Egypt: Ancient, contemporary, eternal. One of the world's most storied destinations, it draws travelers mesmerized by its landmarks of antiquity—grand temples and tombs, pyramids and colonnades, layers of history stretching back millennia into the realm of myth and wonder. Yet the magic of Egypt is more than these enduring monuments. We also find it in the Egyptian people whose daily lives we encounter through our personal relationships—farmers, fishers, potters, purveyors—living in villages linked by the Nile, the lifeblood threading the country together then and now. On a journey through time, travel from the metropolis of Cairo to Luxor and Aswan—sailing the fabled river on a private voyage for just 12 guests—then head overland to explore little-known archaeological sites and desert landscapes.
Cruise the Nile Aboard a Private Dahabiya for 12 Guests
Spend four nights aboard a new yet traditional wind-powered sailing vessel offering a slower, more intimate perspective on life along the Nile—for our guests alone
Rare Personal Connections with Local People
Join families for home-cooked meals, visit our friend Asma in her mud-brick home on El Hegz Island, and meet farmers, fishermen and artisans
VIP Access to the Pyramids, Sphinx & More
Avoid crowds on carefully curated visits with our expert Egyptologist guide—explore Karnak, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, and lesser-known sites
Discover the Eternal Spirit of Egypt, with Exclusive Access
When you're looking for a trip to Egypt, the options are myriad. But none are quite like Terra & Tu's, a special blend of epic sights and quiet, behind-the-scenes experiences that reveal a side of Egyptian life and culture you won't find elsewhere. We take you down the Nile, of course, to the astounding sites that draw visitors to Egypt—but also into more distant hinterlands off the standard tourist circuit, for a river-and-land journey you won't find elsewhere. See what makes our adventure so special:
Egypt's Monuments—and Much More!
The pyramids, the Sphinx, Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings are all here. But alongside Egypt's best-known archaeological sites, we spend time in homes, gardens, workshops, markets and farming villages, meeting the people whose lives remain closely tied to the Nile. We also visit lesser-known archaeological ruins and natural desert landscapes few experience.Four Nights on the Nile in a Privately Chartered Dahabiya for 12 Guests
The way you travel the Nile totally defines your experience of Egypt. Accommodating just 12 guests, our private sailing vessel offers a more leisurely ad personal alternative to the large cruise ships that dominate the river. Because of its smaller size, the vessel can moor beside islands, villages and quiet stretches of shoreline often bypassed by larger ships. Mornings begin with views of the river rather than crowded docks. Time on deck allows unhurried observation, passing palm groves, cultivated fields, waterbirds and sandstone cliffs. Along the way, visits with farmers, fishermen and artisans reveal a side of the Nile that many travelers never encounter.Explore Beyond the River, off the Standard Track
Once our cruise concludes, our journey doesn't—continue by land to Fayoum, Lake Qaroun and Tunis, and meet local artisans keeping traditional pursuits alive. Fayoum is an important center for traditional pottery, and we step inside a workshop to learn the artistry behind these practical wares. Desert lakes fill the basin at Wadi El-Rayan, and fossilized whale skeletons lie exposed at Wadi El-Hitan, offering a vivid record of evolutionary transition. This little-visited region reveals a lesser-known side of Egypt, beyond the history of the pharaohs, where we learn about fascianting geology, enduring craftsmanship, and daily life in an oasis.Meaningful Personal Encounters
In El Hegz, our friend Asma welcomes us into her mud-brick home and garden. On Besaw Island, a farming family hosts us for breakfast. In Luxor, we join local residents in their home for dinner. In Faris, an artisan demonstrates traditional palm-frond weaving. In Fayoum, a potter opens his studio and workshop, and invites us to try our hand with the clay. These visits offer a closer look at life along the Nile, from farming and fishing to craftsmanship and hospitality, adding a contemporary human dimension beyond the temples and tombs.Luxor Beyond the Famous Sites
The Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Luxor Temple are among Egypt's greatest archaeological treasures. But we also visit Deir el-Medina, where the artisans who built the royal tombs lived and worked. Their homes and painted burial places offer a different perspective on ancient Egypt, focusing on the skilled craftsmen behind the monuments, not only the rulers they served.Fayoum: Pottery, Desert Lakes & Fossil Whales
Few travelers spend time in Fayoum, an important center for traditional pottery. Here, potters' workshops overlook Lake Qaroun, and we step inside to learn the artistry behind these practical wares. Desert lakes fill the basin at Wadi El-Rayan, and fossilized whale skeletons lie exposed at Wadi El-Hitan, offering a vivid record of evolutionary transition. This little-visited region reveals another side of Egypt, where we learn about fascianting geology, enduring craftsmanship, and daily life in an oasis—a look beyond the the history of the pharaohs.