30 July – 11 August 2027

Cairo • Sohag • Total Solar Eclipse • Abydos • Dendera • Tell el-Amarna • Jabal al-Tayr • Aswan • Q Nile Cruise • Edfu • Esna • Luxor

NOT YOUR ORDINARY EGYPT JOURNEY.

Come for the Total Solar Eclipse of 2 August 2027. Stay for an Egypt most travellers never discover.

This is our Signature Journey — a one-of-a-kind itinerary created for travellers looking beyond the classic Cairo–Luxor–Aswan route.

Travel by rail into the rarely explored heart of Middle Egypt, discovering Sohag, Abydos, Dendera, Tell el-Amarna and Jabal al-Tayr before continuing south to Aswan. Then slow the pace and journey back along the Nile aboard Q Nile Cruise, visiting Edfu and Esna before arriving in Luxor.

It is an unusual combination of rail adventure, hidden archaeology, Nile landscapes and totality — brought together in a route you are unlikely to find in a conventional tour operator’s brochure or guidebook.

The eclipse is once in a lifetime. We believe the journey should be too.

TOTALITY • HIDDEN EGYPT • RAIL • THE NILE

DAY 1 | 30 JULY | WELCOME TO CAIRO
Arrival • Meet & Assist • Private Hotel Transfer
Overnight: Cairo

DAY 2 | 31 JULY | ICONS OF ANCIENT EGYPT
Giza Pyramids • Great Sphinx • Grand Egyptian Museum • Khan El Khalili
Overnight: Cairo

DAY 3 | 1 AUGUST | CAIRO • RAIL JOURNEY TO SOHAG
Cairo Exploration • Evening Sleeper Train to Middle Egypt
Overnight: Sleeper Train / Sohag

DAY 4 | 2 AUGUST | TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE
Morning at Leisure • Dedicated Eclipse Viewing Experience • Totality in Sohag
Overnight: Floating Hotel, Sohag

DAY 5 | 3 AUGUST | ABYDOS & DENDERA
Temple of Seti I • Abydos King List • Temple of Hathor
Overnight: Floating Hotel, Sohag

DAY 6 | 4 AUGUST | AKHENATEN & ANCIENT CHRISTIANITY
Tell el-Amarna • Jabal al-Tayr Monastery
Overnight: Floating Hotel, Sohag

DAY 7 | 5 AUGUST | COPTIC SOHAG • RAIL TO ASWAN
Red Monastery • White Monastery • Train South to Aswan
Overnight: Train / Aswan

DAY 8 | 6 AUGUST | ASWAN • BOARD Q NILE CRUISE
Arrival in Aswan • Embark Q Nile Cruise • Begin Sailing North
Overnight: Q Nile Cruise

DAY 9 | 7 AUGUST | EDFU & ESNA
Temple of Horus at Edfu • Nile Sailing • Temple of Khnum at Esna
Overnight: Q Nile Cruise

DAY 10 | 8 AUGUST | SAIL INTO LUXOR
Nile Sailing • Karnak Temple • Luxor Temple
Overnight: Q Nile Cruise, Luxor

DAY 11 | 9 AUGUST | LUXOR'S WEST BANK
Valley of the Kings • Temple of Hatshepsut • Colossi of Memnon
Overnight: Luxor

DAY 12 | 10 AUGUST | LUXOR • FLY TO CAIRO
Morning at Leisure • Domestic Flight to Cairo • Final Evening
Overnight: Cairo

DAY 13 | 11 AUGUST | FAREWELL EGYPT
Breakfast • Private Airport Transfer • International Departure

CAIRO → SOHAG → TOTALITY → ASWAN → THE NILE → LUXOR → CAIRO

13 Days • Hidden Egypt • Rail Adventure • Total Solar Eclipse • Q Nile Cruise

Discover your journey one unforgettable day at a time. From iconic landmarks and ancient treasures to authentic local experiences and moments to relax, each day has been carefully planned to create the perfect balance of discovery, comfort and adventure.

Explore the full itinerary below and see what awaits you each day

Arrival in Cairo

Arrival at Cairo International Airport.

Meet and assist on arrival, followed by private transfer to the hotel.

The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax after the international journey.

Overnight: Cairo 4* Hotel BB Novotel Or Similar
Meals: None

Giza Pyramids • Sphinx • Grand Egyptian Museum • Khan El Khalili

After breakfast, begin your exploration of Ancient Egypt with a full-day tour accompanied by an expert Egyptologist.

Visit the Giza Plateau, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, the panoramic viewpoint and the Great Sphinx.

Continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum, where you will discover an extraordinary collection spanning thousands of years of ancient Egyptian civilisation.

Later in the afternoon, continue to Khan El Khalili Bazaar, in the heart of historic Cairo. Enjoy time to explore its atmospheric lanes, traditional shops and cafés before returning to the hotel.

Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast

Grand Egyptian Museum • Sleeper Train to Sohag

After breakfast, dedicate the day to the Grand Egyptian Museum, allowing sufficient time to explore its extraordinary collection and gain a deeper understanding of Ancient Egyptian history before travelling into Upper Egypt.

Later, transfer to the railway station and board the overnight sleeper train from Cairo to Sohag.

Arrival in Sohag is expected at approximately 2:00 AM on 2 August.

On arrival, transfer directly to our floating hotel. Our previous group is scheduled to depart towards Luxor at approximately 2:00 AM, allowing our housekeeping team around 1–2 hours to prepare the rooms.

Check-in is therefore expected at approximately 3:00 AM, after which guests can immediately rest before the eclipse programme later in the day.

Overnight: Sleeper Train / Floating Hotel in Sohag
Meals: Breakfast

Total Solar Eclipse Day • Sohag

Following the late-night arrival, the morning is deliberately kept free for rest and relaxation.

Later, transfer to our specially arranged viewing location to experience the extraordinary Total Solar Eclipse of 2 August 2027.

One of the great advantages of basing this programme in Sohag is that the region is expected to receive considerably fewer international eclipse travellers than Luxor. This gives us the opportunity to create a more exclusive and distinctive eclipse experience.

Optional Premium Eclipse Experience

We are also exploring the possibility of obtaining special permission to arrange eclipse viewing at the Temple of Khnum site in the Sohag area.

If permission can be secured, this would provide an extraordinary historical setting in which to experience totality. As securing special access, permissions and event arrangements is expected to involve significant additional costs, this experience would be offered as an optional premium upgrade.

Guests not choosing the upgrade will enjoy the eclipse from our main dedicated viewing location.

After the eclipse, return to the floating hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening.

Overnight: Floating Hotel, Sohag
Meals: Breakfast

PHILAE TEMPLE • HIGH DAM • FELUCCA ON THE NILE

After breakfast, begin exploring the highlights of Aswan.

Visit the Aswan High Dam, one of the great engineering projects of modern Egypt, with views across Lake Nasser and the surrounding landscape.

Continue by motorboat to the beautiful Temple of Philae.

Dedicated primarily to the goddess Isis, the temple complex was carefully relocated to save it from the rising waters created by the construction of the High Dam.

After sightseeing, return to your hotel for some time at leisure.

Sail the Nile

Later, board a traditional felucca for a peaceful sailing experience around Aswan's islands.

Enjoy the contrasting scenery of palms, granite rocks, desert and the blue waters of the Nile.

Return to your hotel after sailing.

Accommodation: Aswan Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Aswan 4* Hotel Gloria Aqua Park or Similar

Abydos & Dendera • Hidden Temples of Upper Egypt

After breakfast, depart Sohag for a full-day exploration of two of Upper Egypt's greatest temple complexes.

Begin with Abydos, one of the most sacred cities of Ancient Egypt. Visit the magnificent Temple of Seti I, renowned for its beautifully preserved reliefs and the famous Abydos King List.

Continue to Dendera to explore the spectacular Temple of Hathor, with its richly decorated columns, chambers and astronomical ceiling.

The good road connections make Sohag an excellent base for combining these two extraordinary sites.

Return to the floating hotel in Sohag in the evening.

Overnight: Floating Hotel, Sohag
Meals: Breakfast

Tell el-Amarna • Jabal al-Tayr Monastery

Today reveals another side of Egypt, combining archaeology with the country's ancient Christian heritage.

Travel north from Sohag towards Tell el-Amarna, the remarkable city established by Pharaoh Akhenaten as his new royal capital during one of the most fascinating periods of Ancient Egyptian history.

Explore selected archaeological remains associated with Akhenaten and the Amarna Period.

Continue to Jabal al-Tayr Monastery, one of the important Christian heritage sites of Middle Egypt.

After the visits, return south to Sohag.

Overnight: Floating Hotel, Sohag
Meals: Breakfast

Red & White Monasteries • Train to Aswan

After breakfast, discover two of Sohag's greatest treasures.

Visit the historic White Monastery and Red Monastery, outstanding monuments of Egypt's early Christian and Coptic heritage.

Their location close to Sohag makes them an ideal conclusion to our stay in this rarely explored part of Upper Egypt.

After the visits, return to the floating hotel and enjoy some free time.

Later, transfer to Sohag Railway Station for the journey south to Aswan.

Overnight: Train to Aswan / Aswan according to final train schedule
Meals: Breakfast

Aswan • Embark Q Nile Cruise

Arrive in Aswan and transfer to Q Nile Cruise.

Embark and settle into your cabin before beginning a relaxing journey north along the Nile towards Luxor.

Enjoy lunch on board and the scenery of the Nile as we begin sailing towards Kom Ombo.

This marks a complete change of pace after the archaeological exploration around Sohag: from road and rail to a leisurely journey along the Nile.

Overnight: Q Nile Cruise
Meals: Full Board

Edfu • Esna

Continue sailing north through the landscapes of Upper Egypt.

Visit Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus and one of the best-preserved temples from Ancient Egypt.

Return to Q Nile and continue sailing towards Esna.

On arrival, visit the fascinating Temple of Khnum at Esna, particularly renowned for its beautifully restored hypostyle hall and richly decorated columns.

Return to the ship and overnight in Esna.

Overnight: Q Nile Cruise, Esna
Meals: Full Board

Sail to Luxor • Karnak & Luxor Temples

Enjoy breakfast while sailing towards Luxor, watching the agricultural landscapes and villages of the Nile Valley pass by.

On arrival, begin exploring the ancient city of Thebes.

Visit the monumental Karnak Temple Complex, one of the largest religious complexes ever constructed.

Continue to Luxor Temple, beautifully positioned in the heart of the modern city.

Return to the ship after sightseeing.

Overnight: Q Nile Cruise, Luxor
Meals: Full Board

Luxor West Bank

After breakfast, cross to the legendary West Bank of Luxor.

Explore the Valley of the Kings, burial place of many of Egypt's New Kingdom pharaohs.

Continue to the spectacular Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, followed by the monumental Colossi of Memnon.

The remainder of the day is available to relax after the sightseeing programme.

Overnight: Luxor
Meals: Breakfast

Luxor • Fly to Cairo

Enjoy breakfast and some free time depending on the flight schedule.

Transfer privately to Luxor Airport for the domestic flight to Cairo.

Meet and assist on arrival and transfer to your hotel for the final night of the journey.

The evening is free to relax or enjoy Cairo independently.

Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast

Departure

Breakfast at the hotel.

Private transfer to Cairo International Airport for your international departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast

ACCOMMODATION

• Accommodation for 12 nights / overnight travel arrangements according to the programme

• 3 nights in Cairo with breakfast

• Accommodation aboard the floating hotel in Sohag as specified in the itinerary

• 3 nights aboard Q Nile Cruise on Full Board basis

• 1 night in Luxor with breakfast

• Overnight sleeper train accommodation from Cairo to Sohag, according to the confirmed rail service

TRANSPORTATION

• Meet & assist on arrival at Cairo International Airport

• Private arrival and departure airport transfers

• Private air-conditioned transportation for all included sightseeing and transfers

• Sleeper train journey Cairo → Sohag

• Rail journey Sohag → Aswan

• Domestic flight Luxor → Cairo

• Transfers between hotels, railway stations, cruise and airports as specified in the programme

SIGHTSEEING & GUIDING

• Services of a qualified English-speaking Egyptologist/guide during included sightseeing

• Entrance fees to the sites specifically listed in the itinerary

• Giza Pyramids & Great Sphinx

• Grand Egyptian Museum

• Khan El Khalili

• Abydos & Temple of Seti I

• Dendera & Temple of Hathor

• Tell el-Amarna

• Jabal al-Tayr Monastery

• Red Monastery

• White Monastery

• Edfu Temple

• Temple of Khnum at Esna

• Karnak Temple

• Luxor Temple

• Valley of the Kings

• Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

• Colossi of Memnon

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE EXPERIENCE

• Admission to the standard organised Total Solar Eclipse viewing experience in Sohag

• Transfers to and from the designated eclipse viewing location

• Local organisation and assistance during the eclipse programme

Please note: The proposed premium eclipse experience at the Temple of Khnum site in the Sohag area is not included. It remains subject to special government/archaeological permissions, availability and additional cost.

Q NILE CRUISE

• 3-night Q Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor

• Full Board meals aboard the cruise

• Included cruise sightseeing as specified in the itinerary

• Edfu and Esna sightseeing

• Onboard services according to the Q Nile Cruise programme

MEALS

• Daily breakfast at hotels as specified

• Full Board aboard Q Nile Cruise

• Other meals specifically stated in the final confirmed itinerary

International flights to/from Egypt

• Egyptian entry visa and visa-related charges

• Optional Premium Eclipse Experience at the Temple of Khnum site, if permission is obtained

• Any optional excursions or activities not specifically listed as included

• Entrance inside the Great Pyramid or other pyramid interiors, unless specifically booked

• Special-entry tombs in the Valley of the Kings requiring separate tickets, unless specifically included

• Meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary

• Beverages unless specifically stated as included

• Alcoholic beverages

• Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, minibar and room service

• Travel and medical insurance

• Passport, visa or vaccination-related expenses

• Gratuities for guides, drivers, cruise crew and other service staff

• Excess baggage charges

• Early check-in or late check-out unless specifically confirmed

• Any services required because of flight delays, missed connections or circumstances outside the programme

• Any item not specifically stated under What's Included