
Egypt
Alexandria to Abu Simbel
Discover Ancient Egypt, land of the pharaohs, colossal statues, vast pyramids and magnificent many-columned temples.
TOUR STATUS
Waitlist | Tour Full
TOUR DATES
February 3-21, 2026 | 19 Days
TOUR LEADER
Dr Bill Manley | View Bio
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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.
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Grade Three. This tour is among our most physically demanding.
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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. -
$16,970 AUD per person, twin share (land content only)
$3,680 AUD supplement for sole use of a hotel roomA $1,000 AUD non-refundable deposit is required per person to confirm your booking on tour
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Tour Full. Bookings are closed.
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 a quiet 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.
Featured Experience
Five Day Cruise
Private Charter
Luxor to Aswan
Sail the Timeless Waters of the Nile
Private Charter aboard the ‘Embrace Nile Dahabiya’
The tour concludes with a five-day private cruise aboard a stylish dahabiya, setting sail along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan.
A voyage along the world’s longest river reveals the best of Egypt’s past and present. 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.
Dr Bill Manley
your expert tour leader
Bill 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.
Accompanied by an Experienced Tour Manager
Alongside your expert tour leader, an experienced tour manager will accompany for the entirety of the tour. They oversee logistics, ensure your comfort and safety, and provide friendly support – whether offering tips for free time, sharing a chat over dinner, or giving you space to relax.
tour ITINERARY
Cairo (4 nights), Alexandria (2 nights), Cairo (1 night), Minya (2 nights), Abydos (1 night), Luxor (3 nights), Nile Cruise (4 nights), Cairo (1 night)
Included meals are shown with the letters B, L and D
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.
Tour Accommodation
Cairo, Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah | 5 Nights, Total
Alexandria, Rixos Montaza Hotel | 2 Nights
Minya, Nefertiti Hotel | 2 Nights
Abydos, House of Life | 1 Night
Luxor, Steigenberger Resort Achti | 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.
Join Waitlist
There are currently no places available on this tour.
A place on the waitlist is not a confirmed place on tour. If you would like to be notified if a place becomes available on tour, please register your details below.
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
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