Cultural Highlights of Northern Egypt: Cairo & Siwa - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo, Sailing Adventure on the Nile

Welcome to Egypt! You'll spend the first few days of your trip exploring Cairo. You'll stroll its labyrinth of ancient alleyways, stand in the shadow of the Great Pyramids, and experience Egypt through the eyes of locals, but first—your driver is waiting for you at the airport in an air-conditioned vehicle. Watch as the chaotic city center unfolds from the comfort of your luxury ride, then drop your bags at the hotel and get settled in.

Later in the afternoon, you'll set off on a private sailing adventure on a traditional wooden boat. Egyptians have been navigating the Nile River by felucca for thousands of years, since the time of the pharaohs. Take in Cairo's glittering skyline, including the Cairo Tower, and enjoy a delicious lunch, complete with Cairo's typical cuisine and desserts. Cap off the experience by watching the sun dip below the horizon as you glide along the longest river in the world. 

Day 2: Pyramids Excursion & Camel Ride, Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum

Today's tour begins with one of the highlights of any trip to Egypt—a visit to Giza's Great Pyramids. Grab breakfast and meet your guide, then set off for an adventurous look at the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. You'll experience their imposing presence from the back of a camel, giving you a unique vantage point over the shifting sands. The iconic Great Sphinx, watching over the plateau, is also on the docket. Another highlight is a quick detour to Saqqara, an ancient Egyptian village and home to one of the world's oldest major stone structures, the Pyramid of Djoser. 

You'll be able to put everything you saw earlier in greater context this afternoon at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). Over 5,000 years of art and relics are housed here, and your guide will help you decipher Egypt's intricate history piece by piece as you witness incredible sights like the mummy of King Tut and his spectacular treasure, buried with him over 3,000 years ago. See the impressive Hanging Obelisk alongside over 250,000 other artifacts, like the imposing statue of King Ramesses II, so large that they built the museum's glass atrium around it.

Day 3: Walking Tour of Old Cairo, Traditional Dance Performance

Kick off day three by diving even deeper into Cairo's history in Coptic Cairo, a beautiful and ancient part of the city. This neighborhood was a stronghold of early Christianity, and many of its monuments are pilgrimage sites. The Hanging Church, built atop a Roman fortress, the Church of Abu-Serga, where Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were said to have taken refuge, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, where it's rumored that baby Moses was found, are all local monuments of religious importance to Christians. 

After a local lunch, your walking tour continues to one of Cairo's most famous streets—El-Moez. Formally known as El Moez Le Din Allah, this thoroughfare is a concentrated collection of medieval Islamic architecture with monuments like the Bab el-Fetouh and Bab el-Nasr, two ancient gates to the city. You'll continue unraveling Cairo's past with your guide, heading north to El-Darb el-Asfar, the ancient Islamic quarter, before sifting through an explosion of color at the Khan el-Khalili bazaar—the perfect place to grab a souvenir.

This evening, you'll end an already perfect day by witnessing a traditional dance performance by the Al-Tannoura Troupe. Get settled inside the Wekalet el-Ghouri Arts Center, built in the 16th century. If you've ever heard of the term "whirling dervish," you'll soon understand how it came to be. Watch and listen as these skilled artisans play folk music and twirl around the room in colorful costumes.

Day 4: Egyptian Cooking Class & Dinner with a Local Family

Today, you'll be immersed in Egyptian culture, spending the day with a local family. But this isn't just any household— you'll be hanging out with your guide's family members in a traditional home. Cook elbow to elbow with your hosts, learning how to make Egyptian classics. While the dishes may vary, you can expect to use ingredients like fresh veggies and plenty of spices. Cumin, mint, and saffron are some of the fragrant seasonings you might encounter. End the meal with fresh fruit, like figs, pomegranates, and melon, and delicious Egyptian desserts, all served with tea. 

You've already seen most of Cairo's best sites so don't feel guilty if you want to spend the afternoon back at the hotel, relaxing by the pool. If your adventurous side isn't quite satiated, you can also keep exploring or visit another museum, like the Gayer-Anderson Art Museum. Tomorrow, you'll leave Cairo in the dust on your way to the palm-fringed paradise of the Siwa Oasis. 

Day 5: Transfer to Siwa via World War II Museum & Marsa Matruh

There's no hiding that today will be a long drive across the Western Desert. It will take you 10 hours to reach your ultimate destination of the remote Siwa Oasis from Cairo, but it's well worth the trek, and your private driver knows just how to break up the road trip. Your first pit stop is in El-Alamein, where you'll visit the El-Alamein War Museum. This area was once a battlefield as Germany vied for control of the Suez Canal. You'll learn more about Egypt's often-forgotten role in World War II and see debris from the battlefield itself in the form of paraphernalia, weapons, flags, and uniforms.

Make your way deeper into the desert, following the Mediterranean Sea, until you reach the resort town of Marsa Matruh. You'll grab lunch in a local restaurant and admire the pristine beaches and turquoise sea before making an abrupt turn into the heart of the desert. Before long, you'll start to notice an ocean of palm trees on the horizon. That's no mirage—this is the Siwa Oasis. Home to saltwater pools that rival the Dead Sea and distinctive mud-brick houses, you'll be exploring this ancient city with your guide tomorrow.

Day 6: Visit the Siwa Museum, Local Temples & Bir Wahed, Bedouin Dinner

Fuel up for the day with a quick breakfast—you'll need it for your adventures in Siwa today! Start your introduction to this desert oasis in the Shali Old Town. Built entirely of mud and saltwater, most of this 13th-century fortress has slowly fallen into ruin over time. You'll have a greater understanding of Siwa's importance after a visit to the Siwa Museum with your guide next. Thousands of years of Siwan history are revealed here through ceramics, jewelry, instruments, and even traditional wedding outfits. 

This afternoon, you'll head to the Oracle Temple, also known as the Amun Temple, where Alexander the Great sought confirmation from the oracle as to whether he was truly the son of Zeus. Siwa's sparkling jewel in the desert is next at Cleopatra's Spring. You'll have lunch beside this azure pool before moving deeper into the desert to visit Bir Wahed. Tucked between two towering sand dunes in the Great Sand Sea, this hot spring is your final stop before dinner at a Bedouin camp this evening. Tuck into a delicious feast under the stars, then call it a night.

Day 7: Transfer to Cairo, Walking Food Tour

Enjoy your last desert sunrise, grab a quick breakfast, and hop in the car to make the long trek back to Cairo. You'll have plenty of time to admire the desert as it fades to Egypt's Mediterranean seaside resorts and back to the desert again as you approach Cairo.

Before you know it, you'll be back in the hustle and bustle of this desert capital, where you can savor the final evening of your trip on a walking food tour of the city center. Follow in the footsteps of your food-focused guide, who knows the best places to grab fresh sugar cane juice, street food snacks like koshari (Egypt's national dish), and sweet treats like om ali (Egyptian bread pudding). You'll also learn about traditions, customs, and plenty of history along the way. 

Day 8: Depart Cairo

It's your last day in Cairo and it's time to head to the airport. Your driver will be waiting outside your accommodation in plenty of time for you to catch your flight. Until next time!

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