Pyramids & Pharaohs in Egypt

Spend nine days on an Egyptian odyssey. You’ll check off all the can’t-miss landmarks (Pyramids of Giza, Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel - you get the idea), but there’s much more to this trip besides. You’ll kayak on the Nile. Sandboard across the dunes. Take a sleeper train cross-country. Spend a day exploring the islands around Aswan by felucca. Sleep in Nubian-style accommodation and feast on their home-cooked dishes. It’s an adrenaline-charged adventure for history-hunters who don’t want to scrimp on the thrills.

Enjoy a range of accommodation styles on this Egyptian adventure, where we have downtime in four- and five-star (local rating) hotels, while also spending a night on a sleeper train and staying in a Nubian guesthouse. Below are the hotels we typically use. Cairo: Hyatt Regency Cairo West (nights 1 and 2) Our time in Egypt begins in style with a stay at this contemporary five-star resort with views of the Pyramids of Giza. There are plenty of facilities to enjoy, including a year-round pool with a sunken bar, a 24-hour gym, and a spa. There are plenty of dining options too, including a European food hall, a Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant, and an industrial-style lounge bar serving cocktails. Cairo to Aswan: Sleeper train (night 3) We travel from Cairo to Aswan on the overnight sleeper train. We stay in first-class cabins, which are compact and have bunk beds. Bedding is provided. The train tends to shake due to the condition of the track and is quite noisy. Earplugs are a good idea. A basic dinner and breakfast are provided, you may wish to take snacks with you. There is a shared toilet in each carriage. Aswan: Anakato Hotel (nights 4-6) Spend three nights immersing yourself in Nubian culture, language, songs and food at Anakato Hotel, where we stay in traditionally styled accommodation. The meals are homemade (typically Nubian tajines) with ingredients freshly picked from their farm. Luxor: Steigenberger Nile Palace (nights 7 and 8) Our adventure ends at this rather grand hotel beside the Nile. There’s a pool overlooking the river plus a spa and fitness area. The selection of dining options is vast and includes: Nubia, a Nubian-themed eatery; the Nile Bar and Lounge, which serves light bites and is well worth visiting during sunset; and The View, where you can enjoy ‘creative culinary art’ with vistas over the Nile and Theban mountains. Worth knowing The sleeper trains in Egypt are fairly dated so although classified as first class you should be prepared for a lower standard than Western countries.