EGYPT IN THE FOOTSTEPS
OF THE PHARAOHS
04 - 24 October 2026
Join Stuart and Karl on this 18-day, once in a lifetime, odyssey to learn about one of the greatest ancient civilisations, guided by an expert Egyptologist
and including a Nile River cruise, Valley of the Kings, ancient wonders, temples and vibrant culture staying at iconic 5-star hotels.
$23950 per person twin share
Single Room Supplement Add $6850
Initial Deposit On Booking $3000
Second Deposit Due 01 April 2026 $4000
Final Balance Due: 05 June 2026
Days
18 Days
Highlights
Nile River Cruise, Valley of the Kings, ancient wonders, temples, vibrant culture, historic iconic hotels.
Group Size
22 Travellers
Travel of Note Boutique Tour
Meals
All breakfasts
14 Lunches
13 Dinners
Included drinks at selected meals
Mobility
Active Tour
MAP GUIDE:
1. CAIRO BY PYRAMIDS (4 nights) 2. LUXOR (3 nights)
3. NILE RIVER CRUISE (4 nights)
4. ASWAN (3 nights)
5. CAIRO CENTRAL (3 nights)
SPECIAL FEATURES
• Join Stuart and Karl on a journey of a lifetime to the land of the pharaohs as we take you on a comprehensive tour of the greatest sights of ancient Egypt. We travel through Egypt with sights beyond imagination and history encapsulated at every turn, all done with the beauty, leisure and the glory of a bygone era.
• 18-day luxury tour of Egypt including Cairo (4 nights plus 3 nights on return), Aswan (3 nights), Sonesta Moon Goddess cruise (4 nights), Luxor (3 nights), all in 4-and 5-star accommodation, with views.
• We travel with our own exceptional private guide and Egyptologist throughout the trip to enlighten and educate us about the last 5000 years of Egyptian history - the best guide in Egypt!
• Enjoy our 4-night cruise of the Nile on the Sonesta Moon Goddess. All cabins have sliding doors that open to an outside veranda that serves to bring the sounds and scents of Egypt to us, visiting Aswan, the Temple of Kom Ombo, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Temple of Philae, plus ancient quarries, farm life and daily activities of this life-giving river.
• Visit and tour Pyramids, Sphinx, Temples of Karnak and Luxor, Step Pyramid, Valley of the Kings and Queens, Mohammed Ali Mosque, Coptic Cathedral, Cairo and Luxor museums, new Grand Egyptian Museum, behind the scenes conservation tour and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, Cairo, home to the Pharaoh Mummy collection.
• Special flavours including cultural show on the boat; sound and light show at Karnak Temple, our own concerts from Stuart and Karl and local entertainers, time for balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings (own cost), sail on a felucca, and dinner and sunset drinks at the famous Winter Palace.
TRIP ITINERARY
Experience the Exceptional:
CAIRO (4 nights)
Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel, Cairo (by the Pyramids)
Cairo is the capital and largest city of Egypt. The city’s metropolitan area is the largest in the Middle East and the Arab world. It is a busy, vibrant city and is associated with ancient Egypt and the famous Pyramids.
Please note: We travel to Egypt in the cooler season, where the temperature is more ideal for travelling with long comfortably warm days and cooler nights (and no rain!).
We have split our time in Cairo to two hotels, at the beginning and end of the trip.
Our first hotel is located beside the Pyramids, Sphinx, Step Pyramid and new Grand Egyptian Museum. The other is more centrally located by the Nile, bazaar, mosques and famous museums and sights.
This will prevent spending hours in the coach with Cairo traffic being some of the busiest in the world.
SUNDAY 4 OCTOBER 2026 FLY TO EGYPT
Fly out of Auckland today to Cairo via Dubai ready for our amazing adventure in Egypt, filled with history and extraordinary sights.
MONDAY 5 OCTOBER 2026 (D)
Highlights Include:
• A short driving tour as we transfer from the airport to our hotel out in the Giza Pyramids area.
• We will base ourselves here first to avoid the busy traffic and long transfers from the middle of Cairo, and immerse ourselves in the wonders of this region.
• Free time to settle into our Pyramid view rooms before a light dinner and an early night after our long flight.
TUESDAY 6 OCTOBER 2026 (B, D) PYRAMIDS OF GIZA
Highlights Include:
• Tour of the Pyramids of Giza area and the Sphinx with our expert guide.
• A chance to ride a camel beside the pyramids and take photos of these iconic animals against the backdrop of the pyramids.
• Special welcome dinner at our hotel with views of the mighty Pyramids beside us.
WEDNESDAY 7 OCTOBER 2026 (B,L) NEW EGYPTIAN MUSEUM
Highlights Include:
• A fabulous day which will be dedicated to the New Egyptian Museum which officially opened in July 2025 after several long delays.
• Exhibitions we see here include Tutankhamun interactive display.
• We will enjoy a guided tour from our expert guide plus free time for your own exploring.
• We also include lunch here and then a very special event - a behind the scenes tour of the Restoration Labs and an exclusive talk by a conservator. A very special inclusion for us to get an insight into the workings of the museum behind the scenes.
THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER 2026 (B, L) SAQQARA
Highlights Include:
• Tours to ancient Memphis and on to Saqqara’s necropolis which includes the Step Pyramid of Djoser and mastaba tombs and the Museum of Amenhotep.
• Tour of the Tomb of the Bulls and Pyramid of Unas, tomb of Ti and other mastaba tombs.
• After dinner this evening we enjoy VIP seats for the Sound and Light show at the Pyramids.
FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER 2026 (B, L, D) LUXOR - KARNAK - LUXOR Sonesta St George Hotel, (3 nights)
Highlights Include:
• Fly from Cairo to Luxor with lunch at the famous bookshop and a chance to view one of the best collections of books in Egypt.
• Visit to Luxor Museum, one of the finest collections of artefacts, many collected from the Valley of the Kings.
• Horse and carriage ride to Karnak Temple with a tour of the majestic site of Karnak, dedicated to the god Amun.
• Dinner at our hotel this evening.
SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER 2026 (B, L, D) TEMPLES - ALABASTER FACTORY
Highlights Include:
• Time off for an early morning balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings if you choose (own cost).
• Visit the incredible Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
• Visit to Alabaster Factory, Carpet Factory and Ancient Artefact shop.
• Dinner and sunset drinks on the terrace of the famous Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel overlooking the Nile, the very hotel where Howard Carter announced he had found the Tomb of Tutankhamun and where he held his press conferences.
SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER 2026 (B, L) DENDERA
Highlights Include:
• Travel to the Great Temple of Hathor at Dendera, one of the best preserved and most famous monuments in Egypt with its many depictions of Cleopatra. The temple covers some 40,000sq metres and is comprised of more than 50 temples within temples and surrounded by an ancient brick wall.
• Dendera temple is the original home of the disc depicting all the zodiac symbols known to the ancient Egyptians, and which continue to this day such as Taurus and Libra. Today the original is in the Louvre in Paris.
• We attend the captivating Karnak Sound and Light show, with VIP seats.
MONDAY 12 OCTOBER 2026 (B, L, D) LUXOR TEMPLE
SONESTA MOON GODDESS CRUISE SHIP (5 days – 4 nights)
The ultimate leisurely look at Egypt
We have booked one of the most spectacular boats on the Nile, with traditional furniture and fabrics that echo the days of yesteryear as we cruise the Nile River and enjoy the sights of ancient Egypt.
Highlights Include:
• We board our elegant 5-star ship before lunch with time to settle into our cabins.
• All cabins have sliding doors that open to an outside veranda that serves to bring the sounds and scents of Egypt to us with gourmet food, amazing crew and service with all meals included.
• Welcome lunch onboard with time to settle in before we are off to the famous Luxor Bazaar.
• Later this afternoon before dinner we enjoy a look at the magnificent Luxor Temple just as the sun is setting and marvel at the perfection of Amenhotep III’s columns.
• Captain’s welcome dinner followed by an Egyptian show of local dance and music.
TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2026 (B, L, D)
VALLEY OF THE KINGS - ESNA
Highlights Include:
• Early morning, we travel back thousands of years as we visit the West Bank of the Nile today.
• Visit the Valley of the Kings, including Tutankhamun and Ramses V tombs.
• Visit the Valley of the Queens, the secret necropolis of the royal wives. Visit the Valley of the Nobles, the Tomb of Ramose.
• Visit the tombs at the Valley of the Monkeys.
• We leave Luxor after lunch and head for Esna, passing through the locks of Esna.
• Enjoy leisurely cruising watching the many wondrous sights as we pass.
• The Nile feeds the country’s plantations, including sugar cane, corn and cotton, as well as yellow tea, black tea and coffee. The air is sweet as we sail past crops in the swampy areas on the banks of the Nile.
WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER 2026 (B, L, D) KOM OMBO - EDFU
Highlights Include:
• Visit the best-preserved temple of the Ptolemaic Dynasty; the Temple of Horus (the falcon god) at Edfu. Once buried in sand, it now stands proudly once again.
• Cruise towards Kom Ombo temple for a visit.
• Visit of the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, right on the Nile banks and one of the most seducing sites of Upper-Egypt.
• Time to sit on the deck and read Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile!
• Tonight we channel our inner Mummy with an Egyptian dress up themed dinner.
THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER 2026 (B, L, D) TEMPLE OF PHILAE
Highlights Include:
• We pass by the ancient quarries on the sides of the Nile where so much of the stone was taken for building the pyramids.
• Visit the Temple of Philae, which was moved block by block to make way for the Aswan Dam.
• Sail on a felucca and visit the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener Island.
• Final night sunset drinks and cruise dinner
FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER 2026 (B, L, D) ASWAN - ABU SIMBEL - ASWAN Sonesta Nouba Hotel, Aswan (3 nights)
Aswan, located on the Nile River, has been southern Egypt’s strategic and commercial gateway since ancient times.
Highlights Include:
• Fly to Abu Simbel to see the colossal statues of Ramesses II located on the banks of the lake. This was cut into thousands of blocks and moved onto higher ground so that they would be saved from the flooding of the New Aswan Dam in the 1960s.
• On our return from Abu Simbel we transfer to the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel, for a special lunch overlooking the cataracts of Aswan!
• Later we check into our lovely hotel, overlooking the Nile and enjoy a casual dinner at the hotel.
SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2026 (B, D) ASWAN TOUR
Highlights Include:
• Tour of Aswan including the Coptic Cathedral and Nubian Museum. • Visit the High Dam at Aswan built to control the annual floods.
• We visit a perfume factory and take in the smells of the ancient spices and herbs such as Frankincense and Myrrh.
• Free time to enjoy our hotel, shop, or organise your own tours.
• Dinner at the Movenpick Hotel with its views over Aswan and the Nile.
SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER 2026 (B, D) ASWAN TOUR
Highlights Include:
• Visit the Aswan Bazaar and jewellery factory today.
• Free time this afternoon to relax by the pool or enjoy your own sightseeing.
• Dinner this evening at the Old Cataract in their magical dining room under the Arabian Dome.
MONDAY 19 OCTOBER 2026 (B, D) CAIRO DRIVING TOUR
Fairmont Nile City Hotel, Cairo (3 nights)
Highlights Include:
• Fly from Aswan to Cairo today and enjoy a short driving tour of Cairo, including historical and iconic sights.
• Free time after check in to settle into the hotel before our light dinner on the rooftop of our hotel with views over the Nile.
TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2026 (B, L) MOSQUE AND BAZAAR
Highlights Include:
• Visit to Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Cairo’s most visible mosque.
• Visit to the famous Cairo Bazaar with lunch at Al-Azhar park area.
• Own dinner arrangements tonight. You may like to try one of the restaurants at our hotel or another one close by.
WEDNESDAY 21 OCTOBER 2026 (B, L, D) CAIRO MUSEUMS
Highlights Include:
• Tour of the Old Egyptian Museum before transferring to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation for lunch before our tour.
• Tour of National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, Cairo, home to the Pharaoh Mummy collection and the story of the history of Egypt. (You may have seen the Pharaohs’ Golden Parade as they transported 22 Royal Mummies to their new resting place in 2021).
• Final night dinner - a very special event as we have chartered our own private dinner cruise on the Nile with music provided by our artists.
THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2026 (B) MALL AND FLIGHT HOME
Highlights Include:
• A leisurely start to the day with check out not until midday so time for resting or swimming.
• Transfer to the famous Citystars Mall for some last minute shopping. This is one of the biggest Western style malls in Cairo and plenty to see and do over the afternoon here before our flight this evening.
• Transfer to the airport for our flight home via Dubai.
FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER 2026
IN FLIGHT
SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER 2026 (B)
Home today after our most extraordinary immersive tour of one of the greatest ancient civilisations and most intact buildings and temples in the world.
PLACES WE STAY
Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel, Cairo by the Pyramids (4 nights) This 5-star hotel is nestled amidst the iconic pyramids, and boasts lavish rooms and suites that exude elegance and comfort. We enjoy pyramid view rooms at the hotel, which will make us feel like we have really arrived in Egypt.
Sonesta St. George Hotel, Luxor (3 nights)
Situated on the banks of the Nile and close to the Luxor temples, the Sonesta Hotel Luxor has a history of hosting royalty and celebrities throughout the years. The interior features grand staircases, high ceilings and lounge areas that are appointed with antique furniture, as well as a magnificent pool with sweeping views of the Nile beside us. We enjoy Nile view rooms at this hotel.
Sonesta Moon Goddess Cruise Ship (4 nights)
Our home for four wonderful nights we enjoy the luxury of one of the most elegant ships on the Nile. All cabins have sliding doors that open to an outside veranda that serves to bring the sounds and scents of Egypt to us. We enjoy deluxe rooms on this boat.
Sonesta Nouba Hotel, Aswan (3 nights)
This is a five-star, boutique hotel, where each of the 45 guest rooms is designed in traditional Nubian style and offers a private terrace and sought-after Nile views from every vantage point.
Fairmont Nile City Hotel, Cairo (3 nights)
Located in the Nile City Towers by the River Nile, this 5-star hotel features a rooftop pool deck with spectacular views across Cairo to the Pyramids.
This Trip Includes:
• Return economy airfares Emirates airlines: Auckland - Dubai / Dubai - Cairo return.
• Internal airfares as follows: Cairo - Luxor; Aswan - Abu Simbel return / Aswan - Cairo.
• Cairo (4 nights plus 3 nights on return), Luxor (3 nights), Sonesta Moon Goddess cruise (4 nights), Aswan (3 nights), all in 5 star luxury accommodation.
• 4-night cruise on the Sonesta Moon Goddess Cruise Ship. All cabins have sliding doors that open to an outside veranda that serves to bring the sounds and scents of Egypt to us.
• We travel with our own exceptional private guide and Egyptologist throughout the trip to enlighten and educate us about the last 5000 years of Egyptian history - the best guide in Egypt plus an assistant always travelling with us.
• All entrances and tours on cruise are included in Aswan, the Temple of Kom Ombo, Luxor including the Bazaar, the Temple of Horus (the falcon god) at Edfu, Temple of Philae, high dam.
• Visits to numerous temples and ancient archaeology sites including Valley of the Kings with entrance to Tutankhamun and Ramses V tombs, Valley of the Queens, Tombs of the Monkeys, Luxor Temple, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Karnak, Sphinx, Step Pyramid, Giza Pyramids, Abu Simbel and the Great Temple of Hathor at Dendera.
• Included visits and tours of Mohammed Ali Mosque, Coptic Cathedral, Cairo and Luxor museums, new Grand Egyptian Museum (opening now confirmed), behind the scenes conservation tour and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, Cairo, home to the Pharaoh Mummy collection.
• Special flavours including cultural show; sound and light shows at both Giza Pyramids and Karnak Temple with VIP seats, our own concerts from Stu and Karl and local entertainers, time for balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings (own cost), sail on a felucca, private dinner cruise and dinner and sunset drinks at the famous Winter Palace, Cairo Bazaar, perfume shop, alabaster factory and best bookshop in Egypt.
• All breakfasts, 13 dinners, 14 lunches and included drinks at selected meals.
• All transfers, porterage, tips, taxes and activities as listed in itinerary.
• Escorted by Stuart Coats and Karl Perigo.
Important Information
• All itinerary details are subject to change, but changes will be replaced with a comparable or better option.
• Initial & Second deposits are fully refundable up until final balance due date, minus an administration fee of up to $500 plus any non-recoverable costs.
• All monies are non-refundable at final balance due date. This becomes an insurance claim.
• Bank transfer payments incur no surcharge. Credit card payments incur surcharge of 1.5%.
• Travellers need to be independently mobile and fit to travel.
• Bookings will only be accepted with initial deposit & booking form.
• All travellers must obtain comprehensive travel insurance for international travel and insurance for domestic travel is recommended.
• Please refer to our terms and conditions on booking form.
Mobility - Active Tour
This is still a moderately paced tour, but you will be required to walk longer distances, walk on cobblestones and ancient ruins, and stand in museums. To really get the best out of this tour you need to be able to stand or walk for a couple of hours comfortably, be it at a leisurely pace. You also need to be able to climb up to three flights of stairs at a leisurely pace.