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Egypt

Wonders of an ancient world

Egypt Luxury holidays

Introduction

Egypt is one of the world's great holiday destinations. It lies at the crossroads of Africa, Europe and Asia and has been enticing travellers for centuries - many of them drawn by the tales of the pharaohs who ruled Ancient Egypt. Visiting the 4,000 year-old Great Pyramids of Giza on the outskirts of the capital, Cairo, is a great introduction the country's past and should feature in your Egypt luxury holiday itinerary.

Nile river cruises

Sailing along the Nile in search of ancient temples decorated with hieroglyphics and striking statues is another superb way to experience Egypt's absorbing heritage. A felucca trip or luxury cruise between Aswan and Luxor reveals a timeless snapshot of every daily life beside the river. You'll see farmers working in their fields, merchants loading their wares onto ships and hear the sound of the adhan - the call to prayer of the muezzin - ringing out from the minarets of mosques.

In between relaxing on deck and watching the world drift by are expert-shore excursions to historic monuments, such as the twin temples of Rameses the Great at Abu Simbel. The Valley of the Kings at Luxor is another Egypt travel highlight. It was here that, in 1922, the English Egyptologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of the 18th Dynasty pharaoh, Tutankhamun – or King Tut as he is often called. Many of the pharaoh's treasures are on display in Luxor, others at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo or in touring displays around the world.

Egypt's Red Sea

The Red Sea is another hugely popular travel destination on most luxury Egypt holidays. Some of the planet's best coral reefs run parallel to the dusty shoreline of the Sinai Peninsula. Pontoons from upmarket hotels provide direct access to the reef in resorts such as Sharm el Sheikh. Underwater adventures can also be had at Ras Mohammed National Park and the Blue Hole at Dahab. These are some of the best known diving and snorkelling spots on Egypt's Red Sea coast, with abundant tropical fish, turtles, rays and sharks among the colourful coral.

 

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At a glance

Flying time from UK
5 hours

Time zone
GMT +2

Currency
Egyptian pound (E£) = 100 piastres

Language
Arabic

Travel advice
Check the FCDO for visa & travel advice

Special offers in Egypt

Sanctuary Retreat River Nile Sunboat IV

Grand Tour of Egypt with Sanctuary Retreats

10-day river cruise holiday from £4,655 pp incl. flights

Special
cruise offer

1 October to 15 December 2024 departures – Save up to £1,690pp
Book by: 15 October 2024

Explore the ancient treasures of Egypt in style, combining a Sanctuary Retreats Nile river cruise with a full spread of expert-led tours and stays at two of the country's most iconic hotels.

Valley of the Kings, Egypt

Best of Egypt

11-day river cruise holiday from £4,805 pp incl. flights

Special
cruise offer

Special offer for 1 October to 15 December 2024 departures – Save up to £1,665pp
Book by: 15 October 2024

For more than 5,000 years the world's longest river has been the lifeblood of Egypt and a cruise on the Nile is a must in any lifetime. However Egypt offers so much more, from Cairo's Pyramids to the stunning Red Sea - experience a bit of everything on this spectacular highlights tour.

Sanctuary Retreat River Nile Sunboat IV

Sanctuary Nile Experience

11-day river cruise holiday from £5,605 pp incl. flights

Special
cruise offer

Special offer for 1 October to 15 December 2024 departures – Save up to £1,690pp
Book by: 15 October 2024

Paired with the highlights of Cairo, this 8-night Nile luxury cruise with Sanctuary Retreats takes in everything from the Valley of the Kings to Aswan's majestic Philae Temple.

River Nile, Egypt

Secrets of Egypt with AmaWaterways

12-day luxury river cruise from £4,835 pp incl. flights

Special
cruise offer

Save up to 20% on selected dates in 2025
Book by: 31 October 2024

Join AmaWaterways for a luxurious and immersive cruise along Egypt's River Nile, pausing to explore iconic ancient sites in the company of expert guides, between five-star stays in the heart of Cairo.

See all offers

Top itineraries in Egypt

The Great Sphinx by the Pyramids of Egypt

Ancient wonders of Egypt & Jordan

15-day tailor-made holiday from £6,310 pp incl. flights

Combine the best of the Middle East's impressive sights on this comprehensive two-week tour of Egypt and Jordan, staying in luxury hotels throughout.

white and luxurious Uniworld SS Sphinx on the River Nile at sunset and calm waters

Ancient Egypt & the Nile with Uniworld

12-day escorted tour & river cruise from £5,395 pp incl. flights

Special
cruise offer

Save £1,000 pp off selected dates in 2024 or 10% off 2025
Book by: 31 October 2024

Journey into history as you explore the splendours of Egypt's River Nile as you combine luxurious Cairo stays with an extended and indulgent weeklong river cruise.

Nile River, Egypt

Classic Nile Cruise

8-day river cruise from £3,425 pp incl. flights

Offering superb value for money, this classic Nile cruise explores the ancient Egyptian sites that line the river between Luxor and Aswan, with guided sightseeing and all meals included.

See all itinerary ideas

Luxury Nile river ships

Sanctuary Nile Adventurer

Sanctuary Nile Adventurer

Accommodation

The Sanctuary Nile Adventurer is a spectacular river cruiser based on the Nile, offering understated luxury and an intimate experience as you explore one of the world's most famous rivers.

Pool, Sun Boat IV

Sanctuary Sun Boat IV

Accommodation

The Sanctuary Sun Boat IV makes for an elegant, luxurious base for exploring the regal wonders of Egypt’s Nile river.

Where to go in Egypt

River Nile

A Nile cruise is a true icon of world travel and, for many, a quintessential part of an Egypt holiday, taking in the the historic monuments that dot the riverbank between Luxor and Aswan in luxurious style.

Alexandria

Discover Alexandria. Situated on the Mediterranean coast, this attractive port city named after Alexander the Great, the Greek king who conquered Egypt in the 4th century BC.

The Red Sea in Egypt

The Red Sea offers world-class snorkelling and diving holidays. Luxury resorts line the craggy coast of the Sinai Peninsula, which runs from Sharm el Sheikh at the peninsula's southern tip to Taba at the top of the Gulf of Aqaba, close to the border with Israel and Jordan.

Aswan & Surrounds

Aswan is the gateway to southern Egypt, a bustling market city on the eastern bank of the River Nile. Nubian villages and historic monuments are to be explored in this enchanting part of the country, where Arabia melds with Africa.

See all places

Egypt articles

Felucca, Nile, Egypt

First-hand review: River Nile cruise on board the Sun Boat IV

The classic Nile cruise is one of the most renowned ways for affluent travellers to sample Egypt's fascinating history and culture.

Meet our Egypt experts

Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0611

Meet the team

Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0611 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

Expert advice & support

Visit us in our London office

Let our travel specialists curate the perfect holiday:

  • Inspirational ideas based on experience
  • Established for over 50 years
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Every step of the way

Every step of the way

Our services are with you from start to finish:

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  • Care and guidance pre, post and during holiday
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