itinerary

WELCOME, you’ve arrived in Cairo!

MEET your host Bri and fellow travellers for a welcome and first workshop

VISIT the Khan al-Khalili Bazaar tour with food vendors, spice and gold market

WALK and tour Islamic Cairo

DINE with local Egyptian family and feast on home cooked Egyptian food

MORNING LIGHT over the Pyramids

RIDE a camel on 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

RAIL your way to Aswan

ROCK to sleep on the sleeper train

VISIT the iconic temples of Abu Simbel

WONDER at the imposing rock cut worship site

BACK to explore Aswan City 

WANDER the local market with your tour guide

FREE time at leisure

SLEEP in

BREAKFAST at the hotel

WORKSHOP facilitated by Bri

SAIL on a felucca at sunset down the Nile

MURDER mystery party

BREAKFAST at the hotel

ROADTRIP to Luxor

LEARN all about the Karnak temple with your Egyptologist guide

CHECK in to Embrace Hotel Luxor

EXPLORE Luxor temple in the evening at sunset

FLOAT in a hot air balloon at sunrise over Luxor’s monuments

EXHILIRATED, continue on to visit the West Bank

SEE the three royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings

LEARN about hieroglyphics and funerary rites of the ancient Egyptians

DINE with a local family over a home cooked meal for lunch

SLEEP in

LAZE at brunch

WORKSHOP hosted by Bri

FREE TIME, day at leisure

BREAKFAST at the hotel

DRIVE to Dendara Temple, an ancient healing centre

LOOK UP at the roof chapel dedicated to Osiris with signs of the zodiac

WITNESS the temple of Hathor

BACK to Luxor for a walking tour of the city and shopping at the local market

BREAKFAST at the hotel

FLY from Cairo to Luxor

COOKING class of traditional Egyptian food for four hours with long lunch

FREE afternoon to explore the city

BREAKFAST at the hotel

DRIVE to the Saqqara complex, an ancient burial ground 

SEE Zoser, the world’s oldest step shaped pyramid to help souls ascend to the stars

EXCLUSIVE government approved archeological site visit

PRIVATE excavation experience in Saqqara

FAREWELL dinner to celebrate a momentous 12 days

SAY your goodbyes over breakfast

DEPART with airport transfer at 10am

MISS you already

invitation from bri

“I have been obsessed with Egyptology and the history of the pharaohs and mummies since I was a child! This is the ultimate itinerary for anyone who, like me, has had this extraordinary country on their 'bucket list' forever. We're combining adventure, history, food, and culture. And of course, there's a literary spin on it all: together we're going to read both a fiction and a non-fiction title that will allow us to dig deep into both the ancient and modern history of Egypt. I've taken all the highlights and learnings from our Morocco and Turkiye trips and made Egypt bigger and even better. My favourite thing about these journeys is the people, and I can guarantee that if you join us you'll make a dozen new book-loving friends. I cannot wait!”

meet your host

inclusions

• exclusive and private archeological dig at Saqqara site with government permission

• hot air balloon over Luxor, Valley of the Kings etc

• 3 workshops facilitated by Bri on reading, writing and editing

• 4 hour sunset felucca sail on the Nile

• 24/7 Aweventurer guide and Egyptologist

• air conditioned transport

• overnight train journey in sleeper cabin 

• 11 nights accommodation

• 1 group arrival transfer on day 1 (february 12) at 11am

• 1 group departure transfer on day 12 (february 23) at 10am

• 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners

• cooking class for 4 hours

• camel ride by the pyramids

• all entrance fees

exclusions

• flights to and from Cairo

• visas

• tipping and gratuities

• meals not mentioned on itinerary

• travel insurance

locations

in Cairo, we will be staying at Novotel Cairo el Borg with modern amenities such as a pool, gym, roof terrace and views of the city or of the river.

in Aswan, we will be staying in boutique accommodation at Anakato Nubian House which is bright, colourful and designed in traditional Nubian style, right on the river Nile.

in Luxor, we will stay at boutique accommodation at Embrace Hotel Luxor which is like an oasis with sandstone buildings, green grass and a large pool.

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

how will we experience awe?

everyday you will be inspired and exposed to a stunning temples, history, mythology, design, architecture, philosophy and literature. this itinerary is brimming at the gills with history and inspiration. you’ll experience Bri’s teachings and dynamic energy, you’ll go shopping in thriving bazaars, sail the river Nile, have dinners in family homes, experience a murder mystery on a felucca, take a hot air balloon ride over Luxor, and generally do things you just couldn’t do if you travelled here yourself. we look after everything so you have the trip of a lifetime.

how is the trip themed?

the trip is designed to expose you to as much stimuli and inspiration as possible. while our focus is literary, thanks to our host Bri Lee, we will visit icons of architecture, design, religion, history. this can all be used as a jumping point for creativity, reading, and writing. we will send you a reading list prior to the trip so you will learn the works inspired by and set in Egypt.

is the trip in AUD or USD?

as Aweventurer is an international company with trips and travellers all over the world, we have to use a standardised currency, and we use USD for payments on our website. however, as we are an Australia-first company, the pricing for this trip is in AUD, so your deposit will be 1450 AUD which will show on the website as 1000USD. The trip total is 8500AUD and the remaining balance once you’ve paid the deposit will be 7050AUD.

how do I get there?

our journey begins and ends in Cairo international airport.

what is the rooming configuration?

The trip is priced on a twin share basis, so you get to know your fellow travellers and have a bestie for the entire journey. To have a room solo, there will be an extra cost of $1000. Email us to request this at operations@aweventurer.com

how do I pay?

pay the deposit now, and we will contact you for final payment due 120 days prior to trip departure.

how many people will be on the trip?

minimum ten and maximum group size will be sixteen.

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. Think charming, Nubian village houses, ancient city citadels turned into hotels as well as an overnight on a sleeper train travelling to Aswan!

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 a 12-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 are purposely two days of leisure, and times where you will be able to explore the city yourself or stay in and have some downtime. we have purposely designed this trip with more rest time so as you can recharge, read, do some writing, and really take in the incredible places you visit.

can i come solo or with friend or a partner?

both! solo travellers will immediately connect with the group under the warm stewardship of bri 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.

what do i pack?

while we’ll be travelling to egypt in february – technically the end of winter – temperatures are very moderate in this part of the world, with average temperatures ranging from 13ºC at night to 23ºC during the day.

we recommend packing something light but warm to throw on in the evenings when it cools down a little. other than this, bring everything you need for a cool down – swimmers, sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat, and any other sun-protective gear you may need. a list includes:

• day pack for carrying essentials.

• comfortable walking shoes with good grip

• sun protection - a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen

• insect repellent and hand sanitiser

• light layers for the daytime, including more modest clothing for visits to religious sites (clothing items that cover the shoulders, or skirts and trousers that go below the knee)

• warmer layers for night time

• sandals, flip flops, or any kind of water shoe

• swimmers

• international electrical adaptor

• water bottle.

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. 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 what’s app or zoom call, on how we could improve your stay or anything we need to prepare before your arrival. also note the what’s app green call button at the bottom of the page - you can contact us there too. please email us at operations@aweventurer.com