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White Desert Protected Area is a national park in Egypt is located in the Farafra

14-Day Sahara Desert and Nile River

Starting at USD 3380 per person

Day 1: Arrive in Egypt for your Sahara Desert and Nile River Vacation

Your dream vacation is in good hands from the minute you arrive in Egypt, Land of the Pharaohs. It doesn’t matter what time you arrive, there will be a tour consultant and a driver standing by to meet you when you pass through immigration. You will then be assisted with your luggage and driven in cool comfort to the classy Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel where you will be spending your first two nights.

Our consultant will assist with check-in and then he sit down with you to discuss your itinerary and to confirm collection times for your different tours. No activities are scheduled for the first day so once all the formalities have been taken care of, enjoy a free “Welcome drink and have the rest of the day to yourself. Enjoy a nap in your room; relax by the pool; go explore the city, or treat yourself to something special with a wonderful Nile cruise dinner

Day 2: Pyramids and the GEM

Begin your day with a satisfying breakfast at your hotel before your personal guide escorts you to the Giza Plateau. Here, you’ll start your adventure by exploring one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the magnificent Great Pyramids of Giza. As you tour the Plateau, you’ll also have a chance to view the iconic Sphinx and the Valley Temple. After this remarkable experience, enjoy a delicious lunch at a traditional Egyptian restaurant.

Great Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx with tourists and camel in desert landscape
Great Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx

Following lunch, make your way to the New Grand Egyptian Museum, or Giza Museum, an extraordinary archaeological attraction located about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the Giza Pyramids.

Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza, Cairo
Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza, Cairo

End your day with an overnight stay at your hotel in Cairo.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Day 3: Bahariya Oasis

After breakfast, you will be collected from your Cairo hotel by your professional tour guide and driver and set off on a picturesque drive toward Bahariya Oasis, situated about 360 km east of Cairo. The drive lasts approximately four hours and provides time to unwind while taking in the vast desert scenery.

Upon arrival in the oasis, you will enjoy a pleasant lunch before beginning your sightseeing. Your first stop will be the Golden Mummy Hall, home to an impressive collection of remarkably preserved mummies. You will then visit two noble tombs dating back to the 26th Dynasty, which are part of an extensive ancient necropolis in Bahariya. A key highlight is the Tomb of Bannantiu, celebrated for its detailed wall paintings and historical importance.

English House on English Mountain in Bahariya Oasis, Egypt – historic British outpost with panoramic desert views
English House on English Mountain in Bahariya Oasis

To round off the day, you will ascend to the English House, where breathtaking panoramic views of the oasis and surrounding desert await. After the visit, you will be transferred comfortably to your hotel.

Overnight in Bahariya Oasis.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: White Desert and Black Desert

After breakfast, set out on an exciting drive to the Black Desert, where the dark, volcanic hills create a striking and unforgettable landscape. Your journey continues to the natural hot spring of El Haize, also known as St. George Oasis, a serene location famed for its warm, relaxing waters.

Next, visit Crystal Mountain and admire the glittering quartz formations that naturally sparkle in the desert light. You will then explore the Valley of Agabat, celebrated for its impressive and unusual rock formations. The adventure continues to the White Desert National Park, one of Egypt’s most extraordinary natural wonders. This remarkable area is known for its surreal limestone formations shaped by wind and time into mushroom-like and rounded structures, creating a landscape unlike any other desert in the world.

4x4 vehicle exploring White Desert limestone formations with tire tracks in sand
4×4 vehicle exploring White Desert limestone formations

As evening approaches, you will either spend the night camping under the stars in the White Desert or stay overnight at a hotel in Farafra Oasis, subject to availability.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Farafra & Dakhla

After breakfast, depart for Farafra Oasis, where you will have the chance to visit the distinctive mud-brick museum created by the local artist Badr, displaying his detailed and imaginative artwork. From Farafra, continue on a scenic drive of approximately three hours to reach Dakhla Oasis.

Nature in the Dakhla Oasis Western Desert Egypt 1
Nature in the Dakhla Oasis, Western Desert

Upon arrival, your sightseeing begins with a visit to the peaceful Roman Temple of Deir El Hagar, beautifully situated in a quiet desert setting. You will then explore the Roman necropolis of Mezzawaqqa, an intriguing archaeological site known for its well-preserved tombs. The journey continues to the Islamic village of Al Qasr, located around 35 km from Mut, where you can discover the remains of an ancient Ayyubid-era mosque and gain insight into the area’s rich Islamic heritage.

Overnight in Dakhla at Oasis Style Hut.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Dakhla – Kharga Oasis

After breakfast, travel to Kharga Oasis and begin your sightseeing with an external visit to the Roman Temple of Hibis and the nearby Temple of Nadura, admiring their impressive architecture from the outside. You will then continue to the Bagawat Cemetery, one of the oldest early Christian burial grounds, where chapels decorated with beautifully preserved wall paintings provide insight into ancient beliefs and traditions..

Kharga Oasis
Kharga Oasis

The day concludes with a visit to the National Museum of the New Valley, offering deeper knowledge of the area’s history and cultural legacy.

Overnight at a hotel in Kharga.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7: Arrive Luxor

Enjoy your breakfast in the desert and then you will be driven in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle to Luxor, where you will check into a good hotel for the night.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8: Luxor & Karnak Temples

After breakfast, you will be transferred in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle to embark on your elegant 5-star Nile cruise. Once on board and checked in, enjoy a freshly prepared lunch as the cruise begins its journey along the Nile.

Karnak Temple, Luxor
Karnak Temple, Luxor

Later in the afternoon, set out to explore the magnificent Karnak Temple Complex, one of Egypt’s largest and most remarkable religious sites. This is followed by a visit to the grand Luxor Temple, which becomes especially enchanting as it is illuminated at sunset. After the tour, return to the cruise ship for a delicious dinner while unwinding in the peaceful atmosphere on board.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9: Luxor West Bank and Sail to Edfu

After enjoying breakfast aboard your Nile cruise, set out on a memorable visit to the Valley of the Kings, the final resting place of 62 pharaohs. Discover the richly decorated tombs of ancient rulers, including those of Tutankhamun and Ramses. The journey continues to the impressive Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a remarkable monument dating back to the 15th century BC and designed by the queen’s architects during the New Kingdom.

Valley of the Kings, Luxor
Valley of the Kings, Luxor

You will then stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two monumental statues that have stood for centuries overlooking the Theban necropolis. Following this fascinating tour, return to the cruise ship for lunch. In the afternoon, the cruise sets sail toward Edfu, allowing you to relax and enjoy the ever-changing scenery along the Nile. As evening approaches, savor a delicious dinner on board while experiencing the calm and beauty of the river.

Overnight on board the Nile Cruise.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10: Edfu and Kom Ombo

Breakfast will be served aboard ship and then you will visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu. You will board the ship once more and sail to Kom Ombo, where you will enjoy lunch, as well as visiting the Kom Ombo Temple, before continuing on to Aswan.

The Temple of Kom Ombo, Aswan
Kom Ombo Temple, on the banks of the Nile

You will stay aboard ship at Aswan for the night.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11: Aswan Sightseeing

After breakfast aboard your Nile cruise, spend the day exploring the highlights of Aswan. Your sightseeing begins at the impressive High Dam, a remarkable feat of engineering that regulates the Nile and led to the formation of Lake Nasser. You will then visit the Unfinished Obelisk, the largest ancient obelisk ever discovered, located in the northern area of the old granite quarries.

Lion Statues Temple of Isis Philae Aswan Egypt
Temple of Philae, Aswan

The tour continues to the tranquil Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddesses Isis and Hathor. Situated on an island, this stunning complex offers a captivating insight into ancient Egyptian religion, architecture, and history.

After a day rich in discoveries, return to the cruise ship to relax and enjoy a delicious dinner while reflecting on the experiences of the day.

Overnight on board your Nile Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Disembarkation

After breakfast on board your Nile cruise, you will check out and transfer to Aswan Airport for your return flight to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo, you will be met and escorted to your hotel, where you can enjoy some time to relax after your memorable Nile journey.

Overnight in Cairo.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 13: Final Departure

You have enjoyed a wonderful desert adventure; an unforgettable cruise, and some indescribable sightseeing. Unfortunately, the last day of your vacation has dawned, and it is time for you to bid Egypt farewell.

Before you leave however; you can enjoy a nice wholesome breakfast at your hotel. One of our consultants will soon be there with a driver and they will take you to the airport for your flight home. Fasten your seat belt and soar off into the sunset with your memories eternal.

Tours begin every Friday, Saturday and Monday.

What’s Included

  • Meet, greet and assist service with all arrivals and departures
  • Continuous assistance from our guest relations team throughout your stay
  • All transfers conducted in a private, air-conditioned vehicle
  • Three nights’ accommodation in Cairo, including breakfast and all applicable taxes
  • One night’s stay in Bahariya Oasis on a half-board basis
  • One night of accommodation in the White Desert, either camping or staying at a hotel in Farafra Oasis, on a half-board basis
  • One night’s accommodation in Dakhla Oasis on a half-board basis
  • One night’s accommodation in Kharga Oasis on a half-board basis
  • One night’s stay in Luxor, including breakfast
  • Four nights on a 5-star Nile Cruise with full-board meals
  • Private air-conditioned transfer from Cairo to Siwa
  • All transportation within the White Desert by 4×4 jeep
  • Private air-conditioned transfer from Cairo to Luxor
  • Services of a private English-speaking guide in Cairo and the Oases
  • Private guided sightseeing in Cairo (as per itinerary)
  • Guided sightseeing during the Nile cruise (shared excursions)
  • All sightseeing excursions in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and the Oases as detailed in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees to all sites listed in the itinerary
  • Domestic flight from Aswan to Cairo
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary
  • Complimentary bottled water throughout the tripPorterage service when required
  • All applicable service charges and taxes included

What’s Not Included

  • International flights
  • Egypt visa
  • Optional tours
  • Meals except where indicated
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips and gratuities

Tour Highlights

The Giza Plateau, Cairo
The Giza Plateau, Cairo
The Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza, Cairo
The Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza, Cairo
Bahariya Oasis, Sahara Desert
Bahariya Oasis, Sahara Desert
Crystal Mountain, Western Desert
Crystal Mountain, Western Desert
The White Desert, Bahariya Oasis
The White Desert, Bahariya Oasis
The Black Desert, Bahariya Oasis
The Black Desert, Bahariya Oasis
Al-Farafra Oasis in the Sahara Desert
Al-Farafra Oasis in the Sahara Desert
Cruise ship glides along the tranquil Nile River
Cruise ship glides along the Nile River
Karnak Temple, Luxor
Karnak Temple, Luxor
Aerial view of Hatshepsut Temple at sunrise in Luxor, Egypt – a highlight of Egypt tours from NYC, nestled beneath red cliffs on the Nile’s west bank in the Valley of the Kings.
Hatshepsut Temple, Luxor
The Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel, Aswan
The Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel, Aswan
Philae Temple, Aswan
Philae Temple, Aswan

Accommodation Plan

  • Badawiya Farafra Hotel
  • Desert Lodge Hotel Dakhla
  • DWA Nile Cruise
  • Hilton Pyramids Golf Resort
  • International Hot Spring Hotel, Bahareya Oasis
  • MS Salacia Nile Cruise
  • Shahrazad Camp
  • Sol Y Mar Pioneers Kharga Resort
  • Sonesta St. George Hotel, Luxor
Price per 1 person
2 Persons$3975
4-6 Persons$3180

14-Day Sahara Desert and Nile River

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Nile River near Esna Lock in Aswan, Egypt, as two cruise boats navigate the waters

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