We’ll explore ancient wonders with a local expert who will help us understand everything we see and taste. We’ll share a meal with a Nubian family in Aswan—an ethnic group indigenous to the Nile Valley—and spend 3 nights sailing down the Nile, stopping at small villages, temples, and sacred sites outside the major cities.
The whole time on the Nile, we’ll be on our own privately chartered Nile Dahabiya, a traditional sailing vessel that offers a prime location to rest, explore, dine, and soak it all in. And the Dahabiya we’ve reserved for this trip... I once took my mom on this boat, and she cried when she walked into her room. It was that special.
True Local Flavor
From sharing a home-cooked meal with a Nubian family in Aswan to trying one of Cairo's best restaurants, we'll get a true taste of Egypt. On our privately chartered Dahabiya, we’ll enjoy beautiful onboard meals as we sail, slow travel at its absolute best.
Ancient Worlds & Living History
We’ll explore Cairo’s organized chaos, wander through temples that have stood for thousands of years, and witness the sheer scale of sites like Karnak, Luxor Temple, Philae, and Abu Simbel. With our expert local guide, we’ll understand the mythology, politics, architecture, and human stories behind it all. And as we sail down the Nile, we’ll stop in small villages, sacred sites, and quiet places most travelers never see.
Moments of Luxury
You’ll stay in handpicked accommodations across Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan—and for three unforgettable nights, we’ll board our own privately chartered Dahabiya. This traditional Nile sailing vessel is intimate, serene, and stunningly beautiful.
My Egypt Expertise
Hi I'm Anela, creator, author, traveler, and host! I first went to Egypt 10 years ago and it's been one of my favorite places to visit ever since. This Egypt trip has been carefully updated to offer you the best experience possible.
Come Solo, Leave With Friends
People are what set these trips apart. My group experiences are designed for women who want more: more connection, more culture, more meaning. We’re a diverse crew, with women from all walks of life who show up curious and ready to explore.
Don't just take it from me, here's feedback from one of my recent trips:
"This is my fourth trip with Anela/feedthemalik which speaks for itself. The planning, effort and coordination that goes into each trip is always appreciated and always creates a sense of community that I always enjoy. Thank you for being an amazing host and providing a space to create lifetime memories and friendships."
Safety
Safety is relative, however in our view, Egypt is safe. The US State Department Travel Advisory for Egypt is Level 2: Exercise Caution, the same as it is for Spain and France.
Dietary Accommodations
We will do our best to accommodate dietary needs and will communicate with our local partners in advance. However, options—particularly for vegan travelers—may be limited depending on location. Your Tour Leader will be available to help navigate meals and assist with sourcing appropriate alternatives when possible.
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Discretion is strongly advised for LGBTQIA+ travelers in Egypt. We recommend avoiding public displays of affection and exercising caution while traveling.
Please note that not all hotels are familiar with or experienced in accommodating LGBTQ+ guests. As a result, room configurations may be limited. While we will always advocate for our travelers, we are unable to guarantee king-size beds or specific bedding arrangements for LGBTQ+ partners traveling together. As always, you’ll be supported by an experienced Tour Leader throughout the trip, and we work to prioritize traveler safety, respect, and care.
English speaking local guides will be with us throughout!
A meal with a Nubian family, lunch at one of the best restaurants in Egypt, and more (as detailed in the day-by-day itinerary)
Visit the pyramids, sail the Nile on a private boat, experience ancient history, and more (as detailed in the day-by-day itinerary)
We handpick hotels and our dahabiya experience to prioritize comfort, location, and luxury.
Your flight from Cairo to Aswan is included as well as transport to and from all scheduled activities.
You'll be met and picked up at the airport, and dropped off on your way out!
An edited keepsake video will be provided after the trip!
Tips for service staff we interact with daily are included (servers, drivers, etc…) However, a tip for our primary guide who will remain with us throughout the trip is not included.
This trip begins in Cairo and ends in Luxor.
Travel Insurance is mandatory.
If you'd like to tip our primary guide who will be with us every day, general guidelines are to tip $8-$10, per person, per day.
Each traveler is responsible for securing all required travel documents and health clearances for their passport and country of departure, including visas and vaccinations.
Services not mentioned in the day-by-day itinerary are not included.
Upon arrival, meet our airport representative who will be waiting to take you directly to your hotel.
Tonight, we’ll enjoy our welcome dinner at a famous Egyptian local restaurant. You’ll enjoy koshary, an Egyptian dish with mixed rice, pasta, fried onions, lentil, with tomato sauce and garlic with vinegar sauce.
Inclusions:
Airport transfer
Dinner at Koshary Abou Tarik
Accommodations at Sofitel Cairo El-Gezirah
The Pyramids and the Sphinx are instantly familiar yet wondrous. Today we'll get up close to these incredible pharaonic sites.
Lunch will be served at Khufu’s, which was named the Best Restaurant in Egypt and No. 4 in the Middle East and North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025.
Then, we'll head to the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum! Home to a stupendous collection of antiquities and the perfect introduction to your tour, exhibiting many of the region's treasures.
Inclusions:
Breakfast at hotel
Giza Pyramids and Sphinx Entrance
The Grand Egyptian Museum- Including King Tut Treasure
Accommodations at Sofitel Cairo El-Gezirah
Catch up on sleep or explore Cairo! Today is free at leisure. Though of course, your local guide will have plenty of suggestions for you!
Inclusions:
Breakfast at the hotel
Accommodations at Sofitel Cairo El-Gezirah
This morning, take a flight from Cairo to Aswan.
The adventure begins with a visit to the Philae Temple. Since the creation of Lake Nasser by the Aswan Dam, the temple has been relocated to Agilkia Island, about 5 km south of Aswan. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, the temple is famed for its beautiful bas-reliefs, columns, and frescoes,.
Tonight, you will experience modern Nubian culture firsthand with a visit to a nearby village. Join a local Nubian family for a memorable dinner and get an insight into the daily life of the local people. Here you will have the chance to see a different side of Egyptian life, try out some Nubian dishes and swap stories with your hosts. You will also be treated to some Nubian dancing, and may even have the chance to try some moves yourself.
Inclusions:
Breakfast at the hotel
Aswan Philae Temple
Dinner - Nubian Dinner
Accommodations at Sonesta Nouba Aswan Hotel
Enjoy a free morning at your leisure then transfer to your Nile Dahabiya!
For the next 3 nights, your group will have exclusive use of this gorgeous sailboat, sailing up and down the Nile to explore wonders away from the cities and get a taste for another aspect of Egyptian life and history. All meals will be provided while on the boat.
Inclusions:
Breakfast at the hotel
Lunch - Onboard boat
Dinner - Onboard boat
Accommodations aboard The Nile Dahabiya
Your day begins with breakfast on board. Then we'll stop in the town of Daraw where you learn how to shop like a local at the market, visit a barn to meet camels and learn about the camel trade.
Then we'll sail onward for a visit to Kom Ombo, a beautifully situated temple on a high riverbank. Unique in design, the temple is perfectly symmetrical and honors two gods: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god.
After the visit, return to the boat for lunch as you sail toward Gebel el-Silsila, where you’ll explore ancient temples and quarries.
The journey continues to Edfu, where you’ll have dinner and spend the night.
Inclusions:
Breakfast - Onboard boat
Daraw market visit
Kom Ombo Temple visit
Lunch - Onboard boat
Gebel el-Silsila visit
Dinner - Onboard boat
Accommodations at The Nile Dahabiya
Start your day with a visit to the Temple of Horus in Edfu, one of the best-preserved and largest temples in Egypt.
Construction began in 237 BC under Ptolemy III and was completed nearly 200 years later. It remained buried in sand until its rediscovery by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette in the 19th century.
The temple’s detailed bas-reliefs and inscriptions offer valuable insight into ancient Egyptian religion, rituals, and festivals, including the annual “Beautiful Reunion” when goddess Hathor would travel from Dendera to join her husband Horus in Edfu.
After the visit, lunch will be served as you sail to El Kab, a city believed to date back to the Neolithic period. It’s surrounded by a mudbrick wall from 747–332 BC. On land, you’ll explore tombs carved into the mountainside, including:
• Ahmose’s Tomb, which includes a unique inscription describing the conquest of Avaris and the expulsion of the Hyksos.
• Paheri’s Tomb, dating back to 1570 BC, showing detailed scenes of rural life.
Evening sail to Luxor. Dinner and overnight on board.
Inclusions:
Breakfast - Onboard boat
Edfu Temple Entrance
Lunch - Onboard boat
El Kab visit
Dinner - Onboard boat
Accommodations at The Nile Dahabiya
In the early morning after breakfast, you’ll end your Dahabiya Nile cruise and disembark.
Then, you’ll explore the iconic Temples of Karnak and Luxor.
Karnak, one of the world's most celebrated temple complexes, built over a period of some 2000 years, and some of it dating back to 2,055 BC. Your guided tour of the temple reveals its finest sections.
By sunset, you’ll have a wonderful visit to Luxor temple.
Inclusions:
Breakfast - Onboard boat
Karnak Temple
Luxor Temple by sunset
Accommodations at Hilton Luxor Hotel
Today, visit the West Bank (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut temple, Colossi of Memnon)
Valley of the kings: visit three royal tombs, where you will get to learn about the funerary rites of the ancient Egyptians and significance of many paintings and hieroglyphics.
Tutankhamen's final resting place: buried under the arid hills over 60 tombs of pharaohs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings. Explore this sprawling and spectacular place where discoveries are still being made.
Temple of Queen Hatshepsut: the most famous queen of Egypt, the one that ruled for 21 years which is considered the longest period a queen ruled, the temple set in a spectacular natural amphitheater.
The Colossi of Memnon: 17 meters high statues used to flank the entrance of the funerary temple of king Amenhotep the 3rd the grandfather of Tutankhamen.
During the day, we'll also have lunch with a local family, taking a break for a home-cooked meal.
Tonight, we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant before saying goodye.
Inclusions:
Breakfast at the hotel
Luxor Valley of the Kings Tombs entrance
Luxor Tut Ankh Amon Tomb entrance
Luxor Colossi of Memnon
Luxor Hatshepsut Temple entrance
Lunch - Home Cooked Meal at the West Bank of Luxor
Farewell Dinner at Egyptian Local Restaurant in Luxor
Accommodations at Hilton Luxor Hotel
Your adventure comes to an end. After breakfast, you will be transferred individually to the airport.
Inclusions:
Breakfast at the hotel
Individual transfer to airport