New Years in Egypt

Stand in the shadow of the Great Pyramid of Giza as midnight strikes and fireworks burst across the desert sky, marking your entry into a new year surrounded by one of humanity's greatest architectural triumphs. This is Egypt reimagined through celebration: golden desert light spilling across pharaonic temples, the timeless Nile flowing past palm-lined banks, and the intoxicating scent of cumin and cardamom drifting through bustling bazaars, all set against the backdrop of New Year's magic.

Over eight unforgettable days, journey from Cairo's vibrant chaos to Luxor's open-air museum of antiquity, uncovering treasures that have captivated travelers for centuries. Soar above ancient temples in a hot air balloon as the sun breaks over the horizon, painting the landscape in rose and gold. Descend into the painted tombs of the Valley of the Kings, where colors remain vivid after millennia in darkness. Learn the art of Egyptian cooking in a local home, sharing laughter and stories with women whose families have called this land home for generations.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1 – DECEMBER 29, 2026: CAIRO - ARRIVAL AND WELCOME

Your Egyptian adventure begins the moment you land at Cairo International Airport, where private transportation whisks you through the bustling streets of this ancient metropolis to your hotel, your home for the week ahead. After settling into your comfortable accommodations and refreshing from your journey, the group gathers for a welcome dinner at the hotel. Over delicious local specialties and traditional Egyptian dishes, your WTA host introduces the journey ahead while you begin forging connections with the women who will share this extraordinary week. Listen to the stories of why each traveler chose Egypt, what dreams brought them here, and what they hope to discover. The anticipation builds as you realize tomorrow brings your first encounter with the world's oldest pyramid, the legendary Sphinx, and ultimately, the magic of ringing in the New Year at the Pyramids of Giza. Tonight, rest well as the sounds of Cairo hum beyond your window, knowing that 5,000 years of history and unforgettable celebrations await your discovery.

Note: We recommend leaving the US on December 28 so that your flight arrives on December 29 – early enough to join your group for the Welcome Dinner. Should you wish to arrive on December 28 instead, pre-trip hotel charges will be added to your final bill.

There is also an optional pre-trip extension to Jordan to explore Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea. It will run from Dec 24 - 29, 2026.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodations: Hilton Grand Nile, Cairo

DAY 2 – DECEMBER 30, 2026: SAQQARA, CARPET SCHOOL & GIZA PLATEAU

Begin your journey at the ancient necropolis of Saqqara, where the iconic Step Pyramid of Djoser rises dramatically from the desert sands. Standing before the world's oldest known pyramid, built 4,700 years ago, you witness the moment when Egyptian architecture transformed from simple mud brick structures to monumental stone engineering. Your Egyptologist guide brings this innovation to life, explaining how architect Imhotep revolutionized construction and changed history forever. Next, visit a traditional carpet school where skilled artisans practice centuries-old weaving techniques, their nimble fingers working vibrant threads into intricate designs passed down through generations. Watch in fascination as patterns emerge from the loom, each knot placed with precision and pride. As the day progresses, venture to the legendary Giza Plateau, where three magnificent pyramids pierce the sky and the enigmatic Sphinx stands eternal guard. Take in breathtaking views from carefully chosen vantage points, capturing photos that will inspire awe for years to come. As the sun casts long shadows across the plateau, return to your hotel for relaxation before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hilton Grand Nile, Cairo

DAY 3 – DECEMBER 31, 2026: CITADEL, GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM & NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION

Begin your day at the commanding Citadel of Salah El-Din, where morning light gleams off the alabaster walls of this medieval fortress perched high above the city. The panoramic views of Cairo spread before you like a living tapestry, countless minarets piercing the sky while the calls to prayer echo across the ancient metropolis below. Your afternoon transports you through millennia at the spectacular Grand Egyptian Museum, a state-of-the-art facility where King Tutankhamun's treasures shine as brilliantly as they did upon their discovery a century ago. Walk among more than 100,000 artifacts, each telling its own story of ancient Egyptian life, death, and connections to the divine. Marvel at golden funeral masks, intricate jewelry, royal chariots, and the nested coffins that protected pharaohs for eternity. This evening arrives with special magic: return to the Giza Plateau at sunset, where the Great Pyramids are illuminated against the darkening sky. As midnight approaches, gather with your fellow travelers and the global celebration of the New Year as spectacular fireworks burst across the desert, creating an unforgettable backdrop of light and wonder. This is a moment you'll remember forever: ringing in a new year beneath one of humanity's most magnificent monuments, surrounded by new friends who have become like family.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hilton Grand Nile, Cairo

DAY 4 – JANUARY 1, 2027: MARKET TOUR & COOKING CLASS WITH LOCAL FAMILY

Welcome the New Year with an immersive culinary experience that nourishes both body and soul. Begin with a sensory journey through a vibrant local market, where vendors call out their wares in Arabic and the air fills with the scent of fresh herbs and warm flatbread. Your expert guide helps you select the freshest ingredients, from perfectly ripe tomatoes and crisp cucumbers to aromatic cilantro, parsley, and the day's catch delivered from the Mediterranean. Learn about the subtle differences between regional spice blends and how they define Egyptian cuisine, understanding why some families prefer more cumin while others favor coriander. Next, enter the warm embrace of an Egyptian family's home, where generations of culinary wisdom come alive in a traditional kitchen. Under the patient guidance of your host family, learn to stuff vine leaves with delicate precision, master the art of properly spicing kofta meatballs, and discover the secret to perfect molokhia, a beloved green soup that's a cornerstone of Egyptian home cooking. Share this feast family-style around a communal table, learning about Egyptian eating customs and daily life over cups of fragrant mint tea and conversations that bridge cultures. This intimate exchange transcends tourism, creating genuine connections that remind you why we travel: to understand one another across continents and centuries.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hilton Grand Nile, Cairo

DAY 5 – JANUARY 2, 2027: LUXOR - VALLEY OF THE KINGS & WEST BANK

This morning, catch a one-hour regional flight south to Luxor, the world's largest open-air museum, graced with breathtaking architecture on both banks of the majestic Nile. Upon arrival, your guide leads you across the river to the West Bank, the realm of the dead where pharaohs built elaborate tombs to ensure their immortality. Your day of discovery begins at the Valley of the Kings, where 63 royal tombs are carved deep into the limestone cliffs. Descend into painted chambers where hieroglyphics and scenes from the Book of the Dead glow with colors so vivid they seem painted yesterday rather than 3,000 years ago. Capture photos at the stunning Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt's most successful female pharaoh, its three terraced levels rising dramatically against golden cliffs. Stand before the massive Colossi of Memnon, twin statues standing 60 feet tall, guarding this necropolis for 3,400 years. After a delightful lunch at the beloved Sunflower Restaurant, a local favorite known for traditional dishes and warm hospitality, return to your Luxor accommodations where you can relax by the pool or stroll along the Nile promenade before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Sonesta St. George Hotel, Luxor

DAY 6 – JANUARY 3, 2027: HOT AIR BALLOON & LUXOR EAST BANK TEMPLES

Rise before dawn for an unforgettable hot air balloon ride, where you'll soar above the temples and valleys of Luxor as the sun paints the sky in shades of rose, amber, and gold. From this ethereal vantage point, the Nile winds like a silver ribbon below, palm groves dot the landscape, and the Valley of the Kings unfolds beneath you in all its majesty. This is a moment of pure magic, when ancient history and natural beauty converge to create memories that will stay with you forever. After this breathtaking experience and a light breakfast, explore the magnificent East Bank, revealing Karnak and Luxor Temples, Egypt's second-largest archaeological wonders after the Great Pyramids. Begin at the massive Karnak Temple complex, sprawling across 100 hectares along the Nile's east bank. Walk the Avenue of Sphinxes, then enter the breathtaking Great Hypostyle Hall where 134 towering columns reach 80 feet overhead, each so wide that 50 people could stand on top. Construction here spanned over 2,000 years, with successive pharaohs adding their own monuments to honor Amun-Ra, the king of gods deeply connected to Thebes. Continue to Luxor Temple, dating back to 1400 BCE and known in ancient Egyptian as "ipet resyt," meaning "the southern sanctuary." Marvel at the massive statues of Ramses II, the towering obelisk, and the elegant colonnade that glows honey-colored in afternoon light.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Sonesta St. George Hotel, Luxor

DAY 7 – JANUARY 4, 2027: RETURN TO CAIRO - CAIRO TOWER, KHAN EL-KHALILI & FREE TIME

Return to Cairo for a final day of discovery and reflection. Ascend the iconic Cairo Tower, where panoramic views stretch across the sprawling metropolis to the pyramids shimmering on the desert horizon. From this vantage point 614 feet above the city, you gain perspective on just how vast Cairo truly is, home to over 20 million people, and how the green ribbon of the Nile sustains life in the surrounding desert. Next, dive into the medieval atmosphere of Khan el-Khalili bazaar, a labyrinth of narrow lanes that has welcomed merchants and traders for 600 years. Colorful textiles hang from shop fronts, brass lanterns catch the light, mountains of aromatic spices fill burlap sacks, and vendors call out friendly greetings and bargaining banter. This is your opportunity for final souvenir shopping, whether you seek papyrus paintings, alabaster vases, silver cartouche pendants with your name in hieroglyphics, or fragrant essential oils. You'll have free time this afternoon to explore independently, perhaps visiting a favorite site again or simply relaxing at a cafe with sweet mint tea and people-watching. Tonight, join your group for a memorable farewell dinner overlooking Cairo, toasting new friendships and the unforgettable adventures you've shared.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Hilton Grand Nile, Cairo

DAY 8 – JANUARY 5, 2027: DEPARTURE DAY

After one final Egyptian breakfast at your hotel, take some last moments to absorb Cairo's energy, perhaps stepping out for a final stroll or last-minute souvenir purchase if time permits. Private transportation returns you to Cairo International Airport for your connecting flight home, your luggage heavier with treasures and your heart fuller with memories. As you board your flight, you carry home not just photographs and hieroglyphic souvenirs, but something more precious: the lived experience of walking where pharaohs walked, the wonder of ancient mysteries revealed, the magic of ringing in a New Year beneath the pyramids, and the lasting friendships forged with fellow travelers who shared your sense of adventure. Egypt has left its mark on your soul, and you know that this journey, these women, and these timeless monuments will inspire your stories for years to come. Ma'a salama, Egypt. Until we meet again.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: N/A

 

December 24 - 29: Pre-Trip Jordan Extension 

Want to spend Christmas and New Years traveling? Join the 5-night pre-trip extension to Jordan:

 

Day 1 – December 24: Arrive at Queen Alia International Airport where your guide will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in Amman. Settle into your accommodations and enjoy a welcome dinner, sharing stories with your fellow travelers as you prepare for the adventures ahead.

Day 2 – December 25: Celebrate Christmas today in a totally unique way, soaking in the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. Pamper yourself with mineral mud baths known for their therapeutic and rejuvenating properties and float peacefully in the special waters. After a peaceful day of relaxation, travel onward to Petra for the night.

Day 3 – December 26: Today brings the highlight of your journey: a full day exploring Petra, the “Lost City” carved into rose-red cliffs by the ancient Nabateans. Walk through the dramatic Siq canyon and gasp as the magnificent Treasury reveals itself. Discover hidden tombs, temples, and the Monastery as you wander this archaeological wonder. Return to your hotel this evening with memories that will last a lifetime.

Day 4 – December 27: Depart for the otherworldly desert landscape of Wadi Rum, where towering sandstone mountains rise from rust-colored sands. This afternoon, embark on a thrilling two-hour jeep safari across the desert, visiting ancient petroglyphs and natural rock formations. As the sun sets, arrive at your luxury Bedouin camp for dinner and an evening under a canopy of stars.

Day 5 – December 28: After breakfast at camp, drive back to Amman. You’ll have at the city’s most famous falafel shop and a quick tour of the sights. This evening, you’ll take an included flight from Amman to Cairo to start the main Egypt tour.

Day 6 – December 29: Free Day in Cairo. Have a leisurely morning and rest before meeting the rest of your Egypt Tour travelers for the welcome dinner in Cairo.

Inclusions: Daily breakfast & dinners. Lunches are not included during the extension. You'll have a local driver & guide in Jordan, but not the services of a WTA trip host.

Note, for those participating in the pre-trip extension, you need to book your arrival flight to Amman, Jordan and departure from Cairo, Egypt.