Wonders of Ancient Egypt

Egypt has captivated travelers for thousands of years, and the moment you step onto its golden sands, you will understand exactly why. This eight-day adventure takes you from the buzzing, layered energy of Cairo -- where ancient citadels and glittering bazaars exist side by side with modern neighborhoods -- to the sun-soaked temples of Luxor, the open-air museum that sits along one of the world's most legendary rivers. You will stand before monuments that have outlasted empires and walk through chambers that have held their secrets for millennia.

What makes this journey truly unforgettable is the intimacy of it. You will cook inside an Egyptian family home, selecting spices at a local market and learning the recipes that have been passed down for generations. You will cruise the Nile as the city lights shimmer on the water. You will stand in the Valley of the Kings and feel the weight of history settle over you like a warm desert breeze. These are not distant, behind-the-glass experiences. They are real, sensory, and deeply personal.

Shared with a small circle of like-minded women, this trip becomes something more than sightseeing. It becomes a conversation -- with history, with culture, and with one another -- that you will carry home long after the sand has left your shoes.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1 - CAIRO: WELCOME TO THE CITY OF A THOUSAND MINARETS

Your Egyptian adventure begins the moment you land at Cairo International Airport (CAI), where a private transfer whisks you directly to your hotel. Take the afternoon to settle in, shake off any travel weariness, and soak up your first impressions of this remarkable city -- the call to prayer echoing across rooftops, the scent of jasmine and spice drifting through open windows. As evening falls, gather with your fellow travelers for a warm welcome dinner featuring authentic Egyptian flavors and the genuine hospitality this country is known for. Over shared plates and easy conversation, new friendships begin to take root.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodations: Ramses Hilton Cairo or Equivalent

DAY 2 - CAIRO: THE PYRAMIDS, THE SPHINX, AND THE SANDS OF TIME

Today you venture into Egypt's ancient past. Your morning begins at Sakkara, where the Step Pyramid of Djoser rises from the desert as the world's oldest known pyramid -- a place that feels almost impossibly old, yet undeniably alive with meaning. A visit to a traditional carpet school offers a glimpse into centuries-old artisan craft, where vibrant threads are woven into intricate patterns by incredibly skilled hands. This afternoon, the Giza Plateau awaits. Three magnificent pyramids pierce the horizon, and the great Sphinx stands in quiet, eternal watch. As the light shifts toward golden hour and long shadows stretch across the plateau, you will understand why people travel across the world to stand in this exact spot.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodations: Ramses Hilton Cairo or Equivalent

DAY 3 - CAIRO: TUTANKHAMUN'S TREASURES AND DINNER ON THE NILE

Begin your morning at the Citadel of Salah El-Din, where alabaster walls catch the early light and panoramic views of Cairo unfold before you in every direction -- minarets, rooftops, and the faint outline of the pyramids on the far horizon. From there, step inside the brand-new Grand Egyptian Museum, one of the most extraordinary collections of artifacts on earth. More than 100,000 objects fill these halls, including the brilliant golden treasures of Tutankhamun -- items so breathtaking they stop you mid-step. As evening arrives, board a dinner cruise on the Nile and watch Cairo glitter from the water while traditional music and dance fill the warm night air.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodations: Ramses Hilton Cairo or Equivalent

DAY 4 - CAIRO: COOKING WITH AN EGYPTIAN FAMILY

Today, Egypt invites you into its kitchen. Your morning begins at a local market, where your guide helps you navigate stalls piled high with fresh produce, warming spices, and the fragrant staples of Egyptian cooking. You will learn to read the differences between regional spice blends and select the finest ingredients with a practiced eye. Then it is into a warm Egyptian family home, where patient, generous hosts teach you to prepare beloved dishes like perfectly spiced kofta and silky Molokhia. You share this feast family-style, cups of mint-laced tea in hand, while learning about the rhythms of everyday Egyptian life. It is the kind of afternoon that stays with you.

Meals: Lunch

Accommodations: Ramses Hilton Cairo or Equivalent

DAY 5 - LUXOR: THE WORLD'S GREATEST OPEN-AIR MUSEUM

This morning, board a regional flight from Cairo to Luxor, a city so rich in monuments and temples that the entire place has been called the world's largest open-air museum. Your exploration begins on the West Bank with a visit to the Valley of the Kings, the legendary burial ground of pharaohs, where painted chambers lie hidden beneath desert cliffs. You will also photograph the soaring temple of Queen Hatshepsut and marvel at the paired Memnon Statues standing sentinel on the plain. A relaxed lunch at a beloved local restaurant offers a chance to rest and reflect before returning to your hotel to savor the day's extraordinary discoveries.

Meals: Lunch

Accommodations: Sonesta St. George Hotel Luxor or Equivalent

DAY 6 - LUXOR: KARNAK, COLUMNS, AND THE SOUTHERN SANCTUARY

The East Bank of Luxor holds wonders that rival anything you have seen so far. Today your guide leads you through the sprawling complex of Karnak Temple, the largest religious building ever constructed. Its Hypostyle Hall -- a forest of 134 massive carved columns built over the course of two thousand years -- is simply overwhelming in the best possible way. From there, you walk through the Luxor Temple, known in ancient Egyptian as "ipet resyt" or "the southern sanctuary," where the stones themselves seem to hum with the weight of centuries. Every column, every carved inscription tells a story, and your expert guide brings those stories alive with vivid detail and obvious passion.

Meals: No meals included today

Accommodations: Sonesta St. George Hotel Luxor or Equivalent

DAY 7 - CAIRO: TOWERS, BAZAARS, AND A FAREWELL FEAST

A morning flight returns you to Cairo for one final, glorious day in the city. Begin with a trip up the iconic Cairo Tower, where sweeping views stretch all the way to the pyramids shimmering on the horizon -- a breathtaking way to take in the full scale of this extraordinary city. From there, plunge into the medieval maze of Khan el-Khalili bazaar, where lanterns cast warm light over narrow lanes overflowing with glittering jewelry, fragrant spices, handwoven textiles, and traditional crafts. Browse freely, bargain cheerfully, and let yourself get happily lost. As the sun sets, your group reunites for a farewell dinner, raising a glass to the adventures shared, the history witnessed, and the lasting friendships made along the way.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodations: Ramses Hilton Cairo or Equivalent

DAY 8 - CAIRO: DEPARTURE DAY

After breakfast together, a private transfer takes you to Cairo International Airport (CAI) for your international flight home. You leave with a full heart, a camera full of memories, and a deep new appreciation for one of the most ancient and magnificent civilizations the world has ever known. Safe travels -- until the next adventure.

Travelers opting for the Jordan Extension will depart for Aqaba today instead of flying home. See extension details below.

Meals: Breakfast

Optional Extension: Jordan (November 2-5, 2027)

3 Nights | $2,995 | Single Occupancy Extension includes: flight from Cairo to Jordan, 3-night single occupancy accommodations, local transportation, camel and jeep tour of Wadi Rum, guided tour of Petra, and a visit to the Dead Sea. Daily breakfast is included; lunches and dinners are not included. Please book your homebound flights from Amman for after 5:00 PM local time.

DAY 8 (Extension) - WADI RUM: INTO THE RED DESERT

Board a flight to Aqaba, Jordan's gateway to the Red Sea, then travel through sweeping desert landscapes toward the otherworldly canyon country of Wadi Rum. Towering sandstone cliffs in shades of rust and rose frame a landscape so dramatic it has stood in for Mars in more than one film. As the sun dips low, arrive at your luxury desert camp, where lanterns glow against the rock formations and the sky overhead fills with more stars than you thought possible. This is Bedouin country, and tonight you experience its legendary hospitality firsthand.

Meals: No meals included (dinner at camp on own)

Accommodations: Luxury Desert Camp in Wadi Rum or Equivalent

DAY 9 (Extension) - WADI RUM TO PETRA: CANYONS AND CARAVANS

Spend your morning exploring Wadi Rum by jeep through narrow canyons carved by wind and time, or opt for the more romantic option of a camel ride across rust-colored sands. These ancient routes once carried Nabataean traders and later, the legendary Lawrence of Arabia. The landscape feels like a secret the desert has kept for centuries. This afternoon, you travel toward Petra, the rose-red city that has captured imaginations since it was "rediscovered" by Western explorers in 1812. Settle into your accommodations near this UNESCO World Heritage Site and let the anticipation build.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodations: Moon Hotel Luxury Petra or Equivalent

DAY 10 (Extension) - PETRA: THE ROSE-RED CITY

Today belongs entirely to Petra, one of the most astonishing places on earth. Walk the Siq, a narrow sandstone gorge that twists and narrows before opening dramatically to reveal the Treasury's ornate carved facade -- a moment that never loses its power, no matter how many times you have seen it in photographs. Your knowledgeable guide leads you further into the city, past the Royal Tombs, the Monastery, and ancient altar platforms, sharing the story of the Nabataean traders who carved this entire metropolis from living rock more than two thousand years ago. This afternoon, travel to Amman, Jordan's vibrant capital, arriving in time to settle in for the evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodations: Le Royal Hotel Amman or Equivalent

DAY 11 (Extension) - THE DEAD SEA AND DEPARTURE

Your final morning is spent at the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, where mineral-rich waters have drawn visitors seeking rest and renewal since antiquity. Float effortlessly in the ultra-salty water, smooth mineral mud at your fingertips, the surrounding mountains reflected in the glassy surface -- it is a profoundly peaceful, almost surreal experience. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Amman's modern neighborhoods, lively souks, and distinctive culture before transferring to Queen Alia International Airport for your evening international flight home.

Please book your homebound flights for after 5:00 PM local time.

Meals: Breakfast