Your Egyptian journey begins in Cairo, the bustling capital known as the "Mother of the World." This sprawling city straddles the past and present, from traffic-clogged roundabouts to 7,000-year-old ruins. Today is all about easing into this new rhythm—welcoming the women who will become your chosen travel sisters and setting the tone for a journey rich in discovery, elegance, and connection.

✈️ Arrival at Cairo International Airport (CAI)
🚌 Private VIP airport transfer
🏨 Overnight at Kempinski Nile Hotel – Nile Deluxe Room
👗 Attire Tip: Comfortable, travel-friendly attire—no formalwear needed this evening

Morning

Arrival in Cairo
Upon arrival in Cairo, you’ll be greeted by a TDJ representative and personally assisted through customs, baggage, and visa procedures. From there, you’ll travel by private car to your home for the next few nights: the 5-star Kempinski Nile Hotel. Located in the chic Garden City neighborhood along the banks of the Nile, the hotel offers stylish comfort and refined hospitality. Settle into your Nile-view Deluxe Room, refresh, and rest from your travels.

Afternoon

Optional Rest or Nile Promenade Walk
After checking in, take time to relax, nap, journal, or lounge on the rooftop terrace. If you’re feeling energized, explore the peaceful promenade that runs alongside the Nile—perfect for people-watching, photo ops, or your first taste of fresh sugarcane juice.

Evening

Welcome Dinner – Meet the Dandies
🕗 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Tonight we gather for our official welcome dinner at one of Cairo’s hidden-gem restaurants. Settle in around a beautifully set table and meet your fellow travelers over a spread of traditional Egyptian dishes with a modern twist—think roasted eggplant, tangy molokhia, grilled lamb, and pomegranate-glazed vegetables. This is the perfect time to toast the adventure ahead and begin weaving the connections that will make this trip unforgettable.

Overnight: Kempinski Nile Hotel – Nile Deluxe Room

Our first full day in Egypt is a deep immersion into its ancient grandeur. From the treasure-filled halls of the Grand Egyptian Museum to the world-famous Giza Plateau, we’ll walk in the footsteps of pharaohs, queens, and divine legends. This is Egypt in all its majesty—timeless, towering, and unforgettable.

🚌 Full-day private guided exploration
🏨 Overnight at Kempinski Nile Hotel – Nile Deluxe Room
👗 Attire Tip: Modest attire for cultural sites; comfortable walking shoes; hat or scarf for sun protection

Morning

Breakfast at the Hotel
Savor a beautiful Egyptian breakfast overlooking the Nile. You’ll want plenty of fuel for the full day ahead.

Grand Egyptian Museum
We begin at the awe-inspiring Grand Egyptian Museum—a vast, modern showcase of over 100,000 ancient artifacts. Your private Egyptologist will guide you through the crown jewels of Egyptology: the golden mask and burial treasures of King Tutankhamun, enormous statues of Ramses II, ancient scrolls, ceremonial tools, and countless relics that reveal the depth and ingenuity of pharaonic civilization. You’ll leave this space with a profound sense of history—and a deeper connection to what lies ahead.

Afternoon

Lunch in Giza
We’ll stop for lunch at a peaceful garden restaurant in the shadow of the pyramids. Sip fresh juices and enjoy dishes like koshari, grilled chicken, and baba ghanoush.

Pyramids of Giza, Valley Temple & the Sphinx
Prepare to be awed. This afternoon we explore the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World: the Great Pyramid of Khufu. Learn how these astonishing structures were built more than 4,500 years ago, walk among them with your guide, and descend into one of the tombs if you wish. At the nearby Valley Temple, we’ll trace the rituals of mummification. Then gaze up at the Great Sphinx—silent, stoic, and still holding her ancient secrets.

Visit to Papyrus Institute
Before returning to the hotel, we stop at a local workshop to learn how ancient Egyptians created one of the world’s earliest forms of paper using papyrus reeds. Watch a demonstration and browse hand-painted papyrus art.

Evening

Dinner at Leisure
Enjoy a relaxed evening. You might choose to dine at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, or your Dandie can help coordinate an optional group meal nearby.

Overnight: Kempinski Nile Hotel – Nile Deluxe Room

Today we venture outside Cairo to uncover Egypt’s earliest pyramids and burial sites in Saqqara—a necropolis that predates even the Great Pyramid. After a powerful morning among ancient tombs, we’ll journey into the peaceful oasis of Fayoum, where slow rhythms and artisan traditions await.

🚌 Overland transfer from Cairo to Fayoum (with excursions en route)
🏨 Overnight at Lazib Inn Resort & Spa – Superior Room
👗 Attire Tip: Modest attire and closed-toe shoes for tombs; sun hat and breathable clothing recommended

Morning

Breakfast & Hotel Check-Out
Enjoy breakfast before we say goodbye to Cairo and set off for Saqqara, one of the oldest and most fascinating archaeological zones in all of Egypt.

Step Pyramid of Djoser & Saqqara Necropolis
We begin with a visit to the Step Pyramid of Djoser—the oldest stone pyramid in the world. Built during the 27th century BCE, it marked the first monumental tomb of its kind. Our Egyptologist will guide us through the innovations of architect Imhotep and the significance of this royal burial site.

Serapeum of Saqqara & Tombs
Explore the underground Serapeum, a mysterious corridor of massive granite sarcophagi thought to house sacred Apis bulls. Then, visit richly decorated tombs such as those of Mereruka and Kagemni, whose vibrant wall carvings offer a glimpse into daily life over 4,000 years ago.

Imhotep Museum
Conclude your Saqqara visit at this beautifully curated museum dedicated to the genius architect of the Step Pyramid. Artifacts and scale models provide excellent context for all we’ve seen.

Afternoon

Carpet School Visit
On the way to Fayoum, we’ll make a short stop at a traditional carpet school where students learn to weave intricate tapestries by hand. See these incredible works in progress and meet the artists carrying on this generational craft.

Drive to Fayoum & Arrival at Lazib Inn
Continue on to the Fayoum Oasis, a verdant stretch of land surrounded by desert and known for its laid-back charm. Upon arrival, check into the boutique Lazib Inn Resort—an elegant retreat overlooking the desert hills.

Evening

Dinner at the Hotel
🕗 7:30 PM
Enjoy a seasonal, farm-to-table meal on the hotel terrace as the sun sets over the dunes.

Overnight: Lazib Inn Resort & Spa – Superior Room