Essential Egypt
Classic Egyptian tour
January 17–29, 2027
Essential Egypt
Classic Egyptian Tour
January 17–29, 2027
You are invited to our small-group tour for an expertly guided, 4-star journey through the wonders of ancient Egypt in early 2027.
Egypt has captivated our collective hearts and imaginations for millennia. Imagine Cleopatra herself touring the pyramids in awe, these mysterious monuments already thousands of years old during her reign.
We invite you to stroll beside the pyramids and towering ancient temples, lined with stunning hieroglyphs and larger-than-life statues. We’ll cruise in style along the Nile River, the lifeblood of this fascinating chapter in our shared human history.
During this transformative experience, we’ll stay in 4-star accommodations; all meals, all tips, and all internal airfare and ground transportation are included. We make things as easy and comfortable as possible to allow you to sit back and enjoy the ride!
Trip Highlights
- January 17–29, 2027
- This journey is double carbon offset from door-to-door
- Guided by an expert Egyptologist
- Accompanied by BJ & Lauren, owners of RetreaTours
- Discover the noble tombs and the oldest pyramid at Saqqara
- Enjoy the newly opened, world-class Grand Egyptian Museum
- Visit the Great Sphinx of Giza and the iconic Pyramids of the Giza Plateau
- Fly to Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes, to explore Karnak, the Valley of the Kings & more
- Stay along the Nile River in a luxury ship for four nights
- Wonder at the majesty of the Abu Simbel temples built by Ramses II—and moved in their entirety in the 1960s!
- Daily excursions to surrounding temples, museums, and sites
- Maximum of 25 guests (single occupancy limited to 6 rooms, first-come, first-served)
- $6,500 per person, based on double occupancy (Please see “Pricing & What is Included” box below for Private Room supplement).
- All meals, tips, and internal airfare are included–please see the full list of inclusions in the details below
Click to Jump to…
- Itinerary at a Glance
- Detailed Daily Itinerary
- Price & What is Included
- Payment Information
- Cancellation Policy
- Our Carbon Negative Commitment
- Suggested Fitness Requirements
- Travel Insurance
- Passport and Visa Requirements
- Vaccines & Staying Healthy
- Expected Temperatures & Packing List
- About our Hotels & Cruise
- Wifi & Electricity
- About RetreaTours
- Contact
How to Register When You Are Ready
- Please familiarize yourself with the trip details on this page
- Click the registration button in this box to complete the Registration Questions
- Lauren will email you with some options to pay the deposit
Cairo
Giza
Luxor
Aswan
Edfu
Abu Simbel
Itinerary at a Glance
January 17 Welcome to Egypt! For the next 3 nights, we’ll call Giza our home base (Overnight in JAZ Pyramids Resort)
January 18 Discover the ancient site of Saqqara: the necropolis of ancient Memphis and site of the famous Step Pyramid, the world’s oldest stone building. Saqqara is a hot spot of ongoing excavations and phenomenal discoveries! (Overnight in JAZ Pyramids Resort)
January 19 Today we’ll explore the breathtaking, newly-opened Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest archaeological museum in the world. We’ll enjoy a classic koshari lunch, and we’ll visit the iconic Egyptian Museum in Cairo, home to priceless treasures. This evening we’ll enjoy dinner at a family home directly in front of the Sphinx. (Overnight in JAZ Pyramids Resort)
January 20 This morning we’ll visit all the bounty of the Giza Plateau, including the Pyramids, the Valley Temple & the Great Sphinx. We’ll enjoy a delicious lunch looking out onto the Plateau before we fly to Luxor (Overnight in Opal Legacy Luxor)
January 21 We’ll enjoy a day trip to explore the breathtaking Temple of Hathor at Dendera, one of the best-preserved temple complexes of ancient Egypt. Tonight we’ll visit the iconic Luxor Temple at sunset. (Overnight in Opal Legacy Luxor)
January 22 Today we’ll explore Luxor’s West Bank with visits to the Tombs of the Nobles, the artisans’ village of Deir el-Medina, and the temple of Medinet Habu, adding context to the lives, work, and beliefs behind ancient Egypt’s most famous monuments. (Overnight in Opal Legacy Luxor)
January 23 We’ll head to the Valley of the Kings this morning, including entry into the tomb of King Tutankhamun. We’ll pay homage to Egypt’s legendary female pharaoh, Hatshepsut, at her mortuary temple. This afternoon, we’ll board our Nile luxury cruise. (Overnight on M/S Nile Palace cruise)
January 24 This morning, we’ll enjoy the awe-inspiring Karnak Temple complex in Luxor & sail to Edfu in the afternoon (Overnight on M/S Nile Palace cruise)
January 25 Today we’ll tour the beautiful Temple of Horus at Edfu & the unique Kom Ombo Temple; this afternoon we’ll continue sailing to Aswan (Overnight on M/S Nile Palace cruise)
January 26 Today we’ll drive to Abu Simbel to visit the twin temples built under the reign of Ramesses II; after our return drive to Aswan, we’ll visit the Aswan Market. (Overnight on M/S Nile Palace cruise)
January 27 Today we’ll visit the gorgeous Philae temple & the Unfinished Obelisk; we’ll fly back to Cairo this afternoon. (Overnight in Le Meridien in Cairo)
January 28 Welcome back to Cairo! We’ll visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization & the Royal Mummies’ Hall, as well as the beautiful Sultan Hasan mosque. (Overnight in Le Meridien in Cairo)
January 29 What a phenomenal journey! Today you’ll depart for home with a treasure trove of new memories–or maybe you’re on your way to Jordan to make some more!
Our Values
Travel makes it impossible to ignore how deeply connected we all are, and we consider compassion a natural by-product of that knowledge. We believe in equality, bodily autonomy, and human dignity for all. We believe LGBTQ+ rights and women’s rights are non-negotiable, science is real, and no human being is ever “illegal.”
We don’t move through the world with fear–we meet it with curiosity and kindness. That’s the energy our groups naturally share and the standard our guests (and we) have come to expect. It’s simple–we all have respect for ourselves, our fellow travelers, and the folks we encounter along the path.
We’re so grateful to be part of how you explore and experience this incredible planet, and we value the trust you place in us to craft these journeys with integrity and a deep sense of responsibility.
What is the difference between the Essential Egypt and the Exquisite Egypt trips?
Essential Egypt Daily Itinerary
Cairo & Giza
January 17–20
Destination Highlights
- Grand Egyptian Museum
- Pyramids of Giza
- The Great Sphinx of Giza
- Valley Temple of Khafre
- Saqqara
- Step Pyramid of Djoser
- Egyptian Museum in Cairo
- Family Dinner
Ahlan wa sahlan, welcome to Egypt!
You’ll be met inside the Cairo airport where one of our welcoming Egyptian teammates will help guide you through the immigration process and collect your luggage. You’ll be driven to Giza to begin this magical journey through time, and we’ll enjoy our first dinner together on the evening of the 17th.
Saqqara
On January 18th, we’ll start at the very beginning: Saqqara, at the dawn of pyramid-building in ancient Egypt.
Saqqara is incredibly rich in history and artifacts because it served as the necropolis of ancient Egypt’s capital, Memphis. Today you’ll see firsthand that the iconic pyramids on the Giza plateau were the culmination of more than a century of designing and refining.
The first architect in recorded history, Imhotep, designed the Step Pyramid of Djoser in 2630 BCE, starting the pyramid craze across the plateau. The Step Pyramid is the first freestanding stone building in history and the first pyramid ever built.
The entire area of Saqqara is a hotbed of architectural achievements and findings, with more and more tombs being uncovered every year. (There’s a great 2020 documentary about Saqqara on Netflix currently.) We’ll explore these noble tombs as our expert guide explains their significance and deciphers the domestic stories told in the beautiful hieroglyphs lining the walls.
Cairo & Giza
On January 19th, we’ll visit the newly opened GEM, the Grand Egyptian Museum. This GEM of a museum has been a long time coming, with the cornerstone placed all the way back in 2002 and its official opening in November 2025. The GEM is the largest archaeological museum in the world, showcasing the priceless artifacts of the famous King Tutankhamen.
Before the GEM, though, we’ll visit the Egyptian Museum of Cairo, which is still home to all of the most iconic pieces that are near and dear to our hearts. The Egyptian Museum is housed in a grand early-20th-century neoclassical building on Tahrir Square, purpose-built in 1902 to showcase Egypt’s growing collection of pharaonic antiquities. We’ll see the bust of Hatshepsut, the Scribe (now seen on the Egyptian 200£ note), the famous diorite statue of Pharaoh Khafre with the falcon god Horus protectively behind his head, and many more classics.
For lunch, you’ll try Egypt’s beloved national dish, koshari, a hearty, flavor-packed comfort food, at Cairo’s most famous koshari restaurant, Koshary Abou Tarek. This evening we’ll have dinner at a family home-turned-small guesthouse directly in front of the Sphinx! It’s a good day for Egyptian food!
On the morning of the 20th, we’ll get up close and personal with the Giza pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Valley Temple. The Great Pyramid is the only remaining wonder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and it has attracted the curiosity of tourists for thousands of years. We’ll enter one of these grand pyramids and appreciate these structures from a completely different perspective!
We’ll marvel at the Great Sphinx of Giza and take in details that photos just can’t capture–its enormous paws, its tail, its noble gaze–as we can imagine what the Sphinx has gazed upon for millennia.
On the afternoon of the 20th, we’ll fly (70-minute flight) to the next stop on our adventure: Luxor.
Luxor
Dendera & Valley of the KingsJanuary 21–23
Destination Highlights
- King Tut’s Tomb
- Luxor Temple
- Valley of the Kings
- Dendera Temple
- Tombs of the Nobles
- Deir al-Medina
- Medinet Habu
- Optional Hot Air Balloon Experience
After our Giza Plateau visit, we’ll take a short flight (~70 minutes) to Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes. Luxor is sometimes called “the world’s greatest open-air museum” due to the enormous amount of priceless treasures here, from the grand temples of Luxor and Karnak to the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens in the Necropolis across the Nile River.
Our home base in Luxor will be the Opal Legacy Luxor, set in “the fields” of Luxor, away from the hustle and bustle. This stylish boutique hotel offers a relaxed retreat after full days of exploring the West Bank and the Nile. One morning will be available for an optional hot air balloon ride over Luxor, offering a peaceful sunrise drift above the Nile, temples, and desert landscapes of the West Bank for those who wish to take to the skies.
Dendera
On the 21st, we’ll make a day trip to explore the breathtaking temple of Dendera, dedicated to Hathor, the goddess of joy, dance, and love. Hathor was also believed to have had healing powers, and ancient Egyptians often brought the sick here to be cured. Dendera Temple is one of the best-preserved temple complexes in all of Egypt.
The ceiling of the Hathor Temple has recently been cleaned meticulously, removing hundreds of years of black soot without harming the ancient paint underneath. As a result of this cleaning, spectacular ceiling paintings have been exposed in the main hall, and some of the most vibrant and colorful paintings dating from antiquity are now visible.
This evening, we’ll round out our day with a visit to Luxor Temple (~1400 BCE). We’ll spend time there during the magical hours of dusk, watching the sky become purple behind the towering pillars and statues.
Tombs of the Nobles & Deir Al Medina
January 22nd will find us on Luxor’s West Bank, where we’ll venture beyond the royal monuments to explore the lives of the people who actually built them. At Deir el-Medina, the remarkably preserved village of the skilled artisans who carved and decorated the pharaohs’ tombs, we gain a rare window into daily life in ancient Egypt. These were not laborers but highly trained craftsmen, and many were buried nearby in beautifully decorated tombs of their own, filled with vibrant colors and surprisingly intimate scenes that feel almost personal across the millennia.
We’ll also visit the Tombs of the Nobles, where high-ranking officials and priests chose to be buried close to the ancient capital of Thebes. Unlike royal tombs focused on the afterlife, these richly painted chambers celebrate life on earth — with scenes of music, agriculture, banquets, and family gatherings offering a vivid portrait of the world behind the monuments. Together, these sites provide a more human perspective on ancient Egypt, adding depth and context to the grand temples and tombs for which Luxor is so famous.
We’ll also visit Medinet Habu, the grand mortuary temple of Ramses III and one of the most impressive sites on Luxor’s West Bank. Surrounded by massive walls and filled with remarkably crisp relief carvings, the temple vividly depicts scenes of ritual, daily life, and the dramatic military victories of Ramses III. With its broad courtyards, towering columns, and beautifully preserved color in sheltered areas, Medinet Habu offers the chance to experience the scale and artistry of ancient Egyptian temple-building in a setting that still feels calm and immersive.
Valley of the Kings
Tomorrow we’ll discover the Valley of the Kings, where we’ll explore the colorful tombs carved out of rocky cliffs to safeguard the mummies and treasures from grave robbers.
You’ll enter the tomb of Tutankhamun, as British archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter did in 1922–although you’ve already seen his treasures at the Grand Egyptian Museum! You can opt to visit the tomb of Seti I, an extremely special tomb for an additional fee (~$60 USD).
We’ll also visit Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple. Hatshepsut is an intriguing, powerful character, and one of the only female pharaohs to have reigned. She initially ruled as regent for her stepson Thutmose III, but she became a clever, successful ruler for nearly 20 years during a critical time in Egypt’s history. Fittingly, her temple is one of the most striking monuments in ancient Egypt.
Afterward, we’ll visit the Memnon Colossi, two of the most imposing ancient Egyptian statues still standing, on the way back to the east bank of the Nile. The statues are an incredible 60 feet tall and are thought to weigh around 700 tons each.
This afternoon we’ll check into our Nile cruise and enjoy lunch. For the next four nights, we’ll call the M/S Nile Palace our home, as we cruise between Luxor and Aswan on the Nile River. Each day we’ll visit temples dotting the Nile’s riverbanks, and in the evening we’ll have time to catch up with each other, reflect on what we saw, and participate in cultural activities on board the cruise.
The Nile
Luxor to Aswan & Abu SimbelJanuary 24–29
Destination Highlights
- Luxury Nile Cruise (68 cabins total)
- Karnak temple complex
- Edfu Temple
- Kom Ombo Temple
- Crocodile Museum (Cult of Sobek)
- Aswan Market
- Philae Temple
- Unfinished Obelisk
- Abu Simbel: The Great Temple and the Temple of Hathor and Nefertari
- National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
- Sultan Hasan Mosque & Madrassa
We’ll begin our stay on the M/S Nile Palace on the night of January 23rd, but we won’t start cruising just yet. We still have one more very important site to see here in Luxor! Settle in for a good night’s sleep and tomorrow morning we’ll visit Karnak, one of the world’s largest religious complexes.
Karnak
On the morning of January 24th, we’ll explore the massive grounds of Karnak Temple. Karnak is actually a complex of temples surrounded by one enclosure wall that is dedicated to the god Amon-Ra. Approximately 30 pharaohs contributed to these buildings. It was completely buried in sand for many centuries, allowing it to be one of the most well-preserved temples in Egypt.
The temple has many beautifully decorated columns, a huge open court, a massive façade, a huge pylon, and two seated statues of Ramses II. The Great Hypostyle Hall is a humbling site, indeed; this hall of 134 massive columns is one of the most impressive places in all of Egypt–make sure you have your wide-angle lens!
Edfu & Kom Ombo
After our Karnak visit, we’ll set sail for Edfu in our stylish home-away-from-home, the M/S Nile Palace. This luxury Nile cruise is the perfect way to see rural Egypt; as we glide past the papyrus lining the shores of the Nile River, you’ll think you’ve been transported back a few millennia. The sundeck and pool is a perfect place to unwind, connect with new friends, and enjoy a cold beer or a hot tea.
On the morning of the 25th, we’ll visit the stunning temple at Edfu, dedicated to the falcon god Horus. It is a shockingly well-preserved temple because it was covered by almost 40 feet of silt and sand over the centuries, only being “rediscovered” in the 19th century. The Horus Temple at Edfu has some of our favorite hieroglyphs in all of Egypt.
From Edfu, we’ll sail on to Kom Ombo and visit the very special riverside temple there. It is the only temple in Egypt that is dedicated to two gods: Horus the Elder and the crocodile-headed Sobek. Nearby there is a museum that houses crocodile mummies recovered locally along with some gorgeous statues of Sobek. In the Old Kingdom, Sobek was established as one of the most significant gods, frequently mentioned in the funerary texts.
There is a fascinating carving in this temple that carefully depicts medical and surgical devices of the day, a testament to the advanced medicine in Egypt at the time. The image also contains two goddesses sitting on birthing chairs.
Aswan & Abu Simbel
After our exploration at Kom Ombo, we’ll sail on to Aswan, just north of Aswan High Dam. We’ll come back to explore Aswan, but first–Abu Simbel!
We’ll drive 3 and a half hours to reach Abu Simbel, one of the most iconic ancient sites in Egypt, nestled on the west bank of the Nile River between the first and second cataracts (the shallow areas of rapids). Flanking the entrance of the Great Temple are four seated colossal figures, each a towering 65 feet tall.
When the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s threatened to submerge Abu Simbel beneath the rising waters of Lake Nasser, an extraordinary international effort led by UNESCO carefully dismantled the temples and moved them, piece by piece, to higher ground. Reassembled above the new shoreline, the monuments stand today exactly as they once did, one of the most remarkable archaeological rescue projects in modern history.
We’ll return to Aswan by vehicle later today and visit the classic Aswan Market, perfect for people-watching, hookah-smoking, or souvenir shopping!
Philae Temple & Unfinished Obelisk
On January 27th, we’ll visit Philae temple, considered to be the most beautiful temple in the Nile Valley. This Isis and Osiris temple became submerged in the Nile after the first Aswan Dam was built, but with the help of UNESCO, the Philae temple was moved to its new location. The temple was dismantled and transferred, stone by stone, from the submerged Philae Island to the redesigned Egilica Island. Each and every stone had to be numbered and then replaced in the same position in the new location. It was a massive project and took over 9 years to complete.
Next, we’ll head to the Unfinished Obelisk, which lies on the ground in its original location in a granite quarry. It was abandoned when cracks appeared in the rock during its construction. Had this obelisk been completed, it would have been the largest obelisk ever cut and would have weighed the same as 97 school buses! It’s a fascinating insight into how obelisks were shaped and quarried in ancient Egypt.
We’ll bid farewell to this section of the Nile and this afternoon we’ll fly back to Cairo.
Cairo
On January 28th, we’ll head into Cairo proper to visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization & the Royal Mummies’ Hall. This museum is small but mighty, showcasing stunning pieces from throughout Egypt’s long history. You’ll marvel at the Royal Mummies’ Hall which houses 20 mummies, including Hatshepsut and Seti I.
We’ll round out our time in Cairo with a visit to the Sultan Hasan mosque and madrasa, a gorgeous complex built in the mid-1300s.
Tonight, let’s enjoy our final dinner together and recount all that we’ve experienced together during our unforgettable Egyptian exploration!
Tomorrow you’ll be taken back to the airport to head home or on to your next adventure. We can connect you to our partners in Jordan if you wish to extend your adventure to visit Petra, the Dead Sea, and Wadi Rum!
What is the difference between the Essential Egypt and the Exquisite Egypt trips?
Please click to open
Price & What is Included
There is a minimum of 12 guests required for this journey and a maximum of 22. When we have reached our minimum, we will let you know, at which time you can buy airfare and any desired travel insurance.
- This journey is $6,500 USD per person, based on sharing a room with someone.
- The non-refundable deposit is $1000 and holds your space
- The 2nd installment of $3000 is due on June 30, 2026
- The balance is due September 1, 2026.
- The private room supplement is $965; there is a limit of 6 private rooms on this journey. (Please note: if you request a roommate but we do not have one for you, you are responsible for the private room supplement)
Price Includes:
- All meals (starting with dinner on January 17th through breakfast on January 29th)
- All lodging in hotels and Nile cruise
- All local guides and tips
- All ground transportation within Egypt, including airport pickup and drop-off
- Flight from Cairo to Luxor
- Flight from Aswan to Cairo
-
4-night cruise down the Nile River on a 5-star boat
- Site entry fees, including the tomb of King Tut
- $50 Egypt visa fee
- All water, tea, and coffee
- An online photo album of the experience for you to download and share
- Wifi in public areas hotels and cruise
- Donation to Brooke Hospital for Animals
Price does not include:
- International airfare (although we are more than happy to help you decide on arrangements)
- Alcohol & other specialty drinks
- Travel insurance (required)
- Entry to Seti I tomb if desired (~$60 USD)
- Optional hot air balloon (~$200 USD)
NOTE:
- There is a minimum of 12 guests that must sign up in order for this trip to take place. We will hold your deposit & payments until the minimum number of guests have signed up. Please do not purchase any airfare until you get the go-ahead from us that we’ve reached our minimum number of participants.
- If the minimum number of guests have not signed up 3 months prior to the departure date, we’ll give you the option to transfer your reservation to another tour or fully refund your money.
Payment Details
Please refer to the Price tabs for specific information about price & what is included in your journey.
The non-refundable $1000 deposit guarantees your space. The 2nd installment is due on June 30, 2026 and the balance on September 1, 2026. The private room supplement will be added to the final balance.
For our American guests, we accept payments via check, credit, or debit card (via PayPal), Zelle, or Venmo. Lauren will send you these details after receiving your registration form.
For our guests outside the U.S., Lauren will connect with you about the best ways to transfer money.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation by our guests
The cancellation charges are as follows unless otherwise indicated on the detailed itinerary for each trip. All cancellations must be received via e-mail.
- Cancellations prior to 150 days to departure, money will be refunded minus the non-refundable deposit.
- Cancellations received 76-149 days prior to departure are subject to a penalty of 50% of the total cost of the trip.
- Cancellations received 75 days or fewer prior to trip departure will forfeit the entire cost of the trip.
If a trip is cancelled by RetreaTours
When a tour is cancelled in the case of force majeure, the Tour Participant will receive a refund minus any funds that we are unable to recover from any supplier.
You can see the full cancellation policy in our contract here.
Our Carbon Offset Commitment
RetreaTours is Climate Positive!
We purchase double carbon offsets for your travels with us—that’s from your home, through the entire tour, and back to your home again, times two!
You may have heard the term “carbon neutral,” which means that a company offsets as much carbon as it produces. With this 200% offset, RetreaTours is actually offsetting more carbon than we produce each year, making us “carbon negative” (or “climate positive,” which has a nicer ring to it!)
But just as important as how much we offset is what we choose to support. We only invest in the most proven and effective climate projects, like methane capture and clean cookstove programs, the very types highlighted by independent investigations (including The Guardian) as truly impactful.
Since 2012 we’ve focused on making travel safe and easy for our guests; with our double carbon offset tours, we’re pleased to make our trips as sustainable as they are memorable.
Please see more at RetreaTours.com/CarbonNegative
Suggested Fitness Requirements
Many of Egypt’s most extraordinary sites are large and best explored on foot. Travelers should feel comfortable walking at a relaxed pace for several hours throughout the day (1 to 3 miles), standing during site visits, and handling occasional stairs, ramps, and uneven terrain over sand or rocks.
Please email us if you have any specific questions about your fitness and ability levels for this journey.
Travel Insurance
Required Coverage
RetreaTours requires that each guest carries travel insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and emergency evacuation and repatriation.
The minimum coverage should be $100,000 emergency medical treatment and $250,000 emergency evacuation and repatriation.
Suggested Coverage
We suggest trip cancellation insurance, as well, as you never know what obstacles life can toss at you leading up to a trip. However, we do not require this coverage, we only suggest it highly. Please familiarize yourself with RetreaTours’ guest cancellation policy in your journey’s contract.
When to purchase your policy
Please purchase this insurance as soon as we tell you the trip has reached its minimum. Please do not wait until the last minute, should you need to use your (optional) cancellation coverage before then.
Important: If you are interested in a “Cancel For Any Reason” insurance policy or a policy that covers pre-existing conditions, you may need to purchase that coverage within a certain timeframe from paying the deposit, typically 14 days. If you are interested in this style of insurance but the trip has not reached its minimum guest count yet, please let us know and we will advise.
Where to search for policies
Below you will find some options to start your search for trip insurance. However, we ask that you carefully consider your choice in travel insurance. What works for some people may not work for others, particularly if you have any pre-existing conditions. Please do take the time to consider the best policy for your individual needs.
Squaremouth.com and InsureMyTrip.com are two sites where you can see and compare many policies at once, and you can refine the options by what coverage you would like. Squaremouth’s interface is very easy and intuitive to use, and you can easily opt out of trip cancellation coverage for your quote.
HeyMondo provides policies for guests under 80 and younger that include trip cancellation options. Use the link above and pop in your info to get an immediate quote.
World Nomads provides policies for guests under 70 that include trip cancellation options. Use the link above and pop in your info to get an immediate quote.
It may also be a good idea to check with your credit card companies, especially American Express, to see if they offer any medical coverage for travel.
Passport & Visa Requirement
Your passport must have at least 2 blank pages and be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the trip (August 2027).
The price of your visa ($50 USD) is included in this journey, and you will receive your visa upon arrival at the Cairo airport.
Vaccines & Staying Healthy on Tour
Vaccines
No vaccines are required to enter Egypt, but we suggest you work with your physician or your area’s travel health expert to decide what options are best for you. You can read the CDC’s recommendations here and the UK NHS recommendations here.
Motion Sickness
Motion sickness is not typically a concern with any of our guests on the Nile River cruise as it is extremely smooth and stable. If you have any concerns, please reach out and we can discuss this further!
Staying Healthy on Tour
Please visit our comprehensive article, “How to Stay Healthy While Traveling…Naturally,” which addresses all of the most common travel ailments.
Expected Temperatures & Suggested Packing List
We’ll provide a suggested packing list several months before this journey.
Temperature by location
These conditions are based on historical averages, thanks to WeatherSpark.com. The range as a whole is 50-80°F and very low humidity, with nights being chilly and afternoons in the sun being very warm (but still manageable due to the dryness).
About our Hotels & Cruise
We’ve chosen comfortable 4-star hotels for you based on location and amenities. We invite you to learn more about these hotels at the links below:
- In Giza, you’ll be staying at the JAZ Pyramids Resort, very close to the GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum) and the Pyramids.
- In Luxor, you’ll enjoy the Opal Legacy Luxor, a stylish boutique hotel set in a peaceful area of Luxor, offering a relaxed retreat after full days of exploring the West Bank and the Nile.
- The M/S Nile Palace will be our 5-star floating home during our 4-night Nile Cruise. The cabins are 215 square feet and each cabin can be outfitted with two beds or one big bed! (In case of a twin share, the beds below would be separated by the nightstand.)
- The Le Meridien Cairo Airport provides a comfortable and super convenient last stop before your flight home (or onward to another adventure!)
Wifi Availability & Electricity
Wifi
The internet is accessible throughout this journey, although it is only available in the common areas on our Nile Cruise. We recommend staying connected with your loved ones via WhatsApp (which we will also use on the tour to communicate the schedule and updates). You may also wish to activate an international plan on your phone service or get an eSIM. (Learn more about eSIMs here.)
Electrical Outlets and Adaptors
You’ll need a 2-pin European prong Type C adaptor for Egypt. We highly recommend a Universal Adaptor such as this, which also has USB and USB-C outlets so you can charge multiple devices at once.
Contact RetreaTours
Please email Lauren with any questions you may have about this journey (or just to say Hi!) If you don’t hear back in 24-48 hours, please do check your spam folder.
About BJ & Lauren
You’ll be joined on this journey by Lauren & BJ, owners of RetreaTours–and we are so excited to show you the wonders of ancient Egypt!
Husband-and-wife team BJ Graf and Lauren Rathvon have traveled the globe year-round since January 2013, researching, designing, and leading impactful journeys. We are deeply grateful for the trust that our guests place in us to save them time and resources while they enjoy a memorable journey.
We are committed not only to our guests but to our host destinations and the planet at large. We engage with local businesses and guides to keep money within the community, and we double-carbon offset each of our tours.
We invite you to visit our Testimonials page to see what other people have to say about us! You can head to our About Us page to learn more about our story.
How to Register When You Are Ready
- Please familiarize yourself with the trip details on this page
- Click the registration button in this box to complete the Registration Questions
- Lauren will email you with some options to pay the deposit
Photo Album
Please click a photo to see an enlarged version; you can use your arrow keys or mouse to navigate within the album. All of these photos were taken by BJ or Lauren during their adventures in Egypt!
Follow us