the sun festival ancient egypt expedition with jacklynn
the sun festival ancient egypt expedition with jacklynn
$0.00
19th - 27th October 2025
Join history influencer Jacklynn on an unforgettable 9 day journey designed for her community of history lovers and deep thinkers ready to explore one of the world’s most ancient civilisations. Stand in the shadow of the Great Pyramids of Giza, gaze into the timeless face of the Sphinx, and explore the legendary Valley of the Kings, where millennia of human history come to life.
Alongside a dedicated 24/7 Egyptologist guide, you’ll visit awe-inspiring sites including the temples of Abu Simbel where you’ll witness the sun aligning with the inner chamber in this once in a lifetime experience. Also visit Philae, Karnak, and Luxor, sail the Nile by traditional felucca, walk the vibrant bazaars of Aswan, and share authentic meals with local Egyptian and Nubian families.
a unique experience - the sun festival
The Abu Simbel Sun Festival is a biannual event in Egypt where sunlight penetrates the inner sanctuary of the Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel, illuminating the statues inside in a remarkable astronomical alignment. The rising sun’s rays shine through the temple’s entrance and travel 60+ meters into the inner sanctuary, illuminating three of four statues: Ramses II, Ra-Horakhty (sun god), Amun-Ra (king of gods). The fourth statue of Ptah (god of the underworld), always remains in darkness — symbolically fitting.
Why It's Special: The precise solar alignment is a testament to ancient Egyptian astronomical knowledge and architectural skill and the event draws thousands of visitors, both local and international, with festivities, music, dancing, and traditional Nubian culture celebrations.
After the Abu Simbel temples were relocated in the 1960s (to avoid flooding from Lake Nasser), engineers carefully preserved this solar alignment, a major feat of archaeological preservation.
aweventurer’s last trip to egypt
reviews
“I’m so glad I stepped outside my comfort zone and did this trip! From the sites to the people I met along the way it was honestly a dream come true! Our incredible tour guide Ahmed was just the best, he catered to all our needs and never disappointed! I would 100% recommend Aweventurer to anyone wanting to join a tour especially if it’s anything like I experienced! We’ve made friends for life and I’ll never forget this trip” - Skye B
“I absolutely loved this holiday! It consisted of almost everything there is to see/do in Egypt. Our tour guide Amed was absolutely sensational, I was in awe of how extensive his knowledge was of each & every temple/museum we went too. He was so passionate about everything Egypt has to offer & he went above & beyond for all of us ladies…i’d definitely be back for another trip in the future with Awventurer.” - Rachael M
itinerary
day one
WELCOME, you’ve arrived in Cairo!
TRANSFER from the airport to your hotel
CHECK into your boutique hotel
MEET your host Jacklynn, your guide Ahmed and fellow travellers for a welcome talk
SHARE an authentic Egyptian meal with a local family. Visit their family home, chat with the family members about life in the Egypt, while enjoying a delicious dinner
(dinner included)
day two
MORNING LIGHT over the Pyramids and explore the high plateau with panoramic views across the dunes
SEE the sphinx splay over the horizon
IMMERSE in the treasures of the Egyptian Museum with your expert guide
TRANSFER back to the hotel in Cairo to prepare for your sleeper train journey
RAIL your way to Aswan on the sleeper train. Accommodation aboard the overnight train is in two-berth cabins which convert to bunk beds. Your bags will be stored in your cabin, where airline-style dinner and breakfast will be served
Please Note: The overnight sleeper train offers a true local experience and a sense of adventure. While it is safe and functional, it features basic amenities
(breakfast & dinner on the train included)
day three
RISE to the gentle rocking of the train
WELCOME to Aswan
VISIT the temple of Philae, an ancient Egyptian temple complex dedicated primarily to the goddess Isis. Originally located on Philae Island in the Nile River near Aswan, it was one of the last major temples built in the classical Egyptian style, with construction beginning in the 4th century BCE under the Ptolemaic dynasty and continuing into the Roman period
BOAT to Elephantine Island, one of the most important archaeological sites in Egypt. The island was a vital border post between ancient Egypt and Nubia and served as a trading hub and religious center for thousands of years
CHECK in to your boutique hotel
DINE with local Nubian village family. Get an insight into the daily life of the local people, try out some wonderful Nubian dishes and swap stories with your welcoming hosts. Enjoy the warm hospitality (and cuisine) of these locals and be treated to some Nubian dancing.
(breakfast & dinner included)
day four
VISIT the iconic temples of Abu Simbel. Explore the great temple of Ramsis the 2nd and the small temple of his favorite wife queen Nefertari. The iconic Abu Simbel, with four gargantuan statues of Ramses guarding the Great Temple, is one of Egypt's most memorable sights (this will be a very early morning start to catch the sun alignment)
WITNESS the sun festival
WONDER at the imposing rock cut worship site
BACK to explore Aswan City
LUNCH at a local restaurant
WANDER the local market with your tour guide
FREE time at leisure
(breakfast & lunch included)
day five
SLEEP in, today is a lazy day
FREE time to explore Aswan, a historic city in southern Egypt, located along the Nile River. Once a key gateway to Africa and a center of trade with Nubia, it is rich in ancient heritage
LUNCH at a local restaurant
SAIL on a felucca at sunset down the Nile. Feluccas have been used in Egypt for thousands of years, dating back to at least ancient Egyptian times, around 2000 BCE or earlier
(breakfast & lunch included)
day six
ROADTRIP to Luxor
PAUSE in Esna for a cooking class and enjoy lunch
LEARN all about the Karnak temple with your Egyptologist guide, one of the world's most celebrated temple complexes, built over a period of some 2000 years, with parts of it dating back to 2,055 BC
CHECK into your boutique hotel
EXPLORE Luxor temple in the evening at sunset. Luxor was primarily built during the New Kingdom, around 1400 BCE, by Amenhotep III and later expanded by Tutankhamun, Horemheb, and Ramses II
(breakfast & lunch included)
day seven
OPTIONAL (add-on) hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings
EXPLORE the West Bank’s Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut temple and Colossi of Memnon
SEE the three royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings, an ancient royal burial site that served as the final resting place for pharaohs like Tutankhamun, Ramses II, and Seti I. The valley contains over 60 tombs, many elaborately decorated with scenes from Egyptian mythology
RAIL your way back to Cairo on the sleeper train
Please Note: The overnight sleeper train offers a true local experience and a sense of adventure. While it is safe and functional, it features basic amenities
(breakfast & dinner included)
day eight
CHECK IN to your Cairo hotel
DRIVE to the Saqqara complex, home to some of the oldest stone structures in the world. Its most famous monument is the Step Pyramid of Djoser, built during the 27th century BCE by the architect Imhotep for Pharaoh Djoser. This pyramid is considered the earliest large-scale stone construction and a key precursor to the later pyramids at Giza. The complex includes tombs, mastabas, temples, and other pyramids from different periods, making it a rich archaeological and historical site that spans thousands of years of Egyptian history
EXCLUSIVE government approved archeological site visit
PRIVATE excavation experience in Saqqara
FAREWELL dinner
(breakfast & dinner included)
Photos above show guests on the private dig site on a previous trip with Bri Lee.
The private archaeological dig site visit at Saqqara is a rare and extraordinary experience, made possible through special government permission. As an active excavation area overseen by Egyptian authorities, it is not open to the general public and remains subject to strict regulation.
While we have secured access for this trip, permissions can be altered or withdrawn at any time without notice, due to the sensitive and protected nature of the site. For this reason, we cannot guarantee entry on the day of your visit.
Should access be restricted, we will do everything we can to arrange an alternative experience of equal value.
day nine
SAY your goodbyes over breakfast
DEPART with airport transfer at 10am
(breakfast included)
meet your host
Jacklynn is a travel storyteller and history enthusiast who blends her love for culture and history into immersive experiences. With a deep appreciation for ancient architecture, museums, and the hidden gems of every destination, she brings the richness of the past into the present. Her goal is to make her audience feel like they're right there with her, walking cobblestone streets, standing before centuries-old masterpieces, and discovering new corners of the world. Through her lens and words, Jacklynn invites others to not just observe the adventure, but to feel like they’re part of it.
Jacklynn's approachable and enthusiastic style makes history accessible and engaging for her audience. She encourages her followers to explore the past and appreciate the richness of cultural heritage.
meet your guide
Ahmed is a born-and-raised Egyptian and professional Egyptologist with a deep passion for sharing his country’s ancient wonders. With years of experience leading immersive journeys across Egypt, Ahmed brings history to life in a way that’s engaging, insightful, and unforgettable.
He’s guided multiple Aweventurer trips, and the reviews say it all:
"Ahmed was just the best – he catered to all our needs and never disappointed!"
"Absolutely sensational. I was in awe of how extensive his knowledge was of each and every temple and museum."
Whether he’s decoding hieroglyphs, explaining the mysteries of the pharaohs, or helping you navigate a local market, Ahmed is more than a guide - he’s your window into the real Egypt.
inclusions
8 nights accommodation
1 group arrival transfer on day 1
1 group departure transfer on day 9
8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners
Giza Pyramids and Sphinx entrance
The Egyptian Museum – includes Tutankhamun's treasures
Abu Simbel Temples visit
Karnak Temple visit
Luxor Temple visit
Valley of the Kings tombs entrance
Sunset felucca sail on the Nile
Philae Temple entrance in Aswan
24/7 Aweventurer guide and Egyptologist
Air-conditioned transport
Overnight train journey in a sleeper cabin from Cairo to Aswan
Overnight train journey in a sleeper cabin from Luxor to Cairo
exclusions
Arrival and departure flights to Cairo
Visas
Tipping and gratuities
Meals not mentioned on itinerary
Travel insurance (mandatory)
locations
In Cairo you will be staying at the Pyramisa Hotel rated 5 stars
In Aswan you will be staying at the Aswan Obelisk Hotel rated 3 stars
In Luxor you will be staying at the Luxor Aracan Etabe Hotel rated 4 stars
Aboard the overnight train you will be in two-berth cabins which convert to bunk beds. All bedding is provided on board and western-style toilets are located in each carriage. your bags will be stored in your cabin, where airline-style dinner and breakfast will be served. however, it may be worth bringing some additional snacks, especially if you are vegetarian or have dietary requirements. your tour leader can help you to arrange this. Despite being a tourist class train facilities are basic, but it is an experience not soon forgotten!
faq’s
Is Egypt safe?
You will be under the care and leaderhsip of an incredibly experienced local guide, Ahmed, who has led trips like this before. We will ensure every aspect of safety awareness is communicated.
Why October?
Visiting Egypt in October is ideal thanks to its perfect weather, with warm, comfortable temperatures for exploring. It’s also less crowded than peak holiday months, offering a more peaceful and reflective experience. The soft lighting is great for photography, and the cultural season begins, bringing festivals and vibrant local life. For history lovers and deep thinkers, it’s the perfect time to connect with Egypt’s ancient past in a calm, inspiring setting.
How do I get there?
Our journey begins and ends at Cairo International Airport. To reach Cairo International Airport (CAI) from another country, travelers typically fly via international airlines, as CAI is Egypt’s main air gateway. The airport is served by major carriers such as EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, British Airways, and others. Direct flights are available from cities like London, Paris, Istanbul, New York, Dubai, and Riyadh, while connecting flights are common through major hubs such as Istanbul, Doha, Dubai, and Frankfurt. If no direct route exists from your location, you can connect via these international airports. Before traveling, it's important to check Egypt's visa requirements, as they vary depending on nationality.
What is the rooming configuration?
Twin share or private.
How do I pay?
Click book now and follow the instructions on our payment portal.
How many people will be on the trip?
Minimum ten and maximum group size will be eighteen.
Will I need a visa?
Obtaining a visa is the individual responsibility of the traveller. Please note that entry requirements can change at any time. Be sure to check with your government’s foreign travel advisories and consular websites to ensure you have the correct information.
What is the accommodation like?
We’ll be staying in a range of accommodation types to give you the traditional Egyptian experience.
What are your health and safety protocols?
All our Aweventurer guides are trained in first aid, crisis management and altitude safety and our hotels, vehicles and activities are audited regularly to ensure they meet international standards. We operate with full public liability insurance and OH&S policies and have rigid risk mitigation and emergency procedures.
What should I bring?
We’ll be doing lots of walking, so comfortable walking shoes are a must. Other than that, bring everything you’ll need for an 8-day adventure exploring the sights and sounds of Egypt. It can get pretty warm during the day, so light, breathable clothing is recommended. Come nightfall, you’ll need a warm jacket as it can cool down a little in the evenings.
Will I have downtime?
While our days are pretty packed to ensure you get the most out of your time, there is built-in free time.
Can I come solo or with friends or a partner?
Both! Solo travellers will immediately connect with the group under the warm stewardship of Jacklynn and friends will likewise have a great time connecting with the group. If you're coming with a friend, and want to be roomed together, let us know in the rooming configuration box at purchase. If you're coming with a partner (or someone you're close enough to share a double bed with), let us know at operations@aweventurer.com
When should I book my flights?
We need to reach a minimum trip number to confirm this departure, so please hold off on booking flights until we send you a welcome email that confirms departure. Please arrive prior to midday on day 1.
How can I be culturally sensitive?
Our local guide will explain how we can be sensitive to the local culture on day one of the trip.
What does the Aweventurer team do?
We provide the most thorough support for you to have an epic travel experience with us. From an on-the-ground local host to our team at HQ, there is always someone available to help solve any issues you may encounter. Throughout your expedition, a local host will accompany you and your fellow travellers to make sure you have everything you need for an inspiring and safe trip. You are also able to reach out with any concerns or questions – before, during, and even after your trip. We pride ourselves on prompt responses and are happy to hear from you, whether by email, phone, or via a WhatsApp or Zoom call, on how we could improve your stay or anything we need to prepare before your arrival. Also note the WhatsApp green call button at the bottom of the page - you can contact us there too. Please email us at travel@aweventurer.com
our trip to egypt with bri lee
