Four Seasons First Residence

Ultimate Egypt

Ultimate Cruise + 1 more + 2 more

Egypt’s exceptional diversity of attractions makes long itineraries extremely rewarding, and there is plenty of luxury for those looking to splash out on a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

16 days

from £4,960 pp

Luxor and the Red Sea

Family Beach + 1 more + 2 more

An enticing itinerary that allows for plenty of seaside relaxation in addition to the Nile sightseeing.

8 days

from £2,640 pp

Classic Egypt

Classic Express + 3 more + 3 more

Big-name ancient highlights and a classic Nile cruise

8 days

from £2,810 pp

Highlights of Egypt

Classic Cruise + 3 more + 3 more

Culture in Cairo, cruising the Nile and relaxation by the Red Sea

11 days

from £3,415 pp

Egypt's Modern History

Off-the-beaten-track Cruise + 2 more + 3 more

A delightful introduction to the fascinating events that have shaped Egypt since Biblical times

10 days

from £3,915 pp

Family-Friendly Egypt

Family Beach + 1 more + 2 more

A journey through Egypt’s best bits, designed for all the family.

12 days

from £3,650 pp

Quirky excursions

View all excursions in Egypt

The Pyramids & Sphinx of Giza

There are endless clichés and statistics associated with the Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza: the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, as old as Stonehenge, and the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years, to name but a few. However, it’s only when you stand between the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Khafre, craning your neck to see their summits and picturing them dazzling white in their original limestone cladding, that you can really appreciate why these ancient tombs have fascinated and captivated people from the moment they were built. Facing away from the Pyramid of Khafre is the Sphinx with its slightly smug and knowing expression. A stone Mona Lisa, it is immediately apparent why it has inspired all manner of myths, riddles and legends. Today, standing on the edge of the Giza Plateau with the suburbs of Cairo curling around their base on one side and the sands of a vast, echoing desert stretching to the opposite horizon, they remain a place that everyone should try and see once in a lifetime.

Cairo Citadel

Perched above the old city and containing a treasure trove of intriguing mosques and museums, the Citadel is one of Cairo’s most recognisable landmarks. Construction of the fortifications was commenced by Saladin in the 12th century, and many of the walls, gates and towers date back hundreds of years. In the time since, it has been regularly modified and enhanced, while being variously used as a base for military garrisons, a seat of government and a home for assorted Sultans. Today, its main purpose is as a tourist attraction. The most renowned site within the Citadel is the Muhammad Ali Mosque, built in the 19th century by one of Egypt’s most revered (and sometimes reviled) rulers. Constructed in the Turkish style, partly to wipe out any evidence of Mamluke influence in Cairo, the design was based on Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, which is easily apparent from the outside. Inside, there is far more glitz and glamour than in your average mosque and it’s often very crowded with visitors. Despite this, the mosque is well worth a visit, and there are great spots outside to capture sweeping, panoramic photographs of Cairo. Other potential stopping points are the Al Gawhara Palace and the Military Museum, and an excursion to the Citadel combines well with a visit to the Khan El Khalili and Islamic Cairo.

Unguided Walking tour of Cairo Mosques

For those eager to get inside some of the city’s mosques, there is an easy route that we would recommend in combination with a visit to the Citadel. The unguided walk starts at a square called Midan Salah Al-Din just below the western side of the Citadel. The square is actually a 15 minute walk from the Citadel despite being a stone’s throw away, as you have to wind down the eastern side so a short taxi ride may be recommended if you’re coming from the Citadel itself. To the north-west of Midan Salah Al-Din are the mosques of Sultan Hassan and Rifa’i, similar in outward appearance although almost 600 years separates the two buildings. An often overlooked mosque in the same square is that of Mahmoud Pasha, certainly smaller than its immediate neighbours but still worthy of exploration since it bears the evocative ablaq style of alternating hues of stone on its exterior walls. Walking west from Midan Salah Al-Din along Sharia As-Salbiyya, your eventual destination should be the Mosque of Ibn Tulun however a couple of notable distractions reveal themselves along the way. The first is the twin legacy of the Khanqa (a hostel for monks) and Madrassa left by Amir Shaykhu. The two buildings lie on opposing sides of the street yet have almost identical outward facades and courtyard style interiors. In theory all but a handful of mosques in Egypt are open to tourists and non-Muslims for free. Avoid visiting on a Friday or known holy-day, and it is realistic to pay a small “bakhsheesh” to the guardian who will let you in, and look after your shoes whilst you explore.

Women of Egypt Food & Shopping tour

This specialist tour celebrates diversity through culinary exploration and shopping, offering a unique experience that focuses on the remarkable women behind Downtown Cairo's vibrant food scene. Through curated stops at female-owned restaurants, the tour highlights the personal and professional journeys of culinary trailblazers from diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. The experience also extends beyond food, inviting you to discover female-owned local brands that showcase Egyptian culture and traditions while contributing to the economic empowerment of women and preserving Egypt's rich cultural legacy. This half-day tour significantly enhances your understanding of Egypt, taking you beyond its past and into its future.

Memphis

Memphis is important for its past role as the capital of Ancient Egypt for nearly 1,000 years, and the city for which Saqqara was the royal necropolis. It was also the spiritual centre for the worship of Ptah, the god of creativity and art. The great temple to Ptah forms the heart of the open-air museum at Memphis; statues and sphinxes are dotted throughout the ruins and a large modern building covers a colossal statue of Ramesses II (the Great). Much of the city’s previous pomp and grandeur has been lost to the ages, but it still makes for a fascinating visit to complement the more renowned big hitters for history buffs and those with a hankering for all things Ancient Egypt.