Journeys: Discover Egypt

Arrive at any time. Your arrival transfer is included. Enjoy a welcome meeting at the hotel in the evening, where you will receive more details about the coming adventure. Before you go, make sure to catch the National Geographic documentary series "Lost Treasures of Egypt" which features many of the archaeological sites you will explore throughout this adventure.

Included Experiences

• Arrival Transfer: Sit back and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle during your included arrival transport from the airport to your start hotel in Cairo.
• Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group: Your opportunity to meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

In the morning, enjoy a visit to the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. No matter how many photos or documentaries you have seen, the first glimpse of these marvels of the ancient world will take your breath away. As a qualified Egyptologist certified by the Ministry of Antiquities, your Expedition Leader will share their knowledge about these massive structures. From here, visit a local farm supported by Nawaya, a community-led project which helps small scale farming families generate new income streams in the tourism industry. Embark on a farm-to-table experience learning about sustainable cultivation practices and traditional food-cultural preservation work being carried out on nearby farms before a cheese making demonstration and a hands-on bread baking experience in a female-led community kitchen followed by lunch. After, travel through barren desert and fertile farmlands to Sakkara, the site of Egypt’s first pyramids where you’ll dig deep into the history of this important archaeological site. The rest of the evening is on your own.

Included Experiences

• Great Pyramid of Giza and Sphinx Tour: Enjoy a tour of the magnificent great pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx. No matter how many photos or documentaries you have seen, the first glimpse of these marvels of the ancient world will take your breath away. As a qualified Egyptologist, your Expedition Leader has all the facts about these massive structures.
• Nawaya Project Visit: Nawaya’s Community Kitchen is a communal space where rural women cooks host visitors for hands-on culinary and farm experiences rooted in local heritage. Located in Abusir, the kitchen was first established as a training space to build women’s skills in professional kitchen operations, food safety and hygiene. Today, it is a vibrant hub where a network of 20 rural cooks design seasonal menus, lead cooking workshops and cater traditional meals for gastrotours, schools and private groups.Through Nawaya’s trainings, they have learned food safety, hygiene and presentation skills, turning inherited recipes into dignified and respected paid work. Experiences are designed as farm-to-fork journeys. Guests may begin with a farm walk to see crops in season, meet farmers and participate in planting or harvesting. Back at the community kitchen, women demonstrate how to prepare dishes featuring local grains and products such as deshish stews, kishk sa‘idi, fereek, roqaq, bekhero and arish cheese, wild plants like regla, and a variety of pickles and breads. Visitors roll dough, stir pots and shape cheeses using traditional tools like the reed mat (hasira), before sharing a communal meal. Programs are tailored for adults, families and school groups, with special children’s activities that encourage younger generations to appreciate and enjoy traditional foods. Menus can also accommodate dietary needs, including vegan and gluten-free options. Through these 5 experiences, participants gain a deeper understanding of local food systems, while rural women and farmers gain income, confidence and recognition for their knowledge and skills.
• Şaqqārah Visit: Travel through desert and farm lands to visit Şaqqārah, the necropolis of the old kingdom of Ancient Egypt. The main attraction here is the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the very first constructed in human history. It dates back to 2750 BC! Delve into the history of one of Egypt’s most important archeological sites.

Board an early flight from Cairo to Aswan. Upon arrival, visit Philae Temple, built as a dedication to the Goddess Isis and the temple walls are adorned with scenes from Egyptian mythology. Philae Temple complex was moved from its original location on the Island of Philae after Lake Nasser flooded. Learn about the temple’s architecture, history and important place in Egypt’s culture. This evening embark on a sunset felucca ride on the Nile to a Nubian Village. Walk through the village, learning about local customs while listening to the Nubian Peoples’ own distinct language, which does not have an alphabet and was thus never written down. Afterwards, sit down for dinner in the home of a local family.

Included Experiences

• Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
• Philae Temple Visit: Sail across the Nile to the beautiful island of Agilkia and explore the Greco Roman history of the Temple of Philae, built as a dedication to the Goddess Isis. This temple complex was moved from its original location on the Island of Philae after the flooding of Lake Nasser, the word "philae" meaning "the end" in reference to this island's placement on what was once the southernmost border of Egypt.
• Boat ride to Nubian Village with Traditional Meal: Board a local boat, to take a trip along the magnificent Nile, with views of the Aga Khan Mausoleum and Kitchener Island. Stop on one of the inhabited Nile islands in this area, to tour a local Nubian village. Walk through the village and fields and learn more about the life of the Nubian people before enjoying a delicious traditional dinner at a local home.

In the morning, board a flight to Abu Simbel where you will explore the two rock-cut temples built by and dedicated to famed King Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. A true testament to innovation, the temple was saved from the waters of Lake Nasser by a massive global mobilization led by UNESCO in the 1960s. Fly back to Aswan to enjoy lunch and an afternoon at leisure. In the free evening choose to experience one of the best sound and light shows in Egypt at Philae Temple.

Included Experiences

• Plane: Sit back and enjoy the scenery on the short flight between Abu Simbel and Aswān.
• Temple of Abu Simbel Visit: Part historic monument and part modern marvel, Abu Simbel is one of Egypt’s grandest temples. Built during the rule of Ramses the II this structure was almost swallowed by the Nile, but now stands safe and sound thanks to some crafty archaeologists and UNESCO. Travel through Egypt’s rugged landscapes and the towering figures of Ramses himself, Ra-Horakhty, Amun, and Ptah will all be waiting to welcome you. *Please be aware this optional activity lasts for about 6hrs including the roundtrip bus transport to/from Abu Simbel. Around 2 hours are spent exploring the site itself.
• Free Time: Enjoy a free afternoon at your leisure in Aswān.

Optional Experiences

• Philae Temple Sound and Light Show: As the sun sets, sail across the Nile to Philae island. Watch the Philae Temple turn into a time machine through a magnificent sound and light display.

After breakfast, drive north along the Nile passing local villages and farmland as you make your way to the top of the Temple of Kom Ombo. Built along the riverbank, the temple is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek. Continue your journey north towards Luxor and stop to explore the temple of Edfu, it took nearly 200 years to build and was dedicated to the God of War and Sky, Horus. Enjoy lunch before continuing the scenic drive to Luxor.

Included Experiences

• Kom Ombo Temple Visit: Enjoy a visit to this temple located in a scenic spot, right on the banks of the Nile. It was dedicated to the crocodile god, and you can still see the remains of an ancient mummified crocodile that was worshipped here thousands of years ago.
• Free Time: Enjoy yourselves on a free evening in Luxor.
• Edfu Temple Visit: Enjoy a visit to the Edfu Temple, which is located in the middle of a bustling village. It is the most completely preserved temple in Egypt.

Today, head to the West Bank of Luxor. Start the morning with a visit to Funtasia, a G for Good project. Enjoy a short bike ride led by a student guide before stopping for tea and a discussion about the project and community. Continue to explore the famed Valley of the Kings—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and active archaeological site of over 63 tombs–many still in excavation. Descend inside a few tombs with the option to visit Tutankhamen’s resting site. Afterward, meet an archaeologist at the temple of Hatshepsut, dedicated to the powerful Queen that ruled for 21 years. During your visit, you’ll learn about the archaeologist’s dig site and continuing work in cataloging new discoveries. Finally, visit the colossi of Memnon, which guarded the entrance to King Amenhotep III’s massive temple. Enjoy a late lunch in the home of a local family that has been hosting travellers through G Adventures for 15 years, before heading back to Luxor.

Included Experiences

• Funtasia Project Visit: After breakfast the group will travel to the West Bank to meet our student-guide. Together we will bike through the village and visit the Funtasia Project Center where the group will learn about the Planeterra project at this location over tea with our guide. Funtasia is a local nonprofit that works with young people in the West Bank of Luxor to develop life skills and social consciousness. They work with youth in after school programs that teach art, communication, and social skills.
• Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon Visit: Rise early to cross the Nile to the west bank, passing through farmers fields on your way to the Valley of the Kings. Descend the narrow, rock-hewn corridors and take in the magnificent decoration and designs of the tombs of the pharaohs. While the treasure has now all gone, the tombs contain the incredible paintings of the life of their incumbent and stories from the Book of the Dead. Continue on to visit to the impressive Funerary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which seems to rise out of the surrounding limestone outcrops - a reminder of the power women held in the Ancient Kingdom. End the day with a stop at the two mammoth statues of Amenophis II at the Colossi of Memnon. Please note, there is an additional 300 EGP fee to take photos in the Valley Of Kings.
• Meet with an Archaeologist: During your visit to the Valley of the Kings proceed to Hatshepsut temple and meet with an archaeologist who is a member of the excavation team doing research while working on the West Bank. Learn about some of their findings and get more acquainted with the work they’re doing. Hatshepsut was the first woman to rule Egypt as king after her husband died and her stepson tried to eradicate all evidence of her rule after her death. According to an interesting article on National Geographic’s website titled, “How did this female pharaoh survive being erased from history?” It's believed her likeness was chiseled away from monuments and her statues destroyed to secure the tradition of males serving as ultimate rulers. Celebrate her un-erasable legacy and memory on this visit to her temple.
• Local Family Home Hosted Lunch: Enjoy a fabulous community connection moment during a delicious home-cooked lunch hosted by a local family outside of the Valley of the Kings. In a village where most of the tourist buses speed by heading to the sites Egypt is known for, we will stop and visit a family's home and witness true hospitality from locals. Learn about the family who live here, hear about the importance of their garden, and about how they cook the food the group is about to eat. For 15 years this family has been hosting groups of G Adventures travellers and the support they have received has helped four generations (close to 50 people) thrive, as well as provided education opportunities for the family's children, nieces, and nephews. Sit down, smell the delicious flavours of the special dishes prepared, and relax in the home and hospitality of a truly local Egyptian family.
• Free Time: Arrive back to your hotel in Luxor in the late afternoon and freshen up before a night to yourself.

Start your day exploring Luxor with a visit to Karnak Temple. The temple is known as the house of Amon Ra, the King of Gods. The Temple was the largest religious complex of its time and took 2,000 years to complete, as each subsequent king has added something to the temple. Lunch will be on your own before an afternoon of free time. In the evening meet back up with the group for a visit to Luxor Temple after dark to witness the monuments lit up in their glory. Dinner will be on your own.

Included Experiences

• Karnak Temple Visit: Enjoy a visit to the Karnak Temple, which was once the centre of all religious life in ancient Egypt. Built and extended by successive generations of rulers, admire the amazing architecture, massive columns, and painted hieroglyphs.
• Free Time: Spend the afternoon on your own in Luxor before meeting back up with the group in the early evening.
• Luxor Temple After Dark: Take in the beauty of the Luxor temple, an architectural splendour located near the Nile and right in the centre of downtown Luxor. One of Egypt's most impressive temples, Luxor has been used as a place of worship all the way from it's conception in 1390 BC to present day. Evidence of ancient worship, Coptic Christianity and Islamic architecture are found throughout the temple, illustrating how the regional culture has evolved over several thousand years. Your visit will take place after dark to allow you to witness the temple lit up in all of its glory.

In the morning, fly from Luxor to Cairo. Head to ancient Coptic Cairo and enjoy visits to the Hanging Church, St. Sergius Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure to explore Cairo on your own. In the evening, travel to Tahrir Square to meet a local food expert for an Egyptian foodie experience. Visit urban local food counters and small specialty restaurants while learning about traditional dishes and their connection to Egyptian culture.

Included Experiences

• Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
• Coptic Cairo Tour: Explore Cairo’s fascinating architectural, cultural, and historical contrasts on a tour of Coptic Cairo. Visit the iconic Hanging Church, St. Sergius Church, and Ben Ezra Synagogue on a full sampling of Cairo's religious buildings.
• Free Time: Enjoy a free afternoon in the lively city of Cairo.
• Cairo Food Tour: Visit the famous Tahrir square in the heart of Cairo where the 2011 revolution was centred. The square became very important after the revolution as a symbol of freedom; it was recently renovated and an Obelisk surrounded by Sphinx has been installed in the middle of the square. Here we start our walking tour along some of Cairo's busiest streets while enjoying the taste of popular Egyptian food and exposing yourself to new flavours. Enjoy Koshari which is Egypt's national dish, consisting of rice, lentils, macaroni, tomato sauce, onions, hummus and garlic. Take the opportunity to try an Egyptian falafel sandwich as well as sugar cane juice.

Drive to the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum for a morning visit on a tour that will take you through the kingdoms of Ancient Egypt. From there, proceed to Khan El Khalili, the largest bazaar in Egypt. The iconic market was established in 1382 and contains hundreds of stalls with a treasure trove of souvenirs, spices, and more. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the market, then walk along Muiz Islamic Street as you continue to explore the lively stalls.

Included Experiences

• The Grand Egyptian Museum Guided Tour: The Grand Egyptian Museum is the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to the single civilization of ancient Egypt. Here you will find vast collections of over 100,000 artifacts, many of which have never been displayed before. Wander the grand halls and take a journey through Egypt’s ancient heritage and modern design.
• Khan el-Khalili Bazaar Orientation Walk: Head to the Khan el-Khalili bazaar in downtown Cairo for a walk through with the Expedition Leader. Learn the best places to buy various things, and opt to enjoy a cup of tea in a cafe. Take advantage of free time to stroll and shop the narrow pathways. The iconic market was established in 1382 and contains hundreds of stalls with a treasure trove of souvenirs, spices and more. Lunch will be had at a local restaurant in the market.

Depart at any time. Your departure transfer from the hotel to the Cairo International Airport is included.

Included Experiences

• Departure Transfer: You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport at the end of your adventure.