Egypt
Few destinations offer a history as rich and captivating as Egypt. This is where ancient wonders meet natural beauty, from the idyllic villages along the Nile to inspiring monuments that have stood firm against the test of time. With Gray & Co., unlock all of Egypt’s secrets on a journey steeped in luxury and timeless allure. This land of the pharaohs was first unified in 3150 BC, with the pyramids of Giza built between 2600 and 2500 BC. Flash forward to 2025 and the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum. Almost 20 years in the making, the archaeological museum complex is the largest in the world (twice the size of the Louvre!), housing more than 100,000 artifacts. For the first time ever, King Tutankhamun’s entire treasure collection will be on display.
Next to the pyramids and the famous Sphinx of Giza lies the vibrant city of Cairo, home to bustling souks and more world-class sites brought to life by Gray & Co.’s curated Egyptologists. When you’ve tired of camel rides, we’ll visit the 22 mummies of NMEC, zip line over rock churches, explore galleries in Zamalek, shop at Madu, eat the national dish of koshary with a local, meet the congregation at the Adly Street Synagogue and settle into Marriott’s Mena House, set at the base of the Pyramids, or The St. Regis downtown overlooking the Nile.
Follow the Nile south to the city of Aswan, the location of a dam built in the 1960’s to prevent the annual flooding of the Nile; the incredible result is Lake Nasser, one of the world’s largest artificial lakes. Stay at the iconic Old Cataract Hotel. Built in 1899, the hotel’s storied guest list includes Agatha Christie, writer of Death on the Nile. At nearby Philae, the temple of Isis was moved to higher waters rock by rock. Fly from Aswan south to see the mighty Abu Simbel temple, also relocated. Next, cruise north along the Nile’s biblical shorelines aboard a private shallow-bottomed, twin-masted yacht or “dahabiya”. (Take it from us that the best is the 100-year-old Set Nefru.) Stop at villages and temples along the way that include Kom Ombo and Edfu. Cruises end in Luxor with a visit to the necropolises of Valley of the Kings & Valley of the Queens. And of course, there are the temples of Luxor, Karnak, and Hatshepsut. Don’t skip lunch in the courtyard of the Marsam Hotel, where the German archaeological delegation used to stay during digs a century ago. An extended stay at the nearby Hotel Al Moudira is rewarded with bottomless luxe as well as intimate firsthand experiences of ancient crafts such as papyrus paper making, ceramics, and weaving. Ride horses, drive in vintage cars, and indulge at the spa. We hope you have a month to spend!
Further Egypt explorations can include the Red Sea — paradise year-round for divers who love crystal-clear waters and vibrant corals. Marsa Alam offers opportunities to dive with wild dolphins, a WWII shipwreck and even hammerhead sharks. Deep within Egypt’s Western Desert, The Siwa Oasis features salt lakes and natural springs believed to have healing properties. The vast desert offers an abundance of adventure such as 4×4 riding or dune sandboarding. Stay at Adrère Amellal, an impressively-designed hotel built entirely of salt, clay, stone, and palm. Experience traditional Egyptian fare, soak in natural springs and rejuvenate with mud or salt massages.
