The opening of the new Grand Egyptian Museum is bringing all the great treasures of the ancient world back into the spotlight. Scenic’s escorted luxury Egypt and Jordan tours offer a remarkable way to journey through timeless landmarks and striking landscapes, from Alexandria to Abu Simbel.

1. Wander the Valley of the Kings
2. New Grand Egyptian Museum
3. Witness the Great Pyramids
4. Cruise the Nile
5. Scenic Special Stays
6. See the Majestic Abu Simbel
7. When to visit
8. Personalise your journey
9. Featured itineraries

While the Pyramids are the most renowned monuments in the region, the Valley of the Kings is equally captivating. It gained worldwide attention with the 1922 discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb and has captivated Egyptologists and historians for centuries.

On your Treasures of Egypt journey, take time to uncover the stories and secrets of this legendary place. As part of your Nile cruise on board the opulent Sanctuary Sun Boat III, you’ll visit the famed Valley of the Kings, which contains 65 separate tombs and burial chambers as well as the former residence of Howard Carter, the British archaeologist who discovered King Tut’s tomb over a century ago.

From hieroglyphics to ornate burial halls, the Valley of the Kings is a fascinating link to the past. As a key to understanding the legacy of early Egyptian society, it’s a must-see for guests.

In late 2024, the Grand Egyptian Museum opened its striking pyramid-inspired doors, unveiling a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to showcasing the country’s extraordinary treasures. Spanning over 500,000 square metres, it stands as the largest archaeological museum complex in the world devoted to a single civilisation. While 12 galleries are already open to visitors, the museum is set for its official grand opening in late 2025, when the highly anticipated Solar Boat and Tutankhamun galleries will also welcome guests - enriching the experience and bringing Egypt’s rich heritage even more vividly to life.

Inside, you’ll find a staggering 100,000 artefacts. All of King Tutankhamun’s treasures are on display for the first time, as well as the towering 3200-year-old, 83-ton statue of Ramses II, painstakingly rehoused from a major square in the centre of Cairo.

The opening has enriched the historical experience available to Scenic guests in Giza. Each bespoke Egypt itinerary now includes the opportunity to discover the wonders inside. Located just two kilometres from the Great Pyramids and the iconic Marriott Mena House - where Scenic guests will reside during their stay in Giza - the museum offers an unforgettable glimpse into the country’s remarkable history.

Of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, only the Great Pyramids of Giza remain today. The awe-inspiring site is the launchpad into the country for the 13-day Treasures of Egypt and 15-day Egypt in Depth luxury land journeys.

The resting place for three pharaohs, Khufu, his son Khafre and his grandson Menkaure, the pyramids were built over 4,500 years ago. Exactly how still remains one of the world’s greatest mysteries. There are other enigmas to uncover, including the identity of the face immortalized on the Great Sphinx of Giza, the 73-metre-long and 20-metre-high limestone sculpture that stretches out in the pyramid’s shadow. Some are certain it is Khafre, while others argue it looks more like his father Khufu.

Explore these historical treasures with your handpicked Tour Director, a fully qualified Egyptologist. You’ll gain deep insights into the reign of the pharaohs and the burial customs that have made them world-famous. Scenic’s fully escorted smaller group land tours accommodate only up to 34 guests for a more intimate experience.

In every chapter of Egypt’s spellbinding history, the world’s longest river plays the starring role. You have the chance to write your own Nile story over four nights spent gently cruising between Luxor — home to the Valley of the Kings — and Aswan, stopping for excursions to revered temples such as Philae and Kom Ombo.

Cruise down the famous river on the elegant Sanctuary Sun Boat III. Stylistically, this floating haven is a callback to the luxuriant 1920s, with stylish cabins and a spectacular Sun Deck replete with Bedouin-style cabanas. Along the way, you’ll encounter the intricate temples of Dendera, the majestic Luxor Temple with its colossal statues of Ramses II and the striking Kom Ombo Temple dedicated to the gods Sobek and Horus. This boutique cruising experience is a key highlight of your experience and part of every Scenic land journey.

A Scenic luxury land journey includes signature Scenic Special Stays at iconic hotels across Egypt and Jordan. The 5-star Marriott Mena House in Giza features incredible views of the Great Pyramids that have long attracted the rich and famous. From King George V and Winston Churchill to Roger Moore and Frank Sinatra, Mena House has provided its exceptional amenities to notable names since it was established in 1886.

Your shorter luxury cruise allows for luxurious stays in both Luxor and Aswan. In Luxor, you’ll stay at the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa. Located on the shores of the Nile just seven kilometres from Luxor, enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating sojourn in the Hilton’s holistic spa and infinity pools with river views.

After disembarking your cruise in Aswan, your journey takes you to the 5-star Scenic Special Stay is the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel. A relic of the British colonial era of Egyptian history, the Old Cataract was built by none other than Thomas Cook. Agatha Christie’s classic novel Death on the Nile was written here and inspired by her stay, with the hotel featuring prominently within the story. Today it’s a link between the Nile and the Nubian Desert, and a special delight for Scenic guests.

Another essential stop is Abu Simbel, one of the most magnificent monuments in Egypt. This experience is included, along with your flight to Aswan on your journey with Scenic. The site is made up of two World Heritage-listed temples, the Great Temple and the Small Temple. The former is flanked by enormous reliefs of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari carved into stone. Admire these 20m-high guardians and the ancient temple interiors, designed to honour the gods and act as a display of Ramses’s power and influence.

October to December is an ideal time to visit Egypt. Autumn (September to November) brings warm days without the intense heat, plus fewer crowds. By December, early winter temperatures settle around 15–25°C (59–77°F), making it a comfortable time for sightseeing.

Make your journey through Egypt a truly unforgettable experience by personalising your days to suit your tastes. A range of Scenic Freechoice excursions let you feed your passions and add greater depth to your journey. Delve into the Nubian heritage of Aswan with a visit to a Nubian village, explore the grand Sultan Hassan Mosque of Cairo, travel back to the 9th century reign of Prince Muhammad Ali at Roda Island or admire the grand architecture and detailed reliefs of Kalabsha Temple on the shores of Lake Nasser.

More than an escorted tour, Scenic’s luxury land journeys provide unrivalled access to the highlights of this region’s rich history and vibrant present.