Overview
Itinerary
Welcome to Egypt, a country known for its historical sites and world wonders. We begin in Cairo, the sprawling capital of Egypt and the largest city in Africa.
We don't want you to miss out on any aspect of your small group tour. To ensure that you don't, we recommend you arrive at your starting destination by 6.00pm.
We'll enjoy some free time to freshen up, before meeting our fellow travellers at a group welcome dinner this evening.
Our touring in Egypt begins at the oldest structures in existence and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the amazing Great Pyramids of Giza. We'll visit the nearby Great Sphinx, with the body of a lion and the head of a king, often referred to as the national symbol of Egypt.
Special Experience: Take in the incredible views of the Great Pyramids of Giza while enjoying a delicious lunch at the 9 Pyramids Lounge
We begin today with an exploration of Sakkara, where we will see the Step Pyramid of Djoser. Designed by Imhotep, the famous vizier of King Djoser, this was the first pyramid ever built!
Special Experience: Tour the historic Serapeum of Sakkara, the burial place of the Apis Bulls
We'll transfer to Cairo airport today, for a short flight to Aswan, gateway to the incredible history, temples and monuments of Upper Egypt. On a half day tour we visit the High Dam and the picturesque Philae Temple on Agilkia Island.
This afternoon we'll relax on a cruise along the Nile on board a traditional felucca sailboat, observing life along the banks of the river as our boat takes advantage of the gentle winds and currents.
Optional Excursion: Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple at night. 1.5 hours – from $65pp US. Cash only.
An early start this morning as we cross the desert to Abu Simbel. Our destination is the incredible UNESCO listed twin temples of Abu Simbel. The temples were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BC, as a monument to himself and his queen, Nefertari. We will spend a few hours exploring the temples before returning to Aswan to embark the Nile cruise ship. We'll enjoy lunch on board and the afternoon is at your leisure.
Optional Excursion: Nubian Village - Travel by motorboat to a local village, visit a Nubian family and enjoy tea in their home. 3 hours – from $75pp US, including camel ride; from $65pp US, without camel ride. Cash only.
After breakfast we'll cruise to the riverside Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the gods Sobek and Haroeris. We'll then cruise onward to Edfu, located on the west bank of the Nile River between Esna and Aswan. It is famous for the Temple of Horus, dedicated to the Falcon God, the main attraction which we will visit this afternoon. This beautiful ancient temple is one of the best-preserved in Egypt and the second largest after Karnak Temple. Continuing our journey, we cross the lock at Esna and sail on towards Luxor.
Tonight, we enjoy a traditional Galabeya party on board.
We'll arrive in Luxor after breakfast. Located on the east bank of the Nile River, the city surrounds two huge, surviving ancient monuments.
Our sightseeing begins at the fascinating Karnak Temple, dedicated to the Pharaoh Amun. Approximately 30 pharaohs contributed to the temple's structure over time, which explains its monumental size! We'll then visit Luxor Temple, once connected to Karnak Temple by a 3-kilometre-long Avenue of Sphinxes. Luxor Temple is also home to a 25-metre-tall pink granite obelisk, which was part of a matching pair until the 1830s when one was given to France. It now stands in the centre of the Place de la Concorde in Paris. We'll visit a local gallery to appreciate the ancient artform of papyrus craft, with an opportunity to purchase the artwork to take home.
Optional Excursion: Dendera Temple Complex – Visit one of the best-preserved temples and most important sites of ancient Egypt. 5 hours – minimum 4 participants required – from $75pp US. Cash only.
Optional Excursion: Sound & Light Show at Karnak Temple at night. 1.5 hours – from $65pp US. Cash only.
Today we disembark the Nile cruise ship after breakfast and set off to explore the West Bank - the world's largest open-air museum!
On a half day tour, our first destination is the spectacular Valley of the Kings. Serving as a royal burial chamber for around 500 years, it is home to legendary kings and queens, their families, and their possessions for the afterlife. Here we'll explore tombs carved deep into the limestone rock, where each tomb has a similar pattern of three corridors, an antechamber and a sarcophagus chamber.
Special Experience: Descend underground into Tutankhamun's Tomb, adorned with intricate corridors, ancient artefacts, and well-preserved hieroglyphic paintings.
Optional Excursion: Hot Air Balloon Ride over the West Bank in the early morning. Includes transport from hotel. 1.5 hours – from $170pp US. Cash only.
Optional Excursion: Deir El Medina & Medinet Habu – Visit one of the most well-preserved ancient settlements in Egypt and the Mortuary Temple of Ramses ll. 3 hours – minimum 4 participants required – from $105pp US, including Nobles Tombs; from $160pp US, including Nefertari's Tomb (subject to open times). Cash Only
Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.
Today we farewell Luxor as we transfer to the airport for our flight back to Cairo where we'll visit the 14th-century Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, a major souk in Cairo's Islamic District. Famous for its handmade crafts, it's also the perfect place to enjoy a traditional Arabic coffee. There are no fixed prices here, so make sure you practice your haggling skills!
Enjoy some free time before a group farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Today marks the end of our incredible adventure across Egypt. Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. We bid farewell to Egypt and begin our journey home. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!
Please note, in order to undertake the following optional tours additional post tour accommodation in Cairo may be required. Please check with your Travel Specialist for details
Optional Excursion: Coptic Cairo - Discover the ancient sites & culture of Coptic Christians throughout Old Cairo. 3 hours – from $65pp US. Cash only.
Optional Excursion: Islamic Cairo - Visit the Gayer Anderson Museum, Ibn Toulon Mosque & El Sultan Hassan Mosque. 3 hours – from $65pp US. Cash only.
Optional Excursion: The Pyramids of Dahshur - Dahshur forms the southernmost area of the Memphis Necropolis & contains a number of pyramid complexes & monuments 3 hours – from $65pp US (cash only).
Optional Excursion: National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation – Displaying the civilisation of Egypt from the prehistoric period to the present era. 3 hours – from $80pp US. Cash only.
Welcome to Egypt, a country known for its historical sites and world wonders. We begin in Cairo, the sprawling capital of Egypt and the largest city in Africa.
We don't want you to miss out on any aspect of your small group tour. To ensure that you don't, we recommend you arrive at your starting destination by 6.00pm.
We'll enjoy some free time to freshen up, before meeting our fellow travellers at a group welcome dinner this evening.
Our touring in Egypt begins at the oldest structures in existence and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the amazing Great Pyramids of Giza. We'll visit the nearby Great Sphinx, with the body of a lion and the head of a king, often referred to as the national symbol of Egypt.
Special Experience: Take in the incredible views of the Great Pyramids of Giza while enjoying a delicious lunch at the 9 Pyramids Lounge.
We begin today with an exploration of Sakkara, where we will see the Step Pyramid of Djoser. Designed by Imhotep, the famous vizier of King Djoser, this was the first pyramid ever built!
Special Experience: Tour the historic Serapeum of Sakkara, the burial place of the Apis BullsFor lunch we will try a popular local dish called Koshary, Egypt's national dish and a beloved street food. We'll then visit the 12th-century Saladin Citadel of Cairo and the Mohammed Ali Mosque, built in classic Turkish style, it resembles the great mosques of Istanbul. Our tour will also take us to visit a weaving workshop, to learn about locally made Egyptian carpet.
Finally, we'll visit a local jewellery shop, that specialises in customised gold and silver cartouches.
We'll transfer to Cairo airport this morning for a short flight to Aswan, gateway to the incredible history, temples and monuments of Upper Egypt.
On a half day tour we'll visit the picturesque Philae Temple, located on Agilkia Island. This stunning temple complex, dedicated to the goddess Isis, is renowned for its majestic architecture and captivating history, set against the backdrop of serene waters and lush surroundings.
This afternoon we'll relax on board a traditional felucca sailboat, cruising along the Nile and observing life along the banks of the river as our boat takes advantage of the gentle winds and currents.
Optional Excursion: Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple at night. 1.5 hours – from $65pp US. Cash only.
We have an early start this morning as we cross the desert to our destination, the incredible UNESCO World Heritage-listed twin temples of Abu Simbel. The temples were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BC, as a monument to himself and his queen, Nefertari. We will spend a few hours exploring the temples before returning to Aswan to embark the Nile cruise ship.
We'll enjoy lunch on board with the remaining afternoon at your leisure
Optional Excursion: Nubian Museum - Visit this fascinating Museum dedicated to Nubian culture and civilisation. 1.5 hours –from $60pp US. Cash only.
Optional Excursion: Nubian Village - Travel by motorboat to a local village, visit a Nubian family and enjoy tea in their home. 3 hours – from $75pp US, including camel ride; from $65pp US, without camel ride. Cash only.
After breakfast we'll cruise to the riverside Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the gods Sobek and Haroeris. We'll explore the temple and then cruise onward to Edfu, located on the west bank of the Nile River between Esna and Aswan. Renowned for the Temple of Horus dedicated to the Falcon God, our main attraction this afternoon will be a visit to this site, which we will access by bus transfer. This beautiful ancient temple is one of the best-preserved in Egypt and the second largest after Karnak Temple. Continuing our journey, we cross the lock at Esna and sail on towards Luxor.
Tonight, we enjoy a Galabeya party on board.
After breakfast on board, we will set off to explore the West Bank on a half day tour. Our first stop is the spectacular Valley of the Kings, which served as a royal burial chamber for around 500 years. This site is home to legendary kings and queens, their families, and their possessions for the afterlife. Here we'll explore tombs carved deep into the limestone, where each tomb has a similar pattern of three corridors, an antechamber and a sarcophagus chamber.
Special Experience: Descend underground into Tutankhamun's Tomb, adorned with intricate corridors, ancient artefacts, and well-preserved hieroglyphic paintings.
Optional Excursion: Hot Air Balloon Ride over the West Bank in the early morning. Includes transport from hotel. 1.5 hours – from $170pp US. Cash only.
Optional Excursion: Deir El Medina & Medinet Habu – Visit one of the most well-preserved ancient settlements in Egypt and the Mortuary Temple of Ramses ll. 3 hours – minimum 4 participants required – from $105pp US, including Nobles Tombs; from $160pp US, including Nefertari's Tomb (subject to open times). Cash Only
Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.
Today we disembark our Nile cruise ship after breakfast and explore Luxor. Located on the east bank of the Nile River, the city is celebrated as one of the world's greatest open-air museums, thanks to its two huge surviving ancient monuments, the Egyptian temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor.
Our sightseeing begins at the fascinating Karnak Temple, dedicated to the Pharaoh Amun. Approximately 30 pharaohs contributed to the temple's structure over time, which explains its monumental size! We'll then visit Luxor Temple, once connected to Karnak Temple by a 3-kilometre-long Avenue of Sphinxes. Luxor Temple is also home to a 25-metre-tall pink granite obelisk, which was part of a matching pair until the 1830s when one was given to France. It now stands in the centre of the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
We'll visit a local gallery to appreciate the ancient artform of papyrus craft, before checking in to our hotel to enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Optional Excursion: Dendera Temple Complex – Visit one of the best-preserved temples and most important sites of ancient Egypt. 5 hours – minimum 4 participants required – from $75pp US. Cash only.
Optional Excursion: Sound & Light Show at Karnak Temple at night. 1.5 hours – from $65pp US. Cash only.
Today we farewell Luxor as we transfer to the airport for our flight back to Cairo where we'll visit the 14th-century Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, a major souk in Cairo's Islamic District. Famous for its handmade crafts, it's also the perfect place to enjoy a traditional Arabic coffee. There are no fixed prices here, so make sure you practice your haggling skills!
Enjoy some free time before a group farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Today marks the end of our incredible adventure across Egypt and Jordan. Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. We bid farewell to Egypt and begin our journey home. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!
Please note, in order to undertake the following optional tours additional post tour accommodation in Cairo may be required. Please check with your Travel Specialist for details.
Optional Excursion: Coptic Cairo - Discover the ancient sites & culture of Coptic Christians throughout Old Cairo. 3 hours – from $65pp US. Cash only.
Optional Excursion: Islamic Cairo - Visit the Gayer Anderson Museum, Ibn Toulon Mosque & El Sultan Hassan Mosque. 3 hours – from $65pp US. Cash only.
Optional Excursion: The Pyramids of Dahshur - Dahshur forms the southernmost area of the Memphis Necropolis & contains a number of pyramid complexes & monuments 3 hours – from $65pp US (cash only).
Optional Excursion: National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation – Displaying the civilisation of Egypt from the prehistoric period to the present era. 3 hours – from $80pp US. Cash only.
Trip Inclusions
Unlock the mysteries of Egypt's ancient civilisation
- Discover the Great Pyramids of Giza and the famous Sphinx
- Enjoy lunch with a view at the 9 Pyramids Lounge
- Visit the incredible Step Pyramid of Sakkara
- Tour the Serapeum of Sakkara
- Explore the world-renowned Grand Egyptian Museum
- Visit the Egyptian Museum (to see the Tutankhamun collection)
- Visit the Mohammed Ali Mosque, the Saladin Citadel of Cairo and the centuries-old Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
- Explore Aswan including the High Dam and the beautiful Philae Temple on Agilkia Island
- Relax on a traditional felucca sailboat in Aswan
- Visit the temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari at Abu Simbel
- Unwind on a three-night luxury cruise on the Nile from Aswan to Luxor
- Visit the Temple of Kom Ombo
- Travel to the magnificent Temple of Horus (the Falcon God) in Edfu
- Enjoy a Galabeya party whilst cruising the Nile
- Visit the beautiful Luxor and Karnak Temples
- Explore the West Bank, including the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Kings (where we enter some of the tombs of the pharaohs) and the massive Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Entry into Tutankhamun’s Tomb
- Return economy-class flights from Australia to Egypt. Taxes included
- 2 economy-class flights within Egypt
- Airport transfers on the first and last day of tour
- All touring in air-conditioned vehicles
- 3-night Nile River cruise
- 6 nights in 4-5 star hotels
- 3 nights in an outside cabin on board a 5 star (Egyptian standard) luxury Nile River cruise
- Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino, Cairo
- Mövenpick Resort, Aswan
- Mövenpick Royal Lotus, Nile Cruise
- Steigenberger Nile Palace, Luxor
- 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 5 dinners, including group welcome and farewell dinners
- English-speaking, university-qualified Egyptologist guides
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Disruptions to itinerary may occur.
- Ramadan is observed from 28 February to 29 March 2025
- The Grand Egyptian Museum partially opened in October 2024. Your visit will include main galleries currently available to the public. We will also continue to visit the Egyptian Museum, where Tutankhamun’s collection still is displayed, until the GEM’s official opening date. This date will be announced by the Government of Egypt in the near future.
- The luxury Nile cruise is not a private charter and is shared with non Bunnik passengers. Due to the limited space for docking along the Nile, ships bank together when stopped. Therefore, in some cases, you may need to walk through as many as six ships to enter and exit our cruise ship. The Nile Cruises featured on all tourist itineraries to Egypt operate between the cities of Luxor and Aswan. These cities lie only 240 kilometres apart which means this distance could easily be covered in only 1 or 2 days without stops. Each cruise itinerary will, however, have an element of day-time cruising allowing us to relax and see life along the river.
- Women will need a head scarf to enter some mosques and temples, and wear modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders. Also, it’s a good idea to pack a spare pair of socks in your daypack, as sometimes shoes need to be removed when entering and the ground can be hot. There can be a lack of shade when visiting sights and attractions, so a sturdy hat and sun protection is also an absolute must.
- Travel through the Esna Lock is subject to river traffic and local conditions which means we may pass through the lock during the night or have an extended wait prior to entering the lock.
- Timing & practicability of optional excursions are subject to several external factors, such as internal flight timings, weather & traffic conditions. For optional excursions from Cairo, pre &/or post-tour accommodation is recommended to allow sufficient time. Further optional excursions not listed may be offered by your guide throughout the tour.
- All optional tours are based on a minimum of 2 participants (unless otherwise stated) and are subject to availability. The length of tours advised is an approximate only. Tours can be booked on tour directly with your Tour Director or guide. We recommend arranging the booking at the beginning of the tour to avoid disappointment. Please note some optional tours may also be available on multiple or alternate days. Prices are a guide only and are subject to change without prior notice. Payment by cash is preferred as there are no guarantees that credit card facilities will be available. Please check with your Tour Director or guide locally for information relating to this. Credit card fees and exchange rates are at the discretion of your bank.
Unlock the mysteries of Egypt's ancient civilisation
- Discover the Great Pyramids of Giza and the famous Sphinx
- Enjoy lunch with a view at the 9 Pyramids Lounge
- Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum
- Visit the Egyptian Museum (to see the Tutankhamun collection)
- Visit the incredible Step Pyramid of Sakkara
- Tour the Serapeum of Sakkara
- Visit the Mohammed Ali Mosque and the Saladin Citadel of Cairo
- Explore the beautiful Philae Temple on Agilkia Island
- Relax on a traditional felucca sailboat in Aswan
- Visit the temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari at Abu Simbel
- Unwind on a three-night luxury cruise on the Nile from Aswan to Luxor
- Visit the Temple of Kom Ombo
- Travel to the magnificent Temple of Horus (the Falcon God) in Edfu
- Enjoy a Galabeya party whilst cruising the Nile
- Explore the West Bank, including the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Kings and the massive Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Enter Tutankhamun’s Tomb
- Visit the beautiful Luxor and Karnak Temples
- Visit the centuries-old Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
- Return economy-class flights from Australia to Egypt. Taxes included
- 2 economy-class flights within Egypt
- Airport transfers on the first and last day of tour
- All touring in air-conditioned vehicles
- 3-night Nile River cruise
- 6 nights in 4-5 star hotels
- 3 nights in an outside cabin on board a 5 star (Egyptian standard) luxury Nile River cruise
- Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino, Cairo
- Mövenpick Resort, Aswan
- Mövenpick Royal Lotus, Nile Cruise
- Steigenberger Nile Palace, Luxor
- 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners, including group welcome and farewell dinners
- English-speaking, university-qualified Egyptologist guides
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Disruptions to itinerary may occur.
- Ramadan is observed from 17 February to 19 March 2026
- The Grand Egyptian Museum partially opened in October 2024. Your visit will include main galleries currently available to the public. We will also continue to visit the Egyptian Museum, where Tutankhamun’s collection still is displayed, until the GEM’s official opening date. This date will be announced by the Government of Egypt in the near future.
- The luxury Nile cruise is not a private charter and is shared with non Bunnik passengers. Due to the limited space for docking along the Nile, ships bank together when stopped. Therefore, in some cases, you may need to walk through as many as six ships to enter and exit our cruise ship. The Nile Cruises featured on all tourist itineraries to Egypt operate between the cities of Luxor and Aswan. These cities lie only 240 kilometres apart which means this distance could easily be covered in only 1 or 2 days without stops. Each cruise itinerary will, however, have an element of day-time cruising allowing us to relax and see life along the river.
- Women will need a head scarf to enter some mosques and temples, and wear modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders. Also, it’s a good idea to pack a spare pair of socks in your daypack, as sometimes shoes need to be removed when entering and the ground can be hot. There can be a lack of shade when visiting sights and attractions, so a sturdy hat and sun protection is also an absolute must.
- Travel through the Esna Lock is subject to river traffic and local conditions which means we may pass through the lock during the night or have an extended wait prior to entering the lock.
- Timing & practicability of optional excursions are subject to several external factors, such as internal flight timings, weather & traffic conditions. For optional excursions from Cairo, pre &/or post-tour accommodation is recommended to allow sufficient time. Further optional excursions not listed may be offered by your guide throughout the tour.
- All optional excursions are based on minimum participants and are subject to availability. The length of optional excursions advised is an approximate only. Optional excursions can be booked on tour directly with your Tour Director or guide. We recommend arranging the booking at the beginning of the tour to avoid disappointment. Please note some optional excursions may also be available on multiple or alternate days. Prices are a guide only and are subject to change without prior notice. Payment by cash is preferred as there are no guarantees that credit card facilities will be available. Please check with your Tour Director or guide locally for information relating to this. Credit card fees and exchange rates are at the discretion of your bank.
Brochure
Bunnik Egypt & the Middle East (2023-24)
Brochure
Bunnik The Middle East & Egypt (2025-26)
Availability
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Prices include air taxes and fuel surcharges, this amount is correct at time of brochure release and subject to change. Note air supplement may apply depending on airline availability and departure city. The majority of departures above will proceed or are guaranteed to depart (based on a minimum of 2 passengers). We will outline the status of your departure date in your quote along with all applicable discounts and specials.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Bunnik Tours. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Bunnik Tours. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Similar Tours
