2026 Egypt & Morocco inc. Nile River Cruise

We commence the tour with an overnight flight to Dubai.

We arrive in Dubai early this morning and after clearing Customs and Immigration formalities, we are met and transferred to our hotel for a two-night stay. There is time to rest up after the flight until mid-afternoon where we meet up to enjoy a visit to Dubai Miracle Garden. Each season, as the weather begins to cool at the onset of winter, the gates reopen. With more than 150 million flowers in full bloom, this 72,000-sq-m paradise has flowered into one of the region’s most picturesque, sweet-scented destinations for more than a decade now. There is time for exploration at the garden, before we return to the hotel for dinner this evening.

We start our day with a visit to the Museum of the Future. One of Dubai’s most famous landmarks, the museum takes pride of place along the city’s superhighway, Sheikh Zayed Road. Founded by the Dubai Future Foundation and launched on 22 February 2022, the museum explores how society could evolve in the coming decades using science and technology. Termed a ‘living museum’, it incorporates elements of traditional exhibitions, immersive theatre and themed attractions, so visitors can look beyond the present and towards the future’s limitless possibilities. Visitors have the chance to engage with this game-changing technology. Each floor of the museum is designed like an expansive, interactive movie set, brought to life by expert storytellers, technologists and visionary artists. Early afternoon, we return to the airport for our mid-afternoon flight to Cairo. We arrive early evening, and check into our hotel, the Marriott Mena House Hotel, set in palm-fringed gardens with spectacular views of the pyramids. After settling in we enjoy a welcome drink and dinner.

We visit the most iconic of Egyptian sites this morning – the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza. Here we will see the great pyramid built by Cheops, containing more than 2.3 million cubic metres of stone. Our guide will help navigate the Giza Plateau complex and enrich your discovery. After our visit, we enjoy lunch before returning to our hotel for time at leisure.

This morning, we visit the New Grand Egyptian Museum. Constructed to be the world’s largest museum exhibiting only one civilization, the Grand Egyptian Museum will display incredible artefacts of “the ancient Egyptian civilisation” from prehistoric times through until the Greco-Roman period. After our visit, we enjoy lunch before returning to our hotel for time at leisure. This evening, we enjoy a walking tour of the famous Mamluk Ottoman street of Moez – a 1 km long pedestrian street, and to quote the UN, it has “the greatest concentration of medieval architectural treasures in the Islamic world”. We explore the Khan El Khalili Bazaar, followed by dinner in an authentic local restaurant.

This morning, we visit Sakkara, one of the most exciting historical and archaeological areas in all of Egypt. Dominated by the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser, this was the first pyramid to be built in ancient Egypt – preceding those at Giza by many centuries. We will also have the opportunity to visit the Tombs of the Nobles, Imhotep Museum, and the tomb of Mastaba of Ti. This grand and detailed private tomb is not only Old Kingdom art at its best but also one of our main sources of knowledge about life in Old Kingdom Egypt. Its owner, Ti, was overseer of the Abu Sir pyramids and sun temples (among other things) during the 5th dynasty. In fact, the superb quality of his tomb is in keeping with his nickname, Ti the Rich. Remainder of the day is at leisure, and dinner is at the hotel this evening.

After checking out of our hotel this morning, we visit the Egyptian Museum, which houses the treasures of Tutankhamun, often referred to as the “Boy King”. The museum if comprised of more than 250,000 pieces and artifacts from King Tutankhamun’s tomb, and treasures hidden for thousands of years. After a light lunch, we head to the airport to join our early afternoon flight to Luxor. On arrival, we are transferred to our hotel – The Sonesta St George, overlooking the Nile, offering wonderful views from the hotel swimming pool and bar. This evening, we visit the Luxor Temple. The Luxor and Karnak temples are two incredible “open air museums” linked by the 2.7km long Avenue of Sphinxes, originally lined with over 1,000 sphinx statues.

This morning, we visit the Museum of Luxor, a museum featuring items found beneath the Luxor Temple, and from the tomb of King Tut. Also on exhibit is a re-assembled wall from the Temple of Aten. After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon is free to explore the city at leisure.

This morning, having previously visited the Luxor Temple, we now explore the Karnak temple. It is believed to be the second-most-visited historical site in Egypt; only the Giza pyramid complex receives more visits. Later this morning board we board our cruise ship to begin our 4-night cruise on the life-giving waters of the Nile. Each cabin has a Nile view. Cabins include TV, Telephone, Satellite channels, Safety deposit box, and hairdryer. The upper deck includes a swimming pool, spa and deck chairs to relax and watch the life along the Nile slip by.

Today cross to the West Bank of the Nile to the Valley of the Kings. Part of the ancient city of Thebes, this area was the burial site of almost all the pharaohs of the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties (1539–1075 BCE). Later, continue to the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut and haunting Colossi of Memnon, which is known to make an eerie wailing sound. Today your tour will also include entrance into the Boy King Tutankhamun Tomb. (no photos permitted). Later, visit the fascinating Howard Carter’s house. Neglected for a long time, the house has now been restored to its former state by the famous Egyptologist and Archaeologist Dr Zahi Hawass and now offers a fascinating insight into the life of Howard Carter against an amazing 1920 backdrop.

Another unforgettable day beckons as we visit Edfu Temple. This temple, the best preserved in all of Egypt, was completed during the reign of Cleopatra and has provided much knowledge of ancient Egypt. Afternoon visit to the Kom Ombo Temple known for its murals, bas relief, fine Nile views and fascinating mummified crocodiles! Later sail to Aswan.

After breakfast on our boat, we visit the Aswan Dams at the end of Lake Nasser, the re-sited Temple of Philae dedicated to the Goddess Isis and the granite quarries. Delight in the serenity of an afternoon sail on a traditional Felucca around Kitchener Island. Also known as Nabatat or Botanical Island, this charming island paradise was irrigated and planted with a vast collection of tropical trees, many from as far away as India.

Sadly, we disembark this morning after breakfast, however we join a tour to Abu Simbel. Abu Simbel is the site of one of the greatest engineering feats by UNESCO. It was built to save Egyptian monuments from the waters of Lake Nasser, the artificial lake created behind the Aswan High Dam that wiped out the Kingdom of Nubia. On this tour which includes return flights, we will see the great temple of Ramses II, with its four massive seated figures of the youthful Ramses, carved into the side of the cliff, to resemble a temple pylon and rising to 32m. Now they are supported on an artificial domed structure, which you will be able to enter. Later today we transfer to our hotel, the historic Old Cataract Hotel, where Dame Agatha Christie penned Death on the Nile. We spend two nights here.

Today is at your leisure. Explore the city further or simply relax and enjoy the facilities of the legendary hotel.

We depart to Cairo early afternoon where we will stay overnight at a hotel in the Heliopolis area close to the airport.

This morning we board our flight to Casablanca, Morocco. After clearing Customs and Immigration formalities, we will enjoy a welcome lunch where you will try Moroccan specialities such has tagine, couscous and pastilla. This afternoon, we take an orientation tour of the city’s highlights including a visit to Hassan II Mosque. We continue on along the Moroccan Atlantic Coast to the modern capital of Rabat where we will stay overnight.

This morning, we visit the Royal Palace and Hassan Tower before continuing our drive north to Chefchaouen. Nestled high in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is famous for its buildings washed in bright shades of blue.  We check in to our hotel late afternoon and there is time to freshen up prior to dinner.

Enjoy a day to explore Chefchaouen, fondly known as one of the prettiest towns in Morocco. Discover Plaza Outa el-Hammam, the main square named for the number of hammams (public baths) which used to encircle it, we visit the Grand Mosque and tour the kasbah’s garden, museum, and even some of its old prison cells. Ascend the path leading to the abandoned white Spanish Mosque and enjoy views over Chefchaouen. We return to the hotel in the afternoon and the rest of the day is at leisure.

We have a relaxed morning before we start our journey to Fez. In its heyday, Fez attracted scholars and philosophers, mathematicians and lawyers, astronomers and theologians and it’s here in this walled city that you will find the oldest university in the world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fez will transport you back to medieval times. This evening, we enjoy a dinner of Moroccan specialties as well as folklore and belly dancing.

On our guided tour of this “City of The Mind”, we visit the Medina and the walled city of hidden courtyards, mosques and tiny workshops and the ancient bazaar. This afternoon is at leisure – maybe think about an optional visit to a Berber village.

Today we drive through the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, past mud walled villages and onto Marrakech for a two-night stay. Africa’s most popular year-round sun resort, it was once the favourite spot of Winston Churchill.

On a guided tour this morning we see the Koutobia Minaret, visit the Saadi Tombs and explore the Medina with its many souks. The tour ends in Jemaa Square where acrobats, dancers and fortune tellers entertain you. This afternoon is at leisure.

Today we travel west to the Atlantic coast and the former pirate’s lair of Essaouira, one of Morocco’s most attractive coastal cities. Crenelated walls, special wind, houses with white and blue facades, Essaouira, the ancient Mogador is the “Bride of the Atlantic”. It is one of those coastal cities where the unique atmosphere and water activities seamlessly blend. We enjoy two-nights in this beautiful city.

Today is free for you to explore Essaouira. Head to the harbour and witness the daily auction in motion at the fish markets, browse the many shops and art galleries in the maze of alleyways and appreciate the Portuguese, French and Berber influence in the architecture.

We journey back to Casablanca today. The afternoon is free on arrival, for you to further explore this seafront city, before we meet up for our final dinner together, before we start the journey home.

A leisurely morning, before we make our way to the airport to join our early afternoon flight to Dubai. Arrival time in early morning on 13 November, and we have arranged hotel rooms, located inside the airport terminal. There is time for a few hours rest.

Time for the last leg of our journey. Our flight departs at approx. 10.00am.

Arrive Auckland mid-morning.