of the Nile or do some shopping in the vibrant bazaar.

This morning, jump on a traditional Egyptian sailboat (or felucca) to cruise along the Nile. After lunch on board the felucca, arrive at a Nubian homestay on the Nile’s west bank. Here, you’ll learn about the local way of life with a walk through the surrounding countryside and agriculture fields to reach the homestay. The house is built in traditional Nubian style, with a sandy courtyard in the middle where the family gathers for meals. Get into the swing of Egyptian life by lending a hand in the kitchen to help cook dinner or maybe kick around a football in the courtyard with the kids. There are few better ways to understand a country and its people than with a local homestay, and you’ll have the chance tonight to soak it all up.

Board another felucca and spend today out on the river, seeing rural Egyptian daily life play out on the banks before spending a night under the stars. Your sailing crew will provide all your onboard meals. The felucca is a traditional wooden boat with broad canvas sails, offering some shade and protection from the elements, but there is no cabin or enclosed section – watching the sun setting over the Nile in the evening from an open deck is an experience you won't forget.

After farewelling the felucca crew, take a private van to Luxor. Today, you’ll explore Karnak Temple, maybe the most impressive of all the ancient pharaohs' monumental works. One of the world's most celebrated temple complexes, Karnak is a house of the gods built over a period of some 200 years. Your guided tour of this vast temple of pylons, obelisks and chapels will reveal its finest sections, such as the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Great Temple of Amun. Then, head over to Intrepid Foundation partner Animal Care in Egypt (ACE) – a local NGO dedicated to providing free veterinary care for wounded working animals. The rest of the day will be free for you to relax, shop in the bazaar (which is open until quite late) or soak up the atmosphere of a local teahouse.

Rise early this morning and head into the Valley of the Kings. Buried under these arid hills are more than 60 tombs of pharaohs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings. With your leader, explore where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (16th to 11th century BC) were secretly interred for all eternity, and where discoveries are still being made. Your leader will explain the history and legends of the people buried here, their funerary rites and the significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics, still well-preserved in the deepest tombs. Visit three of the most interesting royal tombs, then you’ll have the option to visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut – a colonnaded building set against high cliffs that create a natural amphitheatre.

This morning, say farewell to the Nile and drive east to the beachside town of Hurghada. The luscious green of the Nile valley will soon be behind you as you head out into the Eastern Desert. As you pass rocky hills, the glittering waters of the Red Sea come into view and the rugged bulk of the Sinai Peninsula looms on the opposite shore. A vibrant beach resort town, Hurghada is by no means a typical adventure destination. After checking into your hotel, take a leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings and to scope out the local vibes.

Today, you might like to explore the scenic Hurghada Marina, where you can stroll along the waterfront, browse the shops and maybe stop at a cafe overlooking the water, or you could relax on one of the local beaches. There’s also the option to go on a Red Sea snorkelling adventure. If you opt into this activity, you’ll be transferred to the Hurghada Marina to climb aboard your motor yacht for a trip around the Red Sea Marine Park, where you’ll snorkel one of the most magnificent reefs in the Red Sea. Your captain will select three separate locations to maximise your experience and snorkelling gear is provided. Lunch will consist of a delicious feast of kofta, salads, fish and rice and soft drinks, tea and coffee will be provided throughout the day. You’ll head back to Hurghada in the mid to late afternoon and be transferred back to the hotel. Otherwise, speak to your trip leader about other options for how to make the most of today in this colourful beach town.

Make the journey back to Cairo by private vehicle. When you arrive, you’ll have the option to visit the frenetic Khan al-Khalili bazaar with your leader. The ‘Khan’ is one of the biggest and oldest markets in the world, sprawling around an old area known as Al-Azhar. You might explore the gold market, ‘Perfume Street’ and the spice market, where heady aromas hang in the air like a thick blanket of Damascene cloth (which can be purchased next door in the cloth market!).

Jump in a private van today and follow the Desert Road to the Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria. Egypt's second largest city and main port, locals call this vibrant city the ‘Bride of the Mediterranean Sea’. When you arrive, go on an orientation walk with your leader. The Greek architect Dinocrates built Alexandria in 331 BC under the orders of Alexander the Great. The city, immortalising Alexander's name, quickly flourished into a prominent cultural, intellectual, political and economic metropolis. Take some time to stroll along the corniche and breathe in the fresh Mediterranean air. Alexandria is well known for its seafood, so don't forget to feast on some fresh fish while you're in town – ask your leader for all the best restaurant recommendations!

Today is a free day to explore the many sights of Alexandria at your own pace. You may choose to visit the El Alamein War Museum, which marks a turning point in the North African campaign of WWII, where the Allies held out against, and eventually pushed back and defeated, Rommel’s Afrika Korps. Alternatively, stop by the strikingly modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, inspired by the original Great Library of Alexandria and built to house more than 8 million books. You might also visit El Morsi Abu El Abbas Mosque, the largest in the city, or head to the Citadel of Qaitbay – a fortress overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, built on the site where the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria once stood.

This morning, head underground and delve into the mysteries of the Kom el Shoqafa Catacombs. This Roman burial site is the largest of its kind in Egypt and was discovered, quite accidentally, by a donkey! The crypts are 20 m below street level – what probably began as a small family tomb grew into a labyrinth of chambers that could accommodate more than 300 bodies. You’ll have free time for the rest of the day before you leave Alexandria and return to Cairo. Tonight, why not gather your travel crew for a celebratory kebab, kofta or sheesha.

With no further activities planned, your trip finishes today after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.