100% customisable travel idea
Cairo, Aswan and Luxor Travelling the Nile by train
Egypt - Cairo - Aswan - Luxor
On Egypt’s railway tracks
Your trip
We have organised this trip so that you do not have to think about anything, at least as far as logistics are concerned. To make this possible: convenient flights, train journeys (first class), meet-and-greet and assistance at the station, and, for the rest of the time, transfers with a chauffeur to take you to the sites. Your tours are conducted in the presence of a guide, a valuable interpreter who unravels the mysteries of the New Kingdom for you - some of which remain to be solved. On your itinerary are some of the country’s most beautiful sites: Saqqara, Giza, the temples of Philae, Karnak, Luxor and Hatshepsut, as well as the renowned Valley of the Kings. To experience modern-day Egypt, you’ll also meet an authentic Cairene for an impromptu stroll, and later, a resident of Luxor who will accompany you as you explore the west bank of the Nile and meet its artisans. Your days are full, but they do not have you rushing around. You have time to enjoy your accommodation, selected for their originality and comfort. In Cairo, you leave behind soulless international hotels for the pleasure of staying on a “houseboat” - a true floating home on the Nile, with the typical architecture of the 1920s. In Aswan, you settle into the peaceful atmosphere of a neo-Nubian village with authentic, picturesque and colourful houses. Finally, in Luxor, you enjoy the ultimate independence and privacy thanks to a spacious, fully equipped apartment from where, at dawn, you can witness a truly magical sight: hot air balloons rising into Egypt’s pastel sky. As not everything can be planned ahead - minor setbacks or last-minute wishes - you can rely on the assistance of our on-site Concierge, available at any time to assist you during your trip.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Upon arrival, settle in for two nights on the waters of the Nile, west of the Zamalek district. Your accommodation sits halfway between a house and a boat. This is a houseboat, a floating home with wooden architecture typical of the 1920s - but with all the modern amenities. Inside, the furniture has been carefully selected and the decor tastefully sourced. Framed by wooden walls, the rooms blend elegance and an excellent level of comfort. The day begins with an oriental breakfast - ful medames, falafels, shakshouka - enjoyed with a view of the river, with downtown Cairo as a backdrop.
In your itinerary - A day tracing the footsteps of the pharaohs, in Saqqara and Giza. Head to the Saqqara necropolis, the largest and oldest in Egypt. Its remains bear witness to the long history of Pharaonic Egypt, from the first dynasty to the Ptolemaic period. You explore the funerary complex of King Djoser and his famous step pyramid, along with three tombs that are open to the public. At lunchtime, you stop at a guesthouse, then head to the Pyramids of Giza, a vast funerary complex built around the middle of the third millennium - an incredible testament to the power of the pharaohs of the Old Kingdom. These exciting tours are wonderfully enhanced by the knowledge of an experienced guide.
In your itinerary - Cairo in the footsteps of a local. Alongside them, the idea is to experience the city as if you lived there - to grasp its nuances and contrasts, and to discover both its highlights and its lesser-known spots. A kind of “Cairo with subtitles”, and also a great opportunity to pick up plenty of anecdotes and guidance. There’s no set itinerary: the outing adapts to each person's wishes. You can choose to see the city from the Nile on a felucca ride, or stroll through the cafes, or ahwa, an institution in the capital and a place for both relaxation and conversation. Others may prefer to visit historic Cairo, home to the world's largest concentration of Islamic monuments, or stroll through the city's most beautiful art galleries.
In the evening, take a private transfer to the station and board a night train to Aswan. You’ll have a first-class cabin for the journey.
Arrive in the morning at Aswan station, take a private transfer, and check in for two nights in a cluster of colourful earthen houses with rounded roofs. To reach them, you sail for half an hour along completely unspoiled branches of the Nile - a paradise for wading birds, kingfishers and migratory birds. The history of this place is unique: some time ago, a Nubian family chose this wild riverside at the foot of sand dunes to create this welcoming spot. The unique accommodation pays tribute to the villages once inhabited by the great families of Lower Nubia, who were displaced from their lands by the construction of the Aswan Dam in the 1960s. Your cosy suite overlooks the Nile. On site, you are served delicious local specialities to be enjoyed at a communal table on the large terrace - or on your room’s terrace.
Optional extra - Boat trip on the Aswan cataract.
In your itinerary - Visit to the Temple of Isis at Philae, relocated in 1974 to the island of Agilkia (the original temple was submerged by the waters of the dam reservoir). This sanctuary was dedicated to Isis, the universal mother and magician, who presided over life, death and resurrection. Goddess worship continued there for a long time, until the Byzantine emperor Justinian transformed it into a Coptic church in the 6th century.
Private transfer to Aswan station, where you take a train to Luxor. Upon arrival, a private driver and private guide will be waiting to take you to visit Karnak, a magnificent site built over the course of nearly 2,000 years. This is one of the largest sacred complexes in the world, a true holy city dedicated to the Theban triad: the god Amun, the goddess Mut and their son Khonsu. Within the enclosure of Amun, the temple of the tutelary god, you will find, among other things, a processional avenue lined with criosphinxes (ram-headed sphinxes, emblematic of Amun-Ra) and a hypostyle hall filled with a forest of columns. The tour continues with Luxor Temple, also dedicatedto Amun, whose main builders were Amenhotep III and Ramses II.
You will stay for two nights in a spacious, well-appointed apartment - two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a lounge and a fitted kitchen - within an intimate guesthouse. Your accommodation opens onto a beautiful terrace overlooking a field of banana trees. At dawn, you witness a magical sight - hot air balloons rising into Egypt’s pastel sky. On site, you can take a traditional Egyptian cooking class or learn to prepare traditional henna using natural products.
Optional extra - Felucca ride at sunset; Arabic language class.
In your itinerary - the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut. By crossing to the west bank of the Nile, you enter the realm of the dead, where Osiris welcomed the departed on the day of judgement. This is where the Valley of the Kings lies, home to the tombs of many pharaohs of the New Kingdom. Although most of the tombs were looted long ago, some have yielded rich treasures, such as the famous “KV62”, the tomb of Tutankhamun. To the southwest of the Valley of the Kings, set against the mountain, stands another impressive funerary complex: the Temple of Hatshepsut, the first woman to rule Egypt - as regent. Its originality lies in the harmony of its architecture, the exceptional character of its proportions, the quality of its materials and the finesse of its craftsmanship. You will discover all of this in private, with a guide.
Also planned - the west bank of the Nile accompanied by a local. You explore this agricultural area around Luxor and, in particular, stroll through a banana plantation. You then stop to visit craftspeople who make furniture from palm wood, then continue to a village to have a special chat with a local over tea. You may have the chance to watch bread being made or visit a Kuttab, a place where children learn to read the Quran.
Private transfer to the airport and flight home.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Private boat trip on the Cataract of Aswan, in private
You embark on a boat trip along the water towards the islands that form the majestic Cataract of Aswan. First stop on Elephantine Island, whose archaeological park brings together the temple and sanctuary of Satet, built during the Ptolemaic period, the Temple of Khnum, god of pottery, two nilometers, as well as a small museum. Still under excavation, this site is one of the few where the work of archaeologists is visible, evidenced among other things in restoration techniques, reconstruction of a temple, placement of original pieces, remains of hieroglyphs and paintings. You will then visit a museum where the lifestyle of the Nubian people is presented - beliefs, daily life, eating habits, and so on. The boat resumes its journey around the islands of Saluga before docking on Sehel Island, where the Famine Stela stands, its carved sign up recounting the seven years of famine that struck Egypt during the reign of Djoser.Felucca ride at sunset in Luxor
In Luxor, the Nile seems even more beautiful than elsewhere, with its islands and palm tree- and reed-lined banks. The perfect setting for a felucca ride along the water with a guide. During the walk, a stop is planned on Banana Island, where a wide variety of fruit trees and extensive banana plantations grow.Arabic language course in Luxor
Whether you already have some basic knowledge of Arabic or are starting from scratch, this course will help you acquire some basics that can support you throughout your trip. Not to understand your guides, all of whom are English-speaking or Francophone, but to interact with locals, decipher a sign, better grasp everyday scenes, make yourself understood in a shop or restaurant, or request for directions.
Why visit Egypt with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Egypt
- Globally unique concierge service
- Wi-Fi: 1 GB/day included
- CO2 absorption
