Explore Egypt

This itinerary is tentative. Any updates or changes will be announced at least one month prior to departure.

September 25 / Day One Arrive in Cairo, Egypt. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to the hotel. After a long journey, take time to settle in before gathering for a welcome dinner together. This first evening offers space to rest, connect with fellow travelers, and begin orienting your heart toward the days ahead.

September 26 / Day Two Today we journey to the Giza Plateau to visit the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx with a private guide. We’ll share lunch at the 9 Pyramids Lounge, taking in sweeping views of these ancient landmarks. The afternoon is reserved for rest. In the evening, we’ll gather with Suzy to hear her personal story and learn more about the work of Awema, setting the tone for the journey ahead.

September 27 / Day Three Spend the morning with the Women’s Academy, where women from Egypt, Syria, Sudan, and Algeria are engaged in learning and leadership development. We’ll attend part of a lecture, sit with the women, and share lunch together. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum before gathering for dinner.

September 28 / Day Four Today is a full-day excursion to Alexandria. We’ll visit youth and women’s programs connected to Awema, including vocational training initiatives for women. The drive each way offers time for conversation and reflection as we return to Cairo in the evening.

September 29 / Day Five We’ll visit the Awema Sudanese women’s project in Mokattam, followed by lunch and a visit to the Cave Church, a site traditionally associated with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus during their flight from Herod. In the evening, enjoy an Egyptian cooking class and shared dinner, offering a hands-on experience of local culture and hospitality.

September 30 / Day Six Begin the morning with shopping at Fair Trade Egypt, followed by coffee in one of the cafés in the Maadi neighborhood and a visit to a local bookstore. In the afternoon, we’ll take a regional flight to Aswan. Upon arrival, settle into the Anakato Nubian Houses, our home for the next two nights.

October 1 / Day Seven After breakfast, we’ll visit Soheil Island for a scenic hike to view historical rock carvings, including the famous Famine Stela. Along the way, we’ll explore traditional Nubian homes and pause for tea and cake at one of the island’s most beautiful houses. Later, enjoy a kayaking tour on the Nile, followed by time at Mud Island for a body mask therapy and a refreshing swim. The day concludes with time to relax along Anakato Beach.

October 2 / Day Eight Today we embark on a traditional Dahabiya for the start of a four-day Nile cruise. This boat will be our exclusive home as we sail toward Kom Ombo. We’ll explore the riverside temple before enjoying dinner under the stars and an overnight mooring at Maniha. Visit Abu Simbel, one of Egypt’s most remarkable sites. The temples were carved into the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II, with the larger temple dedicated to Ramses himself and the smaller one to Queen Nefertari. Twice a year, the sun illuminates the inner sanctuary—a breathtaking example of ancient Egyptian precision and artistry.

October 3 / Day Nine Wake to the gentle rhythm of the Nile as we continue sailing toward Gabal El-Silsila, once the quarry that supplied stone for Egypt’s greatest temples. The day unfolds with island stops, quiet walks along the riverbanks, and glimpses of daily life along the Nile. The evening includes a candlelit dinner and overnight mooring near Al-Fawz or Al-Saraj Island.

October 4 / Day Ten After breakfast on deck, we’ll visit the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the falcon god Horus and one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient temples. In the afternoon, we sail toward Esna. The day concludes with an evening stroll through the local market, where modern life hums alongside ancient history.

October 5 / Day Eleven After breakfast, we’ll disembark from the Dahabiya and continue to Luxor for a final immersion into Egypt’s past. Today includes visits to the Esna Temple and the Valley of the Kings. We’ll then transfer to our hotel near Luxor to settle in for the night.

October 6 / Day Twelve Today offers Valley of the Kings tour options, allowing flexibility in how you’d like to engage this historic site. In the evening, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner together, marking the close of our journey through Egypt.

October 7 / Day Thirteen Depart from Luxor for home or onward travel. As the journey concludes, carry with you the stories, relationships, and experiences gathered along the Nile and across Egypt.