Luxury Egypt Honeymoon

Of the seven wonders of the ancient world, only one remains today: The Great Pyramid of Giza. These massive structures served as a way for kings to journey to the next world and emerge as gods. Despite their age, the pyramids still overwhelm and impress visitors. You will visit all three of the pyramids at Giza, and also get to see their collective grandeur from a panoramic viewpoint. Proceed to the Great Sphinx with its head of a man and the body of a lion, gazing imposingly across the valley and try to unravel some of the mysteries behind this monument together with your guide.

Meet with an expert academic Egyptologist today for an engaging insight into the fascinating history of this incredible part of the world. This briefing will help you place various ancient Egyptian sites into context that you will see or may have already seen, while on your adventure. Together you will explore some crucial questions and learn the answers surrounding ancient Egypt. You will also be introduced to ancient Egyptian sacred art and hieroglyphics, the fundamental principles around tombs and understand the concept of the afterlife at the time, who got there, and how.

Visit the ancient pyramid site of Saqqara, where you’ll learn more about the history and evolution of these pyramid structures. At Saqqara, you will discover how the ancient Egyptians experimented with stepped pyramids, including the famous step pyramid of Djoser, the oldest stone building complex in the world. You will also learn how the Egyptians tried to rebuild entire worlds for use in the afterlife. You will also view the bent pyramid of Dashur, and your guide will tell you about the history of the Red Pyramid.

In Aswan, immerse yourself in the captivating Nubian community of Egypt. The Nubians, an ethnic group hailing from Northern Sudan and Southern Egypt, have been an integral part of the Nile region for centuries, renowned for their expertise in trading precious goods such as gold and spices. This tour takes you beyond the surface, offering an authentic glimpse into the lives of the Nubian people.

Unlike conventional tourist encounters, we steer clear of the well-trodden path and guide you to the unexplored side of a genuine Nubian village. Here, you will interact with the locals, step inside their homes, and discover their unique infrastructure. Accompanied by the villagers themselves, you will embark on a village tour, encountering remarkable ancient remnants that deviate from the typical tourist routes.

It’s well worth the journey down to the border of Sudan to marvel at the temples at Abu Simbel, built by Ramses II to demonstrate the might and glory of Egypt to the nearby Nabatean tribes. There are 20-metre-tall twin statues of Ramses II carved into the mountainside as well as images of the king bearing the double crown of lower and upper Egypt.

The great temple of Abu Simbel was dedicated to the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, Ptah, and the deified form of Ramses himself. The rescue story of these monuments from the rising waters of Lake Nasser is also remarkable – the monuments were cut into blocks and then moved, stone by stone, to more elevated land.

Much of Aswan is ultimately connected with the momentous damming of the Nile during the 1960s to control the annual flooding and create Lake Nasser. The ambitious project took decades to complete. The scale of the engineering works is impressive, and standing at the top of the dam, you will enjoy sweeping views of the lake and the surrounding arid desert scenery.

Continue to the temple of Philae, an outstanding temple complex dedicated to the goddess Isis and dating back to the Ptolemaic age of about 690 BCE. There are many legends associated with Isis and the temple, but the most famous is the story of Isis finding the heart of Osiris after his murder by his brother Seth.

Visit the enchanting temple of Kom Ombo, which traces its origins back to the Ptolemaic dynasty and holds a captivating tale of dual deities. Dedicated to Horus, the Falcon God symbolizing keen vision and the love of the people, and Sobek, the crocodile god representing earthly instincts and revered out of fear, this unique double temple embodies the profound notion that within each of us reside both good and bad.

To honour Sobek within the temple, priests would embark on a ritual journey to the Nile, selecting a living crocodile to reside in this sacred space. When the crocodile eventually passed away, it would be mummified and replaced. Today, you can witness these preserved crocodile mummies at the adjacent museum.

Today you will get the chance to explore the iconic, towering temple of Edfu, also known as the temple of Horus. Extremely well preserved and dedicated to the falcon god, Horus, this huge structure lies on the west bank of the Nile. The temple’s history stands out in a land full of ancient stories, as it’s believed to have been constructed during Ptolemaic times, about 200 BCE. This is a later period than many of Egypt’s key monuments.

What makes this temple so impressive to visit is that the entire structure of the sanctuary – walls, floor and ceiling – remain intact today. Also in exceptional condition are the inscriptions visible on the temple walls which, according to Egyptian mythology, depict the battle between Horus and the god Seth and also refer to daily life in Egypt during this time.

Venture south of Luxor today to the town of Esna to explore its famous temple dedicated to the god Khnum. Khnum temple is often peaceful and, with fewer tourists visiting, you should get to experience an exclusive and meaningful visit. A tour of the temple will reveal stunning remains as well as centuries of sand and dirt debris that still shroud around half of the ruins – creating a dramatic juxtaposition.

The temple would have been astonishingly beautiful when it was built by Ptolomy VI. It was however the Romans who finally completed the building using a vibrant red sandstone and featuring an impressive portico of six rows of four columns each with lotus leaf capitals, individually designed and different from one another.

Experience the awe-inspiring marvel that is the Karnak Temple, situated in Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes, which once pulsated as the spiritual epicentre of ancient Egypt. It comes as no surprise that Luxor and its surroundings boast an unparalleled concentration of temples, tombs, and monuments, with Karnak reigning as the pinnacle of this sacred landscape. As the earthly abode of the sun god Amun-Re, Karnak held immense significance in the spiritual tapestry of ancient Egypt, showcasing a breathtaking ensemble of shrines, obelisks, and temples.

Explore the mystical West Bank of Luxor, once the renowned necropolis of Thebes. Symbolically positioned where the sun bids its farewell, this ethereal city of the departed embodies the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Journey through a captivating array of intricately painted tombs, narrating the afterlife voyage of the honoured deceased.

Admire miraculously preserved burial chambers, where vivid colours defy the passage of millennia. Immerse yourself in meticulously restored tombs, offering a vivid glimpse into their former glory. Delve into legend as you witness the world-renowned discovery of Howard Carter—the complete tomb of the boy king Tutankhamun, adorned with treasures and provisions for his celestial transition.

Revel in the atmosphere, glowing light and cooler temperatures on your evening visit to Luxor Temple. You’ll feel mystified as you try to comprehend how the enormous statues and granite obelisk at the entrance could possibly have been created without the use of modern machinery.

These statues and the obelisk were signs of fertility and prosperity and were capped with precious metals to capture the light so everyone could find their way to the temples. This is also the site where kings were crowned. Alexander the Great claimed to have been crowned at Luxor, but in fact, it is unlikely he travelled this far south.

Join a captivating journey through one of Cairo’s most luxurious neighbourhoods, where modernity meets Egyptian art and design in a harmonious blend. Delve into the realm of female entrepreneurs, exploring their inspiring stories and the exceptional establishments they have created. This curated tour offers an exclusive collection of four unique venues, each showcasing the best of Egypt’s contemporary art and design scene.

You will also delight in the finest craftsmanship of the region, in which traditional artisan techniques entwine with modern methods. Examine Egyptian jewellery inspired by pharaonic and arabesque designs before ending at a photographic art gallery, where visual storytelling unfolds in mesmerising displays.

Embark on an extraordinary journey through time at the magnificent National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC). Opened in 2021, this meticulously designed museum is nestled in the captivating Fustat area of Cairo. Step into a world of wonder as you explore a vast collection of 50,000 artefacts that unveil the fascinating story of Egyptian civilisation, spanning from prehistoric eras to the vibrant present.

Embark on an evening exploration of Cairo alongside a local resident, well-versed in the city’s dynamic food and drink scene. Together, you’ll venture into Downtown Cairo, a charming district that has retained its character since its establishment in the 1860s. Discover the lively shopping scene, and diverse culinary offerings ranging from authentic eateries to elegant belle-époque cafes.

Observe how Egyptians unwind after work, savouring street food and ice cream. Look out for artists congregating in cafes and indie film cinemas. You’ll visit various stops, including a place renowned for serving Egypt’s national dish, Koshary, and conclude the evening with a refreshing beer atop a rooftop bar in a vintage hotel.