Embark on a curatorial exploration of Egypt’s timeless wonders, guided by luminaries who have unveiled its secrets. Begin at the Grand Egyptian Museum, followed by exclusive after-hours entry to the pyramids and Sphinx with world-renowned experts such as Professor Mark Lehner. At Saqqara, archaeologists of international standing like Professor Moustafa Waziri share insights into tombs they have excavated. Journey through the Valley of the Whales and sleep beneath a canopy of stars in the ethereal White Desert. Then sail from Luxor to Aswan aboard a luxury dahabiya, discovering the rarely visited temples of Dendera and Abu Simbel during this once-in-a-lifetime voyage along the Nile.
Small group journey dates: 3rd – 15th March 2026
Dates of travel for 2026 small group journey: 3rd to 15th March. October to April is the best time to visit Egypt, when the days are sunny and not too hot.
Based on 12 nights with a maximum of 8 guests, includes accommodation, expert-led tours, dahabiya with shared guiding, most meals, road transport, permits, and entry to the tombs of Seti I and Tutankhamun. For solo travellers, there is a private suite supplement of £6,500 / $8,300. All flights excluded but can be arranged.
3 nights in Cairo, 1 night in Fayoum, 2 nights in White Desert, 6 nights cruising from Luxor to Aswan.
What makes your luxury Egypt small group tour special?
- Exclusive archaeological access to the Sphinx and a private, after-hours tour of the pyramids with world-renowned Egyptologists such as Mark Lehner.
- Insider insights at Saqqara, where distinguished archaeologists of Professor Moustafa Waziri’s calibre reveal a tomb they excavated.
- Journey by jeep into the Valley of the Whales, walking among 40-million-year-old fossils, then spend starlit nights in the surreal White Desert.
- Explore the treasures of the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum.
- Sail the Nile from Luxor to Aswan aboard a privately chartered dahabiya, and watch as life along the river unfolds.
- Visit lesser-known highlights, including the celestial ceilings of Dendera’s Hathor Temple and the colossal statues of Abu Simbel.
- Savour dinners in magical settings, from pyramid-side views to a lantern-lit feast on a secluded Nile island.
Highlights of your exclusive Egypt small group tour
Where empires endure
Cairo and Saqqara
Framed by the glittering Nile and the desert’s ochre horizon, Cairo immerses you in centuries of wonder and culture, making it an ideal introduction to ancient Egypt. With your Egyptologist guide, explore the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum and Tutankhamun’s treasures, alongside masterpieces spanning five millennia. Step into history with private access to the Sphinx and after-hours entry to the Great Pyramid of Khufu, led by world-renowned Egyptologists, before savouring dinner overlooking the illuminated pyramids.
At Saqqara, uncover the Step Pyramid of Djoser, older than Giza, and the vivid reliefs of the Tomb of Wahtye, accompanied by one of Egypt’s leading archaeologists. Explore Cairo’s labyrinthine streets, admire the soaring domes of the Citadel of Saladin, and navigate the bustling alleys and fragrant stalls of Khan El-Khalili bazaar, surrounded by monuments, aromas, and the dynamic energy of the city.
Desert echoes and ancient giants
Fayoum and Wadi El Hitan
Between Cairo and the Western Desert, the Fayoum Oasis unfolds as Egypt’s hidden gem, with flooded Nile channels, mirror-like lakes, and centuries-old dovecotes rising like sentinels over the farmland. In Wadi El Hitan, the Valley of the Whales, walk among fossilised whale skeletons scattered across burnished sands, marvel at rock formations shaped like Horus, the hawk god, and explore a prehistoric landscape where ancient seas, fossilised giants and desert winds converge. At Tunis Village on the edge of Lake Qarun, lanes thread past pottery workshops and perfumed gardens where locals cultivate herbs and tend fruit trees. Meet artisans, shape clay with your own hands, and become immersed in the village’s unhurried pace of life.
Sculpted by wind and time
The White Desert and Black Desert
Beyond the Nile and the bustle of Cairo, venture into the heart of Egypt’s Western Desert, which unfolds in a panorama of stark beauty and otherworldly formations. The White Desert reveals a surreal expanse of wind-sculpted limestone towers, their shapes reminiscent of mythical creatures and ancient fortresses. Traverse the Black Desert’s volcanic hills, where jagged peaks rise from dark sands, and gaze at Crystal Mountain, a glittering ridge of quartzite known as the ‘Jewel of the Desert.’ Pause at El Heiz Oasis to sip tea beside reflective lakes and watch desert winds sweep across golden dunes. In Bahariya Oasis, explore the Mummies Hall, study the gilded coffins of the Golden Mummies, and examine the intricate carvings of the Bennutti Tombs and Qasr Selim. At night, return to your desert camp to dine under a canopy of stars, and wander among the chalk formations, absorbing the desert’s alien beauty and tranquil silence.
Whispers of the Nile
River Nile
Step aboard your private dahabiya and drift silently along the Nile, sails unfurled and engine off, taking in a front-row view of the river’s timeless rhythms. As the landscape unfolds, explore Luxor’s Valley of the Kings and the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, before visiting the sprawling Karnak and Luxor Temples with their towering pylons. Gain exclusive access to the tombs of Seti I and Tutankhamun, masterpieces of ancient Egyptian artistry. Fly to Abu Simbel to stand beneath Ramses II’s colossal statues, then continue to the rarely seen Hathor Temple at Dendera, renowned for its celestial ceiling and vivid reliefs. Sail past Gebel El Silsila and Kom Ombo, admiring sandstone quarries, crocodile shrines, and intricate sanctuaries along the riverbanks. Pause to swim at Hor Diab Island, join an on-board cooking class, and cap one memorable day by savouring a candlelit dinner on Al-Hirbiab Island as stars blaze overhead, immersing yourself in the Nile’s enduring magic.
Where you'll stay in Egypt
Great journeys need great places to lay your head. These are our tried and tested suggestions.
Four Seasons at Nile Plaza
Overlooking the Nile in Cairo’s Garden City, the Four Seasons at Nile Plaza blends urban sophistication with a deep sense of place. Interiors are polished but warm, with textured fabrics, Egyptian design cues and sweeping river views. Days begin with sprawling breakfasts at Zitouni, drift into cocktails by the palm-fringed pool, and end with dim sum at 8, the hotel’s sleek Chinese outpost. The spa’s hammam offers a welcome reset after Cairo’s sensory overload, while service stays gracious and intuitive throughout. Whether you’re museum-hopping or exploring medieval Islamic Cairo, this is the city’s most refined base.
Hotel Lazib Inn
Tucked in the oasis of Tunis Village, Lazib Inn invites you to experience art, nature, and comfort in a harmonious retreat. Interiors showcase Egypt’s heritage through handcrafted details, while gardens and Lake Qarun views provide a peaceful setting. Mornings begin with leisurely breakfasts, drift into hammam spa treatments, and evenings feature organic local cuisine at the Blue Donkey Restaurant. Embark on a sunset felucca cruise or explore the garden oasis, as attentive, intuitive service ensures a restorative stay amid Fayoum’s landscapes.
Shahrazad Camp
Surrounded by the surreal chalk towers of Egypt’s White Desert, 20 kilometres from Farafra, Shahrazad Camp combines retro-modern comfort with raw desert beauty. Canvas suites frame vast horizons, while days are spent roaming fossil-strewn plains and Crystal Mountain’s glittering ridge. Evenings gather around the fire with refined desert dining beneath a canopy of stars. Thoughtful service and a profound sense of place make this a rare retreat, where solitude, landscape, and adventure align in perfect balance.
Gaia Dahabiya
Sailing the Nile aboard the Gaia Dahabiya feels less like a cruise and more like time travel. With just a handful of cabins and suites, this handcrafted sailboat glides silently between Luxor and Aswan, away from the crowds and mooring up at sites the big tours miss. Interiors have a softly spoken elegance—think brass fixtures, crisp linens and vintage maps—while the shaded decks invite slow afternoons with mint tea and temple-studded views. Meals are freshly prepared, locally inspired and always served al fresco. There’s no Wi-Fi, and that’s the point: you’re here to drift, to read, to dream. Gaia offers something rare on the Nile—a quiet, deeply personal way to experience Egypt’s soul, one graceful bend at a time.
Please note: Dahabiya suites are available on the upper and main decks, with upper deck suites allocated on a first-come basis.
Customise your journey
Our small group journeys can be extended to meet your needs, interests and preferences. Here are a few ideas to inspire you.
Arrive in Cairo a couple of days earlier, and take a train to visit Alexandria, to visit its remarkable library, frequent the haunts of poet Constantine Cavafy and see amazing nearby archaeological sites.
Enjoy downtime on the Red Sea after your trip, or dive its spectacular coral reefs.
Head into Egypt’s western desert to explore the ancient citadel of Siwa and the oracle of Amun, once consulted by Alexander the Great.
Looking for more inspiration?
We have a huge range of inspiring private experiences and pioneering travel options available. Get in touch with our Africa specialists.
ENQUIRELearn more about our luxury holidays, or call our expert Africa team on +44 1367 850566 / 1-855-216-5040 (toll free) to discuss how we can turn your dreams into something truly magical.
