Egypt

Alexandria to Abu Simbel

Discover Ancient Egypt, land of the pharaohs, colossal statues, vast pyramids and magnificent many-columned temples.

tour snapshot

  • February 3-21, 2026 | 19 Days

  • Dr Bill Manley. View full bio >

    Go to section >

  • The tour starts at 6.00pm on Tuesday 3 February, in the lobby of the Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah.

    The tour ends after breakfast on Saturday 21 February, at the Le Meridien Hotel Cairo Airport.

  • Download detailed itinerary >

    Go to section >

  • Grade Three. This tour is among our most physically demanding.

    View all requirements >

  • $16,970 AUD per person, twin share (land content only)
    $3,680 AUD supplement for sole use of a hotel room

    • A $1,000 AUD non-refundable deposit is required per person to confirm your booking on tour

    Inclusions

    Land component: 14 nights’ accommodation in centrally located hotels. All breakfasts, 14 lunches and 8 dinners. Internal economy flights as indicated, all ground transport, entrance fees and tipping.
    Cruise component: 4 nights aboard the Embrace Dahabiya, with all meals and drinks onboard, all shore excursions, and the group tip for staff.

    View standard tour inclusions >

  • Places Available. Maximum 16

    Book Online >
    Download Booking Form >

    Hold a place - Go to section >

Status: Places Available - Maximum 16

 

tour overview

Ancient Egypt – land of the pharaohs, colossal statues, vast pyramids and magnificent many-columned temples.

On this 19-day tour led by Egyptologist Dr Bill Manley, travel the full length of the Nile Valley, from Alexandria to Abu Simbel, visiting both the highlights of ancient Egypt and some of the rarely-visited sites. Our tour includes icons such as the Great Pyramid at Giza, the Valley of the Kings, and Karnak Temple, as well as archaeological sites off the beaten track, including the necropolis of Beni Hasan and the ancient city of Tell el-Amarna.

Along our journey, we cover 3,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, from the pyramids of Egypt’s Old Kingdom through to the Roman-era temple of Philae, as we examine an ancient civilization not just of Pharaohs but also of ordinary people.

We conclude our tour with a five-day private cruise aboard a stylish dahabiya, as we set sail along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. At an un-rushed pace, we soak in the teeming life along the river banks while exploring the extraordinary rock-cut tombs, temples and towns that await.

 

tour highlights

Discover the 3000-year history of one of the world's great civilisations.

  • Cairo’s Great Monuments

    The pharaohs of Egypt created great monuments to see themselves through the afterlife. The Pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx are immediately recognisable but we truly get to understand this world with visits to lesser-known sites, such as the Step Pyramid of Djoser.

  • The Grand Egyptian Museum

    Scheduled to open in 2025, the
    Grand Egyptian Museum, situated
    just outside of Cairo on the Giza
    Plateau (next door to the Pyramids), will not only be the new crown jewel of Egypt, but is set to be one of the largest and most renowned museums in the world.

  • Archaeological Sites

    Travel to Alexander the Great’s city of Alexandria, and along the Nile Valley to Minya and Abydos to explore Middle and New Kingdom sites and an operational working dig at Tell el-Amarna. See exquisitely painted tombs, palaces and temples at the short-lived city built by the heretic pharaoh Akhenaten.

  • Cruising the Nile

    Spend five days gently meandering down the Nile River aboard our exclusive cruise. Relax in the well-appointed air conditioned cabins, enjoy a la carte dinners in the restaurant and watch the Nile go by. Explore the Karnak and Luxor Temples, Edfu and Kom Ombo by day and gaze at the stars from the deck by night.

  • Valley of the Kings and Queens

    In Luxor we make an excursion across the Nile by boat, exploring burial sites and monuments on the West Bank. Visit the eighteen-metre high Colossi of Memnon and see the vibrantly decorated tombs of pharaohs and nobles in the Valley of the Kings, including Hatshepsut’s temple.

SAIL FROM LUXOR TO ASWAN

PRIVATE CHARTER ABOARD THE Embrace Nile Dahabiya

A voyage along the world’s longest river reveals the best of Egypt’s past and present, as we sail upstream from Luxor to Aswan on a private five-day cruise aboard the stylish Embrace dahabiya – modelled on a traditional sailing boat. Our route covers the Upper Egyptian Nile, a section of the river in southern Egypt known for the country’s most impressive ruins and archaeological discoveries, where we take in both the East and West banks of Luxor, the Horus temple at Edfu and even the mummified crocodiles of Kom Ombo.

About the Embrace dahabiya

Launched in November 2021, Embrace is a modern style dahabiya, while maintaining her Egyptian and Bedouin design. The ship operates under sail, assisted by tug boats. With a private charter, it allows us to call in at sites which just can’t cater to large cruise boats, and we can time our visits to avoid having to contend with the tourist crowds.

With three decks onboard, she is also perfect for small groups. There are 13 large cabins, all with large windows, a mini-fridge, private bathroom and air-conditioning. Onboard solar panels generating power ensure a quiet and comfortable journey.

All onboard dining is included, served buffet style, along with an open bar serving drinks.

Embrace 1.jpg
Embrace 4.JPEG
336903022.jpg
Embrace 5.jpg
398561676.jpg
Embrace 3.jpg
 

your expert tour leader

Dr Bill Manley is an expert on hieroglyphic texts, best known for devising popular forms of access to learning about pharaonic Egypt. Bill holds a PhD from University College London (UK). He taught the Ancient Egyptian and Coptic languages for more than thirty years at the Universities of London, Glasgow and Liverpool, and spent five years as Senior Curator for Ancient Egypt at National Museums Scotland. Bill has travelled and worked in Egypt since 1990, and led tours to all parts of the country since 2011. Many sites on Academy Travel’s tours to Egypt have featured in his own research and publications.

Read full bio >

In good hands...

In addition to your expert tour leader, you will be accompanied by a trained tour manager for the duration of the tour. Our tour managers will ensure your safety and comfort on tour, while also overseeing the behind-the-scenes logistics. Our tour managers are great travel companions who ensure your needs are well taken care of. From offering suggestions for your free time, to a lively chat at dinner or even providing space for a quiet moment of reflection, rest assured you are in good hands when travelling.

tour itinerary

Included meals are shown with the letters B, L and D

  • Tuesday 3 February
    Arrive Cairo
    The tour commences at the hotel in Cairo at 6.00pm. Meet your tour leader and fellow travellers in the lobby of the hotel for an introductory talk and drinks followed by dinner in the hotel. Overnight Cairo (D)

  • Wednesday 4 February
    Saqqara
    Depart by coach this morning for Saqqara to see the Step Pyramid of 3rd dynasty pharaoh, Djoser, which is also the oldest monument we visit from the Old Kingdom. We are able to go inside the pyramid of the great king Unas to see the earliest known pyramid texts, and into the tomb of Phtahhatp II, Son of Akhethotep, the tomb is famed for it’s particularly beautiful paintings, and portray a wide range of animals, from lions to hedgehogs to the domesticated cattle and fowl that were brought as offerings to the deceased. After lunch, we visit the Imhotep Museum, the mastaba tomb of Mereruka, and the Apis bull burials in the Serapeum that have re-opened after decades of being closed. Tonight, we enjoy a welcome dinner in the hotel. Overnight Cairo (B, L, D)

  • Thursday 5 February
    Pyramids, All Shapes & Sizes
    Today we explore the Giza plateau’s iconic monuments of the 4th dynasty, the Sphinx, and Great Pyramid of Khufu, son of Sneferu. After lunch in Giza, we trace the evolution of royal burials from stepped to smooth sided pyramids with a visit to the Red and Bent Pyramids at Dahshur. Both built by the pharaoh Sneferu, the Bent Pyramid was the first, unsuccessful attempt at a smooth-sided pyramid. Determined to build an appropriate resting place, Sneferu succeeded in building his pride and glory with the Red Pyramid and it is possible to go inside. Bill will give a talk in the hotel this evening. Overnight Cairo (B, L)

  • Friday 6 February
    Grand Egyptian Museum
    Today we explore the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), set to be the largest archaeological Museum in the world, followed by a talk in the hotel. Overnight Cairo (B, L)

  • Saturday 7 February
    Alexandria
    We depart Cairo by coach for Alexandria. Upon arrival we visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina with its Antiquities Museum. We have lunch at a local restaurant and then spend the afternoon at the recently re-opened Graeco-Roman Museum. We enjoy dinner this evening in the hotel.
    Overnight Alexandria (B, L, D)

  • Sunday 8 February
    Greco-Roman Egypt
    This morning we depart by coach for the Catacombs of Kom el-Shugafa discovering this historical archaeological site. We continue to the Serapeum and explore this Greco-Roman Period site that was once an ancient Greek temple built by Ptolemy III Euergetes, including so-called Pompey’s Pillar. After lunch we visit the archaeological site of Kom el-Dikka, a well off residential area in Roman times, with lovely villas including the Villa of the Birds, bathhouses and a theatre. Overnight Alexandria (B, L)

  • Monday 9 February
    Wadi Natrun & the Museum of Egyptian Civilisation
    Today we begin our tour visiting Wadi Natrun known for its Coptic monasteries where thousands of Christians escaped from Roman persecution in the 4th century. We then continue by coach to Cairo, where we check into the hotel in Giza. This afternoon, we explore the the Royal Mummies Hall at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, followed by a talk in the hotel. Overnight Cairo (B, L)

  • Tuesday 10 February
    Beni Hasan
    This morning we depart Cairo for Middle Egypt, an area still off the radar for most travellers. After a picnic lunch, we explore the exquisitely painted tombs of the First Intermediate Period and Middle Kingdom provincial governors or nomarchs at Beni Hasan. The tombs are reached by a long flight of stone steps up the hill affording a bonus panoramic view of the Nile Valley. Bill will give a talk this evening followed by dinner in the hotel. Overnight Minya (B, PL, D)

  • Wednesday 11 February
    Tell el-Amarna
    Today we visit the city of Akhetaten at Amarna, established by the heretic pharaoh Akhenaten under his vision for a society dedicated to the cult of one god. Although the city had only a brief existence it has been carefully excavated and provides an unusually accurate picture, because Akhenaten chose a completely new site to construct his city. Our full day visit allows us to explore the city and its suburbs, including the Temple of Aten, the ‘Palace of Nefertiti’, and tombs decorated in the ‘Amarna-style’ of art. Bill will give a talk this evening followed by dinner in the hotel. Overnight Minya (B, PL, D)

  • Thursday 12 February
    Tuna El Gebel
    We depart for Abydos, stopping at Tuna el-Gebel, a necropolis with tombs dating mostly to the Greco-Roman Period. Here we visit Akhenaten’s rock cut boundary stela, the catacombs which stored sacred mummies of baboons, ibises and falcons, and the unique temple-tomb of Petosiris, a high priest. After lunch at the rest house, we continue to Abydos. Overnight Abydos (B, PL, D)

  • Friday 13 February
    Abydos & Dendera
    Our focus this morning is the spectacular Temple of Seti I, one of the most complete and beautifully decorated temples in Egypt. Dedicated to Osiris, a major feature is a long list of cartouches known as the Abydos Kings List. Carved into the temple wall, it contains the names of 76 kings of Egypt acknowledged by Seti as legitimate pharaohs. Continuing to Dendera we visit the Temple of Hathor, who is seen as the patroness of love and fertility. The temple is visually stunning with a grand entrance and hieroglyphs Arriving in Luxor, dinner is in the hotel this evening. Overnight Luxor (B, PL, D)

  • Saturday 14 February
    Valley of the Kings
    Crossing by boat to the West Bank and the Valley of the Kings this morning, we marvel at the monumental ‘Colossi of Memnon’ and explore some of the 63 known tombs built for Pharaohs of the New Kingdom, including Tutankhamun’s tomb. Following lunch at Nur el-Qurna, we go on to visit the Tombs of the Nobles, nestled in the foothills opposite the Ramesseum, where we find more than 400 tombs belonging to nobles from the 6th dynasty to the Graeco-Roman period. We end the day at the Ramesseum, famous for the scattered remains of fallen statues that inspired the poem ‘Ozymandias’, before returning to the East Bank. Overnight Luxor (B, L)

  • Sunday 15 February
    Deir el Bahri & Medinet Habu
    Crossing by boat to the West Bank again today, our tour takes in Hatshepsut’s Deir el-Bahri, one of the most beautiful temples in Egypt, and Medinet Habu, an ancient mortuary temple built by Ramses III. We’ll visit Deir el-Medina – an ancient Egyptian workmens village, home to the artisans who worked on the tombs. Returning to the East Bank, there is a talk in our hotel this afternoon. Overnight Luxor (B, L)

  • Monday 16 February
    Karnak & The Luxor Temple | Board Cruise
    We begin the day at Karnak temple, the cult temple of AmunRa, chief of the deities of the New Kingdom and the largest religious site in the ancient world. After lunch we visit Luxor Temple, unusual for its longevity, having been continuously used for a period of some 2000 years. Later, we board our cruise boat, our base for the next four days. Overnight Nile Cruise (B, L, D)

  • Tuesday 17 February
    Edfu
    This morning we go ashore to visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu. The Temple is very dramatic and quite extensive, with many reliefs and hidden ambulatory. It is dedicated to Horus and was built in Greco-Roman times. Returning to our boat for lunch, we cast off from the banks and cruise down the Nile for the remainder of the day. Bill will give a talk this evening. Overnight Nile Cruise (B, L, D)

  • Wednesday 18 February
    Kom Ombo
    Today we cruise to Kom Ombo to see the double temple of the crocodile-headed god, Sobek and falcon-headed god, Horus the Elder. We continue sailing to Aswan and Bill will give a talk this evening. Overnight Nile Cruise (B, L, D)

  • Thursday 19 February
    Abu Simbel
    Today we fly to Abu Simbel, south of Aswan. Pharaoh Ramses II had two temples carved out of solid rock here and built so precisely that twice every year the first rays of the morning sun shine down the entire length of the temple-cave to illuminate the back wall and three of the four gods seated there. The colossi of the king, wearing the characteristic ‘nemes’ head cloth and double crown (of Upper and Lower Egypt), are each 20 metres high. After lunch, we return to Aswan and visit the fascinating Nubian Museum to learn about the civilisation, history and culture of the Nubian people from Prehistoric times to the present. Tonight is spent aboard the boat docked in Aswan. Overnight Nile Cruise (B, L, D)

  • Friday 20 February
    Temple of Philae & Aswan Dam | Disembark Cruise
    Our excursion today takes us to the picturesque island of Philae where the exquisite temple of Isis rises out of the river. We also visit the Aswan High Dam. Built in the 1960’s it has radically affected the ancient monuments in this area, and life in Egypt more generally. After lunch, we fly on to Cairo for our farewell dinner this evening. Overnight Cairo. (B, L, D)

  • Saturday 21 February
    Depart Cairo
    The tour concludes after breakfast. Our hotel is linked to Cairo Airport for departing passengers. (B)

tour Accommodation

Hotels on this tour are all 5-star with the exception of our accommodation in Minya & Abydos, where we have confirmed the best available properties.

  • Cairo, Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah (5 nights, total)

  • Alexandria, Helnan Palestine Hotel (2 nights)

  • Minya, Nefertiti Hotel (2 nights)

  • Abydos, House of Life (1 night)

  • Luxor, Sofitel Winter Palace Garden Pavillion Hotel (3 nights)

  • Nile Cruise, Embrace Dahabiya (4 nights)

  • Cairo, Le Meridien Cairo Airport (1 night)

tour booking

$16,970 AUD per person, twin share (land content only)
$3,680 AUD supplement for sole use of a hotel room

A $1,000 deposit is required per person to confirm your booking on tour. This deposit is non-refundable.

  • Book Online

    To secure your place(s) on tour, book online below with “Athena”, our virtual tour consultant.

    Book Online Now

  • Book via Email or Post

    Download a printable booking form. You can also complete the form on screen and submit via email.

    Download Booking Form

Still deciding? Hold a place…

We are happy to hold a tentative place for 7 days while you make your final arrangements.

can’t make this departure?

If these dates don't work for you, register to hear about the next tour.

 

your tour consultant

The consultant for this tour is Sharon Williams. For further information or to discuss the tour, please call 9235 0023 (Sydney) or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email sharon@academytravel.com.au

have you thought about?

Academy Travel is more than just a tour operator. We are also a full-service travel agency who can assist you with all aspects of your travel, including flights, transfers, pre-tour arrival, additional travel and comprehensive travel insurance.