Only Tour
Everyday Price From
$4,846
$5,345
12 days
Cruise the Nile, gain insights into the art of belly dancing, and explore the splendors of Egypt on this 12-day women-only tour. Enjoy a sundowner at the Old Cataract Hotel, where Sir Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie once dined. Continue down the Nile to Luxor to see the Valley of the Queens and the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs — including the famous Tutankhamun — are buried. In Cairo, see the oldest pyramid in the world, the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, before traveling to see one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Pyramids of Giza. Here, stand face-to-face with the towering sphinx and later, see a sound and light show dance across the stones. Enhance your experience discovering culture by meeting local women and learning about the history of papyrus.
Locations Visited
Cairo, Luxor, Dendera Temple Complex, Edfu, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Giza
Countries Visited
Egypt
Travel Style
Women-Only
Accommodations
11 nights included
Age Requirements
Minimum age 5
Day 1
Welcome to the timeless land of the pharaohs. On arrival at Cairo Airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel and have time to relax and sample the hotel’s amenities after your journey.
Accommodation
Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino
Day 2
In the morning, fly to Luxor and visit the huge temple complex of Karnak. Walk through the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes to stand among the columns of the Hypostyle Hall. Later, transfer to your cruise ship, your home for the next seven nights. After lunch on board, take a walk through the Luxor Museum, witness ancient artefacts. In the evening, get to know your Travel Director, a professionally trained Egyptologist, as well as fellow guests over a drink followed by dinner. The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Accommodation
MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Take a short scenic flight to Luxor where you will begin your Nile Cruise.
Stand amid a vast forest of columns in the largest temple complex known to man, as your Egyptologist explains the significance behind it. Walk the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, see the of Rameses II and the Hypostyle Hall.
Visit the Luxor Museum and discover ancient artefacts.
Get to know your fellow travelers over a delightful drink followed by dinner.
Day 3
A day of legend and history awaits you today as you begin with a morning visit to the Temple of Hathor in Dendera. One of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, it contains a rare depiction of Cleopatra and her son Caesarian, whose father was Julius Caesar. At lunchtime return to your ship and enjoy a scenic journey via the Esna Lock to Edfu.
Accommodation
MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
At the Temple of Hathor, see a rare depiction of Cleopatra and Caesarian.
Day 4
Start the day with breakfast as you cruise along the Nile to Kom Ombo before continuing to the city of Aswan. Famous for its archaeological sites, such as the Philae Temple Complex and the Temple of Isis, Aswan is a vibrant destination that portray an agreeable mix of ancient and contemporary Egypt. In the evening, enjoy a fun-filled Egyptian dinner and galabeya party.
Accommodation
MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Learn about traditional Egyptian attire and immerse yourself in local culture at an Egyptian dinner and galabeya party.
Day 5
Today’s sightseeing includes a visit to Aswan's High Dam and granite quarries, to see the enormous unfinished obelisk. Travel by motorboat to the Temple of Isis, rising from the waters of the Nile on the Island of Philae. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the facilities on your cruise ship. Ask your Travel Director for recommendations on things to do onboard or perhaps ask for more insights into Egypt’s fascinating history?
Accommodation
MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Visit Aswan's High Dam and Granite Quarries to ponder why the Unfinished Obelisk has been left in mid-creation for thousands of years.
Travel by motorboat to Philae Island and witness the majestic Temple of Isis rising from the waters.
Delve into the fascinating history of papyrus. Experience a fascinating demonstration on how the ancient Egyptians used papyrus leaves for writing. Learn how paper was made from the papyrus water-plant which grew abundantly in the marshy delta of the Nile. Be amazed at the history of when excavators of a tomb at Saqqara discovered the earliest known roll of papyrus, dating to around 2900 B.C. You’ll also receive a small gift to commemorate your visit.
Discover the ancient art of belly dancing, reported as far back as the 4th century as an identifying element of Egyptian culture.
Day 6
Throughout your journey you’ll have seen many feluccas sailing along the Nile. Now it’s your time to explore one for yourself. On board this traditional vessel, meet a local sailor who shares the history and techniques behind navigating this culturally significant boat. Visit the local women’s co-op on your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and see how scrap materials are transformed into fine handicrafts, supporting vulnerable women in the community. As the sun starts to fade, enjoy high tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel, just like Sir Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie once did. Round off the day with an atmospheric Sound and Light Show at Philae Island, where the temple’s illuminated façade becomes the stage for tales of Isis, Hathor and the sacred Nile.
Accommodation
MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Afternoon Tea
Dinner
Savor cocktails and canapés at the historic Old Cataract Hotel while watching the sunset over the Nile. Enjoy this blend of natural beauty and timeless elegance for an unforgettable experience.
On a traditional Nile felucca, meet a sailor and learn the art of sailing this ancient Nile craft. Visit the High Dam and Granite Quarries.
In Aswan, meet the women of a local women-owned co-operative whose mission is to support vulnerable women from the local villages to learn new skills and become financially independent. The organization provides a hub of support and comfort for over 300 women who may live in poverty or suffer from loneliness and want to become financially independent. Thanks to their newly learnt skills, the women are now able to provide the main source of income for their family. The co-op also strives to reduce waste with a secondary mission to ensure a garbage-free world by using waste and natural material like bamboo or palm trees to create fine handicrafts. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.
Take a short boat ride to Philae Island, where the temple of Isis was carefully reassembled after the original site was submerged by the rising Nile. Enjoy a guided visit before the temple facade becomes a canvas for light and sound, recounting the myth of Isis and Hathor and the Nile’s sacred floods in a vivid display.
Day 7
With the morning free, perhaps join an Optional Experience to Abu Simbel? These temples overlook Lake Nasser and are made up of the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Hathor. Later, sail to Kom Ombo to visit the only double temple of Egypt, dedicated to two gods: the crocodile-headed Sobek and the falcon-headed Horus the Elder.
Accommodation
MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Visit the unique temple as it is the only double temple in Egypt.
Day 8
Cruise along the majestic waters of the Nile. Immerse yourself in the premium service on board and have your cameras at-the-ready for the sights as you leisurely make your way to Luxor. Indulge your culinary side during an Egyptian Cooking Class making traditional moussaka. In the evening, Conclude the day visiting Luxor Temple, where you dock for the night.
Accommodation
MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Visit Luxor Temple, constructed approximately 1400 BC. Look to the top of the remaining Pylon of Ramses II and step into the ancient monument.
Satisfy your curiosity and your taste buds over an Egyptian cooking class with your talented onboard chef. Learn the time-honored secrets behind how to make Egyptian vegetable Moussaka, a beloved Egyptian dish made of eggplant, tomatoes and peppers.
Day 9
This morning, disembark from your cruise and travel to the west bank of the Nile. Delve into history seeing both the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings where many pharaohs were buried, including Hatshepsut, Amenhotep I and Tutankhamun. Enhance your discovery visiting the Valley of the Queens. This site houses over 75 tombs belonging to queens of the 19th and 20th dynasties and to other members of the royal families, including the tomb of Nefertari and the Ramesside princes. Later, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo.
Accommodation
Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino
Meals
Breakfast
Get up close and personal with ancient history at the Valley of the Queens. Located amid the hills along the western bank of the Nile River in Upper Egypt, this site was a burial ground first for officials and later for royal wives, daughters and sons from 1550 to 1080 BC. You can visit from a selection of tombs open to the public.
Enjoy your short flight returning to Cairo.
Day 10
This morning, ascend to the Citadel for sweeping views over the city. While here, visit the Alabaster Mosque, otherwise known as the Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, regarded as the founder of modern Egypt. Continue to Tahrir Square, the focal point of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)*, home to a remarkable collection of ancient artefacts, including the treasures of Tutankhamun. *Subject to departure date and the museum’s full opening.
Accommodation
Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino
Meals
Breakfast
Uncover Cairo’s rich heritage at the UNESCO-listed Citadel, a commanding fortress that shaped Egypt’s history for centuries. With your Egyptologist, step inside the Great Alabaster Mosque, where soaring domes, intricate stained glass and the tomb of Sultan Muhammad Ali create a moment of quiet reflection. From its hilltop setting, take in sweeping views over the city below.
This morning, ascend to the Citadel for sweeping views over the city. While here, visit the Alabaster Mosque, otherwise known as the Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, regarded as the founder of modern Egypt. Continue to Tahrir Square, the focal point of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)*, home to a remarkable collection of ancient artefacts, including the treasures of Tutankhamun.
*Subject to departure date and the museum’s full opening.
Day 11
Travel to Memphis, the famous capital of the ancient world. See the colossal statue of Ramses II and the Great Alabaster Sphinx. Continue to Sakkara to see the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest pyramid in the world, dating back to 2700 B.C. In the afternoon, arrive at Giza to explore the magnificent pyramids. Here you’ll come face-to-face with the enigmatic Sphinx. During your visit, venture inside one of these ancient wonders to see the chambers where the pharaohs were sent to meet their gods in the afterlife.
Accommodation
Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino
Meals
Breakfast
Visit this famous capital of the ancient world to see the statue of Ramses II and the Great Alabaster Sphinx.
View the oldest pyramid in the world, the Step Pyramid of Zoser I, existing for over 4,500 years.
With your Egyptologist, meet the enigmatic Sphinx and venture deep inside one of the pyramids, to the chambers where the pharaohs went to meet their Gods in the afterlife.
Admire the remaining Wonders of the Ancient World as you explore through the Pyramids of Giza and the mighty Sphinx. Hear about Egyptian history as you walk through the National Archaeological Museum and learn the art of making papyrus paper out of reeds when you visit a Papyrus Institute.
Day 12
Your wonderful journey ends with transfers to Cairo International airport.
Meals
Breakfast
Title
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
"Koshari is our national dish, and it never disappoints. Believed to have originated in the 19th century, this vegetarian street food staple is made of rice, pasta, lentils, and chickpeas, topped with delicious fried onions and a spicy tomato-based garlic sauce."
"I love to share our Ancient Egyptian civilization and history with our guests and to explain all the details and stories related to Egyptian mythology so our guests can enjoy a very special guided vacation."
"The Abu Simbel Temples are utterly unique in scale, architecture, art and history. From one of the most prominent eras of Ancient Egyptian history, these magnificent structures emphasise how persistent and clever ancient Egyptian architects were to carve a mountain to make such incredible tributes for Egyptian deities."
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Trip Notes:
Terms & Conditions:
