12-Day Splendors of Egypt, a Women-Only Tour 2027

Highlights

• "Koshari is our national dish, and it never disappoints. Believed to have originated in the 19th century, this vegetarian street food staple is made of rice, pasta, lentils, and chickpeas, topped with delicious fried onions and a spicy tomato-based garlic sauce."
• "I love to share our Ancient Egyptian civilization and history with our guests and to explain all the details and stories related to Egyptian mythology so our guests can enjoy a very special guided vacation."
• "The Abu Simbel Temples are utterly unique in scale, architecture, art and history. From one of the most prominent eras of Ancient Egyptian history, these magnificent structures emphasise how persistent and clever ancient Egyptian architects were to carve a mountain to make such incredible tributes for Egyptian deities."
• Cairo: Take a short scenic flight to Luxor where you will begin your Nile Cruise.
• Karnak: Stand amid a vast forest of columns in the largest temple complex known to man, as your Egyptologist explains the significance behind it. Walk the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, see the of Rameses II and the Hypostyle Hall.
• Luxor: Visit the Luxor Museum and discover ancient artifacts. 
• Dendera: At the Temple of Hathor, see a rare depiction of Cleopatra and Caesarian.
• Aswan: Visit Aswan's High Dam and Granite Quarries to ponder why the unfinished Obelisk has been left in mid-creation for thousands of years.
• Philae Island: Travel by motorboat to Philae Island and witness the majestic Temple of Isis rising from the waters.
• Take a short boat ride to Philae Island, where the temple of Isis was carefully reassembled after the original site was submerged by the rising Nile. Enjoy a guided visit before the temple facade becomes a canvas for light and sound, recounting the myth of Isis and Hathor and the Nile’s sacred floods in a vivid display.
• Kom Ombo: Visit the unique temple as it is the only double temple in Egypt.
• Luxor: Visit Luxor Temple, constructed approximately 1400 BC. Look to the top of the remaining Pylon of Ramses II and step into the ancient monument.   
• Luxor: Enjoy your short flight returning to Cairo.
• Cairo: Uncover Cairo’s rich heritage at the UNESCO-listed Citadel, a commanding fortress that shaped Egypt’s history for centuries. With your Egyptologist, step inside the Great Alabaster Mosque, where soaring domes, intricate stained glass and the tomb of Sultan Muhammad Ali create a moment of quiet reflection. From its hilltop setting, take in sweeping views over the city below.
• Cairo: At the Grand Egyptian Museum, discover the complete collection from Tutankhamun’s tomb — displayed together for the first time — from ceremonial beds to his golden funerary mask. With your Egyptologist, explore the reconstructed solar barque once buried beside the Great Pyramid of Giza, stand before the 11‑meter statue of Ramses II, and wander through one of the largest collections of ancient artifacts spanning the Predynastic to the Greco‑Roman eras. 
• Memphis: Visit this famous capital of the ancient world to see the statue of Ramses II and the Great Alabaster Sphinx.
• Saqqara Necropolis: View the oldest pyramid in the world, the Step Pyramid of Zoser I, existing for over 4,500 years.
• Giza: With your Egyptologist, meet the enigmatic Sphinx and venture deep inside one of the pyramids, to the chambers where the pharaohs went to meet their Gods in the afterlife.
• Giza: Admire the remaining Wonders of the Ancient World as you explore through the Pyramids of Giza and the mighty Sphinx. Hear about Egyptian history as you walk through the National Archaeological Museum and learn the art of making papyrus paper out of reeds when you visit a Papyrus Institute.
• Luxor: Get to know your fellow travelers over a delightful drink followed by dinner.
• Kom Ombo: Learn about traditional Egyptian attire and immerse yourself in local culture at an Egyptian dinner and galabeya party.
• Aswan: Delve into the fascinating history of papyrus. Experience a fascinating demonstration on how the ancient Egyptians used papyrus leaves for writing. Learn how paper was made from the papyrus water-plant which grew abundantly in the marshy delta of the Nile. Be amazed at the history of when excavators of a tomb at Saqqara discovered the earliest known roll of papyrus, dating to around 2900 B.C. You’ll also receive a small gift to commemorate your visit.  
• Aswan: Discover the ancient art of belly dancing, reported as far back as the 4th century as an identifying element of Egyptian culture. 
• Aswan: On a traditional Nile felucca, meet a sailor and learn the art of sailing this ancient Nile craft. Visit the High Dam and Granite Quarries.
• Aswan: Savor cocktails and canapés at the historic Old Cataract Hotel while watching the sunset over the Nile. Enjoy this blend of natural beauty and timeless elegance for an unforgettable experience.
• Luxor: Satisfy your curiosity and your taste buds over an Egyptian cooking class with your talented onboard chef. Learn the time-honored secrets behind how to make Egyptian vegetable Moussaka, a beloved Egyptian dish made of eggplant, tomatoes and peppers.
• Luxor: Get up close and personal with ancient history at the Valley of the Queens. Located amid the hills along the western bank of the Nile River in Upper Egypt, this site was a burial ground first for officials and later for royal wives, daughters and sons from 1550 to 1080 BC. You can visit from a selection of tombs open to the public.  
• Aswan: In Aswan, meet the women of a local women-owned co-operative whose mission is to support vulnerable women from the local villages to learn new skills and become financially independent. The organization provides a hub of support and comfort for over 300 women who may live in poverty or suffer from loneliness and want to become financially independent. Thanks to their newly learnt skills, the women are now able to provide the main source of income for their family. The co-op also strives to reduce waste with a secondary mission to ensure a cleaner world by using waste and natural material like bamboo or palm trees to create fine handicrafts. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.