Day 1 – Cairo or El Fayoum to El Minya
You’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven south along the Nile to El Minya, following the river into a quieter, less-visited part of Egypt. Along the way, you’ll stop at the rock-cut tombs of Beni Hassan, set high above the valley, where you can explore a handful of beautifully decorated interiors.
Continuing via Tell el-Amarna, you’ll arrive in El Minya, an area known for some of Egypt’s best-preserved archaeological sites, including the temples of Nefertiti, which you’ll visit tomorrow. The town itself has a relaxed charm, with elegant architecture reflecting its prosperous past, and you’ll stay overnight in a centrally located hotel.
Day 2 – Visit the city of Nefertiti
Today you’ll head out with your guide to explore one of Egypt’s most fascinating historic sites, the ancient city of Tell el-Amarna, once known as the Sun City. Built by Pharaoh Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti in honour of Aten, the sun god, it was once filled with temples, palaces and tombs spread across the desert, and even now, more than 3,000 years on, it’s a pretty special place to wander and take it all in. Later, you’ll continue on to the pilgrimage town of Abydos, one of Egypt’s most important religious centres, where you’ll settle in for the night in a comfortable hotel.
Day 3 – Visit the city of Abydos and the temple complex of Dendera
After breakfast, you’ll head out to explore the ancient city of Abydos, once a key centre for the worship of Osiris, god of the afterlife. It became an important pilgrimage site, and as you wander through the impressive complex, you’ll see some beautifully preserved carved reliefs that have stood the test of time.
Later, continue to Dendera to visit the Temple of Hathor, dedicated to the goddess of love and joy. The temple is known for its striking columns and rare intact roof, which you can walk on for views across the surrounding countryside. From here, it’s around a two-hour drive to Luxor, where you can sit back and enjoy the changing scenery. On arrival, we can arrange a hotel stay, or you may choose to spend a few extra days exploring Luxor and the nearby Valley of the Kings.
Accommodation
