✦ Africa

Egypt

The Pyramids of Giza, the temples of Karnak, a felucca on the Nile at sunset, and the colossal statues of Abu Simbel — Egypt is one of the world's most extraordinary civilisations and one of its most rewarding travel destinations.

2 toursavailable now

10–13 daystypical length

Max 16guests per group

Country overview

Land of the Pharaohs

Egypt is where history begins. The pyramids of Giza were already ancient when Rome was founded, and the temples of Luxor and Karnak represent one of the most concentrated accumulations of monumental architecture anywhere on earth. To stand in the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak — a forest of 134 columns, each 23 metres tall — is to understand for the first time the true ambition of the ancient world.

Our tours combine the essential sites — the Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum — with the longer, slower pleasures of the Nile Valley: the cruise from Luxor to Aswan, the dawn visit to the Valley of the Kings, and the journey to Abu Simbel where Ramesses II had two temples carved directly into a mountainside over 3,000 years ago.

Pyramids of Giza at Dawn
The only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World — and at sunrise, before the crowds, genuinely awe-inspiring. The Sphinx guards the plateau below.

Nile Valley & Luxor
The ancient capital of Thebes — Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and Hatshepsut's mortuary temple cut into the cliff face.

Abu Simbel
The most dramatic temples in Egypt — four colossal statues of Ramesses II carved directly into a sandstone cliff. The interior aligns with the sun twice a year.

Nile Cruise
Sailing between Luxor and Aswan on a traditional felucca or private dahabiya — temples on both banks, egrets in the reeds, and time moving at a different pace altogether.

Where to go

Regions & Highlights

Cairo and the pyramids in the north, the Nile Valley temples in the centre, and Aswan and Abu Simbel in the south.

Cairo & Giza

The Egyptian Museum, the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the medieval Islamic quarter of Khan el-Khalili.

Luxor & Karnak

The ancient capital of Thebes — the greatest concentration of temples and tombs anywhere in the world.

Aswan & Abu Simbel

The Nubian city on the Nile and the most dramatic temples in Egypt.

Best time to visit Egypt

Jan

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May

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Destination expert

Talk to a Egypt Expert

Our Egypt advisors have traveled the country from Alexandria to Abu Simbel. Ask us about the best time to visit, the right Nile cruise for you, or combining Egypt with Jordan or Morocco.

Request a Quote → Ask a question

What travelers say about Egypt

★★★★★4.9 · 143+ reviews

★★★★★

"The Pyramids at dawn before a single tourist bus arrived — just our group of 14 and the desert silence. Then the Egyptian Museum with a guide who had spent 30 years studying Egyptology. The best day of travel I have ever had."

James L.

Jewel of the Nile

★★★★★

"Abu Simbel was the moment that undid me. Standing in front of those four colossal statues in the early morning light, understanding that they have been here for 3,200 years — nothing quite prepares you."

Sarah M.

Jewel of the Nile

★★★★★

"The felucca on the Nile at sunset — palm trees on the bank, the call to prayer drifting from Aswan, and our group sharing a bottle of Egyptian wine. That is the Egypt nobody shows you on a postcard."

Patricia W.

Egypt Highlights

Frequently asked

Egypt Travel Questions

Is Egypt safe to visit?

The tourist areas we visit — Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel — are well-policed and safe for international visitors. Egypt has received millions of tourists annually for decades. Our guides handle all logistics and brief all guests on sensible precautions.

What is the best time to visit Egypt?

October to April. Egyptian summers (May–September) are extremely hot — temperatures regularly exceed 40°C in Luxor and Aswan. We run all our Egypt departures in the cooler months.

Do I need a visa for Egypt?

Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport, or in advance via the Egyptian e-Visa portal. Your Oncor advisor will confirm requirements for your passport.

Is the food safe in Egypt?

We choose carefully vetted restaurants throughout and provide water bottles at all times. The local cuisine — koshari, ful medames, ta'meya — is delicious and generally very safe at the restaurants we use.