Imagine standing right between the paws of the Sphinx.
Sailing the Nile aboard a historic royal steamship while ancient temples drift past.
Walking through tombs older than recorded history alongside your own Egyptologist.
Experiencing Egypt with a small, fun group where every major detail is thoughtfully handled for you.
This is not a rushed bus tour.
This is Egypt done right.
From luxury accommodations and expert guidance to a private charter aboard the historic SS Karim, Royal Egypt 2027 was intentionally designed to create the experience many people wait a lifetime to have.
Small group • Owner-led • Historic Nile sailing • Abu Simbel included • Internal flights included
Many Egypt tours focus on checking boxes quickly.
Royal Egypt was intentionally designed to feel immersive, comfortable, and meaningful.
✅ Private charter aboard the historic SS Karim
A rare Nile steamship experience unlike standard cruise vessels.
✅ Owner-led experience
Travel alongside someone deeply invested in making every detail exceptional.
✅ Your Egyptologist from Day 1
Not rotating guides or inconsistent experiences.
✅ Abu Simbel included
One of Egypt’s greatest sites already built into the itinerary.
✅ Internal flights included
Less stress. Better pacing.
✅ Airport meet & greet assistance
We help make arrival easy and seamless.
✅ Thoughtfully paced itinerary
Immersive without feeling rushed.
One of the most extraordinary parts of this journey is sailing aboard the historic 1917 SS Karim, a beautifully restored royal steamship unlike the large commercial Nile cruises many travelers experience. This boat is literally the boat of former kings of Egypt.
Elegant and full of old-world charm, the ship offers a far more personal and memorable way to experience the Nile.
Watching the sunset from deck as temples pass by is one of those moments travelers never forget.
Because of the intimate nature of the SS Karim and our intentionally small group size, space is very limited.
It’s one of the most common questions we receive.
The honest answer? Egypt may surprise you.
For many travelers, concerns about Egypt are often shaped by headlines or assumptions rather than the reality of what it feels like to travel there. Egypt is one of the world’s great tourism destinations, welcoming millions of international visitors each year, and tourism plays an incredibly important role in the country.
The reality on the ground in Egypt’s major tourism regions is often very different from what many people imagine. Places like Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and the Nile tourism corridor are highly accustomed to international travelers, and many of our guests return home saying:
“I felt far safer and more comfortable than I expected.”
We also believe that how you travel matters, and that is one of the reasons we designed this journey the way we did.
Throughout the experience, we work with trusted, long-standing local partners who help ensure things run smoothly behind the scenes. From the moment you arrive, you are supported by experienced professionals who know Egypt intimately and are deeply invested in creating an exceptional experience.
This is not a “figure it out yourself” trip.
From Day 1, we travel together with our expert Egyptologist, who remains with us throughout the journey. You’ll have guidance, cultural context, and support every step of the way.
Upon arrival in Egypt, you’ll also receive airport meet-and-greet assistance, helping make your arrival process smoother and far less intimidating than many travelers expect. From navigating the airport to transfers and logistics, we intentionally work to reduce stress and create a seamless experience.
At the time of planning, the U.S. Department of State lists Egypt as a Level 2 advisory (“Exercise Increased Caution”), the same level assigned to countries many Americans comfortably visit each year, including places such as Italy, France, and Spain.
Of course, all international travel involves awareness and good judgment, and conditions can change over time. We continuously monitor developments and always prioritize traveler well-being.
What we consistently hear from past travelers is this:
“Egypt ended up feeling far more welcoming, comfortable, and magical than I ever imagined.”
Lodging
1 night at the Hilton Heliopolis Cairo, 7 nights stay on board the SS Karim, 3 nights stay at the Marriott Zamalek Hotel in Cairo
Board
Breakfast at all hotels, tea, coffee, and water as well as breakfast, lunch, and dinner while aboard the SS Karim, farewell dinner in Cairo
Transfers
All airport transfers in Egypt
Domestic Flights
All flights originating and ending in Egypt per itinerary
Airport Meet & Greet
Assistance through the airport upon arrival and through check-in upon departure
Visa
Included for all participants from the USA
Luggage Handling
Included at Egyptian airports and boat
Tour Guide/Egyptologist
Private English-Speaking tour guide (Egyptologist) and Escort throughout the tour
Sightseeing
As per itinerary (including Abu Simbel Excursion and related transfer expenses)
High Tea
At the famous Old Cataract Hotel while in Aswan
Entrances
Basic entrance tickets to all sites included in the itinerary
Tour Escort
24 hour Cultured Travel tour escort/consierge available before and during your tour
Passport
Must be valid for 6 months past return date to the the U.S.
Airfare
Transportation from your home to the departure airport, any parking or toll fees incurred, and any airfare necessary to arrive or return. Round-trip airfare in to CAI and out from CAI.
Food and Beverage
Any meals, snacks, or beverages not included per itinerary
Alcoholic Beverages
Optional Excursions
Such as the Hot Air Balloon ride or the Giza Sound and Light Show
Please note a camel ride is NOT included
Supplemental Entrances
Not specified in the itinerary
Gratuity
Gratuity is not included and is a large part of Egyptian culture. Please prepare to have $300 - $400 USD per person in cash for tips
Travel Insurance
Strongly Recommended
Royal Egypt 2027 is intentionally designed as a premium, thoughtfully curated small-group experience — one that includes many services, experiences, and logistics often priced separately on other Egypt journeys.
Priced at $7,805 per person double occupancy
Your experience includes:
✅ Private charter aboard the historic SS Karim
✅ Luxury hotel accommodations
✅ Internal airfare within Egypt
✅ Abu Simbel excursion included
✅ Egyptologist throughout the journey
✅ Airport meet & greet assistance
✅ Sightseeing, entrance fees, and guided touring
✅ Most meals
✅ Small-group, owner-led experience
We believe that when visiting a destination as extraordinary as Egypt, it should be done thoughtfully, comfortably, and without cutting corners on the things that matter most.
We understand that bucket-list travel is a meaningful investment and don't want it to be reserved only for people who can write one big check.
To make planning easier, we offer flexible monthly payment options, allowing you to spread the cost over time in a way that feels comfortable for your budget.
Many travelers find that setting up manageable monthly payments makes this once-in-a-lifetime journey far more accessible than they initially imagined.
Reserve your place with a deposit and pay over time.
Because of the intimate nature of the SS Karim and our intentionally small group size, space is limited and accommodations are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
When the cabins are full, they are full.
Arrive in Cairo where you will be greeted at the airport and assisted with your visa and transferring through customs. You will then meet up with your new (and possibly old) friends at the Hilton Heliopolis hotel to rest and get ready for your adventure.
If you are arriving on an earlier date, be certain to have arrangements made for your accommodations which will be at an additional cost. If you are arriving in Cairo in the morning, note the check in time is at 3PM. While efforts will be made to get you into your room as soon as possible, to avoid hanging out in the lobby for a prolonged period of time, you may wish to reserve your room for the night prior to your arrival.
Depart Cairo in the morning and fly as a group to Luxor where you will visit Karnak Temple.
After visiting Karnak temple, embark on the SS Karim, the fantastic and historic vessel you will call home for the next 7 nights. Here, you will enjoy a delicious chef prepared lunch and set sail for Esna.
We will start the morning by sailing to our next stop, the Edfu Temple. After that, the journey will continue down the Nile to Kom Ombo.
Begin the morning with a visit to the Kom Ombo Temple and sail on to Aswan. Enjoy a free afternoon in Aswan or join an optional visit to a Nubian Village. Visit the Souk of Aswan in the evening or perhaps even the option to visit a jewelry shop.
Visit the Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk (a mind-blowing undertaking that never quite came to fruition). Enjoy a low key afternoon in Aswan sipping cocktails or mocktails at the Old Cataract Hotel followed by a tour of the Nubian Museum.
Take a morning flight to Abu Simbel and then return to Aswan. Enjoy an afternoon cruising the Nile while sailing to to Edfu.
Visit the Esna Temple in the morning and enjoy the beauty of the vibrant colors which are still visible after all of these years. Following this visit, we will sail from Esna to Luxor. Here, we will visit the Luxor Temple in the evening.
Visit the West Bank including the Howard Carter House, Ramesseum, the Valley of the Kings (visiting the famous tombs of King Tut and Seti I) and Colossi of Memnon, all after enjoying an optional morning balloon ride. We say optional, but you will truly regret not doing this one! Lunch today will be at a local restaurant on the West Bank.
Unless you are truly terrified of heights, this is a magical experience you will want to take part in. You will be departing the SS Karim early, as in prior to 6AM, but catching the sunrise above the Nile is priceless.
Disembark from the SS Karim after breakfast and fly to Cairo. Check into the Marriott Zamalek hotel. Enjoy a free afternoon in Cairo.
Tour Cairo visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. You will not want to miss the impressive collection of mummies on display here!
Start the morning by traveling out Sakkara. Then journey onward and visit the Giza Plateau and see the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx in a way that few get to. Enjoy your last evening together a group at our farewell dinner overlooking the Nile and the Cairo skyline.
We know you will be sad to leave, but thrilled with all the the memories and experiences you can share with others back home!
**Please note: All itineraries are subject to change. We reserve the right to make adjustments as needed to ensure the best possible experience.
Of all the places I have traveled in the world, Egypt holds a truly special place in my heart.
I know that for many people, Egypt is a destination they dream about for years, sometimes even decades, and if I am being entrusted to help someone experience a dream like that, I believe it deserves to be done thoughtfully and exceptionally well.
That is exactly why this journey was created.
Over the years, we have built incredible relationships in Egypt with people who have become much more than business partners, they have become dear friends. From the moment you arrive, you will feel that difference.
The warm welcome at the airport, the familiar smiles from our trusted team, the care shown by the crew aboard the ship, and the genuine hospitality of the Egyptian people all create an experience that feels deeply personal and incredibly special.
The people of Egypt are some of the kindest, warmest, and most welcoming people I have ever encountered. There is a generosity of spirit there that leaves a lasting impression.
And then there is the Nile.
I truly believe there is something magical about sailing aboard the historic SS Karim. Watching the world drift by from the deck, sipping tea as temples appear along the riverbank, and sharing stories and laughter after a day of exploring. These become the moments people remember forever.
But perhaps one of my favorite parts of this experience has nothing to do with ancient temples at all.
It is watching strangers become lifelong friends.
Because we intentionally keep our groups small, something wonderful happens almost every time: people connect deeply. Meals become conversations, conversations become friendships, and by the end of the trip many travelers feel like family.
Some of those friendships have lasted for years.
Egypt is unlike anywhere else on earth.
It is awe-inspiring, emotional, surprising, beautiful, and unforgettable.
And I am excited to experience it with you.
— Jewel
