Itinerary
Egypt: Ancient Cities and Desert Sands
This trip to Egypt goes from iconic sites to the less-traveled Western Desert
11 days
$13,000 per person
Fascination with Egypt’s dune-blanketed desert springs eternal, just like the effervescent Nile that flows through it.
Fascination with Egypt’s dune-blanketed desert springs eternal, just like the effervescent Nile that flows through it.
Your adventure begins
Step into ancient history, touring hushed tombs and sailing the eternal Nile
Why visit Egypt?
Home to one-third of the world’s antiquities and the only remaining monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Egypt is a door to the past. Its mysteries and archeological marvels have beguiled travelers since Herodotus first inscribed Egypt into written history more than 2,400 years ago. In Egypt, the legacies and dramas of Tutankhamun, Nefertiti, Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Alexander the Great, and Napoleon remain hot to the touch. A wave of Egyptomania erupted with the archeological discoveries of the nineteenth century, inspiring a golden era of luxury hotels and steamship travel that endures to this day. To journey to Egypt is to share in the same fascination as the millennia of travelers who have come before you.
Egypt, your way
The heart of Egypt travel is its pharaonic past which spanned the period from 4500 B.C.E. to 641 C.E. The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx are the most emblematic icons, but the length of the Egyptian Nile is decorated with temples and monuments. Relics from this era inspire admiration—from standing in the shadow cast by a larger-than-life colossi to squinting at the embellishments of a sarcophagi.
Thread through an ocean of sand, the Nile is Egypt’s life-giving waterway. Riverbanks that would swell with silt transformed Egypt into a fertile, profitable garden that made ancient Egypt fabulously rich. The opening of the Suez Canal made the Nile reliably navigable, heralding an era of cruise travel popularized by Belle Époque travelers.
Of course, not all Egypt travel highlights are locked in stone. The country entices with its colorful bazaars, desert oases, Red Sea retreats and coral reefs, delicious cuisine, dynamic culture, and warm Egyptian hospitality. Whatever your taste or interests are, Egypt’s treasures are sure to fascinate and entice you.
Why visit Egypt?
Home to one-third of the world’s antiquities and the only remaining monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Egypt is a door to the past. Its mysteries and archeological marvels have beguiled travelers since Herodotus first inscribed Egypt into written history more than 2,400 years ago. In Egypt, the legacies and dramas of Tutankhamun, Nefertiti, Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Alexander the Great, and Napoleon remain hot to the touch. A wave of Egyptomania erupted with the archeological discoveries of the nineteenth century, inspiring a golden era of luxury hotels and steamship travel that endures to this day. To journey to Egypt is to share in the same fascination as the millennia of travelers who have come before you.
Egypt, your way
The heart of Egypt travel is its pharaonic past which spanned the period from 4500 B.C.E. to 641 C.E. The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx are the most emblematic icons, but the length of the Egyptian Nile is decorated with temples and monuments. Relics from this era inspire admiration—from standing in the shadow cast by a larger-than-life colossi to squinting at the embellishments of a sarcophagi.
Thread through an ocean of sand, the Nile is Egypt’s life-giving waterway. Riverbanks that would swell with silt transformed Egypt into a fertile, profitable garden that made ancient Egypt fabulously rich. The opening of the Suez Canal made the Nile reliably navigable, heralding an era of cruise travel popularized by Belle Époque travelers.
Of course, not all Egypt travel highlights are locked in stone. The country entices with its colorful bazaars, desert oases, Red Sea retreats and coral reefs, delicious cuisine, dynamic culture, and warm Egyptian hospitality. Whatever your taste or interests are, Egypt’s treasures are sure to fascinate and entice you.
The trip was planned perfectly for my daughter and me. Going to Egypt was daunting but Extraordinary Journeys made the whole trip seamless. We were well taken care of and had the best experience.
Deepika Misra, 2025 Traveler
Is Egypt the right destination for you?
Egypt is great for travelers who are interested in ancient history and intrigued by a nation in the midst of social and political change. With 50 per cent of the population under 25, it’s an adventure to watch her change and grow, with feet planted firmly in the past and present. If you enjoy banter with locals, the game of bargaining, and immersing yourself in a perfect juxtaposition of ancient and modern, Egypt is for you.
When is the best time to travel to Egypt?
Egypt is a year-round travel destination but in general, the weather is most pleasant from October through March/April when temperatures waver between 60°F and 80°F. At this time, nights are cool, but days are sunny and dry. Be aware that temperatures will increase as you move south, where it can get quite hot. When visiting the Western Desert, the best time is October through February, and Nile River cruises are best enjoyed from October through April.
November through April represents peak travel season in terms of visitor numbers, with a busy stretch during Festive Season (December 20 through January 5). To secure your preferred accommodation without compromise, we suggest booking nine to 12 months in advance.
The shoulder season months of September, October, and May are an opportunity to travel Egypt when crowds are thinner. Temperatures will be toastier but not unbearable, especially for Americans who live in the southern states. Hotels and boats feature air conditioning and excursions depart in the cooler morning and later evening hours. For shoulder season travel you can typically get away with a four-to-six-month booking window.
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Where to go in Egypt
Explore the best of Egypt, from the iconic Pyramids of Giza to the far-flung serenity of the Siwa Oasis
Cairo and Giza
Resting on both banks of the River Nile, Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world. Cairo has been inhabited for more than 6,000 years and has served as the capital of numerous Egyptian civilizations.
Giza, while technically a separate administrative district, is part of the sprawling urban city of Cairo. The area is most famous as the location of the Giza Plateau: the site of some of the most impressive ancient monuments in the world. Although there are over a hundred pyramids in Egypt, by far, the most famous are the Pyramids at Giza.
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